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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS, 18 SEPTEMBER 2024

NIPAH VIRUS

 
 
1. Context
The serum test results of 16 people on the contact list of the Nipah victim in Malappuram district of Kerala tested negative on Tuesday, prompting the health authorities to heave a sigh of relief. However, Minister for Health Veena George said that 80 more were included on the contact list
 
2. Nipah Virus
  • Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus that can spread between animals and people.
  • The natural host of NiV is fruit bats, also known as flying foxes.
  • NiV can also infect pigs and people
  • NiV infection can cause a range of illnesses, from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. The case fatality rate for NiV infection is estimated to be between 40% and 75%
  • The symptoms of NiV infection typically appear 4-14 days after exposure to the virus. The initial symptoms are similar to those of the flu, including fever, headache, and cough.
  • In severe cases, the virus can cause encephalitis, which is a swelling of the brain. Encephalitis can lead to coma and death.
  • NiV can be transmitted from animals to people through contact with infected saliva, urine, or other bodily fluids.
  • It can also be transmitted through contact with contaminated food or water. Person-to-person transmission of NiV is possible, but it is rare.
  • Nipah virus outbreaks have been reported in several countries in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, and Singapore.
  • The virus has caused sporadic outbreaks, with varying levels of severity
3.Transmission
 
Nipah Virus — The Jenner Institute
  • The first outbreaks of the Nipah virus among humans was reported from Malaysia (1998) and Singapore (1999).
  • The virus takes its name from the village in Malaysia where the person in whom the virus was first isolated died of the disease.
  • The transmission from animals happens mainly through consumption of contaminated food. According to the CDC, transmission can happen due to consumption of raw date palm sap or fruit that has been contaminated with saliva or urine from infected bats.
  • Some cases of NiV [Nipah] infection have also been reported among people who climb trees where bats often roost.
  • The animal host reservoir for this virus is known to be the fruit bat, commonly known as flying fox.
  • Fruit bats are known to transmit this virus to other animals like pigs, and also dogs, cats, goats, horses and sheep
  • Humans get infected mainly through direct contact with these animals, or through consumption of food contaminated by saliva or urine of these infected animals
  • Since it was first identified in 1998-99, there have been multiple outbreaks of the Nipah virus, all of them in South and Southeast Asian nations. In Bangladesh, there have been at least 10 outbreaks since 2001.
    In India, West Bengal had seen an outbreak in 2001 and 2007, while Kerala had reported several cases in 2018, and isolated cases in 2019 and 2021.
4. Zoonotic diseases

Zoonotic diseases, also known as zoonoses, are infectious diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans. These diseases can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi, and they pose a significant public health concern worldwide. Zoonotic diseases can be transmitted through direct or indirect contact with infected animals, their secretions, or contaminated environments. Some common examples of zoonotic diseases include:

  1. Influenza: Various strains of influenza viruses can infect both animals and humans. Influenza viruses can undergo genetic changes, leading to new strains that have the potential to cause pandemics.

  2. Rabies: Rabies is a viral disease that primarily affects mammals, including bats, dogs, and raccoons. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected animal and can be fatal if not treated promptly.

  3. Salmonellosis: Caused by the bacterium Salmonella, this disease is often associated with contaminated food products, particularly those of animal origin such as poultry and eggs.

  4. Lyme Disease: Transmitted by ticks, Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is commonly found in wildlife, particularly deer. Humans can become infected when bitten by an infected tick.

  5. West Nile Virus: This mosquito-borne virus primarily circulates among birds but can be transmitted to humans through mosquito bites, leading to fever and, in some cases, severe neurological complications.

  6. E. coli Infections: Certain strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) can cause gastrointestinal illness in humans. Contaminated food and water, as well as contact with infected animals, can lead to E. coli infections.

  7. HIV/AIDS: While the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is primarily transmitted among humans, it is believed to have originated from the transfer of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) from non-human primates to humans, making it a zoonotic disease.

  8. COVID-19: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, is believed to have originated in bats and was likely transmitted to humans through an intermediate animal host, highlighting the zoonotic nature of the virus.

5. Way forward
Nipah virus is considered a serious public health concern due to its high mortality rate, the potential for person-to-person transmission, and the lack of specific treatments or vaccines. Surveillance and research efforts are ongoing to better understand and combat this virus. It's essential to stay updated on the latest information and follow public health guidelines if you live in or travel to regions where Nipah virus is known to be present.
 
For Prelims: Viruses, Bacteria, Immunity, Vaccine types
For Mains: 1.Discuss the challenges in controlling viral diseases and the strategies employed by governments and international organizations in addressing viral epidemics. Highlight the lessons learned from recent viral outbreaks
2.Analyze the global problem of antibiotic resistance and its implications for healthcare. Suggest policy measures and interventions to combat the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
 
 
 
Previous Year Questions
1.Viruses can affect (UPSC CSE 2016)
1.Bacteria
2. Fungi
3. Plants
Select the correct code with the following code
A.1 and 2 only
B. 3 Only
C. 1 and 3
D. 1, 2, 3
Answer (D)
2. Which of the following statements is/ are correct? (UPSC CSE 2013)
1. Viruses lack enzymes necessary for the generation of energy
2.Viruses can be cultured in any synthetic medium
3.Viruses are transmitted from one organism to another by biological vectors only 
Select the correct answer using the code given below
A. 1 Only
B. 2 and 3
C. 1 and 3
D. 1, 2, 3
Answer (A)
 
Source: indianexpress
 

LINE OF ACTUAL CONTROL (LAC)

 
1.Context
There has been much hype over External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s comments that 75% of disengagement has been completed by India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh and the Chinese response that both sides have undertaken disengagement from four areas in the border areas
Pic credits: TRT WORLD
 
2.About Line of Actual Control (LAC)
The LAC is the demarcation that separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory.
India considers the LAC to be 3,488 km long, while the Chinese consider it to be only around 2,000 km
It is divided into three sectors:
 
The eastern sector which spans Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim,
The middle sector in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, and the western sector in Ladakh
 
3.The disagreement
  • The alignment of the LAC in the eastern sector is along the 1914 McMahon Line, and there are minor disputes about the positions on the ground as per the principle of the high Himalayan watershed
  • This pertains to India’s international boundary as well, but for certain areas such as Longju and Asaphila
  • The line in the middle sector is the least controversial but for the precise alignment to be followed in the Barahoti plains.
  • The major disagreements are in the western sector where the LAC emerged from two letters written by Chinese Prime Minister Zhou Enlai to PM Jawaharlal Nehru in 1959, after he had first mentioned such a ‘line’ in 1956.
  • In his letter, Zhou said the LAC consisted of “the so-called McMahon Line in the east and the line up to which each side exercises actual control in the west”
  • After the 1962 War, the Chinese claimed they had withdrawn to 20 km behind the LAC of November 1959
  • During the Doklam crisis in 2017, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson urged India to abide by the “1959 LAC”
  • India rejected the concept of LAC in both 1959 and 1962. Even during the war, Nehru was unequivocal: “There is no sense or meaning in the Chinese offer to withdraw twenty kilometres from what they call ‘line of actual control’
4.India's agreement to LAC
  • LAC was discussed during Chinese Premier Li Peng’s 1991 visit to India, where PM P V Narasimha Rao and Li reached an understanding to maintain peace and tranquillity at the LAC. 
  • India formally accepted the concept of the LAC when Rao paid a return visit to Beijing in 1993 and the two sides signed the Agreement to Maintain Peace and Tranquillity at the LAC
  • The reference to the LAC was unqualified to make it clear that it was not referring to the LAC of 1959 or 1962 but to the LAC at the time when the agreement was signed
  • To reconcile the differences about some areas, the two countries agreed that the Joint Working Group on the border issue would take up the task of clarifying the alignment of the LAC
5.How is the LAC different from the Line of Control with Pakistan?

The LoC emerged from the 1948 ceasefire line negotiated by the UN after the Kashmir War. It was designated as the LoC in 1972, following the Shimla Agreement between the two countries. It is delineated on a map signed by DGMOs of both armies and has the international sanctity of a legal agreement.

The LAC, in contrast, is only a concept – it is not agreed upon by the two countries, neither delineated on a map or demarcated on the ground.

 

For Prelims: LAC, LOC

For Mains:

1.What is this ‘line of control’? Is this the line China have created by aggression. Comment

2.What we know about the clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh

 

Previous Year Questions

1.The Line of Actual Control (LAC) separates  (Karnataka Civil Police Constable 2020)

A.India and Pakistan

B.India and Afghanistan

C.India and Nepal

D.India and China

Answer (D)

2.LAC (Line of Actual Control) is an effective border between India and ______. (SSC CHSL 2020)

A.Pakistan

B.Bhutan

C.Sri Lanka

D.China

Answer (D)
 
 
 
Source:indianexpress
 
 

DEATH SENTENCE EXPLAINED 

 

1.Context

The life of the death sentence in India has been unending, and like a phoenix revives itself in different forms every now and then. The latest addition to this is the Aparajita Woman and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024, adopted by the West Bengal government, the reason being the brutal rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital

 

2.Background

  • Death sentence/Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, is a state-sanctioned practice of killing a person as a punishment for a crime. 
  • The sentence order that an offender is to be punished in such a manner is known as a death sentence, and the act of carrying out the sentence is known as an execution.
  • While the standard applied by the judiciary is that of the rarest of rare principles (however subjective or Judge-centric it may be in its application), the standard applied by the executive in granting commutation is not known.
  • In Shankar Kisanrao Khade v. State of Maharashtra (‘Khade’), the Supreme Court of India, while dealing with an appeal on the issue of death sentence, expressed its concern with the lack of a coherent and consistent purpose and basis for awarding death and granting clemency.

3.History of the death penalty in India

  • An early attempt at the abolition of the death penalty took place in pre-independent India when Shri Gaya Prasad Singh attempted to introduce a Bill abolishing the death penalty for IPC offences in 1931.
  • However, this was defeated Around the same time, in March 1931, following the execution of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru by the British government, the Congress moved a resolution in its Karachi session, which included a demand for the abolition of the death penalty.
  • India’s Constituent Assembly Debates between 1947 and 1949 also raised questions about the judge-centric nature of the death penalty, arbitrariness in imposition, its discriminatory impact on people living in poverty, and the possibility of error.
  • Pandit Thakur Das Bhargava complained regarding the errors associated with the death penalty.
  • Dr Ambedkar was personally in favour of abolition.

4.Legal backing associated with the death penalty

  • The IPC prescribed six punishments that could be imposed under the law, including death. 
  • In 1955, the Parliament repealed Section 367(5), CrPC 1898, significantly altering the position of the death sentence.
  • The Code of Criminal Procedure was reenacted in 1973 (‘CrPC’), and several changes were made.

 5.Constitutional and judicial opinions on the Death penalty

  • In Jagmohan Singh v. State of U. P., the Supreme Court found that the death penalty was a permissible punishment, and did not violate the Constitution. 
  • In 1979, the case of Rajendra Prasad v. State of Uttar Pradesh (‘Rajendra Prasad’) discussed what the “special reasons” for imposing the death sentence could be.
  • A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court in the case of Triveniben v. the State of Gujarat considered the question and held that only executive delay, and not judicial delay, may be considered relevant in an Article 21 challenge. 
  • In Bachan Singh, the Court adopted the ‘rarest of rare’ guideline for the imposition of the death penalty, saying that reasons to impose or not impose the death penalty must include the circumstances of the crime and the criminal.
  • Justice Bhagwati (17th Chief Justice of India) in his dissenting opinion found the death penalty necessarily arbitrary, discriminatory and capricious.

6.Criticism against the Death penalty

  • Major arguments against the death penalty focus on its inhumanity, lack of deterrent effect, continuing racial and economic biases, and irreversibility. 
  • Proponents argue that it represents just retribution for certain crimes, deters crime, protects society, and preserves the moral order.
  • Death penalty violates Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India. 
  • It was argued that since the death sentence extinguishes, along with life, all the freedoms guaranteed under Article 19(1) (a) to (g), it was an unreasonable denial of these freedoms and not in the interests of the public. 
  • The discretion vested in judges in deciding to impose a death sentence was uncontrolled and unguided and violated Article 14. 
  • Provisions of the law did not provide a procedure for the consideration of circumstances crucial for choosing between capital punishment and imprisonment for life, it violated Article 21.
  • The decision of the US Supreme Court in Furman v. Georgia in which the death penalty was declared to be unconstitutional as being cruel and unusual punishment was also placed before the Constitution Bench.
  • Irreversibility, fallibility, and that the punishment is necessarily cruel, inhuman and degrading a life whose purity is beyond the law.

7.Conclusion

  • A real and abiding concern for the dignity of human life postulates resistance to taking a life through the law's instrumentality. 
  • That ought not to be done save in the rarest of rare cases when the alternative option is unquestionably foreclosed.
  • “Section 364A cannot be dubbed as so outrageously disproportionate to the nature of the offence as to call for the same being declared unconstitutional”, death sentences would only be awarded in the rarest of rare cases. 
  • The Court did not address the question of whether the death sentence was an appropriate punishment for a non-homicide offence or applicable international law standards on this issue.
 
 
Top 10 Countries that Conducted the Most Executions in 2021 (Amnesty International)
      1. China — 1000+
      2. Iran — 314+
      3. Egypt — 83+
      4. Saudi Arabia — 65
      5. Syria — 24+
      6. Somalia — 21+
      7. Iraq — 17+
      8. Yemen — 14+
      9. United States — 11
      10. South Sudan — 9+
For Prelims & Mains
 
For Prelims: Death Sentence, 
For Mains: Compare the death penalty in India with other countries (250 words)
 
 

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO)

 
 
 
1. Context
 However, the labour force participation rate stood at 55.2% in 2022, according to a recent report released by the International Labour Organization (ILO), which goes on to state that falling labour intensity is likely due to growth being led by the services sector rather than manufacturing. Therefore, while we are certainly not experiencing “jobless growth”, more steps are needed to harness the demographic dividend.
 
2. What is the International Labour Organisation (ILO)?
 
  • The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a United Nations agency whose mandate is to advance social and economic justice by setting international labour standards. Founded in October 1919 under the League of Nations, it is one of the first and oldest specialised agencies of the UN
  • The ILO has 187 member states: 186 out of 193 UN member states plus the Cook Islands. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with around 40 field offices around the world, and employs some 3,381 staff across 107 nations, of whom 1,698 work in technical cooperation programmes and project
  • Unlike other United Nations specialized agencies, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has a tripartite governing structure that brings together governments, employers, and workers of 187 member States, to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.
  • The structure is intended to ensure the views of all three groups are reflected in ILO labour standards, policies, and programmes, though governments have twice as many representatives as the other two groups
 
3. What is the History behind the Establishment?
 
The establishment of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 1919 is rooted in the historical context of the early 20th century, marked by significant social, economic, and political changes.
 
Here is a detailed overview of the history behind its establishment:
  • The late 18th and 19th centuries saw the rise of the Industrial Revolution, which brought about profound changes in the nature of work. While industrialization led to economic growth, it also resulted in poor working conditions, long hours, child labor, and inadequate wages for workers. The social consequences of these changes highlighted the need for labor reform.
  • By the late 19th century, labor movements and social reformers across Europe and North America were advocating for better working conditions, workers' rights, and social justice. These movements were influential in shaping public opinion and policy towards labor issues.
  •  Before the ILO's establishment, there were several international congresses and conferences focused on labor issues. For instance, the International Association for Labour Legislation was founded in 1900, aiming to harmonize labor laws across countries. These early efforts demonstrated a growing recognition of the need for international cooperation on labor standards.
  • The First World War (1914-1918) had devastating social and economic effects, exacerbating labor issues and highlighting the interconnectedness of nations. The war underscored the importance of international cooperation in promoting peace and social stability.
  • Following the end of World War I, the Versailles Peace Conference was convened in 1919 to negotiate the terms of peace and to address the causes of conflict. One of the key issues recognized was the need for improved labor conditions to ensure lasting peace.

  • Treaty of Versailles: The ILO was established as part of the Treaty of Versailles, which formally ended World War I. The inclusion of labor provisions in the treaty reflected the recognition that social justice and decent working conditions were essential for international peace and stability.

  • Founding Principles: The ILO's Constitution, included in the Treaty of Versailles, was based on the belief that universal peace can only be established if it is based on social justice. It set forth several key principles:

    • Labor should not be regarded merely as a commodity or article of commerce.
    • The right to association and the right to collective bargaining should be recognized.
    • Working conditions should be humane, ensuring adequate living wages, reasonable hours, and protection against sickness, disease, and injury.
    • Special protection should be afforded to children, young persons, and women.
4. What is the Organisational Structure of ILO?
 

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has a distinctive organizational structure designed to ensure representation and participation from governments, employers, and workers. This tripartite structure is central to its functioning and decision-making processes. Here's a detailed overview of the ILO's organizational structure:

International Labour Conference (ILC)

  • Role: The ILC is the ILO's supreme decision-making body, often referred to as the "world parliament of labour."
  • Functions: It meets annually to set the broad policies of the ILO, adopt international labor standards (Conventions and Recommendations), and approve the ILO's work program and budget.
  • Composition: The ILC is composed of representatives from each member state, with a tripartite delegation:
    • Government Delegates: Two representatives per member state.
    • Employer Delegates: One representative per member state.
    • Worker Delegates: One representative per member state.
5. What are the Functions of the ILO?
 
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) performs a wide range of functions aimed at promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights.
 
Here are the key functions of the ILO:
  • The ILO develops and adopts international labour standards in the form of Conventions and Recommendations. These standards cover a wide array of labour issues, including workers' rights, working conditions, social protection, and occupational safety and health.
  • Member states can ratify these Conventions, committing themselves to adhere to the standards. The ILO monitors compliance and provides guidance on implementation.
  • The ILO promotes fundamental principles and rights at work, such as freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of forced and child labour, and the elimination of discrimination in employment.
  • It provides technical assistance to countries to help them create and enforce laws and policies that uphold these rights.
  • The ILO supports initiatives aimed at creating more and better jobs, especially for vulnerable groups such as youth, women, and persons with disabilities
  • It promotes vocational training and skills development to enhance employability and adaptability in the labor market
  • Encourages entrepreneurship and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as a means to generate employment.
6.What are the Core Conventions of the ILO?
 

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has identified eight Conventions as "fundamental" or "core" Conventions. These Conventions cover fundamental principles and rights at work and are considered crucial for ensuring decent work and social justice. The ILO's core Conventions are:

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87)

  • Adoption: 1948
  • Purpose: Protects the right of workers and employers to form and join organizations of their own choosing without prior authorization.
  • Key Provisions: Ensures that workers and employers can organize freely and prohibits interference by public authorities.

2Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98)

  • Adoption: 1949
  • Purpose: Provides protection against anti-union discrimination and promotes collective bargaining.
  • Key Provisions: Protects workers from dismissal or prejudice due to union membership and activities, and promotes voluntary negotiation between employers and workers' organizations.

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29)

  • Adoption: 1930
  • Purpose: Aims to suppress the use of forced or compulsory labor in all its forms.
  • Key Provisions: Requires the abolition of all forms of forced or compulsory labor, with exceptions for military service, normal civic obligations, and certain emergencies.

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105)

  • Adoption: 1957
  • Purpose: Complements Convention No. 29 by prohibiting the use of any form of forced labor as a means of political coercion, labor discipline, punishment for participation in strikes, or discrimination.
  • Key Provisions: Mandates the elimination of forced labor for political purposes, economic development, labor discipline, punishment for strikes, and racial, social, national, or religious discrimination.

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138)

  • Adoption: 1973
  • Purpose: Establishes a minimum age for admission to employment to ensure that children are not employed in work that is harmful to their health or development.
  • Key Provisions: Sets the general minimum age for employment at not less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, not less than 15 years (13 for light work, 18 for hazardous work).

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182)

  • Adoption: 1999
  • Purpose: Urges immediate and effective measures to prohibit and eliminate the worst forms of child labor.
  • Key Provisions: Defines the worst forms of child labor, including slavery, trafficking, forced labor, prostitution, and involvement in armed conflict. Calls for urgent action to eliminate these practices.

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100)

  • Adoption: 1951
  • Purpose: Promotes equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal value.
  • Key Provisions: Mandates the principle of equal pay for equal work, requiring member states to ensure that wage discrimination based on sex is eliminated.

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111)

  • Adoption: 1958
  • Purpose: Aims to eliminate discrimination in employment and occupation.
  • Key Provisions: Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction, or social origin, and promotes equal opportunity and treatment in employment.
 
 
For Prelims: GS III- Economy, ILO
For Mains: GS-III: Economy
 
Source: Indianexpress
 

RUSSIA AND CHINA RELATIONSHIP

 
 
 
1. Context
As supplies from Moscow’s traditional partners have dried up under sanctions and Russia’s domestic capacity remains stretched, China has stepped up to help its friend. Compared to 2021, when high-priority goods from China accounted for 32% of Russia’s import needs, China’s share soared to 89% in 2023
Source: Wikimedia
2. China and Russia's Alliance
  • China and Russia are not formal allies, meaning they have not committed to defend each other with military support
  • But the two countries are close strategic partners, a relationship that deepened during the war in Ukraine as Russia became increasingly isolated from many other countries
  • The partnership is fueled by a shared goal of trying to weaken U.S. power and influence
  • The relationship between China and Russia has not always been so warm
  • The two sides were fierce adversaries in the 1960s and clashed in 1969 over disputed territory along their border, raising fears at the time of a nuclear showdown between the two countries
  • The two countries have also been competing for influence in Central Asia, a region the Kremlin has long seen as its turf but is becoming increasingly important to China’s geopolitical and economic ambitions
  • China is building more railroads, highways and energy pipelines in former Soviet republics such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, which still rely on Russia as a crucial security partner
3. Economic relationship
  • Economic ties between China and Russia have strengthened significantly since Russia’s first invasion of Ukraine in 2014, when it annexed Crimea
  • At the time, China helped Russia evade the sanctions imposed by the Obama administration that were supposed to cut off Russia’s access to global markets
  • In the wake of harsher sanctions against Russia following the start of the Ukraine war last year, China has helped to supply many of the products that Russia previously purchased from Western-allied countries, including computer chips, smartphones and raw materials needed for military equipment
  • Putin needs China to help bolster his economy, which has been battered by Western sanctions
  • For the Russian leader, China has increasingly become a lifeline for investment and trade
  • After Western countries restricted their purchases of Russian crude oil and natural gas last year, China helped offset the decline by buying more energy from Russia
  • At the start of the Ukraine war, Russia asked China for military equipment and economic assistance
  • China has refrained from condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, even though China’s foreign policy is rooted around the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity
  • Although China has portrayed itself as a neutral party in the Ukraine war, it has endorsed Russian narratives, blaming the U.S. and NATO for starting the conflict
  • China has also hesitated to put its full backing behind Russia. The turmoil and instability stemming from the war could threaten China’s growth and complicate its efforts to strengthen its economic ties around the world
4. Alliance against Western Dominance
  • Xi wants Putin to join him as a like-minded ally in confronting U.S. and Western dominance
  • China and Russia needed to cooperate to overcome challenges to their security, including “damaging acts of hegemony, domination and bullying.”
  • Xi has pursued a harder stance against what he calls a U.S. effort to contain China’s rise, portraying China as a nation besieged — much as Putin has done in speeches to Russians
  • Xi has urged Chinese industries to reduce their reliance on Western technology and hailed China’s growth as proof that it does not need to adopt Western political values
  • China has been buying more advanced weapons from Russia to modernize its military, and the two nations have increased their joint military exercises
  • President Joe Biden was visiting Tokyo, China and Russia sent bombers over the seas in northeast Asia as a show of force
5. Russia-Ukraine war through the prism of China
 
 
Beijing is unlikely to want an end to the Russian war in Ukraine for several reasons
  1. First, being tied down in Ukraine has the effect of weakening Russia militarily, economically, and politically, This is a vacuum that China can step into, especially in Eurasia
  2. Second, a prolonged conflict in Ukraine means that the West’s, and in particular the United States’, attention and resources are diverted  and this the Chinese see as a good thing.From Beijing’s point of view, it weakens the focus on and reduces the resources for any potential Western intervention on China’s eastern seaboard, particularly in the scenario of a crisis over Taiwan
  3. Third, a continuing crisis in Ukraine offers opportunities for international messaging about the relative rise in Chinese power vis-à-vis both the Russians and Americans
Source: BBC
  • Clearly, Russia’s regional and global stature has taken a hit from what it has done and what it is unable to do  that is, to prosecute a quick end to the conflict
  • Meanwhile, just as China’s role in helping Iran and Saudi Arabia restore diplomatic ties was intended to showcase Beijing’s rising influence and the decline of the US in the Middle Eastern region, the inability of the Ukrainians to expel the Russian invaders despite Western support can be used to send a signal in Europe
  • If anything, China’s political support at forums such as the United Nations and elsewhere has been crucial to Russia building a case for the legitimacy of the war
  • The agreement between Belarus and China earlier this year has sections on industrial production, joint R&D and defence cooperation  which could well allow for potential weapons production and transhipment to Russia
6. US and China
The two nations have fundamentally different interests on this and other issues, and more often than not, these are opposing interests
These differences are ideological and deep-rooted, and the recent American shooting down of a Chinese surveillance balloon in US airspace suggests that tensions in the US-China relationship are only set to grow
Even if their interests were to align temporarily, Xi has too close a relationship with Putin  and sees greater value in a Russian bulwark against the West  to try and actively promote Washington’s brief
7. Effects of War on China
  • The war brings costs to China  not just economic ones but political ones, too, especially from the major Western nations that are also big markets for Chinese manufacturing and sources for high technology
  • But these are costs that the Chinese economy appears large enough to bear, especially when it is able to procure oil at deep discounts from Russia, and has had its own version of technological self-reliance programmes underway for decades
  • China is also able to use its economic influence to carry out trade in its own currency with Russia and other sanctioned regimes — Iran, for example
  • The impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on China is not just external and economic but also internal.
  • An unstable external environment and its economic consequences can also be used to justify both China’s current economic difficulties in the wake of the pandemic as well as Xi’s continuing hold over the reins of power as being essential for national stability and recovery
8. Challenges for India
  • The China-Russia tango presents two challenges for India
  • Delhi’s exercise of “strategic autonomy” over the last year has been premised on its long-standing partnership with Russia, but Moscow’s cosying up with Beijing is putting pressure on that relationship. Putin and Xi have condemned the Quad grouping of which India is a part
  • Moscow’s positions on India’s LAC troubles with China fall well below what Delhi would like to hear from a friend, and it is not clear how that can be changed
  • Secondly, internationally, the success of India’s presidency of the G20 will be measured on the outcome document, which needs the cooperation of both Moscow and Beijing
 
 
 
Source: indianexpress
 

JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE (JWST)

 
 
 
1. Context
 
The modern telescope is a window into the universe, a sophisticated paintbrush in the hands of skilled astronomers that brings the fantastical wonders of the cosmos into view. And in so doing, telescopes give us an incomparable sense of our place and remind us of the joy of curiosity and exploration
 
2. What do we know about the galaxy?
 
This galaxy, called JADES-GS-z14-0, measures about 1,700-light years across. A light year is the distance light travels in a year, which is 9.5 trillion km. The galaxy has a mass equivalent to 500 million stars the size of our Sun and is rapidly forming new stars — about 20 every year.
 
Until now, the earliest-known galaxy dated to about 320 million years after the Big Bang, as announced by the JADES team last year.
 
“It is significantly larger than other galaxies that the JADES team has measured at these distances, and it’s going to be challenging to understand just how something this large could form in only a few hundred million years,” Hainline said.
 
Source: BBC
 
3. Why is the galaxy so bright?
 
Three main hypotheses have been proposed to explain the brightness of early galaxies. The first suggested that supermassive black holes in these galaxies were consuming large amounts of material. However, this idea seems unlikely based on new findings, as the observed light is spread over a larger area than would be expected from black holes alone.
 
Astrophysicist and study co-author Francesco D’Eugenio from the Kavli Institute for Cosmology at the University of Cambridge noted that it is still uncertain whether the other hypotheses—that these galaxies contain more stars than anticipated or that the stars are inherently brighter than those found today—will be supported by further research.
 

4. Features of James Webb Space Telescope

 

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) boasts several advanced features that make it a groundbreaking instrument for astronomical observations:

  • Large Primary Mirror:

    • The JWST's primary mirror is larger than the Hubble Space Telescope's mirror. This large mirror allows for greater light-gathering capability, enabling the telescope to observe faint and distant objects.

  • Infrared Observations:

    • JWST is primarily an infrared telescope, designed to observe the universe in the near-infrared (0.6 to 5 micrometers) and mid-infrared (5 to 28.5 micrometers) wavelengths. This capability is crucial for studying the early universe, star formation, and the atmospheres of exoplanets.

  • Advanced Instruments:

    • The telescope is equipped with four main scientific instruments:
      • NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera): Captures images in near-infrared light.
      • NIRSpec (Near-Infrared Spectrograph): Performs spectroscopy in the near-infrared range.
      • MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument): Observes in the mid-infrared spectrum, providing both imaging and spectroscopy.
      • FGS/NIRISS (Fine Guidance Sensor and Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph): Aids in precise pointing and provides additional imaging and spectroscopic capabilities.

  • Sunshield:

    • JWST features a large, multi-layered sunshield the size of a tennis court. This sunshield protects the telescope's instruments from the heat and light of the Sun, Earth, and Moon, keeping them at extremely low temperatures necessary for infrared observations.

  • Location:

    • The telescope orbits at the second Lagrange point (L2), approximately 1.5 million kilometers (about 1 million miles) from Earth. This stable location allows for uninterrupted observations and a clear view of the cosmos without the interference of Earth's atmosphere.

  • Deployment and Folding Design:

    • Due to its large size, JWST was designed to be folded to fit into the rocket for launch. It then undergoes a complex unfolding process in space, including the deployment of its mirror and sunshield.

These features collectively make JWST a powerful tool for advancing our understanding of the universe, from the earliest galaxies to the potential for life on other planets.

Source: BBC

5. Way Forward

JWST, which by peering across vast cosmic distances is looking way back in time, observed the galaxy as it existed about 290 million years after the Big Bang event that initiated the universe roughly 13.8 billion years ago, the researchers said. This period spanning the universe’s first few hundred million years is called cosmic dawn

 

Previous Year Questions
 
Mains PYQ:
 
Q. Launched on 25th December, 2021, James Webb Space Telescope has been much in the news since then. What are its unique features which make it superior to its predecessor Space Telescopes? What are the key goals of this mission? What potential benefits does it hold for the human race? (2022)

 

Source: Indian Express

WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX (WPI)

 
 
1. Context

Inflation based on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) slowed to a four-month low of 1.31% in August from July’s 2.04%, aided by a slight moderation in the pace of price rise in food items and manufactured goods, and fuel and power costs slipping into a deflation of 0.7%, from a 1.7% uptick

 

2. What is the Wholesale Price Index(WPI)?

The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) is a measure of the changes in the prices of goods sold and traded in bulk by wholesale businesses to other businesses or retailers. It is one of the key indicators used to measure inflation and economic performance in a country.

WPI tracks the average price changes of goods at the wholesale level, providing insights into inflationary pressures in the economy. It includes various categories of goods such as agricultural products, industrial raw materials, fuel and power, and manufactured goods.

Governments and policymakers use WPI data to monitor inflation trends, formulate monetary and fiscal policies, and assess the overall health of the economy. It serves as a crucial tool for businesses to adjust pricing strategies, forecast costs, and make informed decisions regarding production and investment

3. Importance of WPI

 

The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) holds several significant roles in economic analysis and policymaking:

  • WPI is a key indicator used to measure inflationary pressures in the economy. By tracking changes in the prices of goods at the wholesale level, it provides insights into the direction and magnitude of inflation. This data is crucial for policymakers in formulating monetary and fiscal policies to maintain price stability
  • WPI serves as a barometer of economic performance, reflecting changes in production costs, input prices, and overall market conditions. Fluctuations in WPI can indicate shifts in supply and demand dynamics, business confidence, and economic activity levels
  • Governments and central banks rely on WPI data to formulate and adjust monetary and fiscal policies. By assessing inflationary trends captured by WPI, policymakers can make informed decisions regarding interest rates, money supply, taxation, and government spending to achieve macroeconomic objectives such as price stability, economic growth, and employment generation
  • Businesses utilize WPI as a tool for forecasting production costs and adjusting pricing strategies. By monitoring changes in wholesale prices of goods, companies can anticipate future cost pressures, optimize supply chain management, and make pricing decisions to maintain profitability and competitiveness in the market
  • WPI data is also crucial for analyzing trends in international trade. Changes in wholesale prices can affect export competitiveness, import demand, and trade balances. Policymakers use WPI information to assess the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, trade policies, and global economic conditions on domestic industries and trade relations
4. What is the Consumer Price Index(CPI)?
 

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure that examines the weighted average of prices of a basket of consumer goods and services, such as transportation, food, and medical care. It is one of the most widely used indicators for tracking inflation and assessing changes in the cost of living over time.

CPI is calculated by collecting price data for a representative sample of goods and services that are typically purchased by urban consumers. The prices of these items are then aggregated and weighted according to their relative importance in the average consumer's expenditure. The resulting index reflects the average price level experienced by consumers

CPI is used by governments, central banks, businesses, and households for various purposes:

  • CPI is primarily used to measure inflation, which is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising. By tracking changes in the CPI over time, policymakers can gauge the extent of inflationary pressures in the economy and adjust monetary and fiscal policies accordingly
  • Many labour contracts, pension plans, and government benefits are indexed to CPI. This means that payments or wages are adjusted periodically based on changes in the CPI to maintain purchasing power and account for changes in the cost of living
  • Central banks often use CPI as a key input in their monetary policy decisions. By targeting a specific inflation rate, central banks aim to achieve price stability and support sustainable economic growth. CPI data helps policymakers assess whether monetary policy actions are effectively controlling inflation
  • Investors and financial analysts use CPI data to adjust their investment strategies and financial planning. Understanding inflation trends can help investors anticipate changes in interest rates, bond yields, and stock market performance, which in turn influence investment decisions
  • CPI data provides insights into consumer behavior and spending patterns. Changes in the prices of specific goods and services reflected in the CPI can affect consumer preferences, purchasing decisions, and overall economic activity
5.What is the distinction between WPI and CPI?
 
Subject Wholesale Price Index (WPI) Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Scope of Goods and Services Measures changes in prices of goods traded in bulk by wholesalers, including raw materials, intermediate goods, and finished goods. Tracks changes in prices of goods and services purchased by households for consumption, including food, housing, transportation, etc.
Target Audience Relevant to businesses, policymakers, and analysts involved in production, manufacturing, and trade. Important for individuals, households, labor unions, and policymakers involved in setting wages, pensions, and social security benefits.
Weighting and Composition Based on a fixed basket of goods and services weighted according to their relative importance in wholesale trade. Based on a basket of goods and services representative of urban consumer spending patterns.
Policy Implications Changes in WPI affect production costs, supply chain management, and business profitability. Used by policymakers to assess inflation trends and formulate industrial and trade policies. Changes in CPI directly impact the cost of living for households and influence consumer behavior, purchasing power, and welfare. Used by policymakers to adjust wages, social benefits, and taxation policies.
 
6. Way Forward
 
Both WPI and CPI are measures of price levels, they differ in their scope, target audience, composition, and policy implications. WPI focuses on wholesale trade and production costs, while CPI reflects consumer spending patterns and the cost of living for households
 
For Prelims: Consumer Price Index, Wholesale Price Index, Inflation,  retail inflation, Producer Pirce Index, National Statistical Office, OPEC+, Crude oil, Kharif season, Monsoon, 
For Mains: 
1. Analyse the factors contributing to high food inflation in India in recent months. Discuss the impact of high food inflation on the Indian economy and suggest measures to mitigate it. (250 words)
2. Explain the concept of sticky inflation. What are the various factors that contribute to sticky inflation? Discuss the implications of sticky inflation for the Indian economy. (250 words)
 
 
Previous Year Questions
 
1. With reference to inflation in India, which of the following statements is correct? (UPSC 2015)
A. Controlling the inflation in India is the responsibility of the Government of India only
B. The Reserve Bank of India has no role in controlling the inflation
C. Decreased money circulation helps in controlling the inflation
D. Increased money circulation helps in controlling the inflation
 
Answer: C
 
2. With reference to India, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2010)
1. The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) in India is available on a monthly basis only.
2. As compared to Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI(IW)), the WPI gives less weight to food articles.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 
A. 1 only       B. 2 only       C. Both 1 and 2          D.  Neither 1 nor 2
 
Answer: C
 
3. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2020)
1. The weightage of food in Consumer Price Index (CPI) is higher than that in Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
2. The WPI does not capture changes in the prices of services, which CPI does.
3. Reserve Bank of India has now adopted WPI as its key measure of inflation and to decide on changing the key policy rates.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
 A. 1 and  2 only       B. 2 only       C. 3 only           D. 1, 2 and 3
 
4. India has experienced persistent and high food inflation in the recent past. What could be the reasons? (UPSC 2011)
1. Due to a gradual switchover to the cultivation of commercial crops, the area under the cultivation of food grains has steadily decreased in the last five years by about 30.
2. As a consequence of increasing incomes, the consumption patterns of the people have undergone a significant change.
3. The food supply chain has structural constraints.
Which of the statements given above are correct? 
A. 1 and 2 only          B. 2 and 3 only        C. 1 and 3 only          D. 1, 2 and 3
 
Answer: B
 
 
5. The Public Distribution System, which evolved as a system of management of food and distribution of food grains, was relaunched as _______ Public Distribution System in 1997. (SSC JE EE 2021) 
A. Evolved         B. Transformed      C. Tested            D. Targeted
 
Answer: D
 
6. Under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, up to what quantity of rice and wheat can be purchased at a subsidised cost? (FCI AG III 2023) 
A. 35 kg          B. 40 kg          C. 30 kg           D. 25 kg           E. 50 kg
 
Answer: A
 
7. As per the the National Statistical Office (NSO) report released on 7 January 2022, India's Gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow at ___________ per cent (in first advance estimates) in the fiscal year 2021-22?  (ESIC UDC 2022) 
A. 17.6 per cent     B. 9.5 per cent     C. 11 per cent        D. 9.2 per cent   E. None of the above
 
Answer: D
 
8. The main emphasis of OPEC (Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) is on which of the following? (UKPSC 2016)
A. The production of petroleum
B. Control over prices of petroleum
C. Both (a) and (b)
D. None of the above
 
Answer: C
 
9. In the context of global oil prices, "Brent crude oil" is frequently referred to in the news. What does this term imply? (UPSC 2011)
1. It is a major classification of crude oil.
2. It is sourced from the North Sea.
3. It does not contain sulfur.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 2 only    B. 1 and 2 only        C. 1 and 3 only         D. 1, 2 and 3
 
Answer: B
 
10. The term 'West Texas Intermediate', sometimes found in news, refers to a grade of (UPSC 2020)
A. Crude oil   B. Bullion         C. Rare earth elements       D.  Uranium
 
Answer: C
 
11. With reference to the cultivation of Kharif crops in India in the last five years, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2019)
1. Area under rice cultivation is the highest.
2. Area under the cultivation of jowar is more than that of oilseeds.
3. Area of cotton cultivation is more than that of sugarcane.
4. Area under sugarcane cultivation has steadily decreased.
Which of the statements given above are correct? 
A. 1 and 3 only        B.  2, 3 and 4 only        C. 2 and 4 only         D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
 
Answer: A
 
Source: The Hindu
 
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