22 Dec 2023

#GS3:- 01. GPS based toll collection

The government is looking at new technologies, including GPS- based toll systems to replace toll plazas in the country. we will start new GPS satellite-based toll collection across the country by March next year. -MoRTH Nitin Gadkari.

Key Terms/Issues : GPS, Toll Collection

#GS3:- 02. India’s Stance in COP-28

Over the course of the28 United Nations climate change summits (COPs), the most recent of which ended in Dubai last week, India’s approach has largely been pragmatic, trying to ensure that the burden of climate action doesn’t fall unfairly on developing nations. Right at the first summitin1995,it advocated for allowing developing nations leeway one missions to support growth, while making industrialized ones cut theirs. India consistently shows intent to engage in global efforts to protect climate from further decay—but also stresses the Need to not blink on economic growth and poverty reduction, which it says Will need high energy use. While this global positioning is import ant to safe guard its interests, India is quietly getting ready to deflect blows as the next-generation punching bag.

It aims to achieve 500 GW renewable energy capacity,and also has pledged to reach 50% of its cumulative electric power capacity to come from non-fossil fuel sources—both by2030. The landmark “Global Stock take” draft released in Dubai emphasized “transitioning away” from fossils and “accelerating efforts towards the phase-down of unabated coal power”. This, instead of seeking a “phase-out”, particularly benefits India, a strong advocate for an equitable approach to fossil fuel cuts. Still in its development path, India heavily relies on coal, consistently objecting to singling out the fossil fuel in future plans. India’s emissions have climbed as it has prospered rapidly, explaining its reluctance.

The historical culprits behind missions have gradually reduced their shares; China and India have risen—that’s at the heart of India’s tricky position. The second stance that raised eyebrows at COP28was India’s refusal to sign a deal, a version of which it had itself championed in the G20 summit three months ago. The September deal had endorsed a plan to triple global renewable energy capacity along with doubling energy efficiencyby2030. At COP28, India opted out of a similar pact even though it is on track to achieve its renew able energy goals well ahead of the deadline.

However, this has been attributed to other parts of the same deal that didn’t go India’s way. INDIA HAS increasingly pitched its elf as a leader of the global south, but smaller and more vulnerable nations are objecting to its high emissions, not satisfied with its argument that its per capita emissions are ultra-low. The approval for the “loss and damage”(L&D) fund at COP28 Was assign if I cant milestone as it aims to compensate countries. Grappling with climate-related damages. While India wants to Be counted among the vulnerable nations seeking climate finance from the rich world, its own emissions spark discomfort. India qualifies to avail the fund, but vulnerable nations demand that it be in stead made to pay up. Developed nations such as the US say so, too, un willing to shoulder the burden alone. Research shows India’s historical contribution to global warming, though low overall, is comparable to the collective impact of the least developed countries. For a country that still relies on coal for nearly 75%ofits Energy needs, the issue of L & D funding could make India’s Position trickier in the coming years.

– Commentary in News

Key Terms/Issues : COP-28, L & D

#GS2:- 03. Coal Import

India would Reduce the share of imported coal in its overall consumption to 2% by end of the next financial year. Currently the Share of imported coal in the total consumption stands at over 4%. -Union minister for coal, mines and parliamentary affairs Pralhad Joshi

Key Terms/Issues : Actinium

#GS2:-  04. Criminal Law Bills

The objective of the IPC (Indian Penal Code) was to punish and not Deliver justice. All the three laws, which are over 1 50 years old were made by the British to rule over us. From the Red Fort, PM Modi had Said that we need to free our selves from The colonial laws. The new laws have been framed keeping in mind three basic principles —civil liberty of citizens, human rights and equality. Some are unable to visualise this. The current laws have no scope for justice—punishment is seen as justice. -MHA Amit Shah Note : The three bills include key changes That deal with of fences of terrorism and acts against the State, enable the registration of e-FIRs, factor in corruption in election processes, and make electronic evidence a form of primary proof.

Key Terms/Issues : e-FIRs, Electronic evidence

#GS2:- 05. Azerbaijan on J & K Issue

Azerbaijan’s position on Kashmir did not change in the Last 30 years, did not change at all. It stays the same. India and Pakistan should solve this issue Peacefully with due respect to Norms and principles of inter-National law and UN Security Council resolutions. That is our principal position. It did not Change for three decades. I would like to underline that during the meeting with the prime minister of Pakistan Imran Khan in Davos on January 21, 2020, president of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan Constantly supports Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir issue. -Azerbaijani Spokespersons

Key Terms/Issues : Suez Canal, Red Sea, Cape of Good Hope

#GS3:- 06. Inflation

Softer retail inflation figures for September and October 2023, along with a prolonged pause in the monetary policy stance, resulted in an irrational long- sightedness. While the stake holders are focusing on distant inflation forecasts moving towards the 4% target, they are overlooking sign if I cant near-term risks Of potential spikes in inflation due to food price volatility. Such views imperil the conduct of monetary policy in the pursuit of its goal of durably aligning inflation with the target. These views also undermine the Foundations of growth. On a real-time basis, inflation is hurting discretionary consumer spending, and it is holding back top line growth of manufacturing companies as well as their capex. If inflation is not brought back to the target and tethered there, there is a strong likelihood that growth may falter.

-RBI’s State of Economy Bulletin

Note : Inflation, as measured by consumer price index (CPI), was at 4.87% in October, down from 5.02% in September and 6.83% in August. It rebounded In November to a three-month High of 5.5%. According to RBI projections, inflation will go up further from the September-October average of 4.9% before it comes down. It is expected at 5.6% inQ3; 5.4% in the full year of FY24; and 4.6% for the first three quarters ofFY25.

#GS2:- 07. Can AI be given patents?

Stephen Thaler Wanted to be granted two patents in the UK for invention she says Were devised by his “creativity machine” called DABUS. His attempt To register the patents was refused by the UK’s Intellectual Property Office on the grounds that the inventor must be a human or a firm, Rather than a machine. Thaler appealed to the UK’s Supreme Court, unanimously rejected his appeal a sunder UK patent law “an inventor must be a natural person. Judge David Kitchin said the case was “not concerned with the broader question Whether technical advances generated by machines acting auto noMously and powered by AI should be patentable. -Commentary in News

#GS2:- 08. Fixed Dose Combinations

Manufacturers should “mention warning ‘Fixed Dose Combination (FDC)should not be used in children below four years age’ on label and package insert/promotional literature of the drug. – DCGI

#GS3:- 09. Wed in India

It’s no surprise that the Prime Minister’s call urging Indians to wed in India has sparked diverse reactions. Some question the need to do so, since weddings abroad could potentially bring intangible benefits to India in the form of ‘soft power,’ which might be difficult to quantify. Coined by political scientist Joseph Nye Jr., soft power refers to a country’s ability to influence other countries without resorting to coercive measures like wars or sanctions. It can be a valuable tool for a nation’s success and has been effectively wielded by countries like South Korea. India needs to make more comprehensive efforts to build its soft power than relying on a few affluent individuals getting married in exotic destinations. Moreover, in the con- temporary world, soft power alone may not suffice; a combination of both soft and hard power—what is known as ‘smart power’—is required. As succinctly summarized once by Joseph Nye while discussing whether a Nation should be feared or loved, “In today’s world, it is best to be both.”

-SPJIMR Professor Tulasi Jayakumar

#GS2:- 10. Debt Resolution in Countries

Giving debt-distressed countries just enough