GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Moscow for a three-day trip. His main meeting was with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Singh’s visit came five months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia, where both countries agreed to further strengthen their defence ties.

Meeting Highlights:

• Friendship and Cooperation: During his meeting with President Putin, Rajnath Singh emphasized the deep and enduring relationship between India and Russia. He described the partnership as "higher than the highest mountain and deeper than the deepest ocean."
  • India has always stood by Russia and will continue to do so in the future. This remark reflects the strong, long-standing ties between the two countries, particularly in defence and military cooperation.
• India-Russia Military Cooperation: Rajnath Singh co-chaired the 21st session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Cooperation. The session focused on the ongoing and future collaboration between the two nations in defence matters.
  • Both sides agreed that their partnership holds significant potential and that their combined efforts will lead to positive outcomes in the future.
• Defence Deals and S-400: One of the key points discussed was the S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system. India had previously signed a deal with Russia for the purchase of these advanced missile systems.
• Upcoming Russian Visit: President Putin is expected to visit India next year for the annual summit talks with Prime Minister Modi. This visit will further solidify the defence and strategic relations between the two nations.

India-Russia Relations (brief background)

• Diplomatic Relations: India and Russia (then the Soviet Union) established diplomatic relations in April 1947, shortly before India's independence.
• Cold War Era: The Soviet Union became a crucial ally for India during the Cold War, particularly during conflicts like the 1971 war with Pakistan. The Indo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation was signed in the same year.
• Supportive Role: The USSR mediated during the 1965 India-Pakistan war and consistently used its veto in the UN Security Council to support India on issues like Kashmir.
• Post-Cold War Relations: After the Cold War, the relationship continued with annual summits and strategic partnership agreements established in 2000 and upgraded in 2010.
• India and Russia have also been holding so-called 2+2 meetings – joint meetings with foreign and defence ministers – since 2021.

Current relationship between India and Russia

• Russia remains a key strategic partner for India for both practical and ideological reasons.
• Economic Cooperation: Indiabenefits significantly from access to discounted Russian crude oil, which has increased from less than 2 per cent of India’s total imports before the Russian invasion of Ukraine to over 40 per cent in June 2024.
  • Indian companies have also benefitted from exporting refined Russian oil products, some of which have found their way onto Western markets.
  • India and Russia aim to increase bilateral trade from $68 billion to $100 billion by the end of this decade.
  • Connectivity initiatives include the Chennai-Vladivostok maritime corridorand the International North-South Transport Corridor.
• Military Cooperation: Russia accounts for over 50% of India's military hardware. Key acquisitions include the S400 missile system and joint projects like the BrahMos missile.
  • Managed Decline: While Russia remains a key partner, India's dependence on Russian arms has decreased from 76% in 2009-2013 to 36% in 2019-2023, driven by a push for diversification and domestic production.
• Nuclear Collaboration: India and Russia have historical ties in nuclear cooperation, including an agreement to build six nuclear power plants in Tamil Nadu.
• Pragmatic Approach: India maintains a neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict, abstaining from UN votes condemning Russia, while also expressing concern over the war's humanitarian impacts. 

Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav of the Allahabad High Court made controversial remarks during a Vishwa Hindu Parishad event, drawing public backlash and calls for disciplinary action, including impeachment. The Supreme Court has taken notice, and the matter is under investigation.

Judicial Ethics and Conduct:

The code of judicial conduct that governs judges emphasizes impartiality and the importance of maintaining public confidence in the judiciary. Some key principles from the Restatement of Values of Judicial Life (1997) and the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct (2002) are:

• Impartiality: Judges must always act in a way that reaffirms public trust in the fairness and neutrality of the judiciary.
• Public Perception: Judges should avoid any actions or statements that could damage their credibility, both inside and outside the court.
• Diversity and Equality: Judges must treat all individuals equally, aware of the diversity in society, and avoid comments that could be seen as discriminatory.

Justice Yadav’s comments, which seemed to favor one community over others, could be seen as a violation of these principles, especially since judges are expected to maintain the dignity and impartiality of their office.

Impeachment Process:

The Indian Constitution allows for the impeachment of judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts on grounds of "proved misbehaviour or incapacity." The process is complex:

• A motion for removal can be introduced in Parliament and must be supported by:
  • A special majority of the total membership of the House.
  • At least two-thirds of the members present and voting.
• Alternatively, the Supreme Court has an in-house procedure for dealing with allegations against judges. The process works as follows:
  • Complaints can be filed against a High Court judge with the President, Chief Justice of India (CJI), or the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court.
  • The complaint is reviewed, and if serious, the CJI may appoint a fact-finding committee.
  • If the committee finds enough evidence, the judge may be asked to retire voluntarily.
  • If the judge refuses, the matter can be referred to the President for impeachment.

This process provides a way to investigate judicial misconduct while maintaining the dignity of the judiciary.

The recently released World Solar Report 2024 by the International Solar Alliance (ISA), provides a comprehensive overview of the global solar energy sector's rapid growth and emerging trends.

Key Highlights and Developments in Solar Energy

• Growth in Global Solar Capacity:
  • From 22 GW in 2000, the world's total solar capacity has surged to 1,419 GW by 2023.
  • This represents a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of around 36%.
  • Solar energy now accounts for about 75% of all renewable energy capacity additions
• Emerging Solar Technologies: The solar industry is seeing innovations that are improving efficiency, sustainability, and functionality:
• Quantum Dot Solar Cells: These have reached an impressive efficiency of 18.1%, which could significantly improve solar energy capture.
  • Self-Healing Solar Panels: Researchers are developing solar panels that can repair themselves, reducing the need for maintenance and extending the lifespan of solar installations.
  • Solar-Powered Phyto-Mining: This technique uses solar energy to extract valuable metals from soil using plants. It provides a sustainable alternative to traditional mining.
  • Solar Paver Blocks & BIPV: Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), like transparent solar panels and solar paver blocks, integrate solar energy generation into infrastructure while allowing light transmission and visibility.
  • Recycling and Circular Economy: The sector is also focusing on recycling solar panels and implementing circular economy practices to reduce reliance on scarce materials like lithium and rare earth elements.
• Impact of Reducing Costs:
  • The costs of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology have been declining steadily. In 2024, utility-scale solar PV projects had an average auction price of just $40/MWh
  • India achieved the lowest auction price for solar PV capacity at $34/MWh.
  • Solar energy investments are expected to surpass $500 billion by 2024, which is more than the combined investments in all other power generation technologies.

Global Solar Market

• China is the global leader in solar PV, contributing 43% of the total global solar capacity, equivalent to 609 GW.
• The S. follows with 10% (137.73 GW), and Japan, Germany, and India each have a share of 5-6%.
• Emerging markets like Brazil, Australia, Italy, and Spain each contribute around 2%.
• In 2023, China also maintained its dominance in solar component manufacturing, producing 97% of solar wafers, 89% of solar cells, and 83% of module installations.
  • Solar Energy's Impact on Other Industries: The solar PV sector saw a significant rise in employment, with 7.1 million jobs in 2023, up from 4.9 million in 2022, highlighting the sector’s role in economic development and job creation.
  • Agricultural Transformation:
  • Solar-powered irrigation systems are transforming agriculture, with the global market for solar pumps growing at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2021 to 2027.
  • Agrivoltaics, where solar panels are installed on farmland, not only generate electricity but also provide shade for livestock, improving animal welfare and energy efficiency.
• Pay-as-you-go Models: These models are becoming increasingly popular, enabling users to pay for solar systems in small, regular instalments, making solar energy more accessible, especially in rural areas.

The opposition parties, led by Congress, moved a no-confidence motion against Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who is also the Chairman of Rajya Sabha, under Article 67(B) of the Constitution. This is the first time such a motion has been filed in Indian Parliament. The opposition claims that Dhankhar has shown bias in favor of the ruling party and has ignored their concerns during Rajya Sabha proceedings.

What is the Process for Removing the Rajya Sabha Chairman?

• The process for the removal of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is governed by Article 67 of the Indian Constitution, as well as the rules of procedure of the Rajya Sabha.
• The Chairman is the Vice President of India, who holds office for a term of five years from the date of assuming office, unless he resigns or is removed.

Process of Removal of the Chairman of Rajya Sabha:

• Initiating the Resolution: A resolution for the removal of the Chairman can be moved by a member of Rajya Sabha. This must be moved by a majority of the members of Rajya Sabha.
  • The resolution must be passed by a majority of all members of Rajya Sabha (i.e., more than half of the total members of the House, not just those present and voting).
• Notice for the Resolution: A 14-day notice must be given before the resolution for removal is moved in the House. This is similar to the process for the removal of the Vice-President (who is also the Chairman of Rajya Sabha). The member wishing to move the resolution must notify the House of their intention at least 14 days in advance.
• Debate and Discussion: After the notice period of 14 days, the Rajya Sabha will discuss the resolution. The discussion will allow members to express their views on the removal of the Chairman.
• Resolution Passage: The resolution must be passed by a majority of the members of the Rajya Sabha (more than half of the total members, not just those present).
• Approval from Lok Sabha: After passing the resolution in Rajya Sabha, it must also be approved by the Lok Sabha. Lok Sabha must also pass the same resolution by a simple majority. This means that the Lok Sabha must agree with the Rajya Sabha's decision.
• Final Action: If both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha pass the resolution for the removal of the Chairman, the Chairman is removed from office.

Key Points:

• The Chairman cannot preside over his own removal proceedings. In case a resolution for his removal is being discussed, he will vacate the Chair, and the Deputy Chairman will take over the proceedings.
• A majority of members of Rajya Sabha must agree to the resolution for the Chairman's removal.
• The Chairman’s removal requires the approval of both Houses of Parliament (Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha).

The India Skills Report 2025, prepared by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) in collaboration with Wheebox and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), reveals important trends about the employability of Indian graduates and the country’s role in the global workforce.

Key-takeaways from the Report

• Employability of Indian Graduates: 55% of Indian graduates are expected to be globally employable by 2025, an increase from 51.2% in 2024. This shows a positive trend in the country’s ability to prepare graduates for international job markets.
  • The employability rate of Indian graduates has increased by 7% this year, reaching 54.81% in 2025, compared to 51.25% in 2024. This is attributed to government initiatives, such as Skill India Mission and NEP 2020, and institutional efforts to align education with industry needs.
• Most Employable Graduates:
  • Management graduates have the highest employability at 78%.
  • Engineering graduates follow with 71.5% employability.
  • MCA (Master of Computer Applications) graduates have 71% employability.
  • Science graduates have 58% employability.
• Regional Trends in Employability: Kerala has an employability rate of 71%, ranking 5th among all Indian states. The states ahead of Kerala are Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Delhi are emerging as major hubs for skilled talent. Pune, Bengaluru, and Mumbai are leading cities that provide a large pool of employable workers.
• Gender Disparity: The employability rate for men is expected to rise to 53.5% in 2025, up from 51.8% in 2024. However, women’s employability is projected to decline from 50.9% in 2024 to 47.5% in 2025, highlighting a gender gap that needs attention.
• Internship Interest: 93% of students surveyed expressed interest in internships, indicating a strong desire for practical work experience alongside academic learning.
• Hiring Intent for 2025: The report also indicates a 9.8% hiring intent for FY 2026 across industries. Global capability centres, heavy engineering, and banking sectors have the highest hiring intent, with 12% in these sectors.
• India’s Global Talent Mobility: India is emerging as a key player in global talent mobility, with a focus on quality skill training to improve the employability of graduates. The skilled Indian workforce is contributing to sectors like technology, healthcare, renewable energy, and AI, driving global innovation and economic growth.
• Strategic Vision for 2030: The report outlines strategies to strengthen India’s talent pool, such as:
  • Expanding vocational training in high-demand fields like AI, cybersecurity, and green energy.
  • Promoting cross-border collaborations to address skill shortages in countries with aging populations.
  • Integrating technology (AI, automation) in education and skill assessments.
  • Fostering diversity and inclusion, with an emphasis on improving female participation in the workforce.

As of December 4, 2023, a total of 123 regular Ayush visas, 221 e-Ayush visas, and 17 e-Ayush attendant visas have been issued.

About Ayush Visas

• The Indian government has introduced a new visa category specifically for foreigners visiting India for treatment under the Ayush system of medicine (which includes Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy).
• This visa initiative was launched in 2023, to promote medical tourism in India, particularly for those seeking treatment or wellness services in these traditional systems of medicine.
• Types of Ayush Visas:
  • Ayush Visa: For foreigners coming to India to receive treatment or wellness services through the Ayush systems at accredited hospitals or wellness centers.
  • Ayush Attendant Visa: For attendants accompanying a foreigner receiving Ayush treatment.
  • e-Ayush Visa: An electronic visa for those visiting India for Ayush treatment.
  • e-Ayush Attendant Visa: An electronic visa for attendants accompanying those receiving Ayush treatment.
• Medical Value Travel (MVT): The government has launched the Advantage Healthcare India portal (www.healinindia.gov.in), a one-stop platform designed to help international patients find information and access medical and wellness services in India.
• Objective: The aim of this initiative is to attract foreign patients seeking treatment under the Ayush systems, by providing a streamlined process for obtaining visas and facilitating their medical travel to India.
  • The government also intends to raise awareness among stakeholders, including Ayush healthcare providers, to support and promote the Medical Value Travel (MVT) initiative.

The Indian government has announced it will bear an additional cost of Rs 425.62 crore in FY 2024-25 due to inflation in food material costs under the PM POSHAN Scheme, which provides hot cooked meals to school children.

About PM POSHAN Scheme

• Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN)earlier known as the National Programme of Mid-Day Meal in Schools is one of the foremost rights based Centrally Sponsored Schemes under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA).
• The Scheme aims at providing nutritional support and enhancing school participation of students.
• This scheme serves hot meals to 11.70 crore students in 10.24 lakh government and government-aided schools. The students are from Balvatika (pre-primary) to class VIII.
• Under the PM POSHAN Scheme, ‘Material Cost’ is provided for procurement of following ingredients required for cooking the meals :

• The Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour provides data on inflation for these items under the PM POSHAN basket on the basis of Consumer Price Index – Rural Labourers (CPI-RL) in consonance with CPI index for PM POSHAN and accordingly CPI index for PM POSHAN basket has been worked out.
• The CPI-RL is constructed by Labour Bureau, Chandigarh on the basis of collecting continuous monthly prices from the sample of 600 villages spread over 20 States of the country.

Madhav Gadgil, a prominent Indian ecologist, has been awarded the prestigious "Champion of the Earth" award for 2024 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This award is considered the highest environmental honor given by the UN and is presented annually to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to environmental protection.

Key Highlights:

• Award Category: Gadgil was recognized in the "lifetime achievement" category for his decades-long work in environmental conservation, especially in India.
• Gadgil's Contribution:
  • Gadgil has worked for over 60 years, focusing on research, community engagement, and policymaking related to environmental protection.
  • He is best known for his work in the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot in India.
  • His research and advocacy helped bring attention to the fragile ecosystems in this region, which are under threat from industrialization and climate change.
• Gadgil’s Approach:
  • Throughout his career, Gadgil has been a "people’s scientist". He has always emphasized the importance of community-driven conservation, which involves local people in the protection of their ecosystems.
  • His work has also influenced policy decisions at both the state and national levels.
• Other 2024 Awardees: Alongside Gadgil, five other individuals and organizations were also honored in different categories:
  • Sonia Guajajara (Brazil) – Policy Leadership category for her work with indigenous people.
  • Amy Bowers Cordalis (USA) – Inspiration and Action category for indigenous rights advocacy.
  • Gabriel Paun (Romania) – Inspiration and Action category for environmental defense.
  • Lu Qi (China) – Science and Innovation category for environmental science contributions.
  • Sekem (Egypt) – Entrepreneurial Vision category for sustainable agriculture.

Sanjay Malhotra has recently taken over as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), succeeding Shaktikanta Das. Malhotra steps into the role during a period of global economic uncertainty, presenting both challenges and opportunities for the RBI. His tenure will be closely scrutinized as he navigates key economic areas such as financial regulation, monetary policy, liquidity management, currency fluctuations, and green finance.

Key Areas for Supervision under Malhotra's Leadership

• Financial System Integrity: Maintaining the stability and integrity of India's financial system remains paramount. The RBI's proactive role in ensuring financial discipline through effective regulation and monitoring needs to continue.
• Monetary Policy Committee (MPC): With new members in the MPC, including a potential new Deputy Governor, the RBI's approach to adjusting the repo rate and the timing of rate cuts will be of significant interest.
• Liquidity Management: Malhotra's approach to managing liquidity through tools like the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), CRR cuts, and Open Market Operations (OMO) will be crucial as liquidity dynamics are impacted by government cash balances and market conditions.

Additional Focus Areas and Challenges

• Currency Management: The management of the rupee’s volatility will be a key responsibility, especially as global economic conditions change with a new U.S. president in office. The RBI must continue to ensure minimal forex volatility while balancing India’s foreign exchange reserves.
• Government's Banker Role: With extensive experience in the Finance Ministry, Malhotra is well-positioned to fine-tune RBI’s functions as the government’s banker, enhancing coordination between fiscal and monetary policy.
• Green Finance: Malhotra will also focus on advancing India's green financial system, promoting green bonds, deposits, and loans to meet sustainability goals and drive the country’s green economy initiatives.

Emerging Issues and Long-Term Concerns

• Cryptocurrency Regulation: The growing popularity of cryptocurrency worldwide presents a dilemma. The RBI has previously maintained a firm stance against cryptocurrencies, but Malhotra will need to evaluate whether a future roadmap for cryptocurrency acceptance in India is needed.
• Internationalisation of the Rupee: As global calls for de-dollarisation increase, there will be pressure on the RBI to explore the international use of the rupee, especially in bilateral trade agreements. This diplomatic challenge will require careful strategy and alignment with India's economic interests.

Practice Question

Q. As Sanjay Malhotra takes over as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, several key areas require attention, including financial regulation, monetary policy, liquidity management, and green finance. Discuss the challenges and strategies that the RBI under Malhotra's leadership could adopt in addressing these issues, considering the global economic context.

India’s space program is focused on ambitious goals for the coming decades, with key projects like the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission and an Indian space station by 2030. A critical component of these aspirations is the development of reusable, heavy-lift rockets, notably the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which has been approved for development. Additionally, India’s private sector involvement is seen as vital to meeting these goals and ensuring strategic autonomy in space access.

ISRO’s Road Map and Future Plans

• Gaganyaan Mission: ISRO aims to send its first crew into space under the Gaganyaan mission, marking India's entry into human spaceflight.
• Space Station Objective: By 2030, India plans to establish its own space station orbiting Earth, advancing its human-spaceflight capabilities.
• Moon and Mars Missions: India intends to expand its human-spaceflight missions to the moon and beyond, with ongoing lunar exploration missions as part of its roadmap.

NGLV Development and its Importance

• Heavy Lift Capability: The NGLV will significantly increase payload capacity compared to ISRO’s LVM3, enabling more complex and expansive space missions.
• Reusability Feature: Unlike current expendable rockets, the NGLV will feature reusability, which reduces cost and increases long-term operational viability.
• Strategic Impact: The development of NGLV is vital for India to reduce dependence on foreign rocket providers and to become more competitive in global space missions.

Leveraging Private Sector in Space Technology

• Private Sector Role: The Department of Space should encourage Indian private companies to develop their own reusable, heavy-lift rockets to complement ISRO’s efforts.
• Collaboration with Foreign Entities: Indian corporations lacking rocket technology can collaborate with foreign companies to acquire necessary expertise and components.
• Innovative Funding Models: A milestone-based funding system for private players can incentivize timely development while fostering technical innovation and reducing financial risks.

Practice Question:

Q. India's space ambitions in the next two decades hinge on the development of reusable, heavy-lift rockets like the NGLV. Discuss the role of ISRO's current roadmap and the importance of private sector involvement in ensuring India's strategic autonomy in space.

Asian News International (ANI) has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI for the unauthorized use of its copyrighted content in training its Large Language Model (LLM). ANI claims that OpenAI scraped its content, used it without permission, and generated fabricated responses based on its work. This marks the first lawsuit of its kind in India, raising significant issues regarding copyright, fair use, and data sovereignty in the era of Generative AI.

Claims by ANI and OpenAI’s Defence

• Copyright Infringement: ANI accuses OpenAI of using its copyrighted material without consent, despite ANI’s opt-out request, as its content is republished by other websites.
• Fair Use Argument: OpenAI defends the use of ANI’s content, citing fair use exceptions and claiming its models generate modified language, not verbatim text from sources.
• Fabricated Responses: ANI highlights instances where OpenAI's models falsely attributed fabricated content to ANI. OpenAI acknowledged the issue and resolved flagged instances, pledging to prevent future occurrences.

Legal and Territorial Implications

• Jurisdictional Issues: OpenAI argues there is no legal basis for the lawsuit in India, as the training and data processing occur outside the country.
• Grey Area of Fair Use: India’s copyright law lacks clear provisions for AI training, leaving the application of fair use for AI training models unclear.
• Data Sovereignty: The lawsuit brings attention to challenges in regulating cloud-based data services and AI models that rely on distributed data storage, raising questions about territorial laws and data sovereignty.

Future Outlook

• This lawsuit will serve as a precedent for legal accountability of AI platforms in India. The case underscores the need for clearer legal frameworks regarding AI, fair use, and content ownership, which could shape the country’s approach to fostering innovation while protecting intellectual property rights.

Practice Question:

Q. The recent lawsuit filed by ANI against OpenAI highlights significant legal and ethical issues surrounding Generative AI. Discuss the challenges posed by AI platforms in balancing copyright infringement, fair use, and data sovereignty, particularly in the Indian legal context.