GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

The 19th edition of Global Hunger Index (GHI) has ranked India 105th, which places it under the “serious” category of the analysis.

Key-Findings of the Index

• India is among 42 countries that fall within the “serious” category, alongside Pakistan and Afghanistan, with other South Asian neighbours such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka showing better GHI scores to be listed under the “moderate” category.
• With a score of 27.3 in the 2024 Global Hunger Index, India has a level of hunger that is serious.
• India’s GHI Score is based on the values of four component indicators:
  • 7 per cent of the population is undernourished (share of the population with insufficient caloric intake)
  • 5 per cent of children under five are stunted (share of children under age five who have low height for their age to reflect “chronic” undernutrition)
  • 7 per cent of children are wasted (share of children under five who have low weight for their height due to “acute” undernutrition)
  • 9 per cent of children die before their fifth birthday (mortality refers to the fatal mix of inadequate nutrition and unhealthy environments)
• Globally, around 733 million people face hunger each day due to a lack of access to a sufficient amount of food, while about 2.8 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet.

Why in India starving?

Rice, wheat, milk and sugarcane — India is among the largest producers of these agricultural commodities, yet millions are still starving in the world’s most populous country.

• Economic issue: Hunger is the result of widespread poverty, rapid population growth, pockets of weak governance, poor health systems, and unreliable national indicators.
• Logistical setbacks: There is lack of supply chain. India’s “poor infrastructure” has led to almost 40% of postharvest losses for some products.
• Postharvest losses refer to food lost in the supply chain from the harvesting of crops to the consumption process. Vegetables and fruits expire more quickly when there’s a lack of cold storage, and hundreds of tonnes of food grains risk rotting in warehouses.
• Increasing demand: India’s food problem is also compounded by the fact that the rising middle classis on course to demand for more food — and better quality food as well.
• Other reasons for India’s low productivity: “inefficient” food distribution systems, erratic and unusual weather, heavy regulations as well as lack of education and training for farmers.

In a significant move, the Delhi High Court recently directed measures to enhance the availability of orphan drugs—medications specifically designed to treat rare diseases.

Current Landscape of Rare Diseases in India

• Despite the existence of therapies for some rare diseases, less than 5% of these conditions have effective treatments available. Consequently, fewer than 1 in 10 patients receive disease-specific care.
• The high cost of existing treatments exacerbates the problem, prompting stakeholders to approach the court to address funding access challenges for patients.

Government Initiatives and Funding Policies

• National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD): In response to the challenges faced by patients with rare diseases, the Indian government launched the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD) in 2021. This policy provides financial assistance of up to Rs 50 lakh for treatments at designated Centres of Excellence (CoEs), including prestigious institutions such as AIIMS and PGIMER.
• Digital Portal for Crowdfunding & Voluntary Donations: To facilitate crowdfunding, the Health Ministry launched a digital portal where patients can present their treatment needs, costs, and banking details to potential donors.
  • As of August 2024, Rs 24 crore had been allocated to CoEs for treating rare disease patients, with significant disbursements in previous years (Rs 3.15 crore in 2021-22, ?34.99 crore in 2022-23, and Rs 74 crore in 2023-24).
• Legal Provisions: Under the Patents Act of 1970, the government can allow third parties to manufacture orphan drugs if they are not made available by the patent holder. This approach includes negotiating with pharmaceutical companies to ensure drug availability and potentially acquiring patents to facilitate local production.

Challenges in the Availability of Orphan Drugs

• High Cost of Orphan Drugs: Many orphan drugs are patented, making them prohibitively expensive. The small market size and high development costs deter pharmaceutical companies from producing these medications profitably.
• Regulatory and Customs Hurdles: While patients importing orphan drugs are exempt from customs duty, pharmaceutical companies still face an 11% customs duty and a 12% GST when bringing these medications to India. The Delhi High Court has mandated that necessary exemptions for these drugs be processed within 30 days.
• Lack of Price Control: In January 2019, the Department of Pharmaceuticals exempted orphan drugs from price controls. The Delhi High Court criticized this exemption, emphasizing that it creates barriers to access for patients.
• Delayed Approvals: The approval process for orphan drugs by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) often faces delays, affecting timely access to treatments.

Precision medicine is gaining traction as advancements in genomics and biotechnology pave the way for personalized healthcare solutions. Recent breakthroughs, such as India's approval of NexCAR19, a CAR-T cell therapy, and the establishment of AI-focused facilities in collaboration with institutions like the Indian Institute of Science, highlight the growing significance of this field.

What is Precision Medicine?

• Precision medicine refers to a tailored approach to healthcare that considers individual differences in genetics, environment, and lifestyle.
• By leveraging genomic data and emerging technologies such as gene editing, mRNA therapeutics, and organ-on-a-chip models, precision medicine aims to deliver more effective and personalized treatment plans for diseases, particularly in oncology, chronic diseases, and genetic disorders.
• Technological Contributions: Key technologies driving precision medicine include:

• Gene Editing: Techniques like CRISPR enable targeted modifications to DNA, which can correct genetic mutations.
• mRNA Therapeutics: This technology gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, exemplified by rapid vaccine development.
• Organ-on-a-Chip: These microfluidic devices allow researchers to model human organ systems for drug testing, mimicking the microenvironment of diseases.

• The Indian precision medicine market is anticipated to surpass $5 billion by 2030, contributing 36% to the national bioeconomy. Initiatives like the Genome India programme and the Phenome India project are crucial for identifying treatments for rare diseases and enhancing predictive models for common ailments.

Challenges in India

India faces significant hurdles in establishing a robust framework for precision medicine:

• Inconsistent Biobanking Regulations: Unlike countries like the U.S. and U.K., India lacks comprehensive laws governing biobanks, leading to gaps in consent processes and data protection. Current guidelines do not adequately inform participants about how their samples and data will be used, raising ethical concerns.
• Absence of a Central Authority: The lack of a singular regulatory body overseeing biobanks leads to inconsistencies and ethical violations, jeopardizing public trust and participation in research initiatives.
• Public Awareness and Participation: There is a need for improved public engagement to encourage participation in biobanking and research. Concerns about data privacy and potential misuse of genetic information deter individuals from sharing their samples.
• Infrastructure and Investment: While the precision medicine market in India is projected to grow at a CAGR of 16%, significant investments are required in biobanks, genomics research, and healthcare infrastructure to keep pace with advancements globally.

In a latest development, an Israeli military tank fired at a UN observation post in southern Lebanon.

What is United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)?

• The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was established in 1978 in response to Israel's invasion of Lebanon, with the mandate to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli forces and restore peace in the region.
• Its creation was formalized through United Nations Security Council Resolutions 425 and 426.
• Over the years, UNIFIL's mission has evolved, focusing on three primary objectives:
  • Confirming Israel's Withdrawal: Ensuring that Israeli military forces vacate Lebanese territory, as stipulated in UN resolutions.
  • Restoring Peace and Security: Monitoring the situation in southern Lebanon, preventing escalations, and facilitating a stable environment for the local population.
  • Assisting the Lebanese Government: Supporting the Lebanese authorities in reestablishing their control and governance in southern Lebanon.
• UNIFIL operates predominantly along the Blue Line, a demarcation established in 2000 to confirm Israel’s withdrawal.
  • The area is sensitive due to the presence of Hezbollah and ongoing tensions between Israel and Lebanon.
• Despite the military backgrounds of many peacekeepers, their role is strictly non-combatant, focusing on monitoring ceasefires, mediating between conflicting parties, and protecting civilians.
• UNIFIL is one of the largest UN peacekeeping missions, with personnel from over 50 countries. It plays a crucial role in maintaining stability in a region marked by historical conflicts and political complexities.

The 'PM Gati Shakti' initiative has completed three years. 

About

• Launched in: 2021
• The PM GatiShakti initiative was launched to transform India's infrastructure landscape by enhancing multi-modal connectivity and promoting integrated infrastructure development.
• It aims to streamline logistics costs and boost investments across various sectors, which is vital for the country's economic growth and efficiency.
• The initiative leverages advanced geospatial data to create a National Master Plan (NMP), enabling efficient project planning and execution.
• Current Status of Progress
• Large-Scale Projects Identified: The initiative has identified 208 infrastructure projects valued at Rs 15.39 lakh crore, focusing on critical sectors such as roads, railways, urban development, and oil and gas. This includes 101 projects for road development and 73 for railway infrastructure.
• Network Planning Group (NPG) Oversight: The NPG, an inter-ministerial body, evaluates these projects every two weeks to ensure transparency and rigorous scrutiny. Projects exceeding Rs 500 crore undergo a thorough review before reaching the Public Investment Board for final approval.
• International Interest and Expansion Plans: The initiative has attracted international attention, with countries like Nepal and Sri Lanka expressing interest in adopting the GatiShakti model. Plans to expand the initiative to the district level within the next two months aim to ensure local economies benefit from integrated infrastructure development.
• Key Challenges: Complex integration of land records, bureaucratic hurdles.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently announced that it will keep the repo rate unchanged for the tenth consecutive time, which is a significant indicator in the context of India's monetary policy. This decision is interpreted as a sign that the RBI may be nearing the peak of its interest rate cycle, which directly affects the returns on various financial instruments, including fixed deposits (FDs).

What Are Fixed Deposits?

• Fixed deposits are a type of investment offered by banks and financial institutions where an individual deposits a lump sum amount for a fixed tenure at a predetermined interest rate.
• They are considered one of the safest investment options due to their fixed returns and are popular among conservative investors.
• Key Features of Fixed Deposits:
  • Safety: FDs are low-risk investments, often insured up to a certain limit by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).
  • Fixed Returns: The interest rate is agreed upon at the time of deposit and remains constant throughout the tenure.
  • Tenure Flexibility: Investors can choose tenures ranging from a few months to several years.
  • Liquidity: While FDs are generally less liquid than savings accounts, premature withdrawal is possible, though it may incur penalties.
  • Taxation: Interest earned on FDs is subject to tax as per the investor's income tax slab.

Following severe floods and landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district, the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences has approved the installation of an X-band radar in the region. This advanced radar technology aims to enhance monitoring and forecasting capabilities, thereby improving disaster preparedness.

What is a Radar?

• Radar stands for "Radio Detection and Ranging." It is a technology that utilizes radio waves to detect the distance, speed, and physical characteristics of objects in its vicinity.
• How It Works:
  • A transmitter emits radio signals towards an object (e.g., clouds in meteorology).
  • The signal reflects off the object and returns to the radar device.
  • A receiver then analyzes the echoed signal to extract information about the object's properties.
• Applications: Weather radar, also known as a Doppler radar, is a common application of this device. The Doppler effect is the change in frequency of sound waves as their source moves towards and away from a listener. In meteorology, Doppler radars can reveal how fast a cloud is moving and in which direction based on how the cloud’s relative motion changes the frequency of the radiation striking it.
• Pulse-Doppler Radar A pulse-Doppler radar can measure the intensity of, say, rainfall by emitting radiation in pulses and tracking how often they’re reflected to the receiver.

What is an X-Band Radar?

• Doppler radar relies on Rayleigh scattering, when the scatterer is much smaller than the wavelength of the radiation.
• A radar trying to ‘see’ smaller particles like rain droplets or fog will need to use radiation of lower wavelengths, like in the X-band.
• An X-band radar is radar that emits radiation in the X-band of the electromagnetic spectrum: 8-12 GHz, corresponding to wavelengths of around 2-4 cm (this is in the microwave part of the spectrum.)
• The smaller wavelengths allow the radar to produce images of higher resolution. However, the greater the frequency of some radiation, the faster it will be attenuated. So X-band radars have a relatively shorter range.
• Functionality in Wayanad: In Wayanad, the X-band radar is expected to monitor particle movements, particularly soil, to provide early warnings for landslides. Its ability for high temporal sampling allows for rapid monitoring, crucial in detecting changes over short time frames.

Current Radar Infrastructure in India

• Historical Context: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) began utilizing radar technology in the 1950s, with the first indigenous X-band radar installed in 1970.
• Current Capabilities: India operates a network of X-band radars for storm detection and wind-finding, complemented by S-band radars for long-range observations.
• Future Expansion: As of September 2024, plans are in place to add 56 additional Doppler radars under the 'Mission Mausam' initiative, which aims to enhance meteorological infrastructure with an investment of ?2,000 crore.
• NISAR: NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a joint project between NASA and ISRO, set to produce high-resolution Earth maps using radar imaging. The satellite is slated for launch in 2025, with total costs estimated at $1.5 billion, largely funded by NASA.
  • Technical Composition:
    • L-band Radar: Built by NASA (1.25 GHz, 24 cm).
    • S-band Radar: Developed by ISRO (3.2 GHz, 9.3 cm).

The United States is reportedly sending its advanced anti-missile system, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), to Israel, along with US troops to operate it.

What is THAAD?

• THAAD is a US-developed missile defense system designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles at high altitudes.
• It can neutralize short-, medium-, and limited intermediate-range missile threats, making it a versatile part of missile defense.
• THAAD can cover a wide area, engaging targets at distances between 150-200 kilometers (93-124 miles).
• It complements other defense systems, like the Patriot system, which Israel recently retired.
• Each THAAD battery typically includes six truck-mounted launchers, interceptors, radar, and requires 95 soldiers to operate.
• The THAAD system adds another layer of protection, reinforcing Israel’s air defense capabilities.
• The U.S. Army currently operates seven THAAD batteries.
• Each battery comprises six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, radar equipment, and requires 95 personnel to operate.
• This system is a critical part of the U.S. military's missile defense strategy, especially in volatile regions where the threat of ballistic missile attacks is high.

In the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, a new and deadly weapon has emerged: the “dragon drone.” This innovative use of drone technology has captured global attention due to its capability to deploy thermite, a highly incendiary substance, causing significant destruction on the battlefield.

What Are Dragon Drones?

• Dragon drones are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) specifically modified to carry and release
  • Thermite is a mixture of aluminum and iron oxide known for its extreme heat.
  • When ignited, thermite burns at a temperature of approximately 2,427 degrees Celsius, capable of melting through various materials, including military-grade vehicles and other structures.
• These drones have been employed by both Ukrainian and Russian forces.
• The Mechanics of Thermite
  • Chemical Properties: Thermite is notable for its self-sustaining reaction once ignited, making it incredibly difficult to extinguish.
    • Its burning properties allow it to cause severe damage to not just equipment, but also human targets, resulting in potentially fatal burns and injuries.
  • Historical Use: Thermite has a long history of military application, dating back to World War I, where German zeppelins used thermite bombs. By World War II, both the Allies and Axis powers extensively employed thermite in their bombing campaigns, dropping millions of thermite bombs to incinerate enemy targets.
    • In modern warfare, its ability to burn intensely without an explosive blast has made it a tool for covert operations.
  • International Law: While the use of thermite in warfare is not outright banned by international law, its application raises significant ethical concerns.
    • The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) prohibits the use of incendiary weapons against civilian targets, reflecting the dangers these weapons pose.
      • Protocol III of the CCW limits the use of thermite to strictly military targets due to its indiscriminate nature and potential for causing severe burns and respiratory injuries.

The Ministry of Defence is seeking to expand the scope of its flagship Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme and has sought additional funds from the Finance Ministry to keep it going.

About iDEX

• The iDEX (Innovations For Defence Excellence) is a well-conceived scheme of the Ministry’s Department of Defence.
• The iDEX initiative was launched in April 2018.
• It aims to achieve self-reliance and foster innovation and technology development in defence and aerospace by engaging industries including MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes and academia.
• ADITI Scheme: Earlier this year, the Defence Minister launched another initiative — the Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme — to promote innovations in critical and strategic defence technologies under which start-ups are eligible to receive grant-in-aid of up to Rs 25 crore for their research, development and innovation endeavours in defence technology.
  • The ADITI scheme worth Rs 750 crore for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26 falls under the iDEX framework and aims to develop about 30 deep-tech critical and strategic technologies in a proposed timeframe.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a significant Quad meeting in the U.S. in September 2023, resulting in the Wilmington Declaration aimed at enhancing security cooperation among the Quad nations (Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S.) and signaling a collective approach towards countering China in the Indo-Pacific region.

India-China Relations

• Stalemate and Deterioration: India-China relations are marked by a deteriorating stalemate, particularly in the Galwan region, with increasing friction points along the border that impede Indian patrols.
• Military Augmentation: India is enhancing its military capabilities along the China-India border by deploying new artillery and missiles, with the Indian Army maintaining a posture of preparedness despite the challenges posed by China.
• Chinese Confidence: China remains confident in its military dominance, as evidenced by its significantly larger defense budget, which allows it to downplay India's military upgrades and ongoing tensions.

Strategic Considerations

• Chinese Nationalism: Under Xi Jinping, China exhibits an increasingly aggressive nationalism, interpreting any alignment by India with the West as a provocation that could lead to escalated confrontations.
• Differentiating Threats: India’s strategic community recognizes that China perceives territorial claims in the Himalayas as less critical compared to its eastern seaboard interests, requiring nuanced diplomatic engagement from India.
• Quad Dynamics: China views India’s participation in the Quad as a serious threat, interpreting the Wilmington Declaration as evidence of a U.S.-led strategy aimed at encircling and containing it, thus escalating its concerns over India’s alignment with Western powers.

Diplomatic Maneuvering

• Cautious Engagement: India must engage carefully with both China and Quad partners, avoiding overt alignments that could provoke China while maintaining its sovereignty and security interests.
• Avoiding Misinterpretation: It is crucial for India to prevent any misinterpretation of its security partnerships, ensuring that it does not appear to be part of a strategy aimed at undermining China’s ambitions.
• Broader Implications: India’s future security framework should not be perceived as merely a counter to China but rather focus on maintaining a balanced and independent foreign policy that does not exacerbate regional tensions.

Practice Question

Q. Discuss the implications of the Wilmington Declaration for India’s foreign policy towards China and the broader Indo-Pacific region. How should India navigate its security alliances without provoking China?

The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, is facing significant challenges as it enters its 20th year, with mounting evidence of government actions undermining its effectiveness. Reports indicate a backlog of cases, vacant positions in information commissions, and regressive amendments, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in governance.

Operational Challenges

• Vacant Positions: Many information commissions across India are operating with a high number of vacancies, with the Central Information Commission having eight out of eleven posts unfilled, severely hampering its functionality.
• Backlog of Appeals: Over 4 lakh appeals and complaints are pending due to insufficient commissioners, leading to excessive delays; for instance, appeals in Chhattisgarh and Bihar may not be resolved until 2029.
• Supreme Court Observations: The Supreme Court has highlighted that the failure to fill vacancies is rendering the RTI Act ineffective, indicating that citizens' right to information is becoming a "dead letter."

Ineffective Enforcement

• Lack of Accountability: Despite the powers granted to information commissions, penalties are rarely imposed, with 95% of potential penalties not acted upon, leading to a culture of impunity among information officers.
• Government Appointees: Most information commissioners are former government officials or politically connected individuals, often hesitant to take action against government violations of the RTI Act.
• Impact on Applicants: This lack of accountability and enforcement frustrates RTI applicants, who face high costs and significant obstacles in their pursuit of information, undermining the law's intended purpose.

Legislative Backsliding

• Regressive Amendments: Amendments to the RTI Act in 2019 have compromised the autonomy of information commissions, allowing the Central government to control commissioners' tenures and salaries, thus eroding independence.
• Personal Data Exemption: The recent Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, further restricts access to personal information under the RTI Act, exempting all personal data from disclosure and undermining citizens’ rights to information.
• Threats to Whistleblowers: Despite the Whistleblowers Protection Act of 2014, operational rules remain unformulated, leaving RTI users vulnerable; nearly 100 individuals have been killed for utilizing the RTI Act, showcasing the dangers involved.

Practice Question

Q. Critically analyze the challenges facing the Right to Information Act in India, including operational inefficiencies, legislative amendments, and the implications for democratic governance. How can these issues be addressed to strengthen the RTI framework?

World Food Day, observed on October 16, emphasizes global efforts towards food security and nutritional access. As food insecurity remains a pressing issue, this year’s theme—“Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future”—raises critical questions about India’s food subsidy policies and the effectiveness of its National Food Security Act (NFSA) since its enactment in 2013.

Background of Food Security in India

• Progress in Food Production: India has made significant strides in food production through improved agricultural practices, such as better seeds, irrigation, and mechanization. These advancements were facilitated by government incentives, including subsidies and favorable pricing for farmers.
• National Food Security Act (NFSA): The NFSA was established to provide subsidized grains to about two-thirds of the population, yet its implementation has drawn scrutiny over the economic rationale of distributing free food to such a large segment amid ongoing poverty debates.
• Critique of Current Policies: Previous reforms under the Vajpayee government aimed to target food subsidies more effectively. Critics argue that the current approach of providing free food to over 800 million people is economically unsustainable and serves primarily as a political strategy.

Measuring Poverty and Subsidy Effectiveness

• Changing Poverty Metrics: The NITI Aayog's Multi-dimensional Poverty Index suggests a decline in the poverty ratio, from 29.13% in 2013-14 to 11.28% in 2022-23. This raises questions about the need for extensive free food distribution if poverty levels have indeed decreased.
• Economic Implications of Subsidies: The vast food subsidy constitutes the largest part of the Union budget, diverting funds away from crucial investments in agricultural research, education, and health, which could be more effective in ensuring food security.
• Corruption and Inefficiency: Research indicates that 25-30% of food and fertilizer subsidies fail to reach their intended beneficiaries, with overall inefficiencies leading to losses of up to 40-50%. This inefficiency undermines the objectives of the Right to Food initiative.

Proposed Reforms and Future Directions

• Need for Reform: The current system of food and fertilizer subsidies is viewed as ineffective and susceptible to corruption. A call for reform emphasizes the need for targeted assistance rather than blanket subsidies, suggesting that only a small percentage of the population should receive free food.
• Role of Digitization: Digitizing the agri-food system could enhance efficiency and accountability in the distribution of resources, aiding in the achievement of the Zero Hunger goal by 2030.
• Political Will for Change: For successful reform, the government must demonstrate commitment and prepare for implementation within a short timeframe. Engagement with dedicated experts—while avoiding opportunistic consultants—will be crucial for developing a rational subsidy framework.

Practice Question

Q: Discuss the implications of India’s current food subsidy policies on food security and poverty alleviation. Evaluate potential reforms that could enhance the effectiveness of the National Food Security Act in achieving its objectives.