GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Context:

Amid rising international concerns on deforestation and illicit trade in timber, the government has launched its own “national” forest certification scheme to validate entities that adhere to sustainable practices in management of forests and its products.

Introduction of IFWCS as an Alternative Certification Scheme

• Addressing Greenwashing Concerns: IFWCS aims to replace foreign certification agencies amid concerns over the integrity of existing certifications, affecting Indian products' acceptance globally.
• Global Investigation: The initiative follows a global investigative report by ICIJ, revealing doubts about certifications' reliability and prompting India's move towards an independent scheme.
• Government Initiative: IFWCS is a governmentbacked certification, enhancing trust, transparency, and global acceptability of Indian forestbased products.

Development of New Standards and Mandatory Implementation

• Forest Management Standards: New standards include eight criteria, 69 indicators, and 254 verifiers, becoming mandatory for all forest divisions in India.
• NonMandatory Certification: While forest divisions are not obligated to obtain certification, adherence to standards makes them eligible, emphasizing the voluntary nature of the process.
• Greater Acceptance: The initiative is expected to bring greater trust and transparency, boosting the acceptance of Indian forest products in international markets.

Scope and Applicability of IFWCS Certification

• Certification Categories: IFWCS covers sustainable forest management, management of trees outside forests, and chain of custody, ensuring traceability throughout the supply chain.
• Targeted Stakeholders: The certification benefits various stakeholders, including forest management units, woodbased industries, exporters, and traders, enhancing credibility in the market.
• International Market Dynamics: With Europe and the U.S. tightening rules for forest product imports, IFWCS responds to global concerns over deforestation and aligns with climate change commitments.

Context:

About two months after intelligence agencies reported that personal details of more than 80 crore people had been leaked from the ICMR website and put on sale on the dark web, the Delhi Police has arrested four persons. 

Data Breach and Arrests

• Cybersecurity Alert: Intelligence agencies report a massive data leak from ICMR's website, affecting over 80 crore individuals.
• Law Enforcement Response: Delhi Police arrests four individuals in connection with the data breach, highlighting the challenges of combating cyber threats.
• Lessons for Cybersecurity: The incident underscores the importance of staying ahead of cyber infiltrators and strengthening cybersecurity measures.

Implications of Data Pilferage

• Nature of Leaked Information:Aadhaar, passport details, phone numbers, and health records compromise sensitive personal data.
• Privacy Concerns: The breach raises alarms about privacy violations, emphasizing the need for robust data protection measures.
• Key Information at Risk: Stolen data includes identifiers that can unlock financial, communication, and medical information, posing significant risks to individuals.

Healthcare Digitization Challenges

• Digital Transformation in Healthcare: The government's emphasis on healthcare digitization, demonstrated during the Covid vaccination drive, faces challenges.
• Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission: The initiative's federated architecture is designed to prevent data centralization, but security measures are critical.
• Global Landscape: India shares cybersecurity challenges with other nations; global instances, such as attacks on the NHS in the UK, highlight the ongoing need for secure healthcare repositories.

Context:

A small but fast-growing part of the economy which we call ‘New India’, is central to speeding up growth. One is the exports of high-tech goods, the other is India’s digital public infrastructure.

Current Drivers of India's Economic Growth

• Rural Resilience Amidst El Nino: Despite El Nino's threat, construction jobs surged, bolstering rural employment and stabilizing wages.
• Emergence of "New India": "New India" in high-tech sectors and digital infrastructure supports rapid growth and fosters entrepreneurship.
• Long-Term Growth Prospects: High-tech sectors may propel GDP growth to 6.5%, elevating India's global economic ranking.

Challenges in "Old India" - Manufacturing and Agriculture

• Stagnation in Low-Tech Manufacturing: Small firms struggle; digitalization and reforms are vital for economies of scale and job creation.
• Agriculture's Lagging Contribution: Digital agri-tech solutions and market-friendly legal frameworks are essential for sector growth.
• The Need for Comprehensive Reforms: Digitalization complements reforms; focus on multi-sector reforms, business-friendly frameworks, and capital expenditure.

Envisioning Future Growth and Global Positioning

• Reforms as Catalysts for Growth: Continued reforms can propel growth to 7.5%, addressing jobs and focusing on education.
• Global Factors Favoring India: India benefits from a still-globalizing services trade and potential leapfrogging into green technology.
• Seizing the Opportunity: With 60% of capital stock yet to be built, India must address obstacles for sustainable growth.