GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

 The Union Cabinet recently announced MSP for 14 Kharif season crops. This includes important crops like paddy, ragi, bajra, jowar, maize, and cotton.

What is MSP?

• MSP stands for Minimum Support Price. It is the price at which the government buys crops from farmers, ensuring them a stable income and protecting them from market fluctuations.
• MSP was introduced in 1965 to safeguard farmers' interests.
• Role of CACP: The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) recommends MSP based on factors like production costs, demand-supply dynamics, and market prices.
• Government Decision: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister, makes the final decision on MSP after considering CACP's recommendations.
• Purpose of MSP
  • Income Security: MSP guarantees farmers a minimum price for their produce, ensuring stable income.
  • Price Stability: It stabilizes prices in the market by setting a floor price below which market prices are not allowed to fall.

Issues and challenges pertaining to MSP

While it remains crucial for food security and supports small farmers, debates persist over its impact on crop choices, market distortions, and its compatibility with WTO regulations.

• Market Distortions: MSP influences farmers' crop choices and can lead to overproduction of certain crops, affecting market dynamics and agricultural sustainability.
• Government Expenditure: Significant expenditure, exceeding Rs 1.7 trillion for paddy and wheat alone in recent years, raises concerns about fiscal sustainability and market distortions.
• WTO Dispute: India's MSP system has faced criticism at the WTO for potential market distortion. Despite this, it remains integral to addressing farmer welfare, especially in light of farmer suicides and agricultural crises exacerbated by climate change.

There is a need for urgent reform to make MSP more effective and sustainable. This includes revisiting subsidy structures, enhancing productivity, and possibly limiting MSP to prevent market distortions.

The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, spanning eight countries including India, is renowned as the "water towers of Asia" due to its crucial role in providing water to millions through major river systems like the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus. However, recent report (2024 ICIMOD Report) indicate alarming trends in snow persistence, impacting water availability and ecosystems across the region.

What is Snow Persistence?

• Snow persistence refers to the duration snow remains on the ground. In the HKH region, snowmelt from these mountains constitutes a significant source of water, contributing up to 23% of the annual runoff to the region's major river basins.
• This meltwater is crucial for sustaining agriculture, ecosystems, and human settlements downstream.

Key Findings from the 2024 ICIMOD Report

• The 2024 update from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) highlighted record-low snow persistence in the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus river basins.
• Specifically, the Ganga basin saw its lowest snow persistence in 22 years, significantly below historical averages.
• Causes of Lower Snow Persistence
  • Weak western disturbances, which bring precipitation to the HKH region during winter
  • Climate change-induced alterations in global weather patterns, including fluctuating La Niña–El Niño conditions, exacerbated this trend
  • High sea-surface temperatures disrupted the typical patterns of western disturbances, leading to decreased winter precipitation and snowfall in the mountains.
• Impact on Water Security
  • The decline in snow persistence threatens water availability in the region. For instance, snowmelt contributes a substantial portion of water to the Ganga (10.3%), Brahmaputra (13.2%), and Indus (up to 40%) river basins.
  • Reduced snowmelt could potentially lead to water stress, affecting agriculture, hydropower generation, and overall socio-economic stability in downstream areas.

India's Vulnerability

• India, with its vast territories encompassing parts of the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus basins, faces significant implications from declining snow persistence.
• The meltwater from these basins supports agriculture and sustains livelihoods for millions of people.
• Lower snowmelt volumes could amplify water scarcity issues, particularly during dry seasons and periods of reduced rainfall.

Long-term Solutions

• Strategies include reforestation with native species to enhance snow retention, improving weather forecasting and early warning systems, and strengthening water infrastructure.
• International cooperation among HKH countries is crucial for developing comprehensive policies and adapting to climate change challenges effectively.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has extended support to mitigate flood risks associated with the Mullaperiyar and Idukki dams in Kerala by providing space-based inputs related to high-resolution terrain data for the researchers to engage in flood modelling and assess probable inundation by identifying potential flood risks.

Introduction to India's Vulnerability to Floods:

• India faces significant flood risks due to its geographic diversity, monsoon rains, and changing climate patterns.
• Over 40 million hectares of land are prone to flooding, affecting states like Assam, Bihar, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
• Causes: Factors like deforestation, rapid urbanization, and poor agricultural practices exacerbate flood severity in certain regions.
  • Poor town planning, unauthorized and illegal construction, and inadequate urban infrastructure expose Indian cities to flooding.
• Impact: Loss of human lives, displacement, destruction of crops, and damage to property and other physical infrastructures.
• Role of Satellite Technology: Satellites, operated by agencies like the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), are pivotal in managing and mitigating flood disasters across India.

ISRO’s role in Disaster Management

 ISRO plays a crucial role in disaster management through its satellite-based applications. These tools aid in monitoring, predicting, and mitigating various natural disasters across India.

• Flood Management: ISRO provides real-time flood mapping and inundation maps to agencies like National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and State Relief Commissioners. This helps in timely evacuation and relief operations during floods.
• Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs): ISRO monitors glacial lakes using satellite data to assess potential risks of GLOFs. This helps in understanding and mitigating flood risks in the Himalayan region.
• Terrain Mapping: High-resolution terrain data from satellites assist in flood modelling and identifying vulnerable areas prone to inundation, such as around dams like Mullaperiyar and Idukki in Kerala.
• Information Dissemination: ISRO uses platforms like Bhuvan and National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM) to disseminate critical information to disaster management authorities. This includes flood maps, weather forecasts, and disaster impact assessments.
• Telemedicine and Tele-education: ISRO's satellites support telemedicine projects, connecting remote healthcare centers with urban hospitals for medical consultations. Similarly, tele-education initiatives like EDUSAT provide educational resources to rural areas.

Meteorological Services: ISRO satellites contribute to weather forecasting and monitoring through collaboration with the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This aids in predicting cyclones and other severe weather events.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda University at Rajgir, Bihar. The University is conceived as a collaboration between India and East Asia Summit (EAS) countries. The University has a deep connection with history. The original Nalanda University, established around 1600 years ago, is considered to be amongst the first residential universities in the world. The ruins of Nalanda were declared as a UN Heritage Site in 2016.

Key-facts regarding Nalanda University:

• Nalanda University holds a significant place in the history of education, serving as one of the oldest residential universities globally.
• Establishment: It was established around 427 CE by Gupta Emperor Kumaragupta I. Later, it also received patronage from Harshavardhana and the Pala rulers. 
• Founded 1600 years ago, Nalanda is recognized as the world's first residential university, pre-dating Oxford and Bologna by over 500 years.
• Curriculum: The university offered a diverse range of subjects including Buddhist scriptures, philosophy, mathematics, logic, astronomy, and medicine.
• Regarded as the second-oldest university in the world after Takshashila, it served as a residential campus and existed for 800 years.
• Decline: Nalanda began its decline during the late Pala period but faced devastation during Bakhtiyar Khilji's invasion around 1200 CE. The library, housing millions of manuscripts, was famously burned for three months.
• Historical Travellers: Accounts from Chinese travelers like Hiuen-Tsang and I-Tsing provide detailed insights into the university's academic and cultural richness.
• UN Heritage Site: The ruins of Nalanda were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016, underscoring its global historical significance.

The Union Cabinet recently approved the National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme (NFIES) to bolster scientific investigations across India and improve conviction rates in criminal cases.

About NFIES

• Duration: 2024-25 to 2028-29
• Aim: to address the pressing need for enhanced forensic capabilities in the country.
• The NFIES seeks to establish campuses of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) across various locations in India.
• Additionally, it aims to augment the infrastructure of existing Central Forensic Science Laboratories and NFSU in Delhi.
• This initiative is crucial, especially with the implementation of new criminal laws from July 1, which mandate forensic investigations for offenses carrying sentences of seven years or more.
• Need of the Scheme: There is currently a significant shortage of trained forensic professionals in these labs, making the establishment of new campuses and laboratories imperative for efficient and timely criminal investigations.

Recent research has examined the aftermath of methane release resulting from explosions damaging the Nord Stream pipelines in September 2022. An estimated 10,000 to 50,000 tonnes of methane dissolved in the surrounding seawater post-explosion.

About Nord Stream Pipeline

• Nord Stream 1 (NS1) and Nord Stream 2 (NS2), constructed by Russia's Gazprom, span 1,200 km across the Baltic Sea, each consisting of two large pipes.
• They were designed to transport 110 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually from Russia to Germany.
• 2022 Explosions: In September 2022, explosions damaged both NS1 and NS2 at multiple points in Swedish and Danish waters, rendering them non-operational. This incident raised significant environmental concerns due to the release of methane.

Key-highlights of the Study

• The methane release from the Nord Stream explosions is among the largest documented from such events, underscoring its environmental significance.
• During the incident, methane emissions from the breaches reached 79 tonnes per hour into the atmosphere, totaling approximately 40,000 tonnes over seven days.
• Methane concentrations in seawater ranging from 10,000 to 55,000 metric tonnes. This poses potential risks to microbial ecosystems and could influence the growth of methane-consuming bacteria.

India has been historical committed to providing asylum to refugees. Despite this legacy, India is neither a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention nor its 1967 Protocol, and lacks a domestic asylum framework.

The Plight of Refugees:

• Global Refugee Crisis: There are over 43.4 million refugees globally, with conflicts continuously increasing this number. These individuals are not mere statistics but human beings with dreams, fears, and needs.
• India’s Historical Asylum Record: India has a long history of granting asylum, from ancient times with the Jews and Zoroastrians to modern times with East Bengalis, Tibetans, and Rohingyas.
• World Refugee Day: This day serves as a reminder of the lives uprooted by conflicts and the need for safe havens and solutions for refugees.

Policy Implications and Legislative Needs:

• Lack of Formal Framework: Despite its history, India is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, and lacks a domestic asylum framework.
• Private Member’s Bill: A bill introduced in 2022 aimed to establish a comprehensive refugee and asylum law, recognizing the rights and duties of asylum seekers and refugees, and addressing the principle of non-refoulement.
• Government Actions: The expulsion of Rohingya refugees in violation of international law reveals gaps in India’s asylum policy and highlights the need for legislative reforms to uphold humanitarian traditions.

Implementation Challenges and Judicial Interventions:

• Ad hoc Management: Without a consistent law, refugees are often treated as aliens under various acts, leading to arbitrary handling and potential deportation.
• Access to Services: There is a need for mechanisms to ensure refugees can access public services, including healthcare and education, and legally seek employment.
• Judicial Support: The Supreme Court of India has affirmed the rights of all individuals in India, including refugees, to fundamental rights, urging the state to process asylum applications properly and protect asylum seekers from forcible eviction.

UPSC Mains Questions:

Q. Analyze the significance of the UN Refugee Convention and the role it plays in protecting refugee rights globally.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education offers promising solutions to long-standing educational challenges by providing scalable, personalized, and cost-effective alternatives to traditional teaching methods.

Effectiveness of AI in Education

• Personalized Tutoring: Educational psychologist Benjamin Bloom’s research demonstrated that students receiving one-on-one tutoring perform significantly better, known as the 2 Sigma Problem. AI, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT 4, can emulate personalized tutoring, adapting to each student’s learning pace and style.
• Natural Interactions: Advances in AI, including voice and vision capabilities, enable more natural and accessible interactions with AI tutors, making educational support more engaging and effective.
• Democratizing Education: In contexts like India, where access to quality teachers is limited, AI can provide consistent, high-quality educational support, ensuring equitable access to educational resources regardless of location or socio-economic background.

Impact on Educators and Students

• Complementary Tools: AI should be seen as a tool to complement, not replace, human educators. It can handle routine tasks, freeing up teachers to focus on complex educational aspects that require human insight.
• Enhancing Engagement: Technology alone cannot create learner motivation; educators must foster an environment that encourages a genuine passion for learning. AI can enhance the learning experience, but the teacher’s role in motivating students remains crucial.
• Shifting Educational Goals: Higher education in India often emphasizes job placement and salaries. To inspire deeper learning, educators should highlight the broader implications of education, such as solving social issues and contributing to public welfare.

Policy Implications and Future Directions

• Investment in AI: Policymakers, educators, and philanthropists must prioritize investment in AI infrastructure, teacher training, and curriculum development to realize AI’s full potential in education.
• Teaching Paradigms: A shift in teaching paradigms is necessary, with educators adopting roles as facilitators of learning and leveraging AI for personalized support while focusing on higher-order thinking skills and creativity.
• Preparing for the Future: Integrating AI in education can enhance learning outcomes and prepare students for future workforce demands, fostering critical thinking and innovation.

UPSC Mains Questions

Q. Discuss the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in transforming the education sector in India. What are the challenges and opportunities associated with this transformation?

The current competitive exam system in India, especially for prestigious institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), is criticized for its limited assessment criteria and its socio-economic impact on students and their families. There is a need for reforming the selection process to create a more inclusive and effective educational system.

Critique of Current Competitive Exams:

• Limited Skill Assessment: Competitive exams mainly test hard work, focus, and adaptability to testing. They do not evaluate creativity, deep conceptual understanding, application skills, social capacities, and genuine interests, which are also crucial for success in life.
• High-Stakes Pressure: These exams cause significant social, mental, and economic stress among aspiring students and their families. The pressure to 'crack' these exams drives mass aspirations and exacerbates societal issues.
• Misconception of Merit: The notion of 'merit' as assessed by these exams is flawed. These tests are blunt instruments that do not guarantee consistent differentiation between students, assessing a narrow set of capacities that do not fully define merit.

Proposed Reforms for a Better Selection Process:

• Broad-Based Assessment: Implementing assessment methods that evaluate a wider range of capacities and in greater depth, similar to improved board examinations. Qualifying criteria can be established, ensuring students have the necessary skills to benefit from higher education.
• Randomized Selection: Once students meet the qualifying criteria (e.g., achieving 70% in four subjects), a randomized selection process can be used if there are more qualified students than available seats. This reduces competitive pressure and mental stress.
• Institutional Accountability: Broadening the selection criteria would test how well institutions educate their students, shifting focus from narrow test scores to comprehensive educational outcomes.

Benefits of the Proposed Method:

• Reduced Pressure: Students and families would experience less stress as the focus shifts from elimination to qualifying, with a random chance element for final selection. This would alleviate the mental, social, and economic pressures associated with competitive exams.
• Improved Education: A broader assessment of capacities would enhance the overall educational system, fostering a more well-rounded and capable society.
• Fairer Admission Process: Students who do not gain admission due to seat limitations would understand it as a matter of chance rather than unworthiness, leading to a more positive societal mindset.

UPSC Mains Questions

Q. Critically analyze the impact of the current competitive exam system on the socio-economic and mental health of students in India. What reforms can be proposed to make the system more inclusive and less stressful?