GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has maintained India's position in the 'Priority Watchlist,' highlighting persistent challenges in the protection and enforcement of intellectual property (IP) rights. India has been identified as one of the most challenging countries in this regard.

1: Dimension- Issues/Challenges in India:

• Concerns Over Patent Issues: India continues to face scrutiny over patent issues, with the USTR emphasizing the country's challenges in safeguarding IP rights. Despite efforts to modernize its patent system, patent issues remain a significant area of concern, impacting both domestic and international stakeholders.
• Amendments to Patent Rules: The recent adoption of the Patents (Amendments) Rules, 2024 by India aims to address long-standing burdens on patent applicants. These amendments include changes to procedures for pre-grant oppositions, updates to patent working reporting forms, and reduced reporting time for foreign applications. While welcomed by the USTR, the implementation of these reforms will be closely monitored.
• Pharmaceutical Sector Concerns: Stakeholders in the US pharmaceutical industry have raised concerns regarding India's mechanism for resolving potential patent disputes in the pharmaceutical sector. The efficacy of India's approach to balancing IP protection with promoting access to essential technologies remains under scrutiny.

2: Dimension- Implications and Recommendations:

• India's retention in the USTR's 'Priority Watchlist' underscores the importance of addressing IP-related challenges to foster a conducive environment for innovation and economic growth.
• As India strives to balance IP protection with broader developmental goals, continued reforms and proactive measures are essential to address the concerns raised by the USTR and other stakeholders.
• Enhanced collaboration and dialogue between India and the US can facilitate the resolution of IP issues and promote mutual understanding and cooperation in the field of intellectual property rights.

The recent Supreme Court ruling rejecting pleas for a full count of Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips during electronic voting machine (EVM) elections has sparked debates on the integrity and transparency of India's electoral process.

1: Dimension- Supreme Court’s views and directions

• The Supreme Court issued directions mandating the sealing of the Symbol Loading Unit (SLU) after symbol loading and verification of burnt memory semi-controller in 5% of EVMs per constituency.
• Candidates can request verification of EVMs, with expenses to be borne by the requesting candidate, ensuring transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
• Citizens' Confidence: Writ petitions highlighted the significance of a complete VVPAT count in enhancing citizens' confidence in the electoral process. Despite calls for transparency, the Court's ruling prioritizes maintaining the integrity of the electoral system.

2: Dimension- Role of VVPAT Machines:

• VVPAT machines provide transparency by displaying voters' selections through paper slips, contributing to electoral transparency.
• The Supreme Court's decision underscores the importance of adhering to existing protocols and guidelines established by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

3: Dimension- Concerns Over EVMs:

• The Court's caution against releasing the source code for EVMs reflects concerns over potential misuse and tampering.
• This stance raises questions about the robustness of India's electoral infrastructure, despite the ECI's assurances of tamper-proof EVMs.

While the Supreme Court's verdict reaffirms the integrity of India's electoral process, ongoing vigilance and scrutiny are essential to address concerns related to transparency, accountability, and electoral integrity. Ensuring trust and confidence in the electoral system remains paramount for upholding the principles of democracy in India.

A remarkable discovery of a coin hoard has been made in Phanigiri village of Nagaram mandal, located in Suryapet district.

About

• A hoard of coins, each weighing approximately 2.3 grams, was found buried at a depth of 40 cm beneath the ground surface within the southernmost monastic cell.
• These coins feature an elephant motif on the obverse side and a Ujjain symbol on the reverse.
• Dating back to the Ikshvaku period, these coins offer valuable insights into ancient economic and cultural practices.
• Phanigiri village is surrounded by numerous Buddhist sites, including Vardhamanukota, Gajula Banda, Tirumalagiri, Nagaram, Singaram, Aravapalli, Iyyavaripalli, Arlagaddagudem, and Yeleswaram, indicating its historical significance.
• The village has been inhabited since pre/proto-historic times and has witnessed various periods of occupation, ranging from early historic to early medieval and Asaf Jahi periods, flourishing from 1000 BCE to the 18th century CE.

Recent research by scientists at the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has revealed the profound influence of bathymetry on Indian Ocean currents. Their findings shed light on the intricate dynamics of ocean circulation, offering valuable insights for understanding marine phenomena.

Key Findings:

• Bathymetric Influences: Bathymetry, the study of underwater depth of ocean floors, has emerged as a key determinant of Indian Ocean currents. By examining the topography of the ocean floor, scientists have identified deep-swirling patterns that exhibit contrasting behaviors to surface current.
• Opposing Currents: The study unveils deep-swirling patterns in the Indian Ocean depths, contrary to surface currents.
  • These patterns, observed around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Maldives, present a complex interplay between ocean depths and surface flows.
• Influence of Landmasses: The presence of boundary currents along the coast of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the role of the Maldives Islands in extending the Equatorial Under Current (EUC) underscore the influence of landmasses on regional ocean currents.

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj commemorates 24th April of every year as the National Panchayati Raj Day (NPRD).

About the Panchayati Raj Day

• April 24, 1993, marks a pivotal moment in the history of decentralization of power to grassroots levels with the formal establishment of Panchayati Raj.
• On this significant date, the 73rd Constitutional Amendment of 1992 was enacted into law, ushering in a new era of local governance.
• Panchayati Raj, a system of local government in India, operates through three tiers:
  • Gram Panchayat: Serving as the village council, this constitutes the most fundamental level of local governance.
  • Block Panchayat: This council oversees a cluster of villages, providing governance at a broader level.
  • Zila Panchayat: At the apex, the district council governs a larger geographic area, ensuring coordinated administration within a district.

Several members of Dongria Kondh community, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), have warned of boycotting the upcoming elections unless ‘false’ cases registered against them for anti-mining protests and for allegedly having Maoist links are withdrawn.

About the Tribe

• The Dongria Kondh community, whose name stems from "dongar," meaning 'hill,' refers to themselves as Jharnia, signifying 'protector of streams.'
• Situated in Odisha, the Niyamgiri hill range serves as the ancestral homeland of the Dongria Kondh tribe.
• In a remarkable feat likened to a 'David and Goliath' battle, the Dongria Kondh tribe successfully thwarted mining conglomerate Vedanta Resources' attempts to exploit the Niyamgiri Hills.
  • Empowered by the Forest Rights Act, village councils known as Gram Sabhas possess the authority to safeguard protected areas, preventing detrimental practices that could harm the environment, biodiversity, or cultural heritage.
  • Vedanta's endeavors were stymied as they failed to secure proper approval from the community Gram Sabhas, as mandated by the Forest Rights Act.
• For the Dongria Kondh, their right to cultivate the slopes of Niyamgiri is divinely bestowed by Niyam Raja, whom they revere as their mountain god and royal ancestor, presiding over the sacred hills, including the revered Niyam Dongar, or the Mountain of the Law.

The rising incidence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) across the globe has become a concern for doctors.

About Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses chronic inflammation of tissues within the digestive tract, presenting enduring disorders.
• Two primary forms of IBD exist:
  • Ulcerative colitis: Involving inflammation and ulceration along the colon and rectum's lining.
  • Crohn's disease: Characterized by inflammation of the digestive tract lining, potentially extending to deeper layers.
• Symptoms typically associated with both types of IBD include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal discomfort, fatigue, and weight loss.

Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), as a part of the Earth Day Celebrations, installed and activated India’s biggest Climate Clock on the CSIR Headquarters Building in New Delhi.

About Climate Clock

• The Climate Clock shows how much time is left before continued CO2 emissions lock in at least 5 degrees of global warming, a key threshold for global climate goals under the Paris agreement.
• Today, the planet is about 1.1 degrees Celsius hotter than it was before the Industrial Revolution due to carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels.

The Reserve Bank of India has announced the auction for the sale of Government Securities worth Rs 32,000 crore.

About Government Security (G-Sec)

• G-Sec, a tradable instrument, serves as acknowledgment of the Government's debt obligation.
• Issued by the Central Government or State Governments, G-Secs come in various forms:
  • Treasury bills and bonds or dated securities, issued by the Central Government.
  • Bonds or dated securities, known as State Development Loans (SDLs), issued by State Governments.
• G-Secs are categorized into:
  • Short-term instruments, commonly referred to as treasury bills, with original maturities of less than one year.
  • Long-term instruments, often termed Government bonds or dated securities, featuring original maturities of one year or more.
• Safety: G-Secs are esteemed for their safety, as they entail minimal risk of default, earning them the moniker of risk-free gilt-edged instruments.

The recent parliamentary elections in the Maldives have resulted in a significant victory for President Mohammad Muizzu’s party, the PNC, granting them a "super-majority" in the People’s Majlis.

Implications of PNC's Victory:

• Enhanced Legislative Power: The PNC's overwhelming majority in the parliament facilitates the passage of laws and potential constitutional amendments, consolidating President Muizzu's authority.
• Power: The government is going to be in the spotlight for how he wields near-absolute power, in a country which has seen authoritarian rule for decades.
• Shift in Foreign Policy: President Muizzu's focus on diversifying diplomatic ties, particularly with China, Turkey, and the UAE, suggests a strategic realignment away from previous dependencies on specific foreign powers.

Challenges and Opportunities for Indo-Maldivian Relations:

• Diplomatic Outreach: The Maldivian government's efforts to maintain a balanced foreign policy stance present an opportunity for New Delhi and Male to mend strained relations and uphold mutual interests.
• Building Mutual Trust: President Muizzu's assertion of prioritizing Maldives' interests over alignment with specific countries underscores the importance of fostering mutual trust and cooperation.
• Economic and Strategic Considerations: As Maldives faces economic challenges and concerns over climate change, there is potential for India to extend sustainable financing and support, reinforcing the notion of a "Neighbourhood first" policy.

Mains Question:

Evaluate the implications of the recent parliamentary elections in the Maldives on regional dynamics and Indo-Maldivian relations, and propose strategies to enhance mutual trust and cooperation in the context of evolving geopolitical shifts.

Global concerns arise over the dominance of western currencies in the global financial system, prompting discussions among developing nations like Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) about alternative currencies.

Impact of Globalisation on Developing Nations:

• Financial Subsidisation: Developing nations argue that globalisation has led to the subsidisation of living standards in wealthy countries, as poorer nations finance the richest fifth of humanity by $660 billion annually.
• Wealth Transfer Mechanisms: Wealthy countries, acting as the world's bankers, exert control over global financial flows, draining resources from developing nations through debt servicing and market liberalisation.
• Economic Disparities: Developing countries forfeit a significant portion of their GDP annually, hindering investments in essential sectors like education, health, and the environment, while the gains primarily benefit industrialised nations.

Challenges and Alternatives in the Global Financial System:

• Geopolitical Concerns: Geopolitical tensions arise as nations question the dominance of the US dollar, especially considering its use as a tool for political sanctions and power projection.
• Displacement of Dollar Dominance: Nations exploring alternatives to the dollar face disruptive adjustments and challenges in building their economic resilience.
• Need for Sustainable Solutions: Economists propose solutions such as addressing climate debt through international lending mechanisms and revisiting historical proposals like those put forth by John Maynard Keynes at the Bretton Woods conference. 

Mains Question:

Discuss the implications of the dominance of western currencies in the global financial system on developing nations, and evaluate potential strategies to address financial disparities and promote equitable international cooperation.

A recent report predicts significant global income loss by 2050 due to climate change, with disproportionate impacts on vulnerable nations like India

Impacts of Climate Change on Global Economies:

• Predicted Losses: The report forecasts a 19% decrease in average global incomes by 2050, leading to a 17% decline in global GDP, with severe damages expected in South Asian and African countries.
• Factors Contributing to Losses: The estimated loss accounts for temperature increases alone, with an additional 50% increase when damages from extreme weather events are included.
• Cost-Benefit Analysis: The projected losses far exceed the cost of reducing carbon emissions to limit temperature rise to below 2°C, emphasizing the urgency of climate action.

Challenges and Risks for India:

• Vulnerability to Climate Extremes: India ranks as the seventh-most vulnerable country to climate extremes while being the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, according to the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report.
• Projected Climate Risks: The report highlights risks such as intensified extreme rainfall, increased heatwaves, and cyclonic storms, posing significant challenges for vulnerable communities with limited adaptive capacities.
• Economic Implications: Climate risks not only incur physical and human costs but also disrupt investments in critical sectors like housing and transport, exacerbating economic losses and hindering India's developmental goals.

Mains Question:

Evaluate the socio-economic impacts of climate change on vulnerable nations like India, and discuss policy measures required to mitigate these risks and promote sustainable development in the face of climate variability.