GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Recent violence claimed the lives of innocent civilians and security personnel alike in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.  Separatist group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) took responsibility for the attack.

Why is there so much violence in Balochistan?

• The Balochistan region is divided into three regions. The northern part is in present-day Afghanistan, the western region in Iran is called the Sistan-Baluchistan region and the remaining in Pakistan.
• In Pakistan, it is the largest province by size, but the least populated and it remains largely underdeveloped, with high levels of poverty.
• It makes up some 6 percent of the total area of the country.
• Under British rule, the region was managed through the 'Sandeman system,' which granted autonomy to local tribes under 'sardars' or 'jirgars' (tribal councils).
• Pakistan took control of Balochistan in 1948, leading to the first uprising for autonomy. This was met with violence and suppression.
• The province is rich in natural resources like gold, copper, oil and natural gas and boasts a 770km (478-mile) stretch of coastline, where the strategic Gwadar Port is located – a prominent feature of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
• Despite being rich in natural resources, Balochistan remains the poorest province in Pakistan. The Baloch ethnic group, which makes up a third of the population, has long been marginalised due to the Pakistani government’s discriminatory policies. This history of marginalisation has been accompanied by sustained armed resistance.
• The latest cycle of violence started in the 2000s, prompted by demands for an equal share of the province’s resources for the Baloch people. Eventually, calls for independence also emerged.
• Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) is the biggest of several ethnic insurgent groups that have battled the central government for decades, saying it unfairly exploits Balochistan’s gas and mineral resources. It seeks the expulsion of China and independence for the province.

Recent developments in the East China Sea have heightened tensions between Japan and China. Japan has reported an unprecedented violation of its airspace by a Chinese military aircraft, specifically a Y-9 surveillance plane. This incident follows a pattern of maritime provocations by Chinese vessels near disputed islands (Danjo Islands).

Current Issues between Japan and China

• Airspace Incursion: The violation occurred when the Chinese Y-9 aircraft breached Japanese airspace near the Danjo Islands for approximately two minutes. This is noted as the first confirmed incursion by a Chinese military aircraft into Japanese airspace.
• Maritime Provocations: The incident is part of a broader pattern of tensions. Chinese vessels frequently enter waters near the Senkaku Islands, which are administered by Japan but claimed by China as

Rules Pertaining to International Airspace

• Airspace above national territories is considered sovereign, meaning that incursions by foreign military aircraft without permission are deemed violations of national sovereignty.
• Countries have exclusive rights to control and defend the airspace over their territory. Unauthorized entry by military aircraft into this airspace is typically regarded as a serious breach of international norms.
• International airspace rules are governed by the Convention on International Civil Aviation (ICAO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization.
• The Chicago Convention of 1944 marked a pivotal moment, establishing modern aviation law.
• It was signed on December 7, 1944, by 54 nations, and became effective from April 4, 1947.
• Key Features:
  • Full Sovereignty: Article 1 of the Convention, with regards to sovereignty of Airspacestates that ‘every State has complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above its territory’.

• The territory of any state includes 12 nautical miles of territorial waters off the coastline. Airspace which is not within any country’s territorial limit is considered as ‘International Airspace’.

• International Air Services: It provides framework for granting traffic rights and operating international flights.
• Air Navigation and Safety: It established the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to set global aviation standards.
• Search and Rescue: It mandates cooperation in aircraft distress situations.
• Environmental Protection: It emphasizes on sustainable development in aviation.

• Subsequent agreements and practices, like the Warsaw, Geneva, and New York Conventions, have further clarified and supported the principle of airspace sovereignty.

The Union Cabinet approved the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for central government employees. This scheme will be effective from April 1, 2025, and will benefit 23 lakh central government employees.

What is UPS?

• The Central Government has launched the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), which provides government workers with a steady pension based on their length of service and most recent basic salary drawn.
• Key-Features:
  • Assured pension: For a minimum qualifying service of 25 years, 50% of the average basic salary drawn for the past 12 months prior to superannuation. Up to a minimum of ten years of service, this compensation is to be commensurate with shorter service periods.
  • Assured family pension: 60% of pension of the employee immediately before her/his demise.
  • Assured minimum pension: After at least ten years of service, @10,000 per month in superannuation.
  • Inflation indexation: On assured pension, on assured family pension and assured minimum pension. Dearness Relief based on All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW) as in case of service employees.
  • Lump sum payment at superannuation in addition to gratuity: 1/10th of monthly emoluments (pay + DA) as on the date of superannuation for every completed six months of service. This payment does not diminish the quantum of secured pension.
• Eligibility: UPS applies to all those who retired under the NPS from 2004 onwards
• Unlike the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), where employees made no contributions, UPS requires employees to contribute 10% of their basic salary and DA, while the government contributes 18.5%. A portion of the government's contribution (8.5%) goes into a guarantee reserve fund to manage any shortfalls. 

How is it different from NPS and OPS?

In a letter to all States, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has defined ‘literacy,’ and what it means to achieve ‘full literacy,’ in the light of the renewed push for adult literacy under the New India Literacy Programme (NILP), a five-year programme (2022-27), which aims to onboard one crore learners per year above 15 years across all States and union territories.

What is ‘Literacy’ and ‘Full Literacy’?

• Literacy: According to the Ministry of Education (MoE), literacy encompasses the ability to read, write, and compute with comprehension. This includes identifying, understanding, interpreting, and creating information, as well as possessing critical life skills such as digital literacy and financial literacy.
• Full Literacy: Achieving 'full literacy' is defined as reaching a literacy rate of 95% in a State or Union Territory. This threshold is considered equivalent to 100% literacy for practical purposes within the context of the NILP.

Challenges

• Low Pass Percentage: The drop in the pass percentage for Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT) from 89.64%-91.27% in 2023 to 85.27% in 2024 indicates a challenge in maintaining high literacy standards and suggests potential issues in the effectiveness of literacy programs or the rigor of the assessments.
• Budget Constraints: The allocation and utilization of funds for the NILP have been inconsistent. For instance, only Rs 76.41 crore of the allocated Rs 160 crore was utilized in 2022-23, and the budget for 2023-24 was reduced from Rs 157 crore to Rs 100 crore in revised estimates. Such budgetary constraints can impact the scale and effectiveness of the literacy programs.
• High Number of Non-Literate Adults: According to the 2011 Census, there are approximately 25.76 crore non-literate adults in India, comprising a significant gender disparity with more females than males. Despite previous efforts like the Saakshar Bharat program, a substantial number of adults remain non-literate.
• Impact on Daily Life: Non-literate individuals face disadvantages in various aspects of life, including financial transactions, job applications, comprehension of media and technology, understanding of rights, and participation in higher productivity sectors.

Government Initiatives for improving adult literacy in India

• Saakshar Bharat Programme: This was a previous initiative aimed at improving adult literacy. Between 2009-10 and 2017-18, it certified 7.64 crore individuals as literate. Despite its success, it left a significant number of adults still non-literate.
• New India Literacy Programme (NILP): It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely to cover a target of 5.00 crore non-literates in the age group of 15 years and above. The Scheme has five components: (i) Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, (ii) Critical Life Skills, (iii) Vocational Skills Development, (iv) Basic Education and (v) Continuing Education.
  • The scheme is based on technology and implemented predominantly through online mode.
  • The teaching learning material and resources have been made available on DIKSHA platform of NCERT and can be accessed through the mobile-apps.
• FLNAT (Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test): This assessment is a crucial tool in certifying individuals as literate under the NILP. The test evaluates foundational skills in reading, writing, and numeracy. Individuals who pass the FLNAT are recognized as literate, contributing to the larger goal of increasing literacy rates.
• National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN) Bharat mission: The mission strives to create an enabling environment to ensure the universal acquisition of FLN, so that every child achieves the desired learning by the end of Grade 3, by 2026-27.
• Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS): The scheme aligns with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and aims to empower those adults aged 15 years and above from all backgrounds who could not get due schooling.

In recent years, India has witnessed significant legal reforms in response to high-profile cases of sexual violence. The tragic gang rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital has ignited a fresh debate on the adequacy of the current legal framework, specifically regarding the death penalty for rape. This incident has brought renewed attention to the recommendations of the Justice J.S. Verma Committee, which played a pivotal role in shaping the legal landscape for sexual offenses in India.

Justice J.S. Verma Committee Recommendations

Established following the brutal gang rape of a paramedic student in Delhi on December 16, 2012, the Justice J.S. Verma Committee was tasked with reviewing the laws concerning sexual violence. The committee submitted its report on January 23, 2013, offering a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening the legal response to such crimes.

• Death Penalty Stance: The Verma Committee recommended enhanced sentences for rapefrom 7 years to 10 years, 20 years, and life, but “short of death”. It explicitly advised against the death penalty, stating that it did not act as a deterrent. The committee highlighted that there is no substantial evidence to support the notion that the death penalty effectively prevents serious crimes. Instead, it proposed rigorous imprisonment for a term not less than twenty years for those who cause the victim to be in a persistent vegetative state, extending to life imprisonment if required.
• Marital Rape: The committee advocated for the removal of the exception to marital rape, asserting that a marital relationship should not exempt a perpetrator from rape charges. This stance was aligned with international human rights norms (European Commission of Human Rights in C.R. vs U.K.) and aimed to ensure that consent remains central to any sexual act, irrespective of the relationship between the parties involved.
  • The Union government did not go by this recommendation and refused to criminalise marital rape.
  • Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, exception 2 of Section 63 states that “sexual intercourse or acts by a man with his wife, the wife not being under 18 years of age, is not rape.”
• Gender Rights: The committee emphasized that the empowerment of women extends beyond political equality to encompass social, educational, and economic dimensions. It stressed the need for legal and public policy measures to address gender biases and promote true equality.

Government Response and Legislative Changes

Despite the committee's recommendations, the Union Cabinet did not incorporate the suggestion on the death penalty into the 2013 criminal amendments. The Cabinet opted instead for a more nuanced approach, which included:

• Legislative Amendments: The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, introduced provisions for the death penalty in specific severe cases of rape:
  • Section 376A: Mandates death or life imprisonment for rape resulting in the victim’s death or a persistent vegetative state.
  • Section 376E: Prescribes the death penalty for repeat offenders.
  • Section 376DB: Imposes the death penalty for gang rape of a minor under 12 years old and life imprisonment for victims under 16 years old.
  • Further amendments in 2018 reinforced these provisions, with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) including similar punitive measures for rape cases involving minors.

Challenges and Ongoing Issues

The legal framework established post-2013 represents a significant shift towards stringent measures against sexual violence. However, challenges remain:

• Effectiveness of Death Penalty: The debate continues on whether the death penalty serves as a real deterrent or if alternative punitive measures might be more effective.
• Implementation and Awareness: Ensuring that the laws are effectively implemented and that there is widespread awareness about legal rights and remedies remains crucial.
• Societal Attitudes: Beyond legal reforms, addressing deep-seated societal attitudes and biases regarding gender and sexual violence is essential for achieving lasting change.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced the creation of five new districts in Ladakh: Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang.

Background

• Ladakh was given the status of a Union Territory in 2019 after the abrogation of Article 370 which granted special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. The revocation of article 370 bifurcated it into two Union Territories after which Ladakh comes under the direct administrative control of the Home Ministry. 
• Currently, Ladakh has two districts, Leh and Kargil. It has been reported to face administrative challenges due to its large area and difficult terrain.
• Meanwhile, Ladakh has been demanding:
  • Statehood 
  • Early recruitment process along with a public service commission for Ladakh
  • Separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.
  • Extension of the Constitution’s Sixth Schedule
    • The Sixth Schedule under Article 244 (Administration of Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas) of the Constitution guarantees certain protections for land and nominal autonomy for citizens in designated tribal areas.
    • In Ladakh, more than 97% of the population belongs to the Scheduled Tribes.
    • The inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule would allow for the creation of autonomous development councils to govern land, public health and agriculture.

The Reserve Bank of India is set to launch the Unified Lending Interface (ULI) to further transform the lending landscape, drawing parallels with the revolutionary impact of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) on retail payments.

What is Unified Lending Interface (ULI)?

• The Unified Lending Interface (ULI) is a new platform to streamline and enhance the lending process in India. It aims to facilitate a seamless and efficient flow of information between various stakeholders involved in credit delivery.
• Purpose: ULI is designed to address the challenges associated with accessing and aggregating data from disparate sources. It will enable a more streamlined, consent-based flow of information from data service providers to lenders, thereby improving the efficiency of credit appraisal and disbursement.
• Significance
• Enhanced Efficiency: By reducing the time required for credit appraisal and minimizing the need for extensive documentation, ULI is expected to expedite the credit delivery process.
• Broader Reach: It aims to address the credit gap, particularly for smaller, rural, agricultural, and micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) borrowers.
• Digital Infrastructure: ULI is seen as a key component of India's digital public infrastructure, complementing the existing JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhar, and Mobile) framework and the UPI system. The ‘new trinity’ of JAM-UPI-ULI will be a revolutionary step forward in India’s digital infrastructure journey
• Improved Access: The platform will help in delivering credit more effectively by digitizing access to scattered data, thus catering to large unmet credit demand.
• Unified Payments Interface (UPI): UPI is a real-time payment system launched in India in April 2016 by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). It consolidates multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application, enabling various banking functions and payments.

The introduction of the AIM-174B missile into the US Navy's arsenal marks a significant development in air-to-air missile technology and strategic balance, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region where tensions with China are prominent.

About AIM-174B Missile

• AIM-174B is an air-to-air derivative of the Raytheon SM-6 surface-to-air missile, designed for the F/A-18 Super Hornet.
• With an operational range of around 400 km and a speed of Mach 3.5, it positions itself as a formidable counterpart to other long-range air-to-air missiles like the Russian Rh-37 Vympel and the Chinese PL-15 and PL-17.
• The AIM-174B benefits from the existing production infrastructure for the SM-6, enabling its rapid deployment and operational readiness.
• Strategic Importance of Long-Range Missiles: While stealth fighters like the F-35 and J-20 aim to avoid detection, long-range air-to-air missiles are crucial for ensuring engagement at distances where stealth alone cannot guarantee safety.
  • The development of missiles such as the PL-15 and PL-17 by China indicates that long-range engagement capabilities are becoming a key element of modern air combat.
  • The AIM-174B's capabilities help the US maintain a strategic edge by enabling its aircraft to strike from beyond the range of enemy systems.

India's Air-to-Air Missiles

• India's air-to-air missile arsenal includes the Astra Mk1, which has a shorter range (100 km) compared to the AIM-174B and other advanced missiles.
• The Astra Mk1 is being integrated into the Su-30MKI fighter jet, with further developments like the Astra Mk2 and Mk3 under trial.
• The Meteor missile, which is operational on the Rafale jets, is considered one of the most advanced in terms of range and performance.

Chandrayaan-3's Pragyan rover has made a remarkable contribution to lunar science, providing information about the identification of ferroan anorthosite and the insights into the Moon's early magma ocean are significant milestones in space exploration.

Key Achievements:

• Mission Duration and Rover Operations: The Pragyan rover, after landing, operated for approximately 14 days on the lunar surface before it ceased functioning due to subzero temperatures. Despite its relatively short operational window, Pragyan met all its scientific objectives, delivering significant data on lunar soil and surface composition.
• Scientific Findings: The mission's standout discovery is the identification of ferroan anorthosite in the lunar soil. This rock type is critical for understanding the Moon's early history and supports the theory of a primordial magma ocean. This discovery confirms findings from earlier missions but provides new data from the Moon’s south pole region, an area previously less explored.
• Ferroan Anorthosite: Ferroan anorthosite is a type of rock that forms from the crystallization of molten magma. Its presence on the Moon is significant because it is believed to be remnants of a vast magma ocean that covered the lunar surface billions of years ago. This supports the theory that the Moon’s surface was once molten and has since solidified, with subsequent meteorite impacts contributing to its current state.
  • Similar rocks were found by the Apollo and Luna missions at the lunar equator, but the new data from Chandrayaan-3 adds valuable information from the southern hemisphere. This broadens our understanding of the Moon’s geological diversity.

As the world grapples with the urgent need to transition to renewable energy, solar paraboloid technology is emerging as a potentially transformative solution.

What is Solar Paraboloid Technology?

• Solar paraboloid technology operates using a system known as the Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC). The core components of this system include:
  • Parabolic Mirrors: These mirrors are shaped like a parabola and are designed to focus sunlight onto a receiver tube located at the focal line of the mirror.
  • Receiver Tube: This tube captures the concentrated sunlight and heats a fluid contained within it. The heated fluid can be used to generate electricity through a steam turbine or provide direct heat for industrial processes.
• Advantages:
  • High Temperature Operation: Unlike traditional PV panels, which operate at lower temperatures, solar paraboloids can achieve temperatures up to 300°C. This high temperature operation enhances thermal efficiency by reducing heat losses.
  • Enhanced Efficiency: The ability to operate at higher temperatures allows solar paraboloids to convert a larger portion of solar energy into usable heat. This efficiency translates into more electricity or heat generation per unit of sunlight compared to conventional PV systems.
  • Cost Efficiency: The high efficiency of solar paraboloids in concentrating solar energy can lead to a reduction in the cost per unit of electricity produced. This could make solar energy more competitive with traditional fossil fuels, potentially driving down energy costs in the long term.

The Union government is considering including caste enumeration in the long-delayed Census, following demands from various political parties. This consideration comes amidst concerns over the inadequacy of the 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census and significant delays in conducting the decennial Census.

Current Issues and Delays

• Incomplete Data from 2011 Census: The 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census produced unusable data due to its incomplete and poorly constructed nature, casting doubt on the reliability of any new caste enumeration.
• Repeated Delays: The Census has been repeatedly delayed, with the latest deadline for freezing administrative boundaries lapsing on June 30, 2024. This extension has been granted multiple times since 2019.
• Comparative Delay: India is among the few countries that have not conducted a Census this decade, sharing this status with nations affected by conflict or economic crises, despite many other countries completing their Census after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Implications and Necessities

• Impact on Public Policy: Delays in the Census affect various public schemes and statistical surveys that rely on accurate Census data for policy-making and administration, including the National Food Security Act and the National Social Assistance Programme.
• Outdated Data and Emerging Trends: With the 2011 Census data becoming increasingly outdated, the lack of current data hampers understanding of migration, urbanization, and suburbanization trends, leading to reliance on potentially flawed sample surveys.
• Need for Immediate Action: The government must prioritize and expedite the Census to ensure timely and accurate data collection, which is crucial for effective governance and policy formulation.

Mains Question

Q. Discuss the implications of the prolonged delay in conducting the decennial Census in India on public policy and statistical surveys. What measures should the government take to address these issues effectively?

The recent gruesome murder of a resident doctor in Kolkata has heightened scrutiny of hospital safety and prompted the Supreme Court to take suo motu action. While measures such as improved security and safety programs are being considered, underlying issues of systemic corruption in healthcare are receiving less attention.

Response to Violence

• Current Measures: The Supreme Court has mandated the formation of a national task force to enhance hospital security and safety, including infrastructure upgrades and increased security presence.
• State Initiatives: The West Bengal government has launched the ‘Rattierer Saathi’ program to improve safety for women working night shifts in medical settings.
• Simplistic Solutions: These responses, though important, often address only surface-level issues and fail to tackle the deeper problems underlying healthcare worker violence and safety.

Systemic Corruption

• Corruption's Impact: Corruption, including severe forms like sextortion, is a significant but underappreciated factor in healthcare crises, impacting both worker safety and patient outcomes.
• Historical Failures: Past responses to healthcare violence, such as improving security and legislation, have been ineffective due to systemic underfunding and corruption.
• Global Perspective: Corruption costs the global healthcare system billions annually, more than the cost of universal health coverage, indicating a broader issue beyond just infrastructural improvements.

Need for Comprehensive Reform

• Call for Reform: The national task force must focus on preventing and addressing medical corruption through transparency, accountability, and administrative reforms.
• Expert Involvement: Effective strategies require input from public health experts, medico-legal professionals, and governance bodies, not just medical personnel.
• Learning from Others: Modernization of public hospitals and adaptation of successful strategies from other countries, like Brazil, are essential for addressing corruption and improving healthcare systems.

Mains Question

Q. Critically evaluate the effectiveness of current measures addressing violence against healthcare workers in India. Discuss how systemic corruption contributes to the problem and propose comprehensive reforms to tackle both safety and corruption issues in the public health sector.

The Maharashtra government has adopted the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for its employees shortly after the Union Cabinet approved it for central government employees. This move highlights the ongoing efforts towards cooperative federalism and has implications for state finances and pension policies.

Significance of UPS

• Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) Benefits: The UPS ensures pensioners receive 50% of their average salary from the last 12 months of service while maintaining the contributory and funded nature of pensions, as established by previous reforms.
• Impact on Cooperative Federalism: The adoption of UPS by Maharashtra and potentially other states reflects the success of cooperative federalism, where increased tax devolution and incentives for capital spending are key components.
• Reversal from Old Pension Scheme (OPS): Several states reverting to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) had avoided immediate pension fund contributions but faced long-term financial burdens. UPS aims to prevent such issues by providing a sustainable pension framework.

Financial Implications

• Fiscal Concerns with OPS: A paper by the RBI highlighted that reverting to OPS could increase pension burdens by approximately 4.5 times compared to the New Pension Scheme (NPS), making it fiscally unsustainable.
• Capital Investment Incentives: To support state capital expenditure, the Union government has significantly increased interest-free loans for infrastructure projects, from Rs 1 lakh crore to Rs 1.3 lakh crore, to complement state budgets.
• Transparency in Borrowings: The new push for transparency in state borrowings, including those by state public sector companies, aims to prevent misuse and ensure accurate accounting of state finances.

Policy and Political Responses

• Opposition’s Inconsistent Stance: Opposition parties have offered contradictory responses to the UPS, reflecting a lack of cohesive policy critique on key issues such as fiscal policy and national security.
• Continuity in Reforms: The UPS is part of broader reforms that also include boosting state capital investments and ensuring transparency, thus supporting fiscal health and cooperative federalism.
• Modi’s Cooperative Federalism: The implementation of UPS, alongside other fiscal measures, underscores Prime Minister Modi's commitment to strengthening cooperative federalism by aligning state and central financial strategies.

Mains Question

Q. Evaluate the impact of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) on state finances and cooperative federalism in India. Discuss the broader implications of this reform on fiscal policy and state governance.