GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

The M23 rebel group has reportedly taken control of the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Goma is an important city in North Kivu province, and its capture is a major setback for the Congolese government. This marks a serious escalation in the ongoing conflict, which has already caused the deaths of hundreds and displaced millions of people.

Brief Background

• The conflict in eastern DR Congo is not new and has been ongoing for more than 30 years, since the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide.
• The region is home to over 100 armed groups, all fighting for power, ethnic dominance, and control over DR Congo’s vast mineral wealth.
• Rwanda and Uganda have a history of military interventions in DR Congo, dating back to 1996 and 1998, when both countries invaded, saying they were targeting Hutu militias.
• These conflicts turned into two devastating wars, often called "Africa’s World Wars," that killed millions of people.
• Global implications: The conflict in DR Congo is more than a regional issue and can have severe global implications. The country is one of the world’s largest sources of coltan, gold, and other minerals used in everyday electronics. The ongoing fighting disrupts supply chains and could lead to rising prices for tech products.

Who are the M23 Rebels?

• The M23 is a rebel group made up mostly of Tutsi fighters.
• They first emerged in 2012 when a group of soldiers from the Congolese army (FARDC) left their positions, claiming they were treated unfairly.
• The group is mainly focused on controlling parts of the eastern DRC, a region rich in minerals. M23 claims to fight for the rights of the Tutsi population in DRC.
• Rwanda is accused by the United Nations (UN) and the DRC of supporting M23, providing them with training, weapons, and sometimes soldiers.
• The conflict has been complicated by historic tensions between Rwanda and DRC, with both sides blaming each other for the violence.

The Supreme Court ordered a complete stop to the practice of manual scavenging and hazardous manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks in top metros across the country.

What is Manual Scavenging?

• Manual scavenging is a deeply stigmatized and hazardous practice where individuals manually clean human excreta from dry latrines, sewers or septic tanks.
• This practice, considered a grave violation of human dignity and health, is a form of forced labor that exposes workers to severe health risks.
• In India, manual scavenging is primarily associated with caste-based discrimination, as it is overwhelmingly carried out by Dalits.
• India formally banned this practice through the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (PEMSR).
• Despite the ban, the practice persists in some regions, mainly due to lack of enforcement, societal inequalities, and inadequate alternatives for those involved in this work.

Why Does Manual Scavenging Continue Despite the Ban?

• Lack of Enforcement of Laws: Despite legal measures and the requirement for safety gear (44 types), the enforcement of laws is weak.
  • Data from the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment reveals that between 2018 and 2023, over 400 people died while performing manual scavenging.

• Limited Employment Opportunities and Social Exclusion: For many manual scavengers, limited access to education and skill development keeps them trapped in poverty.
  • Without alternative employment options, these workers have no choice but to continue in this hazardous occupation.
  • Social Exclusion of these communities exacerbates the problem, leaving them without social and economic mobility.
• Unequal social structure:Indian society’s deeply unequal social structure based on caste hierarchy and patriarchy is equally culpable. 97% of manual scavengers in India are Dalits.
• Rich segment:Moreover, the moral culpability equally lies with the ‘neo-middle’ and other affluent classes who have been so engulfed in their own lives that they do not care about the issue or question the government and ensure accountability.
• Media:The media too can be blamed, for not giving adequate importance to social issues such as manual scavenging.
• Dry Latrines: There are still 2,600,000 dry-latrines in the country which require humans to remove the excreta from them, almost 770,000 manual scavengers who physically clean the sewers and drains and about 8,025 manual scavengers operating at railway stations in the country.

Required Steps to Eradicate Manual Scavenging

• Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Skill Development: To eliminate manual scavenging, it is essential to rehabilitate workers through skill development programs, empowering them to find alternative employment. Connecting rehabilitation efforts to existing schemes like MNREGA can provide immediate income opportunities.
• Embrace Technology: Modern sanitation technologies such as automated sewer cleaning machines and robots can significantly reduce the dependence on human labour for cleaning sewers and septic tanks.
  • For example: Homosep Atom solves manual cleaning methods and transforms it to robotic cleaning methods. 
• Collaboration Between Government and Civil Society: Both the state and society need to join forces to eliminate manual scavenging. The government must strengthen the enforcement of laws, and civil society should advocate for the rights of sanitation workers. Efforts should focus on ensuring dignity, safety, and social integration for these workers.

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the growing importance of the concert economy in India, especially following the record attendance at Coldplay's concerts in Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

What is the ‘Concert Economy’?

• The 'concert economy' refers to the significant economic impact of live music events on various sectors, including hospitality, transportation, food & beverages, merchandise sales, and event management.
• It emphasizes how concerts go beyond being an entertainment experience, turning into an economic powerhouse that stimulates local economies.
• India’s Growing Concert Economy: India’s concert economy is growing rapidly. As per a report, the number of large concerts (those with over 5,000 attendees) is expected to reach 300 by 2025, marking a 50% increase from 2018.
• The revenue from concerts in India is predicted to reach Rs 1,000 crore by 2025, a 25% increase from current levels.
• In terms of global revenue from live events, India ranks 7th worldwide, ahead of countries like South Korea, France, and Australia.
  • Another report estimates that between Rs 1,600 crore and Rs 2,000 crore was spent on live events in India within just three months. If the concert sector continues to expand, private spending on live events in India could reach Rs 6,000-8,000 crore annually.

What Does the ‘Concert Economy’ Entail? 

The concert economy refers to the broad economic benefits generated by live music events. Beyond ticket sales, concerts lead to increased spending across multiple industries, providing a significant boost to local economies.

• Hospitality: Hotels in the cities hosting concerts experience a surge in bookings, often reaching full occupancy, especially in premium accommodations. This results in higher revenue from overnight stays.
• Transportation: Major concerts see a rise in bookings for flights, trains, and other modes of transportation. For instance, flight bookings to concert cities can soar by as much as 350%, while train bookings also witness significant increases.
• Food & Beverages: Restaurants, cafes, and food delivery services experience increased sales as concert-goers spend more on dining and snacks before or after the event.
• Merchandise: Concerts often generate substantial revenue from merchandise sales, including band T-shirts, posters, and other memorabilia.
• Employment: Large-scale events create job opportunities in event management, security, logistics, ticket sales, and more. The demand for temporary staff rises as the event nears, contributing to local employment.
• Event Management: Concerts require extensive planning, which leads to revenue for local event management firms and vendors involved in organizing the event, including sound and lighting technicians, security services, and logistics companies.

India's rooftop solar potential is beginning to see more substantial progress, thanks to the PM Surya Ghar scheme, which aims to empower households with solar energy.

Progress So Far:

• 5 Lakh Installations: As of January 2025, 8.5 lakh households have benefited from rooftop solar installations, with the official target of one crore installations in sight within the next two to three years.
• Subsidy Structure: The scheme offers subsidies of up to 60% for systems up to 2 kW capacity and 40% for systems between 2 kW and 3 kW, capped at 3 kW. These subsidies have significantly lowered the upfront costs for many households.

India’s Renewable Energy Landscape:

• India is aiming to add 50 GW of renewable capacity annually.
• Over the last decade, India’s renewable energy capacity has expanded by an astonishing 200%, growing from 52 GW in 2014 to 220 GW today.
• The cost of solar energy has also dramatically decreased, making it more affordable and accessible:
  • In 2010-11, the tariff for grid-connected solar was Rs 10.95 per unit.
  • In 2024, it dropped to Rs 2.15 per unit, positioning India as a global leader in affordable renewable energy.

Vision plays a crucial role in navigating daily life, learning, working, and staying safe. However, over 2.2 billion people worldwide suffer from some form of vision impairment, with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) being a leading cause.

What are Inherited Retinal Diseases (IRDs)?

• Inherited Retinal Diseases (IRDs) are a group of genetic conditions that cause progressive vision loss or blindness due to damage to the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
• These diseases are passed down from parents to their children through inherited gene mutations.
• The retina's primary role is to capture light and send visual signals to the brain.
• When mutations occur in the genes responsible for retinal function, it can lead to degeneration of the retina, affecting vision.
• Prevalence in India: India faces a higher prevalence of IRDs compared to the global average. For instance, in rural South India, one in 372 individuals is affected.
• Common IRDs include:
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa: A group of diseases that cause the breakdown of the retina's cells, leading to gradual vision loss, often starting with night blindness.
  • Stargardt Disease: A form of macular degeneration that usually affects children and causes central vision loss.
  • Leber Congenital Amaurosis: A severe form of vision loss that typically manifests at birth or in infancy.
  • Cone-Rod Dystrophy: A condition that affects both the central and peripheral vision, often leading to color blindness or light sensitivity.
• Treatment: Currently, there is no cure for most IRDs, but treatments like gene therapy and RNA-based therapies are showing promise in slowing or even halting disease progression.
• Despite global advances, there is limited awareness of gene therapy options like RPE65 gene therapy in India. While gene therapy is a breakthrough, it is not effective for all genetic conditions, paving the way for RNA-based therapies.
• RNA-based Therapies:
  • RNA-based therapies, including antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), are emerging as safer and more precise alternatives to gene therapy.
  • These therapies make temporary changes at the RNA level without altering DNA, reducing the risk of long-term effects.
  • ASO therapy is already successfully used for diseases like spinal muscular atrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and it is being explored for retinal conditions such as Stargardt disease and retinitis pigmentosa.

U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement is a significant setback for global climate efforts. As the world’s largest historical emitter of carbon dioxide, the U.S. plays a central role in global climate action, and its withdrawal threatens to undermine progress in combating anthropogenic global warming.

Historical Climate Failures of the U.S.

• Inconsistent Climate Action: Since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the U.S. has consistently failed to meet its climate commitments, with emissions rising from 1992 to 2005 and a refusal to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.
• Political Challenges: U.S. political dynamics have led to weak and voluntary contributions to climate action, particularly under the Paris Agreement, which was structured to avoid binding commitments to accommodate U.S. domestic politics.
• Trump's Withdrawal: Trump’s exit from the Paris Agreement is part of a broader pattern of U.S. withdrawals under Republican administrations, reversing the climate actions initiated by the Obama administration.

The Biden Administration’s Climate Actions

• Fossil Fuel Expansion: Under President Biden, the U.S. became the world’s largest producer of crude oil, which conflicts with his administration's climate objectives.
• Modest Emissions Targets: Biden’s goal to cut emissions by 60% by 2035 is seen as insufficient, as it allows the U.S. to continue taking a disproportionate share of the global carbon budget.
• Limited Climate Finance: Despite global calls, the U.S. and its allies have pushed for limited climate finance, offering only a modest target of USD 300 billion annually, which fails to meet the needs of developing nations.

Global Reactions and the Role of the U.S. in Climate Negotiations

• Market-Based Solutions: U.S. and other developed nations advocate for market-driven solutions to climate change, yet evidence shows that this approach has resulted in underwhelming commitments and failures to meet emissions reduction goals.
• Weak Local and Corporate Actions: Despite subnational governments and corporations taking some action, the majority of states and localities in the U.S. lack effective climate policies, contributing to the overall failure to address climate change.
• S. Climate Leadership Illusion: While claiming leadership, the U.S. continues to undermine multilateral climate negotiations and pressures developing nations for greater climate commitments, further exacerbating global inequalities.

Practice Question

Q. Examine the impact of the United States' withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on the global climate governance framework, particularly with regard to the responsibilities of developed and developing countries in climate action.

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) is approaching its 20th anniversary, and its role in rural development and economic sustenance is being reassessed, especially after its vital function during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, its funding has decreased significantly in recent years, raising concerns about its future effectiveness.

MGNREGS' Utility and Popularity

• Survival Across Governments: MGNREGS has endured across different political regimes, reflecting its importance and widespread popularity among rural communities.
• Pandemic Necessity: The COVID-19 crisis highlighted MGNREGS as a crucial lifeline for both rural workers and migrant laborers returning to rural areas, underscoring its relevance in times of crisis.
• Declining Allocations: Despite its importance, budget allocations for MGNREGS have decreased significantly since the pandemic, from 3.2% in FY21 to 1.78% in FY25 (BE), raising concerns about its sustainability.

Implementation Challenges and Shortages

• Budget Deficit: The Rural Development Ministry faces a shortfall of Rs 4,315 crore for wages, and the Centre has a Rs 5,715 crore liability for the material component, affecting the scheme’s ability to function effectively.
• Wage Delays and Demand Suppression: Wages under MGNREGS have been delayed, leading to suppressed demand for the scheme's services, further undermining its impact.
• Inadequate Fund Allocation: While the scheme is demand-driven, the lack of additional funding in the current financial year hampers its capacity to meet the needs of rural workers.

Core Issues in MGNREGS' Effectiveness

• Inflation Adjustments: There is a need to adjust wages to match inflation to ensure that the scheme remains relevant and effective for rural workers.
• Aadhaar-Based Payment System: Issues with the seeding of job cards with the Aadhaar system have created obstacles in the timely disbursement of wages.
• Insufficient Funds: The reduction in funding threatens the core objective of the scheme — providing demand-driven employment for rural workers, particularly during off-seasons in agriculture.

The Way Forward for MGNREGS

• Importance in Rural Poverty Alleviation: MGNREGS plays a vital role in addressing rural poverty by providing income and creating valuable assets like irrigation canals, rural roads, and water conservation facilities.
• Revamping Government Approach: The Union government must revise its attitude towards MGNREGS and provide a substantial budget allocation that reflects the actual demand for the scheme.
• Ensuring Long-Term Sustainability: Adequate funding and policy adjustments, including wage inflation adjustments and resolving administrative issues, are essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability and impact of the scheme.

Practice Question

Q. Evaluate the effectiveness of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in addressing rural poverty in India. How can the Union Government improve its implementation and funding?

The latest Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 offers an in-depth analysis of the state of school education in rural India, revealing both improvements and concerns. The report highlights gains in reading and basic arithmetic skills, but continued challenges such as learning gaps, a shift to private schools, and gender disparities in digital literacy.

Key Findings from the ASER 2024 Report:

• Government School Enrolment Decline: Enrolment in government schools for children aged 6-14 has dropped from 72.9% in 2022 to 66.8% in 2024, a clear sign of decreased trust in the public education system. This reflects a shift toward private schools, likely due to the perceived better quality of education.
• Gender Gap in Digital Literacy: Although 90% of boys and girls have access to smartphones at home, there is a significant ownership gap: 36.2% of boys own a smartphone compared to only 26.9% of girls. This disparity is prevalent across all states, underlining the gender divide in digital access.
• Learning Gaps in Rural Students: The report highlights that many rural students still struggle with basic skills: 76% of class 3 students and 55.2% of class 5 students cannot read at a class 2 level, and 42% of rural students face challenges in English proficiency. These gaps are exacerbated by a shortage of teachers and basic amenities.

Improvements and Teacher-Student Attendance Trends:

• Teacher and Student Attendance Improvements: There has been a steady improvement in both teacher and student attendance in government schools. Student attendance has risen from 72.4% in 2018 to 75.9% in 2024, while teacher attendance has improved from 85.1% to 87.5% during the same period.
• Digital Literacy in Rural Children: The ASER 2024 report also assessed digital literacy in rural areas, showing that while 82.2% of children can use smartphones, only 57% use them for educational purposes. Despite high smartphone access, there remains a significant digital usage gap in terms of educational engagement.
• Cybersecurity Awareness Among Boys and Girls: The report reveals that boys demonstrate a higher awareness of cybersecurity, with 62% of boys aware of how to block or report profiles compared to 55.2% of girls. This difference in digital safety knowledge is consistent across most states.

Practice Question:

Q. Despite improvements in basic educational indicators, rural India continues to face significant challenges in school education, particularly in terms of learning gaps and digital literacy. Discuss the key findings of the ASER 2024 report and suggest policy measures to address the ongoing issues in the rural education system.