GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

A new report by UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring (GEM) team, titled ‘Languages Matter: Global Guidance on Multilingual Education’, highlights that 40% of the global population lacks access to education in a language they understand. This percentage rises to 90% in some low- and middle-income countries, affecting over 250 million learners worldwide.

Key Findings of the Report

• The report comes on the 25th anniversary of International Mother Language Day and underscores the need for multilingual education policies.
• It is particularly relevant to India, where the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 advocates education in the mother tongue.
  • However, the three-language policy has faced opposition from some States.
• Global Language Barriers in Education
  • 40% of the world’s population cannot access education in a language they understand.
  • In some low- and middle-income countries, this figure rises to 90%.
  • 31 million displaced youth face language barriers due to migration.
  • Colonial history has left many countries with education systems dominated by imposed languages, leading to educational disparities.

Challenges in Implementing Multilingual Education

• Teacher Shortage: Many teachers lack the training to teach in local languages.
• Lack of Resources: Textbooks and learning materials are often not available in home languages.
• Community Resistance: Some societies still prefer dominant languages over regional languages for education.
• Financial Constraints: Governments struggle to fund multilingual education programs due to budget limitations.

UNESCO’s Recommendations

To tackle these challenges, the GEM report suggests:

• Context-Specific Language Policies: Countries must design education policies based on their linguistic diversity. Gradual language transition must be supported with curriculum adjustments and proper learning materials.
• Teacher Training & Resource Development: Teachers should be trained to teach in both home and second languages.
• Supporting Multilingual Students: Early childhood educators must be trained in culturally and linguistically responsive teaching.
• Inclusive School Leadership & Community Engagement: School leaders should be trained to promote multilingual inclusivity. Governments should encourage parental and community involvement to bridge linguistic gaps.

Why This Matters for India?

• Multilingual education aligns with India’s NEP 2020, but challenges remain in implementation.
• Opposition to the three-language policy by some States indicates a need for policy refinement.
• Investment in teacher training and learning materials is critical for success.
• Migrants and tribal communities face language barriers, making multilingual policies crucial for equitable education.

India’s import duties, also known as tariffs, have been a point of contention in trade relations with the United States. The US has often criticized India for imposing high tariffs on imported goods. However, India maintains that its tariffs are fully compliant with global trade rules set by the World Trade Organization (WTO).

What are tariffs?

• Tariffs are taxes imposed by a country on imported goods. They help protect domestic industries by making foreign products more expensive.
• Are India’s tariffs legal under WTO rules? The WTO allows developing countries like India to maintain higher tariffs in exchange for commitments on:
  • Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
  • Services trade liberalization
  • Agricultural trade regulations
• When the WTO was formed in 1995, developed nations, including the US, agreed to this framework. Thus, India's import duties are not arbitrary but are based on WTO agreements.

US Pressure on India:

The US has been pushing India to open its markets further and lower tariffs. Some key US demands include:

• Government Procurement Access – The US wants American firms to compete for Indian government contracts.
• Reduction in Agricultural Subsidies – The US claims India’s subsidies distort trade.
• Patent and Intellectual Property Reforms – The US seeks stronger protections for American pharmaceutical and tech firms.
• Removal of Data Localization Restrictions – The US wants cross-border data flows to remain unrestricted.

India has resisted these demands for decades to protect its domestic economy, farmers, and industries.

Impact of US Allegations on India’s Trade

• The US claims that India's high tariffs create an unfair trade environment. However, many Indian exports to the US, such as iPhones, diamonds, and petrochemicals, have low domestic value addition. This means a large portion of these exports are simply processed in India but manufactured elsewhere.
• The US is considering imposing reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods.
• Challenges in India-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA): Negotiating a comprehensive FTA with the US is difficult due to:
• Diverging interests on agriculture, patents, and digital trade
• Political uncertainties in the US (e.g., Trump's possible return to power)
• The US's history of imposing trade restrictions despite ongoing negotiations
  • Thus, an FTA may not be the best option in the short term.

India’s Possible Responses

The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) suggests India has three main options:

• Explain WTO Compliance – India should clearly communicate to the US that its tariffs follow WTO rules.
• Offer Lower Tariffs on Some Goods – India could offer zero or minimal tariffs on industrial goods to avoid US retaliation.
• Absorb US Tariffs Without Retaliation – GTRI suggests India could take a "wait-and-watch" approach, implying patience and strategic resilience.

The urban cooperative banking (UCB) sector in India has had a troubled history, with multiple instances of financial mismanagement, fraud, and regulatory lapses over the years. The recent Rs 122-crore scam at New India Cooperative Bank (NICB) in Mumbai is another blow to the sector, raising concerns over governance, regulatory oversight, and depositor safety.

Possible Resolutions for NICB

RBI has multiple options to deal with the crisis:

• Finding a White Knight (Merger with a Stronger Institution): A strong financial entity (like an SFB or NBFC) could be asked to take over NICB. This strategy worked for PMC Bank but may not be feasible here since most NICB depositors will withdraw funds via deposit insurance, reducing the bank's attractiveness for takeover.
• Liquidity Support from the National Urban Co-operative Finance and Development Corporation: The newly formed umbrella body for UCBs could provide temporary liquidity to stabilize the bank.
• Allowing a Gradual Wind-Down: If no viable rescue plan emerges, RBI may liquidate NICB, ensuring small depositors (Rs 5 lakh insured limit) are compensated first.

The Larger Issue: Governance and Regulatory Failures in UCBs

NICB’s crisis highlights structural issues in cooperative banking:

• Weak Governance & Political Interference: Many UCBs suffer from dynastic control and lack professional management.
• Regulatory Gaps & Late Intervention: Despite amendments to the Banking Regulation (BR) Act in 2020, RBI still struggles to prevent frauds. Early warnings (including anonymous complaints) must be taken more seriously.
• Impact on Depositors’ Trust: Cooperative banks serve urban middle-class and lower-income groups, making deposit safety crucial. The failure of NICB will further erode trust in UCBs, potentially driving customers to commercial banks.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has responded to concerns over duplicate Voter ID (EPIC) numbers assigned to electors in different States/UTs.  ECI stated that even if EPIC numbers are identical, voters can only cast their vote at their designated polling station in their registered constituency.

About

• Voter ID is an important document required for an Indian citizen as it empowers them to fulfill their fundamental duty of participating in democratic elections by casting their votes.
• Voter ID also serves as proof of identity and address.
• A voter ID card permits the holder to take part in elections and choose representatives who will govern the country, enacting laws and administering the country, state or local body.
• Possessing two or more Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPICs), commonly known as voter's identity cards, is deemed an offence, either civil or criminal.
  • Legally, an individual cannot hold more than one EPIC.
• Reason Behind Duplicate EPIC Numbers:
  • Before the adoption of ERONET, a manual and decentralized system was used for issuing EPIC numbers. This led to some State/UT CEOs allotting identical EPIC numbers to voters in different states.

In Haryana, elections to various Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Municipalities of the state were conducted peacefully.

Evolution of Municipal Governance in India

• Municipal governance in India dates back to the 17th century when local administration was first established.
  • 1664: The first municipality was set up in Fort Kochi by the Dutch.
  • 1687: Madras Municipal Corporation was established under British rule.
  • 1726: Calcutta and Bombay Municipal Corporations were formed.
  • By the 1800s, most towns had some form of municipal governance.
• Post-Independence Reforms: After 1947, India focused on strengthening local self-governance. Several committees were set up to improve urban governance.
• The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992: This was a landmark reform that provided a constitutional framework for urban local bodies. Key features:
  • It gave constitutional status to municipalities.
  • It defined their structure, powers, and responsibilities.
  • It ensured democratic participation at the grassroots level.
  • It empowered local governments in urban planning and development.
• Thus, India moved from colonial administrative control to a structured system of local self-governance.
• Local Government is a State subject figuring as item 5 in List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. Article 243 G of the Indian Constitution enshrines the basic principle for devolution of power to the Local Bodies.

Current Structure of Municipal Governance in India

• Municipal governance is divided into three categories based on the population size:

• Roles of Key Officials
  • Mayor: Elected head of the Municipal Corporation.
  • Municipal Commissioner: Appointed by the state government, responsible for administration.
  • Councillors: Elected representatives from different city wards.
  • Chairperson (Municipal Council/Nagar Panchayat): Heads smaller urban bodies.
• Each local body is responsible for ensuring smooth administration and service delivery.
• Financial Management: Municipal bodies require funds to provide public services. Their revenue sources include: Property Tax, Water Supply Charges, Advertisement Tax, Trade License.

Researchers have discovered two new species of litter-dwelling jumping spiders in the southern Western Ghats. The species, named Habrocestum swaminathan and Habrocestum benjamin, belong to the genus Habrocestum and contribute to the understanding of spider ecology and evolution.

Key Details:

• Habrocestum swaminathan: It is found on the banks of the Kunthi river, named after S. Swaminathan for his contributions to science and conservation.
• Habrocestum benjamin: It is discovered in Thusharagiri, named after Suresh P. Benjamin, a Sri Lankan arachnologist specializing in Habrocestum

A recent study has found that Wolf (Canis lupus) populations in Europe have surged, reaching at least 21,500 individuals by 2022—a 58% increase from 10 years ago. The European Union (EU) alone harbors 19,000 wolves, with major populations in Bulgaria, Greece, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Romania.

Key Findings:

• Population Growth: Wolf numbers have increased in 19 countries, remained stable in 8, fluctuated in 3, and declined in 3 (Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia).
• Largest Populations: The Dinaric-Balkan and Carpathian regions hold the most wolves, with smaller populations in Central Europe and the Alps growing at even higher rates.
• Growth Patterns:
  • Germany: From just 1 pack in 2000 to 184 packs and 47 pairs in 2022.
  • Scandinavian & Karelian Wolves: Slow growth due to lethal control and hunting.
  • Spain: One small, isolated wolf population went extinct.

A private spacecraft, Blue Ghost, has successfully landed on the Moon, making it only the second commercial vehicle to achieve this milestone.

Key Highlights of the Mission:

• Developed by Firefly Aerospace, Blue Ghost was launched with the goal of exploring the Sea of Crises, a massive crater visible from Earth.
• It is first privately developed spacecraft to land intact and operational on the Moon.
• It is part of NASA’s partnership with private space companies to advance lunar exploration.
• Successful Landing: Blue Ghost touched down smoothly after orbiting the Moon for two weeks.
• Why is This Important?
• Technological Achievement: It demonstrates new private-sector landing technology after decades of reliance on government-led Apollo missions.
• Stepping Stone for Space Exploration: The Moon is viewed as a launch pad for deeper space exploration.

• The last human mission to the Moon was Apollo 17 in 1972, and the hope is that private firms will reduce costs and make long-term lunar exploration feasible.

The Euclid space telescope has captured a stunning Einstein ring, a rare astronomical phenomenon where the light from a distant galaxy is bent and magnified by the gravitational pull of a closer galaxy.

What is an Einstein Ring?

• Einstein rings occur due to gravitational lensing, a concept predicted by Albert Einstein in 1915.
• In this case, light from an undiscovered galaxy 42 billion light-years away is warped by the gravity of the nearby galaxy NGC 6505, which is only 590 million light-years from Earth.
• This effect creates a halo-like ring of light around the foreground galaxy.
• Scientific Significance
• Extremely rare: Strong gravitational lenses like this one are uncommon and provide key insights into the universe.
• Helps in mapping dark matter: The way light bends reveals the distribution of dark matter, the invisible substance that makes up most of the universe’s mass.
• A cosmic magnifying glass: The magnified light from distant galaxies allows scientists to study their structure and properties in greater detail.

India is facing an obesity epidemic, with one in eight people being overweight, as per NFHS-5 (2019-21). In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a nationwide awareness campaign, enlisting ten prominent figures from various fields to promote healthy lifestyles and combat obesity.

Alarming Obesity Trends in India

• Rising Obesity Rates: NFHS-5 data shows 24% of women and 22.9% of men in India are obese, with abdominal obesity affecting 40% of women and 12% of men.
• Rapid Growth Over Time: Between 1990 and 2023, the number of obese individuals surged from 3.5 million to 70 million in India.
• Projected Economic Burden: By 2035, obesity-related health issues could cost 1.8% of India’s GDP, according to the World Obesity Atlas 2023.

Causes Behind the Obesity Crisis

• Sedentary Lifestyles: Increased screen time, reduced physical activity, and changing work patterns contribute to obesity.
• Unhealthy Diets: Consumption of junk food, processed items, and excessive oil is a major factor behind rising obesity rates.
• Lack of Awareness & Policy Gaps: There is no comprehensive national strategy to tackle obesity, leading to unchecked growth in obesity-related diseases.

Need for a Multi-Level Response

• Celebrity-Led Awareness Campaigns: Influencers from film, sports, business, and politics can effectively advocate for healthy living.
• National Action Plans & Policy Changes: Taxation on junk food, mandatory food labeling, and school-based fitness programs are critical measures.
• Community-Based Interventions: Encouraging physical activity, dietary shifts, and medical support at the grassroots level is essential.

Practice Question

Q: The rising obesity levels in India pose a serious public health and economic challenge. Critically evaluate the factors behind the obesity crisis and suggest measures for its effective mitigation.

The Union Budget 2025 allocated a record Rs 4,49,028.68 crore to the Gender Budget (GB), a 37.3% increase from FY24, constituting 8.86% of the total Budget. However, this rise is driven by the inclusion of PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (24% of GB) rather than investments in care infrastructure or gender-responsive policies, missing an opportunity to strengthen India’s care economy.

Burden of Unpaid Care and Domestic Work (UCDW)

• Disproportionate Burden on Women: Globally, women spend 8% of their time on UCDW, but Indian women bear a much higher burden, with 40% more UCDW than their counterparts in South Africa and China.
• Labour Force Exclusion: 53% of Indian women remain outside the workforce due to care responsibilities, compared to 1% of men, creating ‘time poverty’ and worsening gender inequities.
• Infrastructure Gaps & Climate Impact: Women spend 73% of their time on unpaid tasks due to poor access to water, clean energy, and sanitation; water-related unpaid labour may cost $1.4 billion by 2050 under a high-emission scenario.

Policy Framework and Existing Challenges

• Limited Recognition in Economic Planning: India’s 2019 Time Use Survey revealed women spend 7 hours daily on UCDW, yet care work remains invisible in formal policy and GDP calculations.
• Insufficient Investment in Care Infrastructure: Despite highlighting care economy in the Economic Survey 2023-24, the Union Budget 2025 fails to allocate substantial funds to childcare, eldercare, and assistive services.
• Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) Implementation Gaps: While JJM has been extended to 2028, its 4.51% budget cut and 195% rise in Revised Estimates (RE) indicate fund allocation issues, affecting water accessibility for rural women.

Solutions and Way Forward

• Three R Framework – Recognise, Reduce, Redistribute: Recognising UCDW in official statistics, Reducing the burden through time-saving technologies, and Redistributing responsibilities across the State, market, and households.
• Public Investment & Urban Challenge Fund: 2% GDP investment in care work could create 11 million jobs; ?1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund can finance bankable care infrastructure projects for urban women.
• Women’s Representation in Decision-Making: Exclusion from policy-making weakens gender-transformative policies; higher female representation improves policy effectiveness by 6-7 times, ensuring inclusive development.

Practice Question

Q: How does the burden of unpaid care work impact women’s workforce participation and economic development in India? Suggest policy measures for its recognition, reduction, and redistribution.

The coastal communities of Kerala are protesting against the Centre’s plans for offshore mining, fearing irreversible damage to marine ecosystems and their traditional livelihoods. The 2023 amendment to the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, allows private sector participation in offshore mining, with tenders invited for 13 offshore blocks, including three near Kollam Parappu, a rich fishing zone and biodiversity hotspot.

Ecological and Environmental Concerns

• Destruction of Marine Habitats: Mining near Kollam Parappu, a highly productive fishing ground, threatens coral ecosystems, fish stocks, and overall marine biodiversity.
• Increased Water Turbidity: Studies indicate that sediment plumes from mining will raise turbidity, reduce water quality, disrupt food webs, and degrade spawning grounds.
• Unknown Long-term Impact: Given the lack of well-defined boundaries in marine ecosystems, mining may trigger unpredictable environmental consequences beyond the immediate extraction site.

Livelihood and Socio-Economic Challenges

• Threat to Fishermen’s Livelihoods: Mining will force traditional and mechanised fishers to compete for fewer resources, intensifying conflicts and reducing their earnings.
• Increased Fishing Pressure: The loss of fishing grounds will push vessels into coastal waters, escalating disputes between fishers from Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
• Impact on Food Security: A decline in fish production could set off a chain reaction, affecting nutrition, employment, and coastal economies.

Regulatory Gaps and Policy Issues

• Lack of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA): No comprehensive environmental studies have been conducted to evaluate the long-term consequences of offshore mining.
• Flaws in Offshore Mining Policy: While India has identified vast offshore mineral reserves, the policy fails to address sustainability concerns, ecological sensitivity, and economic risks.
• Need for Sustainable Alternatives: Instead of disruptive offshore mining, investment in blue economy initiatives and sustainable marine resource management should be prioritised.

Practice Question

Q: Critically examine the impact of offshore mining on marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of coastal communities. Suggest measures to balance economic development with ecological sustainability.