GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

The percentage of votes recorded under NOTA (None of the Above) dipped nationally in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections compared to 2019, while Northeastern India exhibited a different trend.

Key-highlights

• The overall percentage of NOTA votes in India in 2024 was 0.99%, down from 1.06% in 2019.
• In the Northeast, the NOTA votes increased from an average of 0.71% in 2019 to 0.81% in 2024.
• Assam, a state in the Northeast, recorded the highest number of NOTA votes in three constituencies won by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates: Dibrugarh (32,255), Kaziranga (24,431), and Darrang-Udalguri (23,204).

1: Dimension - Reason behind the Situation

• Discontent with Candidates: The increase in NOTA votes in the Northeast indicates voter dissatisfaction with the available candidates. Frequent party-switching by MLAs in the region has led to a lack of trust.
• Perceived Inefficacy: Voters may perceive their elected leaders as ineffective in fulfilling development promises, prompting a preference for NOTA as a form of protest.

2: Dimension - Impact of NOTA

Expression of Discontent:

• Signal to Political Parties: A higher NOTA count serves as a signal to political parties about the electorate's dissatisfaction, compelling them to field better candidates.
• Political Accountability: It promotes accountability as parties are forced to introspect and address the reasons behind voter discontent.

3: Dimension - Required Measures

• Scrutiny and Transparency: Political parties need to adopt a more rigorous and transparent candidate selection process to ensure that they field candidates with integrity and capability.
• Voter Engagement: Increased engagement with voters to understand their grievances and expectations can help in selecting candidates who align more closely with public sentiment.

Electoral Reforms:

• Strengthening NOTA: To make NOTA more impactful, electoral reforms could include provisions that mandate re-elections or other actions if a significant percentage of votes are cast for NOTA.
• Awareness Campaigns: Conducting awareness campaigns about the purpose and power of NOTA can encourage more informed voting and participation in the democratic process.
• Global examples: There are more than 12 countries where the voters have the option for NOTA. Besides India, it exists in countries like France, Sweden, Belgium Greece, Belarus, Spain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Ukraine.A few states in America also allow NOTA votes. The state of Texas in the US has had the provision since 1975. However, the provision has faced opposition there.

Mains Practice Question

Q: “The rise in NOTA votes in certain regions indicates a deeper discontent with the political choices available to the electorate.” Discuss

The Indian judiciary has recently undergone a significant shift in its approach towards arbitration. Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud announced this change during a lecture at the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

1: Dimension- Understanding Arbitration in India

• Ad-hoc Arbitration: This involves a tribunal conducting arbitration between the parties, following the rules agreed by the parties or laid down by the tribunal if there is no prior agreement.
• Institutional Arbitration: This refers to the administration of arbitration by an institution in accordance with its rules of procedure. The institution provides appointment of arbitrators, case management services, venues for holding hearings, etc.

2: Dimension- Challenges of Institutional Arbitration in India

• Administrative and Management Issues: There are issues relating to the administration and management of arbitral institutions.
• Perceptions and Expertise Issues: There are perceptions regarding arbitrators and expertise issues relating to resources and government support, lack of initial capital, poor and inadequate infrastructure, lack of properly trained administrative staff, lack of qualified arbitrators, etc.

3: Dimension- Measures to Improve Institutional Arbitration in India

• Establishment of APCI: An autonomous body, the Arbitration Promotion Council of India (APCI), has been proposed to be set up, having representatives from all stakeholders for grading arbitral institutions in India.
• Recognition of Professional Institutes: The APCI may recognize professional institutes providing for accreditation of arbitrators.
• Training Workshops: The APCI may hold training workshops and interact with law firms and law schools to train advocates with interest in arbitration.
• Creation of Specialist Arbitration Bar: The APCI may create a specialist arbitration bar.

President DroupadiMurmu has invited Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi to form a new government at the Centre.

Key Highlights of the Process

• Election Results and Certificates: After counting the votes, the Election Commission distributes certificates to each winning candidate. These certificates, known as Form 22, verify the identity of the newly elected Lok Sabha members.
• Formation of New Lok Sabha:The Election Commission submits a complete list of elected MPs to the President, initiating the formation of the new Lok Sabha.
• Post-Result Procedures: Following the election results, the President invites the leading party or coalition to form the government.

1: Dimension- Reason behind the Process

• Democratic Principle: The process of forming a government is based on the democratic principle of majority rule. The party or coalition that secures the majority of seats in the Lok Sabha is invited by the President to form the government.
• Constitutional Framework: The Constitution of India does not contain any specific procedure for the selection and appointment of the Prime Minister. Article 75 says only that the Prime Minister shall be appointed by the president.

2: Dimension- Impact of the Process

• Stable Governance: The process ensures stable governance by requiring a majority in the Lok Sabha to form a government. This majority ensures the government has enough support to enact laws and govern effectively.
• Democratic Representation: The process ensures democratic representation by allowing the party or coalition with the most seats in the Lok Sabha to form the government.

UPSC Mains Question:

Q. The discretionary power of Indian President is wider than US President. Discuss

Small Island developing states are facing significant challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. These challenges are primarily driven by increasing population and climate change risks, which are exacerbating the unique vulnerabilities of these island nations.

1: Dimension-Characteristics of SIDS

• Geographic Distribution: SIDS are scattered across the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, comprising 39 nations.
• Recognition and Vulnerability: Recognized as a distinct group at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development, SIDS' vulnerabilities were underscored in "The Future We Want" document from the Rio+20 conference in 2012. Their small size, remoteness, limited resources, and exposure to global environmental and economic shocks make them particularly susceptible to climate change impacts and natural disasters.

2: Dimension: Challenges to Achieving SDGs

• Population Growth: Several SIDS, including Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, are experiencing rapid population growth, outpacing the global average of 1.07%. The combined population of these nations is projected to increase from 71 million to 78 million by 2030 and 87 million by 2050. This growth puts additional strain on their already limited resources and infrastructure.
• Climate Change: SIDS are highly vulnerable to climate change effects, such as rising sea levels, increased climate variability, and more frequent and intense natural disasters. These factors pose significant threats to their development and sustainability.
• Geographical Factors: Approximately one-third of the population in SIDS lives on land that is less than five meters above sea level, making them extremely susceptible to sea-level rise, storm surges, and coastal erosion.

3: Dimension- Impact of Climate Change on SIDS

• Low Emissions, High Impact: Although SIDS contribute only 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, they are among the first to experience severe climate change impacts. This disproportionate effect underscores the vulnerability of these nations.
• Agriculture and Fisheries: Climate change is adversely affecting agricultural production and fisheries, which are crucial for the livelihoods and economies of SIDS. Declining productivity in these sectors threatens food security and economic stability.
• Extreme Weather: Increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events are causing significant damage to land, real estate, and infrastructure in SIDS. These events have economically devastating effects, as highlighted by the UN Environment Programme.
• Tourism: Tourism is a major economic driver for many SIDS, but climate change is negatively impacting this sector. Fear of violent and life-threatening storms discourages tourists from visiting these islands, leading to economic losses.

UPSC Mains Questions

Q.Discuss the unique vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the context of climate change. How do their geographical and demographic characteristics contribute to these vulnerabilities?

he Bonn Climate Change Conference, a crucial mid-point between COP28 and COP29, commenced on June 3, 2024, with discussions primarily focusing on the operationalization of carbon markets under Articles 6.2 and 6.4 of the Paris Agreement.

1: Dimension- Key Issues Discussed

• Authorisation: In the context of Article 6, authorisation refers to the formal approval process where emission reductions (Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes or ITMOs) are sanctioned by the host country for transfer to another country. Differences emerged regarding whether authorisation was required for every cooperative approach between parties, as well as for the issuance of ITMOs.
• Sequencing and Timing: These involve guidance to the parties on the chronological steps of submitting reports to the UNFCCC, the authorisation process, and issuance and transfer of ITMOs. Countries shared their views on when reports ought to be submitted and reviewed, and how important sequencing is for environmental integrity.
• Addressing Inconsistencies: This topic relates to errors, underreporting, and misreporting by parties when they submit their initial report (IR), annual reports, authorisations, and other information to the UNFCCC, as well as to the review process for such information.

2: Dimension- Impact of the Discussions

• Market Confidence: Some groups opposed the idea of revoking authorisation at any point, as it would bring ‘uncertainty’ and hurt ‘market confidence’ in the mechanism.
• National Prerogative: On the other hand, developing countries and blocs argued that authorisation should remain a national prerogative, with changes being decided by party countries before the first transfer.

3: Dimension- Required Measures

• Consultation: There is a need for more consultation in the development of notes that serve as the basis for further negotiations.
• Clear Definitions: There should be a clear definition of what constitutes extreme circumstances under which changes to an authorisation of a cooperative approach can be made.
• Addressing Root Cause: Enforcement actions must be part of a comprehensive approach that prioritises addressing root causes and safeguarding victims.

Mains Practice Question

Q. "The Bonn Climate Conference 2024 underscores the challenges in operationalizing carbon markets under Articles 6.2 and 6.4 of the Paris Agreement. Analyze the key points of contention discussed during the conference and propose strategies to overcome these challenges for effective global climate governance."

Panama faces a historic moment as it becomes the first nation to evacuate an entire island community, GardiSugdub, due to the impacts of climate change. Rising sea levels threaten the existence of this picturesque island, forcing approximately 300 Guna families to relocate to the mainland.

1: Dimension - Climate Impact

Saltwater Intrusion and Erosion:

• Environmental Degradation:GardiSugdub suffers from saltwater intrusion, contaminating freshwater sources, and frequent floods eroding the island's foundation.
• Widespread Threat: The plight of GardiSugdub reflects a broader trend, with an estimated 63 communities along Panama's coasts facing similar challenges from rising sea levels.

2: Dimension - Cultural Upheaval

Ancestral Displacement:

• Historic Context: The evacuation of GardiSugdub represents more than a physical relocation; it symbolizes a cultural severance from ancestral lands.
• Emotional Impact: Residents, like Nadín Morales, express sadness at leaving behind homes and traditions intimately tied to the sea.

3: Dimension - Government Response

Proactive Measures:

• Financial Commitment: Panama acknowledges the gravity of the situation, estimating a relocation cost of $1.2 billion for the near future.
• Environmental Policy: The Panamanian government's response reflects a commitment to address climate-induced displacement and protect vulnerable communities.

UPSC Mains Question

Q."Climate change is not just an environmental issue but a catalyst for socio-cultural upheaval. Analyze

On World Oceans Day 2024, Grethel Aguilar, the director general of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), urged countries worldwide to strive for a fully functional High Seas Biodiversity Treaty.

1: Dimension- Reason behind the Call

• Protection of Biodiversity: The high seas are home to a wide variety of biodiversity. Despite this, less than two per cent of the world’s high seas are protected by law. This underscores the need for a High Seas Biodiversity Treaty.
• Unsustainable Fisheries’ Practices and Subsidies: The IUCN chief highlighted the need for an increase in the number of ratifying countries for the global agreement on unsustainable fisheries’ practices and subsidies, to prevent overexploitation of the world’s fish stocks.

2: Dimension- Impact of the Treaty

• Regulation of High Seas: The High Seas Biodiversity Treaty would bring almost half of the planet’s surface into better regulation through international law.
• Conservation of Biodiversity: The treaty would play a crucial role in the conservation of biodiversity in the high seas.

3: Dimension- Required Measures

• Ratification of the Treaty: There is an urgent need for countries to ratify the High Seas Biodiversity Treaty. The treaty will become international law only when it is signed and ratified by at least 60 countries.
• Collective Action: On World Ocean Day, the High Seas Alliance called for collective action by asking world leaders to ratify the High Seas Treaty.
• Building on Ocean Breakthroughs: Aguilar noted in her statement that humanity must build on the momentum of our ocean breakthroughs; the life of the ocean and our blue planet require it.

Mains Practice Question

Q: “Discuss the significance of the High Seas Biodiversity Treaty in the context of conservation of biodiversity.”

Peru became the first latin American country to adopt the UPI based digital payment platform.

About:

• Latin America is composed of 20 countries.
• In North America : Mexico.
• In Central America: Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
• In South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

The Reserve Bank of India plans to set up a centralised digital payments intelligence platform for sharing data on a real-time basis across digital payment ecosystem aimed at detecting fraud.

What is Digital payments intelligence platform?

• A Digital Payments Intelligence Platform is a sophisticated technology solution that leverages big data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) to provide insights into digital payment transactions. It’s designed to analyze vast amounts of transaction data in real-time, identify patterns, detect anomalies, and predict future trends.
• AI and ML play a crucial role in these platforms. They help in fraud detection by identifying unusual patterns or anomalies in transactions that could indicate fraudulent activity.
• To advance this initiative, the RBI has formed a committee chaired by Shri A.P. Hota, former MD & CEO of NPCI.
• According to the annual report released by the RBI, there was a significant surge in the number of financial frauds reported by banks, increasing by 166% year-on-year in the financial year 2023-24. This starkly contrasts with the 13,564 cases reported in the previous fiscal year.

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has invited expressions of interest for the implementation of a satellite-based electronic toll collection system.

About:

• Satellite-based tolling, also known as Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) based tolling, is a revolutionary approach to road pricing that uses highly accurate satellite position data to locate individual vehicles and calculate tolls.
• Its implementation will involve an On-Board Unit (OBU), or a tracking device, fitted inside a vehicle whose location can be mapped using GAGAN, the Indian satellite navigation system with an approximate accuracy of 10 metres.
• The co-ordinates of the entire length of the country’s national highways will have to be logged with the help of digital image processing, and software will be used to assign the toll rate on a particular highway, calculate the toll amount for a vehicle as per the distance travelled by it and then deduct it from a wallet linked to the OBU.
• The system will additionally have gantries, or arches mounted with CCTV cameras, at various points on a highway for enforcement purposes.

Adivasi farmers being evicted from Kaziranga, among Asia’s most militarised protected areas

About:

• The greater one-horned rhino (or “Indian rhino”) is the largest of the rhino species.
• Its scientific name is Rhinoceros unicornis.
• The Indian one-horned rhino is one of the largest rhino species in the world. Adult males can weigh between 2,200 to 3,000 kilograms, while females are slightly smaller, weighing between 1,600 to 1,900 kilograms. They stand at a height of 5.5 to 6.5 feet at the shoulder.
• One of the most distinctive features of the Indian one-horned rhino is, of course, its single horn. Unlike African rhinos which have two horns.
• It is primarily found in parts of northeastern India, particularly in Assam, and in protected areas in the Terai of Nepal.
• IUCN Conservation Status: Vulnerable

The ongoing discussions for an international legally binding treaty on plastic pollution emphasize the importance of ensuring a fair transition for informal waste collectors and recyclers. This treaty aims to address the burgeoning issue of plastic waste and integrate informal workers into the formal waste management systems.

Role and Challenges of Informal Recycling Workers:

• Plastic Waste Statistics: The OECD Global Plastic Outlook reports that global plastic waste production was 353 million tonnes in 2019, with projections to triple by 2060. Only 9% of this waste was recycled, with informal workers responsible for 85% of the recycling.
• Debate Over Recognition and Vulnerability: The informal waste collectors face challenges due to increasing privatization, waste-to-energy projects, and exclusion from Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) norms. These factors contribute to their livelihood vulnerabilities.
• Consideration of IWRS: Informal waste workers alleviate financial burdens on municipal budgets and contribute significantly to reducing plastic pollution by promoting circular waste management solutions.

Global Treaty and Need for a Just Transition:

• Global Plastics Treaty: The Global Plastics Treaty aims to establish a legally binding agreement to reduce and eliminate plastic pollution. The International Alliance of Waste Pickers (IAWP), a participant in the UNEA Plastic Treaty process, emphasises the importance of integrating informal waste pickers into discussions on addressing plastics.
• Enforcement Challenges: Clarifying definitions and establishing a universally agreed-upon terminology for the informal waste sector and a just transition is essential for effective policy and law implementation.
• India’s Role: As a key representative from the Global South, India promotes an approach that enhances repair, reuse, refill, and recycling without necessarily eliminating the use of plastics altogether. India’s informal waste pickers, who are indispensable, remain central to the discussion.

UPSC Mains Questions

Q.Discuss the role of informal waste collectors in global waste management systems. How can the Global Plastics Treaty ensure their fair transition and integration into formal waste management systems?

The results of the general election 2024 indicate a shift towards greater democratisation, with regional parties gaining prominence. This development could strengthen federalism in India, a diverse nation where Centre-State relations have been contentious.

Centre-State Relations and Controversies:

• Complaints from States: Opposition-ruled States have raised concerns about unfair treatment by the Centre, including inadequate transfer of resources, delayed funds for schemes like MGNREGS, and stepmotherly treatment in various administrative matters.
• Supreme Court's Stance: The Supreme Court has urged amicable resolutions to Centre-State conflicts, highlighting the growing need for cooperative federalism, which had been emphasized during the introduction of GST in 2017.

Diversity Among States and Need for Autonomy:

• Diversity Among States: There is a huge diversity among the States — Assam is unlike Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh is very different from Tamil Nadu. A common approach is not conducive to the progress of such diverse States.
• Need for Autonomy: States need greater autonomy to address their issues in their own unique ways. This is both democracy and federalism. A dominant Centre forcing its will on the States, leading to the deterioration in Centre-State relations, does not augur well for India.

Financing and Conflict:

• Financing Issues: States face three broad kinds of issues. Some of them can be dealt with by each State without impacting other States such as in education, health and social services. But infrastructure and water sharing require States to come to an agreement. Issues such as currency and defence require a common approach.
• Role of the Centre: The Centre has been given a predominant role in raising resources due to the efficiency in collecting taxes centrally. Among the major taxes, personal income tax (PIT), corporation tax, customs duty and excise duty are collected by the Centre. GST is collected by both the Centre and the States and shared.
• Finance Commission: A Finance Commission is appointed to decide on the devolution of funds from the Centre to the States, and the share of each State. The Centre sets up the Commission and has mostly set its terms of reference. This introduces a bias in favour of the Centre and becomes a source of conflict between the Centre and States.

UPSC Mains Questions:

Q.Examine the role of the Finance Commission in ensuring equitable resource distribution among Indian States. How can its processes be improved to enhance federalism in India?

Unsafe food consumption leads to millions of people falling sick each year, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. According to the latest figures, about 2,25,000 people die each year from foodborne illnesses in Asia and the Pacific, accounting for more than half of the global fatalities. Sadly, nearly a third of those who perish, 30 per cent, are children.

Hazards of Unsafe Food:

• Causes of Food Poisoning: Food poisoning is often caused by eating food that has encountered traces of human or animal faeces from contaminated handling or surfaces, or by improper storage. Many street markets routinely serve food that sits out on a hot day, sometimes for hours. Food that should be refrigerated is not. Chicken or eggs are not always fully cooked, which can make us sick.
• Threat to Health and Economy: Unsafe food is a threat to both human health and the economies of our countries. It disproportionally affects vulnerable and marginalised people, especially women and children, as well as populations confronting natural disasters and conflict. Poor handling of food also damages global trade leading to further food wastage.
• Overcoming Hazards: These hazards can, in most cases, be overcome by proper food handling, including better hygiene practices for those preparing the food and proper refrigeration for edible items that need to be kept cold or frozen.

Role of Governments and Private Sector:

• Strengthening Food Control Systems: Governments can strengthen their national food control systems, increase surveillance activities, and improve communication with food businesses and the public. These actions should be routine but are particularly important following a natural disaster, where food may be contaminated.
• Improving Food Safety Standards: There is also a business case for improving food safety standards in Asia and the Pacific. This should begin at the source where food is produced, extend to those handling the food, and continue along the entire value chain until it reaches the retailer and consumer.
• Food Standards and Safety Management: Food standards, especially those of internationally recognised Codex Alimentarius, ensure fair practices in food trade. Along food value chains, multiple players handle food, which changes hands many times and goes through several processing steps. An incident can happen at any point and render the food unsafe. That’s why we should always be prepared with an adequate response to ensure that contaminated food does not reach consumers.

UPSC Mains Questions:

Q.Examine the socio-economic impacts of unsafe food on vulnerable populations. What measures can be taken to mitigate these effects and ensure equitable food safety practices?