UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23 March 2024

InstaLinks : help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions ina your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically

InstaLinks : help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions ina your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 1:

• Bhagat Singh’s Enduring Revolutionary Vision

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

• Ladakh’s Statehood Demand

• Key Reports in News

• BhashaNet portal

• Uniting For Consensus Model

• Assisted Reproductive Technology

• Pushpak

• ANAGRANINF – Antibiotic Development Project

• Right whales

Mapping

• Operation Indravati (Haiti)

Bhagat Singh’s Enduring Revolutionary Vision

#### GS Paper 1

Syllabus: Modern Indian History: Indian Revolutionaries

Source: The Tribune

Context: Bhagat Singh’s revolutionary career, though brief, left an indelible mark on the struggle for freedom and remains relevant in today’s world

About Bhagat Singh:

Aspect | Description

Who was Shaheed Bhagat Singh? | Shaheed Bhagat Singh was an Indian nationalist and revolutionary who sacrificed his life for India’s independence from British rule.

Early Life and Influences | Born on 27 September 1907 in Banga, Pakistan Punjab. He studied at Dayanand Anglo-Vedic School and later at Lala Lajpat Rai’s National College. Influenced by family’s involvement in progressive politics and British atrocities like the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Role in India’s Freedom Struggle | He defied British rule by burning their textbooks and supported Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement

Member of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) in 1924

Founded Naujawan Bharat Sabha (1925) to rally peasants and workers against British rule. He was also associated with the Kirti Kisan Party

Involved in protests, assassination of police officer Saunders, and bombing of Central Legislative Assembly (1929)

Held hunger strike in jail for better conditions

Advocated socialism, and secularism, and opposed capitalism and imperialism.

Ideology | Political Ideology: Bhagat Singh embraced Bolshevism and anarchism to advocate for militant nationalism in the 1930shevism and anarchism.

Social Ideology: He endorsed Gadar Party members’ ideas and opposed Capitalism and Imperialism. He envisioned an anarchist society devoid of state control, religion, and private property, advocating for socialism and communism.

Religion: He identified as an atheist, viewing religion as an impediment to the revolutionaries’ fight for independence

Controversial Trial and Execution | Convicted in Lahore Conspiracy case, given a death sentence (along with Sukhdev and Rajguru). He was executed on 23 March 1931, criticized for a one-sided trial and secret execution.

Literary Work | Wrote “Why I Am an Atheist” in Lahore jail.

Famous Quotes | “Revolution is an inalienable right of mankind. Freedom is an imperishable birthright of all. Labour is the real sustainer of society”

“Bombs and pistols do not make a revolution. The sword of revolution is sharpened on the whetting stone of ideas”

“Force, when used violently, is ‘violence’ and is, thus, morally indefensible, but when it is used in support of a righteous cause, it has its moral legitimacy”

Last line of Bhagat Singh: In his last letter, Bhagat Singh wrote, ” I have been arrested while waging a war. For me, there can be no gallows”

Legacy | Every year, the 23rd of March is observed as ‘Martyrs’ Day’ or ‘Shaheed Diwas’ or ‘Sarvodaya Day’ to honour Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev

National Martyrs Memorial was built on the cremation spot of Shaheed Bhagat Singh in 1968. It also contains memorials of Rajguru and Sukhdev.

Shaheedi Mela is held annually on 23 March when people pay homage at the National Martyrs Memorial

Relevance of his ideas in today’s World:

Aspect | Relevance

Role in anti-colonial struggle | Bhagat Singh’s dedication to India’s freedom and socialism inspires those advocating peace and justice today

Advocacy for socialism | His belief in socialism and mass movements aligns with modern calls for social justice and equality.

Non-violent mass movements | Singh’s shift towards non-violent mass movements as the core for change resonates with the need of today’s world for non-violent peace settlements esp. in the current Russian-Ukraine conflict, the Gaza War, the ongoing conflict in Yemen and parts of Africa

Rejection of individual action | Bhagat Singh’s rejection of individual heroic actions in favour of broader movements mirrors contemporary strategies for social change.

Criticism of religious exploitation | His critique of religion’s misuse in politics reflects current concerns about religious polarization

Promotion of critical thinking | Bhagat Singh advocated for critical thinking, urging people to challenge established norms

Vision for an egalitarian society | His vision for an egalitarian, pluralist India resonates with modern aspirations for social equality and inclusion.

He favoured a World Federation, which could be compared to the Indian idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbukum

Support for student participation | Bhagat Singh’s support for student political involvement aligns with contemporary calls for youth empowerment and political engagement.

Embrace of diversity | His commitment to inclusivity and unity serves as a guiding principle in today’s diverse societies.

Conclusion:

Bhagat Singh’s legacy endures as a beacon of courage, social justice, and ideological clarity. His revolutionary spirit continues to inspire generations, reminding us of the enduring pursuit of freedom and equality.

Mains Link:

Since the decade of the 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and thereby expanded its social base. Discuss.

Prelims Link:

The Ghadr (Ghadar) was a (UPSC 2014)

(a) revolutionary association of Indians with headquarters at San Francisco

(b) nationalist organization operating from Singapore

(d) communist movement for India’s freedom with headquarters at Tashkent

Ladakh’s Statehood Demand

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: BBC

Context: In Ladakh, thousands are protesting in sub-zero temperatures demanding statehood job opportunities, land protection, and parliamentary representation.

Background:

In 2019, the Government revoked Article 370, removing special status from Jammu and Kashmir, dividing it into Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. A year later, Leh and Kargil districts formed the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) to address public concerns.

Demands of Ladakh:

• Statehood for Ladakh: Seeking to elevate Ladakh from its current Union Territory status to a full-fledged state, granting it greater political autonomy and decision-making powers

• Reservation of Jobs: The Ladakh administration responded to youth demands by increasing ST reservation in direct recruitment from 10% to 45% in 2023

• Creation of Separate Parliamentary Constituencies: Demanding the establishment of distinct Parliamentary constituencies for Leh and Kargil, reflecting the unique demographic and geographical characteristics of each region.

• Ladakh’s demand for the 6th Schedule: Last year, in 2023, a high-powered committee was formed in Ladakh to address growing demands for its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule. Civil society groups seek protection of land, resources, and employment after Article 370’s revocation. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes had previously recommended Ladakh’s inclusion in the Sixth Schedule due to its tribal majority and unique cultural heritage.

About 6th Schedule:

The Sixth Schedule, outlined in Article 244, establishes autonomous administrative divisions known as Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) within certain states. Currently, it applies to tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. Each autonomous district has a council with legislative, judicial, and administrative powers, including lawmaking on various matters such as land, forests, and village administration. The governor organizes these districts, appointing some council members while others are elected. The councils can also manage local infrastructure and collect revenue

About Ladakh

It is a region administered by India as a union territory, and is located in the larger Kashmir region. It borders Tibet, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and China. Ladakh holds strategic importance, historically serving as a trade hub. Leh and Kargil are the largest towns, with diverse religious groups including Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus. Established as a union territory in 2019, Ladakh is sparsely populated and shares cultural ties with Tibet. It is estimated that more than 90% of Ladakh’s population is tribal. The primary Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Ladakh are Balti Beda, Bot (or Boto), Brokpa (or Drokpa, Dard, Shin), Changpa, Garra, Mon and Purigpa

Under which Schedule of the Constitution of India can the transfer of tribal land to private parties for mining be declared null and void? (UPSC 2019)

(a) Third Schedule (b) Fifth Schedule (c) Ninth Schedule (d) Twelfth Schedule

Ans: B

Key Reports in News

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Multiple

Report Title | Key Findings | Recommendations

Lancet’s ‘Global Burden of Disease’ Study | Global Total Fertility Rate (TFR) halved from 4.84 (1950) to 2.23 (2021) | Implement pro-natal policies like child-related cash transfers.

India’s TFR: 6.8 (1950), 1.91 (2021), projected to fall to 1.29 (2050) and 1.04 (2100) | Increase access to contraceptives and female education further

In 47 countries fertility was below the replacement rate from 1950 to 2021 | Invest in social security and healthcare.

Improving access to contraceptives and female education are key factors driving declining fertility.

Fourth Global E-waste Monitor (GEM) 2024 Report | Record global e-waste generation: 62 million tonnes in 2022, up 82% from 2010 and is expected to rise further by 32% to 82 million tonnes by 2030 | Emphasize e-waste recycling. Increase awareness and regulations on e-waste management.

E-waste generation is increasing five times faster than documented e-waste recycling

India is among the world’s largest e-waste generators, producing 4137 million kg of e-waste.

The report is a collaboration between UNITAR’s SCYCLE Programme, ITU, and Fondation Carmignac. UNITAR specializes in innovative learning solutions to enhance global decision-making and support country-level action for a better future.

ILO’s Report “Profits and Poverty: The Economics of forced labour | Over 27 million people engaged in forced labour in 2021 | Follow the ILO Protocol of 2014 to Forced Labour Convention, 1930

Illegal profits from forced labour have risen by 37% since 2014. | Implement anti-forced labor laws

In India brick kilns industry, and carpet weaving industry are some of the largest employers of bonded labour

International Labour Organization (ILO) is the only tripartite U.N. agency, since 1919. It brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 member States, to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men

WMO’s State of the Global Climate 2023 report | 2023 broke climate records (global average near-surface temperature reached 1.45°C above pre-industrial levels, making it the warmest year on record) | Transform the financial system for climate financing with an emphasis on concessional financing and de-risking

Climate finance nearly doubled in 2021-22 compared to 2019-20. 90% increase in funds went to China, USA, Europe, Brazil, Japan, and India. | Mobilize domestic capital.

Climate finance investments need to grow more than six times, by 2030 for a 1.5°C pathway | Improve data availability for better targeting of climate finance

The World Meteorological Organization (founded 1950; HQ: Geneva; Parent organization: United Nations Economic and Social Council) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for promoting international cooperation on atmospheric science, climatology, hydrology and geophysics.

Income and Wealth Inequality in India, 1922-2023: World Inequality Lab (WIL) study | Inequality in India declined post-independence till the early 1980s, after which it began rising and has skyrocketed since the early 2000s. | Improve economic data quality

The top 1% income share in India is among the highest globally. | Invest in health, education, and nutrition

Richest owns over 40% of India’s wealth. | Restructure the tax code to address income and wealth inequality e.g., a “super tax” of 2% on the net wealth of the wealthiest families can be imposed.

World Inequality Lab (est. 2013; HQ: Paris, France), is a research organization dedicated to studying global inequality dynamics. It operates with a network of over a hundred researchers covering nearly seventy countries and aims to extend the World Inequality Database

BhashaNet portal

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

Context: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) have launched the BhashaNet portal during the Universal Acceptance Day event with support from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

• It is developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing with support of National Internet Exchange of India.

Universal Acceptance (UA) is a technical requirement that ensures that all domain names, email addresses, and top-level domains (TLDs) are treated equally.

This means that all UA domain names can be used by any internet-enabled device, application, or system, regardless of script, language, or character length.

Uniting For Consensus Model

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: NewsOnAir

Context: India has criticized the Uniting for Consensus (UfC) model at the United Nations for opposing reforms to the Security Council, stating concerns over a lack of representation from Africa and the Global South, and no change in permanent seat membership.

The Uniting for Consensus (UfC), also known as the Coffee Club, emerged in the 1990s as a movement opposing the expansion of permanent seats in the United Nations Security Council.

This model is supported by a group of countries, primarily including Italy, China, Argentina, and Pakistan, among others.

UfC argues that increasing the number of permanent members could lead to decreased efficiency and effectiveness in decision-making within the Security Council.

Assisted Reproductive Technology

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

Context: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has requested a report from the Punjab government regarding the in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment of aged women by violating the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is a term that refers to medical procedures that are primarily used to address infertility. ART procedures involve handling eggs or embryos and can include: In vitro fertilization (IVF), Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, Cryopreservation of gametes or embryos, and Fertility medication

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: ISRO

Context: ISRO has achieved a significant breakthrough in Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) technology with the successful completion of the RLV LEX-02 landing experiment.

• This experiment, the second in the series following RLV-LEX-01, demonstrated the autonomous landing capability of the RLV, named Pushpak

The Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) Programme is focused on developing critical technologies for a fully reusable launch vehicle (RLV) to facilitate cost-effective access to space.

The RLV is designed as a space plane with a low lift-to-drag ratio, allowing it to transport payloads to low Earth orbits and return to Earth for reuse.

India aims to scale up this vehicle to serve as the first stage of its reusable two-stage orbital launch vehicle.

ANAGRANINF – Antibiotic Development Project

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

Context: The Technology Development Board (TDB) of the Department of Science & Technology has awarded a grant for the collaborative project “ANAGRANINF – Development of a Novel Class of Antibiotics Against Gram-Negative Bacterial-Infections.”

• This initiative aims to foster healthcare innovation through a joint effort between Indian and Spanish companies.

Gram-negative bacteria are prokaryotic organisms that are resistant to multiple drugs and can cause infections like pneumonia and meningitis.

They are a significant public health problem because they can pass along genetic materials that allow other bacteria to become drug-resistant as well.

Right whales

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

Context: A recent study reveals that even minor entanglements in fishing gear can have devastating effects on female North Atlantic right whales, potentially preventing them from breeding.

• These findings highlight the urgent need for ropeless fishing gear to mitigate threats to the survival of this critically endangered species.

About Right Whales:

• Right whales are large baleen whales that belong to the genus Eubalaena, along with Southern Right Whales (Least Concern), North Atlantic Right Whales (Critically Endangered), and North Pacific Right Whales (Endangered).

• Right whales are known for swimming slowly, floating after being killed, and producing large amounts of baleen and oil.

• They have been hunted to near extinction, but hunting was banned in 1935, and the whaling industry is no longer a threat to the species.

Operation Indravati (Haiti)

#### Mapping

Source: IE

Context: Operation Indravati is India’s initiative to evacuate its citizens from Haiti amidst the country’s turmoil. Launched on March 21, it aims to transfer Indians to the neighbouring Dominican Republic due to escalating violence and chaos in Haiti.

About Haiti:

Haiti is a Caribbean country sharing the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. It’s the third-largest Caribbean nation. Haiti’s history includes political instability, foreign occupation, and autocratic rule until relatively recent democratic reforms. However, Haiti has been under a state of emergency after some armed groups attacked the country’s largest prison in Port-au-Prince earlier this month