9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – December 5th, 2022

Posted on December 5th, 2022 Last modified on December 6th, 2022 Comments Views : 829

Dear Friends,

We have initiated some changes in the 9 PM Brief and other postings related to current affairs. What we sought to do:

Ensure that all relevant facts, data, and arguments from today’s newspaper are readily available to you.
We have widened the sources to provide you with content that is more than enough and adds value not just for GS but also for essay writing. Hence, the 9 PM brief now covers the following newspapers:
1. The Hindu
2. Indian Express
3. Livemint
4. Business Standard
5. Times of India
6. Down To Earth
7. PIB
We have also introduced the relevance part to every article. This ensures that you know why a particular article is important.
Since these changes are new, so initially the number of articles might increase, but they’ll go down over time.
It is our endeavor to provide you with the best content and your feedback is essential for the same. We will be anticipating your feedback and ensure the blog serves as an optimal medium of learning for all the aspirants.
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Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

Cap Doesn’t Fit – A price ceiling on Russia’s oil exports unlikely to work. India should act in its national interest

Source: The post is based on the article “Cap Doesn’t Fit – A price ceiling on Russia’s oil exports unlikely to work. India should act in its national interest” published in The Times of India on 5^th November 2022.

Syllabus: GS – 2 – Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.

Relevance: About the recent sanctions on Russian oil.

News: Recently, G7 plus Australia imposed a price cap of $60 a barrel on seaborne export of Russian crude oil. This is an effort to squeeze the country’s revenue and thereby undermine Russia’s warfighting capabilities.

About the price cap and its impact on Russia’s warfighting capabilities

The price cap represents a 30% discount to the price of the benchmark Brent crude.

The ‘price cap coalition’ plans to enforce the ceiling price by using its clout with the major shipping, insurance and re-insurance companies headquartered in Europe. The coalition aims to weaken the Russian military without triggering a spike in oil prices.

What will be the impact of the price cap?

Emerging market economies: They will be affected directly by the price cap. For instance, it will end up hurting a country like Bangladesh which finds itself facing a tough balance of payments situation because of an energy shock.

Note: Russia is now India’s third largest crude supplier.

On Russia: The eight months of sanctions on Russia since it invaded Ukraine has neither brought the fighting to an end nor had any impact on Russia’s behaviour.

What are the potential outcomes of the sanctions?

The sanctions are a blunt tool that ends up hurting countries unrelated to the problem, without achieving any of the core objectives of Western nations imposing sanctions.

For instance, the series of sanctions initiated by the US on Iran since 1979 have failed to provide any meaningful impact on Iranian foreign policy. On the other hand, they hurted countries such as India that sourced crude oil from there.

So, a price ceiling on Russia’s oil exports is unlikely to work. India should act in its national interest and procure more oil from Russia when prices are cheap.

Appointments are important — but they can’t protect institutions from political interference

Source: The post is based on the article “Appointments are important — but they can’t protect institutions from political interference” published in the Indian Express on 5^th November 2022.

Syllabus: GS – 2 – Governance.

Relevance: About the independence of the institutions.

News: The Supreme Court’s interrogation regarding the appointments to the Election Commission has raised the issue of institutional independence.

What are the various types of institutions and their role in a democracy?

The role of most institutions in a democracy is to enforce not build political consensus. These institutions thus do not have an independent source of political power and rely instead on the backing from political intermediaries for their mandate.

Other institutions such as the judiciary and election commission may be required to adjudicate between competing claims in line with the existing normative consensus.

Some institutions like the RBI may be empowered for fixed functions like monetary policy and so on.

Read here: Why the judiciary may not be the best selector of election commissioners

What is the role of political intermediaries in the functioning of these institutions?

The institution and its role are an outcome of political consensus wherein political intermediaries have agreed to delineate some function of governance and endow it to this institution.

When the balance of power is equally distributed, these institutions have greater amplitude. However, if the balance of power tilts too far towards one faction, institutional independence starts to weaken.

In such situations, institutions will be able to maintain independence if the executive influence on appointments is limited.

How political power can hamper the independence of institutions?

Political power can manifest in an institution’s independence in multiple ways. For instance, at the individual level: Dissent can be neutralised through inducement, marginalisation, intimidation, blackmail, harassment, propaganda, transfers, forcing persons to exit on their own etc.

How to ensure an institution’s independence?

Re-establishing consensus: It can be done by arriving at a consensus by political parties and mobilising public opinion and organisation.

Increase public trust in institutions: Democracy is necessarily mediated through institutions and widespread institutional distrust can only pave the way for autocracy and populism. Hence, institutions should gain public trust.

MPs and MLAs have special rights to free speech for a valid reason

Source: The post is based on the article “MPs and MLAs have special rights to free speech for a valid reason” published in Live Mint on 5^th December 2022.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Governance

Relevance: Concerns associated with parliamentary privileges of MPs.

News: The Supreme Court is reconsidering the privileges granted to the legislators in the Parliament or in Assemblies. The freedom of speech of MPs and MLAs are protected by the Constitution.

What are the Constitutional provisions regarding free speech for MPs and MLAs?

The Constitution provides all Indian citizens with freedom of speech under Article 19 which is subjected to reasonable restrictions.

However, the freedom of speech granted to MPs and MLAs in the Parliament or in Assemblies is protected under Articles 105 and 194 respectively, as a parliamentary privilege.

This freedom is only subjected to the provisions of the Constitution and standing orders of concerned legislative body.

MPs cannot be punished in connection with any vote or speech made in Parliament. Courts are also barred from making inquiries into proceedings in Parliament.

Therefore, the free speech of parliamentarians has been protected more than free speech available to citizens.

Why is this freedom important for MPs and MLAs?

The free speech of legislators protects the integrity of discussions in Parliament and acts as a shield against the suppression by the executive.

Further, Freedom of expression is regarded as the foundation of a liberal democracy and imposing unfair restrictions on legislators will hamper this foundation.

Therefore, it is important to ensure such freedoms to the legislators as regulating it can impact the ability of Parliament to check the Executive.

What are the concerns associated with this freedom?

At present there are 2 types of challenges to this freedom, in front of Supreme Court (SC):

First, the SC is considering whether there can be additional restrictions on speeches by MPs as there has been rise in the hate speech.

Second, the problem of bribery of legislators because of the provisions of Article 105(2). The SC in the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) bribery case held that bribes given for votes is not punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act as they were the votes taken in Parliament. This view is being reconsidered.

Article 105(2) provides protection to the legislators against the proceedings of the court related to vote, speech or any publication made under the authority of the Parliament.

However, both of these concerns do not dilute the parliamentary privileges and both can be addressed separately.

What are the provisions present for the hate speech by legislators?

First Issue

The hate speeches made by MPs and MLAs that causes offence are punishable under Indian law if made outside the legislative house.

Further, if their speech is printed in newspapers that goes against the law then s/he can be punished.

Second Issue

As per the amended Prevention of Corruption Act, illegal satisfaction is complete at the time a bribe is made and it is punishable without any further follow up.

However, this act has no connection with any vote or speech made in the Parliament and it is protected under Article 105(2).

Therefore, the JJM bribery case can be reconsidered on the basis that illegal satisfaction is not connected with any vote or speech in Parliament. The UK Supreme Court has taken the same view in the parliamentary expenses case in R. vs Chaytor.

What is the way ahead?

The responsibility to improve politics and bring an ecosystem that discourages irresponsible speech and corruption lies with the citizens more than with the laws.

Constitutional safeguards exist to ensure the structural integrity of political democracy. Therefore, using these laws to correct political problems is not the solution.

Recrafting India nutrition initiative

Source– The post is based on the article “Recrafting India nutrition initiative” published in The Indian Express on 5th December 2022.

Syllabus: GS2- Poverty and hunger

News– The article explains the issues of health and nutrition in India

According to RGI, India’s maternal mortality rate was 97 during 2018-20. It was 301 during 2001-03.Infant mortality rate was 27 in 2021. It was 58 in 2005.

As per NFHS-5, 35.5% of children under 5 are stunted, 19.3% are wasted.

What is NRHM?

NRHM was launched in 2005 to provide accessible and affordable healthcare. It also provides secondary and tertiary services .

It seems to have a positive impact on health indicators. Though allocations for NRHM did not keep pace.

What explains the gains of NRHM? It had a clear thrust on crafting a credible public health system. Community connect, human resources and flexible financial resources are available at all levels.

Central. State governments partnered with civil society with full involvement of frontline workers. Community monitoring was done by civil society.

The approach was pragmatic and provided for diversity of state-specific interventions. The planning was decentralised. States and districts prepared their own annual plans.

Institution building was facilitated in work with panchayats and Rogi Kalyan Samitis. Professionals were brought in to improve the process.

Why the programmes to reduce malnutrition has not been successful?

Poshan Abhiyan is not able to solve the chal;lenges of malnutrition.

The initiatives for nutrition have remained compartmentalised and fragmented.

Institutional role of local panchayats and communities with untied funds is still lagging.

What steps are needed to tackle the challenge of malnutrition?

ICDS needs to be revamped to converge with health, education, water, sanitation and food security at all levels under the local government umbrella,

It is important to allow for context-specific and need-based prioritisation at every Anganwadi centre by allowing flexibility through decentralised local action.

Gram panchayats, women collectives and community organisations should be responsible for education, health, nutrition and livelihoods. Panchayats led committees of concerned wider departments are needed at block and district zila parishad level.

There is a need for operationalizing village-specific planning processes with decentralised financial resources.

Encouraging diversity of local foods including millets and ensuring availability of basic drugs and healthcare facilities are required.

There is a need to intensify behaviour change through communication.

Creating a platform for adolescent girls in every village for their empowerment and diversified livelihood is needed.

It calls for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. Nutrition challenge is also a women empowerment challenge. Decentalised is the way forward.

GS Paper 3

Size Matters – Naval power will determine India’s military capability. And bigger aircraft carriers are vital

Source: The post is based on the article “Size Matters – Naval power will determine India’s military capability. And bigger aircraft carriers are vital” published in The Times of India on 5^th November 2022.

Syllabus: GS – 3 – Security challenges and their management in the border areas.

Relevance: About the procurement of IAC-2.

News: Recently, India’s navy chief Admiral has said that India’s second indigenous aircraft carrier could be a repeat order of the recently commissioned IAC-1 or INS Vikrant.

What is the importance of the Admiral’s statement?

This means that the proposed IAC-2 would most likely not be the 65,000-tonne carrier that was initially planned and will be around the sub-45,000-tonne range. This has ramifications for the Indian ambition to have a blue water navy and obtain deep-strike capabilities.

The tonne reduction highlights budgetary constraints such as increased social welfare programmes and the armed forces huge salary and pension bills.

What are the implications of reducing the IAC-2 capacity?

The bigger the carrier the more equipment and offensive platforms – fighter jets and attack helicopters – it can be packed with. For example, the 40,000-tonne IAC-1 can carry about 35 aircraft. A 65,000-tonne carrier can carry almost 50 aircraft.

China’s indigenous aircraft carriers, Shandong and Fujian, are both above 60,000-tonnes.

How to improve India’s critical military platforms?

Given the maritime challenge in the Indian Ocean Region from China India need to improve its critical military platforms. This can be done by

-India’s economy needs to grow faster if it is to meet its strategic military needs.

–Focussing on the serious naval components: For instance, having heavy-load aircraft carriers in the 60,000-tonne category is a vital part of critical military reorientation.

Emerging AI: What awaits us?

Source: The post is based on the article “Emerging AI: What awaits us?” published in the Business Standard on 5^th November 2022.

Syllabus: GS – 3 – Science and Technology.

Relevance: About the lessons from the chemical revolution to the AI revolution.

News: The chemical revolution started in a small way in the late 18th century, and rose to a peak in the 1960s.

What are the key developments of the chemical revolution?

-Synthetic chemical fertilisers and pesticides came into force in the early 1900s and helped increase food output dramatically and thus served to prevent starvation.

-In the early 20th century, synthetic chemical drugs such as penicillin, and vaccines against measles, mumps, chickenpox, rubella, and hepatitis saved the world from a wide variety of diseases.

-Innovation around the properties of combustion of gases led to the invention of the internal combustion engine and thus the birth of motorised vehicles like cars.

-In the 1960s chiffon sarees made from polyester or nylon became the rage in India.

-The spread of chemical technology was a boom to the manufacturers of toothpaste and washing soaps and liquids and such conveniences of day-to-day life.

–Creative advertising led to the sale of “commoditised” products of the chemical revolution.

What are the impacts of the chemical revolution?

a) The availability of chemical technology was so widespread that manufacturers were unable to differentiate their products on real physical features

b) The chemical revolution slowly faded away to such an extent that anything “plastic” has become synonymous with “pollution”. Thus, demands are made that only “recyclable” plastics be used.

c) The synthetic cloths impacted the cotton textile spinning and weaving mills and created a job loss. In Bombay alone, over 100 cotton textile mills shut down.

What one can learn from the chemical revolution to the emerging AI revolution?

India needs to analyse a) New industries AI will create and current industries AI will demolish, b) Jobs AI market will create and job loss it will reduce, c) Thoughtful policy initiatives for promoting the use of AI.

COP27: Joining the dots between Binsar and Sharm El-Sheikh

Source: The post is based on the article “COP27: Joining the dots between Binsar and Sharm El-Sheikh” published in the Indian Express on 5^th November 2022.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Climate Change.

Relevance: About the inconclusive deliberations at the COP27.

News: Inconclusive deliberations at the COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh will increase the impacts of climate change.

Why COP27 failed to achieve universal target?

The COP27 agreed to establish a compensatory fund for the poor countries impacted by global warming. But it failed to do more than agreeing.

Multiple stakeholders at the conference were not aligned on “values” and the “value” of the various action plans presented by them.

All this is because all nations tries to define a central path.

Read more: COP27: Outcomes and Concerns – Explained, pointwise

What needs to be done?

“Values” have to be brought into convergence before the tension between development and ecology can be sustainably resolved. This can be done by

Following Gandhian principles of economics: Gandhi emphasised on decentralised interventions. As these can leverage local talent, crafts and the environment. If the objective is to create income generating opportunities and secure jobs without disturbing the natural ecology then Gandhian economics is the way.

This can be followed by looking for local initiatives to gain initial momentum. Later scale them and provide market access through the support of government and collaborative linkages with corporates, NGOs and specialists.

Read more: COP-27 commits to compensation fund, but leaves important questions for later

Why has the Reserve Bank of India introduced an e-rupee?

Source: The post is based on an article “Why has the Reserve Bank of India introduced an e-rupee?” published in The Hindu on 5^th December 2022.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Indian Economy

Relevance: concerns associated with digital rupee

News: The Reserve Bank of India has launched the digital rupee on a pilot basis.

What is the digital rupee?

Must Read: RBI unveils features of digital rupee, plans to launch pilot soon

What is the difference between digital and physical form of rupee?

Both forms of rupee are same and deposits held in banks can be converted into digital rupees and vice-versa.

However, the difference is that interests are paid on the deposits held by banks but there will be no interests paid on digital rupees stored in the wallet.

What is the need of the digital rupee?

Must Read: Do we really need the e-rupee?

What is the risk associated with the digital rupee?

Banks generate loans depending on the amount of money, it has but people might shift away their deposits from banks to wallets looking at the low interest offered by the banks.

This shifting will hinder the activities of the banks especially in the case of giving loans. It should be noted that the ability of banks to create loans is influenced by the amount of cash they hold.

However, the virtual money will reduce bank’s dependencies on maintaining sufficient cash deposits before expanding loans. This can help banks to get free from the risk of bank runs which acted as a restraint for the banks for expanding loans.

What are the arguments against the digital rupee?

Some of the people are against the idea of digital rupee. They say that digital currencies will give power to central banks to supervise economic activities.

This could act as hindrance to economic growth if certain economic activities are considered illegal by governments.

Further, digital currencies cannot replace crypto currencies as private cryptocurrencies have demand against certain investors because of their greater purchasing power than the fiat currency.

Traffickers are moving online in search of victims

Source– The post is based on the article “Traffickers are moving online in search of victims” published in The Hindu on 5th December 2022.

Syllabus: GS3- Challenges to internal security,. GS2- Vulnerable sections

Relevance– Issue of trafficking

News– The article explains the issue of use of online mediums for trafficking of children and women.

What are the new mechanisms used by traffickers?

Due to Covid-19 restrictions over the past two years, traffickers are using online classrooms, gaming platforms, matrimonial sites, dating apps and even loan apps for potential victims.

According to the US based National Center for Missing and Exploited children’s Cyber tipline report for 2021, India reports 4.69 million reports of online abuse of children. It is the highest of any country.

A study shows that 44% of respondents started using internet after outbreak of Covid-19

How children and women are abused through online mediums?

The study conducted by Space2Glow and Cyber Peace Foundation shows that among those who felt uncomfortable during online interactions, 8% relented to sender requests after repeatedly saying no to them. These are at serious risk of abuse.

The modus operandi of operators ranging from luring somebody through relationships, blackmailing them by morphing their social media photographs and offering loans which are difficult to pay back in cash.

Child grooming which encompasses access and isolation, trust building, desensitization, and forcing them into trafficking are tactics used by abusers.

What is the way forward to stop trafficking?

There is a need for better awareness among women and children.

Better training of law enforcement agencies and technology platforms are required.

There is a need for capability building of law enforcement officials.

Legal deterrence through enhanced detection mechanisms for online and human interface is required.

From a vicious cycle to virtuous cycle

Source– The post is based on the article “From a vicious cycle to virtuous cycle” published in The Hindu on 5th December 2022.

Syllabus: GS3- Indian economy and mobilization of resources

Relevance– Informal economy

News– The article explains the new concept of returnable grant for fulfilling the credit needs of the informal sector.

What are the issues faced by informal sector workers for accessing working loans?

They face challenges in raising working capital.

They cannot get even a small personal loan because they lack the papers and collaterals required for access to formal credit.

Unable to borrow, the working poor cannot establish their credit history. They are not able to learn how to manage their debts and invest the loans in productive expenditure.

In this process, they are excluded from the formal credit economy.

What is the new financial instrument called a returnable grant?

It is developed by Samhita Social Ventures and Collective Good Foundation. It is supported by philanthropic funding.

Recipients receive a grant with ticket size tailored to their needs. Unlike conventional grants, there is an exception to repayment of grants.

Beneficiaries are told that timely return of grant will allow the foundation to support other workers like themselves. They also get additional benefits such as interest rate subsidies or access to skilling or insurance products.

The grants are disbursed in partnership with civil society organisations that have prior relationships with beneficiaries.

The foundation invested in a rigorous evaluation framework that utilised third party organisations to collect data on individual recipients.

What are the findings from analysis of data?

The most striking finding is that the repayment rate is high. This was despite the fact that there was no legal obligation to repay and since it was interest free.

The recipients also used the grants to invest in their economic future.

What are the useful insights from the RG experience?

It is critical to work with implementation partners which have long-term relationships and are deeply embedded in communities being served.

Working with partners willing to make regular calls to beneficiaries to check on their progress and provide timely reminders of their repayment obligations yields benefits.

Providing flexible and customised repayment obligations are key to maintaining high repayment rates.

How can RG experience be utilised for the benefits of informal workers?

The RG experience can help to create a pathway to a formal credit system for informal workers.

The repayment data from the RG can be used to create a pre-credit score to make a starter loan for informal sector workers. These starter loans could be supported by credit guarantees or interest subventions using philanthropic funding in order to incentivise banks to get started.

Poor soil management will erode food security

Source– The post is based on the article “Poor soil management will erode food security” published in The Hindu on 5th December 2022.

Syllabus: GS3- India geography

Relevance– Issues related to soil conservation and management

News– The article explains the issue of soil degradation in India

What is the importance of healthy soil?

They support healthy plant growth to enhance our nutrition and water percolation to maintain groundwater level.

It helps to regulate planet climate by storing carbon.

They help to maintain a landscape that is more resilient to impacts of droughts and floods.

What are the causes behind soil degradation?

Main drivers contributing to soil degradation are industrial activities, mining, waste treatment, agriculture, fossil fuel extraction and processing and transport emissions.

Excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides, and irrigation with contaminated wastewater are also polluting soils.

What are the consequences of soil degradation? It undermines nutrition and food security globally.

It threatens agriculture productivity, biodiversity conservation, water quality and socio-economic well being of the dependent population.

Nearly 3.7 million hectares suffer from nutrient loss in soils.

What are the initiatives taken by the Indian government for soil conservation?

Government is implementing a five-pronged strategy. It includes making soil chemical free, saving soil productivity, enhancing SOM, maintaining soil moisture, mitigating soil degradation and preventing soil erosion.

Government launched the Soil Health Card scheme in 2015. It displays the soil health indicators and guides farmers.

Another initiative is the PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana to prevent soil erosion, and for rainwater harvesting and recharging of groundwater.

The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture has schemes promoting traditional indigenous practices such as organic farming and natural farming.

What are initiatives taken by FAO in India for soil conservation?

It is collaborating with the National Rainfed Area Authority and Ministry of Agriculture to develop forecasting tools using data analytics that will aid vulnerable farmers in making informed decisions on crop choices.

FAO in association with MoRD supports the DAY-NRLM Community Resources persons to increase their capacity towards supporting on-farm livelihoods for adoption of sustainable and resilient practices, organic certification and agri-nutri gardens.

In Andhra Pradesh, FAO is partnering with the state government and ICAR to support farmers in sustainable transitions to agro-ecological approaches and organic farming.

What is the way forward to reduce the soil degradation?

There is a need to strengthen the communication channels between academia, policymakers and society for identification, management and restoration of degraded soil as well as adoption of anticipatory measures.

Greater cooperation and partnerships are central to ensure the availability of knowledge, sharing of successful practices and universal access to clean and sustainable technologies.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Here is why the world needs regenerative agriculture

Source: The post is based on the article “Here is why the world needs regenerative agriculture” published in Down To Earth on 4th December 2022.

What is the News?

The importance of Regenerative Agriculture was emphasized in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on “Climate Change and Land.”

The report listed Regenerative Agriculture as a ‘sustainable land management practice’ focused on ecological functions that “can be effective in building resilience of agroecosystems.”

What is Regenerative Agriculture?

Regenerative agriculture is a holistic farming system that focuses on soil health, food quality, biodiversity improvement, water quality and air quality. This is done through methods like reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, reducing tillage, integrating livestock and using cover crops.

Principles: Regenerative agriculture adheres to the following principles: 1) Minimize soil distribution through conservation tillage, 2) Diversify crops to replenish nutrients and disrupt pest and disease life cycles, 3) Retain soil cover using cover crops and 4) Integrate livestock, which adds manure to the soil and serves as a source of carbon sinks.

What is the need of Regenerative agriculture?

The current intensive agriculture system has led to soil degradation and constant losses. There may not be enough soil to feed the world in the next 50 years. Soil fertility and biodiversity are also decreasing across the globe.

What are the benefits of Regenerative agriculture?

Regenerative farming can improve crop yields – the volume of crops produced – by improving the health of soil and its ability to retain water, as well as reducing soil erosion. Improved yields will help feed the world as the global population grows.

Regenerative farming can also reduce emissions from agriculture and turn the croplands and pastures, which cover up to 40% of Earth’s ice-free land area, into carbon sinks.

Other benefits of regenerative agriculture include more efficient water use and fewer pests, because greater biodiversity makes the land more resilient.

Scientists urge Andhra Pradesh govt. to protect glacial-period coastal red sand dunes of Vizag

Source: The post is based on the article “Scientists urge Andhra Pradesh govt. to protect glacial-period coastal red sand dunes of Vizag” published in The Hindu on 5th December 2022

What is the News?

Geologists have urged the Andhra Pradesh Government to protect the site of Coastal Red Sand Dunes, of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

What are Coastal Red Sand Dunes?

Coastal red sand dunes are popularly known as Erra Matti Dibbalu.

The site is located along the coast and is about 20 km northeast of Visakhapatnam city and about 4 km southwest of Bheemunipatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

Distribution: Such red sand deposits are rare and have been reported only from three places in the tropical regions in South Asia such as Teri Sands in Tamil Nadu, Erra Matti Dibbalu in Visakhapatnam and one more site in Sri Lanka.

– They do not occur in equatorial regions or temperate regions due to many scientific reasons.

Recognition: This site was declared a geo-heritage site by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) in 2014.

– The Andhra Pradesh government listed it under the category of ‘protected sites’ in 2016.

Features: The uniqueness of this site is that the red sediments are a part of the continuation of the evolution of the earth and represent the late quaternary geologic age.

– With a height of up to 30 m, they exhibit badland topography with different geomorphic landforms and features, including gullies, sand dunes, buried channels, beach ridges, paired terraces, the valley in the valley, wave-cut terrace, knick point and waterfalls.

What is the significance of this site?

Firstly, this site is about 18,500 to 20,000 years old and it can be related to the last glacial period. Hence, studying this site can help understand the impact of climate change as this site has seen both the glacial and the warm periods.

Secondly, this site has archaeological significance, as studies of artifacts indicate an Upper Palaeolithic horizon and on cross dating assigned to Late Pleistocene epoch, which is 20,000 BC.

– The site was also home to the pre-historic man as the excavations at several places in the region revealed stone implements of three distinctive periods and also the pottery of the Neolithic man.

China-Indian Ocean Region Forum: Explained | China’s moves in the Indian Ocean

Source: The post is based on the article “Explained | China’s moves in the Indian Ocean” published in The Hindu on 5th December 2022

What is the News?

China has convened the first “China-Indian Ocean Region Forum” in the southwestern Chinese city of Kunming.

What is the China-Indian Ocean Region Forum?

Organized by: China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA)

Theme: Shared Development: Theory and Practice from the Perspective of the Blue Economy.

Participating countries: The forum was attended by “high-level representatives” and “senior officials” from 19 countries: Indonesia, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Afghanistan, Iran, Oman, South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Seychelles, Madagascar, Mauritius, Djibouti, and Australia.

Note: Australia and Maldives released statements stating that they did not participate officially.

Outcome of the forum: The forum issued a “Joint Press Statement” that noted China’s proposal to establish a marine disaster prevention and mitigation cooperation mechanism between China and countries in the Indian Ocean region.

What are China’s plans for the IOR?

The China-Indian Ocean Region Forum has underlined China’s stepped-up interest in the Indian Ocean Region(IOR) where it is already a major trading partner for most countries and where lie sea routes vital to China’s economic interests.

The forum also reflects the Chinese view that it has a clear stake in the region and that more such initiatives are likely.

For instance, China has already set up its first-ever overseas military facility in Djibouti near the Horn of Africa. Chinese military ships, tracking vessels, and submarines have been visiting ports in the IOR with greater frequency.

The Chinese Navy has a long-term plan to deploy six aircraft carriers to secure China’s maritime interests, and two of them will be based in the Indian Ocean Region.

How does India view the China-Indian Ocean Region Forum?

India has viewed China’s recent moves in the region suspiciously including the recent visit of a Chinese military tracking vessel, the Yuan Wang 5 to Sri Lanka.

Moreover, India sees the Indian Ocean Rim Association(IORA) as an already established platform for the region which has 23 members including Australia and Maldives with 10 dialogue partners which include China, Japan, Russia, the U.K. and the U.S.

India saw highest levels of Covid-19 related religious hostilities in 2020: Pew Research Center

Source: The post is based on the article “India saw highest levels of Covid-19 related religious hostilities in 2020: Pew Research Center” published in The Hindu on 5th December 2022

What is the News?

According to a Pew Research Center report, India saw the highest level of religious hostilities during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

About Pew Research Center Report

The Pew Research Center’s study on restrictions on religion around the world is published every year.

The report measures levels of restrictions in 198 countries and self-governing territories using two 10-point indexes: the Government Restrictions Index (GRI) and the Social Hostilities Index (SHI).

The 198 countries included in the study account for more than 99.5% of the world’s population.

What is the Social Hostilities Index?

Purpose: To measure acts of religious hostility by private individuals, organizations or groups.

Parameters: The index comprises 13 questions that measure hostilities both between and within religious groups, including mob or sectarian violence, crimes motivated by religious bias, physical conflict over conversions, harassment for attire for religious reasons, and other religion-related intimidation and violence.

Key Findings related to India: India saw the highest level of religious hostilities during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

At a score of 9.4 out of 10, India fared the worst in Social Hostilities Index in 2020, more than its neighbours Pakistan and Afghanistan.

India was also among the countries in which private individuals or organizations linked the spread of the coronavirus to religious groups citing the circulation of Islamophobic hashtags such as “Corona Jihad”.

What is the Government Restrictions Index(GRI)?

Purpose: It looks at laws, policies and state actions restricting religious beliefs and practices.

Parameters: The GRI comprises 20 measures including efforts by governments to ban particular faiths, prohibit the conversion, limit preaching or give preferential treatment to one or more religious groups.

Key Findings: China ranked the worst with a score of 9.3.

– India was ranked 34th with a score of 5.8. India was categorized among countries with “high” levels of government restrictions.

Gaslighting: All you need to know about Merriam-Webster’s word of the year

Source: The post is based on the article “Gaslighting: All you need to know about Merriam-Webster’s word of the year” published in Indian Express on 5th December 2022

What is the News?

Merriam-Webster, America’s oldest dictionary publisher, has chosen “Gaslighting” as its Word of the Year.

What is Gaslighting?

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Gaslighting as “psychological manipulation of a person usually over an extended period of time, that causes the victim to question the validity of their own thoughts, perception of reality or memories and typically leads to confusion, loss of confidence and self-esteem, uncertainty of one’s emotional or mental stability and a dependency on the perpetrator”.

Gaslighting involves an imbalance of power between the abuser and the person they’re gaslighting. Abusers often exploit stereotypes or vulnerabilities related to gender, sexuality, race, nationality and/or class.

What is the origin of the word Gaslighting?

The term “Gaslighting” comes from the title of the 1938 play “Gas Light” by Patrick Hamilton, and the movie based on that play, the plot of which involves a man attempting to make his wife believe that she is going insane.

What is the impact of Gaslighting on mental health?

Gaslighting is an abusive practice that causes someone to distrust themselves or to believe they have a mental illness. The long-term effects of gaslighting may include anxiety, depression, trauma, and low self-esteem.

Just Energy Transition Partnership(JETP): India-G7 JETP stuck over coal, Centre’s insistence on own transition plan

Source: The post is based on the article “India-G7 JETP stuck over coal, Centre’s insistence on own transition plan” published in Business Standard on 5th December 2022

What is the News?

Global efforts to bring India on board the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) with G7 nations have failed to move forward.

What is the Just Energy Transition Partnership(JETP)?

The G7 countries had decided to launch a Just Energy Transition Partnership(JTEP) with India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Senegal this year.

This partnership is aimed at helping large developing economies to move away from coal in their electricity systems and achieve the Paris climate goals.

Germany and the US are the two G7 nations that are co-leading the negotiations with India to join JETP.

Have any developing countries signed JETP with G7?

The JETP initiative is modelled after the South Africa JETP launched at the COP26 in Glasgow with the support of the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), France, Germany, and the European Union (EU).

South Africa has been promised to finance worth $8.5 billion in the first phase through mechanisms such as grants, loans and investments to meet its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) goals.

At the 27th G20 summit, Indonesia also announced its JETP with G7 nations co-led by Japan and the US for $20 billion. The Indonesian JETP is primarily focused on the phase-out of coal from the economy.

Why has India not signed the JETP with G7?

Firstly, India has refused to put ‘coal phase-out’ on the negotiation table and wants to design its own “transition plan”.

Secondly, talks on JETP have also stalled over differences in approaches on coal. US wants to include decommissioning of assets aka coal phase-out as part of the discussion. However, India is pushing for climate funds for renewable energy, technology transfer and green jobs.

State of Finance for Nature report: Double financing for natural ecosystems by 2025 to deal with climate, biodiversity crises: UN report

Source: The post is based on the article “Double financing for natural ecosystems by 2025 to deal with climate, biodiversity crisis: UN report” published in Down To Earth on 4th December 2022

What is the News?

The second edition of the State of Finance for Nature report has been released.

What is the State of Finance for Nature report?

Released by: UN Environment Programme(UNEP) along with the Economics of Land Degradation initiative of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification(UNCCD) and the European Commission.

Purpose: The report quantifies public and private finance flows to nature-based solutions (NbS) to tackle global challenges related to biodiversity loss, land degradation and climate change.

What are Nature-based solutions(NbS)?

Nature-based solutions(NbS) are actions to protect, sustainably manage, or restore natural ecosystems that address societal challenges such as climate change, human health, food and water security, and disaster risk reduction effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits.

What are the key findings of the report related to NbS financing?

Finance flows to nature-based solutions(NbS) are currently US$154 billion per year. Under this, public funds make up 83% of the total and the private sector contributes approximately 17%.

This finance flow is less than half of the US$384 billion per year investment in NbS needed by 2025 and only a third of the investment needed by 2030 (US$484 billion per year)

What are the recommendations given by the report?

Firstly, financing for NbS needs to be doubled to deal with multiple global crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation.

Secondly, there is a need for private investments in nature-based solutions. For this, private companies must create a sustainable supply chain, reduce activities that negatively impact climate and biodiversity, offset any unavoidable activities through high-integrity nature markets, pay for ecosystem services and invest in nature-positive activities.

First Loss Default Guarantee(FLDG) system: Digital lending – No clarity, awaiting RBI response, say bank & fintechs

Source: The post is based on the article “Digital lending: No clarity, awaiting RBI response, say bank & fintechs” published in Indian Express on 5th December 2022

What is the News?

Two months after the Reserve Bank issued guidelines on digital lending, banks, non-banking financial companies and fintech players are still awaiting clarity on many aspects including the First Loss Default Guarantee(FLDG) system.

What is the First Loss Default Guarantee(FLDG) system?

FLDG is a lending model between a fintech and a regulated entity in which a third party guarantees to compensate up to a certain percentage of default in a loan portfolio of the regulated entities(RE).

Under these agreements, the fintech originates a loan and promises to compensate the partners up to a pre-decided percentage in case customers fail to repay.

The bank/NBFC partners lend through fintech but from their own books. FLDG helps expand the customer base of traditional lenders but relies on the fintech’s underwriting capabilities.

What are the concerns related to FLDG?

In the report by the RBI-constituted working group on digital lending, the group laid down the risks of FLDG agreements with unregulated entities. The other concern is that FLDG costs are often passed on to customers.

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