9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – May 17th, 2023

Dear Friends,

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

    1. Ensure that all relevant facts, data, and arguments from today’s newspaper are readily available to you.
    2. 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
    3. We have also introduced the relevance part to every article. This ensures that you know why a particular article is important.
  1. Since these changes are new, so initially the number of articles might increase, but they’ll go down over time.
  2. 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.
    • For previous editions of 9 PM BriefClick Here
    • For individual articles of 9 PM BriefClick Here

Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

GS Paper 3

GS Paper 4

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2


Why spurious liquor kills

Source: The post is based on the article “Why spurious liquor kills” published in The Hindu on 17th May 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Issues related to Health

Relevance: concerns associated with the consumption of liquor

News: Recently, 22 people had died after consuming spurious liquor in the Chengalpattu and Villupuram districts of Tamil Nadu. The article explains the harmful impact of alcohol and measures needed to treat those.

What is the alcohol in liquor?

Liquor is differentiated by its alcohol content, e.g., beer has 5% alcohol while wine has 12%. Alcohol, which is frequently consumed, is known scientifically as ethanol.

The World Health Organisation has found that “no level of ethanol consumption is safe for our health”. Long-term use leads to dependence, increases the risk of various diseases, and may eventually cause death.

How does ethanol affect the body?

Ethanol is a psychoactive drug that, in low doses, reduces the level of neurotransmission in the body, leading to its typical intoxicating effects.

Ethanol, inside the body, is metabolised in the liver and the stomach by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) enzymes to acetaldehyde. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzymes transform the acetaldehyde into acetate.

Acetaldehyde becomes the main reason for harmful effects of ethanol in the body.

What is spurious liquor?

Spurious liquor is characterised by the liquid mixture containing methanol along with ethanol. Methanol is added in the liquor to strengthen the intoxicating effects and/or to increase its bulk volume.

The Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations 2018 has provided standard for the maximum permissible quantity of methanol in different liquors.

What is methanol?

Methanol is commonly produced by combining carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of copper and zinc oxides as catalysts at 50-100 atm of pressure and 250°C.

Methanol has several industrial applications including the production of acetic acid, formaldehyde, and aromatic hydrocarbons. It is also used as a solvent and as antifreeze.

Use of methanol is governed by various central and state laws. For example, the Indian Standard IS 517, specifies how to determine the quality of methanol.

Whereas, the Tamil Nadu Denatured Spirit, Methyl Alcohol, and Varnish (French Polish) Rules 1959, specifies what labelling and packaging requirements should be present for methanol.

How does spurious liquor kill?

The deadliness of spurious liquor arises from methanol. Once ingested, methanol is metabolised in the liver by ADH enzymes to form formaldehyde.

ALDH enzymes convert formaldehyde to formic acid. The accumulation of formic acid leads to a condition called metabolic acidosis.

Acidosis can lead to acidemia, a condition wherein the blood’s pH drops below its normal value of 7.35, becoming increasingly acidic.

Formic acid also interferes with an enzyme called cytochrome oxidase, which in turn disrupts cells’ ability to use oxygen and leads to the formation of lactic acid, contributing to acidosis. This ultimately leads to death.

How can methanol-poisoning be treated?

First, pharmaceutical-grade ethanol should be administered by healthcare workers because ethanol checks methanol from being metabolised to formaldehyde. Thus, preventing it from becoming poisonous.

Second, Fomepizole should be administered. It slows the action of the ADH enzymes, causing the body to produce formaldehyde at a rate that the body can quickly excrete, preventing the deadlier effects.

Third, healthcare workers may also recommend dialysis to eliminate methanol and formic acid salts from the blood. They can also administer folinic acid, which encourages the formic acid to break up into carbon dioxide and water.


New Delhi and the New Washington Consensus

Source- The post is based on the article “New Delhi and the New Washington Consensus” published in the “Business Standard” on 17th May 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- International relations

Relevance– India and changing economic order

News- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the G7 summit in Hiroshima this week, the Quad summit in Canberra the week after. There are bilateral visits to Washington and Paris in June and July.

The restructuring of the global economic order will be high on India’s bilateral and multilateral agenda.

What are geoeconomic changes being unleashed by the competition unfolding between the US and China?

The geoeconomic competition between Washington and Beijing had begun to develop in the Trump years. President Joe Biden has intensified it and provided an ideological framework.

In a major speech late last month, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan outlined a set of policy initiatives to pursue the geoeconomic contestation with China.

The US is seeking wider international consensus on the new economic approach from its allies and partners, including India. Some are calling the Biden initiatives as efforts to build a “New Washington Consensus”.

Sullivan’s speech criticises conventional economic wisdom and a call for a transformation of the global economic order.

What are several challenges highlighted by Sulivian that have arisen from the old Washington Consensus and inflicted damage on the US economy?

“Markets know best” approach led to the hollowing out of the US industrial base. There is importance of the markets. But, in the name of oversimplified market efficiency, entire supply chains of strategic goods along with the industries and jobs moved overseas.

There was a notion that “all growth was good growth”. This led to the privileging of some sectors like finance and neglected other essential sectors like semiconductors and infrastructure. US industrial capacity took a real hit.

Old assumption that economic integration would make nations more responsible and open, and that the global order would be more peaceful and cooperative.

The integration of a “large non-market economy” like China into the WTO created many problems. Economic integration didn’t stop China from expanding its military ambitions in the region.

Emphasise on “just and efficient transition” to green economic growth and reducing economic inequality at home that has undermined American democracy.

What are the solutions offered by Sulivian?

Sullivan offers a five-fold policy framework.

Return to industrial policy that was responsible for US economic development historically but was dismissed by economic neoliberalism in the last few decades.

He advocates the US’s friends and partners to look beyond traditional trade policies. The US-proposed Indo-Pacific Economic Framework is not a free trade agreement.

In today’s world, trade policy needs to be about more than tariff reduction. The focus should be on developing diversified and resilient supply chains, promoting clean energy transition, and massive infrastructure that supports the rapidly expanding global digital economy.

The US should mobilise investment into emerging economies with local solutions, but with capital enabled by a different brand of US economic diplomacy.

This involves offering an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, addressing the global debt crisis, and reforming multilateral development banks.

There is a need to develop a new set of export controls on sensitive technology that will limit national security threats from China and other rivals.

What are the choices for India?

The US is ready for substantive engagement with its partners. India must be ready to respond.

There are many common areas of engagement, like China’s geoeconomic challenge, the dangers of dogmatic commitment to globalisation, technological cooperation among like-minded partners, building resilient supply chains, addressing the economic concerns of the Global South, and reforming the global financial institutions.

There will also be many disagreements on the identification of priorities and the details of the specific outcomes in rearranging the global economic order.

It must be viewed as a historic opportunity for India. As one of the world’s leading economies, India can and should actively reshape the global economic order.


The rising tide of dictatorship

Source- The post is based on the article “The rising tide of dictatorship” published in “The Hindu” on 17th May 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Polity

Relevance–  Threats to democracy

News– The article explains the subversion of democracy by majoritarian forces in current times.

What are the factors that lead to the rise of dictatorship?

History often repeats itself, especially when people forget that war or dictatorship or ethnic conflicts are not a solution to any issue.

Humanity still has not learnt from the brutal regimes that brought violence and bloodshed. Lessons from history fade away and nations continue to repeat these mistakes.

Revolutions, like those in France and Russia, gave an individual, absolute power. These emerged as failed empires under brutal dictatorships.

Widespread corruption, high crime rates, governmental incompetence, and the rule of law fail to awaken humanity. Such conditions give rise to “strong man” politics.

Dictatorships are forgotten by the public. People blindly begin to put faith in a leadership that projects competence and ability to advance the welfare of the people and the country.

After Stalin’s brutal regime, Cuban revolutionaries allowed their charismatic revolutionary leader to seize absolute power.

There is abuse of modern communication technology by authoritarian regimes for propaganda. It gives birth to manipulative dictatorships.

In current times, technological means are used to subjugate public opinion. Hitler and Stalin are replaced by Russia’s Putin, Peru’s Fujimore, Venezuela’s Chavez, Hungary’s Orbán and Turkey’s Erdoğan.

How is democracy being subverted in current times?

This is an era of strident nationalism and xenophobia. The hopes of a new world of progress, harmony and democracy have turned into despair.

Over the last few decades, use of violence as a weapon for retaining power has reduced.

Technology is used to manipulate and govern public opinion through deceit, lies, and deceptions under the guise of safeguarding the institution of democracy.

For reliability and acceptance, “non-democratic leaders” allow a certain amount of dissent in the independent media. Complete censorship is replaced by indiscriminate regulations.

Elections are made to look fair and honest, through money, manipulation and the creation of a cult leadership.

Mass use of force and subjugation has gradually converted into majoritarian brute force. It is supported by a subservient media that tactfully spins a public discourse which seems to be democratic. But, in reality it is a far right wing agenda.

This is apparently different from North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un, Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, or Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman, who openly use subjugation, expurgation and physical punishment to remain in power.

Right-wing intellectuals continually make efforts to strengthen the discourse of nationalism through the politics of image building and exceptionalism. It captures the attention of the masses.

Criticism is pushed to the fringes while the dominant party discourse remains in full force. It is done through brain-washing the public with doublespeak and sophisticated means of surveillance and propaganda.


Just Not Justice – Seizure or destruction of property without following due procedure is a troubling misuse of executive power

Source: The post is based on the article “Just Not Justice – Seizure or destruction of property without following due procedure is a troubling misuse of executive power” published in The Times of India on 17th May 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Relevance: About the seizure or destruction of property by the state.

News: Recently, the Allahabad high court’s Lucknow bench has directed the state government to return the seized property of a gangster. This is because the seizure wasn’t preceded by an inquiry into whether the property had been acquired illegally.

What are the High Court’s observations regarding the seizure or destruction of property by the state?

The court also observed that there is a growing number of appeals filed by alleged or convicted criminals and peaceful protesters whose properties have been seized or bulldozed by state machinery without following due process.

What are the issues associated with the seizure or destruction of property by the state?

The immediate seizure or destruction of property by state machinery is seen as “summary punishment” even before investigators can decide whether the seizure of property or its destruction, is warranted or lawful. For example, the houses of three accused in a gangrape case in MP’s Rewa has nothing to do with the crime they committed.

When governments and police take this summary punishment route, many lower court judges sanction these actions. Essentially, it means the executive has arrogated themselves with extra-judicial powers.

Last year, a group of former judges of HCs and the SC called the apex court’s attention to the sweeping seizures of property and the use of bulldozers in a number of states. They called these as “an unacceptable subversion of the rule of law”.

What should be done?

The Bengal government this year made its law on property seizure and fines more stringent to deter the destruction of public property during protests. The law’s effectiveness and fair application will come down to the quality and fairness of policing.

The state machinery’s application of improper seizure or destruction of property is not proper governance and not justice too.

GS Paper 3


The next step in climate efforts

Source: The post is based on the article “The next step in climate efforts” published in Business Standard on 17th May 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Climate Change

Relevance: About the resolution adopted at the UNGA.

News: A consensus has been adopted on the UN General Assembly resolution recently. The resolution seeks advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on “the obligation of States in respect of Climate Change”.

What are some of the facts about the resolution?

The resolution was led by the Pacific Island state of Vanuatu. Later, the Core Group of 18, known as ICJA04, which includes other island states, African states, Germany and Portugal also supported it.

India was not part of this group nor was it a co-sponsor. The US has also not voted for the resolution. However, China has joined the consensus.

The resolution seeks ICJ’s legal opinion on legal consequences for states that are responsible for climate change, particularly affecting small island developing states and present and future generations.

Note: Advisory opinion from the ICJ is not legally binding on states but it carries a certain moral authority.

What is the resolution about and what are the concerns present?

The resolution focuses on the missing historical responsibility of states, which are primarily responsible for the stock of greenhouse gases already accumulated in the earth’s atmosphere.

Australia, Germany, and the rest of the European Union have spoken in support of the resolution because the idea of historical responsibility, which is a key element in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) of 1992, has been ignored.

ICJ opinion may also be used for laying the blame on countries like India whose emissions will inevitably rise in the course of their economic development, despite their ambitious efforts to limit such emissions.

However, there is no reference in the resolution to the issue of compensation for “loss and damage” from climate change.

This issue should have been highlighted at ICJ because developed countries have been staying away from their legal responsibility to compensate developing countries for their past emissions.

Therefore, India should not hesitate to make such submission to the ICJ, which represents its own views and concerns.

What can be the key elements in India’s submission?

First, India should emphasise that there is already a climate change treaty in the shape of the UNFCCC or the Rio Convention of 1992, which clearly establishes nations’ legal responsibility to take climate change action.

For ICJ, it should reaffirm the validity of the principles and provisions of the UNFCCC rather than seek to establish another legal framework.

Second, the idea of equality and equitable burden sharing must be reiterated in establishing legal commitments of states for climate change action.

Third, the principle of common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities should be reiterated. This will make the states that are responsible for the accumulation of greenhouse gases and which are responsible for global climate change to support adaptation by developing countries.

India should also highlight the ambitious measures it has adopted in addressing the challenge of climate change.

Fourth, India should point out those industralized countries which violated their legal obligations under the Kyoto Protocol and walked away from it without submitting to the penal provisions under its compliance procedure. The ICJ should hold them accountable.


Government’s Open Network for Digital Commerce: An audacious idea

Source: This post is created based on the article “government’s Open Network for Digital Commerce: An audacious idea”, published in Indian Express on 17th May 2023.

Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3, Changes to Industrial policies

E-commerce is not simply selling goods and services online; it also includes the physical process of shipping and delivering the ordered items to the customers.

The platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart also function as “operators” as opposed to mere online “platforms”. These platforms are not just bridging the gap between sellers and buyers, but also ensuring the physical completion of transactions.

Therefore, the success of Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) as well, depends on its ability to provide end-to-end solutions from logistics and warehousing to delivery and payments.

What are the aims of ONDC, as an alternative to existing online platforms?

ONDC aspires to displace the prevalent ‘platform-centric’ model with an ‘open network’ model that relies on non-proprietary protocols.

This model allows sellers and buyers to engage in transactions independently and switch among platforms that are compatible with each other.

It will integrate approximately 13 million small local stores and 42.5 million Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which are presently digitally marginalized.

The potential of the ONDC’s success lies in widespread adoption of internet and smartphones in the last decade. Also, the effective implementation of large-scale initiatives like Aadhaar, the Unified Payment Interface (UPI), Goods and Services Tax Network, and CoWin vaccination apps.

What are the challenges in front of ONDC?

First, in UPI, the transactions are limited to transfer of funds between bank accounts that are linked to mobile phone numbers.

Second, ONDC faces a challenge in its ability to physically fulfill orders.

Third, as Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that ONDC will have to do better than present platforms or even what UPI did in payments.


Tripping trade – India must not excessively rely on a few large markets

Source: The post is based on the article “Tripping trade – India must not excessively rely on a few large markets” published in the Indian Express on 17th May 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.

Relevance: About the reduction in India’s imports and exports.

News: This March exports had hit a nine-month high of nearly $42 billion while imports were $60 billion. But, goods exports declined to $34.6 billion in April, the lowest since last October. Imports in April shrank by a sharper 14% which is a 15-month low of under $50 billion.

Note: The new Foreign Trade Policy enunciated a two trillion-dollar export goal to be achieved in seven years.

What are the various reasons for the reduction in India’s imports and exports?

a) Slowing global economy, b) Falling imports indicate a reduction in domestic demand, c) If imports of petroleum (down 14%), and gems and jewellery are down, then the associated value-added end products export will also come down, d) Other job creators such as textiles is also facing hardships.

What is the status of global economies at present?

WTO forecasted a global trade growth hike (from 1% to 1.7%) for 2023. This might be because of China’s opening up of the economy. However, the recent Chinese data have been disappointing regarding recovery momentum.

European and North American markets are expected to speed up goods orders. But the services exports may not speed up.

What India should do?

India must use this slack period to review its overall trade stance. India should a) assess its excessive reliance on a few large markets, and b) pursue greater integration with global value chains and multilateral trading arrangements.


Climate trade barriers: Go for realistic idealism

Source: The post is based on the article “Climate trade barriers: Go for realistic idealism” published in the Livemint on 17th May 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Environment and Bio-diversity: Conservation.

Relevance: About Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism of EU.

News: Recently, the EU gave approval to its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). This will impact Indian iron, steel and aluminium shipments worth more than 2021’s $8 billion.

About Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

According to EU, the CBAM will ensure its climate objectives are not undermined by carbon-intensive imports and spur cleaner production in the rest of the world. Apart from that, EU policy is trying to level the internal field for EU and non-EU players.

Must read: EU’s carbon border tax – Explained, pointwise

How it will create unfair climate trade barriers?

Restriction on importers: Annually, EU importers will have to declare direct and indirect emissions caused by their previous year’s imports. From 2026, they must submit equivalent CBAM certificates priced on the basis of weekly average auction prices in the EU’s market for carbon permits.

Success not guaranteed: The CBAM idea and its impact are unproven. The EU needs a world market to emerge to meet its CBAM ambitions.

Double pricing: Carbon has already been priced high in India. If India adopts carbon pricing expansively in India, the price will need to be low, just a fraction of Europe’s.

What are India’s options against the CBAM?

Read here: Green crosshairs – A multi-pronged counter is warranted to tackle the EU’s carbon tax plans

What should India do?

It will take years of data to properly assess the impacts of the EU’s carbon tax. So, India should adopt a stance that combines realism on securing India’s export interests with idealism on saving the planet. A global market for carbon is an idea that deserves a fair chance.


Curbing defence imports

Source: This post is created based on the article “Curbing defence imports”, published in Indian Express on 17th May 2023.

Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3, Changes to Industrial policies, Liberalisation

News: Government has been progressively restricting imports of specified weapons and defence kits in India.

In December 2020 Initial restrictions were imposed on importing line replacement units (LRUs) and some other defence equipment.

In 2022, curbs on import were further expanded. The list contains 2,500 items that have already been indigenised and another 1,238 that will be indigenised within stipulated timelines.

The list which includes indigenised items is called “positive indigenisation lists” or PIL.

What are the questions raised by indigenous defence industry on PILs?

First, what is the need for import restrictions if it is indeed cheaper to design, develop, and manufacture defence products in India. Although MoD has said that it is an assurance to Indian defence manufacturers that they will compete on a level playing field within India.

In the past, MoD has imported the same product from global market, which was developed by private defence industry in India, leading to losses.

Second, whether PILs compromise defence preparedness due to issues of quality and timing. Many of the Indian projects like Arjun tank, the Tejas fighter aircraft were protected from the global competition. It resulted into time and cost overruns. In the face of global competition, it would not have happened.

Third, whether PILs are a suitable method of increasing indigenisation? sophistication level of defence equipment is increasing, therefore indigenization should not be at the cost of military preparedness.


Safe farming – on Indiscriminate use of pesticides

Source: This post is created based on the article “Safe farming”, published in Business Standard on 17th May 2023.

Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3, Agriculture Inputs

News: Pesticides are a vital input for modern farming to protect crops against pests, disease-causing pathogens, and other threats. The scientific committee has given its suggestions on the issue of ban on pesticides.

Scientific committee, led by T P Rajendran has presented its report. Government has submitted its report in the Supreme Court (SC).

What are the findings of the committee on pesticide ban?

The committee considered the safety, toxicity, and effectiveness of these agro chemicals. It also took into account the views of farmers who have used them for years to protect their crops from pests, diseases, and weeds.

The committee approved 24 out of these 27 agro chemicals, suggesting only three should be banned.

A lack of affordable and equally effective alternatives to these chemicals is one of the reasons given for shortening this list.

What are the effects of pesticide use?

Pesticides are inherently hazardous due to their toxic chemicals which can have acute and chronic health effects, especially if misused.

Adverse health effects of agro chemicals usually result from over-exposure or misuse by farmers. Farmers in India often neglect basic precautions such as wearing gloves and face masks when spraying pesticides.

Additionally, farmers frequently ignore the safe use instructions provided on pesticide packaging.

What should be done?

The “International code of conduct on pesticide management” has been developed by WHO and FAO. It is a guide for governments, regulators, and other stakeholders, including farmers for pesticide management. This code should be strictly followed right from the stage of approval of pesticides for manufacture to their application to crops by farmers.

A large-scale awareness campaign is needed to promote the appropriate use of pesticides to mitigate agro-chemical-related hazards.

The ideal approach would be to incentivise the production and use of harmless and environmentally friendly bio-pesticides.

GS Paper 4


Why the erosion of the traditional Indian family is worrying

Source: The post is based on the article “Why the erosion of the traditional Indian family is worrying” published in the Indian Express on 17th May 2023.

Syllabus: GS 4 – Role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.

Relevance: About traditional family system.

News: Recently, the world celebrated International Day of Families on May 15. But the constant weakening of the traditional family system is a cause for worry.

What is the importance of family?

The family has been a foundational institution of society in most parts of the world, particularly in India. India swear by Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Kutumb or family has traditionally acquired primacy in human interpersonal-social relationship dynamics. Transparency in relationships is the bedrock of mutual trust. It is this trust that provides a strong foundation for families.

It is an institution where consolidation of interpersonal relations naturally evolved while living under one roof, sharing thought processes, participating in collective actions and developing emotional bonding. It also helped its members to withstand innumerable onslaughts from a globalised world.

This is the reason, so far, no social scientist has been able to advocate any alternate unit better than family.

What are the challenges in implementing reforms in the family system?

Family is not a creation of any government. So, one cannot go to governments to introduce reforms. They need to be society driven. A new set of challenges are emanating from the changing social conditions in our society.

Almost all the reforms in the family start with the state of dialogue within homes. So, lack of quality conversations in most families might create several new crises. This made families united outwardly, but fragmented from within.

Excessive emphasis on individualism: In most relationships, dialogues between family members are rare. For example, candid and heart-to-heart dialogues between husband-wife and parent-children are becoming rare. They have become too formal and superficial. This is due to the excessive emphasis on individualism. This also prevents occasions to gather insights about each other.

Excessive Formalisation: From birthdays to weddings and house-warmings to condolence meetings, everything is being made into a formal event. This disregards the beauty of informality. This creates the “crisis of authenticity” of our interpersonal feelings.

External factors like peer pressure and exhibitionism have further complicated the family structure.

What should be done to revive India’s traditional family system?

Focus on collectivity: Indian society will pay a huge price if we continue to ape Western societies and emulate mindless individualism. A traditional Indian family is like what Krishna Yajurveda Taittiriya Upanishad says.

Note: It said, “May we work together with great energy and finally may there be no hate among us”.

Ideas like privacy and private space are too important to be ignored. But that should not be at the cost of collectivism, partnership and the value of sharing. The joy of sharing leads to a commonality of ethos, likes and dislikes.

Recognise the contributions of women: India needs to have women-led families as a starting point for the implementation of the PM’s call for women-led development. To make this happen, men will have to rise above the traditional male mindset and ensure equality of security, opportunities and respect.

Woman-led, child-focused and elderly-sensitive families are the need of the hour


Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

India launches ‘Meri LiFE’ app to encourage youth participation in tackling climate change

Source: The post is based on the article “India launches ‘Meri LiFE’ app to encourage youth participation in tackling climate change” published in The Hindu on 17th May 2023

What is the News?

The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has launched a mobile application called “Meri LiFE” (My Life) to empower young people and encourage their participation in tackling climate change.

What is the Meri LiFE app?

The Meri LiFE app aims to showcase the power of citizens, especially young people, in saving the environment by emphasizing the impact of simple actions in daily life.

The app is intended to catalyze a national movement for LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) by creating a structured way to track the progress being made on Mission LiFE.

It encourages users to participate in a series of LiFE-related tasks under five themes: Save Energy, Save Water, Reduce Single-Use Plastic, Adopt Sustainable Food Systems and Adopt Healthy Lifestyles.

Upon successful sign-up on the app, users are guided through a gamified experience to take the 5 for 5 challenge and take five LiFE actions towards June 5th, 2023 (World Environment Day).

The app also enables ministries and institutions to upload event reports and track the progress of the ongoing mass mobilization drive.

What is Mission LiFE?

Click Here to read


India moves closer to getting its first indigenous vaccine against dengue

Source: The post is based on the article “India moves closer to getting its first indigenous vaccine against dengue” published in The Hindu on 16th May 2023

What is the News?

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said that the trials for a potential dengue vaccine are ongoing, but they have not yet fully started.

What is Dengue?

Dengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus (DENV), transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female mosquitoes, primarily the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Symptoms: Most people who get dengue won’t have symptoms. But for those that do, the most common symptoms are high fever, headache, body aches, nausea and rash. Most will also get better in 1–2 weeks. 

– Some people develop severe dengue and need care in a hospital. In severe cases, dengue can be fatal. 

Cases: Dengue is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas.

– About half of the world’s population is now at risk of dengue with an estimated 100–400 million infections occurring each year.

– In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified dengue to be one among the top 10 global health threats.

Treatment: Prevention and control of dengue depend on vector control. There is no specific treatment for dengue/severe dengue, and early detection and access to proper medical care greatly lower fatality rates of severe dengue.

Note: There is a vaccine called Dengvaxia for people who have had dengue at least once and live in places where the disease is common.

Notifiable disease: In India, dengue is a notifiable disease, but a case is required to be notified only when the confirmatory test has been done in the lab.


Rajasthan’s move spells some hope for gig workers

Source: The post is based on the article “Rajasthan’s move spells some hope for gig workers” published in The Hindu on 17th May 2023

What is the News?

Rajasthan Government has announced that it would introduce the Rajasthan Platform-based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill 2023 aimed at the regulation of the gig economy in the state.

What is the Rajasthan Platform-based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill 2023?

Aim: To ensure the welfare of gig workers and introduce strict provisions to punish errant aggregators.

Key Provisions of the Bill:

Platform-based Gig Workers Welfare Board: The board will be chaired by the state Labour minister, and will have representatives from gig workers’ unions, aggregators, and members of civil society.

– The Board would be responsible for developing welfare policies and hearing the grievances of workers who had been hired on a piece-rate basis, i.e. payment depending on the units of work performed.

– All platform-based workers in the state would be automatically registered with the Board regardless of their employment period with the respective platform.

– A unique ID with a three-year validity would be generated by the Board for each worker registered with one or more aggregators in the state.

– This would help workers obtain benefits from government welfare schemes such as the PM Sambhal scheme, which provided old age pensions, and also enabled them to lodge complaints over payment disputes and other issues.

Penal action: The bill also states that if the aggregators contravene any of the provisions made by the Board, they will have to pay a fine of Rs 10 lakh or can be suspended or prevented from functioning within Rajasthan. 

Welfare Fund: The bill has proposed to set up a Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers Social Security and Welfare Fund, which will start with seed money of ₹200 crores.

Cess: The bill makes mention of a cess, which would be a percent of the total value paid from the consumer to the aggregator or primary employer. It states that the levy percentage will be decided by the Board. 

What are the challenges ahead?

Worker boards in India have been thought of as a way to build long-term relationships between workers and the state apart from their more operational role in creating a tripartite forum and implementing schemes. 

There has been a lot of criticism against the construction board — that it does not provide benefits that are useful enough to offset the time, money and other resources workers have to spend in order to register and access benefits. 

Time will tell how a Gig and Platform Worker Board will fare when gig and platform workers are time-poor considering that they often work for piece-meal wages that are structured through hourly or daily time commitments to platforms.


Not violating sanctions on Russian oil, says Centre after EU Minister’s charge

Source: The post is based on the article “Not violating sanctions on Russian oil, says Centre after EU Minister’s charge” published in The Hindu on 17th May 2023

What is the News?

The European Union’s (EU) Foreign Minister has said that Europe should not permit the entry of refined petroleum products from India that are made from Russian oil.

What is the issue?

India has become one of the biggest buyers of Russian crude oil since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine with its refiners earning large margins by buying heavily discounted crude that is now largely barred from the EU, before selling refined fuel into Europe. 

The trade is legal under EU sanctions but has been criticized by those who want to see harsher sanctions imposed on Russia and argue that it has allowed Russia to keep earning large revenues from its oil sales.

What is the EU’s response to this?

The EU has said that it was aware that Indian refiners were buying large volumes of Russian crude oil before processing it into fuels for sale in Europe.

It said that it was normal if India was buying cheap Russian oil but that it was not acceptable for that oil to be routed to Europe via refined products. 

What is India’s response to this?

India has denied that it was violating sanctions and said it was not possible to fully identify the origins of petroleum products being sold in Europe.


SCO members adopt India’s proposal for digital public infra

Source: The post is based on the article “SCO members adopt India’s proposal for digital public infra” published in The Hindu on 17th May 2023

What is the News?

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has recently adopted India’s proposal to support the development and adoption of the country’s digital public infrastructure(DPI).

What is Digital Public Infrastructure(DPI)?

Click Here to read

What is India’s Digital Public Infrastructure(DPI)?

India has developed DPI consisting of Aadhaar, United Payments Interface (UPI) and DigiLocker to ensure the convenient availability of services to the public.

During the meeting of the SCO Digital Ministers, India’s DPI proposal was unanimously adopted as the right way for deploying digital technology among member states.

India emphasized the significance of DPI in promoting technological inclusivity, democratization and overall growth among member states. 

Furthermore, India’s DPI proposal also entails collaborating with the SCO members on various aspects of digital public infrastructure such as design, development, implementation, evaluation, and governance.

To address this, an organization will be established to establish common standards for the interoperability of digital systems within the SCO. 

How does India’s DPI proposal benefit the SCO members?

This proposal can help the SCO members to achieve their common goals of enhancing connectivity, trade, tourism, education, health care, and security in the region.

It can also help the SCO members to address their common challenges of the digital divide, cyber threats, data protection and privacy in the digital era.


NHRC flags rise in child abuse content on social media

Source: The post is based on the article “NHRC flags rise in child abuse content on social media” published in The Hindu on 16th May 2023

What is the News?

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Centre and states over a report that the circulation of child sexual abuse material on social media in India has increased by 250-300%.

What is Child sexual abuse material?

Child sexual abuse material consists of any visual depiction, including but not limited to photos, videos, and computer-generated imagery, involving the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

According to the media report, about 4,50,207 cases of the spread of child sexual abuse material have been reported in 2023 so far. Out of these, the Delhi Police has taken action only in 3,039 cases. 

What are steps taken by NHRC to tackle Child sexual abuse material on social media?

NHRC has been organizing dialogues from time to time in the recent past to come out with ways and means to check this menace.

In 2020, it organized an online national conference on the subject with valuable inputs from international organizations, and government ministries among others.

The commission also issued “Human Rights Advisory for the Protection of the Rights of Children in the Context of COVID-19” in 2020 and in 2021 wherein it made recommendations to the authorities concerned regarding cybercrime and online safety of children.


New cathode material can produce high-performance, cost-effective, environment-friendly Na-ion batteries as next-generation energy storage systems

Source: The post is based on the articleNew cathode material can produce high-performance, cost-effective, environment-friendly Na-ion batteries as next-generation energy storage systemspublished in PIB on 16th May 2023

What is the News?

Indian scientists have developed a new cathode material that can produce high-performance, cost-effective, environment-friendly Sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries as next-generation energy storage systems.

Background

Currently, the two dominant commercial options to fulfil energy storage needs in India are lithium-ion batteries (LIB) and lead-acid batteries (LAB).

Lead-acid batteries (LAB): They are hugely popular in India — especially for the manufacturing of two and three-wheeler electric vehicles — owing to their affordability, material accessibility and recycling rates.

– However, these batteries have various social, environmental and safety-related issues, despite years of innovation and popularity. 

– The accumulation of lead — released from the dominant informal recycling sector of the country — in the human body can be fatal as it damages neurons of the central nervous system and hinders mental growth in children.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIB): They have gained high commercial value in the global market due to their high energy density, compact size and enhanced cycle life.

– These batteries have the upper hand in performance when compared to LABs. However, material scarcity and higher costs restrain their production up-scaling.

Due to these shortcomings, the market has been eyeing capturing the potential of a promising alternative — Sodium-ion batteries (SIB).

What are the advantages of Sodium-ion batteries (SIB)?

SIBs have 45% less global warming potential than lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. They have also shown positive results in retaining capacity, resisting moisture and having little voltage fade, a common phenomenon with prolonged LIB cycles.

SIBs have higher operational safety than LIBs with their operable temperature ranging from -30℃-60℃, making their temperature endurance higher than other battery chemistries.

SIBs can be discharged to zero volts to avoid accidents during transportation, which also reduces the cost of transportation.

What are the disadvantages of Sodium-ion batteries (SIB)?

Despite the advantages of Sodium-ion batteries, the electrochemical behavior and stability of the ‘layered’ Na-TM-oxide-based cathode materials upon moisture exposure require substantial improvements to enable widespread usage of Na-ion battery systems. 

The lack of stability not only poses challenges in handling and storing Na-TM-oxides but also negatively affects their electrochemical performance. 

To overcome these challenges, researchers have developed a new cathode material that can produce high-performance, cost-effective, environment-friendly Sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries.


[UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #161: Suman Sharma Board, Zoology Optional, Haryana Home State,

Date of Interview: 27/02/2024 Board: Suman Sharma Maam Optional: Zoology Home State: Haryana Time: Forenoon, 2nd one to go Duration: 32 minutes DAF Keywords – Haryana, Zoology (Nothing asked from Hobby and other key words in DAF) To view all IAS Interview Transcripts 2023, visit this page Chairman What you were doing after your Post graduation?… Continue reading [UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #161: Suman Sharma Board, Zoology Optional, Haryana Home State,

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[Download] New 10 PM Weekly Compilation – March 2024 – 3rd week

Hello, everyone. We are posting a Compilation of the 10 pm current affairs quiz – March 2024 – 3rd week for practice of current affairs. All Questions have been framed based on the format of 2024 UPSC prelims exam. The compilation has been arranged based on the Prelims syllabus. Click on the following link to download… Continue reading [Download] New 10 PM Weekly Compilation – March 2024 – 3rd week

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[UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #160: Dinesh Dasa sir Board, Agriculture Optional, Rajasthan Home State

Date of Interview: 29 Feb Board: Dinesh Dasa sir Optional: Agriculture Home State: Rajasthan Keyword- Agriculture, Rajasthan Duration: 30-35 min To view all IAS Interview Transcripts 2023, visit this page Chairman I ll give you one statement reflect on it Gm crops are good but we degrading our genetic biodiversity Tell me why onion inflation is… Continue reading [UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #160: Dinesh Dasa sir Board, Agriculture Optional, Rajasthan Home State

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[UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #159: Lt, Gen Raj Shukla Board, PSIR Optional, Bihar Home State

Date of Interview: 19th Feb, Bihar Board: Lt, Gen Raj Shukla Optional: PSIR Home State: Bihar Background: IIT Roorkee Key words: IIT Roorkee , Bihar, patent office(DAF) Last to go forenoon session To view all IAS Interview Transcripts 2023, visit this page Chairman Discussion on Electoral bond. Issue with SC decision on bond Alternative to electoral… Continue reading [UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #159: Lt, Gen Raj Shukla Board, PSIR Optional, Bihar Home State

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[UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #158: Bidyut Behari Swain Board, Commerce & Accountancy Optional, Arunachal Pradesh Home State, JRF, writing Hobbies

Date of Interview: 28-02-24 (forenoon) Board: Bidyut Behari Swain Optional: Commerce & Accountancy Home State: Arunachal Pradesh Hobbies: Writing (others not asked) Daf- JRF, writing Time- around 35 mins To view all IAS Interview Transcripts 2023, visit this page Chairman Tell me about Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura (I am from NE) Tell me about JRF How to boost… Continue reading [UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #158: Bidyut Behari Swain Board, Commerce & Accountancy Optional, Arunachal Pradesh Home State, JRF, writing Hobbies

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Must Read Daily Current Affairs Articles 28th March 2024

About Must Read News Articles is an initiative by Team ForumIAS to provide links to the most important news articles of the day. It covers The Hindu newspaper. This saves the time and effort of students in identifying useful and important articles. With newspaper websites requiring a paid subscription beyond a certain number of fixed… Continue reading Must Read Daily Current Affairs Articles 28th March 2024

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Ace CSE 2024 Prelims with ForumIAS All-India Simulator Tests!

Dear CSE 2024 Aspirants,   Prelims 2024 has been postponed by almost a month. While this shift might have disrupted some of your plans, it also presents an invaluable opportunity to further refine your preparation and approach the examination with even greater confidence. Therefore, to capitalize on this opportunity, you need a thorough practice, to… Continue reading Ace CSE 2024 Prelims with ForumIAS All-India Simulator Tests!

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[UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #157: Sanjay Verma Board, Sociology Optional, Maharashtra Home State, Teaching Hobby

Date of Interview: 28-02-24 (forenoon) Board: Sanjay Verma Sir Optional: Sociology Home State: Maharashtra Hobby: Teaching DAF- Maharashtra,  Civil engg graduate, solid waste management, teaching, Sociology optional To view all IAS Interview Transcripts 2023, visit this page Chairman It was quite a long wait for you. How was your experience As you are from Maharashtra, have… Continue reading [UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #157: Sanjay Verma Board, Sociology Optional, Maharashtra Home State, Teaching Hobby

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Better utilization of fertilizer and food subsidies: Basic subsidies can be climate focused and aimed better

Source: The post better utilization of fertilizer and food subsidies has been created, based on the article “Basic subsidies can be climate focused and aimed better” published in “Live mint” on 27th March 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3-economy- Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices. News: The article… Continue reading Better utilization of fertilizer and food subsidies: Basic subsidies can be climate focused and aimed better

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Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA): Indian cities cry out for UMTA

Source: The post Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) has been created, based on the article “Indian cities cry out for UMTA” published in “Business standard” on 27th March 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- economy- infrastructure News: The article discusses the need for Indian cities to create a Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA). This… Continue reading Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA): Indian cities cry out for UMTA

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