UPSC Key | India-Maldives relations, NCDs, GDP calculation and more

India and its neighbourhood- relations, bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

What’s the ongoing story- In a veiled reference to the pro-China tilt of the Maldives government led by President Mohamed Muizzu, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told his Maldivian counterpart Moosa Zameer Thursday that the development of India-Maldives ties was based on “mutual interests” and “reciprocal sensitivity” given that they are “close and proximate neighbours”.

Prerequisites:

— Location of Maldives on map

— What is the “India Out” poll plank of President Muizzu?

— What are the Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR vision?

Key takeaways: 

— The Maldives Foreign Minister and Jaishankar met in New Delhi a day ahead of the May 10 deadline set by President Muizzu for India to withdraw its military personnel from the island nation. Zameer’s visit is the first high-level visit to India after Muizzu came to power last November.

— India recently approved the highest-ever export quotas for essential commodities to the Maldives for 2024-25 under a unique bilateral mechanism. The approved quantities are the highest since this arrangement came into effect in 1981.

For Your Information:

— Significance of Maldives for India: Location and maritime security: Maldives’ proximity to the west coast of India, and its location at the hub of commercial sea lanes running through the Indian Ocean imbues it with significant strategic importance to India. The security scenario in India’s periphery in the Indian Ocean is very much linked to the maritime strength of Maldives.

— Defence: This is the reason why India invests on Maldives’ security by training its defence forces. Estimates suggest that almost 70 per cent of Maldives’ defence training is done by India…

— China: India is obviously concerned at the expanding Chinese footprint there. So, from a purely strategic perspective, India needs Maldives on its side to secure its maritime periphery, keep an eye on the Indian Ocean, and check the influence of China in its neighbourhood.

Points to Ponder: 

— What is the significance of India for Maldives?

(Thought Process: Mention the essentials that India supplies to Maldives, India’s support in Maldives’ education system, the economic dependence of Maldives on India–tourism–and India’s significant role during disasters.)

— What are the major challenges to the India-Maldives relationship?

— What steps can be taken by India to strengthen the relationship?

— India-Maldives: Historical evolution of the relationship, trade and economic ties, defence, recent MoUs, and hydrographic surveys

Post Read Question:

Prelims

India and Maldives are separated by which of the following channels?

(a) Seven Degree Channel

(b) Eight Degree Channel

(c) Nine Degree Channel

(d) Ten Degree Channel

Mains

In light of the Maldives’ growing closeness with China, evaluate the necessary steps India must take to reinforce its historical bonds with Maldives and effectively implement its ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ to mitigate potential security challenges.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

India-Maldives ties: Amid row, why the two countries need each other and what is at stake

Niti Aayog report finds ‘huge gap’ in cancer screening at Ayushman centres

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: GS-II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Government policies and interventions

What’s the ongoing story- Six years since the launch, the Ayushman Bharat insurance scheme has been availed of by more than 5.47 crore users across the country — making it the world’s largest medical insurance scheme. But when it comes to cancer screening at the HWCs, there is a “huge gap,” according to a report from 13 states prepared by NITI Aayog, the government’s premier policy think tank.

Prerequisites:

— What are the non-communicable diseases (NCD)?

— What is cervical cancer?

— What is the Ayushman Bharat Scheme?

— What are the various components of the Ayushman Bharat Scheme?

Key takeaways:

— This report was prepared by Niti Aayog’s Health and Family Welfare vertical in June last year. It has not been made public yet. It is learnt that its findings have been shared with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

— Besides the Rs 5-lakh insurance cover, the flagship Ayushman Bharat Scheme envisaged the upgrade of primary health centres to Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs). It offered a range of services that included annual screening for those 30 years or older for Non-Communicable Diseases: hypertension, diabetes, and three of the most common cancers in India — oral, breast and cervical.

— As per official protocol, there are three distinct methods of screening for the three cancers: oral visual examination for oral cancer; visual inspection with acetic acid for cervical cancer; and clinical breast examination (CBE) for breast cancer for the people in the age-group 30-65 years.

— Under the Ayushman upgrade, Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife (ANMs) at the HWCs were meant to be trained in these three screening methods. Also planned was the training of Medical Officers and Staff nurses.

— The report also flagged that although NCD screening was underway at most facilities, yearly screening was still largely absent.

— The NITI Aayog teams also found that the HWC staff had limited or no knowledge of the fact that the screening for hypertension and diabetes needed to be done on an annual basis.

— On infrastructure in the HCW, the news was better. The report said that it was in accordance with standards as envisaged in the operational guidelines.

— The gaps in cancer screening are significant in view of the government’s focus on prevention and detection of cancer at an early stage.

For Your Information:

— Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) was launched in September 2018. The scheme has taken the country closer to Sustainable Development Goal 3.8, which envisions universal health coverage.

— The scheme provides a health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation to more than 12 crore families (bottom 40 per cent of the population), making it the world’s largest health assurance scheme.

Points to Ponder: 

— What are the challenges of the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in India?

— What are the government initiatives related to NCDs?

— Why cancer cases are increasing in India?

— What necessary steps need to be taken?

Post Read Question:

With rising cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and cancer, analyze the importance of India’s investment in primary healthcare and acceleration of screening processes to tackle these health challenges effectively.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

Why are cancer cases soaring in India?

Five years of Ayushman Bharat: A shield for the vulnerable

Explained

Export-import in agri sector

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development

Mains Examination: GS-II, III: Government policies and interventions, Issues relating to poverty and hunger, marketing of agricultural produce

What’s the ongoing story- India’s agricultural exports fell 8.2% in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 on the back of shipment curbs on a host of commodities, from cereals and sugar to onions. The value of farm exports totaled $48.82 billion in 2023-24, down from the record $53.15 billion of 2022-23 and $50.24 billion for the previous fiscal, according to Department of Commerce data.

Prerequisites:

— What is inflation?

— What is the foreign exchange rate?

— What is the agricultural export policy?

— International organisation: UN-Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)

Key takeaways: 

— The global price recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine resulted in India’s farm exports as well as imports zooming to all-time-highs in 2022-23, before dropping in the fiscal just ended.

— Drivers of exports:  the fall in exports to have been led primarily by sugar and non-basmati rice. Concerns over domestic availability and food inflation have triggered ban on these products. Two other items that have borne the brunt of export restrictions — again triggered by domestic shortages and rising prices — are wheat and onion.

— Drivers of imports: There is 7.9% dip in overall agri imports during 2023-24 due to a single commodity: edible oils. Lower global prices, in turn, brought down the vegetable oil import bill to below $15 billion during last fiscal.

— But even as the foreign exchange outflow on account of cooking oil has reduced, imports of pulses almost doubled to $3.75 billion in 2023-24, the highest since the $3.90 billion and $4.24 billion levels of 2015-16 and 2016-17 respectively.

— Policy takeaways: When governments resort to banning/restricting agri export they usually privilege the interests of consumers over producers. There is a need for more rational export-import policy, balancing the interests of producers and consumers as well as the short- and long-term goals for the farm sector.

For Your Information:

— As India’s agricultural exports slipped nearly 9 per cent between April to February in FY24 to $43.7 billion due to the Red Sea crisis, the Russia-Ukraine war, along with domestic restrictions, the government has begun formulating plans to boost exports of 20 items, including bananas, mangoes, potatoes, and baby corn, that have significant growth potential in the global export markets.

Points to Ponder: 

— What is the Minimum Export Price (MEP)?

— What are the challenges in the Agri Export Policy of India?

— What are the government schemes to promote agri-export?

Post Read Question:

Examine the critical issues impeding India’s agricultural exports, and outline potential strategies to bolster the sector’s overall performance and international competitiveness.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

Govt plans to boost exports of 20 items, including bananas and mangoes, as agri exports slip 9%

Ashok Gulati writes: How we tame food inflation, and at whose cost

 

Meeting nutrition challenge: what new guidelines prescribe

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: GS-II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, and Human Resources.

What’s the ongoing story- With noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) — cardiovascular disease, cancers, diabetes, etc. — rising, and affecting adolescents and even children, India’s premier nutrition research institute has published comprehensive guidelines on the diet of vulnerable groups, including pregnant and lactating women, and children and the elderly.

Prerequisites:

— What is the difference between good cholesterol and bad cholesterol?

— What is anaemia?

— What is the difference between communicable and non-communicable diseases?

Key takeaways: 

— The guidelines say an estimated 56.4% of India’s total disease burden can be attributed to unhealthy diets. A healthy diet and physical activity can prevent 80% of Type 2 diabetes cases, and significantly reduce the burden of heart disease and high blood pressure.

— Optimal nutrition for mother and child from conception till the age of 2 years is linked to proper growth and development. It can prevent all forms of undernutrition, including micronutrient deficiencies, and obesity.

— Dual nutrient challenge of  micronutrient deficiencies and diseases of overnutrition. Anameia is still prevalent in the country.

— The “faulty dietary pattern” in which unhealthy, highly processed, high-fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) foods have become more affordable and accessible than healthier alternatives, “contributes to deficiencies in iron and folic acid, resulting in anaemia and in the higher prevalence of overweight and obesity among population groups,” the report says.

— General guidelines and group-specific (Pregnant women, infants and children, and elderly) have been provided.

For Your Information:

— Indians face 3 key health issues: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Malnutrition, and Communicable Diseases.

— India has seen a steady increase in obesity levels — not only in adults but children too — over the last 32 years. At the same time, the prevalence of undernutrition has also remained high in the country.

— As a result, India has become one of the countries with a high “double burden,” according to a new Lancet study, which examined the trends of malnutrition across the world over the last 32 years.

Points to Ponder: 

— Initiative of the government to tackle it

— What are the shortcomings of these initiatives?

— Role of AI in fighting these health challenges in a country like India

Post Read Question:

Consider the following statements:

1. Marasmus is the deficiency of proteins in the body.

2. Kwashiorkor is the deficiency of macronutrients in the body.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

Obesity on the rise, high levels of undernutrition persist in India: What a new study says

How to tackle malnutrition effectively

 

The Editorial Page

The recovery debate

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development

Mains Examination: GS-III: Economy

What’s the ongoing story- Ashima Goyal writes: “There are two views on India’s growth. The first argues that the fall in growth in the 2010s, worsened by the collapse during the pandemic, was because of fundamental flaws that persist. An alternative interpretation is that sufficient reforms have been undertaken to set off a virtuous growth cycle. To sustain this, it is important that counter-cyclical policy smooths over the shocks, while cost-reducing supply-side actions continue. Whichever view is taken will affect future policies and outcomes. But, what is the evidence for each?”

Prerequisites:

— What are the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Wholesale Price Index (WPI)?

— What is the Gross Value Added(GVA)?

— What is the Service Price Index?

— What is the Current Account Deficit?

— What is the Gross Capital Formation?

Key takeaways: 

— Several arguments and counter-arguments have been provided by the author on the growth trajectory of India.

— “Third, there is an attempt to over-interpret quarterly results that are subject to seasonal and base effects as well as measurement issues, to declare growth is collapsing…”

— “The fourth strategy is to question the data. The lower third-quarter gross value added (GVA) growth of 6.5 per cent was said to be more reliable since the sharp rise in product taxes minus subsidies that led to the difference was suspect.”

— “Sixth, it is argued that India did better than expected because global growth was higher. But India did not do well in 2019 despite good global growth. Appropriate domestic policy is essential.”

— “Continued robust growth for the fourth year after the pandemic, contained inflation and a reduction in poverty despite a fragile global environment.”

For Your Information:

— The Indian economy will grow at 7.6 per cent in the ongoing financial year (2023-24) as per the National Statistical Office’s second advance estimates of national income.

— State Bank of India (SBI) Chairman Dinesh Khara on Thursday said conditions in India are shaping up for an upshift in real GDP growth aided by robust investment demand and an improvement in business and consumer sentiments.

Points to Ponder: 

— What is the difference between GDP and GVA?

— How is GDP calculated in India?

— What are the concerns related to India’s GDP data?

— What is the role of private investment in spurring the growth of the economy?

Post Read Question:

Economic growth is usually coupled with (2011)

(a) Deflation

(b) Inflation

(c) Stagflation

(d) Hyperinflation

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

Express View on India’s GDP: Reading the spike

India’s GDP data for 2023-24’s Q3: Why have GDP and GVA growth rates diverged?

Together, step by step

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: GS-I: Society

What’s the ongoing story- Rinku Ghosh writes: Sometimes we have to realise that the journey for women’s equity in public discourse is not linear, measured by the steps taken, not taken or the two steps taken backwards. It is a constant churn in a systemic process that must squeeze out latent misogyny.

Prerequisites:

— What is the sexual harassment?

— What is the “MeToo” movement?

— What is patriarchy?

Key takeaways: 

— Examples to show women’s movements are only gathering steam on a slow burn: Saudi activist Manahel al-Otaibi,  Iranian women got support from marginalised women in Afghanistan, Women in Mexico are helping their US counterparts negotiate abortion bans and Chilean protest song, ‘The Rapist Is You’, has become a collective chant on violence against women everywhere across the world.

— “Truth is, the term “women’s empowerment” is the hand-me-down of an egotistical male largesse or guilt-tripping. The agency never lies with the women, who are never asked what they want, but who are given what men think they need as a dole.”

— “That’s why women have to be more strategic than exceptional, stay within the system and fight their way to leadership, earn it on their terms and never exit midway. If they quit, that would be the real end-of-the-road dreariness, worse, hopelessness.”

— “Sexual harassment is never about physical desire but a coercive tool to eliminate women competitors, who, statistics show are outperforming men, even in domains considered bastions of male expertise.”

— “The lens has to change from “protecting” women to “punishing” abusive oppressors. An existing male leadership cannot turn the wheel as much. A female leadership is needed for that countervailing push.”

For Your Information:

— According to UN Women reports, “there are gaping holes in women’s leadership. With just 27 percent of parliamentary seats, 36 percent of local government seats, and 28 percent of management positions held by women, the decision-making process continues to be disempowering.”

— “A staggering 8 per cent of the global female population survives on less than $2.15 a day… Only 61 per cent of prime working-age women participate in the labour force, compared to 91 per cent of prime working-age men…By 2050, women globally will still be spending 9.5 per cent more time (2.3 more hours per day) on unpaid care work than men…

— At least 28 countries do not have laws granting women equal rights to enter marriage and initiate divorce, and 67 countries lack laws prohibiting direct and indirect discrimination against women”

Points to Ponder: 

— What is the PoSH Act?

— What are the legal measures for crime against women?

— What is the Internal Complaint Committee?

— What measures need to be taken to reduce crime against women?

Post Read Question:

How does patriarchy impact the position of a middle class working woman in India? (2014)

No need to panic

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance,

Mains Examination: GS-II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

What’s the ongoing story- Ten days after AstraZeneca admitted side effects of its Covid vaccine in rare cases, the company has withdrawn the shots, renamed Vaxzveria in 2021, from the global market. It has cited a “surplus of available updated vaccines” that target new variants of the virus as the reason for its decision.

Prerequisites:

— What is a viral vector?

— What is the mRNA technique?

— What is Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS)? What are its symptoms?

Key takeaways: 

— The vaccine major’s moves have generated negative sentiments bordering on panic, including among some people in India where AstraZeneca partnered with the Serum Institute of India to develop Covishield — the bulwark of the country’s fight against Covid.

— Covid inoculation drives are now subjects of intensive research. That’s how it should be. These studies help generate nuanced information about the safety and efficacy of the vaccines. — Besides helping epidemiologists understand how the jabs work on diverse sections of people, and reaffirming the potency of the shots, such studies shine the light on rare adverse reactions, including thrombosis and thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) — blood clots and low levels of platelets — associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

— Technologies used in the Covid jabs — whether the viral vector of AstraZeneca or the mRNA technique of some other developers — are part of a larger battle against infectious diseases.

— Alarmist reactions against the Covid jabs could raise the head of vaccine hesitancy and hurt the fight against other contagions.

For Your Information:

— TTS is also, known as vaccine-induced prothrombotic immune thrombocytopenia (VIPIT) or vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT).

— It is a rare syndrome reported in persons who received the adenoviral vector Covid-19 vaccines (there are several) and is generally understood to result from an immune response triggered by the adenovirus vector used in the vaccines.

Points to Ponder: 

— What is the new covid-19 variant?

— What is the Mission Covid Surakhsha?

— What are the different types of covid vaccine?

Post Read Question:

In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following statements: (2022)

1. The Serum Institute of India produced COVID-19 vaccine named Covishield using mRNA platform.

2. Sputnik. V vaccine is manufactured using vector-based platform.

3. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen-based vaccine.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

Side effects of AstraZeneca vaccine: Medicine is clear now to the courts

 

Express Network

Hindu population share dipped 7.82%, while that of Christians, Muslims, Sikhs rose: PM-EAC

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance

Mains Examination: GS-II: Issues related to minorities

What’s the ongoing story- The share of Hindu population in India has dipped 7.82 per cent while that of Muslims, Christians and Sikhs has seen a rise in the 65-year period between 1950 and 2015, a new analysis by Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (PM-EAC) has shown, suggesting a ‘conducive environment’ for increasing diversity.

Prerequisites:

— What is the role of PM-EAC?

— What is OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)?

— What is the Total Fertility Rate (TFR)?

Key takeaways: 

— The PM-EAC report titled ‘Share of Religious Minorities: A cross country analysis’ studied data on religious composition of populations for 167 countries. The dipping majority population and rising minority population in India was in line with global trends, also seen in Europe, but stood out in relation to India’s neighbours.

— While the population of Hindus declined 7.82 percent, the share of the Muslim population rose from 9.84 percent to 14.09 percent. The share of Christian population rose from 2.24 percent to 2.36 percent, the share of Sikh population increased from 1.24 percent to 1.85 percent and the share of the Buddhist population rose from 0.05 percent to 0.81 percent.

— The Jain and Parsi community population witnessed a dip. The share of Jains declined from 0.45 percent to 0.36 percent and the share of the Parsi population declined 85 percent from 0.03 percent to 0.0004 percent.

— According to Shamika Ravi, member of the PM-EAC, the Indian experience is similar to most of world’s high-income and liberal democracies, such as OECD countries which have seen a major decline in the share of majority religion.

— It said the total fertility rate (TFR) among all religious groups was declining and the highest decrease in TFR from 2005-06 to 2019-21 was observed among Muslims, a 1 percentage point drop in their TFR. Hindus saw a 0.7 percentage point drop.

Points to Ponder: 

— What are the constitutional provisions for the protection of minorities in India?

— How religious minority is different from a linguistic minority?

— Why is the government focussing on reducing TFR?

— What are the issues related to minorities in India?

— What does the government take the steps to ensure the safety and growth of minorities?

Post Read Question:

In India, if a religious sect/community is given “the status of a national minority, what special advantages it is entitled to? (2011)

1. It can establish and administer exclusive educational institutions.

2. The President of India automatically nominates a representative of the community to Lok Sabha.

3. It can derive benefits from the Prime Minister’s 15-Point Programme.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

Do Muslims have more children than others? Here’s what available data show

 

UPSC Ethics and Essay Snippet

‘Wordly Wise’ from The Editorial Page

“I’m trying to think, don’t confuse me with facts.”

-Plato

(Thought Process: What do you understand by ‘facts’? How do you interpret the phrase ‘trying to think’? Does not considering facts create gaps in your knowledge? What is a subjective and objective knowledge? In your opinion, are the obstacles and outside voices attempting to belittle your efforts and capabilities? If you have made up your mind already, do facts matter even then? This quote can be used in Ethics and Essays.)