UPSC Daily Current Affairs- 13th May 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I/Geography

Indian Ocean basin-wide (IOBW) Index

Source: DTE

Why in News?

Recent studies have highlighted the close relationship between the Indian Ocean basin-wide (IOBW) Index and dengue outbreaks in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

About Indian Ocean basin-wide (IOBW) Index:

• The IOBW Index signifies the average fluctuations in sea-surface temperatures across the tropical Indian Ocean and has become a crucial metric for anticipating the scale and timing of dengue epidemics in different nations.
• Its connection with the Southern Hemisphere outweighs its association with the Northern Hemisphere.
• It exerts a more noticeable influence on temperatures in tropical zones, such as Brazil, which faces a higher dengue incidence in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Dengue outbreaks peak in the Northern Hemisphere from July to October and in the Southern Hemisphere from February to April, aligning with the respective summer periods.
• Notably, when the index is positive, the incidence of dengue is more severe, whereas it is milder when the index is negative.
• The correlation between Indian Ocean temperatures and dengue occurrence likely stems from its impact on local temperatures via teleconnections—broad atmospheric patterns that facilitate the transfer of heat and moisture over extensive distances.

Key facts about Dengue:

• Dengue is caused by the dengue virus (DENV) and is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female mosquitoes, predominantly the Aedes aegypti species.
• The severe form of dengue, known as dengue hemorrhagic fever, can lead to severe bleeding, abrupt drops in blood pressure, and even fatalities.
• It is more prevalent in tropical and subtropical climates, with common symptoms including high fever, headaches, body pains, nausea, and rashes.

GS-I/Geography

Gulf of Aden

Source: Live Mint

Why in News?

Recently, six suspected pirates were apprehended by a European naval force for attacking an oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden. This incident highlights a resurgence in piracy attacks originating from Somalia.

Background

• Piracy off the Somali coast peaked in 2011 but has since declined. In 2011, there were 237 reported attacks, costing the global economy around $7 billion, with hefty ransoms paid.

• Concerns about a resurgence have surfaced with five reported incidents in the first quarter of 2024 off Somalia.

About the Gulf of Aden

• The Gulf of Aden is a significant water body located between Yemen, the Arabian Sea, Djibouti, and Somalia.
• It connects to the Red Sea in the northwest through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait and to the Arabian Sea in the east.
• It narrows into the Gulf of Tadjoura in Djibouti to the west.
• The Aden Ridge running through the middle causes the gulf to widen annually.
• Spanning about 900 km in length and 500 km in width, the Gulf covers an area of around 410,000 square kilometers.
• It serves as a vital shipping route, witnessing the passage of over 20,000 ships annually, including those transporting oil from the Persian Gulf.
• Due to its strategic location near the Suez Canal, the Gulf plays a crucial role in global trade despite being a piracy hotspot.
• Key cities along the Gulf of Aden include Aden and Mukalla in Yemen, and Djibouti City in Djibouti.

GS-I/Indian Society

Number of Children and Development

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

Once again, the Muslim population has become a point of discussion. Last month, PM Narendra Modi referred Muslims in India, suggesting they have a higher birth rate.

Trends of Muslim Population as per Data Point (NFHS-5 2019-21) published on April 23:

• Population Trends: The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister noted a Muslims in the total population increased by 43.15% between 1950 and 2015, the share of Hindus decreased by 7.82% between 1950 and 2015.
• The fertility rate of Muslims was 2.36 in 2019-21, much closer to the replacement level. The fertility rate is the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime. A rate of 2.1 (the ‘replacement level’) means that the population is stable.

Factors behind the High Population Growth of Muslims:

• Socio-economic Influence on Fertility: Socio-economic factors have a greater impact on fertility rates than religious beliefs. Educating girls, delaying marriage, raising awareness about family planning, and ensuring access to contraception are vital in lowering fertility rates.
• Regional Disparities in Fertility: Fertility rates among Muslim women differ based on the socio-economic development of regions.
• Early Marriage and Literacy: Early marriage among women aged 20-24 correlates with higher fertility rates. Conversely, higher literacy rates among women are associated with lower fertility rates.
• Lack of Family Planning Awareness: A significant number of women have never encountered family planning messages, indicating a lack of awareness.
• Unmet Demand for Family Planning: Many women, particularly Muslims in certain regions, have an unmet need for family planning due to limited access to contraceptives.
• Government Intervention: Government efforts such as promoting contraceptive awareness, improving access to family planning services, educating girls, and preventing early marriages are crucial for reducing fertility rates among all religious groups.

Need for Coercive Measures: 

• Comprehensive Education and Awareness Programs: Implement educational campaigns that promote family planning, gender equality, and reproductive health awareness, targeting both men and women in communities across the country.
• Access to Family Planning Services: Ensure easy access to a wide range of family planning methods and contraceptives, including in remote and underserved areas, through government health facilities and community outreach programs.

GS-II/International Relations

China Surpasses US as India's Top Trading Partner

Source: Wionews

Why in News?

China has become India's largest trading partner in the fiscal year 2023-24, surpassing the US with a two-way commerce of $118.4 billion, as per data released by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI).

• India witnessed a trade deficit with China, with imports increasing by 3.24% to $101.7 billion and exports rising by 8.7% to $16.67 billion in FY24.
• Imports from China have surged significantly in recent years, growing by 44.7% from $70.32 billion to $101.75 billion between FY19 and FY24.
• India's major imports from China include electrical and electronic equipment, engineering goods, chemicals, plastics, and textiles.
• On the other hand, major exports from India to China consist of engineering goods, agricultural products, ores and minerals, chemicals, and petroleum products.

Reasons Behind High Trade Deficit with China

• The trade deficit between India and China has increased from USD 53.57 billion in FY2019 to USD 85.09 billion in FY2024.
• Factors contributing to the trade deficit include a gap between domestic production and demand, export of raw materials while importing finished goods, and India's heavy reliance on Chinese imports in various sectors.
• India's exports mainly consist of primary commodities like iron ore, cotton, copper, aluminum, and diamonds, while China primarily exports machinery, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and textiles to India.
• India's pharmaceutical industry heavily depends on Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) imported from China, highlighting a critical aspect of the trade relationship.

Strategic Implications of Widening Trade Deficit

• India's trade relations with China have faced scrutiny due to the country's significant dependence on critical Chinese products, such as telecom components, pharma products, and advanced technology.
• China's dominance in key industrial sectors, including machinery, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and textiles, poses strategic challenges for India, impacting not only the economy but also national security.
• India has implemented measures like production-linked incentive schemes, anti-dumping duties, and quality control orders to reduce its reliance on Chinese imports and enhance domestic production.

India-US Bilateral Trade Relations

• In FY24, India-US two-way trade reached $118.3 billion, with exports declining by 1.32% to $77.5 billion and imports decreasing by 20% to $40.8 billion.
• Over the last five years, trade with the US has shown positive growth, with significant increases in exports and imports, leading to an expanded trade surplus for India.

Trade Relations with Other Countries

• In 2023-24, the UAE emerged as India's third-largest trading partner with a trade volume of USD 83.6 billion, followed by Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore.
• Russia witnessed a substantial increase in trading figures, with a significant rise in exports but a much larger increase in imports, widening the trade deficit.
• Saudi Arabia experienced a doubling of exports, while imports rose at a slower pace, reducing the trade deficit slightly.
• The trade relationship with the UAE saw growth in both exports and imports, resulting in a shift from a trade surplus to a deficit for India.

GS-II/Polity and Governance

Supreme Court cautions on 'history sheets': All you need to know about the practice

Source: Indian Express

Why in News? 

Recently, the Supreme Court highlighted concerns regarding 'history sheets' and caste biases in police records.

• Definition of History Sheets: History sheets are records maintained by police against individuals suspected of habitual criminal activities, irrespective of convictions.
• Initiation Process: The process of opening a history sheet varies across states and is typically initiated by the Station House Officer (SHO) based on criminal involvement.
• Contents of a History Sheet:
  • Includes detailed descriptions aiding identification.
  • Lists the individual's relations and connections.
  • Details the individual's property and means of livelihood.

Legal Battles involving Amanatullah Khan

• Background: AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan contested a history sheet and 'Bad Character' designation by Delhi police.
• Delhi High Court Decision: In January 2023, Khan's plea was dismissed by the Delhi High Court citing adherence to police rules.
• Supreme Court Intervention: While the SC rejected Khan's appeal, it directed police to exclude details of his minor family members in the history sheet.

Constitutional and Legal Provisions for Accused Persons in India

• Article 20: Guards against arbitrary punishment of accused individuals.
• Article 21: Ensures the right to life and personal liberty through due process of law.
• Section 50(1) of the CrPC: Ensures dignity and respect for arrested individuals during detention.

Way Forward

• Review and Revise Police Procedures: States must scrutinize and amend police protocols to eliminate caste biases in history sheets.
• Training and Sensitization: Regular training programs are essential for police personnel to combat caste prejudices and uphold impartiality.

GS-III/Science and Technology

Zero-Day Vulnerability (ZDV)

Source: News 18

Why in News?

Recently, Google Chrome faced a zero-day vulnerability, causing concern among users and cybersecurity experts.

Understanding Zero-Day Vulnerability:

• Definition:

  A zero-day vulnerability is a flaw in software or a system that is unknown to the vendor, lacking any available patches or means of mitigation when initially discovered.

• Zero-Day Attack and Exploit:

  The term 'zero-day attack' refers to an attack that exploits a vulnerability immediately upon its discovery, with no delay. Hackers utilize zero-day exploits, such as malware, to take advantage of these vulnerabilities.

• Risk Factors:

  Zero-day vulnerabilities pose a higher risk due to the following reasons:

  • Cybercriminals rush to exploit these vulnerabilities for their malicious activities.
  • Systems remain vulnerable until the vendor releases a patch.
  • Once a zero-day vulnerability is disclosed, it becomes an 'n-day' or 'one-day' vulnerability.

GS-III/Environment and Ecology

Peregrine Falcon

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

Project Raptor Watch (PRW) of the Madras Naturalist’s Society, who have been tracking peregrines, aims to document, study and monitor raptor species in Tamil Nadu.

About Peregrine Falcon:

• It is widely distributed across the world, being present on all continents except Antarctica and numerous oceanic islands.
• Habitat:
  • They are typically found in open habitats like grasslands, tundra, and meadows.
  • Most commonly seen in tundra and coastal regions, they are less frequent in sub-tropical and tropical areas.
  • Nesting occurs on cliff faces and crevices.
  • These falcons are diurnal and establish territories, especially when not breeding.
• Ecological Role: Peregrine falcons serve as top predators, playing a crucial part in controlling the populations of their prey, notably pigeons and doves.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.

GS-III/Economy 

Illegal Immigration

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh stated that 5,801 illegal immigrants from Myanmar were identified in Kamjong district following a civil war in the neighboring country, bringing the issue of illegal migration back into the spotlight.

Background:

The topic of illegal immigration is highly sensitive, requiring consideration of humanitarian aspects alongside others.

Threat to Internal Security:

• Illegal migrants, including alleged militants like NSCN/KUFLA, enter India for terrorist activities.
• Human trafficking and smuggling, especially of women, have surged across borders.
• Tension escalates with high migration levels coupled with social exclusion factors like poverty and inadequate housing.
• Government faces increased pressure to provide education and healthcare facilities to immigrants.
• Many illegal immigrants unlawfully enlist in voting lists to claim citizenship.
• Influx of immigrants leads to an identity crisis among the local population.
• Immigrants encroach upon forest areas for settlement and cultivation, sparking conflicts over resource use.

Laws in India to Tackle Illegal Migration:

• The central government can deport illegal foreign nationals under the Foreigners Act of 1946.
• State governments are empowered to forcibly remove illegal foreigners under the Passport (Entry into India) Act of 1920.
• The Citizenship Act of 1955 governs Indian citizenship acquisition and determination.

Way Forward:

• Establishing an effective refugee policy is crucial to addressing illegal immigration.
• India should diplomatically engage neighboring countries for cooperation in tackling illegal migration.
• Introducing identity cards for borderland residents can help in monitoring border crossings.
• Completing border fencing in vulnerable areas is essential for border security.
• Utilizing regional forums like BIMSTEC can facilitate discussions on migration issues and enhance coordination among member countries.
• Strengthening border guards such as BSF and ITBP, and creating a secondary defense line through state police forces, is imperative.