Weekly Current Affairs (1st to 7th July 2023) Part - 1 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Mahalanobis's Approach: Addressing India's Big Data and AI Challenges

Context: India celebrated National Statistics Day on June 29th, commemorating the birthday of Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, renowned as the 'Plan Man' of India. 

• As India grapples with the challenges of Big Data and the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI), reflecting on Mahalanobis's approach can offer insights into addressing these issues effectively. 

What are the Major Contributions of PC Mahalanobis? 

About:  

• Professor P.C. Mahalanobis, a prominent scientist and statistical pioneer, contributed significantly in the field of data collection, analysis, and planning for national development. 
• He was born in Calcutta (now Kolkata). His grandfather Gurucharan was a social reformer and a follower of Debendranath Tagore, the father of Rabindranath Tagore.  

Major Contributions:  

• In 1931, he founded the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in Calcutta, with the aim of promoting research and education in statistics and related disciplines.  
• He also founded Sankhya, the first Indian statistical journal, in 1933. 
• In 1955, he was appointed as a member of the Planning Commission of India by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.  
• He played a key role in designing India’s strategy for industrialisation and economic development in the Second Five-Year Plan (1956-61), also known as Mahalanobis Plan based on his own mathematical model that emphasized heavy industries and capital goods. 
• Also, his involvement in the establishment and shaping of Rabindranath Tagore's Visva Bharati University highlights his significant contributions beyond statistics 
• In 1968, he was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan. 

What Insights Does Mahalanobis's Approach Provide for Tackling India's Big Data and AI Challenges?  

Regulating AI and Mahalanobis's Influence: 

• As AI poses challenges such as job displacement, spread of disinformation and other ethical concers, there is a global push for its regulation. 
• Mahalanobis's introduction of built-in cross-checks in his surveys, inspired by Kautilya's Arthashastra, demonstrates his foresight in ensuring data integrity. 
• Mahalanobis's approach reminds us of the importance of rigorous data preprocessing, ensuring fairness and transparency in AI algorithms.  
• For instance, when deploying AI in hiring processes, it is crucial to assess and mitigate biases to ensure equal opportunities for all candidates.  
• Mahalanobis's approach emphasizes the need to confront and address such challenges to build responsible and inclusive AI systems. 

Integration of Multiple Data Sources: 

• Mahalanobis advocated for integrating diverse data sources to capture a holistic view of the economy and society.  
• In the context of Big Data and AI, this implies incorporating various data streams, including structured and unstructured data, social media feeds, satellite imagery, and sensor data.  
• Such integration can facilitate comprehensive analysis and enable innovative applications.  
• For example, in agriculture, combining meteorological data, satellite imagery, and farmer-generated data can provide valuable insights on crop health, pest outbreaks, and optimal irrigation practices.  
• This approach enables the development of AI-driven solutions like precision agriculture, improving crop yields and farmers' livelihoods. 

Importance of Statistical Models: 

• Mahalanobis stressed the importance of statistical models to derive meaningful inferences and predictions. 
• In the era of Big Data and AI, advanced machine learning algorithms and predictive modeling techniques play a pivotal role in analyzing vast datasets.  
• These models can be employed in various domains, such as healthcare, finance, and urban planning. 
• For instance, by applying predictive models to healthcare data, policymakers can identify population health trends, forecast disease outbreaks, and allocate resources effectively.  
• This approach facilitates evidence-based decision-making and proactive interventions. 

National Research Foundation

Context: Recently, the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, has approved the introduction of the National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023 in Parliament.

What are the Features of the NRF Bill 2023?

Establishment of NRF:

• The bill, after approval in the Parliament, will establish NRF, an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in India as per recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP), at a total estimated cost of Rs. 50,000 crores during five years (2023-28).

Subsumption of SERB:

• The bill will repeal the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) established by an act of Parliament in 2008 and subsume it into NRF which has an expanded mandate and covers activities over and above the activities of SERB.

Administration and Governance:

• The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will be the administrative Department of NRF which will be governed by a Governing Board consisting of eminent researchers and professionals across disciplines.
• The Prime Minister will be the ex-officio President of the Board and the Union Minister of Science & Technology & Union Minister of Education will be the ex-officio Vice-Presidents.
• NRF’s functioning will be governed by an Executive Council chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

What is the National Research Foundation?

Objective:

• To ensure that scientific research was conducted and funded equitably and greater participation from the private sector was forthcoming.
• It will focus on creating a policy framework and putting in place regulatory processes that can encourage collaboration and increased spending by the industry on R&D.
• The NRF aims to involve colleges and universities in scientific research, as currently, less than 1% of the nearly 40,000 higher learning institutions in India are engaged in research.
• The NRF plans to build research capacities in universities by encouraging active researchers to take up NRF professorships, regardless of age, and collaborate with existing faculty.

Significance:

Promoting Research other than Natural Science:

• The NRF will fund and promote research not only in natural sciences but also in humanities, social sciences, and art.
• This integration is crucial for fostering creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills.
• Currently, research in these areas has limited funding sources. Establishing directorates for social sciences, Indian languages and knowledge systems, arts, and humanities is among the NRF's goals.

National Priorities:

• It seeks to identify priority areas where science and technology interventions can contribute to national objectives such as clean energy, climate change, sustainable infrastructure, improved transportation, and accessible and affordable healthcare.

Enhanced Funding:

• It seeks to increase funding for scientific research in India, both from government and private sources.
• Currently, India's spending on research and development is below 0.7 % of its GDP, when even countries like Egypt or Brazil spend more.
• US, China, Israel, Japan, and South Korea spend anywhere between 2 to 5% of their respective GDPs on scientific research.
• Insufficient funding has directly affected the quality and quantity of research output in India. The initial allocation of Rs 50,000 crore over five years for the NRF does not represent a substantial increase but is expected to grow as the NRF gains recognition and demonstrates progress.

What are the Initiatives to Foster R&D and Innovation in India?

• Sign Language AstroLab
• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)- National Physical Laboratory
• One Week - One Lab
• Science and Heritage Research Initiative
• Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST)
• National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations
• Mission on Advanced and High-Impact Research

Way Forward

• The establishment of the NRF in India holds immense potential to revolutionize the scientific research landscape. By broadening research participation, including social sciences, focusing on national priorities, and increasing funding, the NRF can address critical challenges, enhance research output, and foster innovation.
• With the NRF's effective implementation, India's scientific research ecosystem is poised for significant improvement, leading to transformative outcomes for the nation.

India- Philippines Ties

Context: Recently, 5th meeting of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation was convened,  between Indian External Affairs Minister and his Philippines counterpart.

• India and the Philippines are exploring various avenues to enhance their defence cooperation, with a particular emphasis on maritime security.

Why in News?

• Recently, 5th meeting of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation was convened, between Indian External Affairs Minister and his Philippines counterpart.
• India and the Philippines are exploring various avenues to enhance their defence cooperation, with a particular emphasis on maritime security.

What are the Major Highlights of the Meet?

• Defense Cooperation: Both Ministers expressed keen interest to continue to work together on defense cooperation, including through the regular or upgraded official-level interaction among defense agencies, opening of a resident Defense Attache office in Manila, consideration of India’s offer for concessional Line of Credit to meet Philippines’ defense requirements.
• Maritime Security: Both countries aim to cooperate on maritime domain awareness (MDA), joint patrols, and information exchange to enhance MDA capabilities.
  • Emphasizing the utility of MDA, the Ministers called for the early operationalization of the standard operating procedure for the White Shipping Agreement between the Indian Navy and the Philippines Coast Guard.
• Cyber Security Cooperation: Discussions focused on expanding cooperation in existing domains, including anti-terrorism measures and intelligence exchange. Both countries explored avenues for collaboration in cyber security, artificial intelligence, and space cooperation.
• Regional and International Issues: The Ministers engaged in wide-ranging discussions on regional and international issues of mutual interest for e.g., China’s growing assertiveness and territorial claims in the South China Sea.
  • Emphasizing the need for a peaceful settlement of disputes and adherence to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea.

How is India’s Relations with Philippines?

• About: India and the Philippines are two democratic countries in the Indo-Pacific region that share common approach towards the Indo-Pacific, emphasizing the importance of a free, open, and stable region.
• Political Relations: India and the Philippines formally established diplomatic relations on 26 November 1949, shortly after both countries gained independence. (Philippines in 1946 and India in 1947).
  • When India launched Look East Policy and intensified partnership with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1992, it also resulted in intensified relations with the Philippines both bilaterally and in the regional context.
  • With the Act East Policy (2014), the relationship with the Philippines has diversified further into political-security; trade and industry, etc.
• Economic Relations: India is currently the Philippines' fifteenth largest trading partner, with trade worth approximately USD 3 billion in the 2022.
  • Also, Philippines has been a net importer in goods trade with India.
• Defence Cooperation: India and the Philippines have a growing defense and security partnership. One of the most significant developments in defence cooperation between India and the Philippines is the BrahMos missile deal, which is expected to be finalised soon.
  • The BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile co-developed by India and Russia, which can be launched from land, sea or air platforms.

What are the Key Facts About Philippines?

• The Philippines is an archipelago located in Southeast Asia, bordered by the Philippine Sea to the east, the South China Sea to the west, and the Celebes Sea to the south.
• It consists of 7,641 islands, with Luzon and Mindanao being the largest.
• The capital city is Manila, situated on Luzon Island.
• Mount Apo (2,954 meters) on Mindanao Island is the highest peak, and it is an active volcano.
• The Philippines has a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity year-round, experiencing wet and dry seasons.
• The Philippines is considered one of the world's biodiversity hotspots.
• The Philippines is also a part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, which makes it geologically active. It has more than 20 active volcanoes, including Mayon (recently erupted in 2023), Taal, and Mount Pinatubo (erupted in 1991).

Deep Sea Mining

Context: The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is preparing to allow Deep Sea Mining in the International Seabed, including mining for minerals needed for Green Energy.

• The ISA’s Legal and Technical Commission, which oversees the development of deep sea mining regulations, will meet in early July 2023 to discuss the mining code draft. The earliest that mining under ISA regulations could begin is 2026.

What is Deep Sea Mining?

• Deep sea mining involves removing mineral deposits and metals from the ocean’s seabed.
• There are three types of such mining,
• Taking deposit-rich polymetallic nodules off the ocean floor
• Mining massive seafloor sulfide deposits
• Stripping cobalt crusts from rock.
• These nodules, deposits and crusts contain materials, such as nickel, rare earths, cobalt and more, that are needed for batteries and other materials used in tapping Renewable Energy and also for everyday technology like cellphones and computers.
• Companies and governments view these as strategically important resources that will be needed as onshore reserves are depleted and demand continues to rise.

What are the Environmental Concerns related to Deep Sea Mining?

• Deep Sea Mining can damage the Marine Ecosystem and ecosystems. Damage from mining can include noise, vibration and light pollution, as well as possible leaks and spills of fuels and other chemicals used in the mining process.
• Sediment plumes from some mining processes are a major concern. Once valuable materials are extracted, slurry sediment plumes are sometimes pumped back into the sea. That can harm filter feeding species like corals and sponges and could smother or otherwise interfere with some creatures.
• Deep-sea mining would go beyond harming the seabed and have a wider impact on fish populations, marine mammals and the essential function of the deep-sea ecosystems in regulating the climate.

How is Deep Sea Mining Regulated?

• Countries manage their own maritime territory and exclusive economic zones, while the high seas and the international ocean floor are governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS).
• Under the treaty, the seabed and its mineral resources are considered the “common heritage of mankind” that must be managed in a way that protects the interests of humanity through the sharing of economic benefits, support for marine scientific research, and protecting marine environments.

What is the International Seabed Authority?

About:

• The ISA is an autonomous organization within the United Nations common system, with headquarters located in Kingston, Jamaica.
• All States parties to the 1982 UNCLOS are members of the Authority, amounting to 168 members, including the European Union.
• The Authority is one of the three international institutions established by UNCLOS;
• The other two are the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

Objective:

• Its primary function is to regulate exploration for, and exploitation of deep seabed minerals found in 'the Area', which is defined by the Convention as the seabed and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, that is, beyond the outer limits of the continental shelf.
• The Area comprises just over 50 % of the entire seabed on Earth.

Way Forward

• Applications for mining must be considered and environmental impact assessments need to be carried out.
• In the meantime, some companies — such as Google, Samsung, BMW and others — have backed the World Wildlife Fund’s call to pledge to avoid using minerals that have been mined from the planet’s oceans.
• More than a dozen countries—including France, Germany and several Pacific Island nations— have officially called for a ban, pause or moratorium on deep sea mining at least until environmental safeguards are in place, although it’s unclear how many other countries support such mining.

India-Africa Partnership: Achievements, Challenges, and Roadmap 2030

Context: Recently, the 20-member Africa Expert Group (AEG), established by the Vivekananda International Foundation, presented a Report titled ‘India-Africa Partnership: Achievements, Challenges and Roadmap 2030’.

• The report highlights India's significant partnership with Africa and emphasizes the importance of regular policy review and implementation to strengthen the relationship.
• With Africa accounting for around 17% of the global population and projected to reach 25% by 2050, India recognizes its crucial role in the partnership as a rising global power.

What are the Key Highlights of the Report?

Changes in Africa:

• Africa is undergoing significant changes in its demographics, economy, politics, and society. It is gradually moving towards regional integration and is committed to promoting democracy, peace, and progress.
• However, some countries like Ethiopia, Sudan, and the Central African Republic are still grappling with challenges posed by insurgency, ethnic violence, and terrorism.

Competition and External Players:

• Several external partners, including China, Russia, the United States, the European Union, Japan, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, are actively competing to strengthen their relations with different parts of Africa.
• They aim to secure market access, energy and mineral resources, and enhance their political and economic influence in the region.

China’s Involvement:

• China has stood out as Africa's largest economic partner since 2000. It plays a significant role as an infrastructure developer, resource provider, and financier in Africa.
• China has made substantial investments in terms of finances, materials, and diplomatic efforts.

What are the Recommendations to Strengthen India- Africa Ties?

Strengthen Political and Diplomatic Cooperation:

• Restore periodic leaders' summits through the India-Africa Forum Summit.
• Indo Africa Forum Summit is a programme fully sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) with a view to develop Indo-Africa cooperation by helping African countries to develop their own potential for development in human resource and agriculture etc.
• Seek consensus among G-20 members on the AU's (African Union) full membership.
• Establish a dedicated secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for African affairs.

Enhance Defence and Security Cooperation:

• Increase the number of defence attachés in Africa and expand dialogue on defence issues.
• Strengthen maritime collaboration and extend Lines of Credit to facilitate defence exports.
• Expand cooperation in counterterrorism, cyber security, and emerging technologies.

Deepen Economic and Development Cooperation:

• Promote India-Africa trade through the creation of an Africa Growth Fund (AGF) to enhance access to finance.
• Implement measures to improve project exports and enhance cooperation in the shipping domain.
• Focus on trilateral cooperation and deepen science and technology collaboration.

Increase Socio-Cultural Cooperation:

• Facilitate greater interaction between Indian and African universities, think tanks, civil society, and media organizations.
• Establish a National Centre for African Studies.
• Rename Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships after famous African figures.
• Liberalize visa measures for African students pursuing higher education in India and provide short-term work visas.

Implementing the ‘Roadmap 2030’:

• Establish a special mechanism for implementing the 'Roadmap 2030' through collaboration between the MEA and the National Security Council Secretariat.
• Create a team of officials led jointly by the Secretary, Africa in the MEA, and a designated Deputy National Security Adviser.
• By following this roadmap and implementing the recommended measures, India can further strengthen its partnership with Africa, leveraging the continent's potential and contributing to its own global stature.

What are the Achievements of India-Africa Relations?

Economic Cooperation:

• For Indian businesses, Africa presents a massive untapped market for manufacturing goods such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, automobiles and light machinery.
• From 2011–2022, shows an increase in India's total goods trade with Africa from USD 68.54 billion to USD 90.52 billion. Also, in 2022, for the first time, India reached a positive trade balance.

Development Assistance:

• The ITEC program offers training and capacity building programs to African professionals. India has also extended lines of credit and grants for infrastructure projects, agricultural development, and capacity building.

Health Collaboration:

• Indian pharmaceutical companies have provided affordable generic medicines to African countries, contributing to improved healthcare access. India has also deployed medical teams and offered technical assistance to combat diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and Ebola.

Defence Cooperation:

• India has signed MoUs with all African nations on the Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) is evidence of increased defence engagement with African countries.
• The hosting of two India-Africa Defence Dialogue (IADD) at the defense ministers’ level, on the sidelines of the Defence Expo at Lucknow (2020) and Gandhinagar (2022), also underlines the growing importance of the defence domain in India-Africa engagement.
• In 2022, India started the first edition of the Trilateral Maritime Exercise with Tanzania and Mozambique to enhance maritime cooperation in the region

Technology and Digital Cooperation:

• Under the Pan African e-Network Project (initiated in 2009), India has set up a fibre-optic network to provide satellite connectivity, tele-medicine and tele-education to countries of Africa.
• The subsequent phase, e-VidyaBharti and e-ArogyaBharti (e-VBAB), introduced in 2019, focused on providing free tele-education to African students and continuing medical education for healthcare professionals.

What is the Importance of Africa for India?

• Africa is home to over half a dozen of the fastest growing countries of this decade such as Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, etc. making it one of the growth poles of the world.
• Real GDP in Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa in the past decade has grown by more than twice the rate in the 1980s and 90's.
• The African continent has a population of over one billion with a combined GDP of 2.5 trillion dollars making it a huge potential market.
• Africa is a resource rich nation dominated by commodities like crude oil, gas, pulses and lentils, leather, gold and other metals, all of which India lacks in sufficient quantities.
• Namibia and Niger are among the top ten global producers of uranium.
• South Africa is the world's largest producer of platinum and chromium.
• India is seeking diversification of its oil supplies away from the Middle East and Africa can play an important role in India’s energy matrix.