UPSC Daily Current Affairs - 11th April 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

On Unemployment in Indian States

Subject: Social Issues

Why in News?

A recent report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Institute for Human Development (IHD) highlighted that the majority of unemployed individuals in India are young graduates.

Unemployment across Indian States:

• Goa stands out with the highest unemployment rate, reaching nearly 10%, which is more than three times the national average.
• States like Goa, Kerala, Haryana, and Punjab, known for their relatively higher economic status, are among the top five states with elevated unemployment rates.
• Conversely, Maharashtra and Gujarat, prosperous states in western India, exhibit unemployment rates significantly below the national average.
• Most northern and southern states in India report unemployment rates surpassing the national average, with Karnataka being an exception in the southern region.
• Out of the 27 states considered, 12 states have unemployment rates lower than the national average.
• Except for Maharashtra and Gujarat, states with unemployment rates below the national average generally have lower per capita incomes.

Relationship between Urbanisation and Unemployment (Observations by ILO):

• An inverse correlation is observed between self-employment and unemployment rates, showing a decrease in self-employment alongside rising unemployment.
• A considerable portion of self-employment occurs informally within the agricultural and rural sectors.
• States with a higher urban labor force percentage tend to exhibit higher unemployment rates, indicating a positive relationship between urbanization and unemployment.
• Highly urbanized states like Goa and Kerala face elevated unemployment rates due to limited informal job opportunities in urban areas compared to the agricultural sector.
• Although urban informal sectors exist, their capacity to absorb job-seekers is restricted compared to rural agriculture.
• States like Gujarat and Maharashtra, despite being heavily urbanized, maintain lower unemployment rates than states such as Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Conclusion:

• To combat youth unemployment, efforts should focus on enhancing the quality of education to align with market demands, fostering skill development for modern industries, promoting entrepreneurship, and creating more employment opportunities in rural areas.
• Policy interventions should target these areas to achieve inclusive growth and generate more employment opportunities.

Source: The Hindu

GS-II

Curative Petition

Subject: Polity and Governance

Why in News?

The Supreme Court recently utilized a curative writ petition to revive the 2019 Delhi High Court judgment related to the Delhi Metro arbitration award.

About Curative Petition

• Definition: The curative petition serves as the final recourse for individuals seeking justice, aligning with the promises made by the Indian Constitution.
• Purpose: It allows individuals to request a review and alteration of a court's own decision after a review petition has been dismissed.

Objective of Curative Petition

• Main Goal: The primary objective is to prevent any miscarriage of justice and to safeguard against the misuse of legal processes.

Historical Background

• Origin: The concept of curative petition emerged from the 2002 case of Rupa Ashok Hurra Vs. Ashok Hurra, where the Supreme Court addressed the issue of rectifying severe miscarriages of justice.

Constitutional Aspect

• Article 137: This article of the Indian Constitution broadly supports the concept of the curative petition, granting the Supreme Court the authority to review judgments related to laws and rules specified under Article 145.
• Conditions: A curative petition can be considered if there was a violation of natural justice principles, lack of opportunity for the petitioner to present their case, or if there are concerns about judicial bias.

Hearing of Curative Petitions

• Procedure: Initially, a curative petition is reviewed by a panel of the three most senior judges along with the judges involved in the original judgment.
• Decision-Making: If the majority of judges agree on the necessity of a hearing, the petition is listed before the same bench whenever possible.
• Process: Typically, curative petition decisions are made by judges in chambers, with the option for an open-court hearing upon request.
• Assistance: The bench may request a senior counsel to act as amicus curiae during the consideration of the petition.
• Penalties: In cases where a petition is deemed meritless and frivolous, the court has the right to impose punitive costs on the petitioner.

Source : Indian Express

QS World University Rankings

Subject: Polity and Governance

Why in News?

Sixty-nine Indian universities have been included in the 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject, totaling 424 entries.

About QS World University Rankings:

• Published annually by Quacquarelli Symonds, the QS list ranks the top 1,000 universities globally, evaluating them in 55 specific subjects and five broader areas.

Highlights of the 2024 Rankings:

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) holds the top position for the 12th consecutive year.
• Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) is the highest-ranked Indian institution, securing the 149th position.
• India has 69 universities with 424 entries on the list, showing a 19.4% increase from the previous year.
• India ranks second in Asia for the number of universities listed, following mainland China.
• India holds the fourth spot globally in the total number of entries, behind China, Japan, and South Korea.
• Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) leads among Indian institutions in development studies, securing the 20th position globally.
• 12 Indian Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) are in the top 100, with 69 HEIs ranked in 44 out of 55 subjects.
• India has made significant progress, with a 20% improvement in Citations per Paper, indicating strong research capabilities.
• India is the fourth-largest producer of research globally, generating 1.3 million academic papers, following China, the US, and the UK.
• However, India faces challenges in receiving citations in top global journals, with only 15% of its research being cited in such publications between 2017 and 2021.

Source: Indian Express

Candidates have a Right to Privacy from Voters: SC

Subject: Polity and Governance

Why in News?

The Supreme Court ruled that candidates have the right to privacy from voters.

• Candidates are not obligated to disclose every detail of their personal lives to the public.
• Voters' Right to Know about candidates is not absolute.

Right to Privacy in India

• The Right to Privacy is considered a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
• Article 21 safeguards the right to life and personal liberty.
• In the Puttaswamy case of 2017, the Supreme Court recognized privacy as an essential aspect of personal liberty and dignity.
• Privacy includes informational privacy, decisional autonomy, bodily integrity, and spatial privacy.
• It protects individuals from unwarranted intrusions into their private lives.

Corrupt Practices under the RPA

• Corrupt practices under the Representation of People Act, 1951 include bribery, undue influence, spreading false information, and promoting enmity among citizens.
• Undue influence, as per Section 123(2), involves interfering with electoral rights through various means.
• Undue influence can take the form of threats, coercion, promises of reward, or exploiting vulnerabilities.

Supreme Court's Verdict

Emphasis on Candidate's Right to Privacy

• The Supreme Court highlighted the importance of a candidate's right to privacy.
• Non-disclosure does not necessarily indicate a defect in candidacy.
• Candidates are not required to disclose every movable property unless relevant to their candidature.

Case-specific Evaluation

• Each case should be judged independently without applying blanket rules.
• Non-disclosure of personal possessions may not be a substantial defect under the law.

Example of "High-value" Assets

• Failure to disclose high-value assets that reflect a lavish lifestyle could be seen as undue influence.
• Possession of low-value items might not be considered a significant issue.

Source: The Hindu

GS-III

Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC)

Subject: Science and Technology

Why in News?

The White House has instructed NASA to develop a time standard for the Moon known as Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC) by the end of 2026. This initiative is aimed at enhancing coordination among various international entities and private enterprises operating on the lunar surface.

• Timekeeping Challenges on the Moon: The Moon follows its own day and night cycle, lasting approximately 29.5 Earth days. Currently, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is used to measure time on the Moon, although the significant difference in day lengths between the Moon and Earth makes using UTC for daily activities on the Moon impractical.
• Coordinated Universal Time (UTC): UTC, established on January 1, 1960, is based on International Atomic Time (TAI) maintained by atomic clocks worldwide. It serves as the primary time standard for numerous countries, international organizations, and scientific institutions.
• Need for a Lunar Time Standard: Earth's time standard, primarily UTC, poses challenges when applied to the Moon due to gravitational and rotational differences. Establishing a dedicated Lunar Time Standard is crucial for ensuring accurate time measurement on the Moon.
• Technical Considerations for LTC: LTC cannot rely on UTC due to the disparities between Earth and Moon time. Deployment of atomic clocks on the lunar surface, synchronized through algorithms, is proposed to create a unified time standard for lunar operations.
• Synthesizing Time Measurements: Placing atomic clocks at various lunar locations allows for time measurement synchronization on the Moon. The output from these clocks will be harmonized using algorithms to establish a cohesive time standard tied to UTC for Earth-based operations.
• Benefits of Lunar Time: Introducing a lunar time zone facilitates scientific experiments and data collection on the Moon. It also helps prevent discrepancies and errors that may arise from using distinct timekeeping systems on Earth and the Moon.

Source: Times of India 

Invasive Alien Species and their Management

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Why in News?

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration recently requested assistance from the Wildlife Institute of India to address the growing population of chital (spotted deer) on Ross Island, also known as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island.

Definition of Invasive Alien Species (IAS)

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) characterizes invasive alien species as species that, when introduced or spread beyond their natural range, pose a threat to biological diversity.

• IAS include animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms, impacting various ecosystems.
• According to the CBD, key traits of IAS involve their capability to "arrive, survive, and thrive" in new environments.

Legal Definition in India

In India, the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 (amended in 2022) defines IAS more narrowly.

• It identifies IAS as non-native animal or plant species whose introduction or spread can threaten local wildlife and habitats.
• This definition specifically excludes species within India that may be invasive to specific regions, like the chital in the Andamans.

Examples of Invasive Wildlife in India

Various species have been introduced in India, with detrimental effects on local ecosystems.

• Fish Species: African catfish, Nile tilapia, red-bellied piranha, alligator gar.
• Turtle Species: Notably, the red-eared slider from North America, impacting local freshwater species due to rapid reproduction.

Impact of IAS on Native Flora and Fauna

Invasive species disrupt ecosystems and pose various threats to native flora and fauna.

• Disruption of Ecosystem Balance: Invasive species can disturb food chains and dominate ecosystems where competition is lacking.
• Specific Examples: African catfish preying on waterfowl in Keoladeo Park, Bharatpur; chital hindering native vegetation regeneration in the Andamans.

IAS' Economic Impact

The economic impact of IAS is substantial, both globally and locally.

• Global Perspective: The IPBES reported a high economic cost due to the introduction of alien species worldwide.
• Local Implications: The cotton mealybug, a North American invasive species, significantly affecting cotton crops in the Deccan region, leading to considerable yield losses.

Source: Science Direct

Wigner Crystal

Why in News? 

Scientists have for the first time successfully visualized the elusive Wigner crystal, a strange kind of matter that is made entirely of electrons.

About Wigner Crystal

• Definition: A Wigner crystal is the solid phase of electrons, initially theorized by Eugene Wigner in 1934. It represents one of the primary many-body phases sustained by electron-electron interaction.
• Formation: When electrons interact, they can spontaneously arrange themselves into a crystal-like structure or lattice, densely packed together. This phenomenon occurs at low densities and extremely cold temperatures due to the dominance of potential energy over kinetic energy.
• Behavior: In a Wigner crystal, electrons exhibit behavior governed by quantum physics rather than classical physics. They behave more like a single wave rather than individual particles, following the laws of quantum mechanics.
• Stability: Wigner crystals are stable at very low densities. As density increases, kinetic energy becomes more significant, leading to the melting of the crystal structure.
• Observation Challenges: Experimental observation of Wigner crystals is challenging due to their fragility in environmental conditions. They are highly sensitive to external influences, making them elusive to study.

Source: Indian Express

GS-IV

Corruption has risen over the past five years, say 55% of respondents

Subject: Ethics

Why in News?

In the run-up to elections, political parties make allegations of corruption against their rivals to reach out to voters and influence voting patterns. So, let’s see about the corruption trend in India.

Corruption Trends in India

Definition of Corruption: 

• Corruption involves dishonest or unethical behavior where individuals or institutions misuse their power or resources for personal gain.
• It includes practices like bribery, embezzlement, fraud, nepotism, cronyism, and favoritism. Corruption undermines fairness, integrity, and accountability in both public and private sectors.

Corruption Trends in India (Comparison: 2024 vs. 2019)

• More than half (55%) of respondents in a pre-poll survey believe that corruption has increased in the past five years.
• The percentage of respondents who think corruption has decreased has dropped significantly from 37% in 2019 to 19% in 2024.
• 56% of respondents attribute the rise in corruption to both the Union and State governments, with a higher blame on the Union government.
• Perception of increased corruption is consistent across different regions—villages, towns, and cities.
• Rich and poor respondents generally agree on the increase in corruption, with a slight variance among richer respondents regarding decreased corruption.

Insights from the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) Report

• Lack of Transparency : Government processes lacking transparency create opportunities for corrupt practices.
• Regulatory Environment:  Complex regulations encourage rent-seeking behaviors among officials and bureaucrats.
• Political Interference : Politicization of administrative processes leads to favoritism and patronage networks, fostering corruption.
• Lack of Whistleblower Protection: Inadequate protection for whistleblowers discourages reporting of corruption, hindering the exposure of corrupt activities.
• Weak Enforcement Mechanisms: Poor enforcement of laws and regulations allows corruption to thrive unchecked.

Source: The Hindu