[Mission 2023] INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB SUMMARY 17 January 2023

GS Paper 1

Syllabus: Geography: Ocean Current

Source: The Hindu

Context: New studies have shown that the global overturning circulation controls ocean heat distribution and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, thus playing a critical role in global climate.

What does the new study show?

Studies have indicated that tectonically driven changes in the ocean gateways such as the closure of the Central American Seaway (a body of water that once separated North America from South America), since the late Miocene period, had a dramatic impact on the GOC.

What is Global Overturning Circulation (GOC)?

• It is the equatorward transport of cold, deep waters and the poleward transport of warm, near-surface waters.
  • Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is one part of this circulation apart from Pacific Deepwater, Southern Ocean Meridional Overturning Circulation etc.
  • AMOC has undergone exceptional weakening in the last 150 years compared to the previous 1500 years. Climate models suggest that the AMOC will weaken over the 21st Century as greenhouse gases increase
• It is a Thermohaline circulation (THC) and distributes heat and nutrients throughout the world’s ocean basins.

Mechanism

GOC carries warm surface waters from the tropics towards the Northern Hemisphere, where it cools and sinks. It then returns to the tropics and then to the South Atlantic as a bottom current. From there it is distributed to all ocean basins via the Antarctic circumpolar current.

Reasons behind the slowing down of AMOC

The slowing down we experience in the last 100-200 years is anthropogenic, and these abrupt changes are destabilizing the AMOC, which could collapse the system. There are various reasons behind the current slowing down

1. Global warming – Climate models have long predicted that global warming can cause a weakening of the major ocean systems of the world.
2. Melting of Glaciers – In recent years Arctic ice called the “Last Ice Area” has also melted. The freshwater from the melting ice reduces the salinity and density of the water. Now, the water is unable to sink as it used to and weakens the AMOC flow.
3. Warming of the Indian Ocean – As the Indian Ocean warms faster and faster, it generates additional precipitation. With so much precipitation in the Indian Ocean, there will be less precipitation in the Atlantic Ocean, leading to higher salinity in the waters of the tropical portion of the Atlantic. This saltier water in the Atlantic, as it comes north via AMOC, will get cold much quicker than usual and sink faster.

Mains Links

Q. What is Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)? Why is it slowing down, and what are its implications? (10M)

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Structure, Organization and Functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary

Source: IE

Direction: The article attempts to explain the MoP for the appointment of judges to the higher judiciary, as well as the Law Minister’s suggestion to reform the collegium.

Context: The Union Minister for Law and Justice has written to the CJI suggesting that a nominee of the government should be included in the collegium that makes recommendations for the appointment of judges.

Background: The suggestion to the CJI comes in the backdrop of –

• An ongoing tussle between the government and the judiciary on the issue of the appointment of judges.
• A Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) is pending finalisation.

What is the MOP?

• It is the official playbook agreed upon by the government and the judiciary and governs the collegium system of appointing judges.
• Since the collegium system evolved through a series of SC rulings (First (1981), Second (1993) and Third (1998) Judges Cases), the MoP is the bedrock of the process of appointments.
• The MoP was sought to be re-negotiated after the SC struck down (4:1) 2015 the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC).
• Draft MoPs, which include eligibility criteria, a new secretariat and a mechanism to deal with complaints against proposed candidates, were exchanged during 2015-17.

The bone of contention in the MoP and SC’s take on the appointment process:

• The insertion of a “national security” clause that may prevent an appointment was a major point of contention.
• However, before the document could be finalised, the SC in a 2017 judgement (a suo motu contempt proceeding against Justice C S Karnan, then a judge of the Calcutta HC) highlights,
  • The need to revisit the process of selection and appointment of judges to the constitutional courts.
  • The necessity to establish an effective legal regime to deal with situations where the conduct of a constitutional court judge necessitates remedial actions (other than impeachment).
• The SC has initiated a contempt case against the government for not adhering to the timelines set out in the MoP and court rulings.

Government’s stand:

• The MoP is under finalisation by the Government in consultation with the SC Collegium.
• The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice voiced concern, given that the MoP had been pending for more than seven years.

What does the Law Minister’s suggestion imply?

• Government representatives should be a part of the SC (CJI and four senior-most judges of the apex court) and HC (Chief Justice and two senior-most judges of a particular HC) Collegiums.
• A departure from the NJAC

The opposition to the suggestion:

• This remedy is a poison pill for an independent judiciary.
• A representative of the Government alone attacks not only the independence of the judiciary but also the competitive balance between the ruling party and the opposition.

Insta Links:

The impasse over the appointment of judges

GS Paper 1

Syllabus: Population and Associated Issues

Source: UN.org

 Direction: The article highlights how fast the world’s population is ageing with a SWOT analysis and way ahead, which may be applied to the Indian context as well.

Context: The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) published the World Social Report 2023, with the theme “Leaving No One Behind in an Aging World“.

Background:

• Rooted in the UN Charter and guided by the transformative 2030 SDGs, the UN DESA (New York City, 1948) upholds the development pillar of the UN.
• UN DESA helps countries make informed decisions by providing information through publications and databases and international deliberations at the UN General Assembly, ECOSOC, etc.
• The World Social Report (since 1997 and previously Report on the World Social Situation) has served as a background document for policy analysis of socio-economic trends.
• Since 2001, the periodicity of the report has been changed from a four-year cycle to a two-year cycle (biennial).
• In 2022, the world marked the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing.
• To commemorate this landmark, the 2023 Report explores the economic and social implications of the ageing of the human population.

Highlights of the 2023 Report:

• Population ageing is a defining global trend of the time, which has begun or is expected to begin soon in all countries and areas.
• People are living longer (an inevitable result of the demographic transition), and more are older than ever before.
• Spectacular improvements in health and survival and reductions in fertility have driven this momentous shift.
• This change brings both challenges and opportunities as countries strive to achieve the SDGs.

Two policy actions suggested by the report:

• To promote labour market participation and increased productivity, uphold good health and prevent poverty.
• To reduce inequality and promote economic security at older ages in a fiscally sustainable manner, taking into account both pensions and health care.

Conclusion: The national policies aimed at creating equitable, inclusive societies for people of all ages, and prioritising the rights and well-being of older people are the need of the hour.

Insta Links:

As India ages, keeping an eye on the elderly

Mains Links:

Q. Critically examine the effects of globalisation on the aged population in India. (UPSC 2013)

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health

Source: DTE

Direction: The article gives a perspective on the issue of malnutrition in the world along with efforts being made by global agencies. It also briefs about the situation in India.

Context: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), conflict, climate shocks, the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and rising living costs are rendering increasing numbers of children acutely malnourished.

Findings of the WHO:

• The global food crisis is leading to a health crisis, resulting in a vicious cycle – malnutrition leads to disease and disease leads to malnutrition.
• Wasting/acute malnutrition, which is the deadliest form of undernutrition, is a major threat to children’s lives and their long-term health and development.
• Currently, more than 30 million children in the 15 worst-affected countries suffer from this and 8 million of these children are severely wasted.
• Meanwhile, critical health, nutrition and other life-saving services are becoming less accessible.

Efforts taken in this direction:

• Five UN agencies including WHO is calling for accelerated progress on the Global Action Plan on Child Wasting.
• These agencies are Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Food Programme (WFP) and WHO.
• The action plan aims to prevent, detect and treat acute malnutrition among children in the worst-affected countries: Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Chad, etc.

Way ahead:

• There is the need for urgent decisive and timely action to prevent this crisis from becoming a tragedy.
• Greater investment in support of a coordinated UN response is the need of the hour.

Insta Links:

Malnutrition

Mains Links:

Q. Can the vicious cycle of gender inequality. poverty and malnutrition to be broken through microfinancing of women SHGs? Explain with examples. (UPSC 2021)

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Financial Inclusion

Source: Economic Times

Context: As per the study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and the Association of Microfinance Institutions of India, Microfinance institutions (MFI), will play a leading role in the growth process of India.

What are MFIs?

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) are financial companies that provide small loans to people who do not have any access to banking facilities. The definition of “small loans” varies between countries. In India, all loans that are below Rs. 1 lakh can be considered microloans.

The Origin:

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) came into being in the 90s as banks’ reluctance to lend to those without credit history provided an opportunity to those willing to take the risk and organize rural communities.

Significance of microfinance institutions in the economy

• Empowerment of women: About 95 per cent of some loan products extended by microfinance institutions are given to women, as well as those with disabilities
• Access to credit esp. for the poor: It has acted as a financial support system to low-income households by offering credit access to six crore borrowers in the last few years
• Poverty alleviation: Microfinance disrupts the cycle of poverty by making more money available. They provide easy credit and offer small loans to customers, without any collateral.
• Savings in rural households: It helps the poor and marginalized section of society by making them aware of the financial instruments available for their help and also helps in developing a culture of saving.
• Creating employment
• Social benefits: Families benefiting from microloans are more likely to provide better and continued education for their children and quality healthcare facilities for family members.
• Digitization: From 2017 onwards, the Indian MFI industry embraced the digital route by using online delivery channels, mobile banking and e-wallets.

Fig: In 2011, Y H Malegam Committee helped establish MFI as a legitimate asset class.

Issues concerning MFI:

• Minimal or no regulatory structure: The combination of   minimal   regulation   and   rapid   sector   growth   led   to   an environment   where   customers   were   increasingly   dissatisfied   with   microfinance services, culminating in the Andhra Pradesh crisis in the fall of 2010.
• Regulatory role of RBI wrt MFIs: RBI more or less caters to commercial and traditional banks more than it helps MFIs.
• Very little regulation exists for NGO-MFIs and Cooperatives
• Delinquency among microfinance borrowers
• Dependence on commercial banks
• Over-indebtedness of MFIs
• MFIs have strayed away from their original purpose of poverty alleviation and social empowerment to short-term profit-making.
• MFIs are harassing their clients who are usually too desperate to turn away from the credit being offered. This is true even when credit comes with the catch of high repayment rates.

Way forward

• There is a need for MFIs to consider adopting more flexible operating models, providing skills training, and offering services such as the portability of accounts
• RBI’s new regulatory framework for Microfinance institutions: RBI has recently released its Consultative Document on the Regulation of the Microfinance sectoraimed at protecting and empowering borrowers.
• A diversified menu of microloan products linked to sustainable income generation activities via micro-enterprises or the creation of community-based pooled enterprises could make it more attractive and compatible with the requirements of women.
• Linking developmental initiatives to an institution (hand-holding) to nurture, monitor, and handhold those activities in the formative stages is crucial for sustainability.

Conclusion

As per the World Bank estimates, more than 500 million people have improved their economic conditions via microfinance-related entities. Strengthening the credit check and debt collection processes and educating the villagers about products and consequences is important.

Insta links

Microfinance Regulations

Mains Links:

Q. By highlighting the significance of microfinance institutions in the economy, analyze if the present regulatory framework can effectively manage these institutions. (15M)

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health

Source: IE

Direction: The article tries to find out the reasons behind high cancer incidence and mortality in India despite the progress in cancer treatment.

Context:

• Even with improvements in treatment, both the incidence of cancer and mortality continue to rise in India.
• Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body.

Background:

• According to a report by the American Cancer Society, deaths due to cancer have declined by 33% (translating into 3.8 million fewer deaths) in the United States since 1991.
• This success is mainly due to early detection, lower rates of smoking, and improvements in cancer treatment.
• However, this trend is yet to be reflected in India.

What is the incidence of cancer and mortality in India?

• According to an ICMR study, one in nine Indians will develop cancer during their lifetime. One in 68 men will develop lung cancer and one in 29 women will develop breast cancer.

Why are some cancers declining while others continue to rise?

• The incidence of cervical cancer has dropped in India over the last 50 years from 45 to 10 per 100,000 population.
  • The decline is because of late marriages, fewer children, better hygiene, and vaccination (human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV)).
• At the same time, there is an increase in rates of breast cancer, especially in urban centres (45 per 100,000 in Hyderabad).
  • This is because of the same reasons (which resulted in cervical cancer decline) – late marriages, having the first child at a later age, not breastfeeding, and a high protein diet.
  • Unlike cervical cancer, there is no specific intervention for breast cancer other than screening because what causes it is unknown.
• The rates of tobacco-related cancers (oral, oesophageal) are also coming down, largely due to tobacco laws that have brought down smoking in public places.
• Lung cancers, however, remain a cause for concern. It is caused not only by smoking but also by pollution. For example, lung cancer rates are high in Arunachal Pradesh because they light fires indoors in winter.
  • The survival rate for lung cancer is not very high and it is mostly diagnosed in the late stages.

Has there been progress in cancer treatment?

Yes, as the cure rate for various cancers is rising. For example,

• The cure rate for pancreatic cancer has doubled from 3% to 6% in the last 50 years.
• Prostate cancer has gone up from 60% to 100%.
• Breast cancer has improved from 50% to 90% with newer treatments.

Shortcomings:

• The infrastructure for the seven pillars of cancer care – prevention, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, imaging, laboratory diagnostics, and palliation – is inadequate in India.
• For example, there should be 1 radiotherapy machine per million population in developing countries (as per WHO standards). So, for 1.4 billion people in India, 1,400 machines are required, and we have only 700.

Way ahead:

• In order to reduce mortality, the need is to ensure that people get diagnosed early and receive timely treatment.
• The first intervention has to be screening. For the three most common types of cancer (34% of cancers in India – breast, cervical and oral), this has already started through the government’s upgraded health and wellness centres.
• Screening should lead to treatment (in hospitals), which has to be accessible and affordable.
• The number of cancer care facilities must be increased (currently, one for every 5-crore population in India).

Conclusion: There are several programmes of the government that are working independently and in silos. In order to reduce incidence and mortality, there is a need to coordinate existing efforts.

Insta Links:

India’s Cancer Burden

Mains Links:

In order to enhance the prospects of social development, sound and adequate healthcare policies are needed particularly in the fields of geriatric and maternal healthcare. Discuss. (UPSC 2020)