[Mission 2024] INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB SUMMARY 15 August 2023

GS Paper 2

 Syllabus: Government Policies and Interventions

Source: IE, IE

 Context: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued comprehensive guidelines for the professional conduct of registered doctors in India under The NMC Registered Medical Practitioner (professional conduct) Regulations 2023

Some key points from the guidelines include:

Issues with the guidelines:

Related to Generic Medicines:

• Quality of Generic Medicines: Doctors express concerns about the quality of generic medicines available
• Limited Availability of Generic Medicines: The availability of these medicines in pharmacies is limited due to low-profit margins.
• Ineffectiveness of Generic Substitutes: Since the quality of generic medicines can vary across companies, prescribing generics without standardized quality control might lead to ineffective treatments.
• Loss of Doctor’s Choice: Doctors might lose the ability to prescribe the best-suited medication for a patient, considering their medical history and specific needs.

Other issues:

• Consultation Fees Disclosure: While doctors must disclose consultation fees upfront, estimating surgical or treatment costs accurately might be challenging.
• CPD Implementation: The requirement for Continuous Professional Development (CPD) might burden doctors with additional training
• Sponsorship Restrictions: The prohibition of pharmaceutical industry sponsorship for conferences and educational activities could limit the availability of educational opportunities for doctors.
• Patient Privacy: Balancing social media use with patient privacy might be complex, as even images posted online can be owned by social media companies or the public.

What are Generic medicines?

They are pharmaceutical products that are equivalent to brand-name drugs in terms of active ingredients, dosage, strength, route of administration, quality, and intended use. Generic medicines provide cost-effective alternatives to branded drugs while maintaining the same therapeutic effects.

Examples of generic medicines include:

• Paracetamol: Generic version of the brand-name drug Tylenol.
• Amlodipine: Generic version of the brand-name drug Norvasc.

About National Medical Commission (NMC): 

Establishment: Enacted through the National Medical Commission Act of 2019.

 Responsibilities: Overseeing all aspects of medical education, practice, and institutions.

Boards within NMC:

• Under-Graduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB)
• Post-Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB)
• Medical Assessment and Rating Board
• Ethics and Medical Registration Board

Composition: Consists of 25 members, including the Chairperson, Presidents of Postgraduate Medical Education Boards, Presidents of Undergraduate Medical Education Boards, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and Director General of Health Services.

Insta Links:

Sansad TV: Bills and Acts- National Medical Commission Act

GS Paper 2

 Syllabus: Government Policies and Interventions

Source: TH

 Context: The Union Government established a commission, led by former Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, to explore the possibility of granting Scheduled Caste (SC) status to Dalit Christians.

• The Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a resolution to amend the 1950 Presidential (SC) order to include them.
• The Justice Ranganath Misra Commission (2007) and studies by Deshpande and Bapna (2008) favoured extending reservation benefits to Dalit Christians.

Hindu Dalits converted to Christianity to escape caste-based discrimination but haven’t achieved the expected equality due to lingering social hierarchies. The article highlights the need to recognize the unique struggles of Dalit Christians through the “Theory of Intersectionality,” which considers multiple forms of oppression like race, gender, and religion intersecting.

The term “Dalit Christians” reflects a distinct identity, challenging the misconception that conversion erases caste discrimination. The legal framework’s focus on single-axis categorization has led to exclusion, and amending the SC list through the 1950 order is proposed as a solution.

Who is included in the Constitution Order of 1950?

• When enacted, the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order of 1950, initially provided for recognising only Hindus (with exceptions) as SCs, to address the social disability arising out of the practice of untouchability.
• The Order was amended in 1956 to include Dalits who had converted to Sikhism (in entirety) and once more in 1990 to include Dalits who had converted to Buddhism. Both amendments were aided by the reports of the Kaka Kalelkar Commission in 1955 and the High-Powered Panel (HPP) on Minorities, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in 1983 respectively.
• The Union government in 2019 rejected the possibility of including Dalit Christians as members of SCs, rooting the exclusion on an Imperial Order of 1936 of the then colonial government, which had first classified a list of the Depressed Classes and specifically excluded “Indian Christians” from it.

Why are Dalit Christians excluded?

• The Office of the Registrar General of India (RGI) had cautioned the government that SC status is meant for communities suffering from social disabilities arising out of the practice of untouchability, which it noted was prevalent in Hindu and Sikh communities.
• It also noted that such a move would significantly swell the population of SCs across the country.
• In 2001, RGI referred to a 1978 note and added that like Dalit Buddhists, Dalits who converted to Islam or Christianity belonged to different sets of caste groups and not just one, as a result of which they cannot be categorised as a “single ethnic group”, which is required by Clause (2) of Article 341 for inclusion.

Insta Links:

Scheduled Caste

GS Paper 4

 Syllabus: Ethics in Human Lives

Source: IE

 Context: Award-winning Famous Chef Suresh Pillai recently shared a heartwarming story that highlights the ethical aspect of compassion and assistance.

In a viral post, the Chef recounted how his team helped relocate the family members of one of their employees from conflict-ridden Manipur to Kerala. The employee, Susmitha, was visibly distressed due to her family’s situation back in Manipur.

Chef Pillai and his team took action, bringing Susmitha’s mother and sister to Kochi, providing them with accommodation, and even assisting them in finding jobs at the restaurant.

Despite the language barrier, the family members quickly adapted to their roles, showcasing their dedication and resilience.

This story demonstrates the importance of empathy and support for employees’ personal challenges, reflecting Chef Pillai’s caring nature and ethical responsibility towards his team. Netizens praised his compassionate actions, hailing him as a “wonderful soul.”

GS Paper 3

 Syllabus: Disaster management

Source: DTE

 Context: Amid an extended dry period of monsoon rain, Karnataka has written to the Central government, urging a reevaluation of drought declaration norms.

What are Droughts?

Drought is defined as a deficiency in rainfall/precipitation over an extended period, causing adverse impacts on vegetation, animals, and people. There is no single, legally accepted definition of drought in India, with states having their own criteria.

• 74% of India’s districts are vulnerable to extreme drought situations

Process of Drought Declaration in India:

Issues with the Drought Declaration process in India:

Suggestions:

• Karnataka has proposed region-specific criteria that take into account local ecological factors, water availability, and agricultural practices for declaring drought.
• Redefining dry spells from the current three to four weeks to less than two weeks of consecutive dry spells.
• Factors such as soil type, crop variety, temperatures, and vegetative state must be considered, as even a two-week dry spell can lead to irreversible crop damage.

Conclusion:

There must be a balance between the need for accurate assessments and resource allocation, and the need for a flexible approach to address unique challenges and requirements in different regions within the state.

Insta Links:

• Drought in Numbers, 2022 report
• More flash droughts in India by the end of the century

Mains Links:

The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods, and interrupting navigation. Critically examine. (UPSC 2020)

Content for Mains Enrichment

Source: TH

A report highlights Telangana’s organized approach to developing and spreading Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various sectors. The report suggests that due to the rapid adoption of AI, Telangana is on track to become a global leader in the AI field, not just within the country but on an international level.

• Telangana AI Mission (T-AIM): Collaborative effort with Nasscom to develop an AI ecosystem.
• Transformative Projects: AI-driven solutions in agriculture, pension authentication, pothole detection, and more.
• Generative AI Advancements: Novel content creation across domains.
• Innovation Ecosystem: Robust research and development fostering AI growth.

Usage: The example can be used for an S&T question.

Source: PIB

The “Graphene-Aurora Program” was launched by MeitY Maker Village in Kochi, Kerala. This initiative, led by Digital University Kerala, aims to bridge the gap between graphene research and commercialization. The establishment of the India Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre (I-GEIC) will play a pivotal role in this effort.

What is Graphene?

Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, forming a two-dimensional structure. It is known for its remarkable properties, including exceptional strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity.

Uses of Graphene:

Graphene’s unique characteristics make it a versatile material with various potential applications across different industries. It is used in electronics for creating faster and more efficient devices, in materials science for reinforcing composites, in energy storage for enhancing battery performance, and in medical fields for drug delivery and biosensors, among other uses.

Usage: The example can be used in the S&T question to show the government programme in the field of Nano Tech/ Graphene development.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE 

Context: President Droupadi Murmu, during her address on the eve of Independence Day, paid tribute to women freedom fighters. She mentioned two notable figures:

Matangini Hazra: Born in 1869 in a village near Tamluk, West Bengal, she was married at a young age and became widowed by 18. After her husband’s death, she dedicated herself to social causes and became deeply involved in the Nationalist movement, supporting Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals. Hazra participated in various protests, including the Civil Disobedience Movement and the Salt March.

• During the Quit India Movement in 1942, at the age of 73, she led a large procession of around 6,000 protesters, advocating for the takeover of the Tamluk police station. In the ensuing clash with British authorities, she was shot and killed, becoming a martyr for the cause of Indian independence.

Kanaklata Barua: Kanaklata Barua was a young martyr of the Quit India Movement and a symbol of courage and determination. At just 17 years old, she led the Mrityu Bahini, a group of freedom fighters, in an attempt to hoist the Tricolour at the Gohpur police station in Assam on September 20, 1942. Despite her age, she was determined to lead the procession, and her brave efforts left a lasting impact.

• During the confrontation with the police, she was shot and killed while holding onto the flag. Her sacrifice inspired many during a time when women’s involvement in the freedom struggle was gaining momentum. In 2020, a Coast Guard vessel was named after her as a tribute to her bravery.

These women, Matangini Hazra and Kanaklata Barua exemplified the spirit of India’s struggle for independence and their contributions continue to be honoured and remembered.

Source: TH

Context: President Droupadi Murmu has sanctioned 76 gallantry awards for armed forces and Central Armed Police Forces personnel on the eve of India’s 77th Independence Day.

• Among these, the Kirti Chakra, the second-highest peacetime gallantry award, will be presented to four Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) members who lost their lives during an anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh in April 2021.
• Additionally, eleven individuals will receive the Shaurya Chakra, the third-highest peacetime gallantry award, including personnel from the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF.
• Five of these awardees will be posthumously honoured.

The approved awards consist of 54 Sena Medals (Gallantry), three Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), and four Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry). The President has also granted 30 Mention-in-Despatches to the Army and one to an Air Force personnel, acknowledging their significant contributions in various military operations.

Source: TH

 Context: Fourteen States and Union Territories, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, have not yet signed a crucial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union Education Ministry to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) as part of the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) scheme.

Why have states not joined PM-USHA?

PM-USHA scheme mandates that States implement the National Education Policy in order to avail funds worth almost ₹13,000 crore for the next three years. Also, 40% of the fund has to be arranged by States themselves. States argue they don’t have funds for bringing in NEP-related changes.

Source: FE

Context: Remittances to India surged by 26% to reach approximately $112 billion in FY23, marking a significant increase from the approx $89 billion recorded in FY22.

This growth in remittances reflects the heightened demand for Indian professionals globally following the pandemic.

What are Remittances?

Remittances are funds sent by migrants to their families and friends in their home countries. They serve as vital income and foreign exchange for numerous developing nations, particularly in South Asia.

• Private remittances significantly contribute to India’s current account, helping offset the trade deficit that often arises from merchandise trade.
• Remittances are typically classified as part of the current account in a country’s balance of payments.

India’s Status:

• India has consistently remained the leading global recipient of remittances for several years.
  • This is in contrast with FDI inflows, which were lower at about $71 billion in FY23, down from about $85 billion in FY22
• The top five recipient countries for remittances in 2022 were India, Mexico, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan
• The top sources for inward remittances to India in 2020-21 were the
  • USA (over 23%)
  • UAE (18%)
  • UK (about 7%)
  • Singapore (about 6%)
  • Saudi Arabia (about 5%)

In January 2023, The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) allowed NRIs living in 10 countries to use UPI using their international mobile numbers, for real-time fund transfers, allowing remittances to be sent and received instantly.