UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 6 January 2024

GS Paper 2

 Syllabus: Geopolitics, Multilateralism

Source: TH

 Context: The global nuclear order (GNO), established during the Cold War, faces significant challenges.

What is the global nuclear order (GNO)?

The global nuclear order (GNO) refers to the established framework, rules, and agreements governing the use and proliferation of nuclear weapons on a global scale.

E.g., the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote disarmament.

Key Components of the Global Nuclear Order:

Out of these, three important treaties for GNO are:

Global Nuclear Order (GNO) Significance:

1. Preventing Proliferation: Preventing widespread possession.
2. Ensuring Stability: Arms control negotiations achieved strategic parity, fostering stability in the arms race and crisis management since 1945

Current status of GNO: 

As per the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)

1. Nine nuclear-armed states, including prominent players like the United States, Russia, and China, are actively engaged in the modernization and expansion of their nuclear arsenals.
2. Total global inventory: It is approximately 12,512 warheads, with a significant portion, around 9,576, held in military stockpiles for potential use.
3. Dominance in nuclear capabilities: It remains concentrated in Russia and the United States, which collectively possess nearly 90% of all nuclear weapons

Issues/concerns with Current GNO:

India’s Position on the Global Nuclear Order: 

1. Nuclear Disarmament: India supports complete disarmament within a specified timeframe
2. The doctrine of ‘No First Use’ (NFU) of nuclear weapons: The doctrine was formally adopted in January 2003, and says that nuclear weapons will only be used in retaliation against a nuclear attack on Indian territory or on Indian forces anywhere
   1. Last year, the Indian Defence Minister said that the ‘no first use nuclear policy’ of India may change in the future.
3. Advocate for Global Disarmament: India advocates for global nuclear disarmament while seeking recognition as a responsible nuclear power.
4. Non-Signatory to NPT and CTBT: India distinguishes itself by not being a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and CTBT, as it deems them discriminatory
   1. India’s non-signatory status to the NPT creates complexities in its relationship with the global nuclear order, having developed its nuclear program independently.
5. Nuclear Arsenal Expansion: India’s ongoing expansion and modernization of its nuclear arsenal raise concerns about regional stability, especially given tensions with Pakistan and the strategic rivalry with China.
6. Relations with Pakistan: The nuclear dynamics between India and Pakistan pose challenges
7. China Factor: India’s nuclear policy is influenced by its relations with China, and as China modernizes its nuclear capabilities, India might feel compelled to bolster its arsenal

Way forward:

Creating a just, safe, and improved Global Nuclear Order requires a comprehensive approach integrating diplomacy, technology, governance, and international cooperation. Key steps include:

1. Encouraging disarmament through significant and verifiable reductions in nuclear arsenals
2. Strengthening non-proliferation efforts
3. Fostering inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders
4. Monitoring emerging technologies for potential risks
5. Supporting new treaties like the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) while engaging nuclear-armed states in discussions for a nuclear-free world.
6. India: India must focus on maintaining stability in its region, engaging in dialogue with Pakistan and China, and ensuring the safe and responsible management of its nuclear arsenal.

Conclusion:

The legitimacy of any global nuclear order hinges on two vital conditions: achieving convergence among major powers and effectively portraying the outcomes as a global public good for the rest of the world. These conditions underscore the necessity for collaboration, transparency, and shared responsibility in shaping a stable and just global nuclear order.

Insta links:

• Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
• Evolution of India’s nuclear policy

Prelims Links:

Content for Mains Enrichment:

Source: IE

In 1914, Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motors, made a ground-breaking decision to more than double the minimum daily wage of his workers from $2.34 to $5. This move attracted widespread attention and varied reactions, with Ford being both praised as an “inspired millionaire” and accused of socialist tendencies. The motivation behind this wage increase was rooted in Ford’s introduction of the moving assembly line in 1913, revolutionizing car production and reducing the time to build a Ford Model T from 12 hours to just ninety minutes.

Despite concerns about costs, the wage hike proved beneficial for Ford. Total costs decreased, and the company experienced a surge in productivity, doubling profits within two years. This strategic move to improve worker retention and increase efficiency through higher wages was considered by Ford as one of his best cost-cutting decisions.

Usage: The example can be used to showcase the values of Productivity with Purpose, Equity and Inclusion, Social Responsibility, Employee Welfare and Fair Compensation

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

 Context: Seventeen products have been awarded the Geographical Indications (GI) tag

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE

 Context: Supreme Court judge Justice BR Gavai has been nominated as the Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC), succeeding Justice Sanjiv Khanna.

What is SCLSC?

The Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC) was established under Section 3A of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, to provide “free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of society.”

The committee is composed of Chairperson BR Gavai and nine members nominated by the Chief Justice of India (CJI). It has the authority to appoint officers and employees as prescribed by the Centre, in consultation with the CJI.

Constitutional provisions

• Free Legal Aid: Article 39A emphasizes the need for accessible justice, ensuring free legal aid for the poor and weaker sections of society
• Articles 14 and 22(1): Promoting equality and informed rights for all under

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

 Context: The Election Commission of India has introduced new rules for the allocation of symbols to Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs).

What are RUPPs?

RUPPs, or Registered Unrecognised Political Parties, include newly registered parties, those not meeting the vote percentage for state party status, or those never contesting elections post-registration.

Only 30% of RUPPs participated in the 2019 Lok Sabha election.  They are governed by the Representation of the People Act (RPA) of 1951.  Common symbols are provided to RUPPs based upon an undertaking that they would put up “at least 5% of total candidates with regard to said Legislative Assembly election of a State”.

What are the new rules?

Under new rules effective from January 11, 2024, Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) must provide audited accounts of the last three financial years, expenditure statements of the last two elections, and the authorized office-bearer’s signature for symbol allocation. Once these details are furnished, RUPPs become eligible for the concession of common symbol allotment, allocated as per the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

 Context: In 2023, Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) frauds accounted for 11% of cyber financial scams originating in India, according to an analysis by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).

Most of these frauds occurred in Bihar and Jharkhand. The central government’s portal and the 1930 helpline received over 13 lakh complaints related to cyber-enabled financial frauds. AePS fraud included instances of biometric cloning.

What is AePS?

It is a payment service that allows users to access their Aadhaar-enabled bank accounts for transactions. The analysis also highlighted other categories of cyber financial frauds, both locally and internationally, including sextortion, investment scams, illegal loan apps, and romance scams. Social media-related cybercrimes totaled 1,41,056 reported cases in 2023.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

 Context: The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has nominated Indore, Bhopal, and Udaipur for Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. It is the first nomination of its kind by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

• Ramsar Site in Indore: Sirpur Wetland, Yashwant Sagar (Ramsar site closer to Indore)
• Ramsar Site in Bhopal: Bhoj Wetland
• Ramsar Site in and around Udaipur: Five major wetlands — Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai

About WCA and Ramsar sites:

Mapping:

Source: TOI

 Context: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) plans to enhance the operational capacity of the defence forces along the Indo-China border in Arunachal Pradesh by using an indigenous technology called “Rejupave.”

What is Rejupave?

Developed by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), Rejupave is a bio-oil-based asphalt modifier that reduces the heating requirement of bituminous mixes and preserves their temperature during transit. This technology addresses the challenges of constructing and maintaining bituminous roads in high-altitude areas during low and sub-zero temperatures.

The BRO has successfully applied Rejupave at the world’s highest Sela road tunnel and LDY Road section near the China border in Arunachal Pradesh. The technology is developed using a Bio-based eco-friendly product with 100% biooil.