Daily Prelims Notes 1 December 2023

December 1, 2023
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Daily Prelims Notes

1 December 2023

Table Of Contents

1. Navy gets ready for its biggest naval exercise amid ocean engagements

Subject :IR

Section: International Events

Exercise MILAN:

Exercise Milan is a biennial multilateral naval exercise which began in 1995. It is the largest naval exercise conducted by India.
The next edition of Exercise MILAN is scheduled to be held in February 2024 and is expected to see the participation of over 50 countries.
The last edition was held at Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Navy Day:

Navy Day is celebrated on December 4. This year, it will be celebrated at Sindhudurg Fort on the western seaboard, built in 1660 by Chhatrapati Shivaji. It is located 550 km from Mumbai and about 135 km from naval station at Goa.
December 4 is observed as Navy Day to commemorate the Navy’s daring attack on Karachi harbour during the 1971 War under ‘Operation Trident’.

Indian Naval Exercise and cooperation with other nation:

Since July 2022, the Indian Navy has joined the Bahrain-based Combined Maritime Force (CMF), a US-led multi-national naval partnership that aims to promote security, stability, and prosperity across international waters in IOR.
There are 17 multilateral and 20 bilateral exercises that the Navy conducts annually which exemplifies India’s commitment to maintaining strong defence ties.
These exercises are crucial for honing operational capabilities, sharing best practices, building mutual trust, fostering interoperability, strengthening diplomatic ties, and enhancing maritime security.
Indian-built Off-shore Patrol Vessels (OPV) and Fast Attack Craft (FAC) are in service in Mauritius, Seychelles and Sri Lanka, facilitated through defence Lines of Credit.
- A fast attack craft (FAC) is a small, fast, agile, offensive, often affordable warship armed with anti-ship missiles, gun or torpedoes.
- FACs are usually operated in close proximity to land as they lack both the seakeeping and all-round defensive capabilities to survive in blue water.
In October 2020, India gifted a kilo-class Submarine INS Sindhuvir which was extensively refitted and upgraded prior handing over, to Myanmar (renamed as UMS Minye Theinkhathu).
India also gifted Maldives an FAC and a landing craft.
India gifted an operational Khukri-class corvette, INS Kirpan to Vietnam.

2. Loss and Damage Fund cleared on Day One of COP-28 summit

Subject: Environment

Section: International Conventions

Context:

On the first day of COP 28, member countries agreed to make operational a Loss and Damage (L&D) fund that is meant to compensate countries already dealing with climate change.

Loss & Damage (L&D):

IPCC defines L&D – The term ‘losses and damages’ refers to the economic and non-economic impacts of climate change, including extreme and slow onset events, in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. It’s destructive, irreversible, and cannot be addressed by mitigation and adaptation measures.
CoP19 of UNFCCC- 2013: held at Warsaw, Poland.
- Countries agreed to formally establish the L&D fund.
- Warsaw mechanism- It was being created to provide financial and technical assistance to economically developing nations that were incurring L&D due to climate change.
CoP25 of UNFCCC: held at Madriad, Spain in 2019
- The Santiago Network for L&D was set up, but countries didn’t commit any funds.
- The vision of the Santiago Network is to catalyze the technical assistance of relevant organizations, bodies, networks and experts, for the implementation of relevant approaches for averting, minimize and addressing L&D at the local, national and regional level, in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.

Loss & Damage (L&D) Fund:

First announced in 2022 at the conclusion of COP-27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
A ‘transitional committee’ was setup to decide the working conditions of the fund.
It will be based at the World Bank but managed by an independent secretariat. The World Bank will be the “interim host” of the fund for a period of four years.
Payments are voluntary and a certain percentage has been set apart for a category of countries called Least Developed Countries and Small island developing states.
Commitments worth atleast $450 million have already been made by countries.
Contributors include: European Union, United Arab Emirates, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan.

Cost of L&D due to Climate Change:

Reports suggest a Loss and damage from climate change cost about $1.5 trillion ($1,500 billion) in 2022.
Several developing countries and some of the poorest lost an average of about 8.3% of GDP due to climate change.

Source: The Hindu

3. Air pollution causes over 2 million deaths annually in India: BMJ study

Subject: Environment

Section: Pollution

About the study:

The study was conducted by the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Germany.
Data has been taken from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study, NASA satellite-based fine particulate matter and population data, and atmospheric chemistry, aerosol, and relative risk modelling for 2019.

Death due to Air Pollution in India:

Outdoor air pollution from all sources accounts for 2.18 million deaths per year in India, second only to China.
Air pollution from using fossil fuels in industry, power generation, and transportation accounts for 5.1 million extra deaths a year worldwide.
This equates to 61% of a total estimated 8.3 million deaths worldwide due to ambient (outdoor) air pollution from all sources in 2019, which could potentially be avoided by replacing fossil fuels with clean, renewable energy.
Most (52%) of deaths were related to common conditions such as ischemic heart disease (30%), stroke (16%), chronic obstructive lung disease (16%) and diabetes (6%). Deaths were partly linked to high blood pressure and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

4. Mocha among ‘most impactful’ global cyclones in 2023: WMO report at COP28

Subject : Geography

Section: Physical geography

Context:

Cyclone Mocha in the Bay of Bengal was one of the most severe cyclones in 2023 globally, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has noted in its report released on the first day of the CoP28 summit.

Details:

Report title- Provisional State of the Global Climate 2023
Published by– World Meteorological Organisation (WMO)

Key findings of the report:

Tropical Cyclone Mocha, in May 2023, was one of the most intense cyclones ever observed in the Bay of Bengal, reaching peak 10-minute sustained winds of 115 kilometres per hour.
It triggered 1.7 million displacements across the sub-region from Sri Lanka to Myanmar and through India and Bangladesh.
2023 is going to be the “warmest year” ever recorded surpassing the previous joint warmest years, 2016 at 1.29 ± 0.12 °C above the 1850–1900 average and 2020 at 1.27±0.13 °C.
The global mean near-surface temperature in 2023 was around 1.40 ± 0.12 °C above the 1850-1900 average.
Observed concentrations of the three main greenhouse gases (warming gases) — carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide — reached record-high levels in 2022.

Details of Tropical Cyclones

Source: Down To Earth

5. UK university academic is lending expertise to cut India’s snakebite deaths

Subject : Science and Tech

Section: Health

Context:

India has the biggest burden of deaths due to snakebites in the world, with most of the cases in rural India.

Death due to snakebite in India:

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 81,410 to 137,880 people around the world die each year because of snakebites.
With more than 50,000 people dying from snakebites each year, India is the global capital of snakebite deaths.
WHO formally listed snakebite envenoming as a highest-priority neglected tropical disease in June 2017.
In 2015, India ratified the WHO’s Snakebite Envenoming Strategy for Prevention and Control through the National Action Plan, along with the United Nations’ Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction for halving the number of deaths by 2030.

Avoidable Deaths Network (ADN):

It is a diverse, dynamic, inclusive and innovative global membership network dedicated to avoiding human deaths from natural hazards, naturally triggered technological hazards and human-made disasters in low- and middle-income countries.
In 2023, it launched a global campaign, declaring 12 March as the ‘International Awareness Day for Avoidable Deaths’ (IAD4AD). Their campaign slogan is ‘Disaster Deaths Are Avoidable’ with the ultimate goal of saving lives. This global campaign aims to raise the visibility of indirect disaster deaths and missing persons. Join us to celebrate this day annually.
Experts from the ADN have set up a pilot study to prevent death from snakebite in Burujhari village in Odisha.
Their suggestions to reduce the deaths due to snakebite is- setting up early warning system for snakes, positioning motorcycles and ambulances to transport snakebite victims to the nearest hospital, developing a risk governance infrastructure

Source: Down To Earth

6. India close to securing lithium reserves overseas

Subject : Geography

Section: Economic Geography

Context:

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has taken up 125 exploration projects this year which is the highest ever.

Details:

In 2023, a list of 30 critical minerals was announced by the Ministry of Mines.
The list included lithium, cobalt, copper, graphite, molybdenum, nickel, platinum of elements, phosphorus, potash, Rare Earth Elements, silicon, tin, titanium, and tungsten.
Active lithium blocks in India- Salal-Haimna in Jammu & Kashmir, and Katghora in Chhattisgarh.

Global lithium reserves:

Chile, Australia, Argentina, China, US are a few of the countries in the world with the largest overall lithium reserves, regardless of their stage of development.
Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile make up the “lithium triangle.” The three countries, along with Peru, contain about 67% of proven lithium reserves and produce about half of the global supply, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
- Bolivia is home to the world’s biggest lithium reserves. With estimates of 21 million tonnes, Bolivia holds about one-quarter of the entire global resource – including the world’s single-biggest lithium deposit, the Salar de Uyuni salt flat, which is visible from space.
- Argentina has the world’s second-largest lithium reserves, totalling around 17 million tonnes. Like neighboringg Bolivia and Chile, these reserves are contained in vast salt flats, where the solar evaporation of brine pools is the technique used to extract it.
- The Salar del Hombre Muerto salt flat is a notable lithium resource in Argentina.
- Chile accounts for around nine million tonnes of lithium reserves. In 2021 by far Chile has the world’s largest mine reserves, totaling 8.6 million tonnes.
- Although the US has the world’s fourth-largest lithium reserves, measured at 6.8 million tonnes, production activity in the country is minimal.
- Australia may only rank fifth on the list of largest overall reserves with 6.3 million tonnes, but it was by far the world’s biggest lithium producer in 2019.
- China is sixth-placed on the list, with overall lithium reserves estimated at 4.5 million tonnes.

For details on Lithium mineral

7. What is cooking at COP28?

Subject : Environment

Section: International conventions

Climate finance:

‘Market Mechanism’ or ‘Carbon Market’ is a way of making finance available to fight climate change.
Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which deals with bilateral (6.2) and global carbon markets (6.4), is said to be the most complex part of the agreement.

About Carbon Market:

Carbon markets are a tool for putting a price on carbon emissions. It allows the trade of carbon credits with the overall objective of bringing down emissions.
These markets create incentives to reduce emissions or improve energy efficiency.
It establishes trading systems where carbon credits or allowances can be bought and sold.
- A carbon credit is a kind of tradable permit that, per United Nations standards, equals one tonne of carbon dioxide removed, reduced, or sequestered from the atmosphere.
- Carbon allowances or caps, meanwhile, are determined by countries or governments according to their emission reduction targets.
Article 6 of the Paris Agreement provides for the use of international carbon markets by countries to fulfill their NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions).
- NDCs are climate commitments by countries setting targets to achieve net-zero emissions.

Types of Carbon Markets:

Compliance Markets:
- Set up by policies at the national, regional, and/or international level and are officially regulated.
- Compliance markets mostly operate under a principle called ‘cap-and-trade”, most popular in the European Union (EU).
- Under the EU’s emissions trading system (ETS) launched in 2005, member countries set a cap or limit for emissions in different sectors, such as power, oil, manufacturing, agriculture, and waste management. This cap is determined as per the climate targets of countries and is lowered successively to reduce emissions.
- Entities in this sector are issued annual allowances or permits by governments equal to the emissions they can generate.
- If companies produce emissions beyond the capped amount, they have to purchase additional permits. This makes up the ‘trade’ part of cap-and-trade.
- The market price of carbon is determined by market forces when purchasers and sellers trade in emissions allowances.
Voluntary Markets:
- Voluntary markets are those in which emitters— corporations, private individuals, and others— buy carbon credits to offset the emission of one tonne of CO2 or equivalent greenhouse gases.
- Such carbon credits are created by activities which reduce CO2 from the air, such as afforestation.
- In this market, a corporation looking to compensate for its unavoidable GHG emissions purchases carbon credits from an entity engaged in projects that reduce, remove, capture, or avoid emissions.
- In voluntary markets, credits are verified by private firms as per popular standards. There are also traders and online registries where climate projects are listed and certified credits can be bought.

8. India at the Climate Summit

Subject : Environment

Section: International conventions

BASIC Group:

The BASIC group was formed as the result of an agreement signed by the four countries (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) on 28th November, 2009.
All members of BRICS nations except Russia, are part of the BASIC group.
It was initiated and led by China.
The signatory nations committed to acting together at the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference, commonly known as the Copenhagen Summit, scheduled in Copenhagen, Denmark from December 7-18, 2009.
BASIC is one of several groups of nations working together to fight climate change and carry out negotiations within the UNFCCC.
Other than BASIC, there are the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the group of countries of Central Asia, Caucasus, Albania and Moldova (CACAM), etc.
Brazil, South Africa, India and China put together has one-third of the world’s geographical area and nearly 40% of the world’s population.

Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC):

LMDC comprises around 25 developing countries from Asia and other regions.
It organises themselves as a block of negotiators in international organizations such as the United Nations and WTO.
They represent more than 50% of the world’s population.
Member countries: Algeria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, China, Cuba, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.

9. India set to launch Xray Polarimeter Satellite, says ISRO

Subject :Science and Tech

Section: Space tech

Context:

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that India is set to launch its first X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat), aiming to investigate the polarisation of intense X-Ray sources.

About the mission:

The XPoSat spacecraft is designated for observation from Low Earth Orbit, carrying two scientific payloads.
With these two payloads, the XpoSat mission is capable of simultaneous studies of temporal, spectral, and polarization features of the bright X-Ray sources.
The mission objectives include:
- measurement of X-Ray polarization in the energy band of 8-30 keV emanated from X-Ray sources,
- long-term spectral and temporal studies of cosmic X-Ray sources in the energy band of 8-15 keV.
The mission life is expected to be approximately five years.
The payloads onboard XpoSat will observe the X-Ray sources during the spacecraft’s transit through the Earth’s shadow, i.e., during the eclipse period.
The XpoSat will be launched by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota.
XpoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) is India’s first dedicated polarimetry mission to study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions.
The spacecraft will carry two scientific payloads in a low earth orbit.
- The primary payload POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) will measure the polarimetry parameters (degree and angle of polarization) in medium X-ray energy range photons of astronomical origin.
- The XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) payload will give spectroscopic information.

Significance of the mission:

The emission mechanism from various astronomical sources such as blackhole, neutron stars, active galactic nuclei, pulsar wind nebulae etc. originates from complex physical processes and are challenging to understand.
While the spectroscopic and timing information by various space based observatories provide a wealth of information, the exact nature of the emission from such sources still poses deeper challenges to astronomers.
The polarimetry measurements add two more dimension to our understanding:
- the degree of polarization and
- the angle of polarization
Thus is an excellent diagnostic tool to understand the emission processes from astronomical sources.

10. MHA to Examine Constitutional Safeguards for Ladakh

Subject :Polity

Section: Federalism

Context:

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has taken a significant step in addressing the demands of civil society groups in Ladakh by agreeing to examine constitutional safeguards for the Union Territory.
This development is outlined in an order issued recently to re-constitute a high-powered committee (HPC) for Ladakh.

Background and Unrest:

Ladakh, with a population of 2.74 lakh as per the 2011 Census, has witnessed protests in recent years due to concerns about the protection of land, resources, and employment for locals.
The bifurcation of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories – J&K and Ladakh – in 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370, has contributed to the region’s unrest. Ladakh, unlike J&K, lacks a legislative assembly.

About Sixth Schedule (Indian Constitution):

The sixth schedule contains provisions related to the Administration of Tribal Areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
The Sixth Schedule provides for the administration of certain tribal areas as autonomous entities.
The provisions of the sixth schedule are provided under Articles 244(2) and 275(1) of the Indian Constitution.

Key Highlights:

Committee Reconstitution:

The MHA has issued an order to re-constitute a high-powered committee (HPC) for the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Chaired by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, this 22-member committee includes representatives from both Kargil and Leh divisions.

Terms of Reference:

The committee’s terms of reference encompass a comprehensive set of objectives.
These include discussing measures to preserve Ladakh’s unique culture and language, ensuring protection of land and employment for the local population, promoting inclusive development and employment generation, and addressing concerns related to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill District Councils of Leh and Kargil.
Importantly, the committee is tasked with examining constitutional safeguards that could be implemented to ensure the aforementioned measures and protections.

Leh Apex Body’s Demands:

The Leh Apex Body, supported by the influential Ladakh Buddhist Association and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, has been advocating for statehood for Ladakh, inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, job reservations for locals, and parliamentary representation for both Leh and Kargil.

11. Three Anti submarine Warfare ships for the Indian Navy launched

Subject :Science and Tech

Section: defence

Context:

Recently, the Cochin Shipyard marked a significant milestone with the simultaneous launch of the first three ships in a series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) shallow water crafts commissioned by the Indian Navy.
The ceremony, attended by distinguished naval officials and their spouses, unveiled INS Mahe, INS Malva, and INS Mangrol.

Key Highlights:

Capabilities:

Cochin Shipyard, in a 2019 contract with the Ministry of Defence, undertook the construction of eight ASW vessels known as the Mahe class.
These vessels are designed to replace the Navy’s existing Abhay class ASW corvettes, equipped with capabilities for anti-submarine operations, low-intensity maritime scenarios, mine laying, and sub-surface surveillance operations.

Indigenous Content:

With over 80% indigenous content, the ASW SWC ships exemplify India’s commitment to ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India).
The emphasis on indigenous production contributes to large-scale defense manufacturing within the country, fostering employment opportunities and enhancing national capabilities.

Arms and Equipment:

The ASW vessels are armed with state-of-the-art technology, including light-weight torpedoes, ASW rockets, mines, a close-in weapon system (30 mm gun), and 12.7 mm stabilized remote control guns.
These armaments enhance their effectiveness in various naval operations, including coordinated ASW operations with aircraft and search and rescue missions.

Vessel Specifications:

Each Mahe class vessel, measuring 78 meters in length, 11.36 meters in width, with a draught of 2.7 meters, boasts a displacement of 896 tonnes and can achieve speeds of up to 25 knots.
With an endurance of 1,800 nautical miles, these vessels accommodate indigenously-developed sonars for underwater surveillance.
The crew composition includes 57 personnel, including seven naval officers.

Challenges Overcome:

Madhu S. Nair, CMD of the shipyard, addressed challenges faced during the construction process, including the pandemic, forex variations, and the war in Ukraine.
Despite these obstacles, the vessels were delivered within specified price limits, showcasing the resilience and dedication of the Cochin Shipyard.

Project Timeline:

According to a press release, the first ship of the ASW SWC project is scheduled for delivery by November 2024.
This timeline emphasizes the efficiency and dedication with which Cochin Shipyard is progressing in the construction and commissioning of these crucial naval assets.

12. Dismay over addition of colour image of Dhanvantari to NMCs logo

Subject : Polity

Section: National body

Context:

The recent directive from the Union Health Ministry to rename Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres to ‘Ayushman Arogya Mandir’ with the tagline ‘Arogyam Parmam Dhanam’ has initiated a broader rebranding process in the health sector.
This move has been followed by the National Medical Commission (NMC) modifying its logo, incorporating a colored image of Dhanvantari, a deity associated with Ayurveda in Hinduism, along with the word ‘Bharat’ above it.

About NMCs:

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has been established through legislation called the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, passed by the Parliament.
Functioning as the principal authority overseeing medical education and practice in India, the NMC is dedicated to maintaining the utmost standards in healthcare education.
Its primary objective is to guarantee the provision of high-quality medical education and training throughout the country.

Key Highlights:

Rebranding Initiative:

The decision to rename Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres and modify the NMC logo has stirred discontent among doctors, leaders, and the public.
Critics question the necessity of this exercise, particularly when the Department of Health and Family Welfare, with a budget allocation of around 2% of the total Central government expenditure for 2023-24, is undertaking a renaming process for the 1.16 lakh health centers across India.

Financial Allocation:

The communication from the Centre to the States and Union Territories indicates that the proposed funds for renaming each health centre are ₹3,000.
This has raised concerns about the utilization of resources and the priority given to such rebranding initiatives amidst broader health challenges.

Ayushman Bharat Centres’ Objective:

Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres aim to provide a comprehensive package of services, covering preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care for all age groups.
The project receives 60% funding from the Centre and 40% from the States.

Secular Concerns:

Doctors and activists argue that the inclusion of Dhanvantari in the logo embraces pseudoscientific beliefs associated with Ayurveda, raising questions about the secular nature of medical institutions.
The move is seen as contrary to the principles of science and rationality.
National Medical Commission (NMC):
The NMC, previously known as the Medical Council of India, is a 33-member regulatory body overseeing medical education in the country.
The controversy surrounding its logo change adds to existing debates about its role and priorities in the healthcare sector.

13. The spread of AIDS can be stopped with science backed protocols

Subject : Science and tech

Section: Health

Context:

As of December 1, 2023, individuals with HIV who consistently undergo antiretroviral therapy (ART) experience a life comparable to those without HIV, with modeling studies indicating nearly identical life expectancies.
This development challenges historical perceptions of HIV as a life-threatening condition and emphasizes the efficacy of sustained antiretroviral treatment.

Key Highlights:

Normal Life with ART:

Individuals with HIV who adhere to uninterrupted antiretroviral therapy are reported to lead normal lives.
This marks a significant shift from earlier perceptions of HIV as a potentially life-threatening condition.

Life Expectancy Parity:

Modeling studies have demonstrated that the life expectancy of individuals with HIV under consistent antiretroviral therapy is nearly indistinguishable from that of individuals without HIV.
This finding underscores the effectiveness of modern medical interventions in managing the virus.

Global HIV Statistics:

Since the first reported case of HIV in 1981, approximately 39 million people globally are currently living with HIV.
In India, the number stands at 2.4 million. This highlights the global and national impact of the virus.

New Infections:

Despite progress in managing HIV, there were 1.3 million new HIV infections worldwide in 2022, with India contributing 63,000 to this figure.
The data emphasizes the ongoing challenges in preventing new infections.
Key Populations at Risk: Most transmissions occur within key populations, including female sex workers, men having sex with men, the transgender community, and injecting drug users.

About Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV):

HIV is a lentivirus, a sub-classification of retrovirus, that leads to the HIV infection and, over time, progresses to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).

Types of HIV:

Type One (HIV-1): This is the most common type, further categorized into four groups – Group M (Major), Group N (Non-M & Non-O), Group O (Outlier), and Group P.
Group M is responsible for approximately 90% of HIV cases worldwide.
Type Two (HIV-2): Found primarily in Western Africa, with some cases in India and Europe, HIV-2 is further categorized into eight groups (A to H).
It is closely related to the simian immunodeficiency virus endemic in a monkey species.

AIDS: This is a severe condition where the immune system fails, making the affected person susceptible to life-threatening infections and cancers.

Transmission: HIV can be transmitted through blood, breast milk, vaginal fluids, semen, or pre-ejaculate. It exists as free particles and within infected immune cells in bodily fluids.

Survival Period: Without treatment, the average survival period for a person with HIV is nine to eleven years, depending on the subtype of HIV.

Treatment: Antiretroviral therapy can prevent the progression of HIV to a severe form.

First-line HIV Treatment – TLD:

Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate, Lamivudine, and Dolutegravir (TLD) is a single-pill antiretroviral treatment.
WHO endorsed TLD in 2018 due to its effectiveness, fewer side effects, and simplicity.

Historical Progress and Collaboration:

2017: TLD was introduced at $75 annually in low- and middle-income countries with global support.
Partnerships led to 19 million in resource-limited settings receiving TLD, promoting efficiency and sustainable pricing.

Future Initiatives and Impact:

Global Fund’s NextGen approach focuses on affordable HIV treatment through collaborations, particularly in India and Africa.
Pooled Procurement Mechanism and Reach
Mechanism negotiated $1.5 billion in 2021 orders, serving 90 countries, and providing access to essential health products.

The Global Fund

The Global Fund is an international financing and partnership organization.
It was created in 2002 and its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Global Fund aims to attract, leverage, and invest additional resources to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria to support the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.
It is designed to promote innovative solutions to global health challenges. It works in partnership with governments, civil society, technical agencies, and people affected by the diseases.
Public sector contributions have constituted 95 percent of all financing raised; the remaining 5 percent comes from the private sector or other financing initiatives such as Product Red.

Govt Initiatives to control HIV

Government of India provides free lifelong antiretrovirale (ARV) medicines for people living with HIV. Under its National AIDS Control Programme, presently 15.23 lakh (Approx.) people living with HIV are given ARV medicines through 687 ART centers and 1261 link ART centers irrespective of their income background. It includes free adherence counselling, diagnostic and monitoring services like baseline laboratory investigations, CD4 count testing, viral load testing, etc.
To de–stigmatize the myths revolving around the disease, NACO implements multimedia campaigns along with mass media supported by outdoor media such as hoardings, bus panels, information kiosks, folk performances and exhibition vans to create awareness on HIV/AIDS and promoting services/facilities across the country. At the inter-personal level, training and sensitization programmes for Self-Help Groups, Anganwadi workers, ASHA, members of Panchayati Raj Institutions and other key stakeholders are carried out to spread awareness about treatment and other facilities. This year’s World Aids Day, observed on 1st December, was observed widely with the theme Equalize.
The Adolescence Education Programme is implemented in more than 50,000 schools, providing 100% coverage to students of class 8^th, 9th and 11^ththrough co-curricular activities based on life skill education approach in senior and senior secondary schools. 32 States included the topic of HIV /AIDS in curricula of schools.
Red Ribbon Clubs are formed in colleges to encourage peer to peer messaging on HIV prevention and provide a safe space for young people to seek clarification to their doubts on myths surrounding HIV/AIDS.

14. India is building its own ‘sovereign AI’

Subject : Science and Tech

Section: Awareness of IT

Context: India is building its own ‘sovereign AI’

More about the news:

India is aiming to adopt a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) approach to artificial intelligence (AI) after successfully implementing similar strategies for initiatives like Aadhaar and Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
The government wants to establish sovereign AI, emphasizing the importance of developing its own AI ecosystem rather than relying solely on global players like Google and Meta.
The focus is not only on competing in generative AI models but also on addressing real-world applications in healthcare, agriculture, governance, language translation, and more.
The goal is to leverage AI for economic development and offer a sanctioned AI compute infrastructure for various use cases.
Minister of State for Electronics, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, expressed this vision during an event organized by the Financial Express.

What is India’s plan for controlling its own AI:

India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT has proposed the creation of an India Datasets platform as part of the National Data Governance Framework Policy.
The platform aims to house non-personal and anonymized datasets from Central government entities, which have collected data from Indian citizens.
The objective is to make this non-personal data accessible to startups and Indian researchers, fostering an environment for artificial intelligence (AI) and data-led research and startups in the country.
The proposal is part of an effort to modernize government data collection and enhance governance.
A report from a working group under the IT Ministry suggests that the India datasets program could serve as a unified national data sharing and exchange platform, benefiting various stakeholders, including government bodies, private sector companies, startups, academia, and more.
The non-personal data within the platform might also be monetized, contributing to the growth of the AI ecosystem in India by providing a solid foundation for data-driven innovation and development.

How will India regulate AI:

India is planning to introduce laws governing artificial intelligence (AI) with a focus on bringing significant changes to its digital economy.
The approach is expected to be a hybrid of both the European model, which emphasizes regulation for the rights of citizens, and the U.S. model, which focuses on market regulation.
The government is reportedly considering issuing a directive to major tech companies like Facebook, Google, and Amazon to share anonymized personal data with a government-backed database, as part of the draft Digital India Bill.
The directive could mandate depositing non-personal data into the India datasets platform.
This initiative aims to harness economic benefits from aggregated non-personal datasets and was initially proposed by a committee chaired by Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan.

What are the key Provisions of the Digital India Bill:

The Bill is a key part of a comprehensive legal framework which encompasses various legislative measures such as
- The recently-notified Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023
- The draft Indian Telecommunication Bill 2022, and
- A policy addressing the governance of non-personal data.
The Bill prioritizes online safety and trust, aiming to protect citizens’ digital rights while remaining adaptable to market changes and international legal principles.
Recognizing the significance of new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain, the Bill provides guidelines for their responsible use.
It upholds the idea of an open internet, balancing accessibility with necessary regulations to maintain order and protect users.
The Bill introduces stringent Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements for wearable devices, backed by criminal law sanctions.
Contemplating a review of the “safe harbour” principle, the Bill suggests a potential shift in online accountability standards, presently shielding online platforms from liability related to user-generated content.

15. Govt acting as Chancellor not bound by state advice :SC

Subject :Polity

Section: Federalism

Context: Governors acting as Chancellor not bound by advice of ministers, says Supreme Court

More about the news:

The Supreme Court of India ruled that Governors, when acting as University Chancellors, are not obligated to follow the advice of the council of ministers.
The decision came as the court invalidated the reappointment of Gopinath Ravindran as Vice-Chancellor of Kannur University.
The three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, emphasized that the Chancellor and the State Government are distinct authorities according to statutes, and the Governor, as Chancellor, acts in a personal capacity.
The ruling stated that the powers and duties exercised by the Governor as the University Chancellor have no connection to those performed as the Governor of the state.
The judgment highlighted the principle that statutory powers must be executed by the designated body or authority and any delegation of such powers is considered an abdication of statutory mandate, contrary to the rule of law.
The decision referred to a 1981 judgment emphasizing the Governor’s independence in appointing/removing a Vice-Chancellor, asserting that the Governor, as the ex officio Chancellor, is not bound by the advice of the council of ministers in this context.

What is the role of the Chancellor in public universities:

State public universities are established through laws passed by state legislatures.
In most laws the Governor has been designated as the Chancellor of these universities.
The Chancellor functions as the head of public universities, and appoints the Vice-Chancellor of the university.
The Chancellor can declare invalid, any university proceeding which is not as per existing laws.
The Chancellor also presides over the convocation of the university, and confirms proposals for conferring honorary degrees. (This is different in Telangana, where the Chancellor is appointed by the state government.)
The Chancellor presides over the meetings of various university bodies (such as the Court/Senate of the university).
The Court/Senate decides on matters of general policy related to the development of the university, such as:
- Establishing new university departments,
- Conferring and withdrawing degrees and titles, and
- Instituting fellowships.

Does the Governor have discretion in his capacity as Chancellor:

In 1997, the Supreme Court of India ruled that the Governor is not bound by the advice of the Council of Ministers when performing duties related to a separate statutory office, such as that of the Chancellor in educational institutions.
The Sarkaria and Puunchi Commissions, which addressed the Governor’s role in educational institutions, agreed that the Governor is not legally obligated to follow the advice of the Council of Ministers while carrying out statutory functions.
Both commissions suggested that it could be beneficial for the Governor to consult the relevant Minister despite not being bound by their advice.
The Sarkaria Commission recommended that state legislatures should refrain from granting statutory powers to the Governor beyond those envisioned by the Constitution.
The Punchhi Commission noted that the Governor’s role as Chancellor may expose the office to controversies or public criticism, advocating for limiting the Governor’s role to constitutional provisions.
The West Bengal University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022 cites this recommendation from the Puunchi Commission in its Statement of Objects and Reasons.

16. Henry Kissinger

Subject :IR

Section: International events

Context: Henry Kissinger, dominant US diplomat of Cold War era, dies aged 100

More about the news:

Henry Kissinger, the influential U.S. diplomat known for his pivotal role in Cold War-era diplomacy, has died at the age of 100.
Born in Germany, Kissinger played a key part in opening diplomatic relations between the U.S. and China, negotiating arms control agreements with the Soviet Union, and concluding the Vietnam War.
Despite being celebrated for his strategic brilliance, Kissinger faced criticism for supporting anti-communist regimes, particularly in Latin America.
He served as national security adviser and secretary of state under Presidents Nixon and Ford,

Some more facts about Henry Kissinger:

Heinz Alfred Kissinger, born in Germany in 1923 and later known as Henry Kissinger, moved to the United States in 1938 to escape the Nazi regime’s persecution of Jews.
After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he attended Harvard University on a scholarship, eventually earning a doctorate and staying on as a faculty member for 17 years.
Kissinger, an influential figure in U.S. diplomacy, worked as a consultant to government agencies, acting as an intermediary for the State Department with North Vietnam in 1967.
With connections to President Lyndon Johnson’s administration, he facilitated communication about peace negotiations to the Nixon camp.
Nixon appointed him national security adviser in 1968.
In 1973, Kissinger, serving as both national security adviser and secretary of state, engaged in shuttle diplomacy to ease tensions in the Arab-Israeli conflict, leading to a disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights.
In an effort to counter Soviet influence, Kissinger initiated diplomatic relations with China, culminating in President Nixon’s historic summit with Chairman Mao Zedong in 1972.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973 for his efforts to bring peace to Vietnam.