Daily Prelims Notes 10 February 2025

February 10, 2025
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

10 February 2025

Table Of Contents

1. India’s Role in Shaping AI Governance at the AI Action Summit

Sub: Sci

Sec: Awareness in AI, Computer

Why in News

India has accepted France’s invitation to co-chair the AI Action Summit scheduled for February 10-11, 2025, in Paris. This summit follows similar global meetings in the UK (2023) and South Korea (2024).

India’s Leadership in AI:

India has consistently championed the Global South’s AI interests at multilateral forums such as the G20 and the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI).
Under India’s G20 Presidency (2023), the bloc endorsed a pro-innovation AI regulatory approach to balance innovation with risk mitigation.
The GPAI Summit, hosted by India, emphasized the need for equitable access to AI infrastructure to enable developing nations to harness AI’s potential.

Key Priorities for India at the AI Action Summit:

India’s initiative to establish a national AI computing facility with over 18,600 GPUs and a 40% government subsidy serves as a model for equitable AI access.
India should advocate for expanding access to cloud computing platforms, open-source AI models, and distributed computing solutions.
Export control restrictions on AI technology hinder AI development—India must push for flexible cross-border AI technology transfers while ensuring safety compliance.
India should push for a framework to prioritize AI use cases that address challenges in:
- Healthcare: AI-powered early disease detection adapted to local healthcare systems.
- Education: Personalized learning platforms tailored to diverse regional education needs.
- Agriculture: AI-driven tools optimized for regional farming practices.
India should propose the creation of an AI Use-Case Repository to guide AI adoption in developing economies.
AI risks in the Global South differ from those in developed nations—India should ensure these concerns are addressed.
Cultural erosion due to language models trained primarily on Western data is a major risk for linguistic and cultural diversity.
The International Scientific Report on the Safety of Advanced AI highlights that AI risk is derived from both future uncertainties and past harms.
India should advocate for a Global AI Risk Repository to document AI-related harms in the Global South, shaping future regulatory approaches.

Previous AI Summits and India’s Engagement:

The first summit at Bletchley Park (UK, 2023) focused on AI safety and risks, launching the UK’s AI Safety Institute (AISI).
- First major global AI safety summit. Discussions on AI existential risks and international regulations.
- Participating nations included the US, UK, China, and India.
AI Safety Summit 2024: Held at Seoul, South Korea
- Follow-up to the 2023 UK AI Safety Summit. Addressed AI risks, including cybersecurity and deepfake prevention.
AI for Good Global Summit 2024: Held at Geneva, Switzerland
- Organized by the UN’s ITU. Explored AI’s impact on sustainability, education, and public health.
World AI Summit 2024: Held at Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Largest AI summit with global policymakers and tech leaders. Discussed AI regulations, deep learning advancements, and AI ethics.
Global INDIAai Summit 2024: Held at New Delhi, India
- Focused on democratizing AI and India’s leadership in AI innovation.
- Launch of AI partnerships with OECD and GPAI.
- Showcase of deep-tech AI startups.

Global Partnership on AI summit:

The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) is a multi-stakeholder initiative which aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice on AI by supporting cutting-edge research and applied activities on AI-related priorities.
Its establishment was announced during the 2018 G7 Summit by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron.
GPAI was officially launched on June 15, 2020
The Global Partnership in Artificial Intelligence is described as the ‘fruition of an idea developed within the G7.’
GPAI has twenty-nine member states i.e. Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, the Republic of Korea (South Korea), Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union (EU).
India joined the GPAI in 2020 as a founding member.
Its Secretariat is hosted at the OECD.
India had assumed the presidency Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) for 2022-23

2. The Role of the SRY Gene in Determining Sex

Sub: Sci

Sec: Health

Why in News

Recent studies from the Renato Dulbecco University Hospital in Italy and the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, USA, have reported exceptional cases of females possessing the SRY gene. These findings, published in Genes and Molecular Genetics and Genomic Medicine, respectively, provide new insights into the gene’s role in sex determination.

About SRY Gene:

Sex-determining Region Y (SRY) gene is found on the Y chromosome.
Ait acts as a transcription factor, initiating male sex determination by promoting the development of testes.
Role in Sex Determination: The SRY protein binds to DNA, causing it to bend and alter its structure. This binding regulates the expression of other genes crucial for testis formation, such as SOX9.
In typical male development, the presence of the SRY gene leads to the differentiation of the bipotential gonads into testes.
The testes then produce male hormones, including testosterone, which guide the development of male secondary sexual characteristics.
46,XX Testicular Disorder of Sex Development: Occurs when the SRY gene is translocated to an X chromosome.
- Individuals have two X chromosomes but develop male characteristics due to the presence of the SRY gene.
- Such individuals are typically sterile due to the absence of other Y chromosome genes necessary for spermatogenesis.
Swyer Syndrome (46,XY Gonadal Dysgenesis): Results from mutations or deletions in the SRY gene.
- Individuals have an XY karyotype but develop female characteristics because the defective SRY gene fails to initiate testis development.
- They possess undeveloped gonads and do not undergo puberty without hormone replacement therapy.
Ongoing studies aim to understand the regulatory networks involving the SRY gene and its interactions with other factors like SF1, WT1, and DAX1.
Y Chromosome Degeneration: Research indicates that the Y chromosome, which houses the SRY gene, is degenerating and may disappear in a few million years.

Exceptional Cases of SRY Gene in Females:

In rare cases, the SRY gene can be transferred from the Y chromosome to the X chromosome due to a mutation known as a translocation.
When a sperm carrying an X chromosome with an SRY translocation fertilizes an egg, an XX individual with the SRY gene is born.
In most cases, XX individuals with the SRY gene develop testes and become biological males.
However, these individuals remain sterile, as they lack other Y chromosome genes required for sperm production.

Chromosomal Basis of Sex Determination:

Human reproductive cells (eggs and sperm) contain 23 chromosomes, including one pair of sex chromosomes (XX for females, XY for males).
Egg cells always carry an X chromosome, while sperm may carry either an X or a Y chromosome.
The combination at fertilization determines the baby’s sex: XX results in a female, while XY results in a male.

3. In poll-bound Meghalaya, rat-hole coal mining hopes ride on Article 371

Sub: Polity

Sec: Constitution

Context:- A regional party, the Voice of the People Party (VPP), has suggested that bringing Meghalaya under Article 371 could help resume rat-hole coal mining, which has been banned since April 2014.

They cited Nagaland’s Article 371A, which guarantees protection of land, resources, and customary laws, as a model for Meghalaya.

Argument for Article 371 in Meghalaya

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned rat-hole mining in Meghalaya in 2014, and the Supreme Court upheld the ban, extending it to other northeastern states.
Rat-hole mining continues uninterrupted in Nagaland because NGT cannot interfere due to Article 371A.
The Sixth Schedule provides district councils the power to make laws on land, forests, and social customs.
VPP’s stand: If Meghalaya gets Article 371, no central laws (such as the NGT ban) could be imposed.

Counterarguments Against Article 371 for Meghalaya

Most parties disagree with the demand for Article 371, stating it is incompatible with the Sixth Schedule.
Leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and Meghalaya’s Tourism Minister, stated that Article 371 and the Sixth Schedule cannot co-exist.

About Article 371

Article 371 of the Indian Constitution provides special provisions for certain states based on their unique social, cultural, economic, and political conditions. The provisions differ from state to state.

Article 371 (Maharashtra and Gujarat)
- Allows the establishment of development boards for Vidarbha, Marathwada, Saurashtra, and Kutch.
- Ensures equitable distribution of resources and opportunities in these regions.
Article 371A (Nagaland)
- Grants special protection to land, resources, and customary laws.
- No parliamentary act related to ownership and transfer of land and its resources applies to Nagaland unless approved by the state legislature.
Article 371B (Assam)
- Provides for the creation of a committee of elected representatives from the Tribal Areas of Assam.
Article 371C (Manipur)
- Establishes a Hill Areas Committee for protection of tribal interests.
Article 371D & 371E (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana)
- Ensures equitable distribution of resources and educational opportunities.
- Article 371E allows for a Central University in Andhra Pradesh.
Article 371F (Sikkim)
- Special provisions to protect the traditional laws, land ownership, and culture of Sikkimese people.
Article 371G (Mizoram)
- Protects Mizo customary laws, land ownership, and religious practices.
Article 371H (Arunachal Pradesh)
- Special provisions regarding law and order in Arunachal Pradesh.
Article 371I(Goa)
- Article 371-I of the Constitution of India is a special provision for the state of Goa. It was added in 1987 by the 56th Amendment Act
Article 371J (Karnataka)
- Provides for special reservation in education and government jobs for people from the Hyderabad-Karnataka region.

Sixth Schedule and Autonomous District Councils (ADCs)

The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution provides special autonomy to tribal areas in the northeastern states of India.
States Covered Under the Sixth Schedule
- Assam
- Meghalaya
- Tripura
- Mizoram
Paragraph 12A of sixth schedule: Allows state laws to override ADC laws in case of conflict.
Membership: ADCs have up to 30 members with a term of five years, of whom four are nominated by the governor and the remaining 26 are elected on the basis of adult franchise.
Tenure:five years from the date of their constitution.

Powers:

Power to make laws on land, forests, village administration, social customs, and inheritance
Power to establish and manage primary schools, dispensaries, markets, and roads.

Rat-Hole Mining and Its Environmental Concerns

A hazardous method of coal extraction involving narrow tunnels dug by miners.
Major concerns:
- Environmental damage (deforestation, groundwater contamination).
- Unsafe working conditions (frequent accidents, child labor issues).
- Banned by the NGT in 2014 due to safety and environmental reasons.
Continues illegally in some regions despite the ban.

4. Why Union Cabinet approved bifurcating one of the railways’ biggest revenue-generating zones

Sub: Eco

Sec: Infra

Context:

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the creation of the South Coast Railway (SCoR) zone. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the South Coast Railway headquarters in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, in early January.

South Coast Railway zone:

The SCoR zone is the 18th zone of the Indian Railways and was established to cater to the growing passenger and freight demands in the region. It is created under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014, which led to the formation of Telangana state.
The new zone will be carved out from the East Coast Railway (ECoR) and South Central Railway (SCR).
The South Coast Railway Zone will cover a significant portion of Andhra Pradesh, parts of Telangana, and Tamil Nadu.

Reasons for the Creation of South Coast Railway Zone:

Item 8 of Schedule 13 (Infrastructure) of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act mandated the examination of creating a new railway zone.
The new zone aims to improve operational efficiency and provide focused services to meet growing passenger and freight demands.
The zone will support the industrial and agricultural growth in the region, enhance logistics for key ports like Visakhapatnam and Krishnapatnam, and boost tourism to cultural landmarks such as Tirupati.

Division of Waltair Railway Division:

The Waltair Railway Division, one of the largest revenue-generating divisions of Indian Railways, was previously under the East Coast Railway. With the creation of SCoR, the division has been divided into two parts:
Visakhapatnam Railway Division: The first part of the Waltair division, which will be included under SCoR and renamed as Visakhapatnam Railway Division.
Rayagada Railway Division: The second part of the Waltair division will remain under ECoR and will be converted into a new division with headquarters at Rayagada, Odisha.

Why is the Waltair division significant?

The Waltair division is an important source of revenue for the railways, primarily because its freight traffic is linked to the mining and steel industries of Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
In FY 2023-24, the East Coast Railway loaded 250 million tons of freight, surpassing all records in Indian Railways, with Waltair contributed significantly to this figure, particularly in freight from mining areas.

5. New Zealand voices ‘concern’ as Cook Islands seeks partnership with China

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, expressed significant concern over the Cook Islands’ upcoming state visit to Beijing and the signing of a “joint action plan” for a “comprehensive strategic partnership” with China.
The Cook Islands’ Prime Minister, Mark Brown, is expected to finalize the deal during his visit next week.
New Zealand criticized the Cook Islands for failing to consult with them on the agreement, citing concerns about potential strategic and security implications.

Cook Islands’ Relationship with New Zealand:

The Cook Islands is a small, self-governing Pacific nation with a “free association” arrangement with New Zealand.
The people of the Cook Islands hold New Zealand citizenship, and New Zealand provides significant financial, military and diplomatic support to the country.
As part of their relationship, New Zealand has emphasized the importance of being consulted on any agreements the Cook Islands might enter into that have significant strategic and security implications.

China’s Influence in the Pacific:

China’s expanding influence in the Pacific region has raised concerns among traditional Western powers like New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.
China’s increasing involvement in Pacific nations, through economic aid and diplomatic relations, is seen as a challenge to the regional dominance of these countries.

About Cook Islands:

The Cook Islands is an island country in Polynesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean.
They are a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand, meaning they have their own government but rely on New Zealand for defence and foreign affairs.
Capital: Avarua, located on Rarotonga, the largest island in the group.