Daily Prelims Notes 13 January 2025

January 13, 2025
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

13 January 2025

Table Of Contents

1. Declining Fertility Levels and Rising Maternal Mortality Ratio in Kerala

Sub : Geo

Sec: Human Geo

Why in News

Kerala, known for its remarkable healthcare indicators, is witnessing a concerning trend: a rising Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR). Despite maintaining the lowest MMR in India, recent reports indicate a steady climb, raising alarm among health authorities. The issue stems not from increased maternal deaths but declining childbirths, reflecting broader demographic challenges.

Current Trends:

MMR in Kerala: Officially recorded at 19 per one lakh live births (2018–20, Sample Registration System).
Actual estimates by the State Health Department place it higher at 29 per one lakh live births.
The spike is attributed to fewer childbirths rather than a rise in maternal deaths.
Current Birth Figures: Live births have dropped to 3.93 lakh annually from an earlier average of 5–5.5 lakh.
The Vital Statistics Report (VSR), is anticipated to show further decline.
Historical Decline: Kerala’s live births went below five lakh annually for the first time in 2016.
Replacement-Level Fertility: Kerala achieved replacement-level fertility (TFR: 2.1) in 1987–88. The TFR dropped to 1.5 in 2020 and is now nearing 1.35, based on current trends.

About Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR):

MMR is the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births during a given time period.
According to the Sample Registration System (SRS) data for 2018-20, India’s MMR is 97 per 100,000 live births, a decline from 130 in 2014-16.
The UN MMEIG 2020 report indicates a decline from 384 in 2000 to 103 in 2020.

About Total Fertility Rate (TFR):

TFR represents the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive lifetime.
As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), India’s TFR has declined to 2.0, below the replacement level of 2.1.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and MMR Targets:

SDG Target 3.1: Aims to reduce the global MMR to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.
India’s Progress: With an MMR of 97 per 100,000 live births, India is progressing towards the SDG target.
The average annual rate of reduction in India’s MMR from 2000 to 2020 was 6.36%, higher than the global decline of 2.07%.

2. Water gushes out from underground in Rajasthan village: What is ‘artesian condition’, responsible for it?

Sub : Geo

Sec : Indian Physical Geography

Context:

Recently, residents of Taranagar village in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, witnessed a rare event when large amounts of water began gushing out of the ground after a farmer in the Mohangarh area had a tube well drilled.
This unusual event drew attention and sparked various speculations, including connections to the ancient Saraswati River.
However, scientists have explained that the occurrence was related to a geological phenomenon known as an “artesian condition”.

What is Artesian Condition:

In an artesian system, water is stored under pressure between layers of impermeable rock or sediment. Artesian water flows naturally due to the underground pressure when a rupture (such as drilling) occurs. This pressure forces the water upwards toward the surface.
The term “artesian” is derived from the region of Artois in France, where the most famous flowing artesian wells were drilled during the Middle Ages.
Artesian water typically resides at much greater depths compared to regular groundwater, and its natural flow occurs only when the confined layers above it are punctured.
Similar artesian conditions have been recorded in desert regions of other parts of the world, including Australia and Africa.

3. Small Language Models: A Paradigm Shift in AI Development

Sub : Sci

Sec: Awareness in IT

Why in News

The focus on Small Language Models (SLMs) has gained momentum as researchers and tech companies explore alternatives to Large Language Models (LLMs) due to diminishing returns from scaling up data and computational resources.

About Large Language Models (LLMs):

LLMs, such as OpenAI’s GPT-3 (175 billion parameters) and GPT-4 (1.7 trillion parameters), were designed for achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
Their training required massive datasets sourced from the Internet and substantial computational resources.
Scaling LLMs further is yielding marginal improvements in performance.
“Peak data” limits have been reached, as noted by OpenAI’s former chief scientist, Ilya Sutskever.

Emergence of Small Language Models (SLMs):

What are SLMs?

SLMs are AI models with fewer parameters, optimized for specific tasks rather than general intelligence.
Examples include Google DeepMind’s Gemini Ultra, Nano, and Flash models; OpenAI’s GPT-4o mini; and Meta’s Llama 3.
Why the Shift to SLMs?
- Cost-effective: Requires less compute power and training data.
- Specialized Applications: Ideal for targeted use cases like healthcare, education, and cultural preservation.
- Faster Deployment: Smaller models can be trained and deployed more quickly than LLMs.
Startups like Mistral AI pitch SLMs as efficient alternatives for focused applications.
Indian initiatives like Visvam and Sarvam AI exemplify the potential of SLMs in addressing local challenges and preserving cultural diversity.
With the growing adoption of SLMs, India could bridge the gap between AI innovation and accessibility for its diverse population.

Google DeepMind’s Gemini Ultra: The largest model in the Gemini series, designed for highly complex tasks requiring advanced reasoning and understanding.

Google DeepMind’s Gemini Nano: The most efficient model in the Gemini family, optimized for on-device tasks with low latency and enhanced performance.

Google DeepMind’s Gemini Flash: A workhorse model with low latency and enhanced performance, built to power agentic experiences.

OpenAI’s GPT-4o Mini: A smaller-scale version of OpenAI’s flagship model, GPT-4o, designed to democratize AI access by offering a cost-effective and energy-efficient solution.

Meta’s Llama 3: Meta’s advanced language model, designed for high performance and customization, appealing to enterprises seeking robust, tailor-made AI solutions.

4. The Mystery of Gene Creation

Sub : Sci

Sec: Biotech

Why in News

Recent studies published in Molecular Biology and Evolution by the University of Nevada, Reno, and Genome Biology and Evolution by the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology have provided groundbreaking insights into the process of gene creation, addressing longstanding questions in evolutionary biology.

Key Concepts:

Genes are specific segments of DNA that influence an organism’s characteristics. They play a critical role in defining individuality.
Human Genome: Composed of 2 billion base pairs.
- Contains 20,000 protein-coding genes and another 20,000 genes involved in RNA creation.
- Includes promoters and enhancers, which regulate gene expression.
Chromosomal Makeup: Humans have 24 chromosomes: 22 autosomes and two sex chromosomes (X and Y). Biological females have two X chromosomes; males have one X and one Y.
DNA Composition: DNA consists of two strands held together by base pairs. Two key compounds involved are cytosine and thymine.

How New Genes Are Formed:

New genes are primarily created through a process known as gene duplication, first proposed by Susumu Ohno in 1970.
Duplication: When a gene is copied, the original continues its function, while the duplicate is free to undergo mutations without affecting the organism’s current functionality.
Acquisition of New Functions: Over time, mutations in the duplicate gene may lead to novel functions, providing the organism with evolutionary advantages.
Challenges in Duplication: Duplicate genes can cause harmful protein overproduction. To address this, cells regulate these genes to prevent adverse effects.
Research Insights: Studies revealed that methylation of duplicate genes helps suppress their activity initially, preventing excessive protein production.
This suppression allows the duplicates to survive long enough to mutate and evolve into functional genes.

What is Methylation?

Methylation is a biochemical process where a methyl group (CH₃) is added to DNA molecules, often at cytosine bases.
Role in Gene Regulation: Methylation typically suppresses gene activity by preventing transcription, controlling which genes are active in a cell.
In duplicated genes, methylation prevents overexpression, allowing these genes to remain functional without causing harm.
Impact on Evolution: Methylation increases mutation rates, enabling duplicate genes to develop new roles over time.

What is Random DNA?

Random DNA refers to sequences in the genome that do not initially code for specific proteins or functions.
Random DNA can occasionally influence biological processes, behaving like incipient genes (early-stage genes).
These sequences may eventually evolve into functional genes through natural selection and mutation, contributing to genetic diversity.

5. How the draft rules for implementing data protection falls short

Sub: Polity

Sec: Legislation in news

Context:

After a prolonged wait of 16 months, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has released the draft rules for the implementation of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act). These rules are open for public feedback until mid-February.

About the DPDP Act:

The DPDP Act is India’s first comprehensive data privacy law, which aims to regulate the collection, processing, and management of personal data in various sectors.
The DPDP Act establishes a legal framework for data protection in India, applying to all spheres of commerce and industry.
It outlines operational obligations for data processors, provides special protections for children, grants rights to users, and establishes a grievance redressal mechanism in the form of the Data Protection Board of India.

Key Provisions of the Draft Rules:

Notice and consent requirements for users when collecting and processing data.
Intimation of data breaches to affected parties.
Collection of parental consent for data processing involving children.
Data localization
Procedures for establishing the Data Protection Board.

Criticism of the Draft Rules:

Despite the extended period for drafting and consulting experts, the draft rules have been criticized for being vague and incomplete. They fail to provide the necessary operational clarity to ensure effective implementation of the DPDP Act.
Experts have called for more detailed guidelines and further consultations before finalizing the rules.

Shortcomings in User Rights Implementation:

The DPDP Act grants the users rights over their personal data, such as the right to access, correct, update, and erase their data. However, the draft rules do not provide clear instructions on how users can exercise these rights.
For instance, the right to erasure allows users to request the removal of their data, such as asking search engines to de-list certain links. However, the draft rules do not specify standards for processing such requests.
There is no mention of the conditions under which data processors may object to erasure requests, which could potentially impact third-party speech online.

Challenges in Protecting Children’s Data:

The DPDP Act mandates that data processors must obtain verifiable parental consent before processing the personal data of children under the age of 18. However, the draft rules fall short in providing a clear mechanism for verifying parental consent.
They fail to answer critical questions, such as how to verify parental identity, how to handle children lying about their age, or how to identify children sharing devices with family

6. Linking Voter ID with Aadhaar

Sub: Polity

Sec : Msc

Context: -The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have accused each other of manipulating electoral rolls before the Delhi Assembly elections. This has reignited the debate about linking voter IDs/Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) with respective Aadhaar numbers.

Background

NERPAP Initiative (2015): The Election Commission (EC) launched the National Electoral Rolls Purification and Authentication Program (NERPAP) to eliminate duplicate entries in the electoral rolls by linking the Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) with Aadhaar.
Supreme Court Intervention (2015): The Court’s interim order limited Aadhaar usage to welfare schemes and PAN linking, halting NERPAP.
Puttaswamy Case (2018): Upheld the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar Act, 2016, emphasizing the right to privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21. This judgment laid the groundwork for Aadhaar’s lawful use, subject to restrictions.

Supreme Court’s Mandate

Restricted Aadhaar use to purposes explicitly mentioned in the Aadhaar Act.
Mandated safeguards against exclusion and privacy violations.
Asserted that Aadhaar usage must pass the test of proportionality to ensure it does not infringe fundamental rights.

Legislative Amendments

Representation of the People Act, 1950 & Registration of Electors Rules, 1960: Amended in December 2021 to allow the linking of Aadhaar with voter ID.
Forms Introduced:
- Form 6: Aadhaar submission by new voters during registration.
- Form 6B: Aadhaar submission by existing voters for authentication.
Voluntary Nature: The amendments used the word “may,” ensuring that Aadhaar submission is optional. Alternate documents like PAN card, passport, and driving license can substitute Aadhaar if unavailable.
No Denial Clause: As per the amendments, no application for inclusion in the electoral roll can be denied, nor any existing entry deleted, if Aadhaar cannot be provided due to a “sufficient cause.” This ensures compliance with Article 14 (Right to Equality).

Legal Challenges

Challenge in the Supreme Court: Concerns were raised about privacy and potential voter exclusion under Articles 14 (Equality before law), 19 (Freedom of expression, including voting rights), and 21 (Right to privacy).
EC’s Statement (2023): Clarified that Aadhaar submission is not mandatory. However, forms continue to request Aadhaar details unless explicitly declared unavailable.

Summary of Constitutional Articles Involved

Article 21: Right to privacy, as highlighted in the Puttaswamy case, restricting Aadhaar use to legitimate and proportionate purposes.
Article 14: Ensures equality before the law, preventing discrimination in voter inclusion due to Aadhaar.
Article 324: Empowers the Election Commission to ensure free and fair elections, justifying measures to eliminate voter fraud.
Article 19(1)(a): Protects freedom of expression, which includes the right to vote.

7. Silver Notice ‘more effective’ than MLATs: CBI Director

Sub: Polity

Sec : National Body

Context :-

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director, Praveen Sood, has highlighted the significance of the newly introduced Interpol ‘Silver Notice’ as a more effective tool for tracing illicit assets across borders compared to the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLAT).
The Silver Notice is the brainchild of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who proposed the idea in 2015, and it has now been realized.
The proposal took concrete form during the 2022 Interpol General Assembly hosted by India, where it was adopted as the first resolution.

What is the Silver Notice?

The Silver Notice is the latest addition to Interpol’s suite of colour-coded notices, aimed explicitly at locating assets laundered across international borders.
It facilitates the sharing of critical information and alerts among member countries to trace and recover illicit wealth more efficiently
This development is seen as a significant advancement in combating global financial crimes and enhancing international cooperation.

About Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLAT)

MLATs are formal agreements between two or more countries that enable them to cooperate in criminal matters, such as:

Information Exchange: Sharing data relevant to investigations and prosecutions.
Asset Tracing: Locating and identifying illicit assets.
Evidence Gathering: Providing evidence for judicial proceedings.

Limitations of MLATs:

Delays: Requests often take time to process as they pass through multiple channels.
Bureaucratic Hurdles: Coordination between different agencies can lead to inefficiencies.
Overload: A large number of requests may slow response times.

India has MLATs with 45 countries, according to data on the Ministry of Home Affairs website.

Interpol Notices

Interpol issues eight colour-coded notices and diffusions to facilitate international law enforcement cooperation:

Red Notice: Seeks the location and arrest of a person wanted for extradition.
Blue Notice: Requests information about a person’s identity, location, or activities.
Green Notice: Warns about criminal activities of a person that may pose a threat.
Yellow Notice: Aids in locating missing persons or identifying those unable to identify themselves.
Black Notice: Seeks information on unidentified bodies.
Orange Notice: Warns of imminent threats, such as weapons or disguised parcels.
Purple Notice: Provides information on criminal methods, operations, or objects.
Silver Notice: Focuses on tracing and recovering illicit assets laundered across borders.