Daily Prelims Notes 19 October 2024

October 19, 2024
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Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

19 October 2024

Table Of Contents

1. Global parliamentarians rally behind WHO pandemic agreement in Berlin

Sub: IR

Sec: Int Conventions

Context:

Parliamentarians from around the world gathered in Berlin, Germany to support the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Pandemic Agreement by signing a landmark global statement at the UNITE Global Summit.

Global Parliamentary Statement emphasised four core commitments:

Equity: Ensuring equitable access to pandemic-related health tools, especially for low-resourced nations.
Global Solidarity: Strengthening international cooperation for resilient health systems.
Legislative Action: Advocating for the ratification and implementation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement in national legislatures.
Combating Misinformation: Promoting evidence-based health information to counter harmful misinformation.

Impact of the Statement:

Expected to foster global parliamentary action and international cooperation.
Demonstrates a shared understanding that pandemics transcend borders and require unified efforts to protect global public health.

About UNITE Global Summit:

It is the world’s leading Forum for forging partnerships between parliamentarians and leaders from the global health community.
Leading parliamentarians from across the world will gather with experts from civil society, affected communities, international organizations and academia to discuss the most pressing issues in Global Health and set the political agenda for the year(s) to come.
This event, held in partnership with the World Health Summit, marks a crucial step in improving global pandemic preparedness, response, and equitable healthcare access.
The UNITE Global Summit 2024’s agenda will be divided into four main pillars which cover relevant global health topics of the hour:
- Human Rights & Equitable Access to Health
- Global Health Architecture & Security
- Strengthening of Healthcare Systems
- Sustainable Financing for Health

WHO Pandemic Agreement:

Purpose: Aimed at addressing gaps exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other outbreaks (e.g., mpox), focusing on global cooperation in pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
Key Focus:
- Ensuring equitable access to vaccines, treatments, and medical supplies
- Pathogen Surveillance
- Build stronger healthcare workforces and systems worldwide
- Encourages the transfer of technology to aid in producing vaccines and tests
- Plans to tackle the growing issue of antimicrobial resistance

2. PM to launch National Learning Week today

Sub :Schemes

Sec: Msc

Context:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch the Karmayogi Saptah or National Learning Week on Saturday.
The initiative aims to give fresh momentum to the capacity development of civil servants, focusing on both individual and organizational growth.
The program is part of the broader Mission Karmayogi framework, which was launched in September 2020.

Mission Karmayogi:

Mission Karmayogi focuses on the holistic development of civil servants, ensuring they acquire the right skills, attitudes, and competencies to meet the challenges of governance in the 21st century.
The program focuses on both individual skill enhancement and organizational capacity building.
It seeks to foster a civil service that is capable of handling complex governance challenges through lifelong learning.

iGOT Karmayogi:

A digital learning platform named iGOT Karmayogi has been launched under the scheme to provide a centralized and integrated platform for learning and development.
The platform offers online courses, training programs, and resources for civil servants.

National Learning Week (NLW):

Karmayogi Saptah – National Learning Week (NLW) is an initiative to inspire and energize civil servants towards achieving a culture of continuous learning and capacity building.
The week-long program aims to foster a One Government vision by instilling a commitment to lifelong learning and self-improvement for over 3 million central civil servants, ensuring they remain up-to-date with evolving administrative requirements.

Learning Target:

During National Learning Week, each participant (referred to as karmayogi) will be required to complete at least four hours of competency-linked learning.
The learning modules will be accessible through iGOT (Integrated Government Online Training) and will include role-based modules tailored to individual roles.

3. Child betrothals are a ploy to escape punishment: SC

Sub : Polity

Sec: Constitution

Context:

The Supreme Court of India recently ruled that child betrothals, often used as a tactic to evade punishment under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), are a violation of basic rights, including freedom of choice, personal autonomy, and the right to a childhood.
The court’s ruling was based on petitions filed by NGOs like the Society for Enlightenment and Voluntary Action.
The NGOs noted that despite the enactment of the PCMA almost two decades ago, child marriage rates remain alarmingly high.

Observations by the court:

Vagueness of the Law: The court observed that the current child marriage laws are vague regarding child betrothals.
The court urged Parliament to explicitly outlaw child betrothals and classify a child whose marriage is arranged as a minor as in need of care and protection under the Juvenile Justice Act.
It also highlighted that India has yet to fully address the issue of minor betrothals despite international commitments, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) adopted in 1979.

Conflict with modern laws:

The court warned that the centuries-old practice of child marriage poses a threat to modern laws like the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The institution of child marriage, the court stated, directly facilitates sexual abuse of child brides by design.

Impact of child marriage on both genders:

The court recognized that boys suffer alongside girls in child marriages. Patriarchal notions of masculinity, misinformation, and peer pressure often lead boys into violent behaviour against their young brides.

Clash between Personal Laws and Child Marriage Prohibition:

The Supreme Court pointed out the confusion regarding how personal laws interact with the prohibition of child marriage.
The Centre had submitted a note pushing for the PCMA to take precedence over personal laws but did not follow up by providing records of conflicting High Court judgments on the matter.

Definition of child:

Under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006, girls under 18 and boys under 21 are considered children, and child marriage is a punishable offense.
The law views child marriage as a criminal act.

Guidelines Issued by the Supreme Court:

Implementing age-appropriate, culturally sensitive sexuality education in schools.
Launching a Child Marriage Free Village initiative, similar to the Open Defecation Free Village program, involving local leaders.
Establishing a designated portal for online reporting of child marriages through the Home Ministry.
Initiating a compensation scheme for girls who opt out of child marriages through the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Allocating an annual budget to prevent child marriages and support affected individuals.
Judicial Confusion on Personal Laws

4. Oceans on the Brink: Challenges in Meeting the 30% Protection Target by 2030

Sub :Env

Sec: Climate change

Why in News

At the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in 2022, world leaders pledged to protect 30% of the Earth’s oceans by 2030. However, the latest reports reveal that despite oceans covering over 70% of the planet, only 2.8% are effectively protected, far short of the target. This raise concerns over ocean conservation efforts, which are crucial for mitigating climate change, overfishing, and pollution.

Commitment at COP15

At the COP15, a bold commitment was made to protect 30% of the oceans by 2030. Address the rising threats from climate change, overfishing, and pollution.

Current Protection Status: Only 2.8% of oceans are effectively protected despite covering over 70% of the planet.

Oceans play a critical role in carbon absorption and climate regulation, yet most remain unprotected or weakly regulated.

About COP15:

COP15 was the United Nations Biodiversity Conference held in 2022.

The conference led to the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

COP15’s 30×30 target aims to protect 30% of Earth’s land and oceans by 2030.

Developed nations committed to providing $20 billion annually by 2025 and $30 billion by 2030 to support biodiversity efforts in developing countries.

The framework emphasizes reducing plastic and chemical pollution to protect ecosystems.

COP15 promoted the ratification of the High Seas Treaty for the protection of international waters.

The sustainable use of biodiversity was a core focus, ensuring ecosystem services for local and indigenous communities.

Assessment of Progress Toward the 30×30 Target

The report titled “On Track or Off Course? Assessing Progress Toward the 30×30 Target in the Ocean” reveals a significant gap between pledges and actual protection. 8.3% of oceans are designated as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), yet many MPAs permit harmful activities like industrial fishing, oil extraction, and dumping.

About 30X30 target-

The foundation of the GBF agreement is a pledge to protect 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030, usually referred to as the 30X30 goal.

The 30X30 target was first floated in 2019 in an article A Global Deal for Nature: Guiding principles, milestones, and targets published in Science Advances.

This then became the global call of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People in 2020 and as of October 2022, more than 100 countries are part of it.

Countries have to commit to protecting 30 per cent of the land and sea by 2030 under this goal.

Blue Washing: A Growing Concern

Blue washing refers to the practice of labeling areas, companies, or activities as environmentally friendly or sustainable, especially related to ocean conservation, without implementing effective measures to protect marine ecosystems.

It often involves misleading claims about marine protection efforts, where governments or organizations declare areas as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) but allow harmful activities like industrial fishing, oil drilling, or pollution to continue.

It can be used interchangeably with the term greenwashing but has a greater focus on economic and community factors. Alternatively, it could be phrased as a way that companies hide the social damage that their policies have caused.

Active disinformation is a tool that companies use to make their goods or services more attractive to their consumers and shareholders.

Five-Point Agenda for Achieving the 30×30 Target

Expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Panama’s Banco Volcán MPA expanded from 14,000 km² to over 90,000 km², now protecting almost 50% of the country’s seascape.

Ensure Effective Management of Existing MPAs: The UK’s Blue Belt Programme showcases how targeted management can enhance marine environments.

Integrate Indigenous Knowledge in Conservation: Indigenous conservation efforts, such as Inhambane Bay Community Network in Mozambique and Gitdisdzu Lugyeks MPA in Canada, show how traditional knowledge can improve marine protection.

Provide Financial Support and Capacity Building: Developed countries must fulfill their commitment to provide at least $20 billion annually by 2025 and $30 billion by 2030 to support developing nations.

Improve Reporting and Data Collection: Better tracking and transparent reporting of marine conservation efforts are essential for progress.

Countries Leading in Marine Protection

Monaco (100%), Palau (99%), UK (68%), and Kazakhstan (52%) have designated more than 30% of their waters as MPAs.

However, only Palau (78%) and the UK (39%) have been assessed as effectively protecting more than 30% of their waters.

5. Business Confidence Index (BCI) Dips in Q2 of 2024-25: Key Insights from NCAER-NSE Survey

Sub : Eco

Sec: Msc

Why in News

The Business Confidence Index (BCI), which gauges the growth prospects and sentiment of industries, saw a significant dip in the second quarter (Q2) of 2024-25. This comes after two quarters of improvement, highlighting concerns about the economic outlook.

About Business Confidence Index (BCI):

The Business Confidence Index (BCI) is a key economic indicator reflecting the level of confidence businesses have in the economy’s future performance.

The National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCAER) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) release the Business Confidence Index (BCI) in India. The BCI is based on a quarterly survey of over 500 companies in six major cities in India. The survey covers a range of topics, including:

Firm characteristics
Expectations for changes in costs
Labor employment and wages
Inventories
Prospects for sales, exports, and imports
Profits

The survey also includes a Political Confidence Index (PCI) that measures business confidence in India’s political management of economic policies.

The BCI is measured through four primary components:

Overall Economic Conditions: Businesses are surveyed on whether they expect the overall economic conditions to improve in the next six months. A decline in optimism was evident in Q2.

Firm’s Financial Position: Firms were asked about the prospects of their financial position improving over the next six months, with expectations showing a downward trend in Q2.

Present Investment Climate: Sentiment regarding the present investment climate was also part of the index, reflecting industry’s views on investment opportunities.

Capacity Utilisation: The survey also considered whether firms believed their capacity utilisation was close to or above the optimal level. A weaker response in this area contributed to the overall dip in confidence.

Economic Context and Outlook

The reversal of business confidence in Q2 can be attributed to growing concerns over macroeconomic factors, including inflation, global economic uncertainties, and domestic policy challenges.

While the BCI was on a growth trajectory in previous quarters, the sharp moderation signals caution among firms regarding the near-term economic outlook.

About National Council for Applied and Economic Research (NCAER):

Established in 1956, NCAER is India’s oldest and largest independent, non-profit, economic policy research institute. It is one of a handful of think tanks globally that combine rigorous analysis and policy outreach with deep data collection capabilities, especially for household surveys.

6. Russia’s Nuclear Arsenal: A Strategic Show of Force Amid Ukraine Conflict

Sub : IR

Sec: Int conventions

Why in News

In 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin repeatedly emphasized Russia’s nuclear capabilities in an attempt to deter Western support for Ukraine. This comes amidst rising tensions between Russia and NATO, as Moscow warns against NATO’s involvement in the ongoing war in Ukraine. Putin’s recent actions include revising Russia’s nuclear doctrine, conducting military exercises with nuclear capabilities, and threatening to resume nuclear tests.

Russia’s Nuclear Arsenal as a Strategic Deterrent

President Putin has underscored Russia’s possession of the world’s largest nuclear arsenal to prevent further Western involvement in Ukraine.

Russia announced the production of ground-based intermediate-range missiles, previously banned under the 1987 US-Soviet treaty.

Russia’s nuclear doctrine was revised to lower the threshold for using its nuclear arsenal.

Russia’s Strategic Nuclear Weapons

Largest Nuclear Stockpile: Russia holds 5,580 deployed and non-deployed nuclear warheads, compared to the US’s 5,044, making up about 88% of the world’s nuclear weapons.

Modernization of Nuclear Forces: Upgraded Soviet-era nuclear components with modernized land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarines, and bombers.

Deployment of mobile Yars ICBMs and the newer Sarmat ICBMs.

Expansion of Borei-class submarines armed with Bulava missiles.

Recommissioned Tu-160 supersonic bombers for nuclear strikes.

Russia’s Non-Strategic (Tactical) Nuclear Weapons

Iskander Missiles: Ground-launched missiles with a range of 500 km, capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads.

Kinzhal Hypersonic Missiles: Air-launched missiles that can be nuclear-armed and have been used conventionally against Ukraine.

Revised Nuclear Doctrine

Putin revised Russia’s nuclear doctrine in response to perceived threats from NATO, stating that any conventional attack on Russia by a non-nuclear country backed by a nuclear power could trigger a nuclear response.

The doctrine now includes nuclear retaliation for a massive air attack, adding ambiguity to deter Western forces.

Russia’s Arms Control and New START Treaty

The New START Treaty (2010) between Russia and the US, which limits nuclear warheads, is set to expire in 2026. In February 2023, Putin suspended Russia’s participation but pledged to continue abiding by its terms.

New START Treaty:

The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) pact limits the number of deployed nuclear warheads, missiles and bombers and is due to expire in 2021 unless renewed.

The treaty limits the US and Russia to a maximum of 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers, well below Cold War caps.

It was signed in 2010 by former US President Barack Obama and then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

It entered into force on 5th February, 2011.

It is one of the key controls on the superpower deployment of nuclear weapons.

Its duration was for ten years that is till 2021, but it was extended by five more years till 2026.

Nuclear Testing and Future Weapons Development

Resumption of Nuclear Testing: Russia indicated it could resume nuclear tests if the US does so, ending a global ban in place since the collapse of the USSR. The Arctic test range at Novaya Zemlya is reportedly prepared for testing.

Development of New Weapons:

Avangard Hypersonic Glide Vehicle: Travels at 27 times the speed of sound, capable of evading missile defenses.

Poseidon Underwater Drone: Designed to create a radioactive tsunami near enemy coastlines.

Burevestnik Cruise Missile: An atomic-powered missile facing technological and safety challenges, with accidents during testing.

About NATO

Formed in 1949 with the signing of the Washington Treaty, NATO is a security alliance of 31 countries from North America and Europe.

In April 2023, Finland joined the alliance as its 31st member.

NATO’s fundamental goal is to safeguard the Allies’ freedom and security by political and military means.

It is a system of collective defence where independent member states agree for mutual defence in case of any attack by external party.

Article 5 of the Washington Treaty states that an attack against one Ally is an attack against all. This article forms the core of the Alliance, a promise of collective defense.

Headquarter – Brussels, Belgium.