Daily Prelims Notes 29 January ,2025

Daily Prelims Notes

29^th Jan,2025

1.Lab holding Ebola sample in Goma is at risk: Red Cross

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

• The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) issued a warning regarding the ongoing conflict in the city of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
• The ICRC expressed concern about the risk of Ebola and other pathogens escaping from the laboratory of the national biomedical research institute in Goma, where fighting is ongoing.

Clashes in Goma:

• Fighting between the security forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels intensified as the rebels advanced into Goma, a key city in eastern DRC.
• This marked a significant escalation in a decades-long conflict primarily rooted in ethnic tensions.
• In response to the rebel advance, dozens of protesters in the DRC attacked several foreign embassies in the capital, Kinshasa. These included the embassies of Rwanda, France, Belgium, Kenya, and Uganda.
• Protesters demanded that these nations oppose the M23 rebels’ push into Goma.

About Goma:

• Goma is the capital and largest city of the North Kivu Province in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• It is located on the northern shore of Lake Kivu and shares a border with Rwanda to the east.
• Goma is an important regional trade and humanitarian hub, and it houses hundreds of thousands of displaced people.

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC):

• The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a humanitarian organization based in Geneva, Switzerland.
• It operates worldwide, focusing on providing assistance to people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence.
• The ICRC is known for its neutral, impartial, and independent role in helping victims of war, and ensuring that international humanitarian law (IHL) is respected.

2.Genetic Study Unveils the Migration Timeline of Nicobarese People

Sub: Sci

Sec: Biotech

Why in News

A recent genetic study, published in the European Journal of Human Genetics, has revised the migration timeline of the Nicobarese people. Earlier believed to have arrived over 11,000 years ago, the new analysis suggests their migration to the Nicobar Islands occurred around 5,000 years ago.

Tracing Human Migration:

• The genetic heritage of the Nicobarese, an indigenous community of the Nicobar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, is one such missing chapter now uncovered by this study.

• Researchers analysed the genetic data of 1,559 individuals across South and Southeast Asia.
• A combination of biparental and uniparental genetic markers was used to track ancestry.
• DNA samples were collected from five individuals from the Nicobarese population.
• Advanced genetic analysis techniques, including admixture analysis and principal component analysis, were employed to establish ancestral relationships.
• Key Results: The Nicobarese share genetic links with the Htin Mal community of the Laos-Thailand region. Their linguistic roots align with the Austroasiatic language family, specifically the Khmuic branch.

• New genetic sequencing techniques confirmed their migration to the Nicobar Islands occurred around 5,000 years ago, revising the previous estimate of 11,500 years.

• The Andamanese tribes, such as the Onge and Great Andamanese, have maternal genetic lineages (M31 and M32) dating back 50,000–70,000 years.

About Biparental and Uniparental Genetic Markers:

• Biparental Genetic Markers: These are inherited from both parents and encompass the autosomal chromosomes. They provide a comprehensive view of an individual’s genetic makeup, reflecting contributions from both maternal and paternal lineages.
• Uniparental Genetic Markers: Inherited from a single parent, these include mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), passed down maternally, and the Y-chromosome, transmitted paternally. They are instrumental in tracing direct maternal or paternal ancestry and studying lineage-specific evolutionary patterns.

About Admixture Analysis and Principal Component Analysis:

• Admixture Analysis: This method estimates the proportion of an individual’s genetic ancestry derived from multiple source populations. By modelling genotypes as combinations from different ancestral groups, researchers can infer historical mixing events and understand the genetic contributions to present-day populations.
• Principal Component Analysis (PCA): A statistical technique that reduces the dimensionality of genetic data, PCA identifies patterns by transforming correlated variables into a set of uncorrelated components. In genetics, PCA helps visualize population structure, genetic diversity, and relationships among individuals or groups.

M31 and M32:

• M31 and M32: These are specific mitochondrial DNA haplogroups identified in certain indigenous populations. Their presence and distribution offer insights into ancient human migrations and the genetic history of these groups.

Htin Mal Community:

• A population from the Laos-Thailand region, the Htin Mal community has been identified as having ancestral ties with the Nicobarese people. Studies suggest that the Nicobarese share genetic links with Southeast Asian populations, including the Htin Mal, indicating historical migration and admixture events.

Great Nicobar:

• Great Nicobar is the southernmost tip of India, part of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago with over 600 islands.
• It is hilly, covered with lush rainforests, and receives about 3,500 mm of annual rainfall.
• The island hosts endangered and endemic species like the giant leatherback turtle, Nicobar megapode, Great Nicobar crake, Nicobar crab-eating macaque, and Nicobar tree shrew.
• It has an area of 910 sq km with mangroves and Pandan forests along its coast.

3.WHO Advocates for Potassium-Enriched Salt Substitutes to Combat High Sodium Intake

Sub: Sci

Sec: Health

Why in News

World Health Organization (WHO) released new guidelines recommending the replacement of regular table salt with lower-sodium salt substitutes containing potassium. This initiative aims to reduce global sodium consumption and improve cardiovascular health.

Key Recommendations:

• WHO advises reducing sodium intake to less than 2 grams per day, equivalent to consuming less than 5 grams of salt daily.
• The guidelines suggest replacing regular salt with potassium-enriched alternatives, such as those composed of approximately 75% sodium chloride and 25% potassium chloride.
• This substitution is recommended for adults, excluding pregnant women, children, and individuals with kidney impairments or conditions affecting potassium excretion.

• Excessive sodium consumption leads to water retention in the body, increasing blood volume and raising blood pressure.
• Elevated blood pressure is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and strokes.
• Annually, poor diets contribute to approximately eight million deaths worldwide, with 1.9 million of these deaths linked to high sodium intake.

• Replacing regular salt with potassium-enriched substitutes can lower blood pressure by reducing sodium intake and increasing potassium levels, which help relax blood vessels.
• Lowering sodium intake through such substitutes can decrease the risk of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and chronic kidney disease.

Sodium (Na⁺):

• Maintains fluid balance, nerve signalling, and muscle contraction.
• Sources: Table salt, processed foods, dairy, meat.
• Excess Effects: Increases blood pressure, risk of cardiovascular diseases, kidney disorders.

Potassium (K⁺):

• Regulates heart function, nerve impulses, muscle contractions, and blood pressure.
• Sources: Bananas, potatoes, leafy greens, beans.
• Deficiency Effects: Weakness, muscle cramps, irregular heartbeat.
• Excess Effects: Can cause hyperkalaemia in kidney patients, leading to heart complications.

4.Is Trump’s order on birthright citizenship constitutional?

Sub: Polity

Sec: Constitution

Context: -On January 23, U.S. District judge John Coughenour in Seattle blocked President Trump’s executive order attempting to curb ‘birthright citizenship’.

 What is Birthright Citizenship?

• It grants automatic citizenship to individuals born within a country, regardless of parents’ status.
• It is enshrined in the 14th Amendment (1868) of the U.S. Constitution.
• The amendment overturned Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857), which denied citizenship to African Americans.
• It is part of Reconstruction Amendments (13th – abolished slavery, 15th – voting rights) to create a more inclusive society, redefining citizenship in a way that challenged the racial hierarchy of the time

Citizenship Principles

• U.S. follows both principles of:
  • Jus soli (right of the soil) – Citizenship by birthplace.
  • Jus sanguinis (right of blood) – Citizenship by descent.
• United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898) upheld birthright citizenship, even for children of non-citizen parents.

Trump’s Executive Order on Birthright Citizenship

• Reinterprets the 14th Amendment, arguing it excludes children of:
  • Undocumented immigrants.
  • Temporary visa holders (e.g., tourists, students).
• It defines “jurisdiction” narrowly, contradicting Wong Kim Ark (1898).
• It excludes transgender and queer parents by defining “mother” and “father” as biological progenitors.
• It justifies order by claiming it reduces unauthorized immigration and prevents misuse of public resources.

Impact of the Order

• Denies citizenship to children born to:
  • Undocumented immigrants.
  • H-1B visa holders and Green Card applicants.
• Affects millions, including Indian nationals on work visas.
• 1.3 million U.S.-born adults (2022) from undocumented families at risk.
• Loss of access to Medicaid, Child Health Insurance Program(CHIP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(SNAP), affecting healthcare and nutrition.

Judicial Block and Legal Challenges

• Judge John Coughenour issued a nationwide restraining order, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional”.
• Trump may attempt a constitutional amendment, requiring:
  • Two-thirds majority in Congress or state legislatures.
  • Ratification by three-fourths of states.

5.ONE NATION ONE TIME

Sub :Sci

Sec : Msc

Context :-The Department of Consumer Affairs, has announced a significant move toward achieving precision and uniformity in timekeeping across the country. The Draft Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2025, published for public consultation on January 15, are aimed at standardizing and mandating the use of Indian Standard Time (IST) across all sectors in India.

• The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will play a crucial role in time dissemination.
• IST will be provided with high precision, ranging from milliseconds to microseconds.

Need for the New Rules

• Currently, different sectors in India rely on various time sources, including foreign GPS-based systems.
• Lack of a uniform time standard can cause inefficiencies in telecommunications, banking, power grids, and scientific research.
• The new rules aim to ensure synchronization across all sectors using Indian Standard Time (IST).

Impact on Various Sectors

• Telecommunications: Ensures uniform timing for better coordination in mobile networks and internet services.
• Navigation & Power Grids: Helps synchronize GPS systems, transport networks, and electricity distribution.
• Banking & Digital Governance: Essential for accurate transaction timestamps, cybersecurity, and e-governance.
• Scientific Research: Critical for space missions, deep-space navigation, and gravitational wave studies.

Regulatory Framework and Compliance

• The rules establish a legal framework for synchronization, time-stamping, and cybersecurity protocols.
• Institutions will be required to synchronize their clocks using Network Time Protocol (NTP) and Precision Time Protocol (PTP).
• Exemptions are allowed for scientific and astronomical research, but prior approval is needed.
• Non-compliance will attract penalties, and regular audits will be conducted to ensure adherence.

Role of the Inter-Ministerial Committee

• A high-level committee will monitor implementation and ensure compliance.
• Members include experts from NPL, ISRO, IIT Kanpur, NIC, CERT-In, and officials from departments like Railways and Telecom.

Conclusion

• The move towards “One Nation, One Time” will improve efficiency across critical sectors.
• It will reduce dependency on foreign time sources and enhance national security.
• The implementation of IST will ensure  accurate and reliable timekeeping for India’s growing digital infrastructure.

6.Understanding the Union Budget: Formulation and Implications

Sub: Eco

Sec: Fiscal policy

What is the Union Budget?

The Union Budget is the annual financial statement of the Government of India, detailing:

•   Expenditure plans
•   Revenue collection through taxes and non-tax sources
•   Deficit indicators to understand fiscal health

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for 2025 on February 1.

Key Components of the Budget

•   Expenditure (Government Spending)

o   Capital Expenditure: Used for creating long-term assets (e.g., building roads, schools, hospitals).

o   Revenue Expenditure: Day-to-day expenses (e.g., salaries, subsidies, interest payments).

•   Receipts (Government Income)

o   Revenue Receipts: Tax and non-tax income that do not create liabilities.

o   Non-Debt Capital Receipts: Income from loan recoveries and disinvestment (selling government assets).

o   Debt-Creating Capital Receipts: Borrowings that increase liabilities.

•   Deficit Indicators

o   Fiscal Deficit: Total Expenditure – (Revenue Receipts + Non-Debt Receipts).

o   Primary Deficit: Fiscal Deficit – Interest Payments.

o   Revenue Deficit: Revenue Expenditure – Revenue Receipts.

Implications of the Budget on the Economy

•   Aggregate Demand:

o   Higher government spending → Increases demand.

o   Higher taxes → Reduces demand.

•   Income Distribution:

o   More social sector spending (e.g., employment guarantee schemes) → Helps the poor.

o   Corporate tax cuts → Benefit businesses.

•   Economic Growth:

o   The balance between spending, borrowing, and taxation determines the impact on GDP growth.

N.K. Singh Committee

The N.K. Singh Committee, established in 2016, was tasked with reviewing the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act (FRBMA) of 2003.

The committee proposed several key recommendations to enhance fiscal discipline and ensure long-term economic stability:

•   Debt-to-GDP Ratio Targets:

o   Central Government: Reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio to 40% by the fiscal year 2022-23.

o   State Governments: Collectively aim for a debt-to-GDP ratio of 20% within the same timeframe.

o   Combined Target: Achieve a total debt-to-GDP ratio of 60% for both central and state governments by 2022-23.

•   Fiscal Deficit Reduction:

o   Set a fiscal deficit target of 2.5% of GDP by 2022-23.

o   Implement a gradual approach, reducing the fiscal deficit annually to meet the 2023 goal.

•   Flexibility in Deficit Targets:

o   Introduce an “escape clause” allowing deviations up to 0.5 percentage points from the fiscal deficit target in specific situations, such as:

•   Severe economic downturns.
•   Natural calamities.
•   Other exceptional circumstances.

o   This flexibility ensures that fiscal policy can adapt to unforeseen events without compromising economic stability.

•   Establishment of a Fiscal Council:

o   Propose the creation of an independent three-member Fiscal Council responsible for:

•   Preparing multi-year fiscal forecasts for both central and state governments.
•   Assessing the government’s fiscal performance and adherence to set targets.
•   Enactment of a New Fiscal Legislation:

o   Recommend replacing the existing FRBM Act with a new Debt and Fiscal Responsibility Act to incorporate the proposed changes and provide a more robust framework for fiscal management.

7.Government Begins Search for Successor to SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch

Sub: Eco

Sec: Capital market

Why in the News?

The Government of India has started the process of appointing a new SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) chairperson, as Madhabi Puri Buch’s tenure ends on February 28, 2025.

Context and Key Highlights

•   Application Process and Timeline:

o   The Department of Economic Affairs (Finance Ministry) initiated the search for a new SEBI chairperson.

•   Key Developments During Buch’s Tenure:

o   Firsts:

•   Buch was the first woman and first private sector professional to head SEBI.

o   Reforms Led:

•   Faster equity settlements.
•   Enhanced FPI (Foreign Portfolio Investor) disclosures.
•   Expanded mutual fund penetration.

o   Controversies:

•   Faced allegations of conflict of interest linked to investments in offshore entities allegedly connected to the Adani Group.

Process for the appointment of the SEBI chief

•   The government has established the Financial Sector Regulatory Appointment Search Committee (FSRASC) to recommend candidates for board-level positions of financial sector regulatory bodies like SEBI.
•   Leadership: The committee is chaired by the Cabinet Secretary.
•   The committee invites applications for the position and shortlists the candidate.
•       FSRASC has the authority to recommend individuals who haven’t applied, based on merit.
•   The shortlisted candidates are interviewed by a panel that includes:

o   The Economic Affairs Secretary.

o   Three external experts with domain knowledge.

•   Based on interviews and deliberations, the FSRASC forwards its recommendations to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
•   The ACC, headed by the Prime Minister, makes the final decision.

Tenure and Terms

•   As per the SEBI Act, the SEBI chairman is appointed for:

o   A maximum tenure of five years or until the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

o   Typically, the initial tenure is three years, with the possibility of a two-year extension based on performance.

•   Eligibility Criteria:

o   Candidates must possess “high integrity, eminence, and reputation”.

o   Age: Preferably above 50 years.

o   Experience: Over 25 years in relevant fields such as law, finance, economics, or accountancy.

o   Must demonstrate capacity to address securities market challenges and not have any conflicting financial interests.