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End of TB for the UPSC Exam? Why are topics like Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Semiconductor Mission important for both preliminary and main exams? Discover more insights in the UPSC Exam Notes for January 24, 2025 |
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Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on January 24, 2025
Daily Insights and Initiatives for UPSC Exam Notes: Comprehensive explanations and high-quality material provided regularly for students
India’s winding road to ‘#EndTB’
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
For Mains Examination: GS II - Governance
Read about:
Drug-Resistant TB
World TB Day
Key takeaways:
- Last year, tuberculosis (TB) once again became the leading cause of infectious disease-related deaths worldwide. The ambitious "End TB" goals, aiming for a 90% reduction in TB-related deaths, an 80% reduction in new TB cases, and the elimination of catastrophic costs for families affected by TB by 2030, seem increasingly out of reach. In 2018, India committed to achieving these targets by 2025, with accelerated efforts. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely hindered progress.
- The World Health Organization's 2024 Global Tuberculosis Report highlights India as the nation with the highest TB burden, accounting for 26% of global cases, and also as a central hub for drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) and TB-related deaths.
- While the government has rolled out numerous policies and initiatives to tackle TB at the national level, it is critical to understand the on-the-ground challenges in India to ensure that these initiatives lead to effective interventions.
Addressing Vulnerable Groups
- India’s National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) has identified high-risk groups that are more likely to contract TB and experience severe outcomes. Dr. Pavitra Mohan, a pediatrician and founder of Basic Healthcare Services, an NGO working in rural Rajasthan, states that her clinics see around 1,000 TB patients annually.
- Many of these individuals suffer from severe lung damage due to inhaling fine dust in mining and stone carving industries. Factors such as silicosis, malnutrition, overcrowding, and unmanaged co-morbidities like diabetes further increase their risk of contracting TB.
- Migrant workers, who face poor access to healthcare, also struggle with treatment adherence, as they often return to their home regions when ill, complicating the healthcare system's ability to track their progress.
- While much focus is being placed on addressing malnutrition among TB patients, other contributing factors—specific to each region—need to be tackled, requiring a multi-sectoral approach.
- TB is a curable disease, and NTEP provides effective, free treatments. India has achieved a notable milestone in initiating treatment for over 95% of notified cases, thanks to the establishment of a dedicated procurement and supply chain system for the NTEP.
- However, in 2023, a nationwide disruption in the supply chain has led to continued shortages of essential medicines in many parts of the country. This shortage has caused significant distress for patients, many of whom have to buy drugs from external sources, resulting in catastrophic health-related expenses.
- Nandita Venkatesan, a data journalist and two-time TB survivor, highlights the severe consequences of treatment interruptions. Such disruptions risk the development of drug-resistant TB and contribute to poor health outcomes.
Challenges with Extrapulmonary TB
- Extrapulmonary TB (EP-TB), which affects organs outside the lungs, such as lymph nodes, kidneys, brain, spine, bones, joints, and skin, poses additional challenges. The NTEP primarily focuses on pulmonary TB, as it is the most common and contagious form.
- However, EP-TB accounts for about 24% of all TB cases, with substantial geographical variation. EP-TB is often delayed or missed in diagnosis due to its non-specific symptoms, which can resemble other illnesses.
- Simple tests, like pus staining from non-healing ulcers, can aid in diagnosing TB, but advanced diagnostic tests are often delayed, contributing to substantial treatment delays and progression of the disease.
- Additionally, frequent updates to TB treatment guidelines are hindered by a shortage of adequately trained healthcare professionals. Dr. Vasundhara Rangaswamy, a microbiologist in rural Chhattisgarh, notes that molecular tests, though crucial for accurate diagnosis, are costly and time-consuming.
- These tests are generally available only at the district level, and the heavy workload and lack of trained staff lead to delays in obtaining results. This forces patients to travel long distances, incurring additional costs.
What Needs to Be Done
- For the NTEP to be successful, it is vital that ownership and accountability are embraced at all levels of the system. An example of successful implementation comes from Idukki district in Kerala, where the local administration collaborated with Kudumbashree, a large women’s self-help network, to combat TB.
- This collaboration resulted in widespread community engagement, and the advocacy from both government and leadership levels created a significant impact. The success in Kerala shows that with active participation, clear leadership, and a focus on local needs, TB elimination goals can be better achieved and sustained
Follow Up Question
1. Read the following passages and answer the question, your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.
A majority of the TB infected in India are poor and lack sufficient nutrition, suitable housing and have little understanding of prevention. TB then devastates families, makes the poor poorer, particularly affects women and children, and leads to ostracisation and loss of employment. The truth is that even if TB does not kill them, hunger and poverty will. Another truth is that deep-seated stigma, lack of counselling, expensive treatment and lack of adequate support from providers and family, coupled with torturous side-effects demotivate patients to continue treatment - with disastrous health consequences.
Which one of the following is the most logical, rational and crucial message conveyed by the above passage? (UPSC 2019)
- TB is not a curable disease in Indian circumstances.
- Curing TB requires more than diagnosis and medical treatment.
- Government's surveillance mechanism is deficient, and poor people have no access of treatment.
- India will be free from diseases like TB only when its poverty alleviation programmes are effectively and successfully implemented.
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Answer (2)
The most logical, rational, and crucial message conveyed by the passage is: Curing TB requires more than diagnosis and medical treatment. The passage highlights how TB, while treatable, continues to affect people due to poor living conditions, inadequate nutrition, stigma, lack of counseling, and other socio-economic challenges. It emphasizes that overcoming TB requires addressing these factors alongside medical treatment |
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After the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004, India, Japan, Australia, and the US formed an informal coalition to assist with disaster relief. In 2007, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe formalized this alliance as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or the Quad.
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However, the early version of the Quad struggled due to a lack of unity among its members and criticisms that it was merely an anti-China coalition. As a result, the group, which initially focused on maritime security, eventually lost momentum. In 2017, with the growing influence of China, the four nations revived the Quad and expanded its scope.
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Despite this revival, the Quad is not a conventional multilateral organization and lacks a formal secretariat or permanent decision-making body, unlike entities such as the European Union or United Nations. Instead, it centers on enhancing existing agreements between members and emphasizing shared democratic values. Unlike NATO, the Quad does not have provisions for collective defense but instead conducts joint military exercises to demonstrate unity and diplomatic strength.
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In 2020, the India-US-Japan Malabar naval exercises were expanded to include Australia, marking the first official military collaboration of the Quad since its reactivation in 2017, and the first joint military drills in over ten years. In March 2021, the Quad leaders held a virtual summit, releasing a joint statement titled ‘The Spirit of the Quad,’ which outlined the group's goals. Later that year, the first in-person meeting was held in Washington, DC.
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The main objectives of the Quad include enhancing maritime security, addressing climate change risks, fostering investment in the region, and promoting technological innovation. In 2020-21, the group also worked together to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly through vaccine diplomacy.
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The Quad members have shown interest in expanding the partnership, potentially creating a "Quad Plus" to include countries such as South Korea, New Zealand, and Vietnam
- The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, commonly referred to as the Quad, is an informal strategic forum involving four countries: India, Japan, Australia, and the United States. The origins of the Quad can be traced back to the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004, when these countries came together to provide disaster relief and humanitarian aid. However, it was in 2007 that the then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe formally institutionalized this collaboration, naming it the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad).
- Initially, the Quad was a loose alliance primarily focused on maritime security, but it faced challenges in terms of cohesion and purpose. One major issue was the criticism that the Quad was an anti-China bloc, which led to the group’s temporary decline.
- Despite these early setbacks, the Quad was revived in 2017 as the four countries recognized the growing challenges posed by China's expanding influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The revival also marked a broadening of the group’s objectives beyond maritime security to encompass a wider range of strategic issues.
- The Quad is not structured like a traditional multilateral organization. Unlike the European Union or United Nations, it does not have a formal secretariat or a permanent decision-making body. Instead, it operates by expanding existing agreements and emphasizing shared democratic values, including the rule of law, freedom of navigation, and a rules-based international order.
- The group has refrained from adopting provisions for collective defense, in contrast to organizations like NATO. Instead, it has focused on joint military exercises, such as the Malabar naval exercises, as a way to foster unity and demonstrate diplomatic and strategic cohesion among its members.
- In 2020, the Quad took a significant step forward by including Australia in the India-US-Japan Malabar naval exercises, which marked the first official military engagement of all four countries in over a decade. The group's leadership also met virtually in March 2021 and released a joint statement titled "The Spirit of the Quad," outlining their approach and shared objectives. Later in 2021, the first in-person meeting of Quad leaders took place in Washington, D.C.
- The Quad's main goals include enhancing maritime security, addressing the risks posed by climate change, fostering economic development through investments, and promoting technological innovation. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Quad played an active role in addressing the crisis by coordinating vaccine diplomacy efforts.
- Moreover, the Quad has shown interest in expanding its scope beyond the four founding members. There are discussions around a "Quad Plus" concept, which could include countries like South Korea, New Zealand, and Vietnam, further deepening the strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
- The Quad, while informal, has emerged as a significant diplomatic and security group aimed at shaping the regional order in response to emerging global challenges
US brings up irregular immigration, India says always open to return
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
For Mains Examination: General Studies II: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora
Context:
Newly appointed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio raised the issue of “irregular immigration” in his very first meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Washington
Read about:
H1-B Visa
What is deportation?
Key takeaways:
- If the Trump administration proceeds with deportations, the first group likely to be impacted could be the 20,407 “undocumented” Indians, as of November 2024, who are either facing “final removal orders” or are currently held in detention centers by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Among these, 17,940 Indians are not detained but are under “final removal orders,” while 2,467 are in detention under ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
- This makes Indians the fourth-largest nationality group and the largest among Asians in ICE custody. As of November 2024, over 37,000 non-citizens from various countries were detained in the US.
- ICE has identified India, along with Iraq, South Sudan, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, as part of a list of 15 “uncooperative” nations reluctant to take back their “undocumented” citizens from the US.
- Being classified as “uncooperative” refers to actions like hindering ICE’s removal efforts by refusing to conduct consular interviews, not accepting charter flights for deportation, or delaying removal procedures.
- According to ICE’s 2024 Annual Report, the number of Indians deported has increased fivefold in the past four years, from 292 in 2021 to 1,529 in 2024.
- However, deportation statistics are often vague. An assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security shared information about a charter flight that repatriated an unspecified number of “undocumented” adult Indians to Punjab last October, stating that between October 2023 and September 2024, 1,100 Indians were repatriated through charter and commercial flights.
- On December 6, Kirti Vardhan Singh, the Minister of State for External Affairs, informed the Lok Sabha that, according to US government data, 519 Indian nationals were deported to India between November 2023 and October 2024.
- The discrepancies in deportation figures may arise from including voluntary returns, departures, and withdrawals—situations where non-citizens are permitted to leave the US or withdraw their admission requests without facing immigration penalties—in ICE's removal statistics alongside those deported under final removal orders.
- Non-citizens have the right to appeal an order of removal issued by an immigration judge to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
Deportation
Deportation refers to the formal removal of a foreign national or non-citizen from a country, usually because they have violated immigration laws or overstayed their visa. The individual is sent back to their country of origin or another country that is willing to accept them. Deportation can happen after legal proceedings or due to violations such as illegal entry, overstaying a visa, or being convicted of a crime. It is often enforced by government agencies like immigration or customs enforcement
Follow Up Question
1.Which visa program is particularly significant for skilled Indian workers seeking employment in the United States?
a) L-1 Visa
b) H-1B Visa
c) J-1 Visa
d) F-1 Visa
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Answer (b)
The H-1B visa program is particularly significant for skilled Indian workers seeking employment in the United States. It allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialty occupations, which typically require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field. A large number of H-1B visa holders are skilled professionals from India, particularly in fields like information technology, engineering, and healthcare
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The United Nations defines sustainable development as the kind of development that satisfies the current needs without compromising the capacity of future generations to meet their own needs.
In 2012, after extended negotiations, the 193 member states of the United Nations reached an agreement on a new document titled “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. This agenda outlines 17 goals and 169 targets, which are to be accomplished by all member countries over the next 15 years, earning it the designation of the Agenda for 2030.
The agenda includes goals such as:
- Eradicating poverty in all its forms, ending hunger, ensuring food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
- Ensuring inclusive and equitable access to quality education and achieving gender equality.
- Ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
- Providing access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable modern energy.
- Promoting sustainable, inclusive economic growth and full employment.
- Building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive industrialization, and fostering innovation.
- Reducing inequality both within and among countries.
- Creating safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements.
- Encouraging sustainable consumption and production patterns.
- Taking urgent actions to combat climate change and its effects.
- Protecting marine resources and promoting sustainable use of oceans, seas, and terrestrial ecosystems.
- Combating desertification, managing forests, halting land degradation, and protecting biodiversity.
- Promoting peaceful societies, ensuring access to justice, and strengthening inclusive institutions.
- Strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing global partnerships for sustainable development
1.Examine the significance of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the context of global challenges. How do the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) align with India's national priorities, and what measures can the Indian government take to ensure their effective implementation?"
(Answer should focus on the importance of SDGs, their relevance to India's development framework, and practical steps for aligning national policies with global commitments to sustainability.)
The Southwest Monsoon is a significant weather phenomenon that occurs annually in the Indian subcontinent, typically from June to September. It is characterized by the seasonal reversal of winds and brings the majority of the annual rainfall to India and its neighboring regions. Here's how it works:
Key Features of the Southwest Monsoon:
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Seasonal Wind Reversal: During the summer months, the landmass of the Indian subcontinent heats up more quickly than the surrounding oceans. This differential heating causes a low-pressure area over the land, particularly in the northwestern parts of India. Simultaneously, a high-pressure area forms over the relatively cooler Indian Ocean to the south. This pressure difference causes moist winds from the southwest (from the Indian Ocean) to blow towards the Indian subcontinent.
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Heavy Rainfall: As these moisture-laden winds move over the warm land, they rise and cool, leading to the condensation of water vapor and the formation of clouds, which results in heavy rainfall. The Western Ghats and the northeastern regions receive some of the heaviest rainfall due to the orographic effect, where the winds are forced to ascend due to mountain ranges, enhancing precipitation.
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Vital for Agriculture: The Southwest Monsoon is crucial for India's agriculture, as a large portion of the country’s farming depends on the rainfall brought by these winds. Crops like rice, cotton, and sugarcane are particularly reliant on monsoon rains.
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Regional Variation: The arrival and intensity of the monsoon can vary across different parts of India. It usually first hits the southern coast of Kerala around the beginning of June and then progresses northward, reaching most parts of India by mid-July.
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Withdrawal: The monsoon gradually retreats from the Indian subcontinent by September, beginning from the northwest and moving southeastward
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Answer (C)
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- India's startup ecosystem has seen phenomenal growth, evolving from its nascent stage to become the world's third-largest center for innovation and entrepreneurship. From around 400 recognized startups in 2015-16, the number has surged to over 1,30,000 today, reflecting a remarkable transformation.
- India is on the cusp of a technological revolution, offering vast potential in fields like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), big data, energy transition, electric vehicles (EVs), quantum computing, genomics, 3D printing, robotics, drones, and space exploration.
- Government initiatives, such as the National Quantum Mission, India AI Mission, and Semiconductor Mission, along with a budget allocation of ₹1 lakh crore for research and development, have been instrumental in fostering this progress.
- Despite their growth, Indian startups, particularly those in deep-tech domains, face difficulties in securing patient capital. The Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), launched in 2016, has played a transformative role by committing ₹11,688 crore across 151 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), leveraging a capital pool of ₹81,000 crore and creating a significant multiplier effect.
- To support deep-tech startups further, India requires a specialized fund of funds that can provide long-term investments. Increasing domestic capital availability is also crucial, as international sources account for nearly 75% of the $12 billion raised by Indian startups in 2024.
- Large domestic institutions like insurance companies and pension funds can contribute by allocating part of their surpluses, while family offices and businesses can play a greater role as angel investors.
- India’s premier educational institutions, such as IITs, IIMs, and IIITs, are key contributors to the startup ecosystem, producing skilled talent and driving innovation. Additionally, the country’s annual output of 24,000 PhD graduates helps advance science and engineering.
- However, in 2024, India paid $14.3 billion in intellectual property royalties while earning only $1.5 billion, highlighting the need for greater innovation and breakthroughs to bridge this disparity.
- The startup ecosystem is no longer restricted to metropolitan hubs like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi. Nearly half of India’s startups now emerge from Tier II and Tier III cities, including Indore, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad.
- With a significant portion of India’s urban population residing in smaller cities, these regions present immense opportunities for growth. Tech companies are increasingly expanding to cities like Chandigarh, Visakhapatnam, and Ahmedabad. Strengthening these regional hubs with better infrastructure, education, and inclusivity—particularly by increasing women’s representation in leadership roles—will unlock untapped talent and drive innovation.
- Launched on January 16, 2016, the Startup India Initiative aims to support entrepreneurs, create a robust startup ecosystem, and transform India into a nation of job creators. Managed by a dedicated team under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), this initiative has introduced several programs to nurture startups.
- National Startup Day, celebrated annually on January 16, recognizes and promotes India's dynamic startup ecosystem. This observance highlights entrepreneurship’s role in driving economic growth, innovation, and job creation, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to fostering startups' contributions to national progress.
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Answer (D)
Thus, both statements are factually incorrect |
| Subject | Topic | Description |
| History | Modern Indian History | Important Personalities |
| History | Modern Indian History | Independence and Partition |
| History | Modern Indian History | Constitutional Development in India |
| History | Modern Indian History | Peasants, Tribal and other movements |
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UPSC EXAM NOTES will be conducting both Prelims and Mains exams every Sunday as part of the Integrated Mains and Prelims (IMPM) Program. This program provides a comprehensive approach to UPSC exam preparation, ensuring that candidates are well-prepared for both stages of the exam. Program Highlights:
Duration: The IMPM plan is a one-year program, ensuring continuous and structured preparation over 12 months. With regular testing and consistent study guidance, this program is designed to maximize your chances of success in the UPSC exams |