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Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on October 16, 2024
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India withdraws its Canada envoy, expels 6 Canadian diplomats as row over Nijjar murder escalates
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
For Mains Examination: GS II - International relations
Context:
A sharp escalation of the row between the two countries, India on Monday ordered the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats, while also announcing its decision to withdraw the Indian High Commissioner to Canada and “other targeted diplomats”, citing security concerns after Ottawa identified them as “persons of interest” in its investigation into the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Read about:
What is Five Eyes Alliance?
India and Canada relationship
Key takeawyas:
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Canada is home to one of the largest Indian communities worldwide, with approximately 1.6 million people of Indian origin, which makes up over 3% of the country's total population, along with 700,000 Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). In 2022, India became the leading source of foreign students in Canada, with 230,000 Indian students. India’s total trade with Canada (both goods and services) amounted to $11.68 billion in 2021-22, falling short of potential. Notably, around 30% of India's total pulse imports come from Canada.
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Canadian pension funds have invested about $55 billion in India. Since 2000, cumulative Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from Canada into India stands at $4.07 billion. Despite challenges, such as the suspension of trade negotiations and the ongoing Khalistan issue, these economic ties have persisted.
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According to the 2021 Canadian census, Sikhs comprise 2.1% of Canada’s population and represent the fastest-growing religious group in the country. After India, Canada has the second-largest Sikh population globally. Sikh representation in Canadian politics is significant, with Sikh lawmakers and officials serving at all levels of government. Jagmeet Singh made history in 2017 by becoming the first Sikh leader of a major political party, heading the New Democratic Party (NDP).
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The principle of reciprocity in international law means granting foreigners equal treatment to citizens as regulated by specific intergovernmental agreements. It allows for the mutual application of legal measures when these are equally accepted by the involved nations, promoting equality and mutual respect in international relations.
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India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recently received a diplomatic note from Canada suggesting that the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats are "persons of interest" in an investigation. India rejected these claims, attributing them to the Trudeau government’s domestic political agenda.
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Although the MEA statement didn’t mention Nijjar by name, it alluded to allegations made by Trudeau in September 2023, accusing India of potential involvement in the death of the Khalistani separatist in June 2023. India dismissed these accusations as unfounded, and diplomatic relations between the two countries have deteriorated since then.
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India further accused the Trudeau government of fostering an environment in which violent extremists and terrorists intimidate Indian diplomats and leaders in Canada. It also noted that some individuals who entered Canada illegally have been expedited for citizenship, and multiple Indian extradition requests for terrorists and organized crime leaders have been ignored.
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The MEA pointed to past instances of Trudeau’s "hostility" towards India, citing his 2018 visit that was criticized for pandering to a particular vote bank, and the inclusion of individuals with extremist views in his cabinet. Trudeau’s 2020 support for farmers protesting in India also strained relations.
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India claims that Trudeau’s latest actions against Indian diplomats are a deflection from criticism over foreign interference in Canadian politics, particularly as Trudeau was about to testify before a Commission on the issue. This situation, according to India, serves to further the separatist agenda that the Trudeau government has catered to for political gain
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Answer (D)
Now, let's evaluate the statements: Statement 1: "European Commission represents the EU in trade negotiations whereas the European Council participates in the legislation of matters pertaining to economic policies of the European Union."
Statement 2: "European Commission comprises of the Heads of State or government of member countries whereas the European Council comprises of the persons nominated by European Parliament."
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After a strong start to goods exports in the first quarter of 2024-25, momentum has slowed down. Export values dropped by 1.5% in July, hitting an eight-month low, and the decline worsened to 9.3% in August. This decline coincided with a record-high import bill of $64.4 billion in August, resulting in a merchandise trade deficit of $29.7 billion, the second largest after the $29.9 billion gap in October 2023.
Reasons for the widening trade deficit:
- Although exports have declined over the past two months, imports have not followed suit, increasing by 7.5% in July and 3.3% in August. This pushed the trade deficit to a nine-month high of $23.5 billion in July, widening further by $6.2 billion in August.
- While several of India’s top export sectors, such as petroleum and gems and jewellery, experienced significant drops (oil exports fell by 22.2% in July and 37.6% in August, and jewellery exports shrank by over 20% in both months), imports continued to rise.
- In August, slower growth in sectors like pharmaceuticals and electronics was observed. Additionally, with the slowdown in China’s economy, exports of certain goods such as stone, cement, and iron ore declined.
- However, as oil prices fell by $6 per barrel in August, India’s oil import bill dropped by a third to $11 billion, bringing the petroleum deficit to a three-year low, as noted by QuantEco Research economists.
- “The widening trade deficit was mainly driven by gems and jewellery, alongside smaller contributions from miscellaneous products and electronics,” the economists noted.
- While exports of gems and jewellery fell below $2 billion, India’s gold imports more than doubled in August to an unprecedented $10.1 billion.
- This contrasts with a 10.7% drop in gold imports in July and the $3 billion to $3.4 billion range seen since April. Trade officials attributed the surge to a reduction in the gold import duty from 15% to 6% in the Budget, rising gold prices, and jewellers stocking up for the festive season. Economists predict that the full effect of duty cuts on gold and other items will continue to impact the import bill in the coming months.
Could a wider trade deficit pose risks?
- “For a developing economy with high growth, the trade deficit should not be concerning as long as there are no foreign exchange issues,”
- Foreign capital inflows have remained positive in recent months, and India’s foreign exchange reserves reached a record $675 billion as of August 2, which the Finance Ministry noted is enough to cover 11.6 months of imports.
- Although this coverage may decrease if imports stay above $60 billion, strong services exports, which increased by over 10% from April to August, offer some reassurance.
What about foreign trade in goods?
While global trade is expected to grow faster in 2024 compared to 2023, demand remains weak in most developed markets. In addition to geopolitical tensions, the upcoming U.S. elections and increased tariffs on Chinese goods, coupled with China’s struggling domestic economy, pose challenges for countries like India.
As China's import demand weakens, it may seek to offload products in non-U.S. markets at lower prices. Furthermore, these factors are likely to keep oil prices down, negatively impacting India’s oil exports. Overall, concerns about global demand are increasing, and although India aims to increase goods and services exports to a trillion dollars each by 2030, the path forward will likely be challenging
1.The term "Twin Deficit" in the context of an economy refers to which of the following?
- Fiscal deficit and Revenue deficit
- Fiscal deficit and Current account deficit
- Trade deficit and Revenue deficit
- Trade deficit and Primary deficit
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 4 only
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Answer (b)
The Twin Deficit refers to a situation where a country is facing both a fiscal deficit and a current account deficit. A fiscal deficit occurs when the government's total expenditures exceed the revenue that it generates, excluding money from borrowings. A current account deficit occurs when a country imports more goods, services, and capital than it exports. Both these deficits together can signify deeper economic issues, such as unsustainable borrowing or low competitiveness in international trade
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- The health department activated the Nipah protocol by establishing 16 committees as outlined in the standard operating procedure for Nipah and began identifying individuals who had close contact with the victim after he exhibited symptoms approximately 10 days earlier.
- On September 15, Kerala's Health Minister Veena George announced, based on test results from the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, that the man, a student in Bengaluru, had died from Nipah.
- This zoonotic virus can cause severe illnesses ranging from respiratory infections to fatal encephalitis. Following this confirmation, restrictions on social movement were enforced, and face masks were made mandatory in public areas of Malappuram district.
- This marks the second Nipah-related death in the Malappuram district within two months. On July 21, a 14-year-old boy from Chemrassery passed away from Nipah at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode.
- While this triggered an alarm and government-imposed restrictions, attention shifted to the neighboring Wayanad district due to Kerala's worst landslide on July 30. The Nipah cases from July 21 and September 9 occurred within 10 kilometers of each other in a densely populated area.
- The source of the virus remains unclear, although the boy was believed to have contracted it after consuming hog plum, and the method of transmission for the Bengaluru student remains unknown.
What is the history of Nipah in Kerala?
- Since 2018, Kerala has experienced six outbreaks of Nipah virus. A total of 22 people have died from the virus, with the first outbreak claiming 17 lives in Kozhikode and Malappuram. A 2021 outbreak in Pazhur, Kozhikode, led to one death, while the August 2023 outbreak in Kozhikode resulted in two fatalities. The recent incidents in Malappuram within two months have raised concerns that Nipah could become endemic in the region.
Why was there a delay in identifying the virus?
- The 24-year-old victim returned from Bengaluru in late August and sought treatment at various clinics after developing a fever and mobility issues on September 5. He was admitted to MES Medical College on September 8 with symptoms resembling meningitis or encephalitis and passed away the next morning. A physician’s suspicion led to testing of body fluid samples, which confirmed Nipah virus.
How did the government respond?
- The health department and local authorities swiftly designated five wards in the Tiruvali and Mampad panchayats as containment zones. Schools, madrasas, tuition centers, and anganwadis were closed, and shops were allowed to operate under limited hours. Social gatherings were prohibited, and masks became mandatory across the district, particularly for students and teachers.
- A route map of the victim’s activities was created, and 267 people who had been in contact with him were quarantined. These individuals, including his family, friends, and medical personnel, were closely monitored, with their serum samples tested at the virology lab—all results have been negative so far. Additionally, 30 of the victim’s classmates in Bengaluru were asked to self-quarantine.
- A Nipah control room was set up in Malappuram, and senior health officials, led by the director of the health department, K.J. Reena, have been monitoring the situation. Health workers conducted a field survey within a three-kilometer radius of the victim’s home, covering nearly 8,000 houses and identifying 175 fever cases, which were placed under observation. Psychological support was also extended to around 300 people.
What is the source of Nipah?
Bats are considered the primary carriers of Nipah virus. Transmission to humans occurs through consumption of fruits contaminated by bats or direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals. Healthcare workers and family members of infected people are at high risk.
The origin of the infection in the 24-year-old remains unclear, and while bats are often implicated, experts are divided on this attribution. Efforts to eradicate bat colonies following the 2018 outbreak were unsuccessful, and a definitive link between Nipah and bats in Kerala has yet to be established
Follow Up Question
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Answer (A)
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- In 1902, Marshall arrived in India to serve as the director-general of the ASI. Before taking up his role, he studied several Indian artifacts in England, including three seals from Harappa at the British Museum, which were engraved with an unfamiliar script.
- In 1903, Marshall trusted his instincts and assigned Hirananda Sastri, the ASI’s 'pundit in charge' for Punjab, to explore three sites in the Ganga–Yamuna Doab region that had yielded copper tools.
- Marshall believed these copper hoards were linked to a Bronze Age culture, which he associated with the Early Vedic Age. Modern research, however, places these copper hoards within the Harappan timeline, although their age was uncertain at the time.
- Progress in research was slow due to the limited budgets of non-commercial departments in British India. Marshall had expressed a desire to excavate Harappa as early as 1907, but the costs of acquiring the land were beyond the ASI's financial capacity.
- The discovery of Harappa and Mohenjodaro did not come from one individual or occur all at once. The archaeologist Daya Ram Sahni uncovered evidence of an ancient culture at Harappa during a dig in 1921, and a similar pattern emerged in the unearthing of Mohenjodaro.
- Unlike the planned excavations at Harappa, the discovery at Mohenjodaro was not part of Marshall’s strategy. Rakhaldas Banerji, who led the ASI’s Western Circle, was eager to explore Mohenjodaro, which he believed to be a significant Buddhist site. During his excavation in the winter of 1922, Banerji’s assistant, N.S. Chikte, uncovered two inscribed seals.
- Banerji quickly realized that the inscriptions resembled those found on Harappa seals, revealing that Mohenjodaro was part of a vast, distinct culture spread across a large area. This significant finding made Banerji a key figure in the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilization.
- However, the ASI lacked an institutional framework for discussing ongoing research. There was no space for archaeologists to collaborate, brainstorm, or share insights from their fieldwork within the colonial-era ASI
1.Which of the following statements about the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) is/are correct?
- The cities of Harappa and Mohenjodaro were discovered through the planned efforts of Sir John Marshall.
- The IVC is known for its advanced urban planning, including well-structured drainage systems and grid-patterned streets.
- The script of the Indus Valley Civilization has been fully deciphered and provides insight into their social and political structure.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, and 3
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Answer (B)
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After the tragic rape and murder of a doctor on duty at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, there has been a strong demand for the death penalty for the accused. The Justice J.S. Verma Committee, whose recommendations led to the 2013 amendments in criminal laws, had explicitly stated that it did not support the death penalty for rape, even in the rarest of rare cases. The committee emphasized that pursuing the death penalty would be a backward step in terms of sentencing and reform.
What was the Union Cabinet's decision?
When the Union Cabinet approved an ordinance on sexual assault in 2013 and passed the criminal amendments into law, it chose not to adopt the committee’s recommendation against the death penalty. The Justice Verma Committee was formed in response to the horrific gang rape of a paramedic student in Delhi on December 16, 2012, and it presented its recommendations on January 23, 2013. However, the committee's key recommendation—that the death penalty may not effectively deter such crimes—was not accepted.
Significant amendments were introduced, including the death penalty for rape that results in the victim’s death or leaves her in a persistent vegetative state (under Section 376A of the Indian Penal Code) and for repeat offenders (Section 376E). In 2018, additional changes allowed for the death penalty for those involved in gang rapes of victims under 12 years old (Section 376DB) and life-long imprisonment for those convicted of raping victims under 16 (Section 376DA). The new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita includes various sections, such as 64, 65, and 70(2), which specify that the death penalty is the punishment for gang rape of a woman under the age of 18.
What did the committee recommend?
The Justice Verma Committee recommended enhanced sentences for rape, increasing the minimum sentence from 7 years to 10 years, 20 years, or life, but stopping short of the death penalty. The committee specified that those who leave a victim in a persistent vegetative state should face rigorous imprisonment for at least twenty years, potentially for life, meaning the rest of their natural life. The committee also argued that the supposed deterrent effect of the death penalty on serious crimes is a myth, citing evidence from the Working Group on Human Rights that the murder rate in India has consistently declined over the past 20 years despite a reduction in the execution of death sentences since 1980.
What was the stance on marital rape?
The Verma Committee recommended removing the exception for marital rape, asserting that a marital or other relationship between the perpetrator and the victim should not serve as a defense against rape or sexual violation. The committee agreed with the European Commission of Human Rights’ judgment in C.R. vs U.K., stating that a rapist remains a rapist regardless of his relationship with the victim. However, the Union government did not follow this recommendation and refused to criminalize marital rape. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Exception 2 of Section 63 states that sexual intercourse or acts by a man with his wife, as long as the wife is not under 18 years of age, is not considered rape.
What about gender rights?
The Verma Committee highlighted that women’s empowerment goes beyond political equality and must also encompass social, educational, and economic equality. True empowerment requires that both law and public policy engage fully with women’s rights, opportunities, skill acquisition, and the ability to demand total equality in relationships with both society and the state. The committee noted that correcting gender-biased social mindsets is more dependent on social norms and that this change must be driven by societal leaders with support from necessary systemic changes in education and societal behavior
Follow Up Question
1.Which of the following statements about the death penalty in India is/are correct?
- The Justice J.S. Verma Committee recommended the death penalty for the crime of rape, considering it an effective deterrent.
- The 2013 criminal law amendments introduced the death penalty for certain categories of rape cases, including those resulting in the death of the victim or leaving the victim in a persistent vegetative state.
- The Supreme Court of India has ruled that the death penalty should be awarded only in the "rarest of rare" cases.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
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Answer (B)
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| Subject | Topic | Description |
| History | Modern Indian History | Company rule and Crown rule 1773 - 1947 |
| History | Modern Indian History | Fall of Mughals |
| History | Modern Indian History | Establishment of British rule in India |
| History | Modern Indian History | Economic Policies of the British |
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