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| Exclusive for Subscribers Daily: Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) for the UPSC Exam? Why are topics like National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) important for both preliminary and main exams? Discover more insights in the UPSC Exam Notes for November 19, 2024 |
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Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on November 19, 2024
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- UN General Assembly officially introduced a new data-driven “vulnerability” index designed to assist small island states and developing nations in accessing low-interest financing.
- The “Multidimensional Vulnerability Index” (MVI) is intended to complement traditional metrics like GDP by providing additional insights into vulnerability.
- Since the 1990s, small island developing states (SIDS) that do not qualify for low-interest development financing based on GDP per capita but are still susceptible to external shocks such as climate change have advocated for such a measure.
- After extensive discussions to finalize the framework of the new tool, the General Assembly adopted a resolution by consensus on Tuesday, which mandates that the UN and an independent expert committee regularly update the index.
- The MVI, based on recommendations from a UN high-level panel, includes indicators related to a state's structural vulnerabilities and its economic, environmental, and social resilience.
- These indicators cover factors such as reliance on imports, exposure to severe weather events and pandemics, effects of regional conflicts, refugee inflows, demographic pressures, availability of water and arable land, and child mortality rates.
- Initially proposed by small island states, the MVI is designed to assess vulnerabilities and resilience to external shocks across all developing countries, ensuring its credibility and comparability.
- Although the use of the index is voluntary, the resolution encourages UN bodies and multilateral development banks to consider integrating it with existing policies. The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) has expressed support for the resolution
- Human Development Report (UNDP)
- World Economic Situation and Prospects (UN DESA)
- World Investment Report (UNCTAD)
- Global Education Monitoring Report (UNESCO)
- State of the World's Children Report (UNICEF)
- World Health Statistics (WHO)
- Global Environment Outlook (UNEP)
- World Population Prospects (UN DESA)
- World Migration Report (IOM)
- Global Sustainable Development Report
1.Which of the following reports is NOT published by a United Nations agency?
a) Human Development Report
b) World Economic Outlook
c) Global Education Monitoring Report
d) World Happiness Report
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Answer (b)
While the IMF works closely with the UN and is part of the broader UN system, it is technically an independent international organization and not a UN agency. The IMF was created alongside the World Bank at the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944, separate from the United Nations structure. |
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Transmission: HIV is primarily transmitted through:
- Unprotected sexual contact with an infected person.
- Sharing needles or syringes with someone who has HIV.
- Blood transfusions with contaminated blood (though this is rare in places with rigorous screening).
- From mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding.
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Stages of HIV Infection:
- Acute HIV Infection: This is the initial stage, occurring 2-4 weeks after exposure, and is characterized by flu-like symptoms. The virus multiplies rapidly, and the person is highly contagious.
- Chronic HIV Infection (Clinical Latency Stage): During this stage, HIV continues to reproduce at low levels but might not cause symptoms. Without treatment, this stage can last for several years.
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS): This is the most severe stage of HIV infection, where the immune system is severely damaged, and the person becomes vulnerable to opportunistic infections and certain cancers. AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection.
- A newly developed drug delivery method could be beneficial for patients with asthma, cystic fibrosis, lung diseases, HIV, cancer, or those who have been on corticosteroids for extended periods.
- Nanoparticles show great promise for controlled and effective drug release, with polymeric nanoparticles representing the most advanced drug delivery technique. Currently used azole drugs target fungal membranes to neutralize fungi, but the growing resistance to these antifungal drugs highlights the need for improved drug delivery methods to enhance treatment effectiveness.
- A team of scientists from the Agharkar Research Institute, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), utilized a chitin synthesis inhibitor, Nikkomycin, produced by the bacterium Streptomyces spp., to create Nikkomycin-loaded polymeric nanoparticles. Chitin, a primary component of fungal cell walls, is absent in humans.
- The drug-loaded nanoparticles were effective in disrupting the growth of Aspergillus species and treating Aspergillosis, an infection caused by fungi such as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus. The developed nanoformulation was free from cytotoxic and hemolytic effects.
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)?
- HIV primarily targets and destroys CD4 cells, which are crucial for the immune system's defense against infections.
- HIV can be completely cured with antiretroviral therapy (ART).
- The virus is mainly transmitted through unprotected sexual contact, sharing of needles, and from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
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Answer (b)
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Establishment and Legal Framework:
- The NHRC was established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
- It is empowered to investigate complaints of human rights violations and take necessary actions.
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Functions:
- Investigate Complaints: NHRC can investigate complaints regarding human rights violations, either suo motu or based on complaints from individuals or groups.
- Monitor: It monitors the functioning of human rights institutions and the implementation of human rights laws and policies.
- Advise: It advises the government on human rights issues and recommends measures to prevent violations.
- Awareness and Education: It promotes human rights awareness and education through various programs and activities.
- Research and Reporting: NHRC conducts research on human rights issues and publishes reports to inform the public and government.
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Powers:
- Inquiry Powers: NHRC has the power to conduct inquiries and investigations into complaints of human rights violations.
- Recommendations: It can make recommendations to the government for corrective measures and reforms.
- Legal Action: While NHRC itself does not have judicial powers, it can recommend legal action or compensation for victims.
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Composition:
- NHRC is headed by a Chairperson, who is a retired Chief Justice of India or a retired Supreme Court judge.
- It includes other members, such as retired judges of the Supreme Court or High Courts, and experts in human rights, law, and social work.
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Jurisdiction:
- NHRC's jurisdiction extends across the entire country of India. It works in cooperation with state human rights commissions (SHRCs) and other relevant agencies.
1.Other than the Fundamental Rights, which of the following parts of the Constitution of India reflect/reflects the principles and provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)? (UPSC CSE 2020)
- Preamble
- Directive Principles of State Policy
- Fundamental Duties
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 (D)
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN General Assembly as Resolution 217 A in Paris. It asserts that all individuals are born free and equal in dignity and rights, endowed with reason and conscience, and should treat each other with a spirit of fraternity. Article 3 of the Declaration guarantees the right to life, liberty, and personal security. Similarly, the Preamble of the Indian Constitution emphasizes "equality of status and opportunity," as well as the dignity of the individual and national unity and integrity. Therefore, Statement 1 is accurate. Article 22 of the Declaration highlights the importance of economic, social, and cultural rights for human dignity and personal development, concepts also reflected in the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) in the Indian Constitution. Additionally, Article 29 of the Declaration refers to duties, a notion incorporated into the Indian Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976, which established Part IV-A (Article 51A).
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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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- Ladakh, the arid cold desert situated at the far northern edge of the country, is experiencing severe heat this summer due to a significant rainfall deficit. Typically, July and August are the hottest months for Ladakh, Jammu, and Kashmir.
- In Leh, maximum temperatures frequently reach 33 degrees Celsius annually. However, this July, the maximum temperature hit 33.5°C on the 28th.
- Historical data from 1973 to 2024 show multiple instances of temperatures exceeding 33°C, with the highest being 36.6°C in 2013, followed by 35.4°C in 1995, and 35.2°C in 2001.
- This year, the Leh division of Ladakh received only 3 mm of rainfall compared to the usual 15 mm, leading to an 88% rainfall deficit with only 12% of the expected precipitation.
- According to the Met Centre Leh, 2023 saw the highest rainfall in July over the past 14 years, with 58.8 mm, followed by 32 mm in both 2018 and 2015
- Cold deserts receive very little rainfall, often less than 250 mm (10 inches) annually. The precipitation they do receive is usually in the form of snow rather than rain
- These deserts experience cold temperatures, especially during the winter months. Summer temperatures can be mild to warm, but winters are often freezing
- There is a significant temperature variation between day and night, as well as between summer and winter seasons. Daytime temperatures can be quite warm, while nighttime temperatures drop drastically
- Due to the low precipitation and harsh climatic conditions, vegetation is sparse. The plant life that does exist is adapted to survive in dry, cold conditions
- Cold deserts are typically found at high altitudes or in high-latitude regions. Notable examples include the Gobi Desert in Asia, the Great Basin Desert in the United States, and parts of the Antarctic Desert
- The soil in cold deserts is often sandy or rocky, with little organic matter due to the sparse vegetation
Examples of Arid Cold Deserts:
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Ladakh: Located in the northern part of India, Ladakh is an example of a cold desert. It has a high altitude and experiences extreme cold temperatures with very little rainfall.
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Gobi Desert: Situated in northern China and southern Mongolia, the Gobi Desert is known for its cold winters and dry conditions.
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Antarctic Desert: The Antarctic Desert is the coldest desert in the world, characterized by extremely low temperatures and minimal precipitation, mostly in the form of snow.
1. Appropriate alternate technologies are not sufficiently available.
2. India cannot invest huge funds in research and development.
3. Many developed countries have already set up their polluting industries in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer (a)
India faces challenges in addressing Global Warming: Developing and underdeveloped nations lack access to advanced technologies, resulting in a scarcity of viable alternatives for combating climate change. Being a developing nation, India relies partially or entirely on developed countries for technology. Moreover, a significant portion of the annual budget in these nations is allocated to development and poverty alleviation programs, leaving limited funds for research and development of alternative technologies compared to developed nations. Analyzing the statements provided: Statements 1 and 2 hold true based on the aforementioned factors. However, Statement 3 is inaccurate as the establishment of polluting industries by developed countries within India is not feasible due to regulations governing industrial setup
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The Privileges Committee of Parliament is a committee tasked with examining cases involving the breach of privileges of Parliament or its members. Here’s a detailed explanation:
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Composition:
- The Privileges Committee is constituted in both Houses of Parliament: the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
- In the Lok Sabha, the committee consists of 15 members.
- In the Rajya Sabha, the committee comprises 10 members.
- Members of the committee are nominated by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, respectively.
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Functions:
- Investigating Complaints: The primary role of the Privileges Committee is to investigate complaints regarding the breach of privileges and immunities of the members of Parliament.
- Reporting: After a thorough investigation, the committee submits its findings and recommendations to the House.
- Recommending Action: The committee may recommend what actions should be taken against those who have committed a breach of privilege.
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Types of Privileges:
- Freedom of Speech: Members of Parliament enjoy freedom of speech within the Parliament.
- Freedom from Arrest: Members cannot be arrested in civil cases during the session of Parliament and 40 days before and after the session.
- Right to Exclude Strangers: The House has the right to exclude strangers from its proceedings and hold secret sessions.
- Right to Publish Debates: Parliament has the right to publish its debates and proceedings.
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Process:
- When a member of Parliament feels that a privilege has been breached, they can raise the issue in the House, often as a Privilege Motion.
- The Speaker or Chairman decides on the admissibility of the motion.
- If admitted, the matter may be referred to the Privileges Committee for investigation.
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Outcome:
- The committee investigates the matter, hears evidence, and reports back to the House with its findings and recommendations.
- The House then debates the report and decides on the course of action, which could include reprimand, suspension, or other penalties depending on the severity of the breach.
The Privileges Committee plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and authority of Parliament
1.Which of the following statements regarding Privilege Motion in the Indian Parliament is/are correct?
- A Privilege Motion can be moved in either House of Parliament.
- The Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha decides on the admissibility of the Privilege Motion.
- A Privilege Motion is used to address a breach of parliamentary privileges by a Member of Parliament.
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 (d)
Given this analysis, we can conclude that all three statements are essentially correct, although the third one could be more comprehensive. Therefore, the correct answer is: (d) 1, 2, and 3 |
| Subject | Topic | Description |
| Polity | Indian Constitution | Constitutional bodies |
| History | Ancient History | Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC) |
| Economy | NCERT Class 9 | People as a Resource |
| Geography | NCERT Class 9 | Physical Features of India |
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