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Exclusive for Subscribers Daily: Topics like Italy - India realtionship for the UPSC Exam? Why are topics like Important Schedules and Articles of Indian Constitution and High Seas, Inflation, Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) important for both preliminary and main exams? Discover more insights in the UPSC Exam Notes for February 10, 2025 |
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Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on February 10 20205
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- In this era of 'polycrisis,' Italy and India share mutual interests as well as common challenges in the Indo-Mediterranean region. This area is crucial for global trade, particularly for Italy, which is the world's sixth-largest exporter.
- Additionally, it plays an important role in digital connectivity, with the Blue-Raman submarine data cables soon linking Genoa and Mumbai.
- Issues such as piracy in the Red Sea, conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, and the impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine on agricultural and oil trade demand collaborative efforts to ensure a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Mediterranean.
- As a result, Italy has intensified its security and defense engagement in the Indian Ocean and West Asia. In addition to joining the Group of Friends of UNCLOS in 2021, Italy is the second-largest contributor to the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Atalanta and the European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASoH).
- From February 2024, Italy has taken a leading role in the EU military operation, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, which safeguards freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Gulf.
Naval Presence
- Italy has also increased its naval presence in India. After joining the Indian Ocean Region's Information Fusion Centre in March 2023, the patrol ship ITS Francesco Morosini visited Mumbai in August 2023.
- Currently, the Italian Carrier Strike Group, comprising the aircraft carrier ITS Cavour and frigate ITS Alpino, is stationed in Goa.
- The tall ship ITS Amerigo Vespucci, the training vessel of the Italian Navy, is expected to visit Mumbai from November 28 to December 2. An "Italy village" is also planned, offering cultural, fashion, and culinary events, as well as conferences and exhibitions.
- The ITS Cavour, built by the Italian shipyard Fincantieri and in service since 2009, is a short take-off and vertical landing ship.
- This versatile vessel can project maritime power, provide logistical support, and assist in environmental and humanitarian missions.
- During its stay, it is hosting PASSEX exercises to enhance mariner skills and strengthen interoperability, and a workshop on defense industry cooperation.
- Additionally, as part of the "Operation Smile" initiative organized by the Smile House Foundation, Italy, the ship is serving as a hospital where Indian and Italian doctors are performing surgeries on children with facial deformities.
Defense Ties
- On a bilateral level, Italy and India's defense cooperation is based on an agreement signed in October 2023, which lays the foundation for expanding ties in areas such as research, industrial cooperation, maritime domain awareness, information sharing, and military-related environmental issues. This cooperation is reinforced by regular discussions like the Italy-India Military Cooperation Group meeting, held in March in New Delhi.
- In terms of defense production, Italy is an important partner for India. Two Italian companies, Leonardo and Fincantieri, are among the top 50 defense firms globally (SIPRI 2022), and other firms like Beretta, Elettronica, and KNDS possess advanced technical expertise.
- Italian defense companies have been open to joint ventures and co-production in recent years, with Fincantieri partnering with Cochin Shipyard since 2020 and Elettronica signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Bharat Electronics Limited in 2019. These partnerships align with India's 'Make in India' initiative and address the growing needs of the Indian armed forces.
- Italy also views India as a key partner in the development of the Indian Ocean region, from East Africa to India's coastlines. Both countries actively promote Africa in international forums and jointly advocated for the African Union's inclusion in the G20.
- During the Italy-Africa Summit in January, Italy introduced the Mattei Plan, a new initiative aimed at fostering a mutually beneficial partnership for important projects across Africa, mobilizing €5.5 billion in public investments.
- Among the first countries selected for this plan are Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Mozambique, all located near the Indo-Mediterranean area.
- The goal is to engage with partners to implement sustainable projects that promote economic and social development in Africa.
- Simultaneously, Italy has supported the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza and rising tensions in West Asia, Italy sees IMEC as part of a long-term strategy for shared prosperity in the region.
- The corridor’s railway links, ports, logistics, and customs systems can foster peace and trade that are vital for both Italy and India.
People-to-People Ties
Italy values its friendship with India, hosting the second-largest Indian diaspora within the EU. As a reliable economic and defense partner, Italy is the second-largest manufacturing country in Europe and a key security provider as part of the EU and NATO. The enduring strength of this relationship lies in the deep-rooted people-to-people connections between the two civilizations, which continue to grow through cultural exchanges, integration, and business achievements
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Individuals planning to start a food business must either register or obtain a license from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). This authority was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) to oversee and develop regulations for the processing, distribution, sale, and importation of food to guarantee that it is “safe and wholesome.”
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According to the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Rules, 2011 (established under the FSSA), “Petty Food Manufacturers” such as small-scale food enterprises, hawkers, vendors, and stall operators are mandated to register with the FSSAI.
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Upon successful registration, the Petty Food Manufacturer is issued a registration certificate and a photo identity card, which must be displayed prominently at all times within their premises, vehicle, or cart.
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Additionally, operators of larger food enterprises are required to obtain a license from the food authority. This license must also be displayed prominently at all times within the location where the Food Business Operator conducts their operations. In both instances, the identity of the owner and the establishment's location must be clearly shown (via photo ID and FSSAI license).
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According to Section 63 of the FSSA, any operator running a food business without a license may face up to six months in prison and a fine of up to ₹5 lakh. Section 94(1) of the FSSA states: “Subject to the powers of the Central Government and the Food Authority to make rules and regulations respectively, the State Government may, after prior publication and with the approval of the Food Authority, create rules to fulfill the functions and duties assigned to the State Government and the State Commissioner of Food Safety under this Act and its associated rules and regulations.”
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Section 94(2) outlines the areas on which state governments can establish rules. Under Section 94(2)(a), states can formulate regulations regarding the “other functions of the Commissioner of Food Safety under clause (f) of sub-section (2) of section 30.”
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The Commissioner of Food Safety, appointed by the state government as per Section 30, is responsible for ensuring the “efficient implementation” of the FSSA along with its rules and regulations. Sections 30(2)(a) to (e) detail specific responsibilities of the Commissioner, such as conducting surveys, organizing training programs, and approving prosecutions for violations. Section 30(2)(f) grants the Commissioner a broader mandate for “such other functions as the State Government may, in consultation with the Food Authority, prescribe.”
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Furthermore, Section 94(2)(c) permits the state government to formulate rules for “any other matter which is required to be, or may be prescribed or in respect of which provision is to be made by rules by the State Government.” Section 94(3) mandates that the rule be presented to the state legislature for approval “as soon as possible.”
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Answer (C)
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SC ruling on socialism, secularism
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
For Mains Examination: GS II - Indian Polity & Governance
Context:
A Division Bench of the Supreme Court led by the Chief Justice of India dismissed pleas challenging the inclusion of the words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ in the Preamble to our Constitution
Read about:
Important Schedules and Articles of Indian Constitution
Preamble of Indian Constitution
Key takeaways:
What is the history of the Preamble?
- The Preamble originally adopted on November 26, 1949, proclaimed India as a sovereign, democratic, republic. The Constituent Assembly deliberately avoided including the term ‘socialist,’ believing it was inappropriate to enshrine a specific economic ideology in the Preamble. They felt the people should determine the nation's economic path based on evolving circumstances and needs.
- Indian secularism differs significantly from its Western counterpart. In Western countries, there is a strict separation between the state and religion, with no interference in religious matters.
- In contrast, the Indian state holds the authority to regulate economic, financial, political, and secular aspects of religious practices. It also facilitates social welfare and reform in religious activities.
- Furthermore, constitutional provisions such as the right to practice any religion and non-discrimination on religious grounds reflect the secular ethos of the Indian Constitution. Consequently, the Constituent Assembly did not initially include the term ‘secular’ in the Preamble.
- In the Berubari Case (1960), the Supreme Court ruled that the Preamble was not part of the Constitution and lacked substantive power. However, in the Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973), the Court overturned this view, declaring the Preamble as an integral part of the Constitution.
- It stated that the Preamble should guide the interpretation of the Constitution and upheld its amendability under parliamentary authority. The 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976) introduced the terms ‘Socialist,’ ‘Secular,’ and ‘Integrity’ into the Preamble.
What was the current case?
- The case was initiated by former Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy, advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, and others, who contested the inclusion of the terms ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ in the Preamble.
- They argued that these terms, added during the Emergency period, imposed specific ideologies on the people. They also claimed that since the Preamble mentions the date of adoption by the Constituent Assembly, no new words could be introduced by Parliament afterward.
- While Mr. Swamy acknowledged that subsequent amendments, like the 44th Amendment (1978) during the Janata Party rule, upheld these terms, he suggested that they should be placed in a separate paragraph below the original Preamble
What did the court rule?
The court dismissed the petitions, affirming that ‘socialism’ and ‘secularism’ are integral to the basic structure of the Constitution. It emphasized that the Constitution is a "living document" and that Parliament holds the authority to amend the Preamble. The mention of the adoption date in the Preamble does not limit this power. The court further clarified that in India, ‘socialism’ signifies a welfare state that ensures equality of opportunity while allowing the private sector to flourish. Similarly, India’s secularism evolved to mean that the state neither favors any religion nor discriminates against the practice of any faith. This interpretation aligns with the broader principle of equality enshrined in the Constitution
Why is it important?
- Post-Independence, India adopted ‘democratic socialism,’ characterized by centralized planning and state-led industrial development. During the 1960s and 70s, nationalization of banks and insurance, higher taxes, and stringent regulations were implemented, shaping a mixed economy where public and private sectors coexisted. However, this system leaned towards classical socialism, marked by license controls and regulatory frameworks.
- Since the economic reforms of 1991, India has transitioned towards a market-oriented economy, significantly reducing poverty over the last three decades. Yet, the rising income inequality poses challenges that need attention.
- The court observed that India’s socialism continues to prioritize the welfare of the underprivileged through programs like MGNREGA, subsidized food grains, and direct benefit transfers for women and farmers.
- This approach underscores the necessity of maintaining social welfare policies while fostering private enterprise to drive economic growth and create jobs. Simultaneously, the values of secularism must be preserved to uphold India’s cherished spirit of ‘unity in diversity.
1.Consider the following statements (2013)
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer (d)
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For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
For Mains Examination: GS II - International treaties
Context:
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The high seas account for 64% of the ocean's surface and roughly 43% of Earth's total area. These regions are home to approximately 2.2 million marine species and up to a trillion types of microorganisms. They are not governed by any single entity, allowing equal rights for navigation, overflight, economic ventures, scientific exploration, and the establishment of undersea infrastructure, such as cables.
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The lack of specific accountability for the high seas has resulted in overexploitation of resources, loss of biodiversity, pollution (including plastic waste), ocean acidification, and other environmental concerns. According to the United Nations, around 17 million tonnes of plastics were dumped into the oceans in 2021, with the situation projected to worsen in the future.
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The treaty finalized in March 2023 focuses on ocean areas beyond the national jurisdiction of any country. Typically, national jurisdiction extends up to 200 nautical miles (370 km) from the coastline, known as an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Regions outside these EEZs are referred to as high seas or international waters. This agreement is officially titled the Agreement on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.
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The High Seas Treaty encompasses four primary goals:
- Establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), similar to protected wildlife or forest zones;
- Sustainable utilization of marine genetic resources and fair distribution of benefits derived from them;
- Mandatory environmental impact assessments for major ocean activities;
- Support for capacity building and technology transfer.
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Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): These are regions in the ocean where ecosystems and biodiversity are under pressure due to human activities or climate change. Comparable to national parks or wildlife reserves on land, activities in MPAs will be strictly regulated to enable conservation. Currently, only 1.44% of high seas are protected, as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
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Marine Genetic Resources: Oceans contain a vast array of life forms, some of which hold potential benefits for humanity, such as in drug discovery. The treaty aims to ensure that benefits arising from such resources, including financial gains, are shared equitably and not restricted by stringent intellectual property rights. Furthermore, knowledge from such research is to remain openly accessible.
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Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs): The treaty mandates prior EIAs for activities that could harm marine ecosystems or conservation efforts. These assessments must be publicly disclosed. Additionally, activities within national jurisdictions that could impact high seas also require EIAs.
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Capacity Building and Technology Transfer: Emphasizing equitable participation, the treaty addresses the lack of resources and expertise in many countries, particularly small island and landlocked nations, to engage in conservation and utilize marine resources. It also acknowledges that obligations like conducting EIAs may pose a financial strain on these nations.
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS):
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UNCLOS is a comprehensive framework for regulating the use and governance of oceans globally. It delineates the rights and obligations of nations regarding oceanic activities, covering issues such as sovereignty, navigation, and economic rights. It also defines boundaries like territorial waters and EEZs.
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Territorial Sea (TS): Under UNCLOS, the TS extends up to 12 nautical miles from a country’s coastline. Unlike the EEZ, where a nation has sovereign economic rights to resources beneath the seabed, a state has full sovereignty over waters within its TS.
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While UNCLOS establishes broad principles for equitable ocean resource usage and biodiversity conservation, it does not provide specific measures for achieving these goals. The High Seas Treaty fills this gap, functioning as an implementation mechanism under UNCLOS, akin to how the Paris Agreement operates within the framework of the UNFCCC
Concerning the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements: ( UPSC 2022)
- A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from a baseline determined by the convention.
- Ships of all states, whether coastal or landlocked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
- The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.
Which of the statements given above is correct?
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Answer (D)
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How inflation affects cost of living?
For Preliminary Examination: Consumer Price Index (CPI), Wholesale Price Index (WPI)
For Mains Examination: GS III - Economy
Context:
Driven by a 10.87 per cent spike in food prices, India’s retail inflation surged to a 14-month high of 6.21 per cent in October this year. While unseasonal rains and extended monsoons in certain parts of the country contributed to the surge in vegetable prices, rising global food and fuel prices due to geopolitical tensions also contributed to domestic inflation.
Read about:
Inflation
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Wholesale Price Index (WPI)
Key takeaways:
What is Inflation?
Inflation is the rate at which the overall price level of goods and services rises over time, leading to a reduction in the purchasing power of money or real income. Simply put, as inflation increases, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services than before.
Rising inflation has a significant impact on households, particularly those with fixed or lower incomes. As the prices of goods and services increase, the same nominal income can buy fewer items, thus raising the cost of living.
Understanding Nominal and Real Income
Nominal income refers to the total monetary earnings of an individual, household, or entity over a given period. For example, if someone earns ₹50,000 per month, this is their nominal income. However, as inflation rises, the real value of this amount diminishes.
Real income, on the other hand, represents the actual purchasing power of nominal income after accounting for inflation. It can be calculated using the formula:
Real Income = Nominal Income ÷ Price of Goods
Real Interest Rates and Inflation
Inflation also affects real interest rates, which are derived by subtracting the inflation rate from the nominal interest rate. For example, if the nominal interest rate is 10% and inflation is 8%, the real interest rate would be 2%.
Real Interest Rate = Nominal Interest Rate − Inflation Rate
When inflation rises, real interest rates decrease, potentially discouraging savings, as the real value of money grows at a slower pace.
Measuring Inflation
Several methods are used to measure inflation, each focusing on different aspects of price changes:
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
CPI measures changes in the general price level of goods and services purchased by households, including both domestically produced and imported items. Published monthly by the government, CPI reflects the inflation experienced by consumers. The formula for calculating inflation is:
Inflation Rate = ((CPI x+1 − CPI x ) / CPI x) × 100
Here, CPI x refers to the base year’s CPI value. Annual inflation rates are determined by comparing the current month’s CPI with that of the same month in the previous year. In India, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) calculates and publishes CPI data at both national and state levels.
Wholesale Price Index (WPI)
While CPI reflects retail price changes, WPI measures wholesale market price changes for goods. It tracks the inflation rate across 697 bulk commodities but excludes the cost of services like haircuts or banking transactions, which are included in CPI.
For example, the WPI inflation rate for October 2024 in India was 2.36%, while the CPI inflation rate for the same period was 6.21%, highlighting differences in their scope and calculation.
GDP Deflator
The GDP deflator measures inflation by tracking changes in the prices of all domestically produced goods and services. It is calculated using the formula:
GDP Deflator = (Nominal GDP ÷ Real GDP) × 100
Unlike CPI, the GDP deflator includes all goods and services produced domestically but excludes imports, making it a comprehensive measure of inflation.
Producer Price Index (PPI)
PPI captures the average price changes received by producers for their goods and services. Unlike CPI, it focuses on prices from the producer’s perspective, excluding taxes, transport costs, and trade margins.
Wage Inflation
Wage inflation measures the rate at which wages increase over time, reflecting changes in labor market dynamics. Labor unions often negotiate wage hikes based on expected inflation to ensure a positive real wage increase. For instance, if inflation is projected at 2%, unions may push for a wage hike exceeding 2% to maintain workers' purchasing power
Follow Up Question
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Answer (C)
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- The Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen, launched on October 2, 2014, resulted in the construction of over 11 crore household toilets by 2020, with more than six lakh villages declared Open Defecation Free (ODF), according to official data. Similarly, under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, over 63 lakh individual household toilets and 6.36 lakh community public toilets were constructed.
- A study revealed a significant decrease in infant mortality due to increased access to sanitation. Districts with even 30% toilet coverage saw a notable reduction in infant mortality, preventing around 60,000-70,000 deaths annually.
- In 2012, the infant mortality rate was 40 deaths per 1,000 live births per district, which dropped to about 33 in 2016, and further declined below 30 by 2019. The under-five mortality rate also fell, from around 44 per 1,000 live births in 2012 to below 30 in 2019.
- The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), initiated by the Prime Minister on October 2, 2014, aimed to provide universal sanitation coverage and eliminate open defecation across the country. The government boosted toilet infrastructure by offering financial support for the construction of household and community toilets, especially for slum and migrant populations.
- The second phase of SBM, launched in 2020 and continuing until 2025, focuses on maintaining the progress made in phase one and advancing the management of liquid and solid waste through technological innovation and private sector involvement
The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is a key health indicator that measures the number of deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births in a given year or population. It is used to assess the overall health of a population and the effectiveness of healthcare systems, particularly in areas such as maternal and child health, sanitation, and disease prevention.
A lower IMR typically indicates better healthcare, nutrition, and living conditions, while a higher IMR suggests challenges in these areas
Follow Up Question
As per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in India, which one of the following statements is correct? (UPSC CSE 2019)
(a) Waste generator has to segregate waste into five categories.
(b) The Rules are applicable to notified urban local bodies, notified towns and all industrial townships only
(c) The Rules provide for exact and elaborate criteria for the identification of sites for landfills and waste processing facilities.
(d) It is mandatory on the part of the waste generator that the waste generated in one district cannot be moved to another district.
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(c) The Rules provide for exact and elaborate criteria for the identification of sites for landfills and waste processing facilities. Under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, detailed guidelines are provided for identifying suitable locations for landfills and waste processing facilities, ensuring environmental and social safeguards. The other options are not accurate representations of the rules |
| Subject | Topic | Description |
| Polity | Fundamental Duties | Fundamental Duties |
| Environment & Ecology | Biodiversity in India | Biodiversity |
| History | Modern Indian History | Constitutional Development in India |
| History | Modern Indian History | Peasants, Tribal and other movements |
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