Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for October 20, 2024. If you missed the October 19, 2024 UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national importance and Environment 

Mains Examination: GS-III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

What’s the ongoing story: Wildlife officials at Kuno National Park are keeping a close watch on seven cheetah cubs who have a tick infestation, especially since they “have no prior experience of anesthetising them in the open forest” and apprehend that the mothers will abandon the cubs following medical intervention, The Indian Express has learnt.

Key Points to Ponder:

— Difference between Asian and African Cheetah

— What is Project Cheetah?

— What is the IUCN status of Cheetah?

— What are the main causes of tick infestations in cheetahs, and what impact do they have on their health? 

— What challenges are associated with habitat suitability and monitoring of reintroduced cheetah populations in India?

— What measures should be taken for the success of Project Cheetah?

— Map work: Kuno National Park

Key highlights from the Article:

— According to the park’s management, the cubs’ “young age, combined with their location in expansive soft-release bomas, makes the tranquilisation process risky and complicated”.

— Reuniting tranquilised cubs with their mothers is also a concern, as previous attempts have seen mothers reject their cubs after separation. 

— Park officials also flagged “uncertainties in tracking the cubs after darting” given the tall grass and waterlogged terrain. The lack of radio collars on the cubs also complicates efforts to monitor their movement.

— The Kuno director Uttam Sharma,  told The Indian Express, “The tick infestation is not dangerous yet. Last time three cheetahs died during the monsoon season, but in the case of the cubs, we don’t feel the need to medically intervene. Only when the need arises will we intervene.”

— The monsoon season has historically seen heightened risk of tick outbreaks. In 2023, ticks were a contributing factor in the deaths of three cheetahs. This year, in preparation for the rainy season, the veterinary team administered Bravecto, a potent anti-ectoparasitic medication, to all the cheetahs at Kuno. Depending on each cheetah’s condition, the “medicine was either given orally or delivered via darting,” officials said. This proactive treatment aimed to combat parasites that thrive in the warm, humid conditions of the monsoon.

For Your Information:

— Project Cheetah, which saw the introduction of the African sub-species of the wild cat in India, recently completed two years. 

— The ambitious project has two overarching objectives. First, to establish a stable, breeding population of cheetahs in central India. Two, to use cheetahs as an umbrella species to restore open natural ecosystems such as scrubs, savannahs, grasslands, and degraded forests.

— Project Cheetah began with the intercontinental translocation of African cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa to the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. This translocation took place in two batches of eight and then 12 cheetahs.

— These cheetahs were initially kept in soft-release bomas, small enclosures inside the national park to get them adapted to the local environment. Although confined to an area of roughly 1 sq km, the cheetahs hunted live prey inside these bomas. While some cheetahs were later released in the wild, they were later brought back into the enclosures. Mating within the translocated cohort of cheetahs led to the birth of 17 cubs.

— The ‘Action Plan for Reintroduction of Cheetah in India’ proposes bringing in 12-14 cheetahs each year from South Africa, Namibia, and other African countries for five years to build a founder stock.

— One of the project’s most significant obstacles is a lack of prey. According to the project’s most recent yearly report, the density of chital, the principal prey for cheetahs (and leopards), has dropped from 23.43 animals per square kilometre in 2021 to 17.5 animals per square kilometre in 2024.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

????The 360° UPSC Debate: Project Cheetah — Is it problematic, or is it too early to judge?

????Two years of Project Cheetah: India awaits Kenya’s approval for new batch

????Two years of Project Cheetah: Status report and the road ahead

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

????Consider the following: (UPSC CSE 2012)

1. Black-necked crane

2. Cheetah

3. Flying squirrel

4. Snow leopard

Which of the above are naturally found in India?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

(c) 2 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance and General Science

Mains Examination: GS-II, GS-III, GS-IV: Government policies and interventions, rights and issues, General Science, Ethics.

What’s the ongoing story: The Union Health Ministry is considering an “opt-out” method of cornea donation, whereby anyone who dies at a hospital will be presumed to be a cornea donor unless they register their dissent, according to the minutes of a meeting of experts with the Union Director General of Health Services.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the cornea?

— Read about the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994. 

— How does the “opt-out” method of organ donation differ from the “opt-in” system?

— What are the potential benefits and challenges of implementing an “opt-out” system for cornea donation in India?

— What legal and ethical concerns arise from implementing an “opt-out” organ donation policy?

— what is cadaver donation?

— What is the legal framework governing organ donation in India?

— What initiatives have been taken by the government to promote organ donation?

Key highlights from the Article:

— At present, India follows an opt-in system for harvesting any organ — including tissue like cornea — from deceased donors, meaning the patient and their family members have to provide their consent to the donation.

— “Experts were of the opinion that the opt-out method — where everyone who dies in a hospital is presumed to be a donor — is likely to increase the number of corneal donation. This suggestion has been accepted in-principle” said an official.

— The official added that the proposal is being considered by legal teams as this would require changing the current law governing organ and tissue transplantation in the country.

— The move is aimed towards increasing the availability of corneas or the dome-shaped front layer of the eye. Patients with damaged cornea — bulging outward, thinning, tearing, swelling, ulcers, and complications from previous surgeries — require a cornea transplant to relieve symptoms and restore vision. An estimated 2 lakh corneas are needed each year in India with only 50% of the demand being met.

— There are several reasons why the government is considering a separate policy for cornea donation as compared to the opt-in method followed for donation of other organs.

1. Cornea is a tissue that does not need blood supply unlike other organs and can be harvested up to six hours after death.

2. Cornea can be easily harvested by technicians even at home, meaning most hospitals will be able to do it.

3. Harvesting cornea does not change any facial features of the deceased.

4. Corneas are not necessary for collecting evidence in a medico-legal case.

— The official added that the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) is working to set up a national registry and coordination network on the lines of what already exists for other organs.

For Your Information:

— Organ donation in India is regulated by the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act of 1994, allowing everyone to donate organs, regardless of age, caste, religion, or community, though preferably people over 18 years of age are considered.

— However, the eligibility for donation is primarily determined by the donor’s physical condition, not age, encompassing contributions from both living and deceased donors, with specific guidelines for each type of donation. 

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

????Why more people need to donate their bodies to science

UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

????With reference to the transplantation of human organs and tissues in India, consider the following statements:

1. The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994 provides for transplantation of human organs and tissues in India.

2. The act allows living donations from close relatives.

3. Altruistic donations are not allowed.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: GS-II: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.

What’s the ongoing story: As the Canadian diplomats left India Friday before their exit deadline ended Saturday midnight, Canadian High Commissioner to India Cameron MacKay, who left the country in August after completing his term, said that the US indictment paints a “compelling and detailed portrait” of “a single plot” emanating from Delhi to kill multiple targets across North America in Canada and the United States.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the history of India-Canada bilateral relations?

— What is the Khalistan Movement?

— What are the main causes of the diplomatic tensions between India and Canada?

— What is the principle of reciprocity in diplomatic relations?

— What kind of anti-India activities have been seen in Canada?

— What could be the implications of an escalating India-Canada diplomatic row?

— What steps can India and Canada take to improve their bilateral relationship?

Key highlights from the Article:

— This is the first time the Canadian envoy — officially, he is still High Commissioner — has spoken out publicly and linked the two alleged plots as one: the killing of pro-Khalistan separatist figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada in June last year and the failed bid to kill pro-Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the US.

— India has rejected the Canadian accusations as “absurd and politically motivated” but has been more accommodating of US requests on information and action.

— Claiming that “some very serious red lines have been crossed,” MacKay flagged what he called the reputational cost for the “Indian brand,” with the latest US indictment.

— MacKay emphasized the need to keep “channels of communication open,” and for both governments to “try to minimize the damage that this diplomatic dispute could cause to the people-to-people and the business-to-business part of the relationship. That’s absolutely the Government of Canada’s view. And we hope that India will collaborate on that. There’s no reason for innocent parties to pay a price for this.”

—  On whether India’s response vis-à-vis Canada and the US has been different, because one is a middle-power and the other is a superpower, he said, “Yeah, well, that’s one way to summarize it.”

For Your Information:

— The deepening acrimony in India-Canada bilateral ties could not only affect the bilateral relations but also harm India’s global reputation.

— The trade and investment linkages between India and Canada form an integral component of the multi-faceted partnership between the two countries. In this context, the escalating tension between India and Canada has raised concerns about its potential impact on bilateral economic relations. 

— The diplomatic standoff also has geopolitical implications for India. If the allegations are proven true, India stands to damage its G20 reputation. The diplomatic crisis also extends to countries which share ties with both India and Canada. 

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

????UPSC Issue at a Glance | India-Canada Diplomatic Row

????With India-Canada diplomatic ties in a tailspin, commercial ties could see a chill

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

????‘Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries’. Comment with examples. (UPSC CSE 2020)

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance- Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues.

Mains Examination: GS-II:  Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.

What’s the ongoing story: The resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, urging the Union Government to restore statehood to J&K, has been cleared by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

Key Points to Ponder:

— How did Jammu and Kashmir become part of India?

— What are the constitutional provisions related to the formation and alteration of states?

— How is the state administration different from the Union Territories?

— What is the composition of the Legislative Assembly of J&K?

— What are the powers of the Legislative Assembly of J&K?

— What are the powers of the J&K Lieutenant Governor?

— What are the challenges of administration in Jammu & Kashmir?

Key highlights from the Article:

— After Raj Bhawan’s clearance of the resolution, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will visit the national capital “in the coming days” to meet the Prime Minister and Union Ministers in this regard.

— L-G Sinha also administered the oath of office to National Conference leader Mubarak Gul as the pro-tem Speaker of the J&K Legislative Assembly at Raj Bhawan on Saturday.  As pro-tem Speaker, Gul will administer oath to the newly-elected MLAs of J&K Assembly on October 21.

— The Cabinet chaired by Omar Abdullah that met on Thursday had passed a resolution unanimously for restoration of statehood of Jammu and Kashmir “in its original form”. This was agenda number one of the subjects listed for consideration in the first meeting.

—  Subsequently, the resolution, as required under the transaction of business rules, was sent to the Lieutenant Governor for his approval — all proposals to be discussed by the Cabinet are also required to be sent to the L-G for at least two days before the meeting.

For Your Information:

— The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 created two UTs — the UT of Ladakh without a legislature, and the UT of Jammu and Kashmir with a legislature. An amendment was made to the First Schedule of the Constitution, which lists all states and UTs, and to Article 3 of the Constitution, which deals with the “Formation of new States and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing States.” Thus, the new Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir will be for a UT, not a state.

— Section 13 of the 2019 Act states that Article 239A of the Constitution (“Creation of local Legislatures or Council of Ministers or both for certain Union territories”), which provides for the administration of the UT of Puducherry, shall also apply to the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.

— As per the 1947 Instrument of Accession, J&K had acceded to India in respect of only defence, foreign affairs, and communications. Under Article 370 as it stood before the abrogation, Parliament had limited legislative powers with respect to J&K. Over the years, however, the Centre’s lawmaking power was extended to cover several other subjects in the Union List (List I of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution).

— The Reorganisation Act of 2019 created a vastly different structure, in which the LG has a much bigger role compared with the state Assembly.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

????Knowledge Nugget of the day: Jammu and Kashmir 

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

????Siachen Glacier is situated to the (UPSC CSE Prelims GS-1, 2020)

(a) East of Aksai Chin

(b) East of Leh

(c) North of Gilgit

(d) North of Nubra Valley

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national importance and Economic Development

Mains Examination: GS-II, GS-III: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests; Economic Development

What’s the ongoing story:  Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday said India has proposed a critical minerals partnership agreement (CMPA) with the US, that will help domestic firms in the sector such as electric vehicles to get certain benefits in the American market.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What are critical minerals?

— Know about these minerals and their usage: cobalt, copper, nickel, and lithium.

— What is the significance of critical minerals for the Indian renewable energy industry?

— India has collaborated with which countries on critical minerals?

— Read about the role of private sectors in exploring critical minerals.

— What are the challenges India faces in ensuring resilient critical mineral supply chains?

— What are the initiatives taken by the government to ensure the critical minerals supply chain?

Key highlights from the Article:

— During the visit, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in the critical mineral supply chain.

— Critical minerals, such as cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel and rare earths, play a crucial role in the production of clean energy technologies, from wind turbines to electric cars. Such minerals are in demand for the production of batteries for electric cars.

For Your Information:

— Critical minerals refer to mineral resources, both primary and processed, which are essential inputs in the production process of an economy, and whose supplies are likely to be disrupted due to the risks of non-availability or unaffordable price spikes. To tackle such supply risks, major global economies periodically evaluate which minerals are critical for their jurisdiction through a quantitative assessment.

— Recently, India became a part of the Minerals Security Finance Network (MSFN), a US-led initiative aiming to strengthen cooperation among members to secure supply chains for critical minerals.

— MSFN is a new initiative that stems from the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), a framework established by the US in 2022. India was inducted into the MSP in June 2023.

—  India has identified 30 critical minerals in July 2023 depending upon their disruption potential, substitutability, cross-cutting usage across different sectors, import reliance, recycling rates etc.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

????Experts Explain | What are the challenges India faces in assuring resilient critical minerals supply chains?

????Centre identifies 30 critical minerals: Why, how, and importance of the exercise

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

????With reference to the management of minor minerals in India, consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2019)

1. Sand is a ‘minor mineral’ according to the prevailing law in the country.

2. State governments have the power to grant mining leases of minor minerals, but the powers regarding the formation of rules related to the grant of minor minerals lie with the Central Government.

3. State Governments have the power to frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3

(b) 2 and 3

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

 

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: History of India and Indian National Movement

Mains Examination: GS-I: Indian Heritage and History

What’s the ongoing story:  Vidheesha Kuntamalla writes— “Over centuries, Delhi, a city of many names, has worn titles including ‘Dhillupura’, ‘Dhillika’ and ‘Yoginipura’. The earliest reference to the city, founded by the Tomaras, describes it as ‘Dhillupura’, while ‘Yoginipura’ appears in various inscriptions and ancient Jain texts.”

Key Points to Ponder:

— How has the name of Delhi evolved?

— What role did different dynasties play in shaping Delhi’s history and its various names?

— Read about the Delhi Sultanate. 

— How do ancient texts and inscriptions provide evidence of Delhi’s changing names?

— In what ways do Delhi’s multiple names reflect its strategic and cultural importance as a capital over the centuries?

Key highlights from the Article:

— “One such inscription — the Iron Pillar inscription and other fragments from the Qutb archaeological area — suggests that the region was known as ‘Yoginipura’ during the Gupta period (between the 4th and the 6th centuries) and Pratihara period (believed to be between the 6th to the 9th centuries), potentially comprising a temple complex before it was recognised as ‘Dhilli’ or ‘Dhillika’. It is believed that a city named ‘Indraprastha (City of the Lord Indra)’ was built around Delhi around 1400 BCE and was the capital of the Pandavas.”

— “Many historians argued that while there was some historical evidence connecting Delhi to the name ‘Yoginipura’, the location and significance of the site were subject to academic contention. Several of the varsity’s faculty members argued over the validity of the site’s historical prominence as the city’s many names continue to reveal layers of its complex and contested past.”

— “Some references in Jain texts support the existence of a settlement by the name of ‘Yoginipura’, besides the occurrence of a similar name in three 13th and 14th century inscriptions, which confirm the sequence of rulers but offer little detail on the name’s origin”

— “A 13th-century inscription found in a baoli (stepwell) in Palam village refers to the construction of a well by Uddhara, a householder of ‘Dhilli’. The 13th line of the inscription identifies ‘Dhilli’ as ‘Yoginipura’. Since physical evidence is limited, besides a mention in a few inscriptions, historians are divided on how much historical weight the name ‘Yoginipura’ should carry.”

— “The inscription lists the rulers of the Slave dynasty, up to Balban, and identifies the region of ‘Dhilli’ or ‘Yoginipura’ as once ruled by these dynasties. However, few believe the area was known as ‘Yoginipura’ in ancient Jain texts and that Prithviraj Chauhan himself was said to have patronised a Yogini temple here shortly before his city’s destruction.”

— “References to ‘Yoginipura’ as the name of an ancient or early mediaeval settlement in the Delhi area may have been connected with a Yogini temple that was once located in the area but no remains of an ancient temple in the area have survived.”

— “A Jogmaya temple does exist in Mehrauli today, but it was built in the 19th century. Also Jogmaya is different from the Yoginis. The 64 Yoginis are considered the attendants or manifestations of Goddess Durga. Yogini temples usually have distinctive architectural features: they are circular and don’t have roofs. Sculptures of Yoginis are found around the inner circle.”

— “Unlike Delhi, there are ancient Yogini temples across the country: the Chausath Yogini temples in Odisha’s Ranipur Jharial and Hirapur, and a few others in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur and Khajuraho. These temples broadly belong to the early mediaeval period, when tantra was gaining ground.”

For Your Information:

— Historians identify seven cities of Delhi, dating from the 11th century onwards: Lalkot/Quila Rai Pithora/Mehrauli, Siri, Tughlaqabad, Firozabad, Shergarh (present-day Old Fort), Shahjahanabad and New Delhi. Depending on how one counts and what one considers ‘a city’, this number can be as high as 11.

— Mehrauli is widely considered to be the oldest ‘city’ of Delhi and is the oldest area of the metropolis to be continuously inhabited.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

????What has kept the aura of power around Delhi for centuries

????Statehood for Delhi: Tracing the history and legal journey since 1911

????Mehrauli: The oldest ‘city’ of Delhi, inhabited for over a thousand years

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

????Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2019)

1. In the revenue administration of Delhi Sultanate, the in-charge of revenue collection was known as ‘Amil’.

2. The lqta system of Sultans of Delhi was an ancient indigenous institution.

3. The office of ‘Mir Bakshi’ came into existence during the reign of Khalji Sultans of Delhi.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only 

(c) 3 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3

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