Topic 1 : How are cheetahs faring in India

GS 3 : Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

Context : Project Cheetah and Challenges faced

Project Cheetah: India’s Ambitious Cheetah Relocation Program

• A decade-long program to bring 5-10 cheetahs annually to establish a self-sustaining population of 35 cheetahs in India.
• Cheetahs are meant to grow in natural, unfenced, wild conditions unlike in South Africa and Namibia.
• As of today, 11 of the translocated cheetahs are in the true wild with four in specially designed one­ square ­kilometre enclosures called ‘bomas,’ to help the animals acclimatise to Indian conditions.
• Five of the translocated animals and three of four cubs born in India have died.

Need for a Medical Review

• 11 translocated cheetahs in the wild, but some have died, including Surya, with an infected wound and radio-collar chafing.
• Experts suggest investigating the cause and effect of radio-collaring and potential exposure to parasites.
• All surviving cheetahs to undergo a thorough physical examination, tissue sampling, and parasite checks.

Unusual Cheetah Deaths

• Multiple cheetah deaths reported: Tejas attacked by a female cheetah within the enclosure, cubs dying from heat and malnourishment, and other infections.
• Experts state that cheetah cubs have a high mortality rate in the wild.

Success of Project Cheetah So Far

• Cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa arrived in India in batches.
• Critics raise concerns about the project, including insufficient space and prey in Kuno reserve, affecting cheetah’s adaptive capabilities.
• Psychological adjustment problems observed in cheetahs due to extended quarantine periods.
• Cheetahs being relatively delicate animals are vulnerable to fatal injuries in the wild.
• Competition from other predators absent in India; success depends on how cheetahs establish themselves over time.

Plans for a second reserve in Gandhisagar, Madhya Pradesh, and a cheetah rehabilitation center.

Topic 2: HUF and Uniform Civil Code

GS 2: Important aspects of governance

GS 2 : Welfare schemes

Introduction

• HUF stands for Hindu Undivided Family, which is a legal entity that allows Hindu taxpayers to claim certain benefits under the Income Tax Act, 1961.
• UCC stands for Uniform Civil Code, which is a proposed set of common personal laws for all citizens of India, irrespective of their religion, caste, gender, or region.
• The debate over UCC and its impact on HUF has been going on for a long time, especially after the Law Commission of India initiated fresh deliberation on UCC in 2023.

Benefits of HUF

• HUF is treated as a separate person for taxation purposes, distinct from its individual members.
• HUF enjoys a separate basic exemption limit of ₹2.5 lakh, in addition to the individual limit of its members.
• HUF can also claim deductions and exemptions under various sections of the Income Tax Act.
• HUF can also avail the benefit of lower tax rates and slabs applicable to individuals.
• HUF can also create a corpus of wealth by pooling the ancestral property and income of its members.

Challenges of UCC

• UCC aims to replace the existing personal laws based on religion, caste, gender, or region with a common set of laws for all citizens of India.
• UCC is seen as a way to promote national integration, gender justice, secularism, and human rights in India.
• However, UCC also faces several challenges and opposition from various groups and communities who fear that it will infringe upon their religious and cultural rights and identity.
• UCC also raises several legal and constitutional issues, such as the scope and definition of personal laws, the role and authority of the judiciary and legislature, the protection of minority rights, etc.

Impact of UCC on HUF

1. If UCC is implemented, it will have a significant impact on the institution and tax treatment of HUF in India.
2. UCC will question the validity and rationale of having a separate entity for Hindu taxpayers based on their religion and customs.
3. UCC will also challenge the principle of equality before tax law and uniformity in application across religions.
4. UCC will also affect the succession and inheritance rights of the members of HUF, as they will be governed by a common law instead of their personal laws.
5. UCC will also force many taxpayers to rework their income tax planning and strategies, as they will lose the benefits associated with HUF.

Conclusion

• HUF and UCC are two important and interrelated topics that have implications for the personal and financial affairs of millions of Indians.
• HUF is a unique institution that provides certain tax benefits to Hindu taxpayers under the current legal system.
• UCC is a proposed reform that aims to bring a common set of personal laws for all citizens of India, regardless of their religion or background.

The debate over UCC and its impact on HUF is likely to continue for a long time, as it involves complex and sensitive issues of law, religion, culture, and politics.

Topic 3 : Financial Stability Board seeks measures to regulate cryptoassets

GS 3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.

Introduction:

The Financial Stability Board (FSB) has released a comprehensive report with nine key recommendations on regulating crypto assets. These measures are aimed at addressing financial stability risks posed by cryptoasset activities and markets.

The report, requested by the G20, aims to introduce globally agreed-upon rules to prevent crypto-related blow-ups like the one seen at FTX exchange and other casualties.

1. Global Regulatory Measures to Safeguard Crypto Firms:

• The FSB’s report emphasizes the need for global cooperation and agreed-upon rules to regulate cryptoasset issuers and service providers.
• It calls for authorities to have sufficient powers, tools, and resources to effectively regulate and supervise the cryptoasset activities and enforce relevant laws and regulations.
• The principle of “same activity, same risk, same regulation” is recommended to ensure proportionate and functional-based regulation.

2. Disclosure and Governance Framework:

• Cryptoasset issuers and service providers should be required to disclose a comprehensive governance framework that outlines clear lines of responsibility and accountability for all functions and activities.
• The governance framework must be proportionate to the risk, size, complexity, and systemic importance of the entity.
• Effective risk management frameworks are also encouraged to address all material risks associated with their activities.

3. Domestic and International Cooperation:

• To encourage consistency in regulatory and supervisory outcomes, the report calls for efficient and effective communication and information-sharing through domestic and international cooperation.
• This collaboration is crucial to achieving regulatory outcomes comparable to those in traditional finance.

4. Data Collection and Reporting:

• Robust frameworks for collecting, storing, safeguarding, and timely and accurate reporting of data should be implemented by cryptoasset issuers.
• Authorities should have access to this data as necessary to monitor and regulate the market effectively.

5. Transparent Disclosure of Information:

• Cryptoasset issuers and service providers must disclose comprehensive, clear, and transparent information regarding their governance framework, operations, risk profiles, financial conditions, products, and activities to users and relevant stakeholders.

6. Call for Compliance and Regulation:

• The collapse of FTX in November 2022 highlighted vulnerabilities in the crypto sector.
• The FSB stressed that all countries, even those not part of the watchdog, should apply the recommendations to prevent crypto firms from operating outside the regulatory perimeter or in non-compliance with existing rules.
• The report provides clarity on the standards that should apply to crypto players.

7. Identifying Interconnections and Risks:

The report also emphasizes the need to identify and monitor interconnections within the cryptoasset ecosystem and their potential impacts on the wider financial system. Authorities must address the financial stability risks arising from these interconnections and interdependencies.

Conclusion:

The FSB’s report on regulating crypto assets offers a set of critical recommendations to ensure the stability of the financial system amidst the growing influence of cryptocurrencies.

By implementing these measures, authorities can create a safer and more transparent environment for cryptoasset activities and markets.

While not comprehensive, the report represents a significant step towards global cooperation and regulatory clarity in the fast-evolving world of crypto assets.

With these measures in place, crypto firms are encouraged to adopt basic safeguards to protect against potential blow-ups, fostering a more secure and regulated crypto ecosystem.

Topic 4 :Reimaging Climate Finance

GS 3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

Introduction

·        The article highlights climate change as the most critical challenge for global cooperation due to adverse climate events and insufficient mitigation efforts.

·        The forthcoming UNFCCC meeting in Dubai aims to address climate finance, which will play a significant role in determining funding responsibilities for climate-related actions in emerging market and developing countries (EMDCs).

·        The estimated requirement for climate-related investment in EMDCs (excluding China) is $2-2.8 trillion annually by 2030.

Granular Estimates and Funding Requirements

·        Various estimates shed light on the investment needed for climate mitigation and adaptation.

·        The World Bank’s Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDRs) present variations in investment requirements as a percentage of GDP for different income groups of countries: 1.1% for upper-middle income countries, 5.1% for lower-middle income countries, and 8% for low-income countries.

·        Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted to the UNFCCC also provide estimates for specific countries, such as India, which outlines required investments for adaptation and mitigation actions.

Challenges and the Role of Concessional Finance

·        The main challenge lies in determining the quantum of funding required and the distribution of responsibilities for international transfers of funds.

·        While some climate mitigation actions can be left to the market due to cost-effectiveness, others, like promoting electric vehicles, may require subsidies initially.

·        Adaptation and resilience actions in response to climate change, such as sea-level rise protection, often necessitate concessional support from public authorities as they are net additions to normal development spending.

Key Considerations for UNFCCC Negotiations

1. Differentiating between the investment required for development and additional investment to cope with climate change impacts.

2. Identifying sectors where normal investment funding can meet requirements and sectors needing concessional funding for climate-friendly development.

3. Assessing financing needs for community-level climate action in urban and rural areas.

4. Developing a globally agreed expert group to scrutinize each country’s financing assessments based on agreed methodological principles.

5. Utilizing a blended finance approach combining domestic and international commercial funding, voluntary and obligatory development assistance flows, and voluntary philanthropic funding.

6. Focusing on financial assistance for addressing net additions to development funding needs due to emerging climate risks.

7. Allocating funding requirements to countries based on per capita income categories, using independent estimates and NDCs as the basis.

Challenges in Allocating Obligatory Funding and Climate Justice

·        Apportioning obligatory funding among countries, primarily for adaptation and resilience measures and loss and damage, poses challenges.

·        Climate justice principles, based on greenhouse gas emissions records, could be a logical basis for allocation but lack global agreement.

·        Thus, discussions on intergovernmental climate finance should rely on independent estimates and NDCs to establish a total funding amount until 2030 and allocate funds based on per capita income categories.

Conclusion

·        Addressing climate change through global cooperation requires comprehensive climate finance strategies.

·        As the UNFCCC meeting approaches, assessing funding requirements, embracing concessional finance where necessary, and promoting climate justice principles are crucial steps towards effective climate mitigation and adaptation actions worldwide.

By collaborating on climate finance, nations can work together to create a sustainable and climate-resilient future for all.

Topic 5: Ripple effect: A reduced farm yield on account of El Nino will not only affect farmers’ income, but also lead to a contraction in the Indian economy

GS 1:  Important Geophysical phenomena

Introduction:

·        The Indian agriculture sector is facing a period of uncertainty due to the onset of El Nino and the delayed arrival of the southwest monsoon.

·        The potential consequences include reduced agricultural gross value added (GVA) growth, disrupted farming operations, and declining farmer incomes.

·        We will examine the implications of these factors on the Indian economy, particularly private consumption, which accounts for a significant portion of the country’s GDP.

El Nino’s Impact on Agriculture:

·        El Nino, characterized by extreme sea surface warming and delayed monsoon, is expected to set in, potentially leading to deficient rainfall during the crucial kharif season.

·        Historical trends indicate that El Nino can cause erratic monsoons and prolonged dry spells, adversely affecting crop yields.

·        Farmers have experienced crop damage and reduced production in the past, leading to a decline in their income.

Uncertainty Surrounding Monsoon and Farming Cycle:

·        The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has revised the monsoon arrival date, raising concerns about a delayed onset.

·        This uncertainty further compounds the challenges faced by farmers, as they have already suffered economic losses in recent years due to delayed monsoons and erratic rainfall patterns.

·        The second half of the farming cycle is crucial, and any disruption caused by El Nino could result in low crop yields and may force many farmers to abandon farming altogether.

Financial Constraints and Limited Opportunities:

·        Farmers enter the new season, kharif, with limited capital as rural wages in the agriculture sector have not shown significant growth, and earnings from the previous season have been unprofitable.

·        Despite these challenges, agriculture remains the primary source of income for many farmers, as opportunities in non-farm work are limited.

·        The lack of investment capacity, combined with adverse weather conditions, may lead to a decline in agricultural productivity.

Impact on Farmer Incomes and Rural Population:

·        The income growth rate of agricultural households has been low, and income from cultivation has been declining over the past decade.

·        If the agriculture sector suffers another blow due to factors like El Nino, farmers’ income from cultivation will further decline.

·        This would necessitate seeking scarce non-farm jobs to maintain overall earnings.

·        With private consumption contributing significantly to India’s GDP and the majority of the population depending on agriculture for their livelihood, a dip in the sector’s growth would lead to income loss and adversely affect private consumption.

Conclusion:

The uncertainty surrounding India’s agriculture-based economy, driven by the potential effects of El Nino and delayed monsoon, poses significant challenges for farmers and the overall Indian economy.

Reduced agricultural productivity, declining farmer incomes, and the subsequent impact on private consumption could result in a contraction of the Indian economy.

Policymakers need to address the vulnerabilities of the agriculture sector and provide support to farmers to mitigate the adverse effects of weather uncertainty and ensure sustainable agricultural growth.

Questions:

Q1. Compare the economic responses and policy measures taken by the Indian government during El Niño events in the past and their effectiveness in mitigating the impact on the economy.

Q2. Discuss the effects of El Niño on the monsoon patterns and its consequences for various sectors of the Indian economy.

Topic 6: Managing a menace:Prioritizing Child Malnutrition and Nutrition Security in India

Imaginative policy interventions prioritising social welfare are required to work in sync with each other to limit the scourge of child malnourishment in India

Introduction:

• India’s national priorities are shifting towards a holistic approach to food and nutrition security.
• The country’s track record on child malnutrition is underwhelming, with India ranking 107 out of 121 countries on the Global Hunger Index (2022).

Importance of Addressing Child Malnutrition:

• India’s growth story must prioritize the health and development of its children to ensure a bright future for the nation.
• With the youngest working population in the world, investing in child nutrition is crucial for achieving ambitious growth goals.
• Malnutrition can hinder India’s aspiration to become the human resource capital of the world and contribute to the global economy.

Challenges in Achieving Zero Hunger:

• India’s progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of zero hunger is slow.
• The SDGs aim to end all forms of malnutrition, but the country is falling short of crucial indicators.
• Reimagining the issue through interdepartmental consultations is necessary for making progress.

Budgetary Allocations and Government Initiatives:

• The budgetary allocation for 2023-24 does not reflect significant investment in nutrition-related programs.
• Frontline workers in Anganwadi programs are underfunded, impacting child health.
• The Integrated Nutrition Support Program aims to address malnutrition but requires a cross-sectoral approach.

Interdepartmental Coordination:

• The ICDS scheme and Poshan Abhiyan provide crucial services but need collaboration among various ministries.
• Government guidelines on child feeding practices require coordination from public health systems for implementation.
• Access to Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres for children with severe acute malnutrition needs improvement.

Revamping Food Systems:

• Incorporating nutritious diets, including millets, nuts, fruits, and vegetables, into the public distribution systems is essential.
• Long-term vision regarding food production and educational campaigns on nutritious food are necessary.
• Nonprofits and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives can contribute to innovative nutritional solutions.

Conclusion:

• Reimagining a future that prioritizes child nutrition is essential for achieving food and nutrition security.
• Investing in the health and well-being of children will contribute to India’s growth and development.

A cross-sectoral approach, better interdepartmental coordination, and revamped food systems are vital to address child malnutrition effectively and achieve the SDG of zero hunger.