Sept 24th and 25th 2024 Current Affairs

Index:

1. Supreme Court Ruling on Child Sexual Exploitative Material (CSEM)

  1. Supreme Court Verdict:
    • The Supreme Court ruled that viewing, downloading, storing, possessing, distributing, or displaying pornographic acts involving children is a criminal offense.
    • This is applicable under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Information Technology (IT) Act.
    • The verdict overturned a previous Madras High Court decision which stated that the mere possession or storage of child pornographic material was not an offense.

 

  1. Definition of ‘Child Pornography’:
    • The court emphasized using the term “Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM)” instead of ‘child pornography’ to avoid trivializing the crime.
    • Any depiction of a sexually explicit act involving a child or appearing to involve a child would be considered ‘child pornography’ under the POCSO Act.

 

  1. Court’s Appeal to Parliament:
    • The Supreme Court urged Parliament to amend the POCSO Act to substitute ‘child pornography’ with CSEAM for legal clarity and seriousness.
    • Suggested the government pass an ordinance to implement this change while the formal amendment is being considered.

 

  1. Judgement Authored by Justice J.B. Pardiwala:
    • Emphasized that child sexual abuse does not end with the act itself but continues through the recording and dissemination of exploitative material, which perpetuates the trauma of the victim.

Additional Information for UPSC Notes:

1.       POCSO Act, 2012:

 

o    Enacted to protect children from offenses of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and pornography.

o    Defined a child as anyone below the age of 18.

o    It includes stringent punishments for sexual offenses against children, ranging from 3 years to life imprisonment.

2.       Section 67B of the IT Act:

 

o    Specifically deals with child pornography or sexually explicit content related to children.

o    It makes the publishing, transmission, creation, viewing, or downloading of child pornographic material a criminal offense, punishable with up to 5 years of imprisonment and fines.

3.       Global Context on CSEM:

 

o    Many countries have stringent laws against CSEM, such as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) in the USA, and the EU Directive 2011/93 that mandates member states to criminalize child pornography and related acts.

4.       Psychological Impact on Victims:

 

o    The dissemination of child abuse material is known to cause long-term psychological damage to victims, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal.

o    The UN’s Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child calls for international cooperation to eliminate CSEM.

2. Indian Army Induction of Robotic Mules, Drones, and High-Altitude Technologies

CONTEXT:

  1. Induction of Robotic Mules:
    • The Indian Army has procured and inducted 100 robotic mules to be used in forward areas, particularly in high-altitude regions.
    • These robotic mules are intended to streamline logistics and movement support for troops in difficult terrain.
    • Features of Robotic Mules:
      • High-endurance, agile, and durable.
      • All-weather capability: Can operate in extreme temperatures from -40°C to 55°C.
      • Can carry up to 15 kg of payload.
      • Can climb stairs, hills, and cross obstacles like rivers, unstructured ground, and rough terrains.
      • Can walk up to 3 years and recognize objects using electro-optics, infrared sensors, etc.
  1. Trials of Drones and High-Altitude Tents:
    • Logistics drones are undergoing trials to further enhance supply chains in high-altitude regions.
    • The Army is evaluating new high-altitude tents that can withstand temperatures as low as -40°C.
  2. Post-2020 Standoff with China:
    • Since the 2020 standoff in Eastern Ladakh with China, the Indian Army has been seeking technological advancements for better operational efficiency in high-altitude warfare and logistics.
  3. High-Altitude Clothing and Habitats:
    • Extreme conditions in places like Siachen (the world’s highest battlefield) require specialized gear.

DTECH Innovations announced a new high-altitude tent (Peak Pods) designed for sub-zero temperatures and being tested at Leh, Daulat Beg Oldie, and Durbuk.

3. Thailand Same Sex Marriage Law

CONTEXT:

  1. Induction of Robotic Mules:
    • The Indian Army has procured and inducted 100 robotic mules to be used in forward areas, particularly in high-altitude regions.
    • These robotic mules are intended to streamline logistics and movement support for troops in difficult terrain.
    • Features of Robotic Mules:
      • High-endurance, agile, and durable.
      • All-weather capability: Can operate in extreme temperatures from -40°C to 55°C.
      • Can carry up to 15 kg of payload.
      • Can climb stairs, hills, and cross obstacles like rivers, unstructured ground, and rough terrains.
      • Can walk up to 3 years and recognize objects using electro-optics, infrared sensors, etc.
  1. Trials of Drones and High-Altitude Tents:
    • Logistics drones are undergoing trials to further enhance supply chains in high-altitude regions.
    • The Army is evaluating new high-altitude tents that can withstand temperatures as low as -40°C.
  2. Post-2020 Standoff with China:
    • Since the 2020 standoff in Eastern Ladakh with China, the Indian Army has been seeking technological advancements for better operational efficiency in high-altitude warfare and logistics.
  3. High-Altitude Clothing and Habitats:
    • Extreme conditions in places like Siachen (the world’s highest battlefield) require specialized gear.

DTECH Innovations announced a new high-altitude tent (Peak Pods) designed for sub-zero temperatures and being tested at Leh, Daulat Beg Oldie, and Durbuk.

4. NBFC Sector Resilience under Scale-Based Regulation (SBR) Framework

Key Points:

  1. Performance of the NBFC Sector:
    • The Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFC) sector in India is showing resilience under the Scale-Based Regulation (SBR) Framework introduced in October 2022.
    • Improvement noted in:
      • Asset quality
      • Diversified funding base
      • Profitability, as indicated by an increase in Return on Assets (RoA) and Return on Equity (RoE).

 

  1. Key Metrics as of December 2023:
    • The sector maintained double-digit credit growth.
    • Adequate capital levels and low delinquency ratios have been reported.
    • The Gross Non-Performing Assets (NPA) ratio has seen a significant decrease:
      • From 4% (government NBFCs) in December 2021 to 2.4% by December 2023.
      • For non-government NBFCs, the NPA ratio reduced from 6% to 6.3% in the same period.

 

  1. Improved Risk Management and Regulatory Discipline:
    • The SBR framework, which introduces tiered regulations based on the size, activities, and systemic importance of NBFCs, has contributed to enhanced financial discipline and risk management.
    • The extension of the Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) mechanism to cover NBFCs has also strengthened oversight.

 

  1. Upper Layer NBFCs:
    • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has identified several NBFCs as part of the upper layer in the SBR framework, subjecting them to stricter regulatory norms.
    • Major NBFCs include:
      • LIC Housing Finance, Bajaj Finance, Shriram Finance, Tata Sons, L&T Finance, Indiabulls Housing Finance, Piramal Capital & Housing Finance, Cholamandalam Investment & Finance, Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services, PNB Housing Finance, Aditya Birla Finance, and others.

 

Additional Information for UPSC Notes:

1.       Scale-Based Regulation (SBR) Framework:

o    Introduced by the RBI in October 2022, the SBR framework classifies NBFCs into four categories:

§  Base Layer (BL): Smaller NBFCs with less systemic risk.

§  Middle Layer (ML): Larger NBFCs, similar to deposit-taking NBFCs.

§  Upper Layer (UL): Systemically significant NBFCs.

§  Top Layer (TL): A layer kept empty unless the systemic risk is high.

o    The SBR framework aims to streamline regulations by imposing proportional regulations based on the size and risk profile of the NBFCs.

 

 

  1. Significance of NBFCs in India’s Financial Ecosystem:
    • NBFCs play a critical role in the Indian financial sector, providing credit to the unbanked and underbanked segments, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
    • NBFCs contribute significantly to the housing finance and vehicle finance
    • Post the IL&FS crisis (2018) and Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Ltd (DHFL) collapse, the RBI has tightened regulations to ensure better asset quality and liquidity management.

 

  1. Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) Framework:
    • The PCA framework, initially applicable only to banks, was extended to NBFCs from October 2022. It involves early intervention by the RBI when a financial institution shows signs of stress.
    • Key metrics under PCA include capital adequacy, asset quality, and leverage.

 

  1. Challenges Facing NBFCs:
    • Despite improvements, the sector continues to face challenges like liquidity mismatches, regulatory compliance, and competition from fintech.
    • The sector’s ability to adapt to technological changes and manage credit risks is critical for its long-term sustainability.

 

  1. RBI’s Role in Strengthening NBFCs:
    • The RBI, as the central regulator, ensures that systemically important NBFCs (NBFC-SI) are subject to stringent norms to prevent any spillover effect on the broader financial system.

The adoption of digital lending guidelines and asset classification norms has also strengthened the sector’s resilience.

5. India’s Response to UNSC Reform Document

Key Points:

  1. India’s Stand on UNSC Reforms:
    • India expressed optimism over the inclusion of a detailed paragraph on UN Security Council (UNSC) reforms in a UN summit document, calling it a “good beginning.”
    • The document was part of the “Pact of the Future” adopted on September 22, 2024, by consensus among world leaders.
    • India anticipates moving forward to text-based negotiations with a fixed timeframe to reform the UNSC.

 

  1. Key Aspects of the UNSC Reform Document:
    • The document recognized the need to make the UNSC more representative, inclusive, democratic, and transparent.
    • The focus was on improving the representation of under-represented regions and increasing the body’s efficiency.
    • UN officials hailed the language in the document as “groundbreaking.”

 

  1. India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s Statement:
    • Vikram Misri, India’s Foreign Secretary, emphasized that it is a positive step toward reforming the UNSC. He noted that for the first time, a formal mention of UNSC reforms has been made, which India views as progress in the long-pending issue.

 

  1. Focus on Africa:
    • The “Pact of the Future” also prioritized addressing the historical injustice against Africa, advocating for Africa’s inclusion in global decision-making forums, including the UNSC.
    • This also aligns with India’s support for the African Union’s permanent membership in the UNSC.

 

Additional Information:

  1. United Nations Security Council (UNSC):
    • The UNSC is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
    • Composition:
      • 5 permanent members (P5): China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
      • 10 non-permanent members, elected for two-year terms.
    • The P5 members hold veto power, which has been a point of contention in reform discussions, especially concerning inclusivity and representativeness.

 

  1. India’s Demand for UNSC Reform:
    • India has been advocating for UNSC reforms for decades, highlighting the need for the Council to reflect the current geopolitical realities.
    • India seeks a permanent seat in the UNSC, along with countries like Germany, Brazil, and Japan (together known as the G4 nations).
    • India argues that its population, growing economic power, and contribution to global peacekeeping make it a deserving candidate for permanent membership.

 

  1. Challenges to UNSC Reforms:
    • Resistance from P5 members, particularly those reluctant to dilute their veto power.
    • The lack of consensus among UN member states on which countries should be included as new permanent members.
    • The long-standing issue of regional representation, especially from Africa and Latin America.

 

  1. UNSC Reform Efforts:
    • Over the years, various UN reform proposals have been introduced, but significant progress has been slow due to the complex power dynamics within the UN.
    • The Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on Security Council reform have been ongoing, but there has been little concrete action.

 

  1. “Pact of the Future” and its Significance:
    • The “Pact of the Future” represents a global effort to address critical issues such as UNSC reform, climate change, inequality, and peacekeeping.
    • By acknowledging the need for reform and including specific language on the UNSC, it provides a framework for future negotiations.

The inclusion of Africa’s representation in the document aligns with the broader push for reforming global governance structures to be more equitable.

6. Unemployment Rate and Labour Survey Report

Key Points:

  1. Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24:
    • The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for the period between July 2023 and June 2024 reports no major change in the Unemployment Rate (UR).
    • The UR remains at 2%, similar to the previous year, indicating stagnant unemployment over the last two years.

 

  1. Labour Force Participation:
    • There is a minor increase in the distribution of workers in agriculture, while manufacturing jobs have not shown improvement in employment generation.
    • Participation of women in the workforce has increased, with the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for females rising from 3% to 41.7% in 2023-24.
    • LFPR for males in India increased from 8% in 2017-18 to 78.8% in 2023-24.

 

  1. Sectoral Changes:
    • The agriculture sector has shown an increase in employment participation for four consecutive years. However, this rise includes an increase in unpaid family labour counted as employment.
    • There has been no substantial improvement in non-farm jobs, with a decline in manufacturing jobs. The share of manufacturing jobs in employment has decreased from 8% in 2012 to 11.4% in 2023-24.

 

  1. Labour Force Participation by Community:
    • Muslim women saw an increase in LFPR from 15% in 2021-22 to 21.4% in 2023-24.
    • Hindu women: LFPR rose from 1% to 33.3% over the same period.
    • Other communities such as Sikh and Christian women also saw improvements in LFPR, reaching 3% for Sikh women and 34.2% for Christian women.

 

  1. Urban and Rural Unemployment Rates:
    • Rural unemployment rate decreased from 3% to 2.5% in 2023-24.
    • Urban unemployment rate reduced from 7% to 5.1% during the same period.
    • Despite these figures, experts express concerns about the quality of jobs and stagnant improvement in non-agricultural sectors.

 

  1. Centre’s Response:
    • The Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation stated that rural areas have seen a consistent rise in the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), from 7% in 2017-18 to 63.7% in 2023-24.
    • The government also highlighted the decrease in the UR for males, from 1% in 2017-18 to 3.2% in 2023-24.

 

Additional Information for UPSC Notes:

1.       Unemployment Rate (UR):

 

o    The Unemployment Rate (UR) is defined as the percentage of the labour force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment.

o    A stagnant UR indicates that the economy is not creating enough jobs relative to the growth in the labour force.

2.       Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR):

 

o    LFPR measures the proportion of the working-age population (typically aged 15 and above) that is actively engaged in the labour market, either working or seeking employment.

o    An increase in LFPR reflects higher labour market engagement, but it also highlights whether the economy can absorb this increase in terms of job creation.

3.       Concerns with Agriculture-Led Employment:

 

o    The shift of workers to the agriculture sector may suggest a lack of job creation in more productive sectors like manufacturing or services, which offer higher wages and better working conditions.

o    Unpaid family labour in agriculture, counted in employment, distorts the true picture of productive employment.

4.       Manufacturing Sector Decline:

 

o    The share of manufacturing jobs in overall employment has declined despite the Make in India initiative and other industrialization efforts.

o    The manufacturing sector is crucial for creating large-scale, formal sector jobs, which are more stable and offer social security benefits

5.       Challenges in Non-Agricultural Job Creation:

 

o    While construction and services sectors have shown some revival, they have not generated enough jobs to offset declines in manufacturing.

o    Youth unemployment remains a critical issue, especially with a large demographic dividend that India is expected to harness.

Fact Check Unit

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments