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1. A role for India in South-South climate cooperation
Context
The article discusses India’s role in South-South climate cooperation and its potential leadership in the global transition to a low-carbon economy. It highlights Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, which allows for Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) between countries, facilitating emissions reduction, technology exchange, and financial resource mobilization. India, as a major developing economy, can leverage South-South partnerships, particularly with African nations, to drive sustainable development and meet its climate goals.
Key Points
1. Article 6 of the Paris Agreement
- Focuses on market mechanisms for cooperative approaches to emissions reduction.
- Article 6.2 allows for the transfer of ITMOs between countries, enabling flexibility in achieving Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
2. India’s Climate Policies and Article 6.2
- India aims to reduce emissions intensity by 45% by 2030.
- Launched the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) in 2023 to integrate carbon markets into national policy.
- Has experience with Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM), Energy Saving Certificates (ESCerts), and Renewable Energy Certificates (REC).
3. South-South Cooperation Opportunities
- India identified 14 key areas for international collaboration, including Renewable Energy (RE), Energy Storage, and Carbon Capture Technologies.
- Potential for technology transfer and climate finance partnerships with developing countries.
- African nations, with vast renewable energy potential, can be key partners.
4. Climate Finance and Investments
- India’s renewable energy sector attracted over $10 billion in FDI (2022).
- ITMO transactions can boost green technology development and investment.
- New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) promotes voluntary climate finance contributions among developing nations.
5. Challenges in ITMO Transfers
- Risk of developed nations outsourcing emissions reductions to India instead of reducing their own carbon footprint.
- Potential opportunity costs for India, as emission reductions might be needed for its domestic climate targets.
- Governance and transparency issues could impact effectiveness.
Relevance for UPSC
- GS Paper 3 (Environment & Climate Change) – India’s role in climate negotiations, carbon markets, and sustainable development.
- International Relations – South-South Cooperation, India-Africa relations, Climate Diplomacy.
- Essay Topics – Climate change mitigation strategies, India’s role in global environmental governance.
2. Addressing the growing threat of forest fires
Context
Forest fires in India have increased significantly due to climate change, human activities, and inadequate fire management systems. Despite policies like the National Action Plan on Forest Fires and the Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme (FFPMS), challenges persist, including budget constraints, technological limitations, and lack of community engagement. Effective forest fire management requires policy reforms, advanced technology, early warning systems, and community participation.
Key Points
1. Rising Incidence of Forest Fires in India
- 36% of India’s forest cover is prone to fires (Forest Survey of India).
- 10-fold increase in forest fires in the last two decades (CEEW analysis).
- States severely affected: Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Karnataka.
2. Causes of Forest Fires
- 90% of fires are human-induced (land clearing, slash-and-burn agriculture, campfires).
- Climate change impact – rising temperatures, prolonged dry spells, and erratic rainfall.
3. Consequences of Forest Fires
- Environmental impact – loss of biodiversity, wildlife habitats, and carbon emissions.
- Economic losses – ₹1.74 lakh crore annually due to forest degradation (MoEFCC, 2018).
- Social impact – displacement, human-wildlife conflict, and health issues.
4. Government Policies & Initiatives
- National Action Plan on Forest Fires (NAPFF) – overarching policy for fire prevention.
- Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme (FFPMS) – supports state governments but faces budget fluctuations.
- Forest Fire Alert System – lacks differentiation between forest fires and other fires, causing delays.
5. Need for Stronger Measures
- Budget stability – inconsistent funding for FFPMS, needs steady financial support.
- Technology adoption – use of predictive modelling, drones with thermal imaging, satellite-based monitoring.
- Community participation – self-help groups collecting pine needles (Uttarakhand, Himachal), inspired by Nepal’s Community Forest User Groups and Indonesia’s Fire-Free Village Program.
- Early warning systems – real-time reporting via mobile apps, toll-free helplines, SMS-based alerts.
- Policy collaboration – integration of data from Forest Survey of India, IMD, ISRO for better fire prediction and response.
Relevance for UPSC
- GS Paper 3 (Environment & Disaster Management) – Causes, impact, and mitigation of forest fires.
- Governance & Policy Making – Analysis of India’s forest management policies.
- Essay Topics – Climate change and disaster preparedness, community participation in environmental conservation.
3. Struggling with poor cyber security
Context
Karnataka’s critical information infrastructure has faced multiple cyber attacks, the latest being a DDoS attack on Kaveri 2.0, a property registration portal. The attack disrupted operations for weeks, causing significant inconvenience and potential financial losses. Despite previous attacks, the State’s cyber security framework remains weak, with poor coordination between departments and lack of robust security measures. The absence of a dedicated Cyber Security Operation Centre and involvement of law enforcement in real-time has made the response inefficient.
Key Points
1. What is a DDoS Attack?
- A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is when multiple machines attack a single target, overwhelming its resources and causing service disruptions.
- In this case, AI-powered bots targeted Kaveri 2.0, Karnataka’s property registration portal.
2. Cyber Security Breaches in Karnataka
- 2017: WannaCry ransomware attack on Karnataka State Data Centre.
- 2019: Hacking of e-procurement portal, leading to ₹11.5 crore theft.
- 2022: Cyber attack on National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS).
- 2024-2025: DDoS attack on Kaveri 2.0, halting property registrations for weeks.
3. Challenges in Karnataka’s Cyber Security
- Lack of coordination between the e-Governance Department and cyber crime police.
- Delayed response: The cyber crime police were involved only after the damage had been done.
- Poor cyber security governance: Karnataka’s Cyber Security Committee lacks police representation.
- Budget constraints: Proposal for ₹20 crore Cyber Security Operation Centre (like I4C, NCIIPC) was dropped in the revised 2023 Budget.
4. Comparison with Other States & National Architecture
- Maharashtra & Odisha have better cyber security infrastructure.
- National level frameworks:
- Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) – Under the Home Ministry to combat cybercrime.
- National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) – Protects key infrastructure from cyber threats.
5. Need for Stronger Cyber Security in Karnataka
- Bengaluru, India’s Silicon Valley, is also a cybercrime hotspot (2023 report by Future Crime Research Foundation, IIT Kanpur).
- Karnataka records one of the highest cybercrime cases in India but lacks adequate infrastructure.
- Experts suggest:
- A 24×7 Cyber Security Control Room with technical experts + cyber crime police.
- Clearly defined Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for cyber attacks.
- Reviving the Cyber Security Operation Centre proposal.
Relevance for UPSC
- GS Paper 3 (Cyber Security, Governance, Technology, Internal Security).
- GS Paper 2 (Federalism, Inter-Governmental Coordination, Governance Challenges).
- Essay Topics: Cyber Security in India, Challenges of Digital Governance.
- Ethics (GS4): Ethical concerns in cyber crime governance, accountability in digital infrastructure.
4. Perilous path: on Bangladesh and its interim government
Context
The article discusses the current political turmoil in Bangladesh following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, by a student-led uprising. The interim government, backed by the military and led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, promised democratic reforms but has failed to establish stability. Mob violence, minority persecution, and press suppression have intensified, raising concerns about governance and human rights violations.
Key Points
1. Political Crisis in Bangladesh
- Sheikh Hasina’s government ousted on August 5, 2024, through a student-led uprising.
- Muhammad Yunus-led military-backed interim government took charge, promising reforms.
- Six months later, no election schedule announced, and instability continues.
2. Mob Violence and Lawlessness
- February 5, 2025: Bangabandhu Memorial Museum vandalized amid reports of Hasina’s exile speech.
- Security forces were present but failed to prevent destruction of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence.
- Residences of Awami League leaders also attacked.
- Security crackdown followed: 1,000+ Awami League members arrested in a single day.
3. Minority Persecution and Human Rights Concerns
- Reports of violence against Hindus, Christians, Ahmadiyya Muslims, and Chittagong Hill Tracts minorities.
- 100+ people killed and 11,000 arrested since August 5.
- 140 journalists arrested, 150+ press accreditations revoked.
4. Governance and Accountability Issues
- Human Rights Watch (HRW) Report (January 2025): Criticized the government for mirroring Awami League’s intolerance to criticism.
- Blaming Hasina for violence instead of ensuring accountability.
- Reform agenda stalled, with no visible progress.
5. Future Challenges and Need for Stability
- Bangladesh needs political stability and law enforcement to restore order.
- Urgent need for elections to establish a legitimate, elected government.
- Muhammad Yunus, as the head of the interim government, must ensure law and order.
Relevance for UPSC
- GS Paper 2 (International Relations & Governance) – Political crisis in a neighboring country, democracy and human rights issues.
- Essay Topics – Democracy and political instability in South Asia.
- Current Affairs (Prelims & Mains) – Bangladesh’s political situation and India’s regional diplomacy.
5. Self-inflicted injury: On Trump tariffs and the U.S. economy
Context
The article examines the economic impact of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, particularly on steel and iron imports. Data from his first term (2017-2021) showed that tariffs on $400 billion worth of goods led to GDP losses, household income decline, and manufacturing job losses. The new 25% tariff on steel imports in his second term is expected to have similar negative effects, contributing to higher inflation and increased consumer costs.
Key Points
1. Economic Impact of Trump’s Tariffs (2018-2019)
- $400 billion worth of goods were affected by sweeping tariffs.
- Federal Reserve study (2019): Industries facing tariff hikes saw reduced employment.
- Manufacturing job loss: Estimated at 75,000 jobs (0.6% decline).
- Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Report (2019):
- Real GDP declined by 0.3% by 2020.
- Household income fell by $580 (2019 dollars).
2. Trump’s Second-Term Tariffs (2025)
- New 25% tariff on iron and steel imports, similar to March 2018 policy.
- Previous exemptions (Canada, Mexico, EU) ended in June 2018, leading to retaliatory tariffs.
- Steel Industry Impact:
- China leads global steel production (1,019 mmtpa, 54% share).
- India (140.8 mmtpa, 7%) and U.S. (81.4 mmtpa, 4%) follow.
- Despite domestic production, U.S. imports steel from Canada, Mexico, and Brazil.
3. Inflation and Consumer Costs
- Tariffs contributed to inflation during Biden’s presidency.
- Steel is crucial for industries like construction, automotive, appliances, and energy.
- Even small steel price hikes can increase consumer costs and slow economic growth.
4. Risks of Protectionist Policies
- Retaliatory tariffs from trading partners can harm U.S. exports.
- History suggests tariffs lead to economic self-harm, contradicting protectionist goals.
- Trump’s tariff policies risk repeating past mistakes, adding strain to the U.S. economy.
Relevance for UPSC
- GS Paper 3 (Indian Economy & International Trade) – Impact of trade policies and tariffs.
- GS Paper 2 (International Relations) – U.S. trade policies and their global economic implications.
- Essay Topics – Protectionism vs. Free Trade, Economic Nationalism.
- Prelims & Mains – Steel industry, U.S.-China trade war, inflation impact on global economy.
6. A legal ‘remedy’ that perpetuates survivor trauma
Context
The article critically examines the judiciary’s practice of granting bail to rape accused on the condition of marriage with the survivor. Recent cases in the Allahabad High Court highlight this issue, where such bail conditions were imposed despite Supreme Court guidelines prohibiting them. The authors argue that these court-imposed marriages reinforce patriarchal stereotypes, violate the survivor’s autonomy, and create a coercive legal mechanism that allows perpetrators to escape justice.
Key Points
1. Judicial Precedents and Supreme Court Guidelines
- Allahabad HC cases (2024-25):
- Atul Gautam vs State of Uttar Pradesh (2025): Bail granted to a rape accused on the condition of marrying the survivor.
- Abhishek vs State of Uttar Pradesh (2024): Bail granted on the condition that the accused marry the survivor and support their child.
- Ramashankar vs State of Uttar Pradesh (2022): Set a precedent for similar bail conditions.
- Supreme Court’s Stand:
- Aparna Bhat vs State of Madhya Pradesh (2021): Courts must ensure no contact between the accused and survivor during bail.
- Kunal Kumar Tiwari vs State of Bihar (2017): Bail conditions should not be arbitrary or regressive.
2. Problems with Court-Imposed Marriage as Bail Condition
- Violates the survivor’s autonomy and dignity.
- Reinforces patriarchal notions that equate a woman’s dignity with marital status.
- Creates an unequal, coercive marital relationship, potentially leading to abuse.
- Allows accused to escape harsher punishment by exploiting marriage as a legal loophole.
- Compromises the trial process by altering the survivor’s ability to testify freely.
3. Role of the State in Survivor Welfare
- Re: Right to Privacy of Adolescents (2024): SC held that the state is responsible for providing shelter, food, education, and counselling to survivors.
- State’s failure leads to judicial overreach, where courts impose marriage as a forced remedy.
4. Legal and Constitutional Concerns
- Article 21 (Right to Dignity and Life): Forced dependence on the accused violates fundamental rights.
- Section 437(3)(c) of CrPC: Courts can impose bail conditions only in the interest of justice, but marriage as a condition goes beyond legal provisions.
Relevance for UPSC
- GS Paper 1 (Society & Women’s Issues): Gender justice, patriarchal structures in law.
- GS Paper 2 (Governance & Judiciary): Judicial accountability, role of state in survivor welfare.
- GS Paper 3 (Ethics & Justice): Legal ethics, fair trial principles.
- Essay Topics: Gender Justice in the Judiciary, Role of Courts in Social Reform.
Also Read: The Hindu Editorial Analysis: February 11, 2025
Disclaimer:
This analysis is based on the editorial content published in The Hindu and is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. The views, opinions, and interpretations expressed herein are those of the author of original article. Readers are encouraged to refer to the original article for complete context and to exercise their own judgment while interpreting the analysis. The analysis does not constitute professional advice or endorsement of any political, economic, or social perspective.
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