DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 30th September 2024

 Syllabus

• Mains – GS 1 AND GS 4

Context: Amid recent debates on gender equality and incidents of violence against women, Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of women’s rights issues calls for renewed engagement, especially on the occasion of his 155th birth anniversary.

Background: –

• Gandhi’s vision for the upliftment of women was a curious mix of promoting women’s political mobilisation, self-reliance, and economic independence, while focussing on traditional feminine virtues.

Key takeaways

Nationalist Movement and Women’s Cause

• The rise of India’s nationalist movement challenged existing power structures, including gender norms.
• Banning sati (1829), promoting women’s education, addressing purdah, and enhancing women’s political participation became some of the prominent issues, signifying the growing concern for the status of Indian women.
• Social reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar advocated for women’s rights, contributing to an emerging discourse on women’s status in modern society.
• Gandhi, one of the most important leaders in the twentieth century, brought a change in the prevailing discourses. He rejected the wholesale adoption of Western civilisation and the English education system, and rather emphasised the significance of Indian traditions, spirituality, and moral values.

Women in the Swadeshi Movement

• Women’s participation in politics increased during the Swadeshi Movement (1905) against the partition of Bengal. Ramendra Sundar Tribedi called for the observance of “Arandhan Day” on October 16, 1905, when women were to protest by not cooking in their homes and holding women-only protests.
• Women like Kadambini Ganguly and Swarnakumari Devi attended major political events.
• Organizations like Bharat Stree Mahamandal and Abanindranath Tagore’s iconic Bharat Mata painting symbolized women’s presence in the movement, though their impact was limited.

Feminine Virtues and Gandhi’s Satyagraha

• One of Gandhi’s greatest contributions concerning women was encouraging their large-scale participation in the national movement.
• The Black Act of 1913 in South Africa required the registration of non-white marriages, which led to the labelling of unregistered marriages as “illegitimate”. Women were at the forefront of opposing this Act and Gandhi used the issue to further their cause.
• Gandhi recognized feminine virtues—tolerance, nonviolence, sacrifice—as central to his philosophy of Satyagraha.
• For Gandhi, the ideal women were the likes of Sita, Draupadi and Damyanti. Sita represented ‘chastity’ and unyielding support to Ram. Draupadi, in spite of all odds, was a multitasker and resolute companion to the Pandavas. Damayanti exemplified loyalty and remained faithful to her husband, King Nala, even after he abandoned her.
• Gandhi also exhorted women to rise above the role of ‘wifehood’ and become ‘sisters’. For him, women were supposed to be moving away from being a source of ‘lust’ to ‘chastity’, from bondage to freedom and from ignorance to education.
• Gandhi recognized the role of women in enforcing prohibition, which became successful when women took leadership roles during the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930).

Limitations of Gandhi’s Vision

• Although Gandhi encouraged women to come out of their domestic roles, his insistence on ‘pure’ and ‘virtuous’ womanhood restricted their opportunities. Distinctions were also made on the basis of respectability, resulting in the marginalisation of those who did not adhere to conventional moral standards. For instance, Gandhi excluded sex workers from Congress campaigns, creating a divide between ‘women on the street’ and ‘women of the street’.
• Self-reliance was a key principle of Gandhian philosophy. Charkha and Khadi were introduced for self-reliance and economic independence, especially amongst widowed women.However, Gandhi’s emphasis on self-reliance through Khadi and Charkha did not significantly empower women or make them aware of their rights.
• Gandhi placed the responsibility of household and religious duties on women, framing them as the solution to societal ills. While advocating for women’s education, he made a distinction between the education of men and women based on what he perceived as their natural differences. Child rearing was primarily seen as women’s work which was integral to the character-building of the nation.
• Although Gandhi believed in the metaphysical equality of the sexes, his vision still confined women to traditional roles.
• Gandhi supported the idea of property rights for women but never actively campaigned for their legal recognition. Rather than advocating for material rights for women, he encouraged selfless service and moral virtues.

Source: Indian Express

 Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – INTERNATIONAL

Context: Steep hike in tariffs by the US on imports from China kicked in on Friday, as the world’s top economy along with India and a dozen other countries grapple with a rapid influx of goods — dubbed China Shock 2.0 — into global markets.

Background: –

• Researchers believe that the unexpected surge in Chinese exports coincides with a slowdown in the Chinese economy due to the ongoing property crisis, weak credit, and low consumer demand.

Key takeaways

• The US tariff hikes include a 100 per cent duty on electric vehicles, a 50 per cent duty on solar cells and 25 per cent on steel, aluminum, EV batteries, and some minerals.
• In 2024, India imposed over 30 anti-dumping investigations against China, the most against any country.
• India and several other countries have moved to impose a fresh wave of anti-dumping measures, fearing a repeat of the manufacturing job losses that occurred in the years since China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the early 2000s.
• The years following China’s entry into the WTO came to be known as the “China shock” as inexpensive Chinese goods, backed by abundant labour, flooded global markets, resulting in manufacturing job losses internationally. It not only disrupted Western markets but also adversely impacted Indian manufacturing and trade.
• The renewed wave of goods exports by China is not just driven by its ambition to move up the export value chain to high-tech sectors such as solar equipment, electric vehicles, and semiconductors; it now comes amid a demand slump at home, and is intensifying trade tensions internationally.
• India’s imports from China grew at a much faster pace than from the rest of the world. Goods imports from China surged from $10.87 billion in 2005-06 to $61.71 billion in 2015-16. This dependence grew so much that despite many economic restrictions on Chinese businesses following the Galwan clash in June 2020, imports from China surpassed a record $100 billion in 2023-24.
• According to The International Monetary Fund (IMF), China’s external surpluses, resulting from industrial policy measures designed to stimulate exports and support economic growth amid weak domestic demand, could lead to “China shock 2.0” that would displace workers and hurt industrial activity elsewhere. This holds true for India, as imports from China have jumped nearly 60 per cent from $70 billion in FY19 to $101 billion in FY24, according to official data.

Source: Indian Express

 Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – INTERNATIONAL

Context: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israeli forces would continue to strike Lebanon with full force until the Shiite militant group Hezbollah stops firing rockets at Israel.

Background:

• Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed 700 people in the last week alone, and the exchange of fire between Israel and Hezbollah, which began soon after the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas in southern Israel, has led to the displacement of thousands.

Key takeaways

• The Israel-Hezbollah conflict has deep roots in the history of southern Lebanon.
• The establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 was accompanied by the violent displacement of more than 750,000 Palestinian Arabs in the event known as the Nakba, or catastrophe. Many of those who were displaced settled in south Lebanon.
• Lebanon had a large Christian population and conflicts between the Palestinians and Christian militias were fuelled by Soviet support for the Arabs and US backing for the Christian coalition.
• In the 1960s and 70s, militants affiliated with the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) began to build a base in south Lebanon, which they used as a launchpad for attacks on northern Israeli towns.
• In March 1978, in response to a massacre of Israelis near Tel Aviv by Palestinian militants based in Lebanon, Israel invaded south Lebanon. In a short war that followed, Israeli forces pushed the PLO back from south Lebanon, creating a buffer north of Israel.
• But the PLO attacks from Lebanon continued and, four years later, Israel mounted another invasion. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF), along with their Lebanese Christian allies, laid siege to Beirut.
• By 1985, Israel had withdrawn from most of Lebanon but maintained a 15-20-km wide security zone in south Lebanon to prevent cross-border attacks. This area was patrolled by the South Lebanon Army (SLA), a Christian militia allied with Israel.
• Hezbollah was formed in the early 1980s in response to the Israeli occupation of Lebanon. The group was founded with support from Ayatollah Khomeini’s regime in Iran.
• The group’s initial goal was to resist Israeli occupation, but as it strengthened, its objectives expanded to establishing a theocratic state in Lebanon, similar to the one in Iran following the revolution of 1979.
• The long Israel-Hezbollah conflict has shaped the Middle East in multiple ways. Hezbollah, the crown jewel of Iran’s overseas military operations, has developed significant military capability, and has become the spearhead of resistance against Israel.
• But all this might be about to change, as Netanyahu’s government moves the focus of the war away from Gaza, and IDF tanks line up in northern Israel, seemingly in preparation for another ground invasion of south Lebanon.

Source: Indian Express

 Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Russia’s use of thermobaric weapons in Ukraine has drawn significant attention due to their devastating effects.

Background: –

• Many countries, including the United States, China, and others, have also invested in thermobaric technology for its unique capabilities in modern warfare.

About Thermobaric weapons

• Thermobaric weapons, also called “vacuum bombs” or “enhanced blast weapons,” rely on the atmosphere’s oxygen to fuel their explosive power.
• Unlike conventional explosives that contain both fuel and oxidizer, thermobaric bombs release a fuel cloud, which, when ignited, causes a high-temperature explosion. This explosion generates a blast wave of immense pressure, followed by a rapid vacuum effect as the oxygen in the vicinity is consumed.
• The combination of intense overpressure and the subsequent vacuum makes these weapons particularly destructive in enclosed spaces such as bunkers, buildings, and tunnels.
• The shockwave produced by thermobaric bombs can destroy structures, while the blast’s pressure differential causes catastrophic damage to the human body.. This dual impact of extreme heat and pressure is why these weapons are both feared and controversial in modern conflict zones.

Historical Overview

• Thermobaric weapons and technology’s roots trace back to the United States.
• During the Vietnam War in the 1960s, the US military sought effective methods to clear minefields. This led to the development of fuel-air explosives (FAEs), early predecessors of modern thermobaric bombs.
• Over time, the US refined its thermobaric capabilities. During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, US forces used FAEs to destroy Iraqi bunkers and minefields. The US continues to maintain a range of thermobaric-capable weapons, including the AGM-114N Hellfire missile, which employs a Metal Augmented Charge (MAC) thermobaric warhead.
• Russia has emerged as a leader in the development and use of thermobaric weapons. Russia’s TOS-1, mounted on a tank platform, has become one of the most recognizable thermobaric systems. It was used during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and later saw action in Chechnya. More recently, Russia’s ODAB-1500 bomb, used in Ukraine, showcased the continuing evolution of these weapons.

Global Proliferation of Thermobaric Technology

• China, Brazil and India are among the countries that have developed thermobaric weapons. South Korea and Serbia have also developed thermobaric systems, further illustrating the global proliferation of this technology.
• North Korea is also reported to have thermobaric artillery systems, which it has reportedly supplied to allied non-state actors in the Middle East.
• Improvised thermobaric explosive devices (IEDs) were used in the Bali bombings in 2002, demonstrating the destructive potential of these weapons outside of military contexts.

Ethical and Legal Controversies

• The devastating effects on both infrastructure and human bodies have led to calls for regulation and, in some cases, outright bans. In 1980, an effort was made to ban thermobaric weapons under the United Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, but it failed to gain sufficient support.
• Critics argue that thermobaric bombs should be classified as weapons of mass destruction, especially when used in populated areas. The intense blast and vacuum effects can lead to horrific civilian casualties, particularly in urban warfare.
• However, many nations maintain that thermobaric weapons are a necessary tool for specific military objectives, particularly in environments where fortified positions or tunnels make conventional explosives less effective.

Source: Financial Express

 Syllabus

• Prelims – GEOGRAPHY

Context: NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) has entered into a strategic partnership with Trinidad and Tobago to develop a real-time payments platform similar to India’s ‘Unified Payments Interface’ (UPI).

Background: –

• The NPCI manages India’s retail payment systems, including UPI, the country’s most popular mode of digital payments. NIPL is the  overseas wing of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

About Trinidad and Tobago

• Trinidad and Tobago is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean.
• Consisting of the main islands Trinidad and Tobago and numerous much smaller islands, it is situated 11 kilometres (6.8 miles) off the coast of northeastern Venezuela
• It shares maritime boundaries with Barbados to the east, Grenada to the northwest and Venezuela to the south and west.
• Trinidad, the larger island, is more industrialized and home to the capital city, Port of Spain, while Tobago is smaller and more tourism-focused with beautiful beaches and coral reefs.
• The country has a mixed population of people of African, Indian, European, and Chinese descent, reflecting its colonial history under Spanish, British, and French rule.
• Its economy relies heavily on oil and natural gas exports, making it one of the wealthier Caribbean nations.

Source: The Hindu

 Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2

Context: Recently, on the sidelines of the Quad leaders’ summit, the Indian Prime Minister held a meeting with the United States President.

Background: –

• India and USA enjoy a comprehensive global strategic partnership that covers all areas of human endeavor, driven by shared democratic values, convergence of interests and vibrant people-to-people ties.

India – US Relations:

• India and the US found themselves on opposite sides during the Cold War as India was pursuing non-alignment and the US aligning with India’s major rival of the time Pakistan.
• Before 1991 India and the U.S.A. despite being the largest and oldest democracies respectively remained detached.
• The relationship began to thaw in the 1990s with India’s economic liberalization and the end of the Cold War.  This period saw the beginning of strategic dialogues and increased economic cooperation.
• The 2008 Civil Nuclear Agreement signed between the US and India marked a watershed moment in India-US relations.  It effectively ended India’s nuclear isolation and recognized it as a responsible nuclear power by integrating India into the global nuclear order, despite not being a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
• The defence cooperation between India and the US has grown exponentially since the early 2000s.
• India was elevated to Strategic Trade Authorization tier 1 status in 2018 which allowed India to receive licence-free access to a wide range of military and dual-use technologies regulated by the US Department of Commerce.
• India has signed foundational agreements like GSOMIA (2002), LEMOA (2016), COMCASA (2018), and BECA (2020) with the US which has enabled deeper military cooperation.
• Both countries have enhanced their strategic ties through joint exercises like Malabar and the establishment of the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.
• The bilateral trade between India and the US stood at USD 118.28 billion in 2023-24. The US is also a significant source of FDI.
• Both countries have signed an agreement to set up a semiconductor fabrication plant in India, which would make chips for use in national security, next-generation telecommunications, and green energy applications.
• The two countries have increased technological cooperation in emerging technologies like AI, quantum computing, and 5G through multiple initiatives like the US-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund, the US-India Artificial Intelligence Initiative, and the Critical and Emerging Technology Initiative (iCET).
• India and the US are working on a broad range of technology partnerships, from joint research conducted by NASA and ISRO on the International Space Station to a pact for critical minerals supply chains and emerging digital technologies in Asia and Africa.
• The US and India have enhanced their geopolitical cooperation due to the rise of China by reviving the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) and the inclusion of India in the US Indo-Pacific strategy.

Issues/Challenges in India – US Relations:

• The economic challenges between India and the US include India’s trade surplus (USD 36.74 billion in 2023-24), market access barriers, and intellectual property rights concerns from the US side along with the removal of India from the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) in 2019 and ongoing disagreements at the WTO over agricultural subsidies further complicate trade relations.
• India’s muted criticism of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 expectedly led to some frustration in the West, raising questions over India’s credibility as a security partner.
• The US is concerned about India’s acquisition of arms like the S-400 air defence system, as it strengthens Russian power, hinders interoperability and secure communications between US and Indian forces, and prevents sharing of sensitive weapons technologies.
• The US’s CAATSA sanctions threat looms over India’s defence choices.
• There persist issues in technology transfer and joint production in the defence sector as India seeks advanced technologies and greater technology sharing but the export control regulations of the US often limit such transfers.
• The U.S. expresses concern about India’s treatment of minorities, especially Muslims, and its illiberal policies. The revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, the Citizenship Amendment Act, and religious freedom issues have raised eyebrows.
• There is a persistent irritant regarding immigration policies, particularly those affecting Indian tech workers and students as changes to H-1B visa rules have caused concern in India.
• The US is home to major data giants like Google and Facebook that gather significant amounts of data from Indian consumers. India’s plan to implement data localization rules, requiring data to be stored within the country, is being opposed by the US.
• There is a constant issue of contention between both countries about Intellectual property rights (IPR) protection including India’s use of compulsory licensing for pharmaceuticals and placing India on the Priority Watch List in the Special 301 Report of the US, citing concerns over patent laws, copyright piracy, and trademark infringement.
• The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) provided special privileges to India, allowing duty-free exports of goods like textiles and engineering products to the US market. However, the US has withdrawn these benefits, impacting Indian exports.

Source: MEA

Q1.) Which of the following countries share a land border with Israel?

1. Lebanon
2. Jordan
3. Egypt
4. Syria
5. Iraq

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
b) 1, 3 and 5 only
c) 2, 4 and 5 only
d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Q2.) Consider the following statements regarding Thermobaric weapons:

1. Thermobaric weapons, also known as vacuum bombs, generate explosive power by using oxygen from the atmosphere, which leads to both intense heat and pressure differentials.
2. Thermobaric weapons were first developed by Russia during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, making Russia the originator of this technology.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q3.) Consider the following statements regarding Trinidad and Tobago:

1. Trinidad and Tobago is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean and shares maritime boundaries with Venezuela, Barbados, and Grenada.
2. Its economy relies heavily on oil and natural gas exports, making it one of the wealthier Caribbean nations.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’  30th September 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs

Q.1) –  b

Q.2) – b

Q.3) – b