• Syllabus:
  • Prelims – HISTORY

Context: November 13 marks the birth anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab.

Background: –

• He was born on November 13, 1780 in Gujranwala, now in Pakistan, and ruled Punjab for almost four decades (1801-39). At the time of his death, he was the only sovereign leader left in India, all others having come under the control of the East India Company in some way or the other.

Key takeaways

• In 1799, Ranjit Singh established a unified Sikh empire after conquering Lahore. He overthrew chieftains who had divided the territory into Misls. He was given the title Sher-e-Punjab because he stemmed the tide of Afghan invaders in Lahore, which remained his capital until his death.
• Ranjit Singh’s empire included the former Mughal provinces of Lahore and Multan besides part of Kabul and the entire Peshawar. The boundaries of his state went up to Ladakh — Zorawar Singh, a general from Jammu, had conquered Ladakh in Ranjit Singh’s name — in the northeast, Khyber pass in the northwest, and up to Panjnad in the south where the five rivers of Punjab fell into the Indus. During his regime, Punjab was a land of six rivers, the sixth being the Indus.
• Ranjit Singh struck balance between his role as a faithful Sikh ruler and his desire to act as friend and protector of his empire’s Muslim and Hindu people. He embarked on a campaign to restore Sikh temples – most notably rebuilding the Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple, at Amritsar in marble (1809) and gold (1830) – while also donating a tonne of gold to plate the Hindu Kashi Vishwanath temple.
• Ranjit Singh began to modernise his army along the line of European armies. He hired French and Italian mercenaries who had fought for Napoleon until the mighty French General’s defeat in 1815.
• The new Fauj-i-khas (‘special army’) brigade was led General Jean-Baptiste Ventura and General Jean-Francois Allard, who were given generous salaries. They were later joined by Auguste Court and Paolo Avitabile. These generals settled down in Lahore, and adapted to Indian culture.
• Immediately after Ranjit Singh’s death in 1839, the British East India Company began to bolster its military presence in regions adjacent to Punjab. Inevitably, conflict arose between the Khalsa (the Sikh army) and the British, leading to the Anglo-Sikh Wars. 
• The first Anglo-Sikh War occurred from late 1845 to early 1846. This conflict led to the defeat and partial subjugation of the Sikh empire, resulting in the cession of Jammu and Kashmir as a separate princely state under British suzerainty.
• The Company inflicted a decisive and final defeat on Sikhs in 1849, after which 10-year-old Maharaja Duleep Singh became a pensioner of the British, and was exiled to London for the rest of his life.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Besides resulting in human tragedy and largescale destruction, the two ongoing wars (gaza war & russia ukraine war) have also been exacerbating the climate change problem, adding significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. 

Background: –

• Wars and armed conflicts generate pollution, exacerbate climate change, damage ecosystems, and cause health issues among local communities that are felt across generations.

Key takeaways

• Emissions from conflicts is an issue that has largely been overlooked in the climate change conversation.
• Latest estimates suggest that the first two years of Russia-Ukraine war, which began in February 2022, would have contributed over 175 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent of emissions, including projected emissions estimated from reconstruction. 
• The conflict in West Asia could have added at least another 50 million tonnes. Together, emissions from these two wars are comparable to annual emissions from Ukraine, Italy or Poland.
• Wars have a significant emissions footprint, not just from the explosives being used, but also from the military supply chains that are extremely energy intensive. Reconstruction has large emissions implications as well.
• Emissions from the weapons that cause damage — artillery, shells, mortars, missiles, rockets — constitute only a tiny fraction, just about 1.5%, of emissions from the warfare activities. 
• Warfare itself comprises only about 29% of the emissions if the full impacts of the conflict, including manufacturing of weapons, iron and steel production and supply chains, rebuilding and reconstruction, are taken into account.
• The bigger sources of warfare emissions are fuels burnt in airplanes or tanks, and the manufacturing of weapons. Even when a war like that in Ukraine or Gaza is not on, the carbon footprint of the world’s military is immense.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – ECONOMY

Context: Niti Aayog CEO’s recent comment on Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)  has reignited debates around trade agreements and its pros and cons.

Background:

• India should be a part of RCEP and CPTPP, Niti Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam recently commented.
• India pulled out of the RCEP in 2019 after entering negotiations in 2013.

Key takeaways

• Many experts had argued back in 2019 itself that withdrawing from RCEP was an opportunity lost.
• Staying out of trade agreements like RCEP and not being deeply integrated with the global value chains that run through RCEP countries, was difficult to reconcile with the objective of becoming a global manufacturing hub, capturing export opportunities and foreign capital. 
• As per a recent report by Oxford Economics, while India has “benefited from US trade rerouting away from China”, the gains have been to “a much lesser extent” when compared to other Asian countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia.
• Further, the report points out that the country has not been able to attract a notably greater portion of global foreign direct investment, even as FDI flows to China plummeted. 
• In this context, the recent comments by the CEO of Niti Aayog, BVR Subrahmanyam on trade agreements, are welcome. Subrahmanyam has said that India is missing out on the “China plus one” opportunity and that it should consider joining agreements such as the RCEP and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership.  
• The China Plus One strategy, also known as C+1, is a business strategy adopted by companies to diversify their supply chain and manufacturing activities away from China. The primary goal is to reduce dependency on China to mitigate risks associated with over-reliance on a single country. Rising labor costs in China have  also prompted companies to seek alternative locations with lower production costs.
• Trade policy is now guided, more, by geopolitical and security considerations. 
• Donald Trump’s victory in the recent presidential elections has further sparked uncertainty about the direction of US trade policy — Trump has advocated for a 60 per cent tariff on imports from China, and 10-20 per cent tariff on other imports.
• India must reevaluate its trade policy. While the country has since signed some trade agreements with countries such as the UAE and Australia, progress on others, such as the agreements with the EU and UK, has been slow.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Prelims – SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Context: The Chief Ministers of both Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu expressed concerns about the low fertility rates in their States recently. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has said that he planned to introduce legislation to incentivise more children per family.

Background: –

• After decades of family planning policies seeking to slow population growth, India has been waking up to the fact that the success of such policies is also leading to an increasingly ageing population. 

Key takeaways

• Aging Population: Due to decades of family planning, India now faces an aging population, especially pronounced in southern and smaller northern States where Total Fertility Rates (TFR) are below replacement levels.
• Example TFR (2019-2021): Tamil Nadu (1.4); Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Punjab & Himachal Pradesh (1.5).
• Higher TFR in states like Bihar (3), Uttar Pradesh (2.7), Madhya Pradesh (2.6) indicates a demographic divide.
• Elderly population share is projected to rise across India, with more rapid increases in southern states.
• Projections for 2036: Kerala (22.8% elderly), Tamil Nadu (20.8%), Andhra Pradesh (19%), vs. Bihar (11%).

Economic Impact of Demographic Changes

• Old Age Dependency Ratio: Key indicator for demographic challenges, reflecting the number of elderly for every 100 working-age individuals (18-59 years).The Critical threshold is 15% (indicating aging crisis); already exceeded by Kerala (26.1), Tamil Nadu (20.5), Himachal Pradesh (19.6), Andhra Pradesh (18.5).
• Southern states have a limited demographic dividend window, with increased dependency burdens on working populations.
• Health Expenditures: Aging populations increase health costs significantly. Southern states, with 20% of India’s population, accounted for 32% of national cardiovascular disease expenses (NSSO data, 2017-18).
• Resource Allocation Disparity: Slower population growth in southern states affects their share in central tax resources, despite higher contributions to central revenue.

Political Implications

• Impact on Representation: The 2026 expiration of the freeze on parliamentary seat allocations could lead to redistribution based on population.
• Potential outcomes: Uttar Pradesh (+12 seats), Bihar (+10), Rajasthan (+7); likely losses for Tamil Nadu (-9), Kerala (-6), Andhra Pradesh (-5).

Proposed Solutions

• Pro-Natalist Policies: Southern CMs advocate for policies encouraging higher fertility, but research suggests this approach is ineffective.
• Alternative focus on work-family policies: Paid maternity/paternity leave, childcare support, and policies to address the “motherhood penalty” can encourage sustainable fertility rates.
• Increasing Working Lifespan: Extending working years to balance the old age dependency ratio.
• Encouraging Migration: Southern states attract economic migrants, who contribute to the workforce yet are politically and financially counted in their home states, creating challenges for southern states in managing resources.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – POLITY

Context: The centre recently announced that any NGO involved in anti-developmental activities and forced religious conversions will face cancellation of their registration under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010.

Background: –

• The government has increased scrutiny of NGOs receiving foreign funds.

Key takeaways

• Originally enacted in 1976, and subsequently amended in 2010 and 2020, FCRA seeks to regulate the acceptance and utilization of foreign contributions and hospitality by individuals, associations, and NGOs.
• The primary goal is to prevent foreign contributions from being used to affect national security, integrity, and sovereignty or to influence political processes.

Definition of Foreign Contribution (Section 2(1)(h), FCRA 2010):

• Donation, delivery, or transfer from a foreign source of:
  • Articles: Not for personal use if market value exceeds the limit set by the government.
  • Currency: Indian or foreign.
  • Securities: As per Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956, and Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999.
• Indirect Foreign Contribution: Any article, currency, or foreign security received indirectly via another person from a foreign source is also treated as a foreign contribution.
• Interest and Income: Interest accrued on foreign contribution or any income derived from it is also considered foreign contribution.
• Exclusion: Fees from foreign students, cost of goods/services, and contributions towards these fees are not considered foreign contributions.

Entities Restricted from Receiving Foreign Contribution (Section 3(1), FCRA 2010):

• Political Entities: Election candidates, Political parties or office bearers, Organizations of a political nature as specified by the Central Government.
• Media and Communication: Registered newspaper correspondents, editors, cartoonists, owners, printers, and publishers; Associations or companies involved in audio/video news production or broadcasting, current affairs programs in electronic or other mass communication modes.
• Government and Judiciary: Judges, government servants, and employees of government-owned or controlled corporations; Members of any legislature.
• Prohibited Individuals/Associations: Individuals or associations specifically barred from receiving foreign contributions by the government.

Registration and Compliance:

• Organizations receiving foreign funds must register under FCRA, renewable every five years.
• They are required to open a designated FCRA bank account at the State Bank of India, New Delhi, for transparency and monitoring.
• Annual reports detailing the amount and usage of funds are mandatory to ensure compliance.

Amendments and Key Provisions:

• The 2020 amendment introduced new provisions like restricting administrative expenses to 20% of total foreign funds (from 50% previously) and requiring Aadhaar identification for all office bearers.
• It prohibits the transfer of foreign contributions from one organization to another, limiting the potential for misuse.

Suspension and Cancellation:

• The government can suspend or cancel the FCRA license of any organization if it finds irregularities or misuse of foreign funds, rendering it ineligible to receive foreign contributions.
• Appeals can be made but only after a one-year period following license cancellation.

Q1.) Consider the following statements about the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP):

1. RCEP is a free trade agreement involving countries from the Asia-Pacific region, including all ASEAN member states.
2. India is one of the original signatories of RCEP and actively participates in the trade bloc.
3. RCEP aims to reduce trade barriers among its member countries to enhance regional economic integration.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Q2.) Which of the following accurately describes a provision of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010?

a) Political parties can receive foreign contributions if disclosed.

b) NGOs receiving foreign contributions must register and renew their licenses every ten years.

c) Administrative expenses are restricted to a maximum of 20% of total foreign funds.

d) The FCRA account for NGOs must be opened in any government bank of their choice.

Q3.) Maharaja Ranjit Singh, known as the ‘Lion of Punjab,’ is best known for which of the following accomplishments during his reign?

a) Establishing a mughal-style army under British generals.

b) Expanding his empire to include Ladakh, Khyber Pass, and Peshawar.

c) Creating a coalition of Misls in alliance with the East India Company.

d) Adopting Hindu and Islamic laws exclusively within his empire.

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  Today’s – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs

Q.1) – b

Q.2) – b

Q.3) – d