Current Affairs – February 05, 2025

{GS2 – IR – India-US} India-US Immigration Challenges

Context (IE): India has agreed to take back its illegal immigrants from the US, ensuring that legal immigration channels remain unaffected amid President Donald Trump’s strict deportation policies.

India’s Key Concerns

H-1B Visa Policy: Indian nationals received 72% of H-1B visas issued between 2022-2023, with major Indian IT firms securing approvals for 20,000 employees.
Indian Student Presence: As of May 2024, 3.51 lakh Indian students were enrolled in the US, primarily in STEM programs.
Economic Contributions: Indian professionals and students contribute significantly to the US economy.
Risk of Political Fallout: Publicized deportations could create domestic political challenges for India, as public perception may not distinguish between legal and illegal immigration.

India’s Diplomatic Strategy

Engagement with US Leadership: Indian PM and President Trump held discussions on immigration, with India ensuring that legal travel channels remain open.
High-Level Diplomatic Meetings: External Affairs Minister engaged with US officials to address immigration concerns.
Strategic Concessions: India’s willingness to accept deported illegal immigrants is a low-cost move aimed at protecting the larger interests of Indian professionals and students in the US.

Way Forward: India’s Diplomatic Approach

Balancing Concessions: Willingness to accept illegal returnees while securing favourable long-term immigration policies.
Negotiating Visa Policies: Continued diplomatic engagement to ensure smooth issuance of H-1B and student visas.
Monitoring Policy Shifts: Close coordination with US policymakers to mitigate any adverse changes in visa and deportation policies.

{GS2 – IR – UN} US Exit from WHO

Context (TH): The US, under Trump, signed an executive order to exit WHO, citing COVID-19 mishandling and needed reforms.

About World Health Organisation (WHO)

WHO is a specialised agency of the UN responsible for international public health.
It was established on 7 April 1948. The day is now being celebrated every year as World Health Day.
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
The World Health Report (WHR) is a series of annual reports produced by the WHO.
Upon the US withdrawl, it will have 193 members (including India). All UN member states except for Liechtenstein (192 countries), plus Cook Island and Niue.
It became the first specialised agency of the UN to which every member subscribed.

Objectives and Functions of WHO

Lead global efforts to expand universal health coverage.
Focus on the areas of disease prevention, control and elimination, and the promotion of health equity and well-being.
Provide leadership on global health issues, set standards for public health, and provide technical assistance and support for capacity building to countries.
Collaborate with various partners, including other UN agencies, governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector.
Enhance global preparedness and response to health emergencies.
Set global health standards and guidelines by facilitating health research and policy development.
Monitor emerging health issues and coordinate responses.

Challenges for Global Health Governance

Funding Uncertainty: WHO relies heavily on voluntary contributions, which are unpredictable.
Underrepresentation of Global South: Health priorities of developing nations often receive insufficient funding.
Dependency on High-Income Nations: WHO’s programs are largely influenced by Western donors.
Need for Institutional Reforms: Addressing inefficiencies, increasing transparency, and decentralizing decision-making.

Reasons for US Withdrawal

Mishandling of COVID-19 Pandemic: WHO’s delayed response and alleged failure to hold China accountable.
Perceived Political Bias: Accusations of WHO favoring certain member states.
Financial Burden: US contributed nearly $1.3 billion in voluntary funding (2022-2023), a significantly higher amount than other nations.
Bureaucratic Inefficiencies: Concerns over slow decision-making and lack of reforms.

Impact of US Exit

On WHO

Funding Shortfall: The US provides nearly 20% of WHO’s budget, affecting global health programs.
Disruptions in Health Initiatives: Programs like immunization, polio eradication, and pandemic preparedness may suffer.
Reduced Technical Expertise: Loss of the US collaborations, including those with the CDC.
Challenges in Reform Implementation: Reduced influence may slow down institutional reforms.

On Global Health Landscape

Financial Gap: Developing nations reliant on WHO funding may face difficulties.
Geopolitical Shifts: China and other emerging economies could gain greater influence.
Potential Fragmentation: Alternative alliances or funding mechanisms may emerge outside WHO.

On the US

Limited Access to Global Health Data: Loss of real-time updates on pandemics and emerging diseases.
Vaccine Preparedness Issues: Challenges in accessing virus strain samples critical for vaccine development.
Reduced Global Influence: Diminished role in shaping international health policies.

Opportunities for the Global South

Increased Role in Global Health Governance: Countries like India, Brazil, and South Africa can step up contributions. Platforms like BRICS can supplement WHO funding and expertise.
Investment in Public Health Expertise: Training professionals in global health to reduce reliance on Western experts.
Decentralizing WHO’s Structure: Relocating WHO headquarters to Asia or Africa for better resource allocation.

Way Forward

Diversified Funding Mechanisms: Encourage more nations to contribute to WHO’s budget to reduce dependency on a few donors.
Strengthening WHO’s Credibility: Implementing transparency and accountability measures.
Regional and Collaborative Health Frameworks: Developing alternative funding sources and technical collaborations.
Reintegration of US: Possibility of future US re-engagement under a new administration.

{GS2 – IR – USA} United States Agency For International Development (USAID)

Context (IE): USAID, a prominent agency under the US government, is facing scrutiny and reorganization under the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

USAID Overview and Role

Establishment: Founded in 1961 via an executive order by President John F. Kennedy.
Purpose: Lead agency for U.S. international humanitarian and development efforts, assisting in poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, and infrastructure development globally.
Funding: In FY2023, managed $43 billion, aiding over 130 countries. Top recipients include Ukraine, Ethiopia, Jordan, and others.
Workforce: Employs over 10,000 personnel, with two-thirds serving abroad; manages more than 60 missions worldwide.

Functions and Operations

Aid Mechanism: Provides funding through NGOs, foreign governments, international organizations, and U.S. agencies for specific projects.
Geopolitical Influence: Integral to U.S. foreign policy, used as a tool to strengthen alliances and counter adversaries.
National Security: Often referred to as a “national security toolkit” due to its role in shaping global relations and combating threats.

Historical Background

Cold War Era: USAID was central to U.S. efforts to counter communist influence, especially in Latin America and other developing regions.
Marshall Plan: USAID’s precursor, providing aid to war-torn Europe post-WWII to curb Soviet expansion.
Alliance for Progress: Initiated in 1961, aiming to promote economic development and democracy in Latin America.

USAID’s Impact on India

Early Assistance: US aid to India dates back to 1951, initially for emergency food assistance and later for infrastructure and development.
Key Contributions: Supported the establishment of agricultural universities, IITs, regional engineering colleges, and health initiatives (immunization, family planning, HIV/AIDS, etc.).
Evolution: Transitioned from food aid to capacity-building and economic development support.

Challenges and Decline in India

Conditional Aid: USAID’s assistance often came with conditions, such as the 1965 loan for a fertiliser factory in Chennai with restrictions on distribution.
India’s Rejection of Conditional Aid: In 2004, India stopped accepting foreign aid with conditions, leading to a decline in US assistance.
Current Funding: US aid to India in FY2024 was $141 million, significantly lower than the $208 million in 2001.

Current Issues

Trump Administration’s Reform: Efforts to reduce US federal spending, including criticism of USAID by Trump and Musk, focusing on reducing government bloat.
Musk’s Criticism: Musk, appointed by Trump, called for dismantling USAID, labeling it a “criminal organization” amid broader government efficiency reforms.

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – SCs} SC Ruling on Marginalized Communities in Knowledge Economy

Context (IE): SC’s recent verdict recognizes intellectual property loss under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, setting a precedent for safeguarding marginalized communities in the knowledge economy.

Knowledge Economy

An economy driven by the creation, distribution, and use of knowledge and intellectual property as key assets for growth and development.
In this context, it highlights the importance of protecting intellectual contributions from marginalized communities, especially Dalit and Adivasi scholars, from appropriation or erasure.

Issues in the Knowledge Economy

Intellectual Appropriation: Dalit and Adivasi scholars often face unauthorized use of their work, misrepresentation of authorship, and plagiarism.
Institutional Exclusion: Systemic barriers prevent marginalized groups from fully participating in academia and cultural production.
Neo-Casteism: Discrimination has shifted from overt segregation to more subtle forms like intellectual erasure and career obstruction.

Key Aspects of the Verdict

Legal Recognition of Intellectual Property: SC upheld the Bombay High Court’s interpretation of “property” under the Atrocities Act to include intellectual property.
Compensation for Loss: The ruling affirms that loss of research work, academic data, and creative contributions is compensable under the law.
Judicial Precedent: Reinforces the right of Dalit and Adivasi scholars to legal protection for their intellectual contributions.
Broader Impact: Strengthens anti-caste jurisprudence and ensures due recognition and respect for historically disadvantaged communities in academia and research.

Way Forward

Stronger Legal Safeguards: Courts should continue interpreting the Atrocities Act dynamically to address contemporary caste discrimination.
Protection of Intellectual Contributions: Institutions must ensure legal mechanisms to prevent the misappropriation of marginalized scholars’ work.
Accountability for Academic Theft: Stricter action against plagiarism and unauthorized use of research is necessary.
Empowering Marginalized Scholars: Legal recognition of intellectual property rights can inspire Dalits and Adivasis to assert knowledge as a tool for empowerment.

{GS3 – Agri – Crops} Extra-Long Staple (ELS) Cotton in India

Context (IE): The Union Budget 2025-26 announced a five-year mission to improve cotton productivity and promote Extra-Long Staple (ELS) cotton farming in India.

ELS Cotton

Derived from Gossypium barbadense, also known as Egyptian or Pima cotton, it is a premium cotton variety with fibre lengths of 30 mm and above.

Characteristics

Longer fibres ensure finer, stronger, and smoother yarns.
Used in luxury textiles due to superior quality and durability.
Does not require intense finishing, preserving natural softness and strength.

Distribution

Major Producers: Egypt, China, Australia, Peru, and US
Indian Regions: Limited cultivation in Atpadi taluka (Maharashtra), Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh.

Comparison of Cotton Varieties

Short Staple Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum): Fibre length below 25 mm, used in low-cost textiles.
Medium Staple Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum): Fibre length of 25-28.6 mm, widely grown in India (96% of total cotton production).
ELS Cotton (Gossypium barbadense): Fibre length above 30 mm, superior quality.

Importance of ELS Cotton for India

High Demand: India imports 90% of its annual ELS cotton requirement (20-25 lakh bales) due to domestic production shortages.
Textile Industry Benefits: Essential for high-end fabrics and export-oriented textile manufacturing.
Economic Potential: Reducing import dependency can boost domestic cotton farming and textile competitiveness.

Issues with ELS Cotton in India

Low Yield: Produces only 7-8 quintals per acre compared to 10-12 quintals for medium staple cotton.
Market Challenges: Farmers struggle to get premium prices due to weak market linkages.
Technological Gaps: Limited access to advanced seed varieties and modern farming techniques; low adoption of pest-resistant GM seeds.
Pest Infestation: Increased vulnerability to pests reduces cotton productivity and farmer profitability.
Policy Barriers: Farmers demand approval for herbicide-tolerant Bt cotton; minimal MSP difference (₹7,121 vs ₹7,521) discourages ELS cotton cultivation.

Way Forward: ‘The Cotton Mission’

Increase Productivity: Improve per-acre yields by using advanced seeds, better irrigation, and optimized farming practices.
Enhance Sustainability: Promote eco-friendly farming practices to reduce environmental impact.
Strengthen Market Linkages: Provide direct market access and premium pricing for farmers to ensure better revenue.
Support R&D: Focus on developing improved ELS cotton varieties through scientific advancements.
Reduce Imports: Boost domestic ELS cotton production to reduce India’s dependency on imports.
Technology Support: Develop high-yield, pest-resistant ELS cotton seeds and encourage GM cotton adoption for better productivity.
Infrastructure & Market Linkages: Strengthen supply chains, promote farmer cooperatives, and establish industry partnerships for better price realization.
Policy Interventions & Financial Support: Review GM seed policies, provide financial incentives, and increase MSP to encourage ELS cotton cultivation.

{GS3 – IE – Development} Union Budget 2025-26: Revitalizing Industrial Growth

Context (TH): The Union Budget 2025 emphasizes stimulating aggregate demand.

Fiscal Consolidation and Growth Projections

GDP Growth Forecast: A conservative estimate of 10.1% for FY26, aiming for realistic tax revenue projections amidst global uncertainties.
Fiscal Deficit Reduction: Commitment to lowering the fiscal deficit, with gross borrowings projected at ₹14.8 trillion, slightly up from ₹14 trillion in FY25.

Reviving Industrial Growth: Key Approaches in Budget

Broad-Based Economic Measures

Capital Expenditure (Capex): Allocation increased to ₹11.2 lakh crore, focusing on key sectors like roads, railways, and defence, generating significant economic activity.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Strengthening urban infrastructure with bond financing, ensuring long-term sustainability.
Income Tax Reforms: Introduction of major concessions for individuals to boost consumption.
Demand Stimulation: Provide tax relief through revised income tax slabs and implement welfare schemes like as PM KISAN, MGNREGA, and PM Awas Yojana to boost consumption and economic revival.

Targeted Sector-Specific Policies

Manufacturing Focus: Prioritise electronics, toys, and footwear to capture shifting global supply chains and establish special leather and toy clusters to boost domestic production and employment.
Export Promotion: Launch Export Promotion Mission (a collaboration between Commerce, MSME, and Finance Ministries), develop BharatTradeNet for streamlined trade, promote Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in Tier-2 cities, and upgrade Air Cargo Warehousing for efficient logistics.
MSME Growth: Increase the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme loan limit to ₹5 lakh and support 5 lakh women entrepreneurs from SC/ST backgrounds through the New Women Entrepreneurship Scheme.

Challenges in the Industrial Sector

Fluctuating Industrial Growth: Manufacturing exhibits frequent fluctuations, leading to inconsistent employment creation and GDP growth.
Sluggish Export Growth: Challenges include low productivity, competitiveness, and limited research and development activities.
Lagging Private Investments: Despite government incentives, private sector investments remain below expectations.

Way Forward

Infrastructure Development: Emphasis on enhancing infrastructure to support industrial activities.
Tax Reforms: Rationalization of tax structures to improve the business environment.
Sustainability Incentives: Encouragement of sustainable practices within industries.
Support for MSMEs: Proposed increases in investment and turnover limits to foster growth, with policy support for productivity, job creation, and industrial strengthening.

{GS3 – IE – Industry} Stagnation in India’s Shipping Industry

Context (TH): Despite significant maritime sector development, India’s shipping industry struggles with stagnation due to financial, regulatory, and tax challenges.

Progress Under Sagarmala

Port Modernization & Connectivity: Sagarmala has driven large-scale port upgrades & logistics improvements.
Project Implementation: Several port-led infrastructure projects are completed, ongoing, or in development under significant investments.
Future Economic Goals: Targets include a $5 trillion economy by 2027 and $2 trillion in exports by 2030.

Stagnation in the Shipping Industry

Slow Cargo & Fleet Growth: Port cargo and Indian-registered ships have grown marginally, with a low annual expansion rate.
Declining Vessel Handling: The number of vessels at Indian ports has reduced, impacting port efficiency.
Aging Fleet & Global Rank Drop: Despite younger fleet, India’s global ship ownership ranking has declined.
Market Share Loss: Indian shipping is losing competitiveness to foreign vessels in EXIM trade and to road/rail in domestic transport.

Challenges Hindering the Shipping Industry

Capital & Financing Issues: High borrowing costs, short loan tenures, and lack of ship-based collateral hinder growth.
Unfavorable Tax Policies: Integrated GST (IGST) disparity and TDS on seafarers make Indian ships less competitive than foreign vessels.
Shipbuilding Deficiencies: Poor infrastructure, outdated technology, costly inputs, and skill shortages limit domestic shipbuilding.
Regulatory & Structural Barriers: Rigid loan restructuring and minimal oversight for foreign-owned vessels weaken India’s market position.
Foreign Competition: Foreign-flagged vessels benefit from easier financing, lower taxes & lenient regulations.

Govt Policy Measures

Maritime Development Fund: ₹25,000 crore fund for shipowners, with 49% government contribution, raising sustainability concerns.
Infrastructure for Large Vessels: Shipping companies gain financial benefits akin to other infrastructure sectors.
Customs Duty Exemption: 10-year extension for duty exemption on shipbuilding spares and equipment.
Financial Assistance Policy: Includes shipbreaking incentives and expanded Tonnage Tax Scheme for inland vessels to boost domestic trade.

Way Forward

Long-Term Financing: Need for 7-10 year loans with lower interest rates to modernize fleets.
Shipbuilding Infrastructure Expansion: Investment required in new shipyards and domestic industries to reduce import reliance.
Tax Reforms: Removal of 5% Integrated GST (IGST) on ship purchases and TDS exemption for seafarers to boost competitiveness.
External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs): Strategic use of ECBs to address funding gaps in shipbuilding and shipping sectors.
Green Technology Investment: Focus on eco-friendly shipbuilding and retrofitting to meet global emission reduction targets.

{GS3 – S&T – BioTech} Bacteria-based Solutions for Plastic Waste Management

Context (TH): Scientists are exploring bacterial and microbial solutions to degrade plastic waste.

Plastic Degrading Bacteria and Enzymes

Microbes can biodegrade plastics over months (e.g., 22 months for PET) through enzymatic action, converting plastic into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass. Some enzymes can degrade up to 90% of PET in 17 hours.
Ideonella sakaiensis: Bacterium discovered to break down PET plastic using two enzymes.
PETase (breaks down PET) & MHETase (further degrades PET into terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol).

Microbial Solutions for Different Types of Plastics

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET): Common in bottles & packaging, targeted by Ideonella sakaiensis.
Polyolefins & Polyamides: Degraded by bacteria like X-32, which also breaks down challenging plastic bonds.

Technological Advances

Enzyme Engineering: Efforts to speed up enzyme activity for industrial-scale use, e.g, Carbios developed a heat-stable enzyme to improve degradation speed.
Bacterial Spore-infused Plastics: Bacillus subtilis spores can be embedded in thermoplastics to degrade plastics under compost conditions.

Technological Challenges

Scalability: Scaling microbial and enzyme-based methods for industrial applications is a major hurdle.
Bioreactors: Controlled environments to accelerate microbial degradation of plastic waste at large scales.
Enzyme Purification and Efficiency: Isolating and producing large quantities of effective enzymes remains complex.
Biodegradation Speed: Speed is critical for industrial viability; enzymes and microbes need to break down plastics quickly to be economically feasible.

{Prelims – S&T – Space} Asteroid 2024 YR4

Context (IE): A newly discovered asteroid, 2024 YR4, has a slight chance of hitting Earth in 2032.

Key Details of Asteroid 2024 YR4

Size: Estimated between 40m to 100m in diameter (likely over 50m).
Discovery: Detected in December 2024, by ATLAS telescope, Chile.
Orbit: Classified as a Near-Earth Object (NEO) with an eccentric orbit, meaning it moves in an elongated path around the Sun.

Impact Risk Assessment

Impact Probability: Initially 1.2% chance (as of January 2025) of hitting Earth on December 22, 2032.
Rated 3 (out of 10) on the Torino Scale (used to assess the potential impact hazard of an asteroid), indicating close encounter, but no immediate threat.
Potential Damage: Localized destruction if impact occurs. A 40m asteroid could devastate a city, similar to the 2013 Chelyabinsk event.

Response Measures

Planetary Defense: International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) and Space Mission Planning Advisory Group (SMPAG) monitor and develop mitigation strategies.
DART Mission: The 2022 NASA Double Asteroid Redirection Test showed asteroid deflection is feasible. If risk increases, this technology could be used for planetary defense.

{Prelims – S&T – Space} Discovery of Gaia BH3

Context (TH): Astronomers have discovered Gaia BH3, a massive black hole located about 2,000 light years away in the constellation Aquila, using the ESA Gaia spacecraft.

Gaia Spacecraft: A European Space Agency mission launched in 2013 to map the Milky Way by observing the motions of billions of stars.

Astronomical Significance

Gaia BH3 is the first black hole found in the Milky Way’s outer reaches, and its mass exceeds Cygnus X-1, the previous largest known black hole in the galaxy.
Unlike other black holes, Gaia BH3 doesn’t show X-ray emissions, indicating it isn’t actively consuming surrounding matter.

Black Hole Discoveries by Gaia Spacecraft

Gaia BH1: The first black hole discovered by Gaia, located 1,560 light years away.
Gaia BH2: A second black hole discovered in 2022, with a mass of 9 solar masses.
Gaia BH3: The largest stellar-mass black hole found in the Milky Way, with 33 solar masses, located 2,000 light years away in the constellation Aquila.

Stellar-Mass Black Hole: A black hole formed from the collapse of a massive star, typically having 3 to several tens of solar masses.

Detection Method

Doppler Effect: Observing the shift in the star’s light to determine its motion and infer the mass of an unseen object (black hole).
Kepler’s Third Law: Used to calculate mass of the dark object by studying the velocity of the star’s orbit.