Current Affairs – November 13, 2024

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – Women} Gender Equality in Politics

Context (IE): In 2024, India’s largest democracy stands at a crossroads, needing more women in political roles to enrich decision-making, policy diversity, and overall democratic maturity.

India’s Legacy in Women’s Political Empowerment

Early Voting Rights: India was one of the first nations to grant equal voting rights to women, laying a strong foundation for a gender-inclusive democracy.
Historical Figures of Shakti: Women like Uda Devi Pasi and Dakshayani Velayudhan played crucial roles in shaping India’s socio-political landscape through their courage and leadership.
Cultural Significance: The concept of Ardhanarishvara in Indian culture symbolizes the balance and equality between men and women, reinforcing the need for gender balance in political roles as well.

Progress for Women in Indian Politics

Passage of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill encourages female participation in decision-making.
Women have moved from symbolic roles to substantive positions, influencing electoral strategies and driving women-centric policies like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Jan Dhan Yojana.
Breaking political stereotypes, women across party lines, have transitioned from ceremonial roles to actual decision-makers, setting an example for an inclusive democracy.

Importance of Women’s Political Participation

Democratic Integrity: Women’s involvement ensures diverse voices and fair representation, strengthening democratic institutions and fostering resilience through inclusivity.
Gender-sensitive and Holistic Policy Focus: Women leaders prioritize issues affecting women, children, and marginalized groups, advocating for policies in healthcare, education, and economic security leading to equitable governance for all.
Stronger Community Engagement: Women leaders enhance grassroots engagement, ensuring that policies reflect the actual needs of local communities.
Societal Transformation: Increased female representation challenges patriarchal norms, reshaping societal attitudes and inspiring future generations of women to lead, shifting from traditional roles to positions of power.
Economic and Social Development: Research shows women-led areas often see better infrastructure, improved educational outcomes, and fewer project delays.
Meet Global Commitments: Greater female participation aligns with SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

Status in India

Parliamentary Representation: Women’s representation in Lok Sabha increased from 4.4% in 1952 to 14.4% in 2019. The 2024 elections saw a record 74 women MPs, with many first-time entrants.
State Legislatures: Women’s representation at the state level remains low, with states like Chhattisgarh (14.4%) and West Bengal (13.7%) leading, but still below ideal levels.
Global Comparison: India’s female parliamentary representation is lower compared to Rwanda (61.3%) and Sweden (47.3%), which demonstrate far higher rates of women in legislative bodies.

Measures Supporting Women’s Political Empowerment

Key Constitutional Provisions

Article 15 prohibits discrimination on the grounds of sex, affirming women’s equal rights.
Article 243D reserves 33% of seats for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Article 326 guarantees right to vote for all adults, including women.

Legislative Initiatives

The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (2023) ensures 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments mandate 33% reservation for women in rural and urban local bodies, with some states increasing it to 50%.

International Treaties and Goals

CEDAW (1979) ensures women’s rights in public and political life.
The Beijing Platform for Action calls for removing barriers to women’s political participation.

Challenges to Women’s Political Participation

Patriarchal Societal Norms: Social conditioning and entrenched gender roles limit women’s ambitions and often prioritize domestic responsibilities over political careers.
High Campaign Costs: The financial barriers to running competitive political campaigns make it difficult for many women to enter politics.
Political Exclusion and Bias: Male-dominated political parties often exhibit bias, perceiving women as less electable and offering fewer tickets for female candidates.
Safety and Security Concerns: Women politicians face significant risks, including harassment and violence, which deters their active participation.
Proxy Representation: In local governance, the practice of “Sarpanch Pati” (husbands acting as de facto leaders in place of elected women) undermines true female political empowerment.

Global Best Practices

Zipper System (Rwanda): Rwanda’s system requires every third candidate on party lists to be female, resulting in one of the highest female parliamentary representation globally.
Constitutional Committees (Chile): Ensures balanced gender representation in committees, promoting equitable decision-making.
European Quota Systems: Countries like Switzerland implement effective quotas, significantly improving female representation in legislative bodies.

Measures for Enhanced Female Representation

International Engagement and Commitment: India should align with global frameworks like the G20 Leaders’ Declaration and SDGs, reinforcing women’s political empowerment as a global priority.
Electoral Reforms: Addressing issues like criminalization and financial irregularities can create a more equitable political landscape for women’s participation.
Gender-Inclusive Policies: Political structures must adopt gender-responsive frameworks to ensure equal access and representation for women in leadership roles.
Intra-Party Democracy: Political parties should embrace inclusivity by encouraging women at all levels of governance, from local to national elections.
Encouraging Local-Level Representation: Strengthening female participation in local governance through community-based organizations and Self-Help Groups can nurture future political leaders.
Support Women-Led Initiatives: Promoting skill-building, community knowledge-sharing, and supporting women-led projects in areas like sustainability and social welfare can drive transformative change.
Political education, sensitization programs, and leadership development: Mentor and train to empower young women, fostering gender equality and enhancing their political engagement.

{GS3 – Envi – CC} Environmental Terms in News

Context (IE): The 29th edition of the Conference of the Parties (COP) began in Baku, Azerbaijan. In this context, let’s understand some environment-related key terms in news.

Carbon Footprint

The carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs), especially carbon dioxide (CO2), released directly or indirectly into the atmosphere by an individual, organisation, event, or product.
This refers to the quantity of GHGs produced in our daily lives due to the combustion of fossil fuels for electricity, heating, transportation, and other activities.

Tools and Methods for Measuring Carbon Footprint

Carbon Calculators: Online tools that allow individuals and organisations to estimate their carbon footprint by entering data on energy use, travel, and other activities.
GHG Protocol: A widely used international accounting tool that provides standards and guidance for companies and organisations to measure and manage their GHG emissions.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): A methodological framework used to assess the environmental impacts of all stages of a product’s life, aiding in comprehensive carbon footprint measurement.

Carbon Markets

Carbon markets are mechanisms designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by allowing the trade of carbon credits. They create financial incentives for entities to lower emissions or improve energy efficiency.

How do Carbon Markets Work?

Earning Carbon Credits: Countries or industries can earn carbon credits by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions beyond their set targets.
Trading Carbon Credits: It can be sold to other entities that need them to meet their own emission reduction targets. The trade is usually conducted through a marketplace, where credits are sold to the highest bidder.

Carbon Neutrality

Carbon neutrality, also known as net-zero, is a state where a country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are balanced by absorbing and removing these gases from the atmosphere.

How is Carbon Neutrality Achieved?

It involves enhancing natural carbon sinks, such as forests, which absorb CO2 from the atmosphere—utilising advanced technologies like carbon capture and storage to remove CO2 directly.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has set 2050 as the target year for the world to achieve net-zero emissions.

{GS3 – Envi – CC} Gendered Impact of Climate Change

Context (DTE): The climate crisis amplifies gender inequalities, with women, especially in low-income regions, facing severe challenges in health, resources, and livelihood security.

Impact of Climate Change on Women

Unequal Resource Access: Women make up 43% of the global agricultural workforce but hold only 15% of land rights, limiting their climate adaptation options.
Water and Fuel Collection: Women spend up to 200 million hours daily fetching water, a task made harder by climate change, impacting health, education, and safety.
Increased Vulnerability in Natural Disasters: Gender norms and limited survival skills lead to higher mortality rates for women during natural disasters.
Post-Disaster Recovery Challenges: Women face greater abuse and struggle to access aid, reinforcing vulnerability after crises.
Health and Nutrition Impacts: Climate-induced food shortages and unsafe cooking conditions jeopardize maternal health, increasing malnutrition risks for women.
Disease Susceptibility: Women are more exposed to waterborne illnesses and respiratory diseases due to traditional roles in areas with poor sanitation.
Limited Livelihood and Economic Opportunities: Women’s reliance on natural resources for income is hindered by climate impacts, intensifying poverty risks.
Income Inequality and Migration: Family responsibilities restrict women’s migration options, trapping them in low-wage, insecure jobs.
Untapped Potential: Socio-political barriers and restricted land rights prevent women from contributing their insights to sustainable climate solutions.
Amplified Inequalities: Resource scarcity exacerbates discrimination against marginalized women, hindering their ability to respond to crises.
Heightened Risk of Violence: Climate-related displacement increases women’s exposure to violence, exploitation, and human rights abuses.

Approaches to Address Gender Inequity in Climate Impact

Capabilities Approach can address the gendered impact of climate change by empowering women with the resources and opportunities to adapt, improve well-being, and access education, healthcare, and decision-making.
Gender-Responsive Policy Formulation: Focus on addressing deep-rooted gender inequalities and resource gaps, not just achieving representation in climate policies.
Multi-Sectoral Climate Action Plans: Integrate gender concerns into climate action plans to harness women’s unique knowledge for more effective solutions.
Women-Led Initiatives: Promote women’s leadership in climate solutions by providing access to decision-making roles and fostering skill-building and community knowledge sharing in sustainability.
Reccognizing Women’s contributions to sustainable practices: Empower women as community leaders and environmental stewards.
Inclusive Decision-Making: Actively include women in decision-making processes to ensure gender equity in climate action.

The Capabilities Approach focuses on expanding people’s ability to live the kind of life they value. It emphasizes not just providing resources, but ensuring that individuals, especially marginalized groups, have the freedom and opportunities to use those resources effectively to achieve well-being.

Challenges to Implementing Gender-Responsive Climate Approaches

Systemic Inequality and Social Norms: Traditional norms limit women’s role in climate solutions and economic opportunities, reinforcing gender gaps.
Resource and Capacity Constraints: Insufficient funding and infrastructure hinder gender-specific climate initiatives, particularly in low-income areas.
Lack of Representation in Policy-Making: Gender perspectives are underrepresented in climate policy, delaying measures for women’s protection and empowerment.

Way Forward: Empowering women in other sectors leading to Climate Resilience

Improved Decision-Making: Empowered women can contribute to better climate-related decisions at the household and community levels.
Enhanced Adaptation Skills: Education and healthcare access improve women’s ability to adapt to climate change by equipping them with knowledge on sustainable practices.
Increased Community Leadership: Empowered women are more likely to lead community-based climate resilience projects and advocate for sustainable solutions.
Economic Independence: Empowering women in various sectors boosts their financial stability, enabling them to invest in climate-resilient practices and technologies.
Healthier Populations: Access to healthcare ensures women are healthier and better equipped to respond to climate-induced health challenges.

{GS3 – Envi – CC} Carbon Market Rules for Article 6.4

Context (DTE): At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, rules governing Article 6.4 of the carbon market were endorsed, allowing countries to trade carbon credits generated from emission reductions.
Article 6.4 is seen as a tool for climate finance, potentially saving $250 billion annually for implementing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). However, experts have raised concerns about the rushed adoption, which they argue sidelines critical debate and transparency.

Article 6.4 is a mechanism under the Paris Agreement allowing countries to trade carbon credits derived from emission reductions.

Concerns Over the Rushed Adoption of Rules

Early Endorsement sidelined Debate: The adoption of rules on day 1 of COP29 led to lack of adequate discussion on the recommendations by the supervisory body of UNFCCC (overseen by CMA).
Set a Poor Precedent: Issuing a quick decision on such contentious issues during the opening plenary reduces time for critical discussions, raising concerns about trust in the UNFCCC processes.

Issues with Carbon Credit Methodologies and Carbon Removal

Carbon Credit represents one tonne of CO₂ reduced or avoided. These credits come from activities that either reduce emissions (e.g., efficient cookstoves) or remove CO₂ (e.g., tree planting).

Carbon Removal and Reversal Risks: Standards allow CO₂ removal and storage in natural sinks or products (e.g., biochar), but stored carbon risks being re-released, compromising long-term climate impact.
Inadequate Monitoring Period: Current standards lack requirements for post-crediting monitoring which is essential for ensuring long-term reliability and environmental integrity of carbon credits.
Project developers may not always be required to continue monitoring after crediting ends, potentially undermining the environmental integrity of the credits.
There is ambiguity on how “negligible” reversal risk will be defined and managed, with no guarantees on rigorous future work to address this.
Unclear Standards on whether both nature-based solutions (e.g., reforestation) and technological options (e.g., carbon capture) qualify, leading to contention & potential inconsistency.

Expected Steps

CMA Intervention: The CMA (the governing body of UNFCCC), which oversees the supervisory body, has the authority to refine the rules and ensure that carbon markets maintain environmental integrity and do not harm vulnerable communities.

{GS3 – Envi – CC} Global Carbon Budget (GCB) Report 2024

Context (TH): Global Carbon Budget (GCB) report predicts global carbon emissions will rise by 0.8% in 2024 compared to the previous year. It declined from the 1.2% increase recorded in 2023.

In 2023, the largest absolute contributions to global fossil CO2 emissions were from China (31%), the US (13%), India (8%), and the EU 27 (7%). These four regions account for 59% of global fossil CO₂ emissions, while the rest of the world contributed 41%.

Atmospheric CO₂ Concentrations and Climate Impact

CO₂ Concentration in 2024: Expected to reach 422.5 ppm, a 52% increase from pre-industrial levels.
Temperature Projections: Jan 2024 recorded the global temperature crossing the 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels over 12 months.
Remaining Carbon Budget: GCB reports a 50% chance of reaching the 1.5°C warming threshold if emission levels persist within approximately six years. The timeline underscores the urgency for accelerated emissions reductions to avoid surpassing this target.
Paris Agreement Goals: The core aim is to limit global warming to below 2°C, focusing on staying under 1.5°C above pre-industrial temperatures.

Initiatives to Reduce Emissions in India

{GS3 – IE – Securities} New Framework for Reclassification of FPI to FDI

Context (IE): RBI has introduced a new framework for reclassifying Foreign Portfolio Investments (FPI) into Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) when equity holdings exceed the prescribed limit.

Key Details of New Framework

Prescribed Limit: FPIs are allowed to hold up to 10% of an Indian company’s total paid-up equity capital on a fully diluted basis.
Reclassification Option: If an FPI exceeds this limit, it can either relieve the surplus shares or reclassify them as FDI within five trading days from the date of settlement of the trades causing the breach.
Government Approvals: The FPI must obtain necessary approvals from the government, including approvals required for investments from land-bordering countries.
Investee Company Concurrence: The FPI must also obtain concurrence from the Indian investee company to ensure compliance with sectoral caps, prohibited sectors, and other FDI conditions.
Sector Restrictions: Reclassification is not permitted in sectors prohibited for FDI.
Reporting Requirements: Under the Foreign Exchange Management (Mode of Payment and Reporting of Non-Debt Instruments) Regulations, 2019, the FPI must report the entire investment within the specified timelines.
Custodian Role: The FPI should approve and concur with its custodian, who will freeze the purchase transactions in the Indian company’s equity instruments until the reclassification is completed.

Difference between FDI and FPI

Feature	Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)	Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI)
Definition	Investment in a foreign country with significant control and influence over the business	Investment in foreign financial assets such as stocks and bonds without significant control
Nature of Investment	Long-term and strategic	Short-term and speculative
Control and Influence	High degree of control and influence over the management and operations of the entity	No significant control or influence over the entity
Investment Type	Equity capital, reinvested earnings, and other long-term capital	Stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments
Entry Barriers	Higher due to regulatory approvals and restrictions	Lower due to fewer regulations and restrictions
Key Terms Paid-up Equity Capital: The amount of money shareholders have paid for their shares in a company. Fully Diluted Basis: Considering all possible shares that could be issued, including those from options, warrants, and convertible securities. Sectoral Caps: Limits on the percentage of ownership that foreign investors can hold in specific sectors. Custodian: A financial institution that holds customers’ securities for safekeeping to minimise the risk of their theft or loss.

{GS3 – S&T – IPR} World Intellectual Property Indicators (WIPI) Report 2024

Context (PIB): India has secured a spot in the top 10 countries worldwide for patents, trademarks, and industrial designs, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) 2024 report.

The Indian patent office granted 149.4% more patents in 2023, a 15.7% increase compared to the previous year.

About WIPI Report

It is a biennial publication by the WIPO that provides a comprehensive analysis of global intellectual property (IP) activity, drawing on data from national and regional IP offices and the WIPO itself.
The report covers various IP categories, including patents, trademarks, industrial designs, utility models, microorganisms, plant variety protection, and geographical indications.

Office of Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks (CGPDTM)

It is the head of the Indian government agency that manages patents, designs, and trademarks.
It is part of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and has offices in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and New Delhi.
It is responsible for administering the Patents Act of 1970, the Designs Act of 2000, and the Trade Marks Act of 1999, and advising the government on matters related to these acts.
The CGPDTM also heads the following offices: Trade Marks Registry, Geographical Indications Registry, Copyrights Office, Patent Information System (PIS), and Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Intellectual Property Management (RGNIIPM).

{GS3 – S&T – Space} Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile

Context (PIB ): The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the first flight-test of the Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM).

LRLACM is a Defense Acquisition Council-approved project developed under the “Acceptance of Necessity” (AoN) guidelines.
Developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment, Bengaluru, with DRDO laboratories and Indian industries.
Production Partners: Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).

About Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM)

Range and Adaptability: The missile was launched from both mobile ground-based systems and frontline ships.
Waypoint Navigation: The missile followed a pre-determined path using waypoint navigation, which enables it to alter its course mid-flight and adjust to mission requirements.
Manoeuvrability: It demonstrated the capability to perform complex manoeuvres while maintaining stability across different altitudes and speeds.
Advanced Avionics and Software: Equipped with sophisticated avionics and software, LRLACM offers enhanced reliability and performance accuracy, allowing for precise target engagement.

Source: PIB

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)

DAC is the highest decision-making body in the Defence Ministry headed by the Defence Minister, who decides on new policies and capital acquisitions for the three services – Army, Navy and Air Force, and the Indian Coast Guard.

The functions of DAC

Accord approval for AoN (Acceptance of Necessity) for Capital Acquisition Proposals.

Categorisation of Acquisition Proposals:
- ‘Buy‘ Projects: Direct purchase of equipment and systems.
- ‘Buy and Make‘ Projects: Procurement followed by licensed production and indigenous development.
- ‘Make‘ Projects: Emphasis on Indigenous Production and Research & Development (R&D)

Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) is a formal approval in the Indian defence procurement process. It indicates that the requirement for a specific equipment or system has been officially recognised and deemed essential by the authorities. This step allows the acquisition process to proceed to the subsequent stages of tendering and procurement, ensuring alignment with the strategic needs of the defence forces.

Read More > India’s Missile Systems

{Prelims – In News} Price Monitoring Cell

Context (IE): The All India Modal (average) retail price, as reported by the Price Monitoring Cell (PMC), showed a rise in onion prices.

About Price Monitoring Cell

It is a unit of the Department of Consumer Affairs in the Government of India that monitors the prices of essential commodities.
Responsibilities: The PMC monitors the prices of essential commodities on a daily basis, both at the retail and wholesale levels.
Commodities monitored: It monitors the prices of various 22 essential commodities, including food grains, pulses, edible oils, vegetables, and other items. The quality and variety of items monitored may vary from centre to centre.
Process: These prices are collected for 49 centres spread all over the country through the Civil Supplies Department of States/UT Governments.