Current Affairs - Points to Ponder for GS Mains

Read the following for the above topic:

1. Information Technology (IT) Act and the issue; content which is covered under "content against security of the state and public order" and the perspective of constitutional provisions such as freedom of speech and expression.

• The following points are relevant for the above topic:
• WHO launched its 'Streets for Life' campaign based on the Stockholm Declaration 2020 with the purpose of reduction in road traffic crashes, injuries and death and also to promote walking, cycling and move towards zero carbon mobility.

Read the following for the above topic:

• 2-DG drug and its functionality, about the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS) and its previous research.

The following points are relevant in the context of the above topic:

1. A clever fiscal policy that can offset the economic impact of the second wave needs to be prioritized.
2. As per data published by Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), India's unemployment rate and labour force participation rose 8 percent in April 2021 against 6.5 percent in March. As compared to March 2020, total unemployment rose due to the first and second wave of the pandemic and the lockdown raised it by approximately 10 percent, mostly affecting the MSME, informal sector and gig economy workers.
3. Tighter restrictions and lockdowns in cities and states are likely to impact the formal sector also if the situation does not improve soon.
4. Several international brokers, firms and rating agencies like S&P Global downgraded India's economic outlook. The agencies suggest that the second wave has taken the biggest toll on economic recovery.

The following points are relevant in the context of the above topic:

1. Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation in April increased to 10.49%, the highest in 11 years because of a rise in prices of crude petroleum, manufactured commodities and mineral oils. In April 2020, Indian basket crude collapsed to $19.90 a barrel and by April 2021, the price of the Indian crude basket had risen to $63.40, an increase of 319% in a year.
2. Global price trends in key industrial commodities like iron ores and many other raw materials for the manufactured products are showing a similar pattern.
3. RBI’s latest analysis on the state of economy observes that the demand shock is the biggest toll of the second wave. Weak demand is impacting the corporate world also.
4. RBI’s recent analysis of the financial results of non-financial companies for January to March quarter shows that these companies registered an increase in sales and net profit despite a rise in cost of raw material owing to a lower growth in salaries and other expenses.

1. Study some examples of political, social and economic empowerment of societies, focussing mainly on distressed people and discuss each example according to constitutional provisions.
2. You can also cite successful examples of establishment of rule of law and democracy in other countries.

Study the following points for the above topic:

1. The recent diplomatic initiative of vaccine supply to at least 50% of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and 33% of the Small Island Developing Countries (SID).
2. Role of the LDCs and SIDs: Together, they have an influential voice at the United Nations in support of India’s claim for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
3. All activities that are supposed to help smoothen a country's foreign relations are called diplomacy. Know all types of diplomacy.
4. Understand how the aid and support for the recipient countries (lower middle income countries, particularly in South Asia, Southeast Asia and Africa) offers geo-political and economic benefits.
5. Benefit of Indian pharma sector through Vaccine Maitri programme.
6. Soft power and technological prowess give a firm foothold in the global political and economic arena and assure the domestic audience that they are major players on the world stage.
7. How India mobilises, through vaccine diplomacy, big business to serve the nation's foreign policy goals.

The following points are relevant in the context of the above topic:

1. Till May, almost 50 countries have assisted India, mostly through UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services). UNOPS takes care of international grants among member nations.
2. As part of a noble gesture from India, till May 2021, 95 countries have been supplied vaccines from India: 107 lakh through grant, 358 lakh through commercial trade agreement and 199 lakh delivered as part of COVAX mechanism under the aegis of the global alliance for vaccines and immunisation.
3. India is a leading member of UN-backed COVAX programme which aims to provide 2 billion vaccines to middle and low income countries.

Study the following points for the above topic:

1. The contribution of various sectors to GDP and their contribution to boost Indian economy.
2. Potential of Indian industry in trade and services.
3. New policies and their possible impacts on domestic industry (trade and services).
4. Impact of WTO norms on trading partners (imposition of import duty and trade restriction).

Study the following points for the above topic:

1. Read about net zero emission. Year by which the emission target is to be achieved.
2. Long-term strategy to achieve the target (Note: Focus on the provisions, targets, technological and economic support for clean development with reference to Rio Conventions-1992, Kyoto Commitments-1997, Copenhagen Conference-2009 and Paris Agreement-2015, etc.).
3. The cumulative emissions in India and the strategy, schemes and programmes that India adopted from 1990 onwards.
4. India's cumulative emissions (1990-till date) compared to developed nations.
5. Examine the challenges and possible impacts for India in the following sectors: Economy, society, technology and international commitments.

Economic:

1. Collection of massive taxes and excise duties on crude oil and refined products.
2. Revenues of public sector oil and gas undertakings.
3. Impact of railway subsidies on freight and passenger travel.
4. Centre and state expenditure on health and education without fossil fuel taxes.

Social:

1. Impact on employment generated by industries in the oil and gas (fossil fuels based) sector.
2. Through renewable energy we can achieve our targets but the renewable energy sector does not create adequate employment opportunities.
3. How we can create alternative employment options for public sector companies in the oil, gas and energy (fossil fuels based) sectors.

Technology:

1. New technological developments, support and innovations in India and the world.

International Commitments:

1. Read about international agreements, accords, conventions, commitments and cooperation, including past commitments that were not met.