20 APRIL

UNFPA on India’s Population

Syllabus: GS2/Population and Associated Issues; International Institutions

Context

• According to a recent report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), India’s population is estimated to have reached 1.44 billion, with 24% in the 0-14 age bracket. 

About

• The UNFPA’s State of World Population – 2024 report, titled ‘Interwoven Lives, Threads of Hope: Ending Inequalities in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights’, revealed that India’s population is estimated to double in 77 years.
• India leads globally with an estimated population of 1.44 billion, followed by China at 1.425 billion.
  • India’s population was recorded at 1.21 billion during the last census, conducted in 2011.
• Demographic Categorisation in India:
  • An estimated 24% of India’s population is aged 0-14, while 17% is within the 10-19 age range.
  • The segment aged 10-24 is estimated to constitute 26%, with the 15-64 age group making up 68%.
  • Additionally, 7% of India’s population is aged 65 years and above, with men having a life expectancy of 71 years and women 74 years.

Key Takeaways From the Report

• Progress in Sexual and Reproductive Health: Over the past 30 years, significant strides have been made in fulfilling the International Conference for Population and Development (ICPD) agenda.
  • The global rate of unintended pregnancies has fallen by nearly 20% globally.
  • The number of women using modern contraceptive methods has doubled.
  • At least 162 countries have adopted laws against domestic violence, and maternal deaths have decreased by 34% since 2000.
• Persistent Inequalities: Despite the progress, millions are still denied their health and rights every day.
  • Gender-based violence remains rampant in practically every country and community.
  • There has been zero reduction in maternal mortality since 2016, and in an alarming number of countries, the rates are rising.
  • Nearly half of women still are unable to make decisions about their own bodies.
• Marginalised Groups: The report shows that although women across socioeconomic classes and ethnicities say barriers to health care have come down over time, the women most marginalised have experienced the least improvement.
  • Women of African descent are found to be more vulnerable to obstetric mistreatment and negative maternal health outcomes.
  • Indigenous women are often denied culturally appropriate maternal health care, and their own childbirth practices may be criminalised, resulting in significantly higher risk of death in pregnancy and childbirth.

Key Concerns Highlighted in the Report

• Discrimination and Stigma: The report highlights the role racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination continue to play in blocking broad gains in sexual and reproductive health for women and girls.
  • Women and girls with disabilities face up to 10 times more gender-based violence while also facing higher barriers to sexual and reproductive information and care.
  • LGBTQIA+ people face serious health disparities in addition to – and as a result of – discrimination and stigma.
• Health and Social Challenges: The report has found that 30 years of progress in sexual and reproductive health has mostly ignored the most marginalised communities worldwide.
  • According to it, the child marriage percentage in India was at 23% between 2006-2023.
  • The maternal deaths in India have fallen considerably, accounting for 8% of all such fatalities worldwide.
  • However, the report noted that India continues to see inequities in maternal death risk.

Conclusion and Way Forward

• The report suggests that to fulfil the promise of universal sexual and reproductive health and rights, one needs to root out inequalities from our health systems and policies and focus as a priority on those women and young people who are most marginalized and excluded.
• On the other hand, the large young population presents a significant opportunity for economic growth and development.
  • However, it also underscores the need for continued efforts in improving health and social outcomes, particularly for the most marginalised communities.

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) – It is (formerly known as the United Nations Fund for Population Activities) a UN agency, established in 1969, aimed at improving reproductive and maternal health worldwide. – It is the largest international source of assistance for population programs for the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (1994). – UNFPA works directly to tackle Sustainable Development Goals on health (SDG3), education (SDG4) and gender equality (SDG5). – UNFPA is entirely supported by voluntary contributions of donor governments, intergovernmental organizations, the private sector and foundations and individuals, not by the United Nations regular budget.

Source: Business Standard

India lost 2.33 million hectares of tree cover since 2000: Global Forest Watch

Syllabus: GS3/Environment

Context

• India has lost 2.33 million hectares of tree cover since 2000, equivalent to a six percentdecrease in tree cover during this period, according to the latest data from the Global Forest Watch monitoring project.
  • The Global Forest Watch tracks forest changes in near real-time using satellite data and other sources.

Findings

• Primary Forest Loss: India lost 4,14,000 hectares of humid primary forest (4.1 per cent) from 2002 to 2023, making up 18 percent of its total tree cover loss in the same period.

• Tree Cover Loss: From 2001 to 2023, India lost 2.33 Mha of tree cover, equivalent to a 6.0% decrease in tree cover since 2000.
  • From 2013 to 2023, 95% of tree cover loss in India occurred within natural forest.
  • Five states accounted for 60 percent of all tree cover loss between 2001 and 2023.
  • Assam had the maximum tree cover loss followed by Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Manipur.
• Tree Cover Gain: In India, the top 6 regions were responsible for 54% of all tree cover gain between 2000 and 2020. Karnataka had the most tree cover gain.
  • From 2000 to 2020, India gained 1.4% of the global total.
• All Tree Cover: As of 2010, the top 7 regions represent 55% of all tree cover. 
  • Arunachal Pradesh had the most tree cover followed by Assam, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Odisha.
• Loss Due to Forest Fires: India lost 35,900 hectares of tree cover due to fires from 2002 to 2022, with 2008 recording the maximum tree cover loss due to fires.
  • From 2001 to 2022, Odisha had the highest rate of tree cover loss due to fires. Arunachal Pradesh lost 198 hectares, Nagaland 195 hectares, Assam 116 hectares, and Meghalaya 97 hectares.
• Carbon Sink: Between 2001 and 2022, forests in India emitted 51 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent a year and removed 141 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent a year.
  • This represents a net carbon sink of 89.9 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent a year.

Conclusion

• The tree cover loss data featured on the Global Forest Watch represents the best available spatial figures on how forests are changing around the world. 
• The monitoring and alert system is designed to empower people everywhere with the information they need to better manage and conserve forest landscapes. 

Source: IE

Decline in Private Investment

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

Context

• Private investment witnessed a steady decline since 2011-12 and the government has been hoping that large Indian corporations would step in and ramp up investment. 

About

• The failure of private investment, as measured by private Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) at current prices, to pick up pace has been one of the major issues plaguing the Indian economy. 
• In 2019, the Government slashed corporate taxes from 30% to 22% hoping that the move would encourage private investment.

What is the trend seen in private investment in India?

• In India, private investment began to pick up significantly mostly after the economic reforms of the late-1980s and the early-1990s that improved private sector confidence. 
• From independence to economic liberalisation, private investment largely remained either slightly below or above 10% of the GDP. 
• The growth in private investment lasted until the global financial crisis of 2007-08.
  • It rose from around 10% of GDP in the 1980s to around 27% in 2007-08. 
  • From 2011-12 onwards, however, private investment began to drop and hit a low of 19.6% of the GDP in 2020-21.
• Public investment as a percentage of GDP steadily rose over the decades from less than 3% of GDP in 1950-51 it, however, began to drop post-liberalisation.

What is GFCF and why does it matter?

• GFCF refers to the growth in the size of fixed capital in an economy. 
• Fixed capital refers to things such as buildings and machinery, for instance, which require investment to be created. 
• So private GFCF can serve as a rough indicator of how much the private sector in an economy is willing to invest.
  • GFCF also includes capital formation as a result of investment by the government.
• Significance of GFCF: GFCF matters because fixed capital, by helping workers produce a greater amount of goods and services each year, helps to boost economic growth and improve living standards. 
  • Fixed capital is what largely determines the overall output of an economy and hence what consumers can actually purchase in the market. 
  • Developed economies such as the U.S. possess more fixed capital per capita than developing economies such as India.

Why Private Investment is Low in India?

• Low Private Consumption Expenditure: Many economists have blamed low private consumption expenditure as the primary reason behind the failure of private investment to pick up over the last decade.
  • Strong consumption spending is required to give businesses the confidence that there will be sufficient demand for their output. 
• Unfavorable Government Policies: The rise in private investment in the 1990s and the 2000s correlated with the economic reforms programme started in 1991.
  • The drop in private investment, on the other hand, correlated with the slowdown in the pace of reforms in the last two decades. 
  • Further, policy uncertainty can discourage private investment as investors expect stability to carry out risky long-term projects.
• Bureaucratic Hurdles: Cumbersome bureaucratic processes, including complex regulations and administrative delays, discourage private investment. 
• Infrastructure Challenges: India faces significant infrastructure gaps, including inadequate transportation networks, and power shortages.
  • Poor infrastructure increases costs and reduces the attractiveness of investment opportunities.
• Access to Finance: Limited access to financing, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) hinder investment. 
• Skill Shortages: India faces shortages of skilled labor in certain sectors, which hinder investment in industries requiring specialized expertise. 

Way Ahead

• Improving access to credit and developing robust financial markets can stimulate private investment.
• Investing in education and vocational training programs can help address skill gaps and support investment.
• Streamlining procedures and reducing bureaucratic hurdles can improve the investment climate.

Source: TH

India to deliver BrahMos missiles to Philippines 

Syllabus: GS2/International Relations, GS3/Defence

Context

• India is set to deliver the first set of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines as part of the USD 375 million deal between the two sides signed in 2022.

India’s Defence Export

• India has set a defense export target of ₹50,000 crore by 2028-29.
• Defense exports of India have touched Rs 21,083 crore in the FY 2023-24, a growth of 32.5% over the last fiscal year.
• The private sector and the defense public sector undertakings (DPSUs) contributed around 60% and 40%, respectively, in exports from India.
• The country is currently exporting military hardware to around 85 countries, with around 100 local firms involved.
• According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, between 2000 and 2023, Myanmar remained the largest importer of Indian weapons, accounting for 31 per cent of India’s exports and Sri Lanka followed at 19 per cent.
  • Mauritius, Nepal, Armenia, Vietnam, and Maldives were other major importers.
• India’s defense production grew substantially from Rs 74,054 crore in 2016-17 to Rs 108,684 crore in 2022-23.
  • Out of this, 21.96 per cent of the production was done by private companies.

Government steps

• Simplification of Export Procedures: The government has introduced the India Defence Mart, an online portal for defense exports which enables companies to apply for export licenses and track their applications online.
• Scheme for Promotion of Defence Exports (SPDE) to promote exports of defense products, which includes provision of financial support for attending international defense exhibitions, marketing, and publicity of Indian defense products abroad. 
• Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) to encourage the modernization of the Indian defense industry.
  • The scheme provides financial assistance for technological upgradation and modernization of manufacturing facilities.
• The government has introduced a Strategic Partnership Model to boost domestic production of defense equipment through partnerships with foreign companies.
  • The BrahMos missile is a testament to the strong defense cooperation between India and Russia.
• Along with initiatives like Make in India, the GoI has established an Export Promotion Council (EPC) to encourage defense exports.

Concluding remark

• The remarkable growth has been achieved due to the policy reforms and Ease of Doing Business initiatives brought in by the Government, in addition to the end-to-end digital solution provided to the Indian industries for promoting defense exports. 
• This growth is a reflection of global acceptability of Indian defense products and technologies.

BrahMos missiles – It is a joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya.  a. The missile derives its name from the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers. – The BrahMos joint venture was formed in 1998 and the first successful launch of the missile took place in 2001. Features – Stages: BrahMos is a two-stage missile with a solid propellant booster engine. a. First stage brings the missile to supersonic speed and then gets separated. b. The second stage takes the missile closer to three times the speed of sound in cruise phase.  – Range: The range of the missile was originally capped at 290 kms as per obligations of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).  a. Following India’s entry into the club in June 2016, DRDO officials had stated that the range would be extended to 450 km and to 600 km at a later stage.

Source: BL

Gender Gap in STEM Faculty

Syllabus: GS1/Society; GS3/S&T

Context

• A BiasWatch India study, revealed that only 13.5% of faculty members across 98 universities and institutes are women. 

About

• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – collectively termed the STEM fields – continue to be dominated by men. 
• The study revealed a significant variation in women’s representation across STEM disciplines. 
• Engineering faculties showed the sharpest gender gap, with only 9.2% female faculty. This contrasts with biology, where  women comprised 25.5% of faculty.

Reasons for low representation

• Social Bias Against Women: Fields like biology are considered soft science and have a higher proportion of women faculty compared to hard sciences like engineering, Physics and Computer Science. This bias discourages women from pursuing these fields in higher education and research.
• Lack of Support During Postdoc to Faculty Transition: The crucial postdoc to faculty transition often coincides with family planning. Societal pressure often prioritizes family over career ambitions for women. 
• Discrimination at Workplace Environment: Many senior women leave STEM academia due to being disrespected, lacking access to necessary resources, or facing limited advancement opportunities compared to male colleagues. 
• Difficulty Accessing Gender Representation Data: There’s no central database tracking women faculty in STEM across India. This lack of data makes it hard to understand the extent of the gender gap and track progress towards equality. 

Government schemes

• The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is implementing a dedicated scheme ‘Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN (WISE-KIRAN)’to cater women of all walks of life in order to enhance their participation in the field of Science and Technology (S&T)with ultimate goal to bring gender parity.
• The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is implementing a dedicated scheme ‘Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN (WISE-KIRAN)’to cater women of all walks of life in order to enhance their participation in the field of Science and Technology (S&T)with ultimate goal to bring gender parity.
• Another initiative launched by the DST includes the Consolidation of University Research for Innovation and Excellence (CURIE) which aims at assisting the research and development facilities at women’s universities.
• To assist female researchers involved in Research and Development, the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) conceived SERB-POWER to provide financial aid in the form of grants and fellowships.
• To provide an avenue for scientifically inclined women researchers and scientists, an initiative called Women in Engineering, Science, and Technology (WEST) was launched in 2022.

Way Ahead

• The Indian society and the central and state governments need to collaborate to facilitate a gender-equal ecosystem.
• Gender equality or parity will happen only when there is a change in mindset and institutions consider women as assets rather than simply a diversity rectification issue.

Source: TOI

News in Short

Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterisation and Evaluation (SPACE)

Syllabus: GS3/Defence

Context

• A state-of-the-art Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterisation and Evaluation (SPACE) was inaugurated at Underwater Acoustic Research Facility, in Kerala.

About

• The SPACE  is set up by the Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory of DRDO.
• Objective: It has been designed as a premier testing and evaluation hub for sonar systems destined for the Indian Navy onboard various platforms including ships, submarines and helicopters.
• The SPACE  will consist of two distinct assemblages;
  • A platform which floats on the water surface and 
  • A submersible platform which can be lowered to any depth up to 100 m using winch systems. 

Applications

• The SPACE will be utilized for evaluation of complete sonar systems, allowing for quick deployment and easy recovery of scientific packages such as sensors and transducers. 
• It will be suitable for survey, sampling, and data collection of air, surface, mid-water, and reservoir floor parameters using modern scientific instrumentation. 

Source: PIB

Nitroplast

Syllabus: GS3/Science

Context

• An international team of researchers has discovered the “nitroplast” — first known nitrogen-fixing organelle within a eukaryotic cell.

About

• This finding challenges the long-held belief that only bacteria can fix nitrogen.
  • Nitrogen fixation is the process by which nitrogen is taken from its molecular form (N2) in the atmosphere and converted into nitrogen compounds useful for other biochemical processes.
• The nitroplast organelle discovery marks the fourth instance of primary endosymbiosis in history, a process where a prokaryotic cell is engulfed by a eukaryotic cell and evolves into an organelle.
  • A symbiotic relationship where one organism lives inside the other is known as endosymbiosis.
• Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells: The cell is the basic unit of life and forms the building blocks of all living organisms. It was discovered by Robert Hooke In 1665.
  • Some cells have membrane-bound organelles and some do not. Depending upon the internal structure of the cell, two types of cells are found in an organism namely Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic.
  • Prokaryotic cells are simpler and smaller in size, while eukaryotic cells are more complex and larger. 
• These findings show that Candidatus Atelocyanobacterium thalassa UCYN-A has evolved from a symbiont to a eukaryotic organelle for nitrogen fixation—the nitroplast—thereby expanding a function that was thought to be exclusively carried out by prokaryotic cells to eukaryotes.

Source: Science

Voice Swap Technology

Syllabus: GS3/Cybersecurity

Context

• Recently, there has been an increased number of disinformation and manipulated media online using Voice swap technology.

About

• It refers to the process of using an AI algorithm to either alter or mimic an individual’s voice. 
• The technology also allows the creators to change the characteristics of a voice, such as accent, tone, pitch, and speech patterns to make the videos more realistic.
• Currently, there are several easy-to-use AI voice swap tools available for free. 
• The creator has to simply upload or record the audio sample that she wants to replace, and then customize the settings to make the uploaded sample sound as realistic as possible.

Source: IE