1st November 2024

Article: 1^st November, 2024

Topic: U.S. Electoral College System

Relevance: GS Paper: 2 – Polity

Source: The Hindu

Context

• Voters will select the 47th President of the United States on November 5; Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump are the front-runners.
  
  

How are the president of the United States chosen?

• Every four years, on the first Tuesday in November, the United States has its presidential election.
• Candidates must be U.S. citizens by birth, be at least 35 years old, and have lived in the country for 14 years in order to be eligible.
• If they raise or spend more than $5,000, they have to register with the Federal Election Commission.
• Primaries and Caucuses: The primary and caucus debating process begins when candidates declare their intention to run for president.
  – Primaries: State-sponsored elections in which people cast secret ballots to choose the candidates of their favored parties.
  – Caucuses: Party-organized meetings where voters debate and select candidates are called caucuses.
  – Types include semi-closed, closed, and open elections, in which any voter may participate.

• Conventions at the national level: Candidates for president and vice president are formally nominated by their parties.
  – Pledged and unpledged delegates cast their votes for the nominee. If no candidate receives a majority, more elections are conducted.
• All candidates from the main parties are on the ballot for the general election, which is held in November.
  – Regardless of party registration or primary participation, registered voters are free to cast their ballots for any candidate.
  – With differing regulations, states permit early, absentee, and mail-in voting.
  
  

About the Electoral College System:

• The electoral college serves as a middleman in the process of selecting the president of the United States.
• Instead of winning the popular vote, the president is elected by obtaining a majority of electoral college votes (270 out of 538).

• Selection of Electors: Voters in each state select electors, who subsequently cast ballots for the president. The number of electors in each state is equal to the number of representatives in the House and Senate.
  – Pledged to a candidate, the electors cast their votes in December according to the results of the state’s popular vote.
• Electors who do not cast their ballots in accordance with the public vote are referred to as “faithless electors.” Although they hardly ever have an impact on outcomes, some states penalize them.
• Impact of Popular Votes: In most cases, the party that receives the most votes in a state sends its electors to the electoral college, where they are expected to cast their votes in accordance with the results.
• The victor of a state’s popular vote receives all of its electoral votes, with the exception of Maine and Nebraska.
• The House of Representatives votes to choose the president in the event of a tie (269–269), with each state delegation participating have one vote. To win, a candidate must receive 26 votes.
• Congress Vote tally: The next president will be sworn in on January 20, 2025, when Congress convenes in January to tally the electoral votes.
• The Senate casts one vote for the vice president in the vice-presidential election. To win, a candidate must receive 51 votes.
• Possible Results of a Split: If votes are split, the president and vice president may come from different parties because they are chosen independently by the House and Senate.
• Early in January, Congress calculates the electoral votes for the inauguration.
  – January 20 is Inauguration Day, marking the start of the next President’s term.

Comparison between India and US election process

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

Prelims Practice Questions

Q. The Electoral College for the election of the Vice-President in India consists of?

1. The elected members of both Houses of Parliament.
2. The elected representatives in the state legislatures.
3. The elected representatives of the Delhi and Pondicherry Union Territories’ legislative assemblies.

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Ans: a

Explanation

Like the president, the vice president is chosen indirectly rather than directly by the electorate.
The members of both Houses of Parliament’s electoral college choose him.
Therefore, there are two ways in which this Electoral College differs from the one used to elect the president:
Both elected and nominated members of the Parliament make up this body (only elected members in the case of the president).
It excludes the members of state legislative assemblies (the elected members of state legislative assemblies are included in the case of the president).

Mains Model Questions Q. India and the USA are two large democracies. Examine the basic tenets on which the two political systems are based. (UPSC PYQ 2018)

Introduction:

The two biggest representative democracies in the world are the United States and India. The US Constitution’s formulation in 1789 marked the beginning of democracy in the USA, whereas British control and the subsequent implementation of India’s new, contemporary, and dynamic constitution after independence contributed to the country’s democracy.

Body:

The two political systems are founded on the following fundamental principles:

• Written constitution: The federal political structure and the operation of both the US and Indian federal governments are established by their own written constitutions. Both constitutions contain clauses that allow them to be amended to reflect the expanding socio, political and economic needs and demands of their respective countries.
• Fundamental Rights and the Bill of Rights: The United States constitution guarantees its citizens’ fundamental rights, including freedom, equality, and protection against exploitation, as well as the freedom of religion, culture, and education. Articles 14 to 34 of Part III of the Indian Constitution guarantee the people’s fundamental rights.
• Supremacy of the Federal or Union Government: States that have joined the Federal system in the US and India are not able to unilaterally break away from either the Federal or the Union Government. The federal or union government’s legislation will take precedence over state legislation on the same topic.
• Division of Labor and Separation of Powers: The legislative passes laws, the judiciary upholds the rule of law, and the president leads the nation. The United States’ president serves as the country’s chief executive, but India’s actual chief executive body is the Union cabinet, which is led by the prime minister.
• Powers of Checks and Balances: Democracy is in danger even if both nations have a distinct division of labor known as the separation of powers into the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.In both the US and India, the effective tool for preserving democracy has been the power of checks and balances.
• Republicanism and the Rule of Law: Both nations have drafted constitutions that uphold the rule of law and provide fundamental rights to their citizens. Both nations allow their citizens to vote as adults and are republican in nature.
• Independent Judiciary: To interpret the constitution and uphold the law, both political systems have an independent judiciary. In contrast to the United States, where the federal judiciary enforces federal laws and the state judiciaries enforce state laws, India has a single system of courts that enforces both central and state laws.

Conclusion: Therefore, despite their many similarities, the political systems of the US and India are the result of their distinct histories, socioeconomic environments, and political cultures. To give mankind, which is experiencing many difficulties, hope, they should, however, collaborate with one another on a number of fronts.

Article: 1^st November, 2024

Topic: RBI increases gold reserves to 855 Metric Tonnes

Relevance: GS Paper: 3 – Economy

Source: DD News

Context

• According to a recent Reserve Bank of India (RBI) report, India now has 854.73 metric tons of gold reserves.
• Of this, 324.01 metric tonnes are stored with the Bank of England and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), while 510.46 metric tonnes are maintained domestically.

About

• Approximately 9.32% of India’s total foreign exchange reserves are now made up of gold, up from 8.15% in March 2024.
• India has the eighth-largest gold reserves in the world. With the United States’ gold holdings almost equaling the combined reserves of Germany, Italy, and France, the top three nations are the United States, Germany, and Italy.
  
  

Gold Reserves

• Due to its reduced correlation with other asset classes, gold offers a buffer of protection during times of geopolitical unrest and prevailing economic uncertainty and/or downturn in markets.
• It is proposed that interest rates and gold prices are inversely related.
• Investors find gold less appealing when interest rates are tightened because it provides no yield.
• On the other hand, investors may choose to use the safety bullion cushion if interest rates drop and the value of the dollar declines.
• There are various reasons why central banks amass gold:
• Monetary Stability: Gold serves as a store of value and is frequently employed as a hedge against fluctuations in the economy.
• Currency Support: Because gold reserves are viewed as a guarantee of the value of a country’s currency, they increase that country’s currency’s credibility.
• Gold holdings help central banks diversify their assets and lower the risk of their investment portfolios.
• International Trade and Payments: As a widely recognized form of money, gold reserves make it easier to conduct business internationally and make payments.
• The United States, Germany, Italy, and France are among the nations having substantial gold reserves.
  
  

Gold Reserves Strategy

• The Bank of England and the Bank for International Settlements, who together own a sizeable amount of India’s gold overseas, are protecting 324 tons of the RBI’s gold holdings.
• Founded in 1697, the Bank of England is well-known for its vast gold storage facilities and is still the second-largest gold custodian in the world, behind the New York Federal Reserve.
• By keeping a portion of India’s gold in London, the RBI may access the London bullion market instantly, increasing liquidity.

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

Prelims Practice Questions

Q. Many nations keep their gold reserves in foreign vaults like the Bank of England for which of the following reasons?
a. Avoid paying storage costs
b. Strengthen economic independence
c. Lessen reliance on other parties
d. Reduce the dangers of geopolitical unrest

Ans: d

Explanation

In order to reduce the dangers connected with geopolitical conflicts and to guarantee the security and accessibility of their gold reserves, several nations, including India, keep them in overseas vaults. Keeping gold in several places throughout the globe, especially in major financial centers like London, New York, and Zurich, helps shield these reserves from local disputes or instability that could jeopardize their security if kept only in the nation of origin. These places also make it simpler to conduct financial activities and conduct foreign transactions. Additionally, the RBI returned 100 tons of gold to India from the UK Vault. The RBI will now store the majority of its gold in its own vault, marking a significant change in its economic policy. The RBI expresses its faith in the stability and durability of the Indian economy by restoring gold reserves. India’s monetary stability is improved by domestic gold holdings, which act as a buffer against economic shocks and currency volatility. It will also enhance India’s economic sovereignty.

Mains Model Questions Q. In addition to mobilizing idle gold held by households and institutions, the Sovereign Gold Scheme (SGS) seeks to give people another way to invest in gold. Critically examine.

Introduction:

A distinctive method of investing in gold is provided by the Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) program, which was introduced by the Indian government in 2015. In 2015, the government introduced the sovereign gold bond. These bonds were created by the government to lessen India’s excessive reliance on gold imports. The action was also intended to change Indians’ saving practices from storing gold in physical form to using paper with sovereign support.

Body:

Key Elements

• Interest Payment:
• On their SGB investment, investors receive a fixed yearly interest rate, which is presently 2.50%.
• Semi-annual interest credits guarantee consistent returns.
• Versions:
• SGBs can be purchased in both paper and demat versions.
• No worry about paying for lockers or physical storage.
• Tax Benefits:
• Interest received is exempt from TDS.
• benefit of indexation upon transfer before to maturity.
• exemption from capital gains tax upon redemption following maturity.
• Sovereign Promise:
  – supported by the government, guaranteeing security.
• Interest and redemption amount are guaranteed.
• The bare minimum of investment
  – A person can begin with merely one gram of gold.
  
  

The scheme’s successes

• Lower import costs and CAD
• As a result, both the Indian economy and individual investors have benefited.
• People are eager to retain SGBs rather than the actual metal because the country’s gold import bill is smaller now, which lowers our current account deficit and susceptibility to the external sector.
• Inclusion of Finances:
• promotes participation in gold markets by small investors.
• expands the pool of potential investors beyond conventional purchasers.
• Convenience and Safety:
  – Another asset class is an option for retail investors looking to diversify their assets.
  – reduces storage expenses and hazards.
  
  

The Way Ahead

• Campaigns for Awareness:
  – Inform investors of the advantages of SGB.
  – Emphasize how it helps diversify investments.
• Adaptable Maturity Choices:
  – For investors that are risk averse, introduce shorter tenures.
  – Permit partial redemptions.
• Development of Secondary Markets:
  – Promote trading to increase liquidity.
  – Make the SGB market thriving.

Conclusion: Financial markets and gold are connected through the Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme. It has the potential to be extremely important in India’s investment environment with further understanding and improvement.

Article: 1^st November, 2024

Topic: Economic value of unpaid work in India

Relevance: GS Paper: 3 – Economy

Source: The Hindu

Context

• A rising body of study and discussion has focused on the invisible economic contributions made by women through unpaid caregiving, childrearing, and household duties.
  
  

About

• This discussion highlights the importance of acknowledging and appreciating their contributions in national accounts, as well as their monetary value.
• Although household output has been factored into GDP calculations since 1993 by the System of National Accounts, unpaid care work has been conspicuously left out.
  
  

Women’s Unpaid Labor

• Over seven hours a day are devoted to unpaid care and household duties by women who are not employed.
• Women in the workforce put in 5.8 hours on comparable duties.
• On the other hand, working males only contribute 2.7 hours each day, while unemployed men devote less than four hours.
• This striking disparity highlights the substantial cost of unpaid labor borne by women.

The necessity of acknowledging women’s unpaid labor

• Sustainable households: The everyday operations of families depend on unpaid labor, such as childcare, elder care, and housework.
• Economic Contribution: It promotes stability and economic activity by enabling others to engage in paid work, which benefits the workforce.
• Resource Management: From meal planning to budgeting, women frequently oversee the resources of the home.
• Personal fulfillment: Many women see caring for others and running the home as a meaningful way to give back to their families and communities, which brings them personal fulfillment.
• Building Block for Future Generations: Unpaid labor is essential to children’s education and upbringing, influencing and enhancing the growth and well-being of future generations.

An attempt to identify unpaid labor

• This emphasis was included by the UN in 2016 into its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 5, which places a strong emphasis on empowering women and attaining gender equality.

• By 2030, Target 5.4 aims to recognize and appreciate unpaid care and domestic work, especially in low- and middle-income nations, through supportive policies and shared home duties.

• According to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC 2022), unpaid labor accounts for $11 trillion, or 9%, of the GDP of APEC member nations.
  
  

India’s Unpaid Work’s Economic Value

• According to a 2023 State Bank of India assessment, unpaid labor in India accounts for around ₹22.7 lakh crore, or roughly 7.5% of the nation’s GDP.
• Women devote roughly 36 hours a week to these kinds of activities compared to just 16 hours for men.
• This discrepancy reflects broader societal standards about home labor and emphasizes the gendered nature of household tasks.
• According to research, increasing women’s labor force participation might result in a 27% increase in India’s GDP.

Conclusion

• Policies that acknowledge and appreciate unpaid labor are essential for maximizing this economic growth potential, promoting gender parity in the workforce, and increasing India’s general productivity.

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

Prelims Practice Questions

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Female Labor Force Participation (FLFP)

1. India has the second-lowest female labor force participation rate among the BRICS nations, after Brazil.
2. At about 10%, India’s female LFPR is currently among the lowest in the world.

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: d

Explanation

India has the lowest female labor force participation (FLFP) rate of any of the BRICS nations, and it is also lower than that of some of its South Asian neighbours, like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
At about 20%, India’s female LFPR is currently among the lowest in the world, comparable to that of Saudi Arabia.

Mains Model Questions Q. Discuss about how the Indian economy is affected by unpaid labor. What impact does the undervaluation of such labor have on women’s economic empowerment and participation? Make recommendations on ways to guarantee that women’s contributions are acknowledged and encouraged in order to promote economic growth in general.

Introduction:

Unpaid labor, which includes childcare, housework, and other domestic tasks, has a significant impact on the Indian economy. The undervaluation of this kind of labor disproportionately affects women.

Body:

Unpaid Work’s Effect on the Indian Economy

• Decreased Involvement in the Workforce: Women are disproportionately responsible for unpaid labor, which frequently keeps them from engaging in paid work. As a result, there are fewer women in the official labor force, which may restrict the potential for economic growth.
• China has a 61% FLFPR, Bangladesh has a 38% FLFPR, Nepal has a 29% FLFPR, and Pakistan has a 25% FLFPR. India’s FLFPR is 32.8%, according to government sources, and 24%, according to the World Bank.
• Loss of Productive Time: Time spent on unpaid labor, such cleaning, cooking, and child care, may be utilized for tasks that would generate revenue. Women lose out on opportunities to work on more fruitful projects as a result of this.
• Gender Pay Gap: Because women’s labor in the home is not valued or compensated, unpaid employment contributes to the gender pay gap. For many women, this results in economic inequality and a lack of financial independence.
  
  

Undervaluation of Women’s Economic Participation and Unpaid Work

• Invisible Economic Contribution: Rather than being viewed as an economic activity, unpaid labor is usually accepted as a social norm. such as household chores and compassion. Women’s contributions are therefore ignored by traditional economic standards, which adds to their economic invisibility. An SBI analysis claims that women’s unpaid labor contributes 7.5% of GDP and is essential to the economy.
• Lack of Economic Empowerment: The undervaluation of unpaid labor limits women’s capacity to attain economic empowerment by denying them the respect and benefits associated with official employment. This exacerbates the gender gap in income and wealth.
  
  

Actions to Honor and Encourage the Contributions of Women:

• Childcare and Eldercare Services: By making investments in easily accessible and reasonably priced childcare and eldercare services, women can be able to engage more fully in the workforce by lessening the burden of unpaid caregiving. For instance, child care services are offered under the National Creche Scheme.
• Encourage women’s financial inclusion by giving them access to bank accounts, microlending, and business possibilities so they may make money using their abilities.

Conclusion: India can unlock the economic potential of its female population, lessen gender inequality, and promote more inclusive and sustainable economic growth by acknowledging and valuing the contributions made by women in both paid and unpaid labor as well as by building a strong health and education system.

Article: 1^st November, 2024

Topic: Global TB Report

Relevance: GS Paper: 2 –Health

Source: Indian Express

Context

• India has the greatest TB burden in 2023, according to the WHO Global TB Report 2024.
  
  

Highlights of the Report for 2024

• Fresh Diagnoses: In 2023, 8.2 million persons received a new TB diagnosis. Since the WHO started tracking tuberculosis worldwide in 1995, this is the largest number they have ever seen.
• TB Deaths: In 2023, there were 1.25 million TB-related deaths, compared to 1.32 million in 2022. The 320,000 COVID-19 deaths that were reported to WHO in 2023 are still far less than the TB mortality, even with the reduction.
• Prevalence: 87% of the world’s TB cases occur in 30 countries, primarily in low- and middle-income (LMIC) nations. 56% of the burden is shared by China, the Philippines, Pakistan, Indonesia, and India (26%).
• There are five main risk factors for new TB cases worldwide: HIV infection, alcoholism, smoking, malnutrition, and diabetes.

TB Statistics in India

• An estimated 27 lakh cases of tuberculosis were reported in India in 2023. Of them, 25.1 lakh cases received a diagnosis and were treated.
• Improvement in Treatment Coverage: India’s treatment coverage increased from 72% in 2015 to 89% in 2023, reducing the number of undiagnosed or missing cases.
• Reduction in TB Incidence: In India, the number of TB cases per lakh population decreased from 237 in 2015 to 195 in 2023. This indicates a 17.7% drop at that time.
  
  

Government Initiatives and Plans to Lower the Incidence of TB

• The National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) seeks to end tuberculosis in India by 2025 by promoting prevention, treatment assistance, and early detection.

• Initiatives for Community Engagement: Projects such as the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan promote community support for TB patients. Public participation in TB care and awareness is encouraged by programs like Ni-kshay Mitras.

• The Global Fund is funding Project Axshya Plus, which consists of extensive treatments like testing, contact tracing, and managing latent TB infections.
• In order to stop the disease’s spread before it shows symptoms, TB Preventive Therapy (TPT) targets vulnerable populations and offers preventive treatment to those who are at high risk of getting active TB.
• Initiatives in Digital Health: Digital tools that track patient progress and guarantee treatment adherence include the Nikshay portal, which is a component of the NTEP.

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

Prelims Practice Questions

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Tuberculosis (TB)

1. By 2025, the Government of India (GoI) wants to eradicate tuberculosis.
2. Protozoa cause tuberculosis.

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: a

Explanation

TB is brought on by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. When a person with tuberculosis (TB) coughs, sneezes, spits, laughs, or speaks, it is transferred through the air. Although TB is communicable, it is difficult to contract.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines elimination as having fewer than one case of tuberculosis per million people. Given the existing TB burden in India, achieving eradication by 2025 will need a significant amount of work. The government’s intentions for TB elimination are outlined in the National Strategic Plan 2017–2025 can be achieved.

Mains Model Questions Q. Analyze the various ways that tuberculosis (TB) affects the economy and public health, and consider how combining medical treatments with initiatives that address the socioeconomic causes of the illness is essential to reducing its impact on both individuals and society as a whole.

Introduction:

One of the most deadly infectious illnesses in the world, tuberculosis (TB) has a significant negative influence on both the economy and public health. Its impact on the socioeconomic standing of societies and countries goes well beyond the medical field.

Body:

Impact on Public Health

• Indirect and Direct Effects: TB has an indirect impact on people’s emotional, social, and economic well-being in addition to its direct effects on their physical health. Since TB management and control require a large investment of resources, public health systems are under a great deal of strain.
• Vulnerable Populations: Public health issues are made worse by the disease’s disproportionate impact on economically and socially disadvantaged populations, who lack the resources needed for successful treatment outcomes.
  
  

Economic Repercussions

• Productivity Loss: Adults in their prime are the main targets of tuberculosis (TB), which results in a large reduction in worker productivity.
• Healthcare Costs: The high expenses of treatment and care, particularly for drug-resistant strains, place a significant financial pressure on families and healthcare systems.
• Socioeconomic Factors: Affected populations’ economic trajectory is impacted by socioeconomic factors like poverty, hunger, and a lack of educational opportunities, which also contribute to the cycle of TB transmission.

The Need for Integrated Approaches

• Resolving Socio-Economic Determinants: In addition to medical interventions, a successful TB response must address socio-economic determinants of health, such as bettering access to education, nutrition, and living circumstances.
• Comprehensive Approach: Better treatment adherence, decreased disease transmission, and enhanced outcomes for both individuals and communities can result from combining medical solutions with socioeconomic measures.

Conclusion: The fight against tuberculosis requires a multifaceted strategy that extends beyond simple medical treatment. We can greatly reduce the burden of tuberculosis on public health and the economy by combining medical treatments with targeted interventions that target the socioeconomic factors that contribute to the disease. This all-encompassing approach not only improves the efficacy of TB control initiatives but also advances general societal well-being, highlighting the urgent need for all-encompassing public health approaches to address TB and its extensive ramifications.