Current Affairs 02 January 2025

Content:

1. School dropout rates go from bad to worse in Bihar and Assam.
2. The race for fighters: the IAF’s dilemma.
3. Scorpene-class submarine among 3 frontline platforms to be inducted by Navy on Jan. 15.
4. Report FCRA violations by NGOs, govt. asks CAs.
5. Centre, States roped in 54,800 to monitor online content: report.
6. SpaDeX first of many as ISRO prepares for Chandrayaan-4.
7. Four UN environmental summits fell short in 2024. What happened?

School Dropout Rates: A Growing Concern in Bihar and Assam

Context: Dropout Rates and Educational Continuity in India

Relevance: GS Paper 2 (Education)

National Improvement

• Share of students continuing education into higher grades improved in 2024 compared to 2019.
• Girls: 80% completed secondary education in 2024 (up from 73.5% in 2019).
• Boys: 77.2% completed secondary education in 2024 (up from 72.4% in 2019).

States with Declining Performance

• Karnataka:
  • Girls: 76.5% (2024) vs. 79.3% (2019)
  • Boys: 70.7% (2024) vs. 73.6% (2019)

• Bihar:
  • Girls: 40.3% (2024) vs. 51.6% (2019)
  • Boys: 38.8% (2024) vs. 51.2% (2019)

• Assam and Rajasthan: High dropout rates worsened further.

States with Strong Improvement

• Kerala:
  • Boys: 95.7% (2024) vs. 88.3% (2019)
  • Girls: 97.5% (2024) vs. 93.2% (2019)

• Tamil Nadu:
  • Boys: 89.2% (2024) vs. 81.3% (2019)
  • Girls: 95.6% (2024) vs. 89.4% (2019)

Rankings and Stagnation

• Uttarakhand: Steep improvement in rankings for secondary education (11th to 4th for girls).
• Maharashtra: Moderate improvement (12th to 7th for girls).
• Gujarat: Remained stagnant at the bottom of the rankings.
• Haryana: Declined significantly, falling out of the top 10 rankings across school levels.

Implications

• Positive Impact:
  Overall improvement in educational continuity across India, especially for girls.
• Concerns:
  The decline in performance in key states like Karnataka, Bihar, and Assam highlights the need for targeted interventions.
• Regional Disparities:
  States like Kerala and Tamil Nadu show exemplary progress, setting benchmarks for other regions.

Conclusion

While national averages indicate progress, significant disparities at the state level underline the necessity for region-specific strategies to ensure equitable educational opportunities for all.

The Race for Fighters: The IAF’s Dilemma

Context:
China’s rapid technological and military advancements, including stealth fighters and naval capabilities, highlight its growing dominance in the Indo-Pacific.

Relevance: GS Paper 2 (International Relations)

China’s Technological Advancements

High-Tech Developments:

• Unveiled two stealth fighter jets, a supersonic civil jet prototype, an amphibious naval ship, a global deep-sea research vessel, and the world’s fastest bullet train.

Military Aviation Supremacy:

• PLAAF fields two fifth-generation jets (J-20 and J-35).
  • Emerging sixth-generation prototypes (delta-wing and twin-engine designs).
  • Rapid progress in aviation technology, approaching U.S. standards.
  • Largest aviation force in the Indo-Pacific with over 1,300 fourth-generation fighters.

Global Impact:

• Pakistan plans to acquire 40 J-35 jets, strengthening its military capabilities.

India’s Challenges and Plans

Fighter Squadron Deficit

• Current strength: 31 squadrons (against the sanctioned 42).
• Delays in fifth-generation aircraft induction.
• Extended use of ageing MIG-21 squadrons due to delays in LCA-Mk1A deliveries.

Indigenous Development

• Plans to acquire 500+ fighters, primarily domestically manufactured.
• Key projects:
  • LCA variants (Mk1A and Mk2).
  • Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
  • Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TED-BF) for the Navy.
• LCA-Mk1A delivery delayed due to engine supply issues from GE.

Procurement Delays

• Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA): Stalled since 2019, unlikely to deliver significant numbers before the mid-2030s.
• Upgrade of existing Sukhoi Su-30MKIs in final approval stages.

Aero-Engine Dependency

• Reliance on imported engines (e.g., GE-404, F-414, and French engines).
• Indigenous aero-engine development remains a critical gap.

Comparative Analysis

China:

• Rapid advancements in aviation and naval capabilities.
• Fielding multiple fifth-generation fighters, with prototypes of advanced jets.

India:

• Focused on indigenous production but hampered by delays and dependence on foreign technology.
• Urgent need to modernize and bridge the gap with regional powers.

Implications

• Strategic Disparities:
  China’s rapid progress highlights a widening gap in military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.
• Urgency for India:
  Accelerating timelines for domestic projects and reducing reliance on foreign technology are critical for India’s defence readiness.
• Global Dynamics:
  China’s technological strides bolster its influence in the region, impacting India’s strategic interests.

Conclusion

India’s ambitious plans for indigenous fighter production and modernization are essential but face significant delays. Meanwhile, China’s technological advances emphasize the need for India to fast-track its defence projects and achieve self-reliance, especially in aero-engine development.

Scorpene-Class Submarine Among 3 Frontline Platforms to be Inducted by Navy on Jan 15

Context:
The Indian Navy will commission three major platforms—INS Vagsheer (submarine), INS Surat (stealth destroyer), and INS Nilgiri (stealth frigate)—on January 15, 2024.

Relevance: GS Paper 3 (Security)

Commissioning of Advanced Platforms

• Submarine: INS Vagsheer, the sixth and final Scorpene-class submarine.
• Destroyer: INS Surat, the fourth and last Project-15B stealth destroyer.
• Frigate: INS Nilgiri, the lead ship of Project-17A stealth frigates.

Indigenous Manufacturing

• All platforms were manufactured at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDL), Mumbai.
• Ships were indigenously designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau.
• Scorpene-class submarines were built under license from France’s Naval Group.

Technological Advancements

• Stealth Features: Reduced radar signatures through state-of-the-art technology.
• Advanced Weaponry and Sensors: Developed domestically or in collaboration with global manufacturers.
• Modern Aviation Facilities: Capable of operating various helicopters, including MH-60R and Dhruv.

Operational Readiness

• Rigorous trials conducted for machinery, fire-fighting, hull integrity, navigation, and communication systems.
• Fully operational and ready for immediate deployment.

Strategic Importance

• Enhances India’s naval combat capabilities and supports maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.
• Marks a significant milestone in India’s indigenous shipbuilding and defense manufacturing capabilities.

Focus on Gender Inclusion

• Dedicated accommodations for women officers and sailors, reflecting the Navy’s commitment to progressive roles for women in frontline combat.

Conclusion

The commissioning of these platforms underscores India’s growing self-reliance in defense manufacturing and its strategic focus on strengthening maritime security. It also highlights technological advancements and inclusivity within the Navy.

Report FCRA Violations by NGOs, Govt. Asks CAs

Context:
The Union Home Ministry’s new notification requires chartered accountants to certify if NGOs have violated the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) when filing audit returns.

Relevance: GS Paper 2 (Governance)

Highlights

New Requirements for Chartered Accountants (CAs)

• CAs filing audit returns on behalf of NGOs must specify if the NGO has violated provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010.
• They must also provide the NGO’s name, email address, and registration number in the audit certificate.

Audit Certificate Details

• Auditors must verify if the NGO has used foreign contributions for the intended purposes and mention if any violations of FCRA or related rules have occurred.
• The certificate must include a statement certifying whether the NGO has violated any provisions of the FCRA, or specify that there have been no violations.

Impact on NGOs

• The new requirement increases accountability but also presents challenges for NGOs, particularly those critical of the government.
• Voluntary groups express concerns that the notification may make it harder for such NGOs to find willing auditors.

Background Context

• This move follows earlier guidance in 2021, where the Ministry emphasized ensuring that foreign funds are received and used legally by NGOs.
• The changes amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011, aimed at strengthening the regulation of foreign donations to NGOs.

Conclusion

The Ministry’s notification increases scrutiny of NGOs’ use of foreign contributions, adding new compliance obligations for auditors. However, it has sparked concerns about potential challenges for NGOs critical of the government in securing auditors for their returns.

Centre, States Roped in 54,800 to Monitor Online Content

Context:

• The Ministry of Home Affairs and various State governments have enlisted 54,800 cyber volunteers to monitor and flag unlawful online content under an initiative to combat cybercrime.

Relevance:GS 3 (Internal Security)

Launch and Objective:

• The initiative is part of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) launched in 2020.
  • Encourages citizens to:
    • Report illegal content.
    • Promote cyber hygiene.
    • Assist law enforcement as experts.

Volunteer Statistics:

• Total: 54,833 cyber volunteers categorized as:
  • 22,942 for reporting unlawful content.
  • 22,071 for raising awareness.
  • 9,819 as cybercrime experts.
  • Focus areas include national security, sovereignty, defense, and public order.

Volunteer Actions:

• Registered volunteers report flagged content through the official portal.
  • Address critical incidents like cyberattacks on government sites, e.g., during the G-20 summit.

Criticism:

• Organizations like the InternetFreedomFoundation warn of potential risks:
  • Fostering a “culture of surveillance”.
  • Eroding social trust.

SpaDeX first of many as ISRO prepares for Chandrayaan-4

Context: ISRO is gearing up for the Chandrayaan-4 mission, aiming to bring lunar soil samples back to Earth. The mission involves preparatory space-docking experiments.

Relevance: GS 3 (ISRO)

C60 Mission and SpaDeX:

• The C60 mission, launched by PSLV, placed two 220kg satellites into orbit.
  • These satellites will perform the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), ISRO’s first docking experiment.
  • The experiment involves:
    • Gradually increasing the distance between the satellites.
    • Executing the rendezvous and docking process, starting around January 7.

Chandrayaan-4 Mission:

• Will utilize two LVM-3 rockets.
  • The mission modules will perform multiple docking and undocking maneuvers to return lunar soil to Earth safely.

Future Space Plans:

• ISRO Chairman S. Somanath emphasized 2025 as a key year with several planned launches using GSLV and SSLV rockets.
  • Docking technology is crucial for:
    • Chandrayaan-4.
    • Establishing the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035.
    • Sending an Indian astronaut to the moon.

Significance of Docking Technology:

• Essential for sustaining a space presence, as future missions like BAS require module docking.
  • The SpaDeX satellites, orbiting 475 km above Earth at 28,000 km/h, require precise speed matching for docking success.

Four UN Environmental Summits Fell Short in 2024 – What Happened?

Context: In 2023, four key UN summits on biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, and plastic pollution failed to achieve meaningful outcomes, posing a setback to global environmental initiatives.

Relevance: GS 3 (Environment)

Divergent National Interests:

• Developing nations: Demanded greater financial aid and technological transfers.
  • Developed nations: Cited domestic economic challenges, causing a stalemate in negotiations.

Lack of Consensus:

• Disagreements on:
  • Climate finance mechanisms.
  • Transitioning away from fossil fuels.
  • Plastic pollution management.
  • Prevented major agreements, undermining global cooperation.

Global Crises Distract Action:

• Crises such as COVID-19, economic instability, and geopolitical tensions diverted attention and resources.
  • Weakened commitments to long-term sustainability goals.

Fragmented Efforts and Trust Issues:

• Summit failures risk fragmented regional initiatives lacking global coordination.
  • Trust erosion among nations has hindered collaborative progress.

Rebuilding Momentum:

• Proposed strategies for future progress:
  • Honoring climate finance commitments.
  • Ensuring transparency in agreements.
  • Inclusive diplomacy with a focus on measurable outcomes.

Need for Collective Global Action:

• Addressing interconnected crises requires urgent, united global efforts.
  • Emphasizing collective action is essential to prevent irreversible ecosystem damage and safeguard vulnerable communities.