17-December-2024-Daily-Current-Affairs

THE HIDDEN COST OF GREENWASHING INDIAN RAILWAYS

TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY: THE HINDU

The Indian Railways is on a mission to electrify its entire broad-gauge network, aiming to create a “green railway” and achieve net-zero carbon emissions. While the initiative appears to align with environmental goals, it raises concerns about economic inefficiency, environmental impact, and wastage of valuable assets.

Export of Diesel Locomotives

• Indian Railways recently began exporting second-hand broad-gauge diesel locomotives to African nations after modifying them to suit narrower Cape Gauge tracks.
• Though innovative, this export highlights the premature redundancy of many functional locomotives due to rapid electrification efforts.

Premature Redundancy of Diesel Locomotives

• Current Status: Over 760 diesel locomotives are idling in storage yards, with most having over 15 years of operational life left.
• Reason: The mission-mode electrification policy resulted in the sidelining of numerous serviceable locomotives.

Flawed Justifications for Electrification

• Foreign Exchange Savings: Railways account for only 2% of the nation’s diesel consumption, making the impact on foreign exchange savings negligible compared to sectors like road transport and agriculture.
• Environmental Claims: Electricity for electric trains is predominantly generated from coal, which accounts for nearly 50% of India’s power. Shifting pollution from rail tracks to coal-fired plants merely relocates environmental harm.

Economic and Environmental Paradoxes

• Indian Railways depends heavily on coal freight, which generates 40% of its revenue. Electrification indirectly increases coal demand, perpetuating pollution.
• Without a transition to non-fossil energy sources (currently far from reality), the “green railway” claim remains impractical.

Future of Diesel Locomotives

• Indian Railways plans to retain over 2,500 diesel locomotives for disaster management and strategic purposes, with another 1,000 operational for traffic needs.
• Despite electrification, diesel locomotives will remain in use, undermining the vision of a fully green railway.

Conclusion

The rapid push for 100% electrification of Indian Railways reflects a focus on optics over practicality. While the aim of reducing carbon emissions is commendable, the approach has led to significant wastage of resources and raises doubts about long-term sustainability. Effective policymaking should prioritize balanced, realistic strategies over headline-driven initiatives.

GREEN HYDROGEN AND FINANCING CHALLENGES IN INDIA

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU

India aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, and green hydrogen has emerged as a critical solution for decarbonizing industrial sectors. With an ambitious target of producing 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of green hydrogen annually by 2030, the nation aspires to lead this sector. However, high production costs and financing barriers pose significant challenges to achieving this goal.

Current Scenario

• India is projected to meet only 10% of its 2030 green hydrogen target, according to Bloomberg NEF.
• Production costs of green hydrogen ($5.30-$6.70 per kg) are far higher than grey or blue hydrogen ($1.9-$2.4 per kg), creating a market deadlock.
• Lower costs require scaled production, but scaling demands financial viability, creating a chicken-and-egg problem.

Key Barriers

• High Costs: Green hydrogen costs depend on the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and electrolyser expenses, both influenced by borrowing costs. A higher weighted average cost of capital (WACC) in India leads to elevated production costs.
• Electrolyser Costs: Alkaline electrolysers cost $500-1,400/kW, and proton exchange membrane systems cost $1,100-1,800/kW.
• Investment Challenges: Globally, only 27.6% of clean hydrogen projects worth $370 billion have reached financial commitment stages, indicating broader market barriers.

Policy Approaches from Other Nations

• United Kingdom: The Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard builds investor confidence.
• United States, Japan, and Australia: Strategic hydrogen hubs integrate infrastructure, production, and demand into localized ecosystems.
• India could replicate these models to create hydrogen corridors connected to renewable energy sources.

Solutions to De-Risk Investments

• Policy Support: Establish long-term purchase agreements and partial loan guarantees. Introduce regulatory sandboxes for testing innovative business models.
• Innovative Financing: Shift from traditional financing to models like blended finance, modular project financing, and anchor-plus strategies. Equipment leasing for electrolysers can reduce upfront costs, similar to the solar and wind sectors.

International Collaboration:

• Develop standardized carbon intensity and hydrogen certification systems to enhance export opportunities.
• Collaborate on trade corridors to ensure demand stability, as seen in the Australia-Japan Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain.

Way Forward

Early success in states like Odisha, Maharashtra, and Gujarat can provide viable business models for scaling green hydrogen projects. Strategic financial planning, access to low-cost capital, and efficient execution are essential for delivering hydrogen at competitive prices. Leveraging renewable energy resources will determine India’s leadership in the global green hydrogen sector.

LACK OF GOOD JOBS PUSH YOUNG J&K WOMEN BACK TO AGRICULTURE

TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY: THE HINDU

Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) faces a severe urban female unemployment crisis, especially among youth aged 15-29 years. With a staggering unemployment rate of 53.6%, the highest in India, young women are increasingly forced to take up agricultural work due to limited opportunities in other sectors. This trend highlights structural challenges and distress in the region’s economy.

Key Statistics on Female Unemployment in J&K

• Urban Female Unemployment Rate (15-29 years)6% in the July-September quarter of 2024, over 30 percentage points higher than the national average (21%). Has consistently remained above 50% post-pandemic, with few exceptions.
• Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR): J&K’s urban female LFPR for youth is 30.2%, second only to Himachal Pradesh (34.9%), and significantly higher than the national average of 21.9%. Despite active job searches, over half of the participants cannot secure employment.

Factors Driving Female Unemployment in J&K

• Mismatch in Skills and Job Demand: Many women’s skills do not align with the available jobs in manufacturing and services. High levels of education, such as PhDs, often result in low-paying jobs (₹15,000-20,000 per month).
• Lack of Private Sector Growth: Heavy reliance on public sector jobs due to an underdeveloped private sector. Startups and self-employment face challenges such as limited funding and political barriers.
• Shift Towards Agriculture: The share of urban women in agriculture increased from 13.2% in 2018 to 27.6% in 2024. Employment in services fell from 61.7% to 47.6%, and manufacturing/construction saw a marginal decline.
• Economic Distress: Reversal of structural change indicates “feminisation of agrarian distress,” with women returning to agriculture due to a lack of better options.

Schemes for Women’s Employment

• Hausla, Umeed, Tejaswini: Aimed at providing financial support and boosting female entrepreneurship.
• Limited success due to issues like inadequate funding, political barriers, and limited private sector involvement.

Recommendations for Improvement

• Promote Agglomeration Economies: Develop policies to foster self-sustaining industrial and service hubs.
• Enhance Job Matching Mechanisms: Align skill development programs with industry requirements.
• Boost Private Sector Growth: Attract investments and create a conducive environment for industrialisation.
• Strengthen Employment Support: Improve accessibility to bank loans and financial aid for startups without political biases.

Conclusion

The rising unemployment among urban women in J&K underscores deep-rooted structural issues in its economy. While government schemes provide some relief, sustainable solutions must focus on private sector growth, better skill-job alignment, and fostering industrial ecosystems. Addressing these challenges is critical for the region’s economic and social progress.

SUPREME COURT AND GOVERNMENT’S APPROACH TO RELIGION IN SC AND OBC RESERVATIONS

TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: INDIAN EXPRESS

The interplay between religion and reservation policies in India has been a contentious issue. It raises questions about the inclusion of religious communities within Scheduled Castes (SC) or Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories and whether religion can serve as a basis for affirmative action. Recent Supreme Court observations and government initiatives have rekindled debates on this sensitive topic.

OBC Reservations and Religion

• Legal Provisions: Article 16(4) of the Indian Constitution allows states to provide reservations for any backward class that is inadequately represented in public services. There is no explicit prohibition on identifying religious groups under the OBC category.
• Historical Context: States like Kerala (1956), Karnataka (1995), and Tamil Nadu (2007) have extended OBC reservations to certain Muslim communities, citing social and economic backwardness.

• The Justice Sachar Committee (2006) highlighted low representation of Muslim OBCs in central government jobs, advocating better access to reservation benefits.

• Judicial Rulings: In Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992), the Supreme Court ruled that religion could not be the sole criterion for granting OBC reservations.

• The Calcutta High Court (2024) struck down reservations for 77 predominantly Muslim classes, citing a lack of objective criteria to establish backwardness.

SC Reservations and Religious Conversions

• Constitutional Provision: Article 341(1) empowers the President to specify Scheduled Caste groups, but the 1950 Scheduled Castes Order restricts SC status to Hindus, Sikhs (since 1956), and Buddhists (since 1990).
• Judicial Challenges: In Soosai v. Union of India (1985), the Supreme Court ruled that SC benefits cannot be claimed solely based on caste identity after religious conversion unless the individual proves continued social discrimination.

• The Ranganath Mishra Commission (2007) recommended extending SC status to converts from all religions, but this has not been implemented.

Current Developments:

• The constitutional validity of the 1950 order is under review in the Ghazi Saaduddin v. State of Maharashtra
• The K G Balakrishnan Commission, set up to study the inclusion of converted individuals, is expected to submit its findings by October 2025.

Conclusion

The relationship between religion and reservation policies continues to evolve through judicial scrutiny and government commissions. A balance between constitutional provisions and social justice is essential for inclusive policymaking.

UN TALKS ON DROUGHT DEAL FAIL TO REACH CONSENSUS

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU

The 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) recently concluded in Saudi Arabia without reaching an agreement on a binding protocol for drought management.

Key Highlights of COP16

• Failure to Finalize a Binding Protocol: The 12-day conference concluded without a formal agreement on a binding drought protocol. UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw highlighted the need for more time to finalize the framework.

Divergence of Views

• African Nations’ Advocacy: Strongly supported a binding protocol to strengthen drought preparedness and response strategies.
• Position of Developed Nations: Pushed for a non-binding framework, seen as inadequate by many developing countries.
• Indigenous groups also advocated for stricter measures to enhance monitoring and drought resilience planning.

Global Context and Challenges

• Droughts, intensified by human-driven environmental degradation, cost over $300 billion annually.
• Projections suggest that by 2050, 75% of the global population will face the impact of droughts.

• COP16 adds to a series of recent partial or unsuccessful global environmental talks, including biodiversity, plastic pollution, and climate finance negotiations.

Financial Commitments and Future Directions

• More than $12 billion was pledged during the conference to support drought resilience initiatives.
• The Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership aims to mobilize additional public and private funding for vulnerable nations.

• The UNCCD aims to restore 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land by 2030, requiring $2.6 trillion in global investments.COP17 in Mongolia (2026) will aim to finalize a comprehensive global drought protocol.

• Countries can utilize budgets and subsidies in the interim to promote sustainable land management practices.

ABOUT THE UNCCD

• Establishment: Founded in 1994 and became legally binding in 1996.
• Objective: Combat desertification and mitigate drought effects, especially in drylands.
• Parties: 197 members, including 196 nations and the EU.
• Focus Areas: Sustainable land management and achieving land degradation neutrality.
• Key Activities:
  • Encourages research and knowledge-sharing.
  • Supports community-led land restoration projects.
  • Facilitates capacity-building and policy reforms.
• Significance: Plays a crucial role in ensuring food security, reducing poverty, and tackling climate change.

Conclusion

Despite the absence of a binding protocol, COP16 showcased progress in drought resilience planning and funding commitments. With continued collaboration, the global drought response framework can take a significant step forward at COP17 in 2026.

HOW DOES LA NIÑA AFFECT INDIA’S CLIMATE?

TOPIC: (GS1) INDIAN GEOGRAPHY: INDIANEXPRESS

La Niña plays a crucial role in shaping global weather patterns, including India’s monsoon and winter seasons. While La Niña generally brings favorable rainfall and cooler winters to India, its absence in 2024 has raised concerns about evolving climate dynamics influenced by climate change and ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation).

What is La Niña?

La Niña is one phase of ENSO, characterized by cooler sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean.

Its counterpart, El Niño, involves warmer-than-usual sea temperatures in the same region.

Key Impacts:

• La Niña: Brings above-average rainfall to India, causes drought in Africa, and intensifies Atlantic hurricanes.
• El Niño: Leads to extreme summers and droughts in India but increases rainfall in parts of the Americas.

Climate change is expected to increase the intensity and frequency of both phenomena, heightening extreme weather events globally.

Current Status of La Niña (2024)

• Predicted to develop by mid-2024, La Niña has not yet formed.
• Historically, La Niña events are more likely to emerge during monsoon or pre-monsoon periods.
• As of December 2024, there is only a 57% probability of La Niña forming, and if it does occur, it is expected to be weak.
• The Oceanic Niño Index (ONI), a key indicator, is currently at -0.3°C, below the threshold of -0.5°C required for a La Niña declaration.

Impact on India’s Weather

Winters

• Southern cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad are experiencing colder winters, while North India is witnessing warmer and delayed winters.
• La Niña winters typically bring:
  • Colder nights and warmer days.
  • Faster wind speeds.
  • Lower planetary boundary layer height (PBLH), which traps pollutants closer to the ground, worsening air quality.

Monsoons

• La Niña supports stronger monsoons and above-normal rainfall.
• Past events (2020–2022) demonstrated La Niña’s role in boosting India’s monsoon performance.
• In contrast, El Niño disrupts monsoon patterns, causing below-average rainfall.

Heatwaves:

• Persistent La Niña conditions can reduce the intensity and frequency of heatwaves, offering some relief during summer months.

Conclusion

La Niña plays a vital role in moderating India’s climate, particularly by enhancing monsoon rainfall and influencing winter patterns. While its absence in 2024 highlights the complexities of climate systems, understanding these phenomena is essential for effective weather prediction and disaster management.

SLINEX-24: INDIA-SRI LANKA NAVAL EXERCISE

TOPIC: (GS3) SEQURITY: PIB

SLINEX 2024 is a bilateral naval exercise between India and Sri Lanka, promoting maritime cooperation since 2005. The exercise focuses on strengthening interoperability through professional and operational engagements.

Details of SLINEX-24

Location and Duration:

• Conducted at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command.
• Scheduled from 17th to 20th December 2024.

Phases of the Exercise:

• Harbour Phase (17–18 December): Professional interactions and social engagements to foster mutual understanding.
• Sea Phase (19–20 December): Joint operations, including Special Forces activities, gun firings, seamanship drills, and helicopter operations.

Participants:

India:

• INS Sumitra (Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel).
• A Special Forces team.

Sri Lanka:

• SLNS Sayura (Offshore Patrol Vessel).
• A Special Forces team.

Significance

• Strengthens Bilateral Relations: Enhances cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Sri Lankan Navy.
• Promotes Interoperability: Facilitates seamless coordination during maritime operations.
• Fosters a Rules-Based Maritime Environment: Supports regional stability and adherence to international maritime norms.
• Encourages Skill Development: Provides opportunities for joint training and professional exchange.

Conclusion

SLINEX 2024 underscores the enduring maritime partnership between India and Sri Lanka, fostering mutual trust and operational synergy. It plays a crucial role in enhancing maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.

MSE-SPICE SCHEME

TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: PIB

The MSE-SPICE scheme aims to promote the adoption of Circular Economy (CE) practices in Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs). It encourages resource reduction, reuse, and recycling for sustainable growth in the MSME sector.

Key Features of MSE-SPICE Scheme

• Objective: To foster Circular Economy adoption in MSEs by promoting sustainable resource management. Focuses on waste reprocessing and resource recirculation to enhance environmental sustainability.
• Budget Allocation: Total budget: Rs. 472.5 crore. Expenditure (as of 12 December 2024): Rs. 1.31 crore.
• Beneficiaries: Aims to support over 3,400 Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) across the targeted sectors.
• Focus Areas: Promotes the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). Encourages MSEs to adopt waste-to-value initiatives.

Significance of the Scheme

• Sustainability: Drives environmental sustainability by reducing resource depletion and managing industrial waste effectively.
• Economic Benefits: Helps MSEs reduce operational costs by recycling materials and minimizing waste.
• Boosts MSME Sector: Strengthens the MSME sector’s contribution to a green economy.
• Circular Economy: Aligns with global efforts to transition towards a Circular Economy, ensuring resource optimization.

Conclusion

The MSE-SPICE scheme is a transformative initiative that integrates sustainability into the MSME sector. By fostering a Circular Economy, it not only promotes environmental conservation but also empowers small enterprises to adopt cost-effective and eco-friendly practices.

KHIAMNIUNGAN TRIBE

TOPIC: (GS3) SOCIETY: THE HINDU

The Khiamniungan tribe’s name was omitted from the Heritage Guide Map at the Hornbill Festival 2024, prompting an apology from the Nagaland Tourism Department to the Khiamniungan Union Kohima.

Khiamniungan Tribe:

The Khiamniungan tribe is a prominent Naga tribe with a presence in both India and Myanmar. They are primarily settled in the eastern part of Nagaland (India) and north-western Myanmar.

Origin of the Name:

The name ‘Khiamniungan’ comes from three words:

• Khiam – Water
• Niu – Great
• Ngan – Source

The name collectively means ‘source of great water or river’.

Population:

• According to the 2011 Census, the Khiamniungan tribe’s population in India is 61,983.

Geographical Location:

• The tribe resides in Nagaland (India) and parts of Myanmar.

Major Festivals:

• Tsokum Festival: A significant celebration marked with joy and grandeur.
• Khaotzao Sey Hok-ah Sumai: This festival marks the end of agricultural activities for the year.

GOLAN HEIGHTS

TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: INDIAN EXPRESS

The Golan Heights is a strategically significant hilly region located in the Middle East. It has been under Israeli occupation since 1967, despite being recognized as Syrian territory under international law.

Geographical Features:

• Overlooks the upper Jordan River valley on the west.
• Bounded by:
  • Jordan River and Sea of Galilee (west)
  • Mount Hermon (north)
  • Wadi Al-Ruqqād River (east)
  • Yarmūk River (south)
• Dimensions: 71 km (north to south) and 43 km (east to west) at its widest point.
• Area: 1,150 sq. km.

Historical Background:

• Part of southwestern Syria until Israel captured it during the 1967 Six-Day War.
• Most Syrian Arab residents fled during the war.
• Syria’s attempt to reclaim the area in 1973 failed.
• Israel annexed the Golan Heights in 1981, which remains unrecognized internationally.
• Over 30 Israeli settlements exist, home to 20,000 Israelis and 20,000 Syrian Druze Arabs.

Strategic Importance:

• Overlooks northern Israel and the route to Damascus.
• Shares borders with Jordan and Lebanon.
• A vital water source feeding into the Jordan River.
• Offers clear visibility of Damascus and the surrounding region.