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The provided article from the Indian Express presents a curated selection of news items deemed relevant for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, specifically targeting the July 7, 2025 iteration. It covers a range of topics, from international relations and environmental conservation to agricultural technology and advancements in artificial intelligence, showcasing the breadth of knowledge expected from UPSC aspirants. Each section of the article delves into specific events and issues, framing them within the context of the UPSC syllabus and offering key points for consideration. The BRICS nations' condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack takes center stage in the international relations segment, highlighting the grouping's stance on terrorism and its implications for India. This section examines the Rio de Janeiro Declaration, probing its key highlights and the significance of BRICS' condemnation of the terror attack. It prompts critical thinking by questioning the effectiveness of BRICS as a platform for India to address cross-border terrorism and analyzing how conflicting strategic interests among BRICS nations impact their unity in combating terrorism. It delves into the impact of domestic security incidents like the Pahalgam attack on India's multilateral diplomacy. The inclusion of past UPSC Mains questions concerning similar themes encourages aspirants to connect contemporary issues with established concepts and analytical frameworks. The reprimand of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) for its allegedly substandard report on the Captive Elephant Database Project is featured. It highlights the importance of credible data and rigorous research in environmental conservation efforts. This section prompts introspection regarding the reasons behind the ministry's criticism of the WII report, probes the conservation status of Asian elephants under the IUCN Red List, and delves into the objectives and impacts of Project Elephant. It encourages candidates to understand the constitutional provisions and legislative frameworks governing wildlife protection in India. Prior year UPSC Mains questions on Indian elephants are provided to help students align their preparation with previous exam patterns. The 'Ideas Page' section on genetically modified (GM) crops discusses the ongoing debate surrounding their adoption in India's agriculture sector. The article examines the pressures from US negotiators to open India's agriculture market to GM crops, as well as the Indian government's reservations about jeopardizing farmers' livelihoods and food safety. It probes which GM crops are currently under commercial cultivation in India, examines the potential of CRISPR-Cas9 technology, and emphasizes the necessity for the judicious adoption of genetic technologies to address challenges related to climate change, food insecurity, and crop productivity in India. The role and mandate of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) are also highlighted. The discussion explores the reasons behind India's cautious approach toward GM crops and evaluates the regulatory issues that have impeded their wider adoption. Previous year UPSC Mains questions on crop diversification are included to guide students' preparation. The segment on AI-based warfare explores the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on modern military doctrines and capabilities. The article underscores China's advancements in military AI, its potential implications for India's security, and the need for India to adapt its military doctrine to this evolving landscape. It elucidates the term "multi-domain operations" (MDO) and explores the concept of "agentic AI" in AI-based warfare. It delves into the international legal frameworks regulating autonomous weapons systems. It discusses how "agentic AI" redefines traditional military doctrines in the era of multi-domain operations. It explores the implications of deploying autonomous AI weapons in future warfare. It contrasts the AI-based warfare capabilities of India, China, and the USA, suggesting lessons for India. The article highlights the crucial role of energy, particularly nuclear energy, in supporting the energy-intensive demands of AI technologies in warfare. The 'Explained' section tackles the concept of 'invisible hand' in foreign trade, emphasizing the growing importance of service exports and remittances in India's external balance of payments. This segment differentiates between tangible and intangible assets. It defines the term "invisible hand" in the context of international trade. It examines how market forces beyond policy control affect India's trade patterns. The article analyzes how currency fluctuations and interest rate changes in developed economies influence India's export-import dynamics. It examines the role of logistics and shipping routes as non-policy 'invisible hands' in shaping the competitiveness of India's exports. It elucidates how technological advancements and global value chains are reshaping India's manufacturing and export landscape. The final section analyzes the EU's plan to incorporate carbon credits into its climate goals, assessing the potential environmental and geopolitical implications. The article discusses what international carbon credits are. It assesses the environmental and geopolitical consequences of international CO₂ credit markets. It compares and contrasts carbon credit mechanisms like CDM and Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement. It delves into the challenges in verifying and monitoring international CO₂ credits. It explores how the incorporation of international CO₂ credits may influence the credibility of the EU's climate commitments. Overall, the article serves as a comprehensive resource for UPSC aspirants, offering insights into current affairs, their relevance to the syllabus, and analytical frameworks for exam preparation. It stimulates critical thinking, encourages interdisciplinary connections, and provides practice questions to enhance exam readiness.
The BRICS nations' condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack is a significant diplomatic move with several layers of meaning. First and foremost, it signifies a unified front against terrorism, a global issue that transcends national boundaries and affects all countries. By explicitly condemning the attack, BRICS reinforces its commitment to international security and stability. This condemnation also carries specific weight for India. The Pahalgam attack, occurring within Indian territory, is viewed as a direct challenge to India's sovereignty and security. The BRICS statement, therefore, provides a degree of international validation and support for India's position on cross-border terrorism. Furthermore, the reference to "cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing, and safe havens" is widely interpreted as a veiled criticism of Pakistan, which India has long accused of harboring and supporting terrorist groups. This implicit condemnation, while not explicitly naming Pakistan, aligns with India's efforts to isolate Pakistan diplomatically and pressure it to take action against terrorism. However, the effectiveness of BRICS as a platform for India to raise its concerns about cross-border terrorism remains a complex issue. While the BRICS declaration is a positive step, the grouping's internal dynamics can sometimes hinder its ability to take decisive action. China, a key member of BRICS, has historically been hesitant to condemn Pakistan explicitly or support sanctions against Pakistan-based terrorist groups at the UN. This reluctance stems from China's close strategic and economic ties with Pakistan. Russia, another influential BRICS member, also maintains relatively cordial relations with Pakistan, although it is increasingly engaging with India on counter-terrorism efforts. Brazil and South Africa, while generally supportive of India's concerns about terrorism, may lack the geopolitical leverage to significantly influence the behavior of China or Russia. The varying strategic interests and foreign policy priorities among BRICS nations can dilute the grouping's collective stance on terrorism and limit its ability to take concrete action. To maximize the effectiveness of BRICS as a counter-terrorism platform, India needs to continue engaging with its BRICS partners, building consensus, and advocating for concrete measures to combat terrorism. This requires persistent diplomatic efforts to address the concerns and sensitivities of other BRICS members, while also highlighting the shared threat that terrorism poses to all countries. India can also leverage its growing economic and political influence within BRICS to promote a more unified and proactive approach to counter-terrorism.
The controversy surrounding the Wildlife Institute of India's (WII) report on the Captive Elephant Database Project underscores the importance of data integrity and scientific rigor in environmental conservation. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change's criticism of the report highlights several critical issues, including plagiarism, inaccuracies, and inconsistencies. The "copy-pasting" from previous reports and the use of an African elephant's photograph on the cover instead of an Asian elephant's photograph indicate a lack of attention to detail and a failure to conduct original research. These shortcomings undermine the credibility of the report and raise concerns about the quality of the data used to inform conservation policies. The inconsistencies in data and the lack of clarity in the report's presentation further compound the problem. Accurate and reliable data is essential for effective conservation management. Without it, policymakers and conservationists cannot make informed decisions about protecting endangered species and their habitats. The Captive Elephant Database Project, in particular, aims to prevent the illegal capture and trade of wild elephants by tracking and monitoring captive elephants in India. A flawed database undermines this objective and could potentially facilitate illegal activities. The ministry's decision to ask the WII to redo the report is a necessary step to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data. The ministry's 20 suggestions for corrective measures provide a clear roadmap for the WII to improve the quality of its report. The WII, as a leading research institution in the field of wildlife conservation, has a responsibility to uphold the highest standards of scientific integrity. The controversy surrounding the Captive Elephant Database Project serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous research, data validation, and transparent reporting in environmental conservation. It also highlights the need for government oversight and accountability to ensure that conservation efforts are based on sound scientific evidence. The conservation status of Asian elephants under the IUCN Red List is also a critical consideration. Asian elephants are currently listed as "Endangered," indicating that they face a high risk of extinction in the wild. Habitat loss, poaching, and human-elephant conflict are among the major threats to Asian elephant populations. Project Elephant, launched by the Indian government in 1992, aims to protect elephants, their habitats, and their migration corridors. The project provides financial and technical support to state governments for elephant conservation efforts. The WII plays a key role in Project Elephant by conducting research, monitoring elephant populations, and providing training to forest officials. The effectiveness of Project Elephant depends on accurate data, sound scientific research, and strong collaboration between government agencies, research institutions, and local communities.
The ongoing debate surrounding genetically modified (GM) crops in India reflects a complex interplay of economic, scientific, and political factors. On one hand, proponents of GM crops argue that they can enhance agricultural productivity, reduce pesticide use, and improve food security. On the other hand, opponents raise concerns about potential environmental risks, health impacts, and the control of agriculture by multinational corporations. The pressures from US negotiators to open India's agriculture market to GM crops highlight the economic dimension of the debate. The US, a major producer of GM crops, sees India as a potentially lucrative market. Opening up the Indian market to GM imports could benefit US farmers and agricultural companies. However, the Indian government is wary of the potential consequences for its own farmers and food security. Small-scale farmers, who constitute a large proportion of India's agricultural workforce, may be unable to compete with large-scale GM crop producers. The introduction of GM crops could also lead to increased dependence on foreign seed companies and a loss of control over India's agricultural sector. The scientific dimension of the GM crop debate revolves around the potential risks and benefits of GM technology. Supporters of GM crops argue that they have been rigorously tested and proven to be safe for human consumption and the environment. They point to studies that show that GM crops can increase yields, reduce pesticide use, and improve nutritional content. Opponents, however, argue that the long-term effects of GM crops are not fully understood. They raise concerns about potential allergenicity, toxicity, and the development of herbicide-resistant weeds. They also question the independence and objectivity of some of the scientific studies that support GM crops. The political dimension of the GM crop debate is shaped by various interest groups, including farmers' organizations, environmental groups, and consumer advocates. These groups have different perspectives on GM crops and lobby the government to adopt policies that reflect their interests. The government's decision on whether to approve or reject GM crops is influenced by a complex web of political considerations. India's cautious approach to GM crops reflects the government's desire to balance the potential benefits of GM technology with the need to protect farmers' livelihoods, ensure food safety, and safeguard the environment. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the regulatory body responsible for assessing the safety of GM crops in India. The GEAC's mandate is to ensure that GM crops are safe for human health, the environment, and biodiversity. The GEAC's decision-making process is based on scientific evidence, risk assessments, and public consultations. The GEAC has approved only one GM crop for commercial cultivation in India: Bt cotton. Bt cotton is genetically modified to resist the bollworm, a major pest of cotton crops. Bt cotton has been widely adopted by Indian farmers and has led to increased cotton yields and reduced pesticide use. However, the GEAC has rejected several other GM crops, including GM mustard, due to concerns about their potential environmental and health impacts. The debate over GM crops in India is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. The government's decision on whether to approve or reject GM crops will have significant implications for India's agricultural sector, food security, and economy.
Source: UPSC Key: Rio de Janeiro Declaration, Captive Elephant Database Project and Agentic AI