29 October 2024 Daily Current Affairs

1. U.S., Japan and South Korea join hands to support digital infrastructure in India

Context: The Digital Infrastructure Growth Initiative for India (DiGi) Framework was signed by the United States, Japan, and South Korea to strengthen digital infrastructure cooperation with India in areas of shared priorities.

DiGi Framework:

• Partner Agencies:

o U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)

• Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC)

o Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Exim-bank)

• Objective: To collaborate with the Indian private sector in advancing digital infrastructure.
• Implementation: Focuses on information and communications technology (ICT) projects, including:
  • 5G and Open RAN

o Submarine cables and optical fiber networks

• Data centers, smart cities, e–commerce

o Artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technology Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in India:

• India Stack: India is the first country to establish three foundational DPIs:
  • Digital identification (Aadhaar)
  • Real–time payments (UPI)

o Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture (DEPA)

• Significance:
  • Inclusive Development: Achieved 80% financial inclusion (2018-2023) and 87% direct benefit transfers to poor households during COVID-19.
  • Economic Growth: DPI can increase economic growth by 33% in the financial sector.
  • Emission Reduction: DPI in climate sector could accelerate emissions control by 5-10 years.

India’s Global DPI Efforts:

• US–India Global Digital Development Partnership: Aims to promote responsible use of digital technologies in Asia and Africa.
• G20 Framework for DPI: Established under India’s G20 leadership to provide principles for DPI design and deployment.
• Virtual Global DPI Repository: India is setting up this repository to offer DPI tools, resources, and global experiences.

The DiGi Framework and India’s DPI initiatives underscore a commitment to digital transformation and

inclusive development through global partnerships and responsible technology use.

2. Heritable Human Genome Editing (HHGE)

Context: South Africa has become the first country to permit Heritable Human Genome Editing (HHGE), according to its new Ethics in Health Research guidelines. This move allows genome editing to create genetically modified children, marking a departure from the restrictive frameworks promoted by entities like the WHO, which advocate for broad societal consensus.

About HHGE:

GS Paper 3 – Science and Technology

introduces edits in germline cells (sperm, eggs, or embryos), making these changes inheritable.

• Techniques: Achieved through tools like:

• Transcription Activator–Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs)

o CRISPR/Cas9

• Mega–nucleases

Potential Applications of Heritable Genome Editing:

• Disease Prevention: Could prevent heritable diseases like cystic fibrosis, Huntington‘s disease,

and sickle cell anemia.

• Genetic Research: Potential to enhance understanding of human biology, genetics, and disease mechanisms.
• Assisted Reproductive Technology: Can improve technologies like in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Concerns with Heritable Genome Editing

• Unforeseen Consequences:   Heritable     edits    affect     future generations, posing risks of

multigenerational impacts.

• Ethical Issues: Raises questions on human dignity and genetic diversity, challenging religious

and moral values.

• Societal Impact: Risks the creation of “designer babies”, where traits like intelligence, appearance, and athleticism might be engineered, potentially deepening social inequality.

Steps for Regulating Human Genome Editing:

• Oviedo Convention: Adopted by European nations, prohibits creation of human embryos through genome editing.
• International Commission on Human Germline Genome Editing: Evaluates potential clinical uses of human germline editing.
• India‘s Stance: Human germline editing and reproductive cloning are banned by India’s National Guidelines for Stem Cell Research.

South Africa’s decision on HHGE places it at the forefront of genome editing, sparking a global dialogue on the ethics, risks, and societal impacts of inheritable genetic modifications.

3. Global South’s role in shaping Multilateral Development Banks

Context: India’s Finance Minister recently emphasized the role of the Global South in shaping and reforming Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) at the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference, which led to the establishment of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). Highlighting the contributions and evolving needs of the Global South, she advocated for MDB reforms that promote inclusivity and better representation.

Contribution of the Global South to MDBs:

• Founding Role: The  Global South, including  developing countries, played  a crucial  role at the

Bretton Woods Conference, which laid the groundwork for the World Bank and IMF.

• New Institutions: The establishment of alternative institutions such as the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) demonstrates the South’s active role in shaping MDBs that better address regional needs.
• Increased Commitments: Economically rising nations like India and China have expanded their financial commitments to MDBs, underscoring their investment in global economic stability.

Need for MDB Reforms from the Perspective of the Global South:

1. Inadequate Representation: Currently, 59.1% of IMF voting shares are held by countries that represent only 13.7% of the global population, highlighting the underrepresentation of developing countries.
2. Debt Relief Requirements: Many Global South nations face high levels of debt distress, with around 79 low– and middle–income countries needing relief.
3. Addressing Global Challenges: Issues like climate change, pandemics, and supply chain disruptions impact the Global South more acutely, calling for additional support from MDBs.

India’s Recommendations for MDBs:

1. Promote Two–Way Exchange of Innovations: MDBs should draw from the Global South’s experiences in areas like digital inclusion and sustainable energy, which could enrich development financing strategies.
2. Competitive Pricing Models: Adopting more competitive pricing would encourage middle– income countries to participate actively in MDB initiatives, deepening the impact of development finance.
3. Evidence–Based Index Development: Global indices, such as the Worldwide Governance Indicators and the B–Ready Index, should rely on a data–driven, evidence–based approach, ensuring accurate representation and relevance.

India’s emphasis on MDB reforms reflects its commitment to ensuring that MDBs evolve to support inclusive, data–driven, and need–based development, addressing both regional and global challenges effectively.

4. 95% of Land Records in Rural India Digitized

Context: The Minister of Rural Development recently announced that 95% of rural land records in India have been digitized, covering over 6.26 lakh villages since 2016. This achievement represents a significant advancement in secure, transparent, and accessible land ownership in India.

Significance of Digitizing Land Records:

1. Addressing Traditional Challenges: Digitization helps tackle land disputes, which constitute over 60% of litigation in India. It also aids in addressing encroachments, benami property issues, and inefficient manual processes.
2. Accurate Surveys and Planning: Geospatial mapping brings transparency, ensuring access and equity for vulnerable groups, enhancing planning accuracy.
3. Promoting Agricultural Credit: With clear land titles, farmers can access capital and credit more easily, supporting agricultural productivity.
4. Additional Benefits: Improved subsidy targeting, timely compensations for land acquisition or disaster relief, and potential GDP growth.

Issues in Digitizing Land Records:

1. Cumbersome and Resource–Intensive Process: Many land records remain incomplete and are spread across multiple departments.
2. Slow Digitization Process: Delays affect infrastructure projects and leave land ownership data outdated.
3. Need for Legal and Administrative Overhaul: Digitization alone isn’t enough—there is a need to

update tenancy laws and land–use regulations for accurate reporting.

Way Forward:

• Technological Integration: Employ blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) for secure and efficient land governance.
• Policy Reforms: Review the Registration Act and other regulations to streamline digitization efforts.

Government Initiatives Enhancing Land Digitization:

• Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP): Aims to establish a modern, transparent land records system.
• Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) or Bhu–Aadhaar: A 14–digit alphanumeric code uniquely identifying each land parcel using geo-coordinates.

· National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS): Standardizes document registration

across states for consistency.

• SVAMITVA Scheme: Provides Record of Rights to household owners in inhabited village areas,

promoting formal ownership.

India’s land digitization drive underlines the government’s commitment to streamlined governance, boosting agriculture, and improving economic productivity through effective land management.

5. Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2024

Context: The Government of India has invited public comments on the draft Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aims to amend the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The proposed amendments seek to strengthen institutional arbitration, reduce court intervention, and ensure timely conclusion of arbitration proceedings in India.

Key Aspects of Arbitration in India:

• Arbitration: A method of alternative dispute resolution where parties agree to have their case heard by a qualified arbitrator.
• Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996: Governs arbitral proceedings in India, based on the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration (1985) and UNCITRAL Conciliation Rules (1980). The Act was amended in 2015, 2019, and 2021.

Key Features of the Draft Bill, 2024

1. Omission of Conciliation: The Act will now be called the Arbitration Act, 1996 as conciliation provisions have been moved to the Mediation Act, 2023.
2. Emergency Arbitrator: Allows for the appointment of an emergency arbitrator to grant interim measures before an arbitral tribunal is constituted.
3. Institutional Focus: Promotes institutional arbitration over ad–hoc arbitration, aiming for greater efficiency.
4. Arbitration Council of India (ACI): ACI is empowered to create model procedural rules for arbitral proceedings and recognize arbitral institutions.
5. Video Conferencing: Permits arbitrations to be conducted via video conferencing, facilitating remote participation.
6. Appellate Arbitral Tribunal: Establishes a tribunal to handle applications against arbitral awards, adding an appellate layer.

Issues in the Current Arbitration System

1. Lack of Diversity: Retired judges dominate arbitrator appointments, limiting diversity.
2. Trust Issues: Concerns about the independence and impartiality of arbitrators persist.
3. Judicial Intervention: Frequent court involvement in arbitral matters often leads to delays in awards.

These amendments, if implemented, would align India’s arbitration framework with global standards and bolster its attractiveness as a hub for institutional arbitration.

6. 21st Livestock Census

Context: The 21st Livestock Census has been launched by the Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying in New Delhi, aiming to provide updated data on India‘s livestock population.

About the 21st Livestock Census

• Frequency: Conducted every five years.
• Scope: Includes a headcount of domesticated animals, poultry, and stray animals.
• Data Collected: Includes species, breed, age, sex, and ownership status of animals.
• History: Began in 1919, with 20 censuses conducted so far; the last was in 2019.
• Enumeration Period: Scheduled between October 2024 and February 2025. Focus of the 21st Livestock Census
• Animal Species: Covers 16 animal species, including:
  • Cattle, buffalo, mithun, yak, sheep, goat, pig, camel, horse, ponies, mule, donkey, dog, rabbit, and elephant.
• Breeds Counted: Information on 219 indigenous breeds as recognized by ICAR–NBAGR

(National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources).

• Poultry: Includes fowl, chicken, duck, turkey, geese, quail, ostrich, and emu. New Features in the 21st Census
• Fully Digitized: Like the 2019 census, it will feature:

o Online data collection via a mobile app

• Monitoring through a digital dashboard
  • Location tagging with latitude and longitude
  • Automated report generation through software.

· New Data Points:

• Pastoral Animals and Pastoralists: Data on pastoralists’ contributions, socio–economic status, and livestock holdings.
  • Income Data: Identifies households for whom livestock is a primary income source.
  • Stray Cattle Details: Includes data on the gender of stray cattle.

The 21st Livestock Census aims to provide a more comprehensive and granular view of India’s livestock sector, enhancing planning and policy decisions.

7. What is Cybersquatting?

Context: Recently, a Delhi-based developer registered the domain ‘JioHotstar,’ sparking discussions about cybersquatting.

Definition of Cybersquatting:

Cybersquatting is the act of registering or using a domain name that is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark, corporate, or personal name, typically with the intent to profit from it. This practice is often viewed as a form of extortion or an attempt to undermine competitors by taking control of their brand identities online.

Types of Cybersquatting:

1. Typosquatting:
   1. This involves registering domain names that contain typographical errors of well- known brands.
   1. Example: Domains like yajoo.com (for Yahoo) or facebok.com (for Facebook) aim to capture traffic from users who accidentally misspell the brand name.

2. Identity Theft:

• This occurs when a cybersquatter creates a website that mimics an existing brand to confuse consumers.
  • The intention is to mislead users into thinking they are visiting the legitimate site.

3. Name Jacking:

• This involves impersonating a well-known individual or celebrity online.
  • It includes creating fake websites or social media profiles using a celebrity’s name to mislead or deceive the audience.

4. Reverse Cybersquatting:

• This is when individuals falsely claim a trademark as their own and accuse the legitimate domain owner of cybersquatting.
  • Essentially, it flips the concept of cybersquatting on its head.