The Hindu PDF 18 October 2023 Analysis

The Hindu PDF Newspaper is considered an important source of news and information for UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) aspirants in India. This The Hindu Epaper PDF newspaper covers a wide range of topics that are relevant to the UPSC exam, including politics, economics, international relations, governance, and social issues.

The Hindu PDF Analysis 18 October 2023 for UPSC

Defence Ministry asks its departments to set up selfie points to showcase ‘good work’: Page 1

• Ministry of Defence (MoD) directs departments to create geotagged selfie points.
• Aim to showcase achievements in the Defence sector.
• Guidelines issued on October 6, suggesting 822 selfie points.
• Some points may feature a photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Selfie points should make people feel part of the initiative.
• The Ministry has undertaken reforms to bolster security and the economy.
• Points to be established at prominent locations by various organizations within the Ministry.
• Themes for selfie points include Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), empowerment, women empowerment, research and development, innovation, and ease of living.
• Suggested locations for these points include war memorials, museums, transportation hubs, educational institutions, and tourist destinations.
• Suggestion to create a feedback mechanism through apps, social media handles, and emails.
• Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticizes the decision, accusing the government of using the Army for political gain.

Centralised procurement as a powerful health idea: Page 8

• Centralised procurement is proposed for the healthcare sector.
• Drawing a parallel with McDonald’s franchises, centralised procurement aims to address price and quality issues in drug purchasing.
• The central government in India has been reluctant to adopt pooled procurement for schemes like CGHS, PMJAY, and ESI.
• Corporate hospital chains have successfully negotiated directly with pharmaceutical companies for cost savings.
• A study on the National Cancer Grid’s pooled procurement initiative shows savings of ₹13.2 billion, ranging from 23% to 99%.
• Centralised procurement is recommended to improve consistency in covering beneficiaries and reduce costs.
• The government can use pharma PSUs to establish benchmark prices and have leverage in drug procurement.
• Buyers’ clubs can independently test drug quality, reducing reliance on drug regulators.
• Centralised procurement has the potential to reduce costs, allocate funds more effectively, and ensure drug availability in India.

How synergistic barriers are affecting progress on SDGs: Page 10

• World leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the SDG Summit in New York.
• Progress on the 17 SDGs has been slow, with the world on track to meet only 15% of its 169 targets.
• A $500 billion annual SDG stimulus has been committed.
• However, a 2023 UN report estimated a significant investment gap in SDGs, particularly in developing countries.
• The SDGs are interconnected, and achieving them requires addressing synergies and trade-offs.
• Academic literature has identified types of (dis)synergies in SDG interventions.
• Policymaking processes should consider these synergistic outcomes, but institutional barriers may hinder progress.
• India’s example highlights the need for a deeper analysis of barriers to achieving SDGs.
• Investment in clean energy can have a significant synergistic impact on air pollution and human health, aligning with SDG goals.
• The full cost estimation of alternative pathways and their synergistic opportunities is crucial for sustainable development efforts.
• Investment in high-carbon outcomes may lead to higher dis-synergies and trade-offs in achieving energy and climate goals.

‘Strengthened, human-rated rocket is ready for Gaganyaan’: Page 13

• ISRO is preparing for the Gaganyaan project to send Indian astronauts into space in 2025.
• The crew escape system (CES) will be tested on October 21 to protect astronauts in case of launch vehicle malfunction.
• The rocket for the ultimate mission, Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3), has been strengthened and human-rated.
• The crew module is under development, but certain technologies are required from outside sources.
• ISRO plans to develop systems such as environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS) internally.
• Multiple tests, including helicopter-based, test-vehicle-based, rocket-based, and abort tests, are planned.
• The unmanned crew module will undergo an abort test in October.
• The number of astronauts for the first mission is not fixed; ISRO will decide later based on confidence in the mission.
• The focus is on capability and technology development rather than rushing the schedule.
• ISRO aims to ensure they “do it right the first time” and prioritize capability development.

Modi ‘directs’ ISRO to land man on moon by 2040, work towards interplanetary missions: Page 13

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed ISRO to achieve significant space goals.
• India is to set up an indigenous space station, “Bharatiya Antariksha Station,” by 2035.
• The aim is to land an Indian on the moon by 2040.
• Modi encourages scientists to work on interplanetary missions, including orbiting Venus and landing on Mars.
• The direction was given after a review of preparations for the Gaganyaan mission, India’s first manned space mission, scheduled for 2025.
• The Department of Space (DoS) presented the state of preparedness and technologies developed for Gaganyaan.
• ISRO’s TV-D1 test flight is scheduled for October 21, and it will be a short-duration mission.
• India will develop a roadmap for moon exploration, involving a series of Chandrayaan missions and developing new technology.
• The International Space Station is expected to be decommissioned by 2030, and India’s ambitions require significant investments and private sector contributions.

Note: “Bharatiya Antariksha Station” translates to “Indian Space Station.”

U.S., China chafe at India’s curbs on laptop, PC imports: Page 15

• India imposed import restrictions on laptops, PCs, and other IT hardware on August 3.
• Aim: To boost domestic manufacturing and reduce imports from countries like China.
• The restrictions are set to take effect on November 1.
• The U.S. raised concerns about the impact on trade, including its exports to India.
• South Korea noted that these measures appear inconsistent with WTO rules.
• Seoul requested India to reconsider the restrictions and seek clarification.
• Chinese Taipei also expressed concerns about India’s decision.
• This development has triggered discussions at the World Trade Organization.

Modi unveils long-term blueprint for India’s maritime economy: Page 15

• PM Narendra Modi unveiled ‘Amrit Kaal Vision 2047’ for India’s maritime blue economy.
• Occurred at Global Maritime India Summit 2023 in Mumbai via video conference.
• Blueprint focuses on enhancing port facilities, sustainable practices, and global collaboration.
• Emphasized sea routes’ significance in global trade and a reliable supply chain post-COVID.
• Mentioned a ‘great opportunity’ for investors to be part of this initiative.
• Major ports in India doubled their capacity in the last decade.
• Turnaround time for big vessels reduced to less than 24 hours (from 42 hours).
• Foundation stone laid for projects worth over ₹23,000 crore aligning with the maritime blue economy.

Source: The Hindu Epaper

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