9th March, 2022

Daily Handouts
 Handout No.867 |1|

INDEX
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS_ 9th March, 2022
1. TNA NOTES
(1) Let counting go on as per established practice: SC [The Hindu] ....................................................... 1
(i) Background – What is Voter Verified Paper Audit Trial (VVPAT)? ............................................ 1
(ii) Method of counting VVPAT slips ............................................................................................ 1
(2) Bangladesh, India, Nepal to move ahead on MVA pact [The Hindu] ................................................ 2
(i) Challenges for seamless transport .......................................................................................... 2
(ii) Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement ........................................ 2
(3) The office of the Governor [The Hindu] .......................................................................................... 2
(i) Recommendations of various commissions related to “Role of Governor” .............................. 3
(ii) Supreme Court judgements regarding the “Role of Governor” ................................................ 3
(4) Russian conflict and the impact on food and farming [Live Mint] .................................................... 3
(i) How will the Russia – Ukraine crisis impact India? .................................................................. 3
(ii) How will the price rise affect the farming community? ........................................................... 3
(5) How India, it states fare on climate action [Live Mint] .................................................................... 4
(i) Progress of India’s Climate Action .......................................................................................... 4
(6) Indian space sector may see increased interest from global clients [Live Mint] ................................ 4
(i) Impact of Russia – Ukraine crisis on Indian Space Sector ......................................................... 4
(7) NITI mission partners Snap [Business Standard] ............................................................................. 4
(i) Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) ............................................................................................... 5
(ii) What is Augmented Reality (AR)? .......................................................................................... 5
(8) Looming oil crisis: What now [Indian Express] ................................................................................ 5
(i) Factors responsible for rising oil prices before Ukraine crisis ................................................... 5
(ii) Potential of Russia in global oil market................................................................................... 5
(9) What makes Ukraine a study destination for Indians and others [Indian Express] ........................... 6
(i) Factors that draw students to Ukraine ................................................................................... 6
(10) RBI opens up UPI for feature phones, no internet needed [Live Mint] ............................................. 6
(i) How UPI123 works?............................................................................................................... 6

2. DEEP NOTES (EDITORIAL)

(1) How invasion of Ukraine could transform nuclear landscape of Asia ............................................... 6
(i) Nuclear deterrence debate .................................................................................................... 6
(2) If women are not empowered, the economy loses ......................................................................... 7
(i) Women & Economy ............................................................................................................... 7
(3) How women can lead the transformation of film industry .............................................................. 7
(i) Women issues in cinema industry .......................................................................................... 7
(4) The post-ideology politician and erosion of the party system ......................................................... 7
(i) Indian party system: New Trends ........................................................................................... 7
(5) About equality .............................................................................................................................. 8
(i) Issues faced by women .......................................................................................................... 8
(6) Clear signals: On India-China ties and the new global currents......................................................................... 8
(i) Regional Developments & Viewpoints.................................................................................... 8
(7) Global stagflation risk: On the need to cut fuel taxes ....................................................................................... 8
(i) Economic impact ................................................................................................................... 8

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 Handout No.867
TNA NOTES
1. Let counting go on as per established practice: SC [The
Hindu]
 Syllabus: GS2-Subject: Polity & Governance, Topic:
Elections
 Article Relevance for UPSC:
 Prelims – Learn about EVM, VVPAT
 Mains – Electoral Reforms
 Context: Supreme Court denied to listen to a
petition on VVPATs
 Synopsis:
o Counting of votes in five States (Uttar Pradesh, Goa,
Manipur, Punjab, and Uttarakhand) for which
th
elections were recently will start from 10 March
o Ahead of this, petitions were filed supreme court to
increase the verification of VVPAT slips
o Supreme Court suggested the existing pattern on
scrutiny of votes is sufficient to ensure the election
was “fool-proof”
 Background – What is Voter Verified Paper Audit
Trial (VVPAT)?
o Machine attached to the Electronic Voting Machine
(EVM) (*Look at the image)
o Allows voters to verify if their vote has gone to the
intended candidate.
o How it works?
 When a voter casts vote, VVPAT attached to the
EVM generates a paper slip
 Paper slip will have name of the candidate voted
for and the symbol of his party
 Paper slip remains visible for seven seconds
through a transparent window.
 The paper slip can later be retrieved and tallied
with the button pressed in the EVM
o When it is first used? by-election in Nagaland in
2013
o Method of counting VVPAT slips:
 The Supreme Court order to EC: Counter-check the
VVPAT and EVM tallies in five randomly selected
polling stations in an Assembly segment.
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 Previously, under the ECI guideline 16.6: Only the
VVPAT slips from one EVM in every Assembly
segment/constituency was subjected to physical
verification.
The use of VVPATs falls under Rule 49A of the
Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, which provides
that every EVM shall have a control unit and a
balloting unit. It further states that a printer with a
drop box may also be attached to a voting machine
for printing a paper trail of the vote.
o Why is it important?
 Feature of cross checking: In case of any dispute,
the paper slips in the VVPATs can be tallied with the
buttons pressed on the EVMs. These printed slips
can be counted to verify the results.
 Greater transparency: The use of VVPATs becomes
important as a number of political parties have
raised questions about the EVMs being tamper
proof. Though the EC has maintained that the EVMs
cannot be tampered with, the use of VVPATs will
ensure that there is greater transparency in the
voting process.
 Free and fair elections: The introduction of VVPATs
will give the EC the proof to back its claim of
holding free and fair elections. It will put to rest the
allegations raised by various political parties about
EVMs being tampered with as was seen after the
2017 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and
Punjab.
o Method of counting VVPAT slips:
 Initially EVMs and VVPATs of one randomly
selected polling station/booth from each assembly
segment of a parliamentary constituency are
verified
 There were demands to verify 50% of EVM-VVPATs
 The Supreme Court has ordered the ECI to do it on
five EVM-VVPATTs per assembly segment which is
being followed since then
 The verification of VVPAT paper slips is conducted
inside a secured VVPAT Counting Booth in the
counting hall.
 Only authorised personnel have access to this
counting booth.
 Any counting table in the hall can be converted into
VVPAT Counting Booth after the completion of EVM
vote counting.
 The VVPATs to be taken up for counting paper slips
are randomly selected through 'draw of lots'
conducted by the Returning Officer in the presence
of the General Observer and the candidates or their
representatives.
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 Handout No.867
 The paper slips are counted in a secure VVPAT
counting booth, in camera inside the counting hall
after the last round of counting of votes on the
EVMs in the constituency. The ECI has decided that
the counting of five VVPATs will be done in
chronological order.
 The Returning Officer can declare the final result for
the constituency after the VVPAT matching process
has been completed.
 Electronic Voting Machine (EVM):
o Electronic Voting Machine (also known as EVM) is
voting using electronic means
o An EVM is designed with two units: the control unit
and the balloting unit
o These units are joined together by a cable.
o The control unit of the EVM is kept with the
presiding officer or the polling officer.
o The balloting unit is kept within the voting
compartment for electors to cast their votes. This is
done to ensure that the polling officer verifies your
identity.
o With the EVM, instead of issuing a ballot paper, the
polling officer will press the Ballot Button which
enables the voter to cast their vote.
o A list of candidate’s names and/or symbols will be
available on the machine with a blue button next to
it.
o The voter can press the button next to the
candidate’s name they wish to vote for.
 Issue: VVPAT
 Dimension: Supreme court views on scrutiny of
votes
2. Bangladesh, India, Nepal to move ahead on MVA pact
[The Hindu]
 Syllabus: GS2-Subject: International Relations,
Topic: India and its neighbourhood & GS3 – Subject:
Economy, Topic: Infrastructure – Transport
 Article relevance for UPSC:
 Prelims: Learn about BBIN
 Mains: Measures to promote connectivity
 Context: Excluding Bhutan, BBIN nations decided to
go ahead with Motor Vehicles Agreement
 Synopsis:
o To address the challenges of transport across
borders, Bangladesh – India – Nepal countries
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to
implement the BBIN Motor vehicle agreement
o Challenges for seamless transport
 Trust deficit
 Inadequate transport infrastructure
 Protective tariffs and nontariff barriers
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 Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor
Vehicles Agreement:
o Signed by BBIN countries in 2015
o Purpose: To improve road and rail connectivity in
the region to facilitate trade
o How? By allowing trucks and other commercial
vehicles to travel on one another’s highways among
for countries
o Significance:
 Enables seamless cross border movement of
vehicles and people
 Improves people-people contact
 Enhances economic interaction
 Provides economically and environmentally
efficient road transport
 Creates an institutional mechanism for regional
integration
 Improves national income
o Seamless movement of Vehicles between India and
Bangladesh will increase,
 India’s National income by 8% (172% export rise to
Bangladesh)
 Bangladesh National income by 17% (297% export
rise to India)
o Bhutan has not yet ratified the pact as it fears of
environmental concerns if trucks from neighbouring
countries are given access.
o But it gave its consent to MVA among Bangladesh,
India and Nepal without obligation to Bhutan.
 Mains Practice Question: In the respect of India –
Bangladesh relations, discuss how improved
connectivity will influence economic growth.
[Answer in 150 Words, 10 Marks]
 Issue: BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement
 Dimension: Features
3. The office of the Governor [The Hindu]
 Syllabus: GS2-Subject: Polity & Governance, Topic:
Structure, organisation and functioning of the
Executive & Issues and Challenges Pertaining to the
Federal Structure
 Article relevance for UPSC:
 Prelims: Learn about Governor
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 Handout No.867 |3|

 Mains: Challenges to the Role of governor  Change in government at the Centre cannot be
 Context: Controversies over the role of governor grounds to recall the governor and such actions are
 Synopsis: judicially reviewable
th
o In the recent times, there are a lot of controversies  Refer to 10 Feb, 2022 LaEx Daily Handout to
over the role of governor in Indian federal structure know the “Governor’s role in approving a bill”
like,  Issue: Role of Governor
 Misuse of discretionary powers  Dimension: Constitutional debates
 Interference in state administration 4. Russian conflict and the impact on food and farming
o Recommendations of various commissions related [Live Mint]
to “Role of Governor”  Syllabus: GS2-Subject: International Relations,
 First Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC), Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed
1966 and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian
diaspora
 Once the Governor completes the tenure of 5
years, he/she shouldn’t be eligible for  Article relevance for UPSC:
 Prelims: --------------------------------
reappointment
 Mains: Implications of Russia – Ukraine Crisis
 This recommendation was intended to address the
 Context: Russia – Ukraine crisis is pushing up the
problem of ‘politicisation of office of governor’
food inflation in India
 Sarkaria Commission on Centre-State Relations
 Synopsis:
 Governor appointee should be an eminent person
o How will the Russia – Ukraine crisis impact India?
in some walk of life and that he/she should be from
 Black sea region is both production and trade hub
outside the respective State detached with any
 War in that regions has pushed up prices of crude
political links
oil, wheat, corn, cooking oil and fertilizers to new
 Secured term of the governor ensures neutrality
heights
 In case of governor’s role as the Chancellor of State
 India depends on the imports of most of these
universities, it should be the discretion of Governor
products like crude oil, fertilisers etc.
to consult Chief minister or concerned minister
 Rise in the prices led to shortage of goods and
 National Commission to review the working of the
unrest in rural areas
Constitution (NCRWC) or Justice Venkatachaliah
o Can govt grain stocks shield consumers?
Commission
 India has surplus stock of food grains like rice,
 Suggested for stipulating time limits for the
wheat etc.
Governors to give assent to pending bills and also
 New harvest enables government to liquidate the
for the Bills pending Presidential assent under
existing stocks to reduce the prices
Article 201 of the Indian Constitution
 Increased wheat exports due to prolonged war can
 Punchhi Commission
 Calling back governors with the change in Central push retail prices higher resulting in double digit
government is disregarding the salutary position inflation
assigned to Governor
 Governor should have fixed tenure to protect the
Governor from any pressure from the Central
Government
 It proposed an amendment to Article 156 to
incorporate the procedure to remove the Governor
from office
o Supreme Court judgements regarding the “Role of
Governor”
 S.R. Bommai (1994) o How will the price rise affect the farming
 Supreme Court declared imposition of the community?
President’s Rule should be confined only to the  High prices above the Minimum Support Price
breakdown of constitutional machinery (MSP) are good for famers as they can sell their
 B. P. Singhal Case (2010) produce at high rates

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 Handout No.867
o What is the impact of high crude prices?
 Increases food prices
 Diverts food crops to produce biofuels (to reduce
dependency)
o What measures can the government take?
Government can,
 Liquidate public stock of grain
 Restrict exports to keep inflation in control
 Expand Public Distribution System (PDS)
 Secure fertiliser supplies from Canada, Israel and
China
 Reduce import duties on edible oils
 Issue: Russia – Ukraine Crisis
 Dimension: Impact on Indian food and farming
sector
5. How India, it states fare on climate action [Live Mint]
 Syllabus: GS3-Subject: Environment, Topic:
Environmental Pollution and Degradation
 Article relevance for UPSC:
 Prelims: Learn about India’s new climate action
 Mains: Efforts to mitigate Climate Change
 Context: India’s performance on Climate Action
 Synopsis:
o Despite adopting various climate mitigation
initiatives, India is not faring well in case of
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-13 which
deals with reduction in per-capita greenhouse gas
emissions
o Progress of India’s Climate Action
 India’s per capita carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
lowest among major global economies
 India lags in aggregate Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) score
 Northern and Eastern states (except Odisha) fare
poorly on climate action
 Southern and western states are leading in
renewable energy transition
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 Large disparities exist among states on fossil fuel
consumption
o What else India needs to mitigate climate change?
Carbon pricing discourages fossil fuel consumption
and enables redistribution of resources to
strengthen climate change adaptation
 Issue: India’s Climate Action
 Dimension: Performance of Centre and States
6. Indian space sector may see increased interest from
global clients [Live Mint]
 Syllabus: GS2-Subject: International Relations,
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed
and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian
diaspora
 Article relevance for UPSC:
 Prelims: --------------------------------
 Mains: Implications of Russia – Ukraine Crisis
 Context: Russian space agency (Roscosmos) is
imposing sanctions on its global commercial clients
 Synopsis:
o In retaliation to Western sanctions on Russia,
Roscosmos announced access to its Soyuz rockets
(which have the successful history) will be restricted
to satellites of western nations
o Ex: Roscosmos denied to operationalise ‘OneWeb’s’
agreement to deploy 36 Low Earth Communication
satellites
o Impact of Russia – Ukraine crisis on Indian Space
Sector:
 Gains commercial clients backing away from Russia
 Enables Indian space start-ups as attractive
destinations for satellite launches of global clients
 Increases competition (as U.S. has its own
infrastructure and operators to launch satellites)
 Creates geopolitical factions in space (if Russia –
China collaborates)
 Disrupts India’s current launches to a nominal
extent (Ex: OneWeb is India based space company)
o As India’s space sector has achieved more than 80%
of indigenisation, India can benefit from this
 Issue: Russia – Ukraine Crisis
 Dimension: Impact on Indian Space Sector
7. NITI mission partners Snap [Business Standard]
 Syllabus: GS3-Subject: Science & Technology, Topic:
Achievements of Indians in science & technology &
GS2 – Subject: Polity & Governance, Topic: Issues
relating to development and management of Social
Sector/Services relating to Health, Education,
Human Resources
 Article relevance for UPSC:
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 Handout No.867
 Prelims: Learn about Atal Innovation Mission,
Augmented Reality
 Mains: Efforts to promote innovation
 Context: NITI Aayog collaborated with Sanp Inc. to
train teachers and youth on Augmented Reality
 Synopsis of the article:
o To train teachers and impart skills on augmented
reality under the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) for
2 years, NITI Aayog roped in Snap Inc. a camera firm
 Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)
o It was set up by NITI Aayog
o Purpose: To promote a culture of innovation and
entrepreneurship by enhancing innovation in
schools, colleges, and entrepreneurs in general
through institutions like Atal Tinkering Labs
o Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) helps to instil curiosity,
creativity and imagination in young minds and
inculcate sk ills such as design mindset,
computational thinking, adaptive learning, physical
computing etc…. in Schools (minimum Grade VI – X)
managed by Government, local body or private
trusts/society.
 What is Augmented Reality (AR)?
o Technology that overlays virtual objects in the real-
world scene in real-time, enabling users to
experience interactive content
o It creates a link between the real and digital world
o Ex: AR can be utilised with a physical toy in
combination with an app on a tablet or a
smartphone that views or scans a real-world object
(flashcard or image of a tiger). This scan will bring
up a wealth of information over the object in real
time (like a 3D figure of the tiger in its natural
habitat)
o The power of AR lies in making a toy interactive and
immersive, creating meaningful play experiences
for children
 Issue: Augmented Reality
 Dimension: Applications
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8. Looming oil crisis: What now [Indian Express]
 Syllabus: GS2-Subject: International Relations,
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed
and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian
diaspora
 Article relevance for UPSC:
 Prelims: --------------------------------
 Mains: Implications of Russia – Ukraine Crisis
 Context: U.S. banned oil imports from Russia
 Synopsis:
o U.S. announced ban on Russian oil imports and U.K.
announced to phase out by end of the end
o This will further increase the global oil prices
o Factors responsible for rising oil prices before
Ukraine crisis
 Declined demand induced by Covid-19 pandemic
 Russia’s resistance to provide additional natural gas
supplies to Europe
 Underinvestment in oil and gas exploration (due to
public and regulatory aversion on fossil fuels)
 Inadequate resources
 Limited spare capacity within ‘OPEC’ countries.
o Potential of Russia in global oil market
 U.S. (18-19%), Russia (12%) and Saudi Arabia (12%)
are large players in global oil market
 Russia supplies 5million barrels of oil per day
 Ban on Russia’s imports will have severe impact on
global oil market
 U.S. imports less than 10%
 European markets are highly dependant on Russia’s
oil and gas
o Can strategic reserves help to meet the gap?
 U.S., China and Japan are top 3 countries in terms
of reserves
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 Handout No.867
 But they are sufficient only for emergency needs
(hardly enough for 20 days)
 Issue: Russia – Ukraine Crisis
 Dimension: Potential of Russia’s oil market
9. What makes Ukraine a study destination for Indians and
others [Indian Express]
 Syllabus: GS2-Subject: International Relations,
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed
and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian
diaspora
 Article relevance for UPSC:
 Prelims: --------------------------------
 Mains: Implications of Russia – Ukraine Crisis
 Context: Crisis led to evacuation of Indians studying
in Ukraine
 Synopsis:
o Most students from India prefer Ukraine as major
destination to pursue MBBS
o Factors that draw students to Ukraine
 Affordable courses (medicine costs only $5000
annually in Ukraine compared to $70,000 In U.S.,
$23000 to 90,000 in Canada)
 Lax admission process
 Offers opportunities to enter European markets
 Affordable living costs
 Issue: India – Ukraine ties
 Dimension: Attractive factors of Ukraine for
students
10. RBI opens up UPI for feature phones, no internet
needed [Live Mint]
 Syllabus: GS3-Subject: Science & Technology, Topic:
Recent developments and their applications and
effects in everyday life
 Article relevance for UPSC:
 Prelims: Learn about UPI
 Mains: Measures to promote digital transactions
 Context: RBI launched UPI123 pay
 Synopsis:
o To enable digital payments even using a feature
phone (non-smartphones and no internet), RBI has
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come up with a digital payment platform called
‘UPI123’
o So far UPI was available only across all smartphones
in India but with UPI123, feature phone users can
also send and receive payments
o This enables people from the lower rung of the
society especially in the rural areas to access digital
payments
o How UPI123 works?
 Users can do transactions through,
 calling an IVR (interactive voice response) number
 app functionality in feature phones
 missed call-based approach
 proximity sound-based payments
 Users will be able to make payments to their
friends and family, pay their utility bills, recharge
FASTags, pay mobile bills, check their account
balances and set or change UPI PINs
 Refer to article “Nepal first nation to deploy
th
India’s UPI” from 18 Feb, 2022 LaEx Daily
Handout to learn about “Unified Payment
Interface (UPI)”
 Issue: UPI123 pay
 Dimension: Measures to promote digital
transactions.
DEEP NOTES (EDITORIAL)
1. How invasion of Ukraine could transform nuclear
landscape of Asia
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/inva
sion-ukraine-transform-nuclear-landscape-asia-7805611/
Issue Name: West-Russia Rivalry
Dimension: Impact on relevance of nuclear deterrence
Context: The Ukraine crisis has implications on the
relevance of nuclear deterrence in ensuring peace.
Notes:
Nuclear deterrence debate:
 Ukraine crisis triggered debate – role of nuclear
weapons in deterring aggression, especially of a
superior adversary.
 Why?
o Ukraine gave up nuclear weapons for guarantees on
sovereignty & territorial integrity
o Russian aggression  legal guarantee no substitute
for nuclear weapons
Nuclear deterrence: Relevance for Asia
 China’s neighbors are threatened by its territorial
aggression
 Present Status
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 Handout No.867
o US provided shelter of its “nuclear umbrella”
(extended deterrence)
o Issue: Ukraine Crisis  growing concern about US’s
umbrella  China’s east Asian neighbors relooking
at nuclear option
 Taiwan: It is important for Asian (& global) security
o Located at the heart of Western Pacific
o Lies across sea line of communication
o Main source of silicon chips for the world
o If China conquers Taiwan  transform the
geopolitics of Asia
Conclusion: Russia’s war in Ukraine will transform Asian
nuclear landscape
2. If women are not empowered, the economy loses
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/if-
women-are-not-empowered-the-economy-loses-
7807503/
Issue Name: Women Issues
Dimension: Economy & Women participation
Context: Indian is among the countries with lowest
women’s labor force participation rate.
Notes:
Women & Economy:
 World Bank: Countries lose $160 trillion in wealth
due to differences in lifetime earnings between men
& women
 Report by Bain & Company: Female entrepreneurs
can generate 150-170 million jobs in India by 2030.
 Issues:
o FLFP rate is at 19.9% (WB’s data of 2020)
o Only 3.7% of leadership positions in corporate India
occupied by women.
Empowering women: Benefits
 Strengthens fight against poverty
 Increase their economic resources & decision-
making powers
 Women invest more in children education 
human capital improves  nation’s economic
prosperity.
Conclusion:
 Traditionally male-dominated sectors like mining
need to improve gender representation & work
culture
 India needs to empower women to achieve its full
potential as a superpower.
3. How women can lead the transformation of film
industry
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/scrip
ting-her-change-7806918/
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Issue Name: Women & Cinema
Dimension: Issues faced by women
Context: Women in film industry faces serious issues,
thereby, creating high entry barriers for them.
Notes:
Women issues in cinema industry:
 Lack of focus on addressing workplace issues of
women
 Victimization of survivor/whistle-blower – in sexual
assault cases
 Absence of grievance redressal systems
 Deep-seated patriarchy in society  unequal
opportunities
 Lack of support from industry bodies
Promoting gender diversity in Cinema: Suggestions
 Watchdog & gender advocacy collective (Ex:
Women in Cinema in Kerala) are needed in
cinema/media industry.
 Incorporate global best practices in building
equitable workspaces
 Public has limited understanding of women status in
cinema/media  Civil society must educate to
generate public support for change
 Sector is one of the most under-studied  difficulty
in providing long-term and data-driven solutions
4. The post-ideology politician and erosion of the party
system
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-
post-ideology-politician-and-erosion-of-the-party-
system-7807553/
Issue Name: Indian Party System
Dimension: Issues/new trends
Context: Recently, the Indian party system is seeing the
development of some new trends
Notes:
Indian party system: New Trends
 Post-ideology politics: Leaders are constantly
changing parties  no adherence to political
ideology  endless cross-party defections
o ADR report: 443 MLAs/MPs defected & re-
contested on other party’s ticket b/w 2016 & 2020
 Narrowing distinction b/w political parties — in
working style, personalised party control and
political postures.
 Ideological/policy compromises to suit the
imperatives of power (Ex: Shiv Sena diluted its hard
politics to accommodate current allies)
 Introduction of tele-surveys to decide CM nominees
-- AAP in Punjab was first to experiment with this
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o Departure from system of party bosses imposing
their favourites on MLAs  increase internal
democracy
Impact:
 Politicians -- power is important & ideology &
political commitment are variables.
 Erosion of loyalty: Politicians (like business
executives) are seeking better career options 
relationship with party become purely
transactional
5. About equality
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/gen
der-equality-international-womens-day-7807473/
Issue Name: Women’s Issues
Dimension: Issues faced by women
Context: Recently, the world celebrated International
th
Women’s Day on March 8
Notes:
Issues faced by women:
 Lack of access to economic opportunities — India’s
labor force participation rate is one of the lowest,
globally
 Patriarchal values -- see women primarily as agents
of family
o Pew Research survey: More than 50% Indians
believe that men have a greater right to available
jobs than women
 Weak representation in assemblies/Parliament &
decision making bodies within political parties
Progress Made:
 Growing assertion in political spaces: Increased
voter turnouts & participation in politics etc.
Conclusion: Need to bring women at the centre of
public/economic life.
6. Clear signals: On India-China ties and the new global currents
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/clear-
signals-the-hindu-editorial-on-india-china-ties-and-the-
new-global-currents/article65204871.ece
Issue Name: India-China Relations
Dimension: Issues/Challenges
Context: Recently, India-China relations are going
through turbulent phase due to China’s territorial
aggression.
Notes:
Regional Developments & Viewpoints:
China’s Perspective/Issues:
elearn.laex.in DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS_9th March, 2022
 Asian NATO: US’s Indo-Pacific strategy aims to
create “an Indo-Pacific version of NATO  India is a
part of Quad
 US is fueling geopolitical rivalry by forming exclusive
clubs  India is now a close US ally
India’s Perspective:
 Rejected Chinese notion of India/Quad as part of
Asian NATO
 Sensitivity to concerns has to be mutual  China is
expanding its relations with Pak
Challenges for India: China’s concerns on U.S. alliances
 growing China-Russia axis  impact India-Russia
Relations
Conclusion:
 India & China should seek to restore ties and ensure
peace on border
 India & China need to have conversation about
global currents that are reshaping their bilateral
relations.
7. Global stagflation risk: On the need to cut fuel taxes
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/global-
stagflation-risk-the-hindu-editorial-on-why-india-needs-
to-cut-fuel-taxes/article65204470.ece
Issue Name: West-Russia Rivalry
Dimension: Economic Impact of Ukraine Crisis
Context: The Russian invasion of Ukraine has serious
economic implication for the world.
Notes:
Economic impact:
 Threatens global recovery from pandemic-led
slowdown -- IMF in Mar’22 warned that Ukraine
crisis posed grave risks to global recovery
 Disruptions in supply/west-led sanctions  rise in
commodity prices  rise in inflation
 India: $10 increase in oil price from $65 level would
raise headline inflation by 49 basis points or widen
GoI’s fiscal deficit if it absorb price shock
Russia & Europe’s economy:
 Russia supplies Europe:
o 40% of its gas requirements
o 25% of its oil requirements
o 50% of its coal requirements
o Closing energy supplies from Russia  high
inflation in eurozone  threaten economic
recovery
Concerns: Indian policymakers face a tough choice --
lower revenue by cutting fuel taxes v/s risk of faster
inflation and slower growth.
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