Breastfeeding: Global Trends and Benefits    
Critical Minerals    
Public Distribution System (PDS)    
India-Nepal Relations    
Green Shoots of Economic Recovery    
Artificial Intelligence (AI)    

1.    Breastfeeding: Global Trends and Benefits
Historical Context
•    Renaissance Period: Breastfeeding became unfashionable, with a surge in the use of feeding bottles and formula milk between the 17th and 19th centuries.
•    19th Century: Increased infant mortality and non-communicable diseases linked to bottle feeding led to a renewed emphasis on breastfeeding globally.
Current Global Status
•    Despite the proven advantages of breast milk, only 25%-40% of babies are breastfed globally.
•    The National Family Health Survey-5
shows a decline in early breastfeeding
 

across 12 of 22 surveyed States/UTs in India, despite an increase in institutional births.
Breastfeeding Guidelines
•    Within 1 hour of birth: Infants should be breastfed.
•    Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months: Breast milk only.
•    After 6 months: Breastfeeding combined with solid food until around 2 years.
Benefits of Breastfeeding
•    For Children: Provides immunity, reduces risks of infection, allergies, cancer, obesity, and promotes brain development.
•    For Mothers: Aids in faster postpartum weight loss, reduces bleeding, and lowers risks of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and osteoporosis.
Economic Impact
•    According to The Lancet, more investment in breastfeeding could contribute $300 billion to the global economy and prevent 820,000 child deaths annually.
Initiatives to Promote Breastfeeding
•    World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA): Established in 1991 to raise awareness.
 

•    World Breastfeeding Week: Introduced in 1992 by WABA and UNICEF.
•    India’s 1992 Legislation: The Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods Act enforces stringent regulations on the promotion of breast milk substitutes.
Recommendations for India
•    Allocate specific funds and rigorously implement the law.
•    Educate parents and health workers on breastfeeding benefits.
•    Establish breast milk banks and provide
subsidized breast pumps.
•    Set up exclusive breastfeeding facilities in public spaces.
•    Extend paternity leave from 15 days to
12-16 weeks for better support during the crucial postpartum period.

Prelims Question
Which of the following is a benefit of breastfeeding for the mother?
A)    Reduces risk of ovarian cancer
B)    Lowers chances of childhood obesity
C)    Improves brain maturation
D)    Provides immunity against infections
Answer: A) Reduces risk of ovarian cancer

Mains Question
Discuss the significance of breastfeeding for both the mother and the child. What steps should be taken by governments to improve breastfeeding rates in India?

2.    Critical Minerals
What are Critical Minerals?
•    Definition: Minerals crucial for economic development and national security, whose shortage or concentration in

specific geographies can lead to supply chain vulnerabilities.
•    Dynamic identification: Countries have their own criteria for defining critical minerals based on their national priorities and geopolitical circumstances.
Global Declaration of Critical Minerals:
•    US: 50 minerals declared critical.
•    Japan: 31 critical minerals identified.
•    UK: 18 minerals.
•    EU: 34 minerals.
•    Canada: 31 minerals.
Critical Minerals in India:
•    Expert Committee under the Ministry of Mines: Identified 30 critical minerals for India, including Lithium, Cobalt, Rare Earth Elements (REEs), Copper, Nickel, and others.
•    States housing critical minerals: Odisha, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, and Chhattisgarh.
•    Centre of Excellence for Critical Minerals (CECM): Recommended establishment to periodically update the list of critical minerals and notify strategy.
Global Trends in Critical Minerals:
•    Surge in demand:
o    From 2017 to 2022, demand for lithium tripled, cobalt increased by 70%, and nickel rose by 40%, driven by clean energy technologies.
o    IEA projections: Demand for critical minerals in clean energy will rise fourfold by 2040.
•    Concentration of resources:
o Australia holds 55% of lithium reserves.
o    China dominates rare earths with 60%. 
o    DRC controls 75% of cobalt
production.
Geopolitical Concerns:
•    Resource nationalism: Countries like Indonesia and Namibia impose export restrictions.

•    Technology innovation: Focus on R&D
and fostering domestic capabilities.
•    Establishing National Body: The Centre of Excellence for Critical Minerals would help in setting India’s critical mineral strategy.

•    Geopolitical tensions: Conflicts like the        

US-China trade war and the Russia- Ukraine war disrupt mineral supply chains.
Significance of Critical Minerals for India:
•    Economic Growth: Essential for sectors like telecommunications, high-tech electronics, green technologies (EVs, solar

Prelims Question:
Which of the following countries is the largest producer of cobalt? A) Chile
B)    Democratic Republic of Congo
C)    China
D)    Australia
Answer: B) Democratic Republic of Congo

panels), and defense.        

•    National Security: Critical for defense, aerospace, and nuclear applications.
•    Decarbonization goals: Integral to achieving India's net-zero by 2070 target and enhancing electric mobility by 2030.
•    Global Cooperation: India's membership in the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) helps diversify supply sources and reduce dependency on China.
Challenges for India:
•    Limited reserves: Heavy import dependence for critical minerals like lithium and nickel.
•    China’s dominance: China controls 90% of the rare earth processing and 85% of battery anodes.
•    Technological gap: India lacks advanced
processing capabilities for these minerals.
Steps to Boost Availability:
•    Resource availability: Strengthen domestic exploration and international sourcing strategies.
•    Financial support: Attract public and private investments in critical mineral supply chains.

Mains Question:
Discuss the role of critical minerals in India's clean energy transition and national security. What steps can be taken to ensure a reliable supply of these minerals, considering the global geopolitical landscape?

3.    Public Distribution System (PDS)
About the System:
•    PDS is an Indian food security system established under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution. It evolved to manage scarcity through the distribution of food grains at affordable prices.
•    Operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and State Governments.
o    Central Government: Through the Food Corporation of India (FCI), it handles procurement, storage, transportation, and bulk allocation of food grains to States.
o    State Governments: Manage allocation within the state, 
identification of eligible families, issue of Ration Cards, and supervision of Fair Price Shops (FPSs).
Commodities Distributed:
•    Presently, wheat, rice, sugar, and kerosene are distributed. Some states also distribute additional items such as pulses, edible oils, iodized salt, and spices.
Evolution of PDS in India:
1.    World War II: PDS introduced as a war- time rationing measure.
2.    1960s: Expanded due to food shortages; establishment of the Agriculture Prices Commission and FCI.
3.    1970s: Became a universal scheme for subsidized food distribution.
4.    1992: Launch of Revamped PDS (RPDS) to improve reach in far-flung areas.
5.    1997: Introduction of Targeted PDS (TPDS), focusing on the poor by categorizing households into BPL and APL.
6.    2000: Launch of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) for the poorest sections.
7.    2013: Enactment of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), making the right to food a justiciable right.
How PDS Functions:
•    Central Government: Procures food grains at Minimum Support Price (MSP) and sells them to states at central issue prices.
•    State Governments: Transport food grains to fair price shops, where beneficiaries purchase them at subsidized rates. Some states provide further subsidies.
Importance of PDS:
•    Ensures Food and Nutritional Security.
•    Stabilizes food prices and makes food accessible to the poor.

•    Maintains buffer stocks to ensure a steady supply during shortages.
•    Redistributes food grains from surplus to deficient regions.
•    MSP and procurement contribute to
increased food grain production.
Issues Associated with PDS:
1.    Identification of Beneficiaries: Inclusion and exclusion errors prevent entitled beneficiaries from receiving food grains while non-eligible individuals benefit. 2009 Expert Group estimated 61% exclusion errors and 25% inclusion errors.
2.    Leakage of Food Grains: 36% leakage of PDS rice and wheat during transportation, per Planning Commission.
3.    Procurement Issues: Open-ended procurement leads to market shortages as buffer stock is filled.
4.    Storage Issues: CAG audit highlights shortfall in storage capacity, leading to food grain wastage.
5.    Environmental Issues: Overemphasis on rice and wheat production leads to groundwater depletion and environmental degradation in procuring states like Punjab and Haryana.
PDS Reforms:
1.    Aadhar Integration: Linking Aadhar with TPDS can improve beneficiary identification and reduce inclusion/exclusion errors.
2.    Technology-based Reforms: States like Chhattisgarh have implemented computerization and other reforms, plugging leakages and improving efficiency. Wadhwa Committee praised states with successful TPDS reforms.
Prelims Question: 
With reference to the Public Distribution System (PDS), which of the following statements is/are correct?
1.    The responsibility of procuring food grains lies entirely with the State Governments.
2.    The Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) was launched to target the poorest segments of the population.
A)    1 only
B)    2 only
C)    Both 1 and 2
D)    Neither 1 nor 2 Answer: B) 2 only Mains Question:
Discuss the challenges faced by the Public Distribution System (PDS) in India and suggest reforms that can address these challenges while ensuring food security for the vulnerable sections of society.

4.    India-Nepal Relations
In News:
•    Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" was
sworn in as Nepal’s new Prime Minister.
•    The coming together of Prachanda and KP Sharma Oli, both seen as pro-China leaders, may impact India-Nepal relations.
•    Nepal’s relations with India had improved under the previous PM Sher Bahadur Deuba, following tensions during Oli's terms.

Key Issues in India-Nepal Relations

1.    Territorial Disputes:
o    Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura remain areas of contention between India and Nepal.
o    In 2020, Nepal released a new political map claiming these territories, which India maintains are part of its territory.
2.    1950 Friendship Treaty:
o    Nepal has long sought the revision of the 1950 India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship to reflect current geopolitical realities.
3.    Susta Border Dispute:
o    Susta, located along the India- Nepal border, is another disputed territory, with disagreements over the exact boundary lines.
Areas of Cooperation
1.    Trade and Economy:
o    India is Nepal's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding USD 7 billion in FY 2019- 20.
o    Indian firms account for more than 33% of FDI in Nepal, worth around USD 500 million.
2.    Connectivity:
o    India is helping Nepal with various connectivity projects, including linking Nepal to Indian waterways for cargo transport. This is often referred to as connecting Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) to the Sagar (Indian Ocean).
3.    Defence Cooperation:
o    India provides military assistance to the Nepalese Army for modernization.
o    The Gorkha regiments in the Indian Army include soldiers recruited from Nepal.
o    Both countries participate in the Surya Kiran joint military exercises.
4.    Humanitarian Assistance:
o    Nepal frequently experiences natural disasters, such as earthquakes and floods. India remains a key provider of humanitarian aid during such crises.
5.    Multilateral Partnerships:
o    India and Nepal collaborate in several regional forums, including SAARC, BIMSTEC, and BBIN
(Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal).
Challenges in India-Nepal Relations
1.    China’s Growing Influence:
o    Nepal has increasingly moved towards China for investment and loans.
o    Nepal’s participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has increased Chinese influence in the region, causing concern for India.
2.    Boundary Disputes:
o    The Kalapani issue remains a significant challenge, especially after Nepal’s new map included disputed territories.
o    These disputes, tied to national identity, have soured relations at times.
Prelims Question:
Consider the following statements regarding India-Nepal Relations:
1.    India is Nepal's largest trading partner and source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

2.    The Surya Kiran joint military exercises are conducted annually between India and Nepal.
3.    The 1950 Friendship Treaty between India and Nepal has been revised multiple times to reflect changing geopolitical realities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A) 1 and 2 only
B)    1 and 3 only
C)    2 and 3 only
D)    1, 2, and 3
Answer: A) 1 and 2 only Mains Question:
Discuss the significance of India-Nepal relations in the context of geopolitical shifts in South Asia. How do territorial disputes and China’s growing influence impact the bilateral relationship between the two nations?

5.    Green Shoots of Economic Recovery
News: 
•    India’s startup sector has begun to observe "green shoots" of recovery, with niche verticals gaining investor interest in the first half of the calendar year.
What are Green Shoots?
•    Definition: "Green shoots" is a metaphor used to describe early signs of economic recovery during or after a downturn.
•    Origin: The term was first popularized by UK Chancellor Norman Lamont in 1991, referring to emerging signs of recovery during an economic recession in the UK.
•    It symbolizes economic rejuvenation, akin

1.    It refers to early signs of economic recovery after a downturn.
2.    The term was first used in the context of the 1991 UK economic recession.
3.    Green shoots in an economy are always visible in the form of increased GDP.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A)    1 and 2 only
B)    2 and 3 only
C)    1 and 3 only
D)    1, 2, and 3
Answer: A) 1 and 2 only

to the first signs of plant growth after a        

period of harsh weather or destruction.
Indicators of Green Shoots in the Economy:
•    Industrial Production: Improvement in industrial output, signaling increased manufacturing and economic activity.
•    Car Sales: A rise in vehicle sales, reflecting consumer confidence and demand revival.
•    Infrastructure Developments: Growth in sectors like cement and steel, indicative of infrastructure activity.
•    Steadying of Prices: Stabilization of prices for key construction materials like cement and steel, supporting continued infrastructure growth.
Significance:
•    Post-Recession Growth: Green shoots indicate that after a period of recession or economic distress, the economy is beginning to recover.
•    These signs are crucial for policymakers and investors to assess the health and direction of the economy.

Prelims Question:
With reference to the term "Green Shoots," consider the following statements:

Mains Question:
Discuss the relevance of "green shoots" in assessing economic recovery post-recession. How can policymakers use these indicators to plan for sustained growth in the economy?

6.    Artificial Intelligence (AI)
What is Artificial Intelligence?
•    Definition: AI refers to the simulation of human-like intelligence in machines. It uses techniques like Machine Learning (ML), Neural Networks, and Natural Language Processing (NLP) to perform tasks that typically require human cognition, such as problem-solving, decision-making, and understanding language.
How AI Works
•    Data Acquisition: AI systems gather data from various sources.
•    Preprocessing: The data is cleaned, structured, and processed to extract relevant features.
•    Model Training: Algorithms like machine learning or deep learning models are trained on the data to recognize patterns.
•    Decision Making: Based on the trained model, AI systems can make predictions or decisions.
•    Continuous Learning: AI improves over time by learning from new data and feedback.
Applications of Artificial Intelligence
•    E-commerce: Personalized product recommendations, chatbots, fraud detection.
•    Education: Adaptive learning platforms, intelligent tutoring systems.
•    Healthcare: Medical diagnosis, drug discovery, patient monitoring.
•    Finance: Fraud detection, risk assessment, and investment management.
•    Transportation: Autonomous vehicles, traffic management, route optimization.
•    Manufacturing: Quality control, predictive maintenance, robotics.
•    Agriculture: Precision farming, crop monitoring, yield prediction.
Examples of AI in Daily Life
•    Chatbots: OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Microsoft’s Copilot.
•    Smart Assistants: Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant.
•    Recommendation Systems: Netflix, Google search algorithms.
•    Face Recognition: FaceID on iPhones.
•    Navigation Apps: Google Maps, Waze.
Advantages of Artificial Intelligence
•    Boosts Productivity: AI automates routine tasks, reducing human effort.
•    Improved Decision-Making: AI analyzes large datasets to generate actionable insights.
•    Task Automation: AI can handle repetitive tasks with high accuracy.

•    Consistency: AI systems maintain uniformity in outcomes by following set rules.
•    Innovation Enabler: AI supports breakthroughs in sectors like healthcare and education.
Concerns Related to AI
•    Job Loss: Automation in repetitive tasks may lead to displacement.
•    Ethical Issues: AI can perpetuate biases, especially if trained on skewed data.
•    Misuse Risks: AI technologies can be misused for privacy breaches, cyberattacks, and DeepFakes.
•    Data Dependence: AI needs large, high- quality datasets to function effectively.
•    Lack of Human Traits: AI lacks human qualities like creativity and emotional intelligence.
•    High Costs: The development and implementation of AI systems require significant investments.
•    Transparency Issues: Complex AI models often lack interpretability, leading to "black box" decision-making.

Prelims Question:
With reference to Artificial Intelligence (AI), consider the following statements:
1.    AI uses techniques like Machine Learning and Neural Networks to simulate human- like intelligence.
2.    AI systems rely on large datasets for training to perform accurate predictions.
3.    AI systems can function effectively without human intervention once deployed.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A)    1 and 2 only
B)    2 and 3 only 
C)    1 and 3 only
D)    1, 2, and 3
Answer: A) 1 and 2 only

Mains Question:
Discuss the significance of Artificial Intelligence in transforming modern industries. What are the key challenges associated with the widespread adoption of AI?