NEWS:India UK Free Trade Agreement (CETA) signed

GS-2 international relation

The agreement eliminates tariffs on major Indian exports like textiles, leather, and footwear while benefiting UK luxury goods. Signing was planned on July 24 during PM Modi’s UK visit

CETA vs. UK-India FTA

• CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement): This is a free trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Canada.
• India-UK Free Trade Agreement: This is a separate agreement signed between India and the UK to boost bilateral trade and investment after the UK exited the EU.

Key aspects of the India-UK FTA

Purpose: To enhance trade, investment, and economic cooperation between India and the UK by reducing or eliminating tariffs and non-tariff barriers.

• Key Provisions:
  • Tariff Reductions: India will reduce tariffs on 90% of UK goods (including phased reductions on items like whisky and automobiles), while the UK will offer 99% duty-free access for Indian exports, covering nearly all trade by value.
  • Professional Mobility: Eases visa processes for Indian professionals, particularly in sectors like IT and healthcare,
  • Services Sector Cooperation: Covers major service sectors, aiming for mutual recognition of qualifications within 36 months.
  • Double Contributions Convention: Exempts Indian professionals on short-term assignments in the UK from dual social security contributions,
  • Digital Trade: Includes chapters on digital trade, environment, and other modern issues.
• Potential Benefits for India:
  • Increased Market Access: For Indian goods like textiles, leather products, and agricultural goods in the UK market.
  • Boost to Services Sector: Greater opportunities for Indian IT, healthcare, and education professionals in the UK.
  • Attracting Investments: The FTA is expected to attract UK investments into India.
  • Strategic Importance: Helps India diversify its trade relations and strengthens its position in the global trade landscape.
• Potential Challenges:
  • Tariff Negotiations: India’s reluctance to reduce tariffs on certain sensitive goods like dairy products, apples, and cheese remains a concern.
  • Visa & Mobility Issues: India seeks further liberalization of the UK’s visa regime.
  • Regulatory Barriers: Aligning with UK standards and regulations may require adjustments for Indian businesses

NEWS:Redeeming Indias nuclear power promise

GS-3 science and technology

India’s Union Budget 2025–26 unveiled a bold nuclear energy roadmap targeting 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047. With current capacity at 8.18 GW, this major expansion marks nuclear energy as a cornerstone in India’s transition to a developed economy

• India targets 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047, up from 8.18 GW.
• ₹20,000 crore allocated to develop five indigenously designed Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) by 2033.
• Proposed amendments to the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and , Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 to allow private and foreign participation.
• NPCIL to scale up 700 MW PHWRs and partner with entities like NTPC and REC.
• Global push toward nuclear energy reaffirmed at COP28’s “Triple Nuclear Energy” declaration.
• India’s electricity demand expected to increase fivefold, driven by urbanisation and growth.
• Nuclear energy essential as renewables contribute only 20–25% of electricity generation despite major capacity.
• PHWR (Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor): Uses natural uranium as fuel and heavy water as moderator and coolant.
• Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): Compact, factory-fabricated nuclear reactors with lower upfront cost and modular scalability.
• CLNDA (2010): Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act holds both operator and supplier liable for nuclear accidents, deterring foreign investment.
• Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE): A metric to compare the cost of energy production across different sources over their lifecycle.

NEWS:In over 90% of sewer deaths, workers had no safety gear

GS-2 goveernance

A social audit commissioned by the Ministry of Social Justice reveals that over 90% of sewer and septic tank worker deaths in 2022–23 occurred without any safety gear, exposing the grave human rights and governance failure in addressing hazardous manual cleaning

• 49 out of 54 sewer deaths (2022–23) involved no safety equipment; only one worker had gloves and gumboots.
• 150 total deaths due to hazardous cleaning were recorded nationwide in the same period.
• No consent was taken in 27 cases; in 18 cases, consent was taken but without risk counselling.
• 38 workers were individually contracted, only 5 employed by government agencies.
• Awareness drives were conducted in only 7 cases, limited to parts of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
• NAMASTE scheme launched in July 2023, identifies 84,902 workers, with just over 50% given PPE kits.

NAMASTE Scheme

NAMASTE stands for National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem.

It has been launched with an objective to ensure safety and dignity of sanitation workers in urban India as well as providing sustainable livelihood to these workers.

Ministries involved: It is launched as a joint initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

Implementing agency – National Safai Karamchari Financial Development Corporation (NSKFDC) would be implementing agency for NAMASTE.

Coverage: Five hundred cities (converging with AMRUT cities) will be taken up under this phase of NAMASTE. It will be implemented for the period 2022-26

NEWS:UN Court Declares Clean Environment a Human Right

GS-2 international relation

the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a unanimous advisory opinion, affirming that access to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is a fundamental human right under international law

While this opinion is non-binding, it holds significant persuasive value and is considered a historic shift toward legal climate accountability

International Court of Justice (ICJ):

The ICJ, also known as the World Court, is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN).

It was established in June 1945 by the Charter of the UN and began work in April 1946.

The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands).

Of the six principal organs of the UN, it is the only one not located in New York, United States.

The hearings of the ICJ are always public.

Official Languages: French and English

Powers and Functions: The Court may entertain two types of cases:

o First, it can act as a dispute settlement body between two member States in what are called “contentious cases.” Such disputes may concern, in particular, land frontiers, maritime boundaries, territorial sovereignty, the non-use of force, violation of international humanitarian law, non-interference in the internal affairs of States and diplomatic relations.

o Second, it can accept requests to issue an advisory opinion on a legal questionreferred to it by aUN body or specialized agency. These opinions can clarify the ways in which such organizations may lawfully function or strengthen their authority in relation to their member States.

o The court’s judgments in contentious cases are final and binding on the parties to a case, and without appeal

MAINS MOCK QUESTION

Colonial loot of british made us economically week. inthis context relate with india’s FTA agreement with UK