Current Affairs

1. INDIA LEADS GLOBAL ARMS IMPORTS AMID SHIFTING DYNAMICS –

• The latest data on international arms transfers from Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India emerged as the leading arms importer globally during the period from 2019 to 2023.
• During this timeframe, India’s imports increased by 4.7% when compared to the period from 2014 to 2018.
• Nine of the 10 biggest arms importers in 2019– 23, including the top 3 of India, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, were in Asia and Oceania or the Middle East. Notably, Ukraine also rose as the 4th-largest arms importer globally during this period.
• The United States, the largest arms supplier globally, witnessed a 17% growth in arms exports between the periods 2014 –18 and 2019–23. Concurrently, France ascended to become the world’s second-largest arms supplier. Europe accounted for a third of global arms exports, with a strong military-industrial capacity. In contrast, Russia experienced a significant decline of more than half, with a decrease of -53%.
• Although Russia remained India’s primary arms supplier, accounting for 36% of its arms imports, this marked the first five-year period since 1960-64 where Russian deliveries made up less than half of India’s total arms imports.
• India is now increasingly turning to Western countries like France and the USA, as well as boosting its domestic arms industry, to meet its growing defence needs.
• Recent Indian Government Initiatives to Reduce Arms Imports-
• In the Interim Budget 2024-25, the Defense Ministry received a total allocation of ₹6.2 lakh crore.
• The Department of Military Affairs has recently released the 5th Positive Indigenisation List, which includes 98 items, further bolstering indigenous manufacturing in the defence sector.
• Increased FDI Limits in the Defence Sector: It has been increased in 2020 to 74% through the Automatic Route and up to 100% via the Government Route.
• Defence Industrial Corridors: Two dedicated Defence Industrial Corridors have been established in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh to boost defence manufacturing.
• Innovations for Defence Excellence (idEX): iDEX aims to create an ecosystem for innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace.

 

2. EXTENSION OF AFSPA IN ARUNACHAL AND NAGALAND –

• The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in parts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for another six months.
• The Act in its original form was promulgated by the British in response to the Quit India movement in 1942. After Independence, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru decided to retain the Act.
• It is a 1958 law passed by the Parliament that grants the armed forces special authority and immunities in “disturbed areas” to maintain public order. It is only applicable if an area has been deemed “disturbed” under Section 3 of the Act.
• An area can be considered to be disturbed due to differences or disputes among different religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities.
• The Central Government, the Governor of the State, or the Administrator of the Union Territory may declare all or part of the State or Union Territory to be a disturbed region.

Powers of Armed Forces Under AFSPA-

• Power to Prevent gathering and Open fire: They have the right to prevent a gathering of five or more people in a specific area, as well as to use force or even open fire after providing adequate warning if they believe a person is breaking the law.
• Power to Arrest without warrant: If reasonable suspicion exists, the army may arrest a person without a warrant, enter or search a location without a warrant, and prohibit the possession of firearms.
• Reporting to the nearest Police station: Any person detained or taken into custody may be turned over to the officer in charge of the nearest police station, along with a report outlining the facts behind the arrest.
• Immunity from Judicial actions: These armed forces are free from prosecution unless the Union Government authorizes the prosecuting agency.

 

3. LANCET STUDY ON DECLINING FERTILITY RATE IN INDIA –

• Recently, A Study Published in the Lancet which flagged India’s total fertility rate (TFR) (representing the average number of children born to each woman will fall to 1.29 in 2050, significantly below the replacement threshold of 2.1.
• TFR Evolution: Between 1950 and 2021, the global total fertility rate (TFR) decreased by more than half, dropping from approximately 5 children per woman in 1950 to 2.2 children in 2021.
• Future Projection: A continued global decline, with an estimated global total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.83 by 2050 (about 76% of the countries will have TFR below replacement threshold ) and 1.59 by 2100 ( about 97% of the countries will have TFR below replacement threshold).
• In 1950, one-third of global live births were in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania. Since 2011, the majority has shifted to sub-Saharan Africa, rising from 8% in 1950 to nearly 30% by 2021.
• China’s working-age population surpassed 50% in 1987, coinciding with a period of significant economic growth. However, China’s total fertility rate (TFR) has declined to a record low, leading to a contraction in the working-age population.
• In India, the total fertility rate (TFR) stood at 6.18 in 1950, dropped to 4.60 in 1980, and subsequently decreased to 1.91 by 2021.
• By 2050, one in five people in India will be above the age of 60 in 2050, signaling a transition towards an aging population akin to the demographic challenges currently faced by China.
• Earlier, the UN Population Fund’s (UNPF) ‘India Ageing Report’ also projected the number of elderly in India will more than double from 149 million in 2022 to 347 million by mid-century .