UPSC Daily Current Affairs| Prelim Bits 11-02-2025

European Free Trade Association (EFTA)

Why in News?

India recently establishes European Free Trade Association (EFTA) desk to boost trade with European nations.

India and the EFTA bloc signed a free trade agreement (FTA) recently to boost trade and investment ties.

• EFTA – Is a regional trade organization set up for the promotion of free trade and economic integration between its members, within Europe and globally.
• Established by – Signing a Convention in Stockholm on 4 January 1960.
• Founding Members – Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
• Member States – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
• Headquarters – Geneva.
• Governing Body – EFTA Council.
• It usually meets 8 times a year at Ambassadorial level (Heads of Permanent Delegations to EFTA) and once a year at Ministerial level.
• Each Member State is represented, and decisions are taken by consensus. The Member States take turns to chair the Council, rotating yearly.
• Features – The Council manages relations between the EFTA States themselves under the EFTA Convention.
• It adopts decisions to reflect legislative developments in the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) Agreement and in the Switzerland-EU bilateral agreements.
• EFTA’s worldwide network of free trade and partnership agreements with third countries.
• Significance – EFTA has one of the world’s largest free trade networks, with 31 agreements covering 42 partner countries outside the EU.
• More than 80% of EFTA’s merchandise trade is currently covered by the trade bloc’s preferential agreements.
• India-EFTA two-way trade was about $24 billion in 2023-24 against $18.65 billion in 2022-23.

Switzerland is the largest trading partner and investor in India followed by Norway in the bloc.

• India received $10.72 billion in foreign direct investment from Switzerland during April 2000 and September 2024.
• India- EFTA Agreement – The pact is also known as Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA).
• The deal is set to come into effect in the next four-six months after the 4 nations receive necessary Parliamentary approvals.
• It comes against the backdrop of an investment commitment made by EFTA nations under the trade agreement $50 billion investment in India within 10 years of the agreement.
  • Taking into effect and an additional $50 billion in the next 5 years.
• The investment is expected to facilitate the creation of 1 million direct jobs in India in 15 years.
• The dedicated platform will act as a centralized support mechanism for EFTA companies looking to expand in India.
• It aims to fast track processes to make it easier for companies to do business, ensure seamless flow of capital, and navigate areas of concerns.

References

1. The Hindu | India establishes EFTA desk
2. EFTA | ABOUT EFTA
3. Business Standard | FDI with EFTA

International Criminal Court (ICC)

Why in News?

President Donald Trump authorized economic and travel sanctions targeting people who work on ICC investigations, protested against the ICC’s arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

• It is a permanent international court to prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression when member states are unwilling or unable to do so themselves.

• The ICC does not replace national criminal justice systems rather, it complements them.
• It can investigate and, where warranted, prosecute and try individuals only if the State concerned does not, cannot or is unwilling to do so genuinely.
• Founding treaty – The Rome Statute.
• Established in – 2002.
• International Tribunal – The Hague, Netherlands.
• The Rome Statute provides that the Court may sit elsewhere whenever the judges consider it desirable.
• It can prosecute crimes committed by nationals of member states or on the territory of member states by other actors.
• Member states – It has 125 member states.
• Palestine became the 123^rd member (2015), Malaysia became 124^th State party (2019) and Ukraine became the 125^th member.
• India, United States, China and Russia, Myanmar, Israel are not members of ICC.
• Funded by – Contributions from the States Parties and by voluntary contributions from governments, international organisations, individuals, corporations and other entities.
• The ICC is a permanent autonomous court, whereas other similar courts, established under United Nations are to deal with specific situations, and only have a limited mandate and jurisdiction.
• In 2004, the ICC and the United Nations signed an agreement governing their institutional relationship.
• No one is exempt from prosecution because of his or her current functions or because of the position he or she held at the time the crimes concerned were committed.
• Under the age of 18 – The Court has no jurisdiction with respect to any person who was under the age of 18 when the crimes concerned were committed.

References

1. The Indian Express | International Criminal Court
2. ICC | Understanding the ICC

Gross Domestic Knowledge Product (GDKP)

Why in the news?

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation had a session on “Conceptual Framework of Gross Domestic Knowledge Product (GDKP) Measurement” recently.

• GDKP – Seeks to capture the contribution of knowledge-driven sectors, innovation, and intellectual assets to economic growth. 
• It acknowledges that GDP, while important, doesn't fully reflect the value of knowledge and its impact on society.
• NITI Aayog – It is not a new idea and it was discussed in 2021 when NITI Aayog presented a concept note.
• However, at that time, the National Statistical Commission and the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) raised concerns.
• The concerns were about the lack of a clear methodology for data collection and calculation, as well as the subjective nature of the concept.
• Significance – The government recognizes the increasing importance of the knowledge economy and the need for a metric that reflects this.
• Informed decisions – By developing a robust framework for measuring GDKP, policymakers hope to better understand the drivers of knowledge-based growth and make informed decisions.
• Current status – MoSPI is now actively working on developing this framework. 
• They recently held a session on the "Conceptual Framework of Gross Domestic Knowledge Product (GDKP) Measurement."
• The goal is to move from purely economic indicators to a more knowledge-centric approach. 
• "Satellite account" approach – MoSPI is considering using a "satellite account" approach, similar to how they account for tourism or culture, to capture the knowledge base of the economy.
• A technical committee – Will be formed to evaluate the proposal and guide the measurement of the knowledge economy.
• Challenges – Key challenges include:
  • Methodology – Defining a clear and objective methodology for measuring knowledge is crucial.
  • This includes identifying relevant parameters and finding ways to quantify them.
  • Data availability – Data on knowledge-related aspects may not be readily available, requiring the use of surveys and potentially subjective assessments.
  • Integration with GDP – Determining how GDKP will complement or integrate with GDP is essential.
  • The relationship between the two metrics needs to be clearly defined.
  • Subjectivity – The concept of "knowledge" itself can be subjective, making it difficult to measure objectively.

Reference

The Indian express - Gross Domestic Knowledge Product (GDKP)

SRY Gene (sex-determining region Y)

Why in the news?

Exceptional instances of females possessing the SRY gene have been reported three times in the medical literature, two in 2024 itself.

• The SRY gene – Provides instructions for making a protein called the sex-determining region Y protein.
• SRY Gene's Role – The SRY gene, located on the Y chromosome, is the primary determinant of maleness. 
• Its presence typically leads to the development of male characteristics, while its absence leads to female development.
• Typical Sex Determination – Eggs carry an X chromosome, while sperm carry either an X or a Y. 
• XX combinations result in females, and XY combinations result in males.
• SRY Translocations – Rarely, the SRY gene can move from the Y chromosome to an X chromosome (a translocation). 
• Sterile male – If this X chromosome fertilizes an egg, the resulting XX individual usually develops as a sterile male, a man who is unable to reproduce due to a lack of sperm or other reproductive issues.
• Exceptional Females with SRY – Cases of fertile females with the SRY gene on an X chromosome are exceptional cases.
• Key to Female Development in These Cases – The key difference in these exceptional females lies in a specific deletion on the X chromosome carrying the SRY gene.
• This deletion results in the inactivation of the translocated X chromosome during female development. 
• This "biased" inactivation silences the SRY gene, allowing female development to proceed. 
• If the other X chromosome were inactivated, the individual wouldn't survive because the deleted genes are essential for life.
• Significance – These cases reinforce the SRY gene's importance in male development. 
• Only when it is silenced (through biased X-inactivation due to the deletion) can female development occur even with the SRY gene present.
• Further Research – The article suggests the need for more research to understand the long-term effects of SRY translocations, even when they result in female development. 
• It also highlights the potential value of screening for such translocations in the future.

Reference

The Hindu - SRY Gene