18-03-2022

18-MARCH-2022

The Hindu News Analysis – 18th March 2022 – Shankar IAS Academy
S. Page Number*
News Articles
No. C B D H T

1 Unhealthy precedent (Editorial) 10 8 6 6 8

2
Russia-Ukraine conflict: ICJ’s provisional measures on military T&C T&C
8
T&C T&C
operations (Text & Context) 1 1 1 1

3 In sanctions route, what the world must take note of (Editorial) 10 8 6 6 8

4 Ukraine war could cut 1% off global growth: OECD 16 14 14 12 14

5 Do Ph.D. after a four-year degree: UGC 14 12 12 10 12

6 Prelims Practice Questions

@ end of the video
7 Mains Practice Questions
*C – Chennai; B – Bengaluru; D – Delhi; H – Hyderabad; T – Thiruvananthapuram
 18-03-2022

Pg: 10 – C;
Pg: 8 – T, B;
Pg: 6 – D, H;

Part A—Preliminary Examination

Paper I - (200 marks)
• Current events of national and international importance.
• General Science.
Part B—Main Examination
PAPER-IV
General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity,
Environment, Security and Disaster Management
• Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday
life.
• Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and
developing new technology.
• Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-
technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
 18-03-2022

CORBEVAXTM Vaccine types

• Manufacturing company - Biological E. Ltd. • Vaccines expose body to molecules from target

• Received approval of Drugs Controller pathogen that triggers immune response -

General of India. exposure varies.

• 3 main approaches:
• India’s first
indigenously developed
protein sub-unit
vaccine against
COVID-19.

Subunit approach or Acellular vaccines

• Doesn’t contain whole microbe/pathogen/virus.

• Doesn’t use safe virus as a vector

• Uses very specific parts (subunits) of a virus

that immune system needs to recognize.

• Subunits:

 Purified pieces/ harmless

fragments of pathogen.

 Carefully selected for

ability to stimulate
immune cells.
 18-03-2022

 Fragment involved:

 Proteins - protein subunit vaccine.

 Sugars (polysaccharides) - polysaccharide vaccines.

 Against COVID-19 virus - protein subunit vaccines

are being developed using spike protein of the virus.

• Recombinant Protein Subunit Vaccine.

 Using recombinant DNA technology - recombinant

protein is used.

 Recombinant protein synthesized in a possible

heterologous host cells (Escherichia coli, yeast &
mammalian cells).

• Advantage - relatively cheap and easy to produce.

• Disadvantage - weaker immune response due to lack of

molecular structures in chosen subunits. • Different from mRNA vaccine, that
is used to give instructions to the
• Adjuvants:
cells to make Spike protein.
 Delivered alongside subunit vaccines.
• Corbevax - “recombinant protein
 Substances that stimulate the immune system. sub-unit” vaccine.
 Ex: aluminium salts (aluminium phosphate etc.).  Adjuvant - Dynavax’s CpG 1018
with alum.

 Affordable.
 18-03-2022

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following pairs with reference to
the types of the Vaccine:
Type Feature of Virus used
1. Live-attenuated Whole virus
vaccine
2. Protein subunit Only genetic material
vaccine of Virus
3. mRNA vaccine Uses safe virus as a
vector
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly
matched?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
 18-03-2022

Pg: 1 – Text & context – C, T, B, D, H;

Part A—Preliminary Examination

Paper I - (200 marks)
 Current events of national and international importance.
Part B—Main Examination
PAPER-IV
General Studies‐ II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations.
 India and its neighborhood- relations.
 Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s
interests.
 Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian
diaspora.
 Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
 18-03-2022

The International Court of Justice

International Court of Justice

• One of the six principal organs of UN.

• Only principal judicial organ of UN.

• Successor of - the Permanent Court of

International Justice (PCIJ).

 Established in 1920 - by the League of Nations.

• ICJ Statute - applies to all UN member states

and allows them to initiate contentious cases.

• Role - settle the dispute in accordance with

international law.

• Judgment - final, binding on the parties to a

case and without appeal.

• UN authorities and agencies - can initiate • Russia - justify its “special military operation ”
advisory proceedings on legal questions. - a response to the alleged act of genocide of

• Composed of 15 judges - elected by UN the Russian speaking people in the territories of

General Assembly and the Security Council. Donetsk and Luhansk.

• Term of office - nine years.
• Assisted by a Registry - admin organ.
• Official languages - English and French.
• February 26, 2022 - Ukraine approached the
International Court of Justice (ICJ).
 Asked - rule that Ukraine committed no such
crimes of genocide as defined under Genocide
Convention 1948 in Donetsk & Luhansk.

 Requested the court - to indicate certain

provisional measures.

• March 16 - ICJ issued an order - directing

Russian Federation to immediately cease all
military actions in Ukraine.
 18-03-2022

Jurisdiction of ICJ

• Article 36(1) of ICJ ’s Statute - ICJ has jurisdiction over

all matters relating to the UN Charter and other treaties
or conventions in force.

• Genocide Convention - international treaty that

criminalizes genocide & obligates state parties to enforce
its prohibition.

 Article IX - any dispute arises between states relating

to the interpretation, application, or implementation of
the Genocide Convention or relating to the responsibility of
a state for Genocide - it shall be submitted to the ICJ
at the request of any of the parties to the dispute.

 Russia & Ukraine are both parties to Genocide Convention.

Is it possible for the International Court of

Justice to mandate provisional measures? Conclusion

• 'Provisional measures’ - interim orders by the ICJ, • Failure to comply - constitutes a

passed while the main case is still being heard. violation of an international legal

• Article 41 of the statute - empowers ICJ to indicate obligation.

provisional measures - in any case before it. • ICJ does not have the means or

 To preserve the rights of the parties involved. mechanism to secure the enforcement
of the judgment itself - the UN
 Provisional measures are binding in character and
Security Council (UNSC) may take
create international legal obligations.
measures.
 Provisional measures - may be indicated - either on
the request of a state party or by proprio motu. • Failure to comply with provisional
measures - legitimise and justify
 Absence of one of the parties involved - cannot be a
counter-actions against Russia.
barrier to the issuance of provisional measures.
 18-03-2022

Practice Question – Mains

GS – II
Q. Can India Afford Nonalignment After
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine? Examine.
(150 Words, 10 Marks)
 18-03-2022

Pg: 10 – C;
Pg: 8 – T, B;
Pg: 6 – D, H;

Sanctions
Part A—Preliminary Examination
• Penalties imposed by one country on another.
Paper I - (200 marks)
 Current events of national and • To stop it acting aggressively or breaking international
international importance. law.
PAPER-III
• Toughest actions nations take before going to war.
General Studies-II: Technology, Economic
Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Economic sanctions imposed on Russia
Security and Disaster Management.
• USA, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan & United
 India and its neighborhood- relations.
Kingdom and European Union.
 Bilateral, regional and global groupings
and agreements involving India and/or  Imposed many economic sanctions on Russia.
affecting India’s interests.
 Important International institutions,  Russia’s illegality against Ukraine.
agencies and fora- their structure,
• UK & EU banned sending luxury goods to Russia.
mandate.
 Vehicles, high-end fashion and art.
 18-03-2022

• UK planned to put 35% tax on some imports from

Russia - vodka.
• Most favoured nation
• US, UK, EU and Canadian airspace banned all Russian
 A country providing a trade
flights.
concession to one trading partner -
 UK banned private jets chartered by Russians.
extend same treatment to all.
• Trade sanction put by Canada.
 Extend the same trade terms to
 G7 countries - France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the all trading partners.
United Kingdom & United States + European Union.
 MFN treatment  non-discriminatory
 Intention to do same as Canada. trade policy.

 Canada suspended - "Most Favoured Nation” status

of Russia.

 Russia will lose many trading benefits.

• Benefits of MFN

 Example: A country belonging to  Recipient country receives favourable treatment -

WTO reduces or eliminates a tariff use of trade benefits.
on a particular product for one
 Low tariffs  Free trade agreements
trading partner.
 High import quotas  Custom unions
 MFN clause obligates it to
extend the same treatment to • Canada believes - “those who do not support the rules-
all members of the organization. based international order cannot benefit from it”.

 Exception: MFN for developing • Russia’s participation in “Developed Countries

countries - receive more favourable Coordinating Group” - suspended.
treatment than the most favoured  An informal group at WTO.
nation.
 Suspension due to Russia’s violation of international
law, UN Charter and fundamental principles of
international peace and security.
 18-03-2022

Economic sanction - violating international law • Economic sanctions - attractive policy tools

• Under WTO regime - right of countries to for governments to express discontent with a

impose trade sanctions. country’s behaviour.

• Suspending MFN - on security grounds - • Arguable - trade sanctions can achieve the

Article XXI of GATT. change?

• Only provision governing trade and security • Issue

linkages in WTO.  Author says - trade sanctions put by

• Empowers a member country to adopt Canada - not mentioned in WTO rules.

necessary measures for the protection of its

ESI.

• In time of “war” or other “emergency in

international relations”.

 Russia can challenge the Canadian

suspension of MFN.

 Before WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body

(DSB).

 Canada - have to show that its actions

Practice Question – Mains
backed by Article XXI. GS – II
Q. Do you agree with the weaponization of
Conclusion international institutions by the western
superpowers? Justify
• Countering Russian illegality out of
international law - retaliation. (150 Words, 10 Marks)

• If every country starts taking law into its

own hands - legitimacy of a rule-based
international order - worse...
 18-03-2022

Pg: 16 – C;
Pg: 14 – T, D, B;
Pg: 12 – H;

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Unique forum

Development (OECD) • Knowledge hub for data and analysis.
• International organisation - works to build • Exchange of experiences, best-practice
better policies for better lives. sharing.
• Goal - to shape policies, foster prosperity, • Advice on public policies and international
equality, opportunity. standard-setting.
• Work together with governments, policy makers Benefit
and citizens.
• Improving economic performance.
 Establishing evidence-based international
• Creating jobs.
standards.
• Foster strong education.
 Finding solutions - social, economic and
environmental challenges. • Fight against international tax evasion.
 18-03-2022

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements with
• OECD works closely - world’s largest reference to Organization for Economic
economies. Co-operation and Development (OECD):

• Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, and South 1. Its member countries consists only of
the South Asian countries.
Africa - OECD’s Key Partners.
2. It is a unique forum helping to create
• Participate in OECD’s daily work and bring
more jobs and thereby improving the
useful perspectives.
economic performance of its members..
• Increases the relevance of policy debates. Which of the statement(s) given above
• European Commission participates in OECD’s
is/are correct?
work - no right to vote. a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
 18-03-2022

Pg: 14 – C;
Pg: 12 – T, D, B;
Pg: 10 – H;

Features of National education policy

• Recognizes Foundational Literacy and
• The current 10+2 structure in school education Numeracy as an urgent and necessary
- will be modified with a new pedagogical prerequisite to learning.
and curricular restructuring of 5+3+3+4
• Medium of instruction - to be in mother
covering ages 3-18.
tongue or local language or regional language
at least till Grade 5 - preferably till Grade 8
and beyond.

• Three-language formula.

• Significant reforms in school curricula.

 Reduction in curricular content.

 Enhance essential learning, critical thinking.

 Give greater focus on experiential learning.

 18-03-2022

 Increased flexibility and choice of subjects.

 School level - no rigid separations between arts and sciences, between curricular and
extra-curricular activities,
between vocational and
academic streams. More
importantly, Vocational
education will start in
schools from 6th grade,
and this will include
internships also.

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements:
1. National Testing Agency (NTA) was
established as a Society registered under
the Indian Societies Registration Act,
1860.
2. It is an autonomous and self-sustained
testing organization to conduct entrance
examinations for admission/fellowship
in higher educational institutions.
Which of the statement(s) given above
is/are incorrect?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
 18-03-2022

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following pairs with reference to
the types of the Vaccine:
Type Feature of Virus used
1. Live-attenuated Whole virus
vaccine
2. Protein subunit Only genetic material
vaccine of Virus
3. mRNA vaccine Uses safe virus as a
vector
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly
matched?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
 18-03-2022

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following pairs with reference to
the types of the Vaccine:
Type Feature of Virus used
1. Live-attenuated Whole virus
vaccine
2. Protein subunit Only genetic material
vaccine of Virus
3. mRNA vaccine Uses safe virus as a
vector
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly
matched?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements with
reference to Organization for Economic
Co-operation and Development (OECD):
1. Its member countries consists only of
the South Asian countries.
2. It is a unique forum helping to create
more jobs and thereby improving the
economic performance of its members..
Which of the statement(s) given above
is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
 18-03-2022

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements:
1. National Testing Agency (NTA) was
established as a Society registered under
the Indian Societies Registration Act,
1860.
2. It is an autonomous and self-sustained
testing organization to conduct entrance
examinations for admission/fellowship
in higher educational institutions.
Which of the statement(s) given above
is/are incorrect?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Practice Question – Mains

Practice Question – Mains
GS – II
GS – II
Q. Do you agree with the weaponization of
Q. Can India Afford Nonalignment After
international institutions by the western
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine? Examine.
superpowers? Justify
(150 Words, 10 Marks)
(150 Words, 10 Marks)