Current Affairs 11th June 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

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Need for a third Aircraft Carrier

Context: Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is set to begin construction on the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier-2 (IAC-2), a Vikrant-class 40,000-ton platform, updated with modifications and greater local content compared to IAC-1 Vikrant.

Reason for New Carrier

To maintain CSL’s carrier-building expertise and avoid a repeat of the ‘lost decade’ from 1995-2005, when submarine building expertise at Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilder’s (MDL) diminished following a corruption scandal involving German HDW submarines.
Post-scandal, submarine facilities at MDL deteriorated and were only revived in 2005 to build six French Scorpene submarines, five of which have been commissioned, with the sixth expected by year-end.
Current naval fleet includes INS Vikramaditya (46,000-ton refurbished Russian Kiev-class vessel) and IAC-1 Vikrant (40,262-ton STOBAR carrier), aiming to keep one carrier for each of India’s two seaboards with a third in reserve.
The Navy seeks to fulfil its requirement for two carriers, one for each seaboard, with a third in reserve.

Concerns and Challenges

Cost: The estimated cost of IAC-2 is $5-6 billion, raising financial concerns amidst competing demands for defence resources.
Operational Efficacy: The effectiveness of carriers in the face of growing anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities by China and Pakistan is questioned.
Alternative Strategies: Debates exist within the Navy between pursuing a “sea denial” strategy with submarines or a “sea control” approach with carrier battle groups.
Resource Allocation: Critics argue that investing in submarines or other critical assets like corvettes and helicopters could be more beneficial than a costly carrier.
Indian Air Force’s Perspective: The IAF views an aircraft carrier as a vulnerable and costly indulgence, proposing alternatives like upgrading fighter jets with maritime strike capabilities.
Financial Constraints and Revised Goals: Due to financial limitations, the Indian Navy has revised its goal of operating 200 warships by 2027, reducing the planned procurement of mine countermeasures vessels and Boeing P-8I aircraft.
- The Navy’s budget faces competition from the Army and Air Force, who also require funds for fighter jets, helicopters, and other equipment.

Upgrading Capabilities and Exploring Alternatives

The IAF is enhancing the maritime strike capability of its Jaguar IM and Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets with advanced missiles and radar systems.
The commissioning of a BrahMos-A(Air) equipped Su-30MKI squadron at Thanjavur aims to strengthen maritime surveillance and strike capabilities.
Some navalists advocate for upgrading the military capabilities of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to create an A2/AD “exclusive zone” to deter potential threats, notably from China. This approach is considered cheaper and potentially more effective than deploying new carriers.

Examples, Case Studies and Data

Consumption Inequality (GS 3): The Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) analysed consumption inequality changes in India between 2011-12 and 2022-23.
- National Trend:
  - Despite regional increases, national consumption inequality has generally declined.
  - The Gini coefficient at the all-India level decreased to 0.266 in rural areas and to 0.314 in urban areas in 2022-23 from higher levels in 2011-12.

What is the Gini Coefficient?

The Gini Coefficient, also known as the Gini Index or Gini Ratio, quantifies income or wealth inequality within a specific population, region, or country.
Scale: The Gini coefficient, ranging from 0 to 1
- A value of 0 indicates perfect equality, where everyone has identical income or wealth.
- A value of 1 indicates perfect inequality, where all income or wealth is concentrated with one person or household while others have none.
Data Organization: To calculate the Gini Coefficient, data on income or wealth is organised in ascending order, from the poorest to the richest.
Lorenz Curve: A Lorenz curve is plotted to provide a graphical representation of the actual distribution of income or wealth. It shows the cumulative income or wealth of the population against the cumulative share of the population.
Calculation:
- The Gini Coefficient is calculated by measuring the area between the Lorenz curve and the line of perfect equality.
- The area measured is then divided by the total area under the line of perfect equality to derive the Gini Coefficient.

Rural Consumption Inequality:
- Inequality in rural areas rose in 11 of the 25 states analysed.
- States with increased Gini coefficients in rural areas include Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
Data Gaps:
- No comparable data was available for Telangana, Goa, and Arunachal Pradesh.
- Notable Increases in Gini Coefficients:
- Significant rises were observed in Nagaland (0.244 from 0.192), Jharkhand (0.255 from 0.206), Maharashtra (0.291 from 0.253), Rajasthan (0.283 from 0.248), Meghalaya (0.223 from 0.19), and Chhattisgarh (0.266 from 0.234).
Urban Consumption Inequality:
- Gini coefficients also increased in urban areas of three states: Meghalaya (0.266 from 0.226), Himachal Pradesh (0.311 from 0.29), and Manipur (0.221 from 0.209).