Content:

1. Militants in Syria capture Damascus as Assad flees
2. Gamify India’s skilling initiatives
3. Chandigarh leads in enforcing criminal laws
4. Confederation of Indian Industry urges government to stick to fiscal deficit target
5. Trump moots ‘immediate’ truce in Ukraine, threatens NATO withdrawal

 Militants in Syria capture Damascus as Assad flees

Background: The militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) declared the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad after more than 13 years of civil war in Syria.

Relevance: GS 2 (International Relations)

• HTS Seizes Control: HTS took control of Damascus, ending Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Assad and his family reportedly fled to Moscow.

• Impact on Regional Influence: The fall of Assad deals a major blow to the influence of Russia and Iran in Syria, as they were key allies supporting his regime.

• Public Reaction: Syrians expressed joy at the end of Assad’s iron-fisted rule. Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali has called for free elections.

•  HTS’s Role and History: HTS has been a significant player in the Syrian conflict, transitioning from its origins as a part of al-Qaeda to an independent militant group.

• Indian Embassy in Damascus: The Indian embassy remains operational and in contact with Indian nationals in Syria, ensuring their safety amidst the turmoil.

Gamify India’s Skilling Initiatives

Background: The issue of unemployment and the skills gap in India highlights the need for creating jobs and aligning the workforce with industry requirements.

Relevance: GS 3 (Employment, Skill Development)

•  Job Creation: India needs 78.5 lakh non-farm jobs annually until 2030.

•  Skill Gap: Only 21% of youth (aged 15-29) received vocational/technical training in 2022-23, and just 51% of graduates are employable.

• Industry 4.0 and Skill Demand:
  • Technological Shift: Industry 4.0 involves advanced technologies like AI, robotics, IoT, and big data.

• Skill Gap: Only 1.5% of engineers and 60% of the MSME workforce have the necessary digital skills.

• Government Initiatives:
  • Support for Industry 4.0: The SAMARTH Udyog Bharat 4.0 initiative aims to prepare the industry, but the skill gap remains significant.

• Focus on Skilling: The 2024-25 Budget emphasizes improving skilling quality and aligning training with industry needs.

Innovative Training Solutions:

• Gamified and Simulation-Based Learning:
  • Engaging and Practical: Uses game elements and virtual environments to enhance learning.

• Successful Examples: Adopted in Singapore and Germany.

• Implementation in India:
  • Platforms: SWAYAM and Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) can host these training modules.

• Existing Demand: SWAYAM has over 40 million enrollees, indicating strong demand for technical education and training.

Chandigarh Leads in Enforcing Criminal Laws

Background: Union Territory is the first in the country to implement three new laws in their entirety.

Relevance: GS 2 (Governance)

• New Criminal Laws: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita replaced the old Indian Penal Code, Evidence Act, and Criminal Procedure Code respectively.

• Chandigarh Implementation: First to fully implement the new laws, ramping up infrastructure with improved internet, new tablets for investigators, and videoconferencing for trials.

• Technology Use:
  • “Chitra Khoji” facial recognition software.

• DigiLocker for storing crime scene videos.

• Mandatory audiovisual recording of crime scenes.

•  Conviction Rate: Improved from 58% to around 85% since implementation. Over 11 lakh FIRs filed and judgments delivered in 9,500 cases nationwide.

• Zero FIRs: 14 Zero FIRs registered in Chandigarh, all related to sexual offenses against women.

• Digital Courts: Two courts fully online, with plans to digitize 30 more. Videoconferencing used for trials and witness depositions.

• Nationwide Rollout: States have five years to implement all aspects of the new laws.

Confederation of Indian Industry urges government to stick to fiscal deficit target

Context: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has cautioned that overly aggressive targets could negatively impact India’s economic growth.

Relevance: GS 3 (Inflation Target, GDP)

• Fiscal Deficit Targets:
  • CII suggests maintaining a fiscal deficit of 4.9% for 2024-25 and 4.5% for 2025-26 to ensure economic stability.

• Economic Growth:
  • Prudent fiscal management has been crucial for India’s rapid growth amidst a slowing global economy.

• Debt-to-GDP Ratio:
  • The Union Budget 2024-25 aims to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio, with a medium-term target of below 50% by 2030-31 and a long-term target of below 40%.

• Fiscal Stability Reporting:
  • CII recommends instituting annual reports on fiscal risks and long-term forecasting (10-25 years) to aid in fiscal planning and stability.

• State-Level Interventions:
  • Encourage states to implement Fiscal Stability Reporting.

• Allow states to borrow directly from the market.

• Create an independent credit rating system for states to promote fiscal prudence.

 Trump Moots ‘Immediate’ Truce in Ukraine, Threatens NATO Withdrawal

Background: President-elect Donald Trump recently called for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Relevance: GS 2 (International Relations)

• Ceasefire Proposal: President-elect Donald Trump called for an immediate ceasefire and the commencement of negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

• Meeting in Paris: The proposal followed a meeting in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

• Claim of Kyiv’s Willingness: Trump asserted that Kyiv is willing to make a deal to end the conflict.

• Kremlin’s Response: The Kremlin expressed openness to negotiations in response to Trump’s proposal.

•  Zelenskyy’s Caution: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy emphasized that any deal must ensure lasting peace.

• Warning to NATO Allies: Trump reiterated his stance that the U.S. might withdraw from NATO if member countries do not increase their financial contributions.