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Jun 6, 2024 IASbaba's Monthly Current Affairs Magazine

मासिक पत्रिका फ़रवरी 2024 - हिन्दी IASbaba सामयिकी

Jun 5, 2024 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam –5th June 2024

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus) PM- KISAN Syllabus Prelims & Mains – AGRICULTURE Context: Over 1 lakh farmers voluntarily gave up their PM-Kisan benefits last year. Background:- Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan lead the chart of 1.16 lakh farmers who have voluntarily given up the benefits of the annual Rs 6,000 Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme across the country from June 2023 to May 2024, according to data available with the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. Possible reasons for some farmers giving up the PM-Kisan benefits include: absentee landlords who may have decided against availing of the subsidy; land going to tax-paying descendants who are not eligible; change in status of land-owners. About PM KISAN PM Kisan, or the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, is a Central Sector scheme with 100% funding from the Government of India. It has been operational since December 1, 2018. Here are some key details about the scheme: The scheme provides an income support of ₹6,000/- per year in three equal installments to all land holding farmer families. The definition of a family for the scheme is husband, wife, and minor children. The State Government and UT administration identify the farmer families which are eligible for support as per scheme guidelines. The fund is directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. There are certain exclusion categories for the scheme. The following categories of beneficiaries of higher economic status are not eligible for benefit under the scheme: All Institutional Land holders. Farmer families which belong to one or more of the following categories: Former and present holders of constitutional posts Former and present Ministers/ State Ministers and former/present Members of LokSabha/ RajyaSabha/ State Legislative Assemblies/ State Legislative Councils, former and present Mayors of Municipal Corporations, former and present Chairpersons of District Panchayats. All serving or retired officers and employees of Central/ State Government Ministries /Offices/Departments and its field units Central or State PSEs and Attached offices /Autonomous Institutions under Government as well as regular employees of the Local Bodies. Prime Minister released the 16th Installment of the PM KISAN scheme on February 28, 2024. eKYC is mandatory for PM KISAN Registered Farmers. Source: Indian Express EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT Syllabus Prelims – CURRENT EVENT Context: European Parliament elections will be held from June 6-9. Background: Around 373 million citizens across the 27 member states of the European Union are eligible to vote on June 6-9 in elections to the European Parliament, which is the only directly elected body of the EU. Key takeaways The European Parliament (EP)is the only directly elected body of the EU, representing the citizens of its member states. The Parliament has3 main roles: Legislative Passing EU laws, together with theCouncil of the EU, based on European Commission proposals Deciding on international agreements Deciding on enlargement of the bloc Reviewing the Commission’swork programme and asking it to propose legislation Supervisory Democratic scrutiny of all EU institutions Electing the Commission President and approving theCommission as a body. Possibility of voting a motion of censure, obliging the Commission to resign Granting discharge, i.e. approving the way EU budgets have been spent Examining citizens’petitions and setting up inquiries Discussing monetary policy with theEuropean Central Bank Questioning Commission and Council Election observations Budgetary Establishing the EU budget, together with the Council Approving the EU’s long-term budget, the “Multiannual Financial Framework” Unlike national parliaments, the EP does not have the right to propose laws but can only negotiate those proposed by the executive European Commission. The EP comprises 720 Members (MEPs) elected every five years. The MEPs then elect their president for a term of two and a half years. It represents the second-largest democratic electorate in the world (after the Parliament of India) with an electorate of around 373 million eligible voters. Who can vote in the elections? In 21 member states, people aged 18 and above can vote. In Belgium, Germany, Austria and Malta, the minimum voting age is 16. In Greece, people who turn 17 during the election year can vote, and in Hungary, married individuals can vote regardless of age. Citizens living in another EU country can choose to vote for candidates either from their country of origin or from their country of residence. Who can run? All candidates must be EU citizens. Voters may choose from individual candidates or political parties’ delegates, depending on the country. Once elected, politicians from each nation will flow into the European groups that form the Parliament, based on political orientations. Elected individuals cannot hold functions in national governments or other political bodies such as the EU Commission. Source: Indian Express MISSION KARMAYOGI Syllabus Prelims & Mains – Governance Context: Indian Institute of Public Administration assessed the impact of mission karmayogi by seeking inputs on recently trained staff from their supervisors and reported increased proficiency in data analytics and e-governance tools Background: Improved governance and efficient and competent civil services are required for achieving India’s ambitions. About Mission Karmayogi Mission Karmayogi, also known as the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB), is an ambitious program launched by the Government of India. The mission was launched by the Union Cabinet on 2nd September 2020. It aims to transform the government’s human resource management, making the bureaucracy more efficient, effective, and accountable. The goal is to develop the skills and competencies of civil servants to deliver better results for citizens. The mission intends to lay down the foundations for the Indian civil servants’ capacity building and aims to enhance governance. The guiding principles of Mission Karmayogi include: Shift from rule to role-based training and capacity building: Capacity building of government officials under Mission Karmayogi focuses on enhancing the attitudes, skills, and knowledge of these individuals through role-based training. Moving to a competency-driven approach for capacity development: A competency-driven capacity building approach focuses on developing competencies critical for public officials to effectively undertake their various roles. Democratising and enabling continuous, lifelong learning opportunities: Mission Karmayogi aims to make available to all government officials, across hierarchies and geographies, the opportunity to continuously build and strengthen the competencies required for their roles. The NPSCSB aims to embark on a learning transformation program that will address the capacity building issues of the Civil Services through a comprehensive online platform – iGOT Karmayogi. iGOT Karmayogi aims to provideonline, face-to-face and blended learning and manage lifelong learning records of the officials. Implementing and managing a platform of the complexity and size of iGOT requires a specialized institutional mechanism, with core competency in technology and innovation. Considering the specialist skills and management autonomy needed, the government has instituted a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) termed Karmayogi Bharat, to operate the iGOT Karmayogi platform and any other digital assets pertaining to the Program. Institutional framework for Mission Karmayogi The Institutional Framework includes four institutions and functional bodies, with representation from the Centre, State and civil society, and oversight from the highest level of political office. These are the Prime Minister’s Human Resource Council, the Cabinet Secretariat Coordination Unit, the Capacity Building Commission and the SPV Karmayogi Bharat. As of now, there are 3506824 Total Karmayogis Onboarded and 1039 Total Courses available. The courses range from AI Using Google Bard and ChatGPT for Beginners by Invest India, Microsoft Excel for Beginners by Microsoft, to Women Self Defense Techniques Course by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and many more. Source: CBC ISLANDS - THE GREATER TUNB, THE LESSER TUNB AND ABU MUSA Syllabus Prelims – GEOGRAPHY Context: China held its stance on three disputed islands in the Gulf despite Tehran’s anger at Beijing for describing the Iran-controlled islands as a matter to be resolved with the United Arab Emirates. The islands, claimed by the UAE and Iran, have been held by Tehran since 1971 after the withdrawal of British forces from the Gulf. Background: In a statement last week, China expressed support for the efforts of the UAE to reach a “peaceful solution” to the issue of the islands – the Greater Tunb, the Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa. Following this, the Iranian foreign ministry summoned the Chinese ambassador to Iran to protest China’s repeated support” for the UAE’s baseless claims. About Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb : Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb are two small islands in the eastern Persian Gulf, close to the Strait of Hormuz. They lie around 12 kilometres from each other and 20 kilometres south of the Iranian island of Qeshm. The islands are administered by Iran as part of its Hormozgan Province. Greater Tunb is known for its red soil. There are conflicting descriptions about its population: While some sources state there are between a few dozen and a few hundred inhabitants others describe the island as having no native civilian population. Lesser Tunb is uninhabited with the exception of a small airfield, harbour, and entrenched Iranian military unit. Abu Musa Abu Musa is an island in the eastern Persian Gulf near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. Due to the depth of sea, oil tankers and big ships have to pass between Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunbs; this makes these islands some of the most strategic points in the Persian Gulf. The island is administered by Iran as part of its province of Hormozgan. Source: Reuters STROMATOLITES Syllabus Prelims – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Context: Scientists have unearthed living stromatolites — ancient geological structures made from algae — on Sheybarah Island, nestled on the northeastern shelf of the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia. These ancient life forms, dating back 3.48 billion years, were previously thought to thrive only in select modern environments like Shark Bay, Australia, and the Exuma Islands in the Bahamas. Background: The reason this is such a crucial discovery is because Stromatolites are the earliest geological indicators of life on Earth. About Stromatolites Stromatolites are layered sedimentary formations created mainly by photosynthetic microorganisms such as cyanobacteria, sulfate-reducing bacteria, and Pseudomonadota (formerly proteobacteria). These microorganisms produce adhesive compounds that cement sand and other rocky materials to form mineral “microbial mats”. These mats build up layer by layer, growing gradually over time. They exhibit a variety of forms and structures, including conical, stratiform, domal, columnar, and branching types. Stromatolites are considered the oldest living lifeforms on our planet.They are living fossils and provide important records of some of the most ancient life. These biotic structures were instrumental in the Great Oxygenation Event over two billion years ago, introducing oxygen into the atmosphere and transforming the planet’s habitability. Being photosynthetic, cyanobacteria produce oxygen as a by-product. Photosynthesis is the only major source of free oxygen gas in the atmosphere. As stromatolites became more common 2.5 billion years ago, they gradually changed the Earth’s atmosphere from a carbon dioxide-rich mixture to the present-day oxygen-rich atmosphere. This major change paved the way for the next evolutionary step, the appearance of life based on the eukaryotic cell (cell with a nucleus). The oxygenation event initially wiped out many of their competitors, allowing stromatolites to dominate the biosphere during the Archean eon, when life had just begun to bud. However, as life forms adapted to the oxygen-rich atmosphere, stromatolites began to decline, only reappearing in the geological record after mass extinctions or in extreme environments. The rediscovery of stromatolites on Sheybarah Island also offers potential insights into the search for extraterrestrial life, particularly on Mars. By studying stromatolites, which thrived before Earth had an oxygenated atmosphere, scientists can develop models to recognise potential signs of life on other planets. Source: Business Insider WHEAT IMPORTS Syllabus Mains – GS 3 Context: India, the world’s second-largest wheat producer, plans to begin wheat imports after a six-year gap to replenish depleted reserves and control rising prices, driven by three consecutive years of disappointing crops. Background: New Delhi is expected to abandon a 40% tax on wheat imports this year paving the way for private traders and flour millers to buy from producers such as top exporter Russia, albeit in modest volumes. Reasons for India to Resume Wheat Imports: India’s wheat production has declined in the last 3 years due to unfavourable weather conditions, leading to a sharp drop in wheat output. The government estimates this year’s wheat crop to be 6.25% lower than the previous year’s (2023) record production of 112 million metric tons. As of April 2024, wheat stocks in government warehouses have dropped to 7.5 million tons, the lowest in 16 years, due to the government selling over 10 million tons from its reserves to control domestic prices. The government’s target for wheat procurement in the year 2024 was 30-32 million metric tons, but it has managed to buy only 26.2 million tons so far. Domestic wheat prices have stayed above the government’s minimum support price (MSP) of 2,275 rupees per 100 kg and have been on the rise recently. So, the government decided to remove the 40% import duty on wheat to allow private traders and flour millers to import wheat, primarily from Russia. Implications of Resuming Wheat Imports: Abolishing import duty will likely lead to increased wheat supplies in the domestic market. This can potentially mitigate price hikes. Lower import costs can aid the government in replenishing depleted wheat reserves. This bolsters food security by creating a buffer against unforeseen disruptions in domestic production. While India’s estimated import volume (3-5 million metric tons) is modest, it could contribute to a rise in global wheat prices. This is due to the current scenario of high prices driven by production concerns in major exporting nations like Russia. India’s import requirement is unlikely to significantly influence the global market. Larger players will continue to exert a more substantial influence on global wheat price trends. Source: Economic Times Practice MCQs Daily Practice MCQs Q1.) Consider the following statements about PM KISAN scheme It is a Central Sector scheme with 100% funding from the Government of India. The scheme provides an income support of ₹6,000/- per year in three equal installments to all land holding farmer families. The State Government and UT administration identify the farmer families which are eligible for support as per scheme guidelines. How many of the statements given above are correct? Only one Only two All three None Q2.) Consider the following statements about European Parliament (EP) The European Parliament (EP)is the only directly elected body of the European Union. Unlike national parliaments, the EP does not have the right to propose laws but can only negotiate those proposed by the executive European Commission. The EP comprises 720 Members (MEPs) elected every five years. How many of the statements given above are correct? Only one Only two All three None Q3.) Consider the following statements about Stromatolites: Stromatolites are layered sedimentary formations created mainly by photosynthetic microorganisms such as cyanobacteria. Stromatolites are considered the oldest living lifeforms on our planet. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!! ANSWERS FOR ’ 5th June 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st ANSWERS FOR 4th June – Daily Practice MCQs Answers- Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) – c Q.2) – c Q.3) – d

Jun 5, 2024 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2024 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 5th June 2024

The Current Affairs questions are based on sources like ‘The Hindu’, ‘Indian Express’ and ‘PIB’, which are very important sources for UPSC Prelims Exam. The questions are focused on both the concepts and facts. The topics covered here are generally different from what is being covered under ‘Daily Current Affairs/Daily News Analysis (DNA) and Daily Static Quiz’ to avoid duplication. The questions would be published from Monday to Saturday before 2 PM. One should not spend more than 10 minutes on this initiative. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” Important Note: Don’t forget to post your marks in the comment section. Also, let us know if you enjoyed today’s test 🙂After completing the 5 questions, click on ‘View Questions’ to check your score, time taken, and solutions.To take the Test Click Here

Jun 5, 2024 IASbaba's Monthly Current Affairs Magazine

[CURRENT AFFAIRS] IAS UPSC REVAMPED Current Affairs Magazine March 2024

Archives Hello Friends, This is March 2024 of IASbaba’s REVAMPED Current Affairs Monthly Magazine. Current Affairs for UPSC Civil Services Examination is an important factor in this preparation. ###pCurrent Affairs for IAS UPSC Preparation qualitative. We hope you make the best use of it! This edition covers all ###a href="http://iasbaba.com/monthly-current-affairs-for-ias-upsc-preparation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Important current affairs issues that were in the news for the month of March 2024. Kindly leave your feedback in the comment section below on the new design and presentation of the magazine. We would love to hear from you! Download The Magazine - March 2024 Important Topics Covered In The Magazine Includes: Women's ReservationUttar Poorva Transformative Industrialisation Scheme 2024KatchatheevuCarbon Capture & Storage (CCS)Agni VCritical Tech SectorsAnd Much More..... Download The Magazine - March 2024 To get Regular Updates from IASbaba, follow- TELEGRAM Channel – https://t.me/IASbabaOfficialAccount YOUTUBE – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChvbVdio9Wgj7Z3nQz1Q0ZQ FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/iasbaba/ Also, SUBSCRIBE to the WEBSITE Below, so that you don’t miss out on important posts! Thank You IASbaba

Jun 4, 2024 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam –4th June 2024

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus) JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE SPOTS EARLIEST-KNOWN GALAXY Syllabus Prelims – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Context: NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has spotted the earliest-known galaxy, one that is surprisingly bright and big considering it formed during the universe’s infancy.The discovery was made by an international team of astronomers, who used JWST to observe galaxies as part of the JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES) program. Background:- JWST, which by peering across vast cosmic distances is looking way back in time, observed the galaxy as it existed about 290 million years after the Big Bang event that initiated the universe roughly 13.8 billion years ago What do we know about the galaxy? This galaxy, called JADES-GS-z14-0, measures about 1,700-light years across. A light year is the distance light travels in a year, which is 9.5 trillion km. The galaxy has a mass equivalent to 500 million stars the size of our Sun and is rapidly forming new stars — about 20 every year. Until now, the earliest-known galaxy dated to about 320 million years after the Big Bang. The JADES team in the same study disclosed the discovery of the second oldest-known galaxy, from about 303 million years post-Big Bang. That one, JADES-GS-z14-1, is smaller — with a mass equal to about 100 million sun-sized stars, measuring roughly 1,000 light years across and forming about two new stars per year. James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), also known as Webb, is a large infrared telescope with a 6.5-meter primary mirror. The mirrors are made of ultra-lightweight beryllium. Webb’s biggest feature is a tennis court sized five-layer sunshield that attenuates heat from the Sun more than a million times. Webb is designed to conduct infrared astronomy. Its high-resolution and high-sensitivity instruments allow it to view objects too old, distant, or faint. Webb’s revolutionary technology will study every phase of cosmic history—from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe. Over the last two years, scientists have used JWST to explore what astronomers refer to as Cosmic Dawn – the period in the first few hundred million years after the big bang where the first galaxies were born. Webb is an international collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). The Webb was launched on 25 December 2021 on an Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana. In January 2022 it arrived at its destination, a solar orbit near the Sun–Earth L2 Lagrange point, about 1.5 million kilometers (930,000 mi) from Earth. Source: Indian Express STATE FINANCES IN FY24 Syllabus Mains – GS 3 Context: Economists at the public sector Bank of Baroda have published a report about the finances of Indian states for the financial year ended March (FY2024). The report analyses state-level finances based on three variables: how much money they raised on their own, how much they spent to boost productive capacities of the state, and how much they borrowed from the market. Background: The rise in India’s import of discounted Russian oil over the past few months has hit flows from Saudi Arabia the most, the data shows. Key takeaways Fiscal Deficit The report found that most states were able to limit their fiscal deficit (the amount of money they had to borrow to bridge the gap between expenses and income) within the budgeted levels . This is a significant achievement, since over-borrowing by states adds to the Centre’s over-borrowings, and ultimately leaves less money for private sector firms to borrow. Capital spends This is the kind of spending that goes into making productive assets such as roads and bridges, which boost economic activity in the state. Typically, when governments try to meet fiscal deficit targets, they tend to cut on capex, which in turn, tends to undermine the ability of the state economy to grow faster. Taken together, states managed to spend only 84% of their capex budget. There were four outliers (in green) — Uttar Pradesh,Telangana, Bihar and Sikkim — that either spent the full amount or went beyond the target. Three states— Punjab, Chhattisgarh, and Nagaland — spent less than 50% of their capex budget. Tax revenues A state’s total tax revenues can be broadly divided into two heads: own tax revenues (OTR), and share in Union taxes. The researchers found that overall, OTR accounted for around 61% of tax revenues of states. Within the OTR, GST (Goods and Services Tax) collections made up the biggest chunk (almost 32%), followed by state excise and sales tax (22%) and stamp and registration (7%). A higher share of OTR helps a state to be more fiscally resilient. Telangana had the highest share of OTR in total tax revenue (82%), closely followed by Haryana (79%),Karnataka (78%), Kerala (77%), Maharashtra (73%), and Tamil Nadu (71%). Consumption divide GST is a consumption-based tax— that is, it is paid at the point where a good or service is consumed. So, if a car is made in Tamil Nadu but bought in UP, then GST is levied and collected in UP. As such, per capita GST collection can be used as a proxy for state-wise consumption patterns. Consumption levels, in turn, are a proxy for income levels.Higher consuming states end up paying higher taxes like GST and sales tax/ excise duty. NORTH-SOUTH DIVIDE:States in North India fall well below the national average, while states in the South pull up the national average. Per-capita GST levels in Karnataka or Telangana are almost 3-4 times that of Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand, which shows the relative lack of prosperity of the average citizen in the latter states. EAST-WEST DIVIDE:There is a divide between some of the big states in the East and West. Consumption levels in Maharashtra and Gujarat are far in excess of those in Odisha, West Bengal and Assam. There are some exceptions — such as Haryana in the North — but a broad divide is clearly visible. Source: Indian Express CHANG'E-6 CRAFT Syllabus Prelims – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Context: China landed an uncrewed spacecraft on the far side of the moon, overcoming a key hurdle in its landmark mission to retrieve the world’s first rock and soil samples from the dark lunar hemisphere. Background: The landing elevates China’s space power status in a global rush to the moon, where countries including the United States are hoping to exploit lunar minerals to sustain long-term astronaut missions and moon bases within the next decade. About CHANG’E-6 CRAFT The mission is the sixth in the Chang’e moon exploration programme, which is named after a Chinese moon goddess. It is the second designed to bring back samples, following the Chang’e 5, which did so from the near side in 2020. In 2020 Chang’e-5 brought back 1.7kg of material from an area called Oceanus Procellarum on the Moon’s near side. The current mission was launched on 3 May 2024 and the lander touched down on the lunar far side on 1 June 2024 in a huge crater known as the South Pole-Aitken Basin. In the mission, the lander is to use a mechanical arm and a drill to gather up to 2 kilogrammes of surface and underground material for about two days. An ascender atop the lander will then take the samples in a metal vacuum container back to another module that is orbiting the moon. The container will be transferred to a re-entry capsule that is due to return to Earth in the deserts of China’s Inner Mongolia region about June 25. Missions to the moon’s far side are more difficult because it doesn’t face the Earth, requiring a relay satellite to maintain communications. The terrain is also more rugged, with fewer flat areas to land. This mission will enable an unprecedented comparison between the moon’s unexplored far side and its well-studied Earth-facing side. The South Pole-Aitken Basin is one of the largest known impact craters in the solar system. China is the only country to have reached the far side of the moon twice, the previous mission being the Chang’e-4 in 2019. Source: Financial Express MONETARY POLICY COMMITTEE Syllabus Prelims – ECONOMY Context: The Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which is scheduled to meet from June 5 to 7, is expected to keep the repo rate steady at 6.5 per cent as sticky food inflation continues to remain a threat to the inflation. Background: The six-member rate-setting panel of the RBI is likely to maintain status-quo for the eighth time in a row, market experts said. The repo rate — the rate at which the RBI lends money to banks to meet their short-term funding needs — is expected to remain unchanged at 6.5 per cent. About MONETARY POLICY COMMITTEE : Urjit Patel committee in 2014 recommended the establishment of the Monetary Policy Committee. It is a statutory and institutionalized framework under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, for maintaining price stability, while keeping in mind the objective of growth. It is constituted by the Central Government and led by the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Composition: Six members (including the Chairman) – three officials of the RBI and three external members nominated by the Government of India. Three external Members of MPC will be experts in the field of economics or banking or finance or Monetary policy and will be appointed for a period of 4 years and shall not be eligible for re-appointment. The Governor of RBI is ex-officio Chairman of the committee Meetings: The meetings of the Monetary Policy Committee are held at least four times a year and it publishes its decisions after each such meeting. Decision Making: Decisions are taken by majority with the governor having the casting vote in case of a tie. The current mandate of the committee is to maintain 4% annual inflation until 31 March 2026 with an upper tolerance of 6% and a lower tolerance of 2%. Source: Indian Express RAZIA SULTAN Syllabus Prelims – HISTORY Context: In the narrow lanes of Bulbuli Khana near Turkman Gate in Old Delhi, walled in by buildings on all sides, is a tomb made of stone. It hardly sees any visitors. This forgotten tomb is of the first and only woman ruler to ever sit on Delhi’s throne, Razia Sultan. Background: Daughter of Sultan Iltutmish, Razia ruled during the Delhi Sultanate era from 1236 to 1240. It is believed she had refused to be addressed as a Sultana (as per her gender) as that word meant “wife or mistress of a Sultan”, but claimed the title “Sultan”. It was a title never before bestowed on a woman. About RAZIA SULTANA Raziyyat-Ud-Dunya Wa Ud-Din (1205 – 1240), popularly known as Razia Sultana, was a ruler of the Delhi Sultanate. She was the first female Muslim ruler of the subcontinent, and the only female Muslim ruler of Delhi. A daughter of Mamluk Sultan Shamsuddin Iltutmish, Razia administered Delhi during 1231–1232 when her father was busy in the Gwalior campaign. According to a possibly apocryphal legend, impressed by her performance during this period, Iltutmish nominated Razia as his heir apparent after returning to Delhi. Iltutmish was succeeded by Razia’s half-brother Ruknuddin Firuz, whose mother Shah Turkan planned to execute her. During a rebellion against Ruknuddin, Razia instigated the general public against Shah Turkan, and ascended the throne after Ruknuddin was deposed in 1236. Razia’s ascension was challenged by a section of nobles, some of whom ultimately joined her, while the others were defeated. The Turkic nobles who supported her expected her to be a figurehead, but she increasingly asserted her power. This, combined with her appointments of non-Turkic officers to important posts, led to their resentment against her. She was deposed by a group of nobles in April 1240, after having ruled for less than four years. She married one of the rebels – Ikhtiyaruddin Altunia – and attempted to regain the throne, but was defeated by her half-brother and successor Muizuddin Bahram in October that year, and was killed shortly after. Source: Indian Express JUDICIAL PENDENCY Syllabus Mains – GS 2 Context: As this years summer’s court break began, the debate about how much time judges actually put in on the Bench has been rekindled by a casual remark from a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, who said that judges work only for a few hours a day, take long vacations and need to modernise. Background: As per information provided to Rajya Sabha by ministry of Law and Justice, over 5.02 crore cases were pending in various courts. Judicial Pendency: It refers to the high number of unresolved cases that are pending before the courts. The problem of pendency is particularly acute at the lower levels of the judiciary, where the majority of cases are filed and where the shortage of judges is most severe. In many states, the number of pending cases is significantly higher than the national average. For example, in Bihar, there are over 5 million pending cases, while in Uttar Pradesh, there are over 6 million pending cases. Between 2010 and 2020, pendency across all courts grew by 2.8% annually. This implies that if no new cases were to be filed, the time taken by courts to dispose of all the pending cases at the current disposal rate would be 1.3 years for the Supreme Court and 3 years each for High Courts and subordinate courts. Tribunals and special courts (such as Fast Track Courts and Family Courts), which were set up to ensure speedy disposal of cases, also witness high pendency and vacancies. Reasons for the pendency of cases: Low ratio of judges to population and delay in filling the vacancies of judicial officers and judges. The laid down procedure of allowing a maximum of three adjournments per case is not followed in over 50 percent of the matters being heard by courts, leading to rising pendency of cases. Court complexes lack adequate funds, internet, lackadaisical working style of staff, and courtrooms to occupy judges. Delay in processing both civil and criminal cases due to non-availability of counsel, misaligned incentives, the complexity of facts involved, nature of evidence, etc. leads to rising judicial pendency. Way Forward: Collegium should take adequate safeguards and transparency in selecting judges so that judges of high calibre and impeccable integrity are appointed to the higher courts. An All-India Judicial Services examination can be considered to maintain high standards in the judiciary. Articles 224A and 128 of the Constitution can be invoked to appoint ad hoc Judges. Promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms such as Lok Adalat, Arbitration, Mediation, Conciliation, etc. for civil cases can help to reduce the burden on courts and facilitate robust legal practice. The government should provide adequate funds for developing and upgrading the judicial infrastructure, training judicial staff, etc. A time limit should be set for hearing a case and deciding. Consider and explore options for setting up fast-track courts and fixing time limits or deadlines for certain categories of cases, especially in subordinate courts. Reduce the criminalization of violations and move towards the compounding of minor offences. Reform forensics and ballistics testing by outsourcing to accredited laboratories. Government departments must establish a strong internal grievance redressal mechanism and empower designated officers to decide disputes between employees and departments. Introduce incentive and sanction-based models of motivation to ensure that citizens abide by the law. Prohibitive penalties should be imposed to check traffic violations, and civic violations including littering in public, first-time petty offenders, etc. Source: Indian Express Practice MCQs Daily Practice MCQs Q1.) Consider the following statements about Razia Sultana Iltutmish was succeeded by Razia’s half-brotherRuknuddin Firuz, She ruled during the Delhi Sultanate era from 1236 to 1240. She dressed in traditional male attire & rode on elephants through the streets of Delhi. How many of the statements given above are correct? Only one Only two All three None Q2.) Consider the following statements about James Webb Space Telescope (JWST): JWST is an international collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Scientists have used JWST to explore Cosmic Dawn. JWST is designed to conduct infrared astronomy. How many of the statements given above are correct? Only one Only two All three None Q3.) Consider the following statements : CHANG’E-6 mission is part of China’s moon exploration programme. Missions to the moon’s far side are more difficult because it doesn’t face the Earth, requiring a relay satellite to maintain communications. Which of the statements given above is/are not correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!! ANSWERS FOR ’ 4th June 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st ANSWERS FOR 3rd June – Daily Practice MCQs Answers- Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) – b Q.2) – c Q.3) – b

Jun 4, 2024 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2024 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 4th June 2024

Jun 3, 2024 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam –3rd June 2024

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus) SHANGRI LA DIALOGUE Syllabus Prelims – Current Event Context: The 2024 Shangri-La Dialogue took place in Singapore from 31 May to 2 June. Background:- The Shangri-La Dialogue is Asia’s premier defence summit. It’s a unique meeting where ministers debate the region’s most pressing security challenges, engage in important bilateral talks and come up with fresh approaches together. About Shangri La Dialogue The Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) is an annual “Track One” inter-governmental security conference held in Singapore. It’s organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), an independent think tank. The forum is named after the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore, where it has been held since 2002. The dialogue is attended by defense ministers, permanent heads of ministries, and military chiefs of mostly Asia-Pacific states. It serves to cultivate a sense of community among the most important policymakers in the defense and security community in the region. Besides government delegations, the summit is also attended by legislators, academic experts, distinguished journalists, and business delegates. The 2024 Shangri-La Dialogue took place in Singapore from 31 May to 2 June. The Keynote Address was delivered by Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., President of the Philippines. Some of the highlights from the 2024 dialogue include: The Philippines made a statement regarding the South China Sea conflict, suggesting that China and the Philippines would be ‘crossing the Rubicon’ should a Filipino citizen be killed by Beijing’s ongoing actions in the South China Sea4. Canada announced the deployment of a Harry DeWolf-class Arctic patrol vessel to the Indo-Pacific as part of the country’s effort to deepen its naval presence. The Shangri-La Dialogue has become one of the most important independent forums for the exchange of views by international security policy decision-makers. It provides a unique platform for debate among government ministers and senior officials, as well as business leaders and security experts, on Asia’s developing security challenges. Source: IISS INDIA’S RUSSIAN OIL IMPORTS Syllabus Mains – GS 2 Context: India’s Russian oil imports climbed to a 10-month high in May as low Russian refinery capacity use due to Ukrainian drone strikes made more of Moscow’s oil available for the export market, as per oil tanker tracking data and industry experts. Background: The rise in India’s import of discounted Russian oil over the past few months has hit flows from Saudi Arabia the most, the data shows. Key takeaways? Indian refiners imported a total of 1.96 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian crude oil in May, the highest since July of last year, and nearly 3 per cent higher than volumes imported in April. Oil imports from Saudi Arabia—India’s third-biggest source market for crude—declined almost 13 percent sequentially to 0.55 million bpd. The primary reason for the decline is seen as the ample availability of Russian crude, which continues to maintain a price advantage over Riyadh’s oil. Supply of the medium-sour Urals crude—Russia’s flagship crude grade and the mainstay of India’s Russian oil purchases—to Indian refiners touched a record high in May at 1.53 million bpd, accounting for over 78 percent of India’s Russian oil imports. May also marked a 10-month high in India’s oil imports from the United States (US)—New Delhi’s fifth-largest source of crude oil. Indian refiners imported a total of 0.21 million bpd of crude from the US in May and the highest since July of last year. In terms of market share, Russia accounted for almost 41 percent of the total 4.79 million bpd of crude oil imported into India in May. India’s second-largest source of crude—Iraq—accounted for a fifth of New Delhi’s oil imports in May, while Saudi Arabia’s share was 11.4 percent. As the world’s third-largest consumer of crude oil with a high import dependency level of over 85 percent, India is extremely sensitive to oil prices. Although trade sources have indicated that discounts on Russian crude have shrunk considerably over the past months, Indian refiners have evidently remained keen on buying Russian oil as given the high import volumes, even lower discount levels lead to significant savings. Additional Information: Prior to the war in Ukraine, Iraq and Saudi Arabia were the top two suppliers of crude oil to India. But as the West started weaning itself off Russian energy supplies following Moscow’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia started offering discounts on its crude and Indian refiners started snapping up the discounted barrels. Source: Indian Express INDIA METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT (IMD) Syllabus Prelims – Current Event Context: When Delhi’s Mungeshpur weather station recorded a maximum temperature of 52.9 degrees Celsius on May 29, it was on account of “malfunctioning of the sensor,” the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said. Background: The maximum temperature of 52.9 degrees at Mungeshpur was an all-time high for any location in India and this had prompted the IMD to verify the recording at the station. About IMD It is the principal agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting, and seismology. It functions under Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) with its headquarter at Mausam Bhawan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. IMD is also one of the six Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres of the World Meteorological Organisation. It has the responsibility for forecasting, naming and distribution of warnings for tropical cyclones in the Northern Indian Ocean region, including the Malacca Straits, the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf. Here are some key details about IMD: Established in 1875, IMD is the National Meteorological Service of the country. IMD is headquartered in Delhi and operates hundreds of observation stations across India and Antarctica. It deals with all matters relating to meteorology, seismology, and associated subjects. IMD provides a variety of services such as rainfall information, monsoon information, cyclone information, agromet advisory services, climate services, urban meteorological services, aviation services, climate hazard & vulnerability atlas, geospatial services, and forecasts. IMD plays a crucial role in providing weather updates and warnings, which are vital for various sectors including agriculture, aviation, and disaster management. It also provides specialized forecasts and conducts research in meteorology and allied subjects. Additional Information – History of meteorology in India: The beginnings of meteorology in India can be traced to ancient times. Early philosophical writings of the 3000 B.C. era, such as the Upanishadas, contain serious discussion about the processes of cloud formation and rain and the seasonal cycles caused by the movement of earth round the sun. Varahamihira’s classical work, the Brihatsamhita, written around 500 A.D., provides a clear evidence that a deep knowledge of atmospheric processes existed even in those times. Kautilya’s Arthashastra contains records of scientific measurements of rainfall and its application to the country’s revenue and relief work. Kalidasa in his epic, ‘Meghdoot’, written around the seventh century, even mentions the date of onset of the monsoon over central India and traces the path of the monsoon clouds. Meteorology, as we perceive it now, may be said to have had its firm scientific foundation in the 17th century after the invention of the thermometer and the barometer and the formulation of laws governing the behaviour of atmospheric gases. It was in 1686 that Edmond Halley, a British scientist, published his treatise on the Indian summer monsoon, which he attributed to a seasonal reversal of winds due to the differential heating of the Asian land mass and the Indian Ocean. India is fortunate to have some of the oldest meteorological observatories of the world. The British East India Company established several such stations, for example, those at Calcutta in 1785 and Madras (now Chennai) in 1796 for studying the weather and climate of India. The Asiatic Society of Bengal founded in 1784 at Calcutta, and in 1804 at Bombay (now Mumbai), promoted scientific studies in meteorology in India. In the first half of the 19th century, several observatories began functioning in India under the provincial governments. A disastrous tropical cyclone struck Calcutta in 1864 and this was followed by failures of the monsoon rains in 1866 and 1871. In the year 1875, the Government of India established the India Meteorological Department, bringing all meteorological work in the country under a central authority. The first Director General of Observatories was Sir John Eliot who was appointed in May 1889 at Calcutta headquarters. The headquarters of IMD were later shifted to Shimla, then to Poona (now Pune) and finally to New Delhi. Source: IMD HEAT STROKE Syllabus Prelims – Current Event Context: Odisha reported at least 99 suspected heatstroke deaths over the past 72 hours as intense heatwave conditions gripped the state. Background: According to the IMD, heatwave conditions are likely to prevail in the western region of the state, while the coastal and interior districts will witness hot and humid weather conditions. About Heat Stroke: Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature: the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. If untreated, heatstroke can quickly damage your brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles. The damage worsens the longer treatment is delayed, increasing your risk of serious complications or death. Here are some key details about heat stroke: Symptoms: The symptoms of heat stroke include a high body temperature of 104°F or higher, altered mental state or behavior (such as confusion, agitation, slurred speech, irritability, delirium, seizures, and coma), alteration in sweating, nausea and/or vomiting, flushed or reddened skin, rapid breathing, fast heartbeat, headache, and muscle weakness or cramps. Causes: Heatstroke can occur due to prolonged exposure to a hot environment or intense physical activity in hot weather. Other factors that could lead to heatstroke include wearing excess clothing, drinking too much alcohol, not drinking an adequate amount of water or being dehydrated, aging (as the ability to cope with hot weather decreases with age), lack of proper air conditioning, certain medications that lead to dehydration, and medical conditions such as heart and lung diseases. Treatment: Treatments for heatstroke aim at reducing the body temperature and preventing damage to the internal organs. Immediate actions to cool the overheated person include moving them to a cool place, removing excess clothing, getting them to drink a sports or rehydration drink, or cool water, and cooling their skin by spraying or sponging them with cool water. Prevention: To prevent heat stroke, it’s recommended to remain indoors during hot weather, wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in high temperatures, drink plenty of fluids, protect yourself from sunburn, do not leave anyone in a parked car, especially during hot weather, rest adequately during long working hours, and be cautious in hot temperatures if you suffer from any heart or lung diseases. Source: Mayo Clinic COAL Syllabus Prelims & Mains – Geography Context: A recent report by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, furnished new documents to allege that in 2014, the Adani Group claimed ‘low grade’ coal, imported from Indonesia, to be ‘high-quality’ coal, inflated its value and sold it to Tamil Nadu’s power generation company, TANGEDCO (Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company). Background: Due to this, not only did the Adani Group make a huge profit, but it also harmed the environment due to the burning of low-grade coal by the power-generating company, alleged the report. What is ‘high grade’ and ‘low grade’ coal? High and low quality are relative terms and only meaningful in the context of where the coal is used and how they are processed. The Gross Calorific Value (GCV), or the amount of heat or energy that can be generated from burning the coal, determines the gradation of coal. Coal being a fossil fuel is a mixture of carbon, ash, moisture and a host of other impurities. The higher the available carbon in a unit of coal, the greater is its quality or ‘grade.’ There are 17 grades of coal by this metric from grade 1, or top quality coal, with a kilo of it yielding higher than 7,000 kcal, and the lowest producing anywhere between 2,200-2,500 kcal, as per a classification by the Coal Ministry. However, the calorific value is not a useful metric on its own. The most important uses of coal are in running thermal power plants or powering a blast furnace to produce steel and both require different kinds of coal. ‘Coking’ coal is the kind needed to produce coke — an essential component of steel making — and thus requires minimal ash content. Non-coking coal, despite its ash content, can be used to generate enough useful heat to run a boiler and turbine. What are the characteristics of Indian coal? Indian coal has historically been evaluated as being high in ash content and low in calorific value compared to imported coal. The average GCV of domestic thermal coal ranges from 3,500-4,000 kcal/kg compared to imported thermal coals of +6,000 kcal/kg of GCV. Also the average ash content of Indian coals is more than 40% compared to imported coal which has less than 10% ash content. The consequence of this is that high-ash coal when burnt results in higher particulate matter, nitrogen and sulphur dioxide. What is clean coal? Broadly, we get clean coal when the carbon content has been increased by reducing its ash content. Coal plants have ‘washing plants’ on site which can process the coal in ways that reduce ash and moisture content. They employ huge blowers or a ‘bath’ to remove fine, coarse ash. However, deploying such equipment is expensive and adds to the cost of power. The other method to clean coal — again requiring significant investment — is coal gasification. Here, the need to directly burn coal is bypassed by converting it into gas. By relying on an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) system, steam and hot pressurised air or oxygen combine with coal in a reaction that forces carbon molecules apart. The resulting syngas, a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, CO2 and water vapour, is then cleaned and burned in a gas turbine to make electricity. Since IGCC power plants create two forms of energy (steam from the gasification process apart from syngas as fuel), they increase efficiency of the coal used. What is the future of coal in India? Official data says that India in 2023-24 produced 997 million tonnes of coal, an 11% growth over the previous year. Most of this was produced by the state-owned Coal India Ltd and its subsidiaries. Despite stated commitments to transition India’s electricity sector away from fossil fuel, coal is the mainstay of India’s energy economy. Change, however, is in the air as for the first time this year, renewable energy accounted for 71.5% of the record 13.6 GW power generation capacity added by India in the first quarter of this year, while coal’s share (including lignite) of total power capacity dropped below 50% for the first time since the 1960s. Source: Hindu RED LIST OF MANGROVE ECOSYSTEMS Syllabus Mains – GS 3 Context: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has issued a “Red List of Mangrove Ecosystems” cautioning that half of the world’s mangrove ecosystems are at risk of collapsing. This marks the first comprehensive global assessment of mangroves by IUCN. Background: The world’s mangrove ecosystems cover about 150 thousand km2 along mainly tropical, sub-tropical and some warm temperate coasts of the world. About 15% of the world’s coastlines are covered by mangroves. Mangrove ecosystems are important for biodiversity conservation, provision of essential goods and services to local communities, and reducing the impact of climate change. For this reason, understanding risk of ecosystem collapse has serious socioeconomic implications. Key Findings of the Report: It classified the world’s mangrove ecosystems into 36 different regions called provinces and assessed the threats and risk of collapse in each region. Over 50% of the world’s mangrove ecosystems are at risk of collapse (classified as either vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered), with nearly 1 in 5 facing severe risk. One-third of the world’s mangrove ecosystem provinces will be severely affected by sea-level rise, with 25% of the global mangrove area predicted to be submerged in the next 50 years. The mangrove ecosystem in South India shared with Sri Lanka and Maldives, is categorized as “critically endangered”. In contrast, mangrove ecosystems in the Bay of Bengal region (shared with Bangladesh) and the western coast (shared with Pakistan) are classified as “least concerned”. A study found that globally, climate change is the major threat to mangrove ecosystems, affecting 33% of mangroves. It is followed by deforestation, development, pollution, and dam construction. Increased frequency and intensity of cyclones, typhoons, hurricanes, and tropical storms are impacting mangroves on certain coastlines. Coasts along the Northwest Atlantic, North Indian Ocean, Red Sea, South China Sea, and Gulf of Aden are predicted to be significantly impacted. Without increased conservation, about 7,065 sq km (5%) more mangroves could be lost, and 23,672 sq km (16%) will be submerged by 2050. Status of Mangroves Cover in India: Mangroves are a unique type of coastal ecosystem found in tropical and subtropical regions. They are dense forests of salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that thrive in intertidal zones, where land meets the sea. These ecosystems are characterized by their ability to withstand harsh conditions, such as saline water, tidal fluctuations, and muddy, oxygen-poor soils. About 40% of the world’s mangrove cover is found in Southeast Asia and South Asia. India has about 3% of the total mangrove cover in South Asia. India’s mangrove cover has increased by 54 sq. km (1.10%) compared to the previous assessment. The current mangrove cover in India is 4,975 sq. km, which is 0.15% of the country’s total geographical area. West Bengal (42.45%) has the largest share of India’s mangrove cover, followed by Gujarat at 23.66% and Andaman & Nicobar Islands at 12.39%. The South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal alone accounts for 41.85% of India’s mangrove cover. This region includes the Sundarbans National Park, one of the largest mangrove forests in the world. Gujarat has shown a maximum increase of 37 sq. km in mangrove cover. Source: IUCN Practice MCQs Daily Practice MCQs Q1.) Consider the following statements about India Meteorological Department (IMD) : IMD is headquartered in Delhi and operates observation stations across India and Antarctica. It functions under Ministry of Science & Technology. IMD is also one of the six Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres of the World Meteorological Organisation. How many of the statements given above are correct? Only one Only two All three None Q2.) Consider the following statements: Indian coal has historically been evaluated as being high in ash content and low in calorific value compared to imported coal. The higher the available carbon in a unit of coal, the greater is its quality or ‘grade.’ Non-coking coal, despite its ash content, can be used to generate enough useful heat to run a boiler and turbine. How many of the statements given above are correct? Only one Only two All three None Q3.) Consider the following statements about Shangri La Dialogue: It’s organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), an independent think tank. The 2024 Shangri-La Dialogue took place in Malaysia. Which of the statements given above is/are not correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!! ANSWERS FOR ’ 3rd June 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st ANSWERS FOR 1st June – Daily Practice MCQs Answers- Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) – c Q.2) – d Q.3) – c

Jun 3, 2024 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2024 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 3rd June 2024

Jun 1, 2024 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam –1st June 2024

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus) AGNIBAAN SOrTeD (suborbital technological demonstrator) Syllabus Prelims – Current Event Context: Chennai-based space startup AgniKul Cosmos launched a single-stage technology demonstrator rocket — Agnibaan SOrTeD (suborbital technological demonstrator) — from Sriharikota. Background:- Founded in 2017 by Srinath Ravichandran, Moin S P M, and S R Chakravarthy, AgniKul became the first Indian firm to sign an agreement with Isro in December 2020. This pioneering agreement was facilitated under the IN-SPACe initiative, granting AgniKul unprecedented access to Isro’s expertise and cutting-edge facilities. The company is one of the highest-funded space startups in India and has raised $42 million so far. Key takeaways India made history in the space sector on Thursday with the first launch from a private launchpad of the country’s second privately built rocket and the first using a combination of gas and liquid fuel. SOrTeD uses the world’s first single-piece 3D-printed engine, designed and built indigenously. This launch is also considered historic because the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has not yet successfully flown a semi-cryogenic engine, in which a mix of liquid and gas is used as a propellant. Agnibaan also has the unique distinction of having been launched from India’s first private launchpad Dhanush, established by AgniKul. The key purpose of this mission is to serve as a test flight, demonstrate in-house and home-grown technologies, gather crucial flight data, and ensure optimal functioning of systems for AgniKul’s orbital launch vehicle, the ‘Agnibaan’. The Agnibaan rocket is a customisable, two-stage launch vehicle that can carry up to 300 kilogram (kg) of payload to orbits nearly 700 kilometre in altitude, the company said. The startup is looking at flying an orbital mission towards the end of 2024–25 and is working with customers on flights starting regularly in the calendar year 2025. It was in November 2022 that a private company, Skyroot Aerospace, successfully developed and operated the launch vehicle Vikram-S on a sub-orbital flight from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, becoming the first player to do so. Source: Business Standard AHILYABAI HOLKER Syllabus Prelims – HISTORY Context: On May 31, we celebrated the 300th birth anniversary of the Maratha queen Ahilya Bai Holkar — a great administrator and visionary with a spiritual inclination. Background: “The reign of Ahilyabai, of Indore in central India, lasted for thirty years. This has become almost legendary as a period during which perfect order and good government prevailed and the people prospered. She was a very able ruler and organizer, highly respected during her lifetime, and considered as a saint by a grateful people after her death.” – Jawaharlal Nehru (The Discovery of India/1946) About AHILYABAI HOLKER Rajmata Ahilyabai Holkar was the Holkar Queen of the Malwa kingdom. She is regarded as one of the most visionary female rulers of India. Born on 31 May 1725, in the village of Chondi in Jamkhed, Ahmednagar (Maharashtra), Ahilya hailed from a very humble background. Her father Mankoji Rao Shinde was the village head, and he taught her to read and write. As a young girl, the combination of her simplicity and strength of character caught the attention of Malhar Rao Holkar, the Lord of the Malwa territory. He was so impressed with the young Ahilya that in 1733 when she was barely eight years old, he got her married to his son Khanderao Holkar. Twelve years after her marriage, her husband Khanderao died during the siege of the Kumher Fort.After the death of her husband, Ahilyabai was stopped by her father-in-law from committing sati. Instead, he took her under his wing and trained her in military and administrative matters. Her father in law, Malhar Rao passed away in 1766, and in the following year, she lost her son, Male Rao. Keeping in mind the welfare of the kingdom and her people, she petitioned the Peshwa to allow her to take over the reign of Malwa. Although some of the nobles objected to this, she still had the support of the army. In 1767, the Peshwa granted Ahilyabai permission to take over Malwa. She ascended the throne and became the ruler of Indore on 11 December 1767. For the next 28 years, Maharani Ahilyabai ruled over Malwa in a just, wise, and knowledgeable manner. Under Ahilyabai’s rule, Malwa enjoyed relative peace, prosperity, and stability, and her capital, Maheshwar, was turned into an oasis of literary, musical, artistic, and industrial pursuits. Ahilyabai also established a textile industry in Maheshwar, which today is very famous for its Maheshwari sarees. Her most notable contribution was the renovation and repair of the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple in 1780. The ‘Philosopher Queen’ as she is famously known, passed away on 13th August 1795 at the age of seventy. Her legacy still lives on and the various temples, Dharamshalas, and public works undertaken by her stand as a testimony to the great warrior queen she was. Source: Indian Culture FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT (FDI) EQUITY INFLOWS Syllabus Prelims & Mains – ECONOMY Context: According to the latest data released by the government, foreign direct investment (FDI) equity inflows in India decreased by 3.49 per cent in FY24 to $44.42 billion. Reduced investments in sectors such as services, computer hardware and software, telecom, auto, and pharma, are being attributed as the primary reasons for the slump. Background: Foreign investment, including FDI equity inflows, is needed to supplement domestic resources and finance the current account deficit. FDI inflows are a good indicator of a nation’s appeal as a long-term investment destination. The total FDI, which includes equity inflows, reinvested earnings, and other capital, saw a slight decrease of 1 per cent to $70.95 billion in FY24, down from $71.35 billion in FY23, as reported by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Key Takeaways The FDI inflows into the manufacturing sector in FY24 are one of the lowest in the past five years, according to the provisional FDI data published in the RBI annual report. The manufacturing sectors received $9.3 billion FDI in FY24, which was 17.7 per cent less than the $11.3 billion inflows in FY23. In FY22, the manufacturing sector received $16.3 billion in FDI. Computer services received $4.9 billion during the financial year 2023-24, down from $5.6 billion in FY23. The decline in financial services was more significant, with FDI inflows dropping by 35 per cent to $4.4 billion. Retail and trade experienced a 22.7 per cent decrease in FY24, amounting to $4.1 billion. FDI inflows in communication services fell by 17.8 per cent in FY24. Conversely, FDI in electricity transmission and generation surged by two-thirds, rising from $3.3 billion in FY23 to $5.5 billion in FY24. Singapore remained the largest source of FDI into India in FY24, contributing $11.8 billion, although this was $5.4 billion less than the previous year. It was followed by Mauritius ($7.97 billion), the United States ($4.99 billion), Netherlands ($4.92 billion), Japan ($3.18 billion), the United Kingdom ($1.21 billion), the United Arab Emirates ($2.92 billion), Cyprus ($806 million), Germany ($505 million), and Cayman Islands ($342 million). FDI inflows from Mauritius increased by 31% in FY24. This rise followed the new tax treaty with Mauritius, effective from April 1, 2017, which eliminated several tax benefits and prompted investors to shift their base to Singapore for channelling FDIs into India. The fall in FDI equity inflows can be attributed to two reasons – globally, investible funds have fallen and interest rates have hardened. Several sectors, including IT (information technology) and startups are seeing saturation of investment. Maharashtra continued to be the most favoured destination of investors, receiving $15.11 billion worth of investments, although inflows declined 2 per cent. This was followed by Karnataka with $6.57 billion in FY23 from $10.42 billion a year ago. Source: Business Standard MALDOVA Syllabus Prelims – GEOGRAPHY Context: U.S. pledged $135 million in aid to Moldova for energy security and to counter Russian disinformation as the Western-leaning nation struggles to blunt Moscow’s push for influence that has been buoyed by recent successes in its war in neighboring Ukraine. Background: There are also signs Russia may be considering new actions in Moldova, where it has 1,500 troops stationed in the disputed territory of Transnistria, and is behind anti-Western moves that the U.S. believes run counter to Moldovan aspirations to join the European Union. About Moldova Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, on the northeastern corner of the Balkans. The country spans a total of 33,483 km2 and has a population of approximately 2.5 million as of January 2023. Moldova is bordered by Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. The unrecognised breakaway state of Transnistria lies across the Dniester river on the country’s eastern border with Ukraine. Moldova is a unitary parliamentary representative democratic republic with its capital in Chișinău, the country’s largest city and main cultural and commercial centre. Moldova is the second poorest country in Europe by GDP per official capita after Ukraine and much of its GDP is dominated by the service sector. Moldova is a member state of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the World Trade Organization, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development, the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, and the Association Trio. Source: Hindu KAZA SUMMIT Syllabus Prelims – Environment Context: Delegates to the ongoing KAZA 2024 Heads of State Summit in Livingstone, Zambia, renewed calls this week for member states to pull out of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (or CITES) which has repeatedly denied them permission to sell off their abundant ivory and other wildlife products. Background: The Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area spans five southern African countries: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The KAZA TFCA was formally established on 18th of August 2011 when the Heads of States of the five governments signed its Treaty in Luanda, Angola. About KAZA-TFCA The Kavango-Zambezi Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA) is a 520,000-square kilometre nature and landscape conservation area straddling five southern African nations that share common borders along the Okavango and Zambezi river basins. It includes a major part of the Upper Zambezi River and Okavango basins and Delta, the Caprivi Strip of Namibia, the southeastern part of Angola, southwestern Zambia, the northern wildlands of Botswana and western Zimbabwe. The centre of this area is at the confluence of the Zambezi and Chobe Rivers where the borders of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe meet. It incorporates a number of notable national parks and nature sites, including Chobe National Park, Hwange National Park, and the Victoria Falls. The region is home to a population of approximately 250,000 animals, including the largest population of African Elephants in the world Source: Down to Earth DROP IN GLOBAL FOOD PRICES Syllabus Mains – GS 3 Context: In 2023, world food prices dropped significantly from their 2022 highs. However, India’s food inflation remained high at 9.5% in December 2023, contrasting with global deflation of -10.1%. Background: The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of commonly traded food commodities, was 13.7 percent lower last year than the 2022 average. Factors contributing to the drop in Global Food Prices: Bumper harvests of major crops like wheat in 2023 led to a surplus in the global market. This abundance contrasts with concerns in 2022, when worries about supply disruptions due to the war in Ukraine, a major grain exporter, caused prices to spike. Despite the disruption of the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July 2023, both Russia and Ukraine have managed to maintain wheat exports. This continued flow of grain from the region has helped to alleviate some of the supply anxieties. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization Vegetable Price Index saw the biggest drop in 2023, falling by 32.7%. This decline is due to a combination of factors, including improved vegetable oil supplies and a decrease in its use for biofuel production. High inflation and fears of an economic recession have dampened consumer demand in many parts of the world, including in major food-importing regions, leading to a decline in import demand for certain food commodities and putting downward pressure on global prices. Reasons for experiencing High Food Inflation in India despite falling Global Food Prices: While global food prices fell, India’s food prices stayed elevated due to the limited transmission of international prices to domestic markets. India’s import dependence is significant only for edible oils (60% of consumption) and pulses. The Indian government-imposed bans on exports of certain food items like wheat, non-basmati white rice, sugar, and onions and provided import duty waivers on others, effectively reducing global market influences on domestic prices. Domestic production challenges like weather conditions affecting crop yields, particularly for cereals, pulses, and sugar, contributed to supply shortages and higher prices domestically. Cereal and pulse inflation stood at 9.9% and 20.7% year-on-year, respectively, in December 2023. Low stock levels for commodities like wheat and sugar further exacerbated price pressures. Way Forward: Investing in agricultural infrastructure, technology, and research to improve crop yields and reduce production costs can boost supply and stabilise prices. Enhancing logistics, storage facilities, and distribution networks can reduce wastage and ensure a steady supply of food items to the market, mitigating price fluctuations. Promoting diversification by encouraging the cultivation of a variety of crops and supporting alternative farming practices can reduce reliance on a few commodities and balance market dynamics. Monitoring food prices regularly and implementing effective price regulation mechanisms can prevent price manipulation and ensure fair pricing for consumers and producers alike. Addressing climate change challenges through sustainable farming practices, water management strategies, and crop diversification can reduce production risks and enhance food security in the long term. Source: PBS Practice MCQs Daily Practice MCQs Q1.) Consider the following statements about Kavango-Zambezi Trans-Frontier Conservation Area It spans five southern African countries: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It incorporates a number of notable national parks and nature sites, including Chobe National Park, Hwange National Park, and the Victoria Falls. Which of the statements give above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q2.) Consider the following countries Maldova Poland Slovakia Belarus How many of the countries given above share borders with Ukraine? Only one Only two Only three All four Q3.) Consider the following statements about Ahilyabai Holker She was the Holkar Queen of the Malwa kingdom. Her notable contribution was the renovation and repair of the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Her capital, Maheshwar, was an oasis of literary, musical, artistic, and industrial pursuits. How many of the statements give above are correct? One only Two only All three None Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!! ANSWERS FOR ’ 31st May 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st ANSWERS FOR 30th May – Daily Practice MCQs Answers- Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) – b Q.2) – c Q.3) – a

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