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May 30, 2024 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam –30th May 2024

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus) CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT Syllabus Prelims – ECONOMY Context: Amid tight liquidity conditions and sluggish growth in deposits, banks turned to mobilising funds through issuing certificates of deposit (CDs) in the financial year 2023-2024, which saw a surge of 31 per cent in CD issuance compared to the previous year. Background:- Deposit growth of banks was 13.1 per cent year-on-year till March 8 (excluding the impact of the merger of HDFC with HDFC Bank) which was lower than the credit growth of 16.5 per cent. About Certificate of Deposit A CD is a contract between depositors and the approved bank or financial institution. The depositor lends the money to the bank, and in exchange, the bank provides interest to the depositor for a set time. At the time the instrument reaches maturity, depositors can redeem their funds. CDs are given in a dematerialised format. It is governed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which establishes the rules for purchasing CDs. Certificate of Deposits (CDs) may be issued by: Scheduled Commercial Banks; Regional Rural Banks; and Small Finance Banks. Select all-India Financial Institutions that have been permitted by the RBI to raise short-term resources within the umbrella limit fixed by the RBI. CDs may be issued at a discount on face value but may also be issued as coupon bearing instruments. CDs may also be issued on a fixed / floating rate basis provided the interest rate on the floating rate CD is reset at periodic rests agreed to at the time of issue and is linked to a benchmark published by a Financial Benchmark Administrator or approved by the Fixed Income Money Market and Derivatives Association of India (FIMMDA) for this purpose. Like a fixed deposit (FD), a CD’s purpose is to denote in writing that you have deposited money in a bank for a fixed period and that bank will pay you interest on it based on the amount and duration of your deposit. Features of CD Banks: CDs shall be issued in minimum denomination of ₹5 lakh and in multiples of ₹5 lakh thereafter. The tenor of a CD at issuance shall not be less than seven days and shall not exceed one year. Financial Institutions: FIs can issue CDs for a period not less than 1 year and not exceeding 3 years from the date of issue. A certificate of deposit is fully taxable under the Income Tax Act. Loans cannot be granted against CDs, unless specifically permitted by the Reserve Bank. Source: RBI GOLDEN RICE Syllabus Prelims & Mains – SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT & AGRICULTURE Context: A court in the Philippines recently revoked biosafety permits for commercial propagation of genetically modified golden rice and Bt eggplant. Background: The decision is circulating in the international media, as proponents of GM crops have claimed the decision may have disastrous consequences for children with vitamin A deficiency, ignoring the safety violations noted by the court. About Golden Rice Golden Rice is a new type of rice that contains beta carotene (provitamin A, a plant pigment that the body converts into vitamin A as needed). This compound is what gives this grain its yellow-orange or golden color, hence its name. Golden Rice is developed through genetic engineering. While ordinary rice does produce beta carotene, it is not found in the grain. Thus, scientists used genetic engineering to add the compound to the grain – a minor tweak that improved the grain’s nutritive value. The beta carotene in Golden Rice, which was made possible by the addition of two new enzymes, is identical to the beta-carotene found in green leafy and yellow-colored vegetables, orange-colored fruit, and even in many vitamin supplements and food ingredients. Like ordinary rice, Golden Rice does not require any special cultivation practices, and generally has the same yield and agronomic performance. While vitamin A can be obtained from food products and supplements, challenges regarding their availability, accessibility, and affordability make it difficult to address the problem of vitamin A deficiency (VAD). As rice is a staple food in many vitamin A-deficient communities in Asia, Golden Rice can be a significant help in improving these areas’ vitamin A status once the grain becomes available for public consumption. Source: International Rice Research Institute DJIBOUTI RELEASES GM MOSQUITOES TO FIGHT MALARIA Syllabus Prelims – SCIENCE Context: Genetically modified (GMO) mosquitoes were released in Djibouti, East Africa on May 23, 2024 to fight malaria. Background: This is the first time a genetically engineered mosquito has been released in East Africa and the second time on the African continent.Burkina Faso in West Africa conducted the first ever release of genetically modified mosquitoes in Africa Key Takeaways The release is part of the ‘Djibouti Friendly Mosquito Programme’ started two years ago to stop the spread of Anopheles stephensi, an invasive species of mosquito. In 2012, when Anopheles stephensi was first detected in Africa, Djibouti reported 27 cases of malaria. By 2020, the country’s malaria caseload had crossed 73,000. This highly invasive mosquito had migrated to Africa from South Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. The invasive mosquito has continued to spread to other countries in the African continent, with cases reported in Ethiopia and Sudan in 2016, Somalia in 2019 and Nigeria in 2020. Unlike other malaria-carrying mosquitoes in Africa that primarily breed in rural areas, Anopheles stephensi is well adapted to the urban environment. This characteric is particularly dangerous for Djibouti, where 70 per cent of the population live in the capital city and are exposed to the malaria vector. It bites both during the day and at night and is resistant to chemical insecticides. To combat these urban invaders, Oxitec, a biotechnology company developed a method that uses mosquitoes to fight mosquitoes. They have released genetically altered male mosquitoes carrying a special gene that prevents their female offspring from reaching adulthood. The laboratory-produced mosquitoes carry a “self-limiting” gene that prevents female mosquito offspring from surviving to adulthood when they mate. Only their male offspring survive but would eventually die out, according to the scientists behind the project. The method targets female mosquitoes, which are responsible for malaria transmission. By reducing the female mosquito population, scientists hope to significantly decrease the spread of the disease. Male mosquitoes do not bite and therefore cannot transmit malaria. About Malaria Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite. The parasite is spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Anopheles mosquitoes are the type of mosquito that transmit malaria from one person to another. Not all Anopheles mosquitoes have malaria, but if they bite a person with malaria, they can become infectious. Once they bite another person, this continues the cycle of spreading malaria from mosquito to people. There are 5 Plasmodium parasite species that cause malaria in humans and 2 of these species – P. falciparum and P. vivax – pose the greatest threat. Source: Down To Earth ZiG OR ZIMBABWE GOLD Syllabus Prelims – Current Event Context: Zimbabwe has launched the world’s newest currency – the ZiG. The new gold-backed currency called the ZiG, or Zimbabwe Gold, has come into effect from April 5, 2024 and will co-circulate with other foreign currencies in the economy. Background: The introduction of ZiG is an attempt to mitigate the currency instability and hyperinflation that has plagued the country for decades. Key Takeaways The ZiG stands out as a new currency backed by gold reserves, ensuring its value is supported by the physical gold held by the government. ZiG notes and coins will be available and issued in denominations: 1ZiG, 2ZiG, 5ZiG, 10ZiG, 20Zig, 50ZiG, 100ZiG, and 200ZiG, with the gold backing aims to provide stability and prevent currency devaluation. Transition from Zimbabwean Dollars to ZiG Banknotes and Coins: Zimbabwe has grappled with high inflation, with rates surpassing 500% in recent years. Following this, the country relied on various currencies, primarily the US dollar, leading to limited control over its economy. The collapse of the Zimbabwean dollar in 2009, with hyperinflation peaking at 5 billion per cent, marked one of the most severe currency crashes in history. The ZiG, now the sixth currency used by Zimbabwe, has been in circulation since April 5, 2024. Banks in Zimbabwe have been converting the previous national currency, the Zimbabwe dollar, into ZiGs, aiming to promote simplicity, certainty, and predictability in monetary and financial matters, Additionally, will circulate alongside other foreign currencies in the economy. Zimbabwe central bank governor has committed that the amount of currency in circulation will be backed by equivalent value in gold (or foreign exchange) in order to prevent the currency losing value like its predecessors. Source: Indian Express RUSSIA’S DISPUTE WITH ESTONIA OVER NARVA RIVER Syllabus Prelims – GEOGRAPHY Context: Recently, a new dispute has emerged between Russia and Estonia, centered around the removal of navigation markers on the Narva River, which forms part of the border between the two countries. Background: The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has not only strained relations between the two countries but has also aggravated tensions with Russia’s neighbouring nations. About ESTONIA : Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country by the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by the sea across from Sweden, to the south by Latvia, and to the east by Lake Peipus and Russia. In 1940 it was forcibly incorporated into the U.S.S.R. as one of its constituent republics. Estonia remained a Soviet republic until 1991, when, along with the other Baltic states, it declared its independence. The territory of Estonia consists of the mainland, the larger islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, and over 2,300 other islands and islets on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea, covering a total area of 45,335 square kilometres. Tallinn, the capital city, and Tartu are the two largest urban areas of the country. Estonia is a developed country, with a high-income advanced economy, ranking 31st (out of 191) in the Human Development Index. With a population of just around 1.4 million, it is one of the least populous members of the European Union, the Eurozone, the OECD, the Schengen Area, and NATO. NARVA RIVER The Narva flows 77 kilometres north into the Baltic Sea and is the largest Estonian river by discharge. A similar length of land far to the south, together with it and a much longer intermediate lake, Lake Peipus, all together nowadays form the international border between Estonia and Russia. Removal of Navigation Buoys: During the Ukraine war, Russia and Estonia recalled their ambassadors in protest. After President Vladimir Putin came to power for the fifth time, Russia removed 24 out of 50 navigation buoys from the Narva River, which demarcates the border between Estonia and Russia. This move has raised concerns about border security and territorial integrity. The Narva River is a vital shipping route for Estonia, and any disruption due to territorial disputes could have significant economic repercussions. Russia’s opposition to floating markers on the river raises concerns about its intentions and could be seen as a strategic move to intimidate Estonia and its NATO allies. Source: Financial Express EXPANSION OF BRICS Syllabus Mains – GS 2 Context: On 1 January 2024, the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) was expanded to include five new countries. Grouping has become a 10-nation body now with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates joining it as new members. This represents a new phase in the bloc’s development and gives it greater economic and demographic weight. Background: In August, the top BRICS leaders at the grouping’s summit in Johannesburg approved a proposal to admit six countries, including Argentina, into the bloc with effect from January 1.However, Argentina’s new President Javier Milei announced withdrawing his country from becoming a member of the BRICS Significance of BRICS Expansion: The expansion signifies a growing alignment of geopolitical and economic agendas within the BRICS. It incorporates major global oil producers near crucial trade chokepoints, such as the Suez Canal and the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-al Mandab Strait. Expanding BRICS opens up new horizons of economic and people-to-people connections. India, Iran, and Russia are already developing the International North-South Transport Corridor. The inclusion of two African countries strengthens the ongoing efforts to promote integration, development, and growth through the African Continental Free Trade Area. The induction of 4 major Middle East Players- Egypt, Iran, UAE, and Saudi gives BRICS a major boost – as these countries have been at odds with each other. BRICS will greatly push forward the agenda for reform in the present system of multilateralism, where Western powers play a dominant role. Issues/Challenges to BRICS regarding Reforms and Expansion: The rapid expansion of members could dilute the original purpose of the BRICS grouping, especially if China is seen as taking a dominant position in the grouping. It is believed by many that the expansion of BRICS is a political manoeuvre to advance China’s vision of international order. As the BRICS, an economic grouping, becomes more strategic and political, India may find its balancing act with the Quad, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and Indo-Pacific Economic Framework more difficult. Tensions between different countries may now make BRICS more unwieldy to run, akin to SAARC, due to tensions between India and Pakistan. Egypt and Ethiopia continue to dispute the management of the Nile River. A clearly defined membership criteria has not been put in the public domain. The sanctions Iran faces might make intra-BRICS trade more difficult to grow- both Russia and Iran are now off the SWIFT system. With expanded BRICS, we are seeing a new wave of “minilateralism” — a style of diplomatic engagement that gives prominence to small- and medium-sized coalitions of like-minded states. One problem with minilateralism is that it threatens to further erode our means of global collective action needed to tackle the massive threats posed to humanity today. Way Forward to India: India needs to strategically balance its ties with the Western powers, especially the US since the expanded BRICS will also include Iran (sanctioned by the US). However, the expansion could advance Indian interests, giving India more clout with a set of nations with which it is keen to expand relations. India needs to balance the strategic influence that China exerts in the BRICS grouping with its economic diplomacy and its relations with Russia and Iran. BRICS expansion means India’s increased influence and added opportunity to collaborate on the problems of the Global South. India should push for institutionalising intra-BRICS trade in the national currencies of members via the Indian payment mechanisms and systems. This will also indirectly encourage the idea of the Internationalization of the Rupee. The inclusion of major oil-producing Middle Eastern powers such as Saudi Arabia and UAE in BRICS increases the opportunity for energy diversification and better energy pricing for India. Advocating a clear membership criterion for BRICS will help ease India’s concerns about who could be future members of the BRICS. Source: Business Standard Practice MCQs Daily Practice MCQs Q1.) Consider the following statements about Golden Rice Golden Rice is a type of rice that contains beta carotene. Like ordinary rice, Golden Rice does not require any special cultivation practices, and generally has the same yield and agronomic performance. As rice is a staple food in many vitamin C-deficient communities in Asia, Golden Rice can be a significant help in improving these areas’ vitamin C status How many of the statements given above are correct? Only one Only two All three None Q2.) Consider the following statements Banks can mobilise funds through issuing certificates of deposit (CDs). A certificate of deposit is fully taxable under the Income Tax Act. Banks are allowed to grant loans against CDs, unless specifically barred by the Reserve Bank. How many of the statements given above are correct? Only one Only two All three None Q3.) Anopheles stephensi ,recently heard in news is A highly invasive mosquito which caused malaria outbreaks in Africa. Mosquitoes which transmits Kala Azar Mosquitos Responsible for Dengue outbreaks in Northern America None of the above Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!! ANSWERS FOR ’ 30th May 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st ANSWERS FOR 29th May – Daily Practice MCQs Answers- Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) – c Q.2) – c Q.3) – a

May 30, 2024 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2024 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 30th May 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

May 29, 2024 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam –29th May 2024

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus) PREFIRE (POLAR RADIANT ENERGY IN THE FAR INFRARED EXPERIMENT ) Syllabus Prelims – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Context: On May 25, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched one of the two climate satellites, which would study heat emissions at Earth’s poles. The second satellite will be launched in the following days. Background:- The two shoebox-sized cube satellites, or CubeSats, will measure how much heat the Arctic and Antarctica — two of the coldest regions on the Earth — radiate into space and how this influences the planet’s climate. The mission has been named PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) and was jointly developed by NASA and the University of Wisconsin-Madison (US). what are CubeSats? CubeSats are essentially miniature satellites whose basic design is a 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm (which makes up for “one unit” or “1U”) cube — just a little bigger than a Rubik’s cube — and weight not more than 1.33 kg. Depending on the CubeSat’s mission, the number of units can be 1.5, 2, 3, 6, and 12U, according to NASA. These satellites were first developed in 1999 as educational tools. However, owing to their low cost and less mass in comparison to traditional satellites, they began to be put in orbit for technology demonstrations, scientific research, and commercial purposes. Each of the PREFIRE satellites is a 6U CubeSat. They measure around 90 cm in height and nearly 120 cm in width when the solar panels, which will power the satellite, are deployed. The two satellites will be placed in a near-polar orbit (a type of low Earth orbit) at an altitude of about 525 kilometres. Why do researchers want to measure heat emissions at Earth’s poles? It has to do with the Earth’s energy budget, which is the balance between the amount of heat incoming to Earth from the Sun and the amount of heat outgoing from Earth into space. The difference between the two determines the planet’s temperature and climate. A large amount of the heat radiated from the Arctic and Antarctica is emitted as far-infrared radiation — wavelengths of 3 μm to 1,000 μm within the infrared range of electromagnetic radiation. However, there is currently no way to measure this type of energy. As a result, there is a gap in knowledge about the planet’s energy budget. What is the PREFIRE mission? The PREFIRE mission will change that. Its two CubeSats can study far-infrared radiation from the Earth’s pole and the data collected by them would help scientists better understand the energy budget of the planet. The observations will help understand the fundamentals of Earth’s heat balance, allowing to better predict how our ice, seas, and weather will change in the face of global warming. Each of the PREFIRE CubeSat is equipped with a thermal infrared spectrometer — known as Thermal Infrared Spectrometer (TIRS) — to measure the amount of infrared and far-infrared radiation from the Arctic and Antarctica. The spectrometer features specially shaped-mirrors and detectors for splitting and measuring infrared light, according to NASA. The CubeSats will also measure the amount of far-infrared radiation trapped by atmospheric water vapour and clouds at the poles and how this influences the greenhouse effect in the region. Source: Indian Express RISING HEAT STRESS IN SIX METROS Syllabus Prelims & Mains – ENVIRONMENT Context: India’s megacities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Hyderabad are experiencing worsening “heat stress” , according to a study by Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment. Background: The CSE study comes at a time when the country is seeing prolonged heatwaves this summer.Odisha recorded 18 heatwave days, while West Bengal recorded 16 in April. A long heatwave is currently prevailing over Rajasthan and parts of Haryana and Delhi. Key Takeaways Worsening “heat stress” in the six metros under study is due to a trend of rising relative humidity over the past two decades. Relative humidity (RH) (expressed as a percent) measures water vapour, but RELATIVE to the temperature of the air. In other words, it is a measure of the actual amount of water vapour in the air compared to the total amount of vapour that can exist in the air at its current temperature. Warm air can possess more water vapor (moisture) than cold air. Besides rising relative humidity, these cities are also experiencing warmer nights as land surface temperatures are not falling at the same rate as a decade ago, said the analysis, blaming this on the “urban heat island” effect. “Urban heat island” effect refers to the trapping of heat due to an increase in built-up area, declining green cover, congestion, heat absorption by urban structures, and heat generated by human activities. This causes the heart of megacities to be much warmer, especially at night, than its outskirts and neighbouring towns. Hot nights are as dangerous as mid-day peak temperatures. People get little chance to recover from day-time heat if temperatures remain high overnight. The combination of rising air and land surface temperatures and high relative humidity is increasing the heat index and heat stress in these cities. Heat index is a measure of discomfort felt due to high heat and humidity. With the exception of Bengaluru, all the other metros have seen a 5-10 per cent rise in average relative humidity during summer, the study noted. According to data, in the last decade, summers in Hyderabad were 10 per cent more humid on an average – the highest among all metros. In Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, humidity increased by 8 per cent, 7 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively. The combination of high heat and humidity can compromise the human body’s main cooling mechanism: sweating. The evaporation of sweat from skin cools our bodies, but higher humidity levels limit this natural cooling, the study said. The combination of these two factors makes people sick and, in some cases, can also prove fatal, even at lower ambient temperatures. There is a need to implement emergency measures during heatwaves to protect public health, and also to develop longer term strategies to mitigate heat by increasing green areas and waterbodies, improving thermal comfort in buildings, and reducing waste heat from vehicles, air conditioners and industries. Source: Indian Express LANDSLIDES Syllabus Prelims & Mains – Geography & Disaster Management Context: Cyclone rain-triggered landslides in the Northeast spotlights need for building resilience to multi-hazard disasters. Background: About 13% of India’s area, spread over 15 states and four Union Territories, is prone to landslides. Key Takeaways Cyclone-triggered landslides have hit Northeastern states on earlier occasions as well. Cyclone Aila had caused landslide events in this region in May 2009. The latest episode spotlights the need for building resilience to multi-hazard disasters. One event can trigger another, and can lead to multiple disasters simultaneously. Over the last few years, India has witnessed events in which heavy rainfall has resulted in a breach of glacial lakes, causing flash floods that have resulted in landslides and flooding. Although India has done well to prepare and safeguard itself against certain natural events such as cyclones, landslides remain a weak point. What are Landslides? A landslide is defined as the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope. Landslides are a type of “mass wasting,” which denotes any down-slope movement of soil and rock under the direct influence of gravity. The term “landslide” encompasses five modes of slope movement: falls, topples, slides, spreads, and flows. These are further subdivided by the type of geologic material (bedrock, debris, or earth). Debris flows (commonly referred to as mudflows or mudslides) and rock falls are examples of common landslide types. Almost every landslide has multiple causes. Slope movement occurs when forces acting down-slope (mainly due to gravity) exceed the strength of the earth materials that compose the slope. Causes include factors that increase the effects of down-slope forces and factors that contribute to low or reduced strength. Landslides can be initiated in slopes already on the verge of movement by rainfall, snowmelt, changes in water level, stream erosion, changes in ground water, earthquakes, volcanic activity, disturbance by human activities, or any combination of these factors. Earthquake shaking and other factors can also induce landslides underwater. These landslides are called submarine landslides. Submarine landslides sometimes cause tsunamis that damage coastal areas. Landslide vulnerability: India’s Case About 0.42 million square km of India’s landmass, or about 13% of its area, spread over 15 states and four Union Territories, is prone to landslides, according to the Geological Survey of India (GSI). This covers almost all the hilly regions in the country. About 0.18 million square km, or 42% of this vulnerable area is in the Northeastern region, where the terrain is mostly hilly.This area is also prone to earthquakes, which too, are a major trigger for landslides. Government data show that between 2015 and 2022, the eight states in this region, including Sikkim, recorded 378 major landslide events which resulted in loss of life or damage to property. In the country as a whole, Kerala saw the largest number of landslides — 2,239 — most of which occurred after the disastrous 2018 floods in the state. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has been working with GSI and other agencies to mitigate and manage the risks from landslides. A National Landslide Risk Management Strategy was finalised in 2019, which talked about vulnerability mapping, identifying the most vulnerable locations, development of an early warning system, and preparation of mountain zone regulations. But most of the work still remains to be done. Early warning Some early warning systems have been developed and deployed on a trial basis at a few locations. These warning systems are linked to rainfall forecasts from IMD. The rainfall prediction is combined with soil and terrain information to calculate whether it is likely to result in displacement of land. Most landslides in the hilly regions are caused by heavy rainfall. Earthquakes can trigger landslides too. Since earthquakes themselves cannot be predicted, we cannot have a landslide early warning based on earthquakes. But rainfall-based early warning systems for landslides seem to work well. Rainfall forecasts, on the other hand, come quite early. Reliable location-specific predictions are available at least a day in advance. Scientists create a rainfall threshold for land movement and soil displacement at each landslide-prone location. If the rainfall forecast is higher than the threshold, an early warning for landslides is issued. Human pressure The risk from landslides has been exacerbated by the failure to remain mindful of the terrain’s ability to withstand the load. Many hilly areas do not have building regulations. Often, regulations are not implemented effectively. New constructions, infrastructure development, and even agricultural practices can increase the risk of landslides. Every mountainous area has a carrying capacity. Sustainability has to be factored in, so that the load does not exceed the carrying capacity. Source: Indian Express CARBON FIBER Syllabus Prelims & Mains – SCIENCE Context: Vice President recently visited National Aerospace Limited (NAL) facilities and laid the foundation stone of the Centre for Carbon Fiber and Prepregs in Bengaluru. Background: Carbon fiber can have higher cost than other materials which has been one of the limiting factors of adoption. Key Takeaways Carbon fiber, also known as graphite fiber or carbon graphite, is a material consisting of thin, strong crystalline filaments of carbon. These fibers are about 5 to 10 micrometers in diameter and composed mostly of carbon atoms. The properties of carbon fibers include: High stiffness High tensile strength High strength-to-weight ratio High chemical resistance High-temperature tolerance Low thermal expansion These properties make carbon fiber popular in various fields such as aerospace, civil engineering, military, motorsports, and other competition sports. However, they are relatively expensive compared to similar fibers, such as glass fibers, basalt fibers, or plastic fibers. Carbon fibers are usually combined with other materials to form a composite. For example, when permeated with a plastic resin and baked, it forms carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer which has a very high strength-to-weight ratio and is extremely rigid although somewhat brittle. Carbon fibers are also composited with other materials, such as graphite, to form reinforced carbon-carbon composites, which have a very high heat tolerance. Carbon fiber-reinforced materials are used to make aircraft and spacecraft parts, racing car bodies, golf club shafts, bicycle frames, fishing rods, automobile springs, sailboat masts, and many other components where light weight and high strength are needed. Source: Hindu TROPICAL CYCLONES Syllabus Prelims & Mains – Geography Context: At least 36 people were killed in heavy rains and landslides in four northeastern states on Tuesday, May 28, under the impact of Cyclone Remal. Background: Tropical cyclones develop in tropical oceans at least 5° – 30° latitude north or south of the equator, where the sea temperature is at least 27 °C. They are important on Earth for transferring heat and energy between the equator and the poles. About TROPICAL CYCLONES : Tropical cyclones are formed in the region between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer. They’re large-scale weather systems that form over tropical or subtropical oceans and coalesce into surface wind circulation. Tropical cyclones are one of the world’s most destructive natural disasters. Favourable Conditions for the Formation of Tropical Cyclone A large area of water surface with a temperature above 27° C The Coriolis force is strong enough to form a cyclonic vortex. Variations in the vertical wind speed are minor.This allows the storm clouds to rise vertically to high levels. A weak low-pressure area or low-level cyclonic circulation already exists. Above the sea level system, there should be a higher divergence. Origin of Tropical Cyclones Tropical cyclones arise over tropical oceans in late summers and have a thermal origin (August to mid-November). Because of the Coriolis effect, the powerful local convectional currents take on a whirling motion at these regions. Developmental Stages of Tropical Cyclone Tropical cyclones can be classified into three stages throughout their development: Formation and Initial Development Stage The transport of water vapor and heat from the warm ocean to the overlying air, largely through evaporation from the sea surface, is crucial to the creation and early development of a cyclonic storm. Convection with condensation of rising air above the ocean surface stimulates the creation of huge vertical cumulus clouds. Mature Stage The air rises in powerful thunderstorms as a tropical storm intensifies, and it tends to spread out horizontally at the tropopause level. When air spreads out, a positive pressure is created at high elevations, speeding up the downward migration of air due to convection. When subsidence is induced, the air warms up due to compression, resulting in a warm ‘Eye’ (low-pressure center). A mature tropical cyclone in the Indian Ocean has a concentric pattern of highly turbulent large cumulus thundercloud bands as its principal physical feature. Modification and Decay As soon as its source of warm moist air begins to ebb or is abruptly cut off, a tropical cyclone begins to weaken in terms of core low pressure, internal warmth, and extremely fast speeds. This occurs after it reaches land or passes across chilly water. Source: Bureau of Meteorology NABARD'S CLIMATE STRATEGY 2030 Syllabus Mains – GS 3 Context: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) unveiled its Climate Strategy 2030 document which aims to address India’s need for green financing. Background: Despite the pressing demand, where India requires approximately US$ 170 billion annually to reach a cumulative total of over US$ 2.5 trillion by 2030, current green finance inflows are critically insufficient. NABARD’s Climate Strategy 2030: It is structured around four key pillars: Accelerating Green Lending by focusing on increasing green financing across various sectors. Market-making role by playing a broader role in creating a conducive market environment for green finance. Internal Green Transformation by implementing sustainable practices within NABARD’s operations. Strategic Resource Mobilisation by mobilising resources effectively to support green initiatives. This strategy is designed to tackle the financial gap between the required investment for sustainable initiatives and the current inflow of green finance. India requires approximately USD 170 billion annually by 2030, aiming for a cumulative total of over USD 2.5 trillion. However, current green finance inflows are critically insufficient, with only about USD 49 billion garnered as of 2019-20. The majority of funds in India are earmarked for mitigation efforts, with only USD 5 billion allocated towards adaptation and resilience. This reflects minimal private sector engagement in these areas due to challenges in bankability and commercial viability. Green Financing: Green financing refers to the mobilisation of financial resources to support investments that have a positive environmental impact. These investments can range from renewable energy projects and energy efficiency initiatives to sustainable infrastructure development and climate-smart agriculture. Significance of Green Financing: The traditional financial system often prioritises short-term profits over long-term environmental sustainability. Green financing aims to bridge this gap by: Facilitating the Transition to a Low-carbon Economy by channelling funds towards renewable energy and clean technologies, green financing helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Promoting Climate Adaptation and Resilience by making investments in green infrastructure like flood defences and early warning systems can help communities adapt to the changing climate and reduce the impact of natural disasters. Unlocking New Economic Opportunities by shifting towards a green economy creates new markets for clean technologies and sustainable practices, stimulating innovation and job creation. Issues/Challenges Related to Green Financing: Green projects often require higher initial investments compared to conventional projects, which can deter investors despite long-term cost savings and environmental benefits. Green projects often have longer payback periods and may not align with short-term investment horizons or financial targets of investors and financial institutions. The absence of globally accepted standards for green investment leads to ambiguity and inconsistency in evaluating their environmental impact and financial performance. Also, without clear and standardised criteria, there is a risk of greenwashing, where investments are misrepresented as environmentally friendly without delivering substantial sustainability benefits. Source: NABARD Practice MCQs Daily Practice MCQs Q1.) Consider the following statements about tropical cyclones They are important on Earth for transferring heat and energy between the equator and the poles. Tropical cyclones are difficult to form over a region within 5 degrees of latitude from the Equator because the Coriolis force there is too small. As soon as itssource of warm moist air begins to ebb or is abruptly cut off, a tropical cyclone begins to weaken. How many of the statements given above are correct? Only one Only two All three None Q2.) Consider the following statements Carbon nanotubes are exponentially more expensive and stronger than carbon fibers. Carbon fiber is used in various industries due to its high tensile strength and resistance to corrosion. Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs)are cylindrical structures made entirely of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. How many of the statements given above are correct? Only one Only two All three None Q3.) Consider the following statements regarding Earth’s heat budget: The heat budget of Earth is the balance between the energy Earth receives from the Sun and the energy it radiates back into space. Albedo refers to the fraction of solar energy reflected back into space by Earth’s surface and atmosphere. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane play no role in Earth’s heat budget. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2, and 3 Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!! ANSWERS FOR ’ 29th May 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st ANSWERS FOR 28th May – Daily Practice MCQs Answers- Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) – b Q.2) – b Q.3) – a

May 29, 2024 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2024 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 29th May 2024

May 28, 2024 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam –28th May 2024

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus) SENSEX & NIFTY Syllabus Prelims – Economy Context: Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) will become the first Adani Group company to be included in the Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange, replacing Wipro on June 24. Background:- APSEZ and Adani Enterprises, the flagship of the Adani Group, are already part of the Nifty at the National Stock Exchange, the other stock market index that tracks the performance of a set of large and actively traded companies in the country. ABOUT STOCK MARKET AND INDICES The stock market refers to public markets that exist for issuing, buying, and selling stocks. Stocks, also known as equities, represent fractional ownership in a company, and the stock market is a place where investors can buy and sell ownership of such investible assets. The stock market serves two very important purposes. The first is to provide capital to companies that they can use to fund and expand their businesses. By offering stock shares instead of borrowing the capital needed for expansion, the company avoids incurring debt and paying interest charges on that debt. The secondary purpose the stock market serves is to give investors – those who purchase stocks – the opportunity to share in the profits of publicly traded companies. Investors can profit from stock buying in one of two ways. Some stocks pay regular dividends (a given amount of money per share of stock someone owns). The other way investors can profit from buying stocks is by selling their stock for a profit if the stock price increases from their purchase price. Most of the trading in the Indian stock market takes place on its two stock exchanges: the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE). The BSE was established in 1875. The NSE was founded in 1992 and started trading in 1994. Both the Sensex and Nifty are tools/index by which traders and market participants measure the domestic market’s performance. Launched in 1986, the Sensex is the country’s oldest and most tracked index. It is designed to measure the performance of the 30 largest, most liquid, and financially sound companies across key sectors of the Indian economy that are listed at BSE Ltd. Among the companies that are part of the Sensex are Reliance Industries, ICICI Bank, and ITC Ltd.These companies are selected to represent the broader Indian equity marketplace. As such, even though the Sensex is composed of only 30 stocks, investors make decisions to buy or sell based on the movement of the Sensex. The Sensex is reconstituted biannually, in June and December of every year. How is Nifty different from Sensex? While the Sensex constitutes 30 companies trading on the BSE, the Nifty 50 is a broad-based index consisting of 50 blue chip large and liquid stocks traded on the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE). The Nifty 50 was started in November 1995. Source: Indian Express TRADE DEFICIT Syllabus Prelims & Mains – ECONOMY Context: India has recorded a trade deficit, the difference between imports and exports, with nine of its top 10 trading partners, including China, Russia, Singapore, and Korea, in 2023-24, according to official data. Background: The data also showed that the deficit with China, Russia, Korea, and Hong Kong increased in the last fiscal compared to 2022-23, while the trade gap with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Indonesia, and Iraq narrowed. Key Takeaways Trade deficit arises in the course of international trade when the payments for imports exceed the receipts from export trade. A trade deficit is also referred to as a negative balance of trade. According to trade experts, a deficit is not always bad, if a country is importing raw materials or intermediary products to boost manufacturing and exports. However, it puts pressure on the domestic currency. A rising trade deficit, even from importing raw materials and intermediates, can cause the country’s currency to depreciate because more foreign currency is needed for imports. This depreciation makes imports more expensive, worsening the deficit. Economic think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that a bilateral trade deficit with a country isn’t a major issue unless it makes us overly reliant on that country’s critical supplies. However, a rising overall trade deficit is harmful to the economy. To cover the growing deficit, the country might need to borrow more from foreign lenders, increasing external debt and this can deplete foreign exchange reserves and signal economic instability to investors, leading to reduced foreign investment. Reducing a trade deficit involves a combination of increasing exports and decreasing imports. Some strategies that could be used to reduce trade deficit: Improve Infrastructure: Improving infrastructure can help facilitate trade and make it easier for businesses to export goods. Diversify Trade Relations: By diversifying trade relations, India can reduce its dependence on any single trading partner and potentially increase exports. Quality Control Orders (QCOs): These can be used to cut down on cheap and non-essential imports. Devalue Domestic Currency: This can make exports cheaper and imports more expensive, thereby reducing the trade deficit. Attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): FDI can bring in more funds and technology, which can boost domestic production and exports. Energy Diversification: Reducing reliance on imported crude oil by diversifying energy sources can help in reducing the trade deficit. Latest Data: China has emerged as India’s largest trading partner with $118.4 billion of two-way commerce in 2023-24, edging past the U.S. The trade deficit with China rose to $85 billion, Russia to $57.2 billion, Korea to $14.71 billion and Hong Kong to $12.2 billion in 2023-24 The bilateral trade between India and the U.S. stood at $118.28 billion in 2023-24. Washington was the top trading partner of New Delhi during 2021-22 and 2022-23. India has a trade surplus of $36.74 billion with the U.S. in 2023-24. America is one of the few countries with which India has a trade surplus. The surplus is also there with the U.K., Belgium, Italy, France and Bangladesh. India’s total trade deficit in the last fiscal narrowed to $238.3 billion as against $264.9 billion in the previous fiscal. Source: Hindu EUCALYPTUS Syllabus Prelims – ENVIRONMENT Context: The Kerala government issued an order allowing the Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) to plant eucalyptus trees for its financial sustenance in 2024-2025. Environmentalists soon protested the decision saying the move would adversely affect forests and heighten human-animal conflicts in future. Background: In 2021, the State government had published an eco-restoration policy. Among other things, it sought to address what it called the “proliferation of invasive species that are not suitable for our environment” and the resulting “depletion of natural forests”.Environmental activists alleged following the State’s order — permitting the KDFC to plant eucalyptus trees — contravened the policy’s aspirations. Key Takeaways Eucalyptus is a genus of more than 700 species of flowering plants in the family Myrtaceae. Most species of Eucalyptus are native to Australia. About three-quarters of Australian forests are eucalypt forests. Many eucalypt species have adapted to wildfire, are able to resprout after fire, or have seeds that survive fire. Eucalyptus trees are a source of timber, pulpwood, and firewood. They grow rapidly and can be harvested in short rotation cycles. Eucalyptus trees have a long history in India. Introduction: Eucalyptus was first introduced in India around 1790 by Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore. He planted it in his palace garden on Nandi hills near Bangalore. According to one version, he received seed from Australia and introduced about 16 species. Expansion: Initially, eucalyptus was planted as an ornamental tree to enhance the beauty of gardens. However, its plantation on a larger scale began only in 1952. Industrial Use: In the 1950s, eucalyptus and acacia trees were planted extensively throughout the Nilgiris to supply pulp wood.Later, eucalyptus was planted extensively with financial assistance from the World Bank. Controversies: Eucalyptus was targeted in the 1980s when water crisis first hit the district, though this tree was not the only causative factor. The state government decided not to go for fresh plantations in 1988 due to a Save Nilgiris Campaign. A study by the Kerala State Forest Protective Staff Organisation found that replacing exotic plants in forested areas with the corresponding natural species could help ensure food for wild elephants. Some of the the prime elephant habitat of the state like Chinnakanal in Munnar is filled with eucalyptus trees. The soil around the tree, because of the leaves that fall, has an acidic pH and this makes growing other crops or plants near eucalyptus difficult. Source: Hindu HAMPI VIRUPAKSHA TEMPLE Syllabus Prelims & Mains – Art & Culture Context: A portion of the Virupaksha temple in Karnataka collapsed following torrential rains. Located at the historical site of Hampi, the temple’s pavilion or the saalu mantap was damaged, leading some conservationists to blame Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials for allegedly neglecting its protection and conservation. Background: A nationally protected monument, the temple is believed to have its origins in the 7th century. Key Takeaways Virupaksha Temple is located in Hampi in the Vijayanagara district of Karnataka, India. It is part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known here as Virupaksha/Pampa pathi, as the consort of the local goddess Pampadevi who is associated with the Tungabhadra River. Despite legends about its origins going further back, the Virupaksha temple gained prominence and underwent extensive expansion in the 14th century during the Vijayanagara Empire (1336 to 1646). Founded by Harihara I of the Sangama dynasty, the Vijayanagara empire expanded from a strategic position on the banks of the Tungabhadra river to become one of the most powerful kingdoms of its time. The temple flourished under the patronage of the Vijayanagara rulers, who were great builders and patrons of art. It became a vital centre for the religious and cultural activities of its time. It is a prime example of Dravidian temple architecture, characterised by its grand gopurams (towering gateways), the shikhara towering over the sanctum sanctorum, its intricate carvings and pillared halls. Richly adorned with carvings and sculptures, the gopuram depicts various deities, mythological scenes and animals. Virupaksha Temple complex is surrounded by three gopuras (towers). The main tower, on the east is an imposing structure, 9 stories, 50 meters tall, built in the fifteenth century. Eastern tower forms the main entrance to Virupaksha Temple. Eastern tower has extensive craftsmanship on each of its floors featuring hundreds of Hindu gods and goddesses. The inverted shadow of the main tower falls on a wall inside the temple. With several other temples and structures located there, Hampi was the empire’s capital city. Hampi sits on the banks of the Tungabhadra River Source: Indian Express INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS Syllabus Prelims – Current Event Context: In a noteworthy international development, the International Criminal Court (ICC)’s prosecutor, Karim Khan, has requested the court to issue arrest warrants against leaders of Israel — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant — and leaders of Hamas. Background: The arrest warrants are sought on the charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity over the October 7 attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. About INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT : It is an intergovernmental organization and international tribunal that sits in The Hague, Netherlands. It has jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, crime of aggression. It is intended to complement existing national judicial systems. It may exercise its jurisdiction only when national courts are unwilling or unable to prosecute criminals. It may only investigate and prosecute crimes committed within member states, crimes committed by nationals of member states, or crimes in situations referred to the Court by the United Nations Security Council.The ICC lacks universal territorial jurisdiction. Israel is not a member of the court and does not recognise its jurisdiction, but the Palestinian territories were admitted with the status of a member state in 2015. Established in 2002 pursuant to the multilateral Rome Statute, the ICC is considered by its proponents to be a major step toward justice. About the development The ICC, in recent times, has come under scathing criticism for targeting leaders of the third world, and not Western powers and their allies. The application to issue arrest warrants against the leaders of Israel, thus, is a first and quite significant one. It can be argued that by charging both the Hamas leadership and the Israeli leaders, the prosecutor is seemingly giving an impression of being balanced and even-handed. Under international law, heads of state are immune from criminal proceedings at any foreign or international court. At the ICC, however, no head of state can claim immunity. ICC statute says that “official capacity as a head of state or government, a member of a government or parliament, an elected representative or a government official shall in no case exempt a person from criminal responsibility”. It is because of this provision that the court, in 2023, was able to issue an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin for his role in Russia’s war with Ukraine. Like Russia, Israel, too, isn’t a member of the ICC. Thus, some are questioning if the ICC can issue arrest warrants for Israeli leaders. The basis of ICC’s jurisdiction in this case is that Palestine is a state party to the court. Thus, the ICC can exercise what is known as territorial jurisdiction. This means that if a crime is committed on the territory of a state party to the ICC, the Court can exercise jurisdiction on that crime, even if it is committed by people belonging to a state that isn’t its member. Hence, the crimes committed by Israeli soldiers in Gaza fall within the Court’s jurisdiction. Similarly, Hamas’ conduct in Israel falls within the Court’s jurisdiction even though Israel isn’t a member of the ICC. There is generally a long road from requesting an arrest warrant to actual prosecution. The ICC’s track record is not quite encouraging, especially regarding heads of states. Take the example of Omar al-Bashir, former Sudanese President. ICC issued an arrest warrant against him way back in 2009. At the time, he was the president of Sudan. In 2019, he was ousted from office in a military coup. However, he has still not surrendered to the court. Likewise, while the arrest warrant against Putin has undoubtedly limited his international travels, his surrender to the ICC seems unlikely. Source: Indian Express MINING IN THE ARAVALLI RANGE Syllabus Mains – GS 3 Context: The Supreme Court has stopped the issuance of new mining licenses and renewals for existing ones in the Aravalli ranges and hills based on a report by the Forest Survey of India (FSI). Background: “The court made it clear that its order should not be construed as a ban on legal mining activities carried out through valid permits and licences.” The Aravalli Range: The Aravallis are one of the oldest fold residual mountains of the world comprised primarily of folded rock strata. This formation resulted from the convergence of tectonic plates during the Proterozoic Era (2500-541 million years ago) The Forest Survey of India (FSI) report, defined the Aravallis to include the hills and a uniform 100-meter-wide buffer zone around the downsides of the hills. They have an elevation of 300m to 900m. The mountains are divided into two main ranges – the Sambhar Sirohi Range and the Sambhar Khetri Range in Rajasthan. Guru Shikhar Peak on Mount Abu is the highest peak in the Aravalli Range (1,722 m). Major tribal communities include the Bhil, Bhil-Meena, Meena, Garasia, and others. The Supreme Court in 2009 ordered a complete ban on mining in the Aravalli hills of Faridabad, Gurgaon, and Nuh districts of Haryana. Significance of the Aravalli Range: It provides habitat to 300 native plant species, 120 bird species, and many exclusive animals like the jackal and mongoose. It acts as a barrier between the fertile plains in the east and the Thar desert in the west. The excessive mining in the Aravalli Range is linked to the spread of the Thar Desert. The presence of loess, a desert windblown sediment, found in Mathura and Agra suggests that the desert is expanding due to the weakened ecological barrier created by the degraded Aravalli Hills. It plays a significant role in shaping the climate of northwest India. During the monsoon season, these mountains act as a climatic barrier, guiding moisture-laden south-westerly winds towards Shimla and Nainital. This, in turn, helps nourish the sub-Himalayan rivers and contributes to the rainfall that replenishes the vast north Indian plains. In the winter months, it protects the fertile alluvial river valleys from the cold westerly winds from Central Asia. Issues/Concerns Related to the Mining in the Aravalli Range: Mining activities break and destroy Aravalli ecosystems, displacing wildlife like leopards, hyenas, and various bird species. This disrupts food chains and ecological balance. Mining in Rajasthan’s ecologically sensitive areas has threatened the habitat of the Great Indian Bustard, a critically endangered bird species. The Aravallis acts as a natural water reservoir. Mining disrupts natural water flow and table recharge, leading to water scarcity downstream, and impacting agriculture and human settlements. A 2018 research paper noted a decline in spring recharge due to mining in Haryana. Mining activities generate dust and release harmful pollutants like silica, affecting air quality and causing respiratory problems in nearby communities. Mining removes vegetation cover, exposing the soil to erosion. Wind and rain wash away fertile topsoil, leading to desertification. A study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) revealed a 37% decline in forest cover in the Aravalli region of Haryana between 2001 and 2016, likely linked to mining activities. Source: Hindu Practice MCQs Daily Practice MCQs Q1.) Consider the following statements with respect to Trade Deficit A rising trade deficit can cause the country’s currency to appreciate. Reducing a trade deficit involves a combination of increasing exports and decreasing imports. A trade deficitis also referred to as a negative balance of trade. How many of the statements given above are correct? Only one Only two All three None Q2.) Consider the following statements about International Criminal Court Russia & Israel are not members of the ICC. It was established in 2002 pursuant to the multilateralRome Statute. It is also known as the world court. How many of the statements given above are correct? Only one Only two All three None Q3.) Consider the following statements about Sensex and NIFTY The Sensex is reconstituted biannually. Sensex constitutes 30 companies trading on the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE). Which among the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 & 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!! ANSWERS FOR ’ 28th May 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st ANSWERS FOR 27th May – Daily Practice MCQs Answers- Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) – c Q.2) – a Q.3) – c

May 28, 2024 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2024 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 28th May 2024

May 27, 2024 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam –27th May 2024

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus) WORLD INEQUALITY LAB REPORT Syllabus Prelims & Mains – Economy Context: A tax package for the ultra-wealthy in India including an annual wealth tax and an inheritance tax for those with net wealth exceeding Rs 10 crore accompanied by redistributive policies has been proposed by a report of the World Inequality Lab. Background:- Recently, the debate on inheritance tax had picked up after Sam Pitroda, a former adviser to Rajiv Gandhi and an associate of Rahul Gandhi, described the inheritance tax in the United States as an “interesting law”. ABOUT WORLD INEQUALITY LAB (WIL) The World Inequality Lab (WIL) is a research organization that aims to promote understanding of global inequality dynamics. The lab gathers social scientists committed to helping everyone understand the drivers of inequality worldwide through evidence-based research. The WIL hosts and maintains the World Inequality Database, the most comprehensive open-access database on global inequality dynamics. One of WIL’s core mission is to maintain and expand the World Inequality Database. It works in close coordination with a large international network of researchers covering nearly seventy countries. The lab is involved in various projects such as the Political Cleavages and Social Inequalities project, the Climate Inequality Report, and the World Inequality Report. The WIL is based at the Paris School of Economics. It is committed to empowering civil society and reinforcing democracy, powered with data. Key takeaways from the Report and associated note released by the researchers: India’s top 1 per cent income and wealth shares have reached historical highs and are among the very highest in the world. The report proposes an annual wealth tax and an inheritance tax for those with net wealth exceeding Rs 10 crore, equivalent to the top 0.04 per cent of the adult population (~370,000 adults), who currently hold over a quarter of the total wealth. It suggests raising phenomenally large tax revenues while leaving 99.96 per cent of the adults unaffected by the tax. Outlining a baseline scenario, the report said, a 2 per cent annual tax on net wealth exceeding Rs 10 crore and a 33 per cent inheritance tax on estates exceeding Rs 10 crore in valuation would generate a 2.73 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in revenues. An inheritance tax would directly tackle the unfair advantage that unearned dynastic wealth renders to individuals solely based on the accident of birth. However, the report noted that since the inheritance tax comes into force when wealth is bequeathed (i.e. upon the death of the dynast), hence, it delivers relatively small tax revenues on an annual basis. On the other hand, a small wealth tax would deliver significant annual revenues (given the larger base) while also dampening accumulation at the very top.. The tax package needs to be accompanied by redistributive policies to support the poor, lower castes, and middle classes. The report cited an example of how the baseline scenario would allow doubling the current public spending on education, which has stagnated at 2.9 per cent of GDP over the past 15 years. Source: Indian Express INDUSTRIAL SAFETY Syllabus Mains – Disaster Management Context: The Maharashtra government has ordered an investigation into Thursday’s chemical factory blaze which killed at least 11 people in an industrial complex in Thane and injured more than 60 others. By all accounts, the food colouring factory used highly reactive chemicals. Background: The tragedy should draw attention to frequent industrial accidents, need to plug regulatory and knowledge deficits. Key Takeaways India has witnessed a surge in severe fire and explosion-related accidents in industrial and commercial establishments, in recent years. India is among the top six chemical manufacturing countries in the world. Diverse industries — pharmaceuticals, pesticides, fertilisers, paints and petrochemicals — collectively account for more than 70,000 of the products that are made from chemicals. The sector contributes about 11 per cent of India’s exports and employs more than two million people. Although the country has 15 Acts and 19 rules governing different aspects of the chemical industry, none of them deals exclusively with the sector. At the same time, the overlapping jurisdictions of different ministries work to the detriment of effective regulation. NDMA estimates that the country reported 130 chemical accidents in the last decade, which claimed more than 250 lives. It, however, gives no details of these accidents. The horrors of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy in 1984 did lead to a rethinking on industrial safety, but accidents have not been followed by serious stock-taking — these include the Jaipur oil depot fire of 2009, Thane explosion of 2016, Visakhapatnam gas leak of 2020 and the blaze at a natural gas well in Tinsukia in 2020. A rapidly-industrialising country cannot afford such a knowledge deficit. Changes in regulatory environment Significant changes in the regulatory environment made to enhance ease of doing business may have contributed to the problem of rising accidents. To simplify the conduct of business in the country, the central government diluted industrial safety laws, such as The Boilers Act, 1923 and Indian Boilers Regulation 1950 – vital regulations in the manufacturing sector. Earlier, the law required the boiler inspector to inspect factories periodically and certify the safety of boilers. This function was transferred to specialised ‘third-party’ agents with the requisite expertise. The reforms also changed the compliance requirement under the Factories Act, 1948 – the cornerstone of the edifice of labour regulation. The legal obligation was moved from mandatory inspection by government inspectors – with powers to penalise the owner/manager for violating the factory laws – to self-certification by the owner/manager. Therefore, the changed rules view a factory inspector as a facilitator of business, and not an enforcer of labour laws to protect the interests and safety of workers. Source: Ideas for India INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE (ICJ) Syllabus Prelims – Current Event Context: International Court of Justice ordered Israel to halt its offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah and withdraw from the enclave, in a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide, citing “immense risk” to the Palestinian population. Background: Friday’s decision marked the third time this year the 15-judge panel has issued preliminary orders seeking to rein in the death toll and alleviate humanitarian suffering in Gaza. While orders are legally binding, the court has no police to enforce them. About International Court of Justice (ICJ) The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN). It is also known as the World Court. It was established in June 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations and began work in April 1946. The court is the successor to the Permanent Court of International Justice (PCIJ), which was brought into being through, and by, the League of Nations, 1922. After World War II, the League of Nations and PCIJ were replaced by the United Nations and ICJ respectively. The PCIJ was formally dissolved in April 1946, and its last president, Judge José Gustavo Guerrero of El Salvador, became the first president of the ICJ. Seat and role Like the PCIJ, the ICJ is based at the Peace Palace in The Hague. It is the only one of the six principal organs of the UN that is not located in New York City. (The other five organs are the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, and the Secretariat.) According to the ICJ’s own description, its role is “to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies”. The court “as a whole must represent the main forms of civilization and the principal legal systems of the world”. English and French are the ICJ’s official languages. All members of the UN are automatically parties to the ICJ statute, but this does not automatically give the ICJ jurisdiction over disputes involving them. The ICJ gets jurisdiction only if both parties consent to it. The judgment of the ICJ is final and technically binding on the parties to a case. There is no provision of appeal; it can at the most, be subject to interpretation or, upon the discovery of a new fact, revision. However, the ICJ has no way to ensure compliance of its orders, and its authority is derived from the willingness of countries to abide by them. Judges of the court The ICJ has 15 judges who are elected to nine-year terms by the UN General Assembly and Security Council, which vote simultaneously but separately. To be elected, a candidate must receive a majority of the votes in both bodies, a requirement that sometimes necessitates multiple rounds of voting. Elections are held at the UNHQ in New York during the annual UNGA meeting. A third of the court is elected every three years. The president and vice-president of the court are elected for three-year terms by secret ballot. Judges are eligible for re-election. Four Indians have been members of the ICJ so far. Justice Dalveer Bhandari, former judge of the Supreme Court, has been serving at the ICJ since 2012. India at the ICJ India has been a party to a case at the ICJ on six occasions, four of which have involved Pakistan. They are: Right of Passage over Indian Territory (Portugal v. India, culminated 1960); Appeal Relating to the Jurisdiction of the ICAO Council (India v. Pakistan, culminated 1972); Trial of Pakistani Prisoners of War (Pakistan v. India, culminated 1973); Aerial Incident of 10 August 1999 (Pakistan v. India, culminated 2000); Obligations concerning Negotiations relating to Cessation of the Nuclear Arms Race and to Nuclear Disarmament (Marshall Islands v. India, culminated 2016); (Kulbhushan) Jadhav (India v. Pakistan, culminated 2019). Source: Al Jazeera CALCUTTA HC CANCELS OBC CERTIFICATES FOR 77 GROUPS Syllabus Mains – GS 2 Context: The Calcutta High Court has struck down a series of orders passed by the West Bengal government between March 2010 and May 2012 by which 77 communities (classes), 75 of which were Muslim, were given reservation under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. Background: A division Bench found that religion had been the “sole” basis for the West Bengal Backward Classes Commission and the state government to provide reservation, which is prohibited by the Constitution and court orders. Key Takeaways from judgement As with most cases where reservations have been challenged, the HC relied heavily on the Supreme Court’s judgment in Indra Sawhney v Union of India (Mandal judgment).A nine-judge Bench had held in 1992 that OBCs cannot be identified and given reservation only on the basis of religion. The SC also held that all states must establish a Backward Classes Commission to identify and recommend classes of citizens for inclusion and exclusion in the state OBC list. In the present case, both the Commission and the government submitted that the Commission had identified the 77 classes based on applications received from citizens, and then recommended their inclusion to the government. The HC noted that the Commission’s recommendation had been made with “lightning speed” after the then Chief Minister publicly announced a quota for Muslims (in February 2010), without using any “objective criteria” to determine the backwardness of these classes. “Religion indeed appears to have been the sole criterion for declaring these communities as OBCs”, and the reports that the Commission submitted were meant only to “curtain and hide such religion specific recommendations”, the court said. “This court’s mind is not free from doubt that the said community has been treated as a commodity for political ends”, and that the 77 classes identified were being treated as a “vote bank”, it said. Sub-classification of OBCs The court also struck down portions of West Bengal’s 2012 Act, including (i) the provision that allowed the state government to “sub-classify” OBC reservations into OBC-A and OBC-B categories for “more backward” and “backward” classes respectively, and (ii) the provision allowing the state to amend the Schedule of the 2012 Act to add to the list of OBCs. The Commission conceded that the government did not consult it before creating the sub-classification within OBC reservations — but argued that such an action was outside its “purview”. The court held that the state government must consult the Commission to make a fair and impartial classification, including sub-classification. Sub-classification is meant to address the different levels of deprivation faced by different communities, which the court held could only be done by referring to material collected by the Commission. Source: Indian Express NAMAMI GANGA Syllabus Prelims & Mains – Environment Context: Though the union government has pumped in almost Rs 40,000 crore into the flagship Namami Gange programme since 2014, several concerns – including dysfunctional sewage treatment plants and bad governance – abound. Background: The Ganga – India’s longest river, and one that supports a population of around 400 million by one estimate – has been the target of cleaning programmes since the mid 1980s, due to the sewage and industrial effluents that find their way to the river About Namami Ganga : Namami Gange Programme is an Integrated Conservation Mission, approved as ‘Flagship Programme’ by the Union Government in June 2014 with budget outlay of Rs.20,000 Crore to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga. union government launched the Namami Gange programme in 2014 as part of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. Main pillars of the Namami Gange Programme are:- Sewerage Treatment Infrastructure River-Front Development River-Surface Cleaning Bio-Diversity Afforestation Public Awareness Industrial Effluent Monitoring Ganga Gram Its implementation has been divided into Entry-Level Activities (for immediate visible impact), Medium-Term Activities (to be implemented within 5 years of time frame) and Long-Term Activities (to be implemented within 10 years). Shortcomings: STPs aren’t functioning to their designed capacities. The lack of flow in the river is not being addressed effectively. River linking projects such as the Ken-Betwa river linking project will spell doom for the flow of the Ganga because it will reduce water flow in the river. Both Ken and Betwa rivers join the Yamuna along UP-Madhya Pradesh border, which in turn merges with the Ganga at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. Another concern are river tourism projects such as the tent cities in Ayodhya. These uber-luxury properties have been built on the floodplains of the river. Experts have also pointed out that the focus on cleaning up the main stem of the river has diverted attention away from the status of the smaller tributaries and streams that drain into the Ganga as it flows through the Gangetic river basin from Uttarakhand, to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. Source: The Wire Media Trial and Ethics Syllabus Mains – GS 4 Context: Media trial is a significant issue in India with serious ramifications Background: The notion “Media Trial” or “Trial by Media” got its name in the United States of America during the period of 19th Century and became familiar with the Indian legal system in the famous, or rather, infamous case of “K.M Nanavati v. State of Maharashtra”. It is not a legal term that is defined in any statute or any legal glossary. Media Trial: It is generally considered as the process in which media publishes their own versions of facts in newspapers, news websites, and news channels in order to sensationalize the case. This function of media is seen as an invasion of the domain of the judiciary by conducting indirect trials parallel with the courts. In some cases, it has also been noticed that irresponsible media briefings by police officers during ongoing investigations enable the process of media trials. E.g., statements made by the accused under Section 161 [before the police] and 164 [before a judicial magistrate] of the Criminal Procedure Code were released to the media. Ethical Issues Involved in the Media Trial: It undermines the principle of innocent until proven guilty which advocates that every accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the law. E.g. Aarushi–Hemraj murder case. It also leads to contempt of court (disrespect or disobedience toward a court by entering into their domain). When sub-judice cases (cases under trial) are being discussed by experts in the media, their opinions can affect the perception of judges toward the accused/victim. E.g. Jasleen Kaur harassment case. It threatens the Right to Privacy as the identity/personal information of the accused and victim is revealed which can negatively affect the public image of an individual. E.g. in Sushant Singh Rajput case. It violates key principles of Media Ethics such as truth and accountability. It goes against the idea of responsible journalism. Issues/Challenges in Controlling Media Trials: In India, organisations like the News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority (NBSA) and Broadcasting Content Complaints Council have been set up as internal self-regulatory mechanisms for television news and entertainment, respectively. This mechanism has not been very effective as these bodies lack statutory backing. Under Article 19 of the Constitution, media enjoys the freedom of expression, but it is at times misused when engaging in media trials. Also, for regulating agencies it becomes difficult to decide what constitutes a Media Trial as there is no clear definition or guidelines. E.g., in cases of investigative journalism. With the rise in internet penetration, social media has emerged as the new platform for media trials. E.g., sharing of sensationalized or fake posts to alter public opinion. Way Forward: In sensitive cases, the media can delay reporting on certain aspects until the trial is over. In Sahara India Real Estate Corporation v SEBI (2012), the SC highlighted the need for a delicate balance between the rights of the accused and the media’s right to report. Organisations like the Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority (NBSA) should create comprehensive guidelines, especially for sensitive cases such as national security issues like reporting of 26/11 attacks. Media should reveal facts/figures only after scrutinizing their authenticity. Media channels should regulate opinion-based reporting i.e. either favouring or defaming any person/party. The Press Council of India should emphasize and encourage the implementation of the Code of Journalistic Conduct (2010). Implementing the recommendation of the 200th Law Commission that includes a prohibition on the dissemination of material that is harmful to the accused, effective from the time of detention and the High Court should have the authority to order the delay of publishing or transmission in criminal cases. Source: Livelaw Practice MCQs Daily Practice MCQs Q1.) Consider the following statements about International Court of Justice It is also known as the world court. It is the only one of the six principal organs of the UN that is not located in New York City. All members of the UN are automatically partiesto the ICJ statute How many of the statements given above are correct? Only one Only two All three None Q2.) Which of the following organisation published the Climate Inequality Report 2023 World Inequality Lab World Wide Fund for Nature IUCN UNEP Q3.) Consider the following rivers Gandak Gomti Koshi Yamauna How many of the rivers mentioned above are left bank tributaries of Ganga? Only one Only two Only three All four Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!! ANSWERS FOR ’ 27th May 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st ANSWERS FOR 25th May – Daily Practice MCQs Answers- Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) – c Q.2) – c Q.3) – d

May 27, 2024 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2024 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 27th May 2024

May 25, 2024 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam –25th May 2024

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus) INTEGRATED THEATER COMMANDS Syllabus Mains – GS 2 & GS 3 Context: The Indian Armed Forces have been fine tuning the final draft for the creation of integrated theatre commands. Background:- The ambitious defence reform is aimed at integrating the three defence services — the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, and the Indian Air Force (IAF) — to operate jointly in specific adversary-based theatres with defined military goals during a limited conflict or war. Key takeaways The three defence services currently operate individually under their individual operational commands. Theaterisation would entail putting specific units of personnel from all the three services under a single theatre commander so that they fight jointly as a single unit in a war, or conflict, rationalising the manpower and resources of individual services in the process. Each of the three services has its own culture and ethos. With the creation of the theatre commands, their personnel, assets, infrastructure, and logistics would be integrated, so they can operate cohesively to attain defined military goals in specific theatres covering laid-down operational areas. The Armed Forces have already been taking steps to bring in greater integration among the three services. There are plans to make Mumbai the first tri-service common defence station, and to set up additional joint logistics nodes across the country to boost integration in logistics needs, and to streamline supply chains and inter-service postings of officers. Currently, the Army and the IAF have seven commands each, while the Navy has three. In addition, there are two tri-service commands — the Andaman and Nicobar Command, and the Strategic Forces Command (SFC). There is also the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQIDS). Post the creation of the theatre commands, three command headquarters of the services are likely to be transformed into theatre command headquarters. The existing Andaman and Nicobar Command may be subsumed into one of the theatre commands and the HQIDS will likely operate under the CDS. Source: Indian Express G7 Syllabus Prelims & Mains – International Relations Context: U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Thursday that she wants market-driven countries to present a “wall of opposition” to China over its state-driven industrial policies, a key issue she is pushing at a G7 finance meeting this week. Background: Many countries beyond the G7 advanced industrial democracies were concerned about China’s overinvestment in electric vehicles, solar products, semiconductors, steel, and other strategic industries, including Mexico, India, and South Africa. Without changes in Chinese policy, including a shift from increasing production to boosting domestic demand, market-driven economies face a flood of cheap exports from China that will threaten the viability of their manufacturers. About G7 G7 stands for “Group of Seven” industrialized nations. G-7 countries include United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom.Additionally, the European Union (EU) is a “non-enumerated member”. Origin of G7 The G7 draws its roots from a meeting between the current G7 members, excluding Canada, that took place in 1975. At the time, the global economy was in a state of recession due to the OPEC oil embargo. As the energy crisis was escalating, US decided that it would be beneficial for the large players on the world stage to coordinate with each other on macroeconomic initiatives. After this first summit, the countries agreed to meet annually and a year later, Canada was invited into the group which marked the official formation of the G7 as we know it. The President of the European Commission was asked to join the meetings in 1977 The EU is not a member of the G7 but attends the annual summit. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and a subsequent warming in relations between the East and West, Russia was also invited to join the group in 1998. Thereafter the group was named the G8 until 2014, when Russia was expelled for its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. Other key details: The bloc meets annually to discuss issues of common interest like global economic governance, international security and energy policy. The G-7 does not have a formal constitution or a fixed headquarters. The decisions taken by leaders during annual summits are non-binding. The presidency of the G7 rotates annually among the member states, with the presiding state setting the group’s priorities and hosting the summit. Members share common values like democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, free markets, and respect for international law. Together the member countries represent 31% of global GDP, 10% of the world’s population and 21% of global carbon dioxide emissions, according to the Summit website. When the group was created in 1975, they represented 70% of global GDP. China has never been a member, despite its large economy. The G7 has been behind very concrete achievements including the creation of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Deauville Partnership launched after the “Arab Springs” Muskoka Initiative to reduce maternal and infant mortality Source: Reuters DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT Syllabus Prelims – Current Event Context: Nearly a month after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) began probing allegations of sexual assault and abuse against Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, sources in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have confirmed that the Karnataka government’s request to revoke the diplomatic passport of the suspended Janata Dal (Secular) leader is “being processed.” Background: Members of Parliament , when using diplomatic passports, are required to apply for prior political clearance directly to the MEA.This is also applicable for private visits. For a private visit to a foreign country requiring a visa, the MEA issues visa notes after the member submits a specific request with the necessary political clearance. Diplomatic passport holders do not need a visa note from the MEA when travelling to any of the 34 countries with which India has mutual visa waiver agreements for diplomatic passports. Under this exemption, the permitted period of stay ranges between 30 and 90 days. Germany, where Mr. Revanna allegedly fled to in April, is one of the countries that has an operational ‘Visa Exemption Agreement’ for diplomatic passport holders. A person travelling to Germany on a diplomatic passport can stay in the country without a visa for up to 90 days. Notably,the MEA has clarified that Mr. Revanna did not seek the necessary political clearances before his travel, nor did the Ministry issue any visa note for his travel to Germany. What is a diplomatic passport? Under the Passport Act of 1967, the Central government issues three classes of passports — ordinary, official and diplomatic — and travel documents such as emergency certificate and certificate of identity, to those who wish to leave the Indian mainland by land, water or air. The deep blue-coloured ‘ordinary passports’ are issued for personal travel for adults with a validity of 10 years for adults and five years for minors or till they attain the age of 18. Official passports with white jackets are issued to designated Government officials and other individuals specifically authorised by the Centre to work abroad on official assignments. A diplomatic passport, or Type ‘D’ passport, is for designated members authorised by the Centre to represent the country. These include senior government officials, Members of Parliament and their spouses. Such a passport has a maroon jacket and is valid for five years or less, depending on the position of the holder and the nature of their assignment and visit. While ordinary passports are issued through a network of passport offices across the country, the Consular, Passport & Visa (CPV) Division of the MEA exclusively handles matters related to the issuance of diplomatic and official passports. Are MPs entitled to diplomatic passports? According to the MEA, diplomatic passports are issued to individuals with diplomatic status, those on diplomatic assignments abroad, and those in “certain positions” as determined by the Central Government. Diplomatic passport holders travelling abroad for official purposes typically do not pay visa fees. They have immunity from arrest under international law and expedited immigration. Besides officials working at Indian missions, Members of Parliaments and their spouses are entitled to diplomatic passports along with ordinary passports. What are the conditions under which a diplomatic passport can be revoked? The passport authority can impound or revoke a passport if the holder has provided wrong information, has been convicted in a criminal case, or there are pending criminal proceedings in an Indian court, or if it is in the overall national interest. Section 10(3) of the Passport Act of 1967, which deals with ‘variation, impounding and revocation’ of passports and travel documents mentions the circumstances in detail As per the Act, a passport can be impounded or revoked if the holder is in wrongful possession or has provided wrong information to the authority; or if the authority believes that impounding or revoking the passport will be in the interests of the country’s sovereignty, integrity, security, maintaining friendly relations with a foreign country, in the interests of the general public; or any of the conditions of the passport have been unfollowed. The passport of a person convicted by an Indian court of an offence involving “moral turpitude” and sentenced to at least two years in prison after the passport was issued can also be confiscated. Further, a passport can also be impounded or revoked if there are pending proceedings against the holder in a criminal court, or if a court has issued a warrant or summons for the holder’s appearance or arrest, or if there is a court order prohibiting their departure from India, as in the case of Prajwal Revanna. Last week, a Special Court for Elected Representatives issued an arrest warrant against the absconding MP in the sexual assault case against him on a plea by the SIT investigating the case. Source: Hindu SWEET SORGHUM Syllabus Prelims & Mains – Agriculture Context: The southern African region is battling with drought at present. The drought has hit the region’s agricultural productivity hard. Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe have declared a state of disaster with respect to their current agricultural outputs.Sweet sorghum is a hardy, nutritious, biofuel crop that offers solutions in drought-hit southern Africa. Background: Governments should be using their agriculture extension services to raise awareness among farmers, consumers about benefits & practical applications of sweet sorghum in people’s diet.Sweet sorghum is viewed as a preferred alternative as it can provide both food and biofuel from the same land. ABOUT SWEET SORGHUM Sorghum (Jowar) is a large stout grass.Sweet sorghum is like any ordinary sorghum but with a high content of sweet juice in its stalks. While the juice is used to produce ethanol biofuel, the grains can be used as food or feed The grains from sweet sorghum are prepared as steamed bread or porridge malt for traditional beer, as well as in commercial beer production. They’re nutritionally rich, with high energy values (342 calories/100 g), proteins (10g/100 grains), carbohydrates (72.7g/100 grains), and fibre (2.2g/100 grains) as well as essential minerals such as potassium (44mg/100 grains), calcium (22mg/100 grains), sodium (8mg/100 grains) and iron (3.8mg/100 grains). It produces a lot of plant material (biomass) as it grows, which is left over after harvest. That’s why it’s useful as animal feed too. Animal feed is made from what remains once the sweet sorghum crop has been harvested and its grains and stem juice stripped off. The residue is high in nutritional content, which can improve the quality of diets of animals, including cattle. The grains can also be used for animal feed. The sweet juice in the crop’s stalks is what’s used to create bioethanol. Sweet sorghum contains sucrose, glucose and fructose, which are essential for bioethanol production. Resilient One of the key characteristics of sweet sorghum varieties is their drought resistance. It allows them to enter a dormant state during extended periods of dryness and resume growth afterwards. Sweet sorghum’s ability to withstand low water and nitrogen inputs, as well as its tolerance for salinity and drought stress, makes it an ideal crop for farmers in arid regions. Indian Context The sweet sorghum varieties were first introduced in India from the US in the 1970s. India has achieved more than 10% blending of petrol with ethanol and the next target is 20% blending by 2025. The fact remains that ethanol production from sugarcane molasses alone does not ensure optimum supply levels needed to meet the demand at any given time owing to reasons such as the cyclical nature of sugarcane cultivation, difficulty in increasing sugarcane area due to high water intensiveness of the crop, erratic monsoon and power supply. Increasing the area under sugarcane at the cost of diverting land from other staple food crops is undesirable. Sweet sorghum, a widely adapted sugar crop with high potential for bioenergy and ethanol production and which produces higher biomass yield with fewer inputs is listed as a candidate crop for biofuel production in our National Policy on Biofuels 2018. Sweet sorghum is an attractive crop for biofuel production and in the era of climate change Source: Down To Earth TAIWAN Syllabus Prelims – GEOGRAPHY Context: China ended two days of war games around Taiwan, in which it simulated attacks with bombers and practiced boarding ships. Background: China, which claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, launched the “Joint Sword – 2024A” exercises three days after Lai Ching-te became Taiwan’s President, a man Beijing says is a “separatist”. Beijing said the exercises were “punishment” for Mr. Lai’s Monday inauguration speech, in which he said the two sides of the Taiwan Strait were “not subordinate to each other”, which China viewed as a declaration the two are separate countries. About TAIWAN : Taiwan (also known as Republic of China,ROC ) is a country in East Asia. It is located at the junction of the East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to the northwest, Japan to the northeast, and the Philippines to the south. The main island of Taiwan, also known as Formosa, has an area of 35,808 square kilometres (13,826 square miles), with mountain ranges dominating the eastern two-thirds and plains in the western third, where its highly urbanized population is concentrated. The capital, Taipei, forms along with New Taipei City and Keelung the largest metropolitan area. With around 23.9 million inhabitants, Taiwan is among the most densely populated countries. Taiwan’s export-oriented industrial economy is the 21st-largest in the world by nominal GDP and the 20th-largest by PPP measures, with a focus on steel, machinery, electronics, and chemicals manufacturing. Taiwan is a developed country History It was a colony of the Netherlands for about 40 years in the early to mid-17th century and was subsequently independent again for about two decades. China gained control there in the late 17th century and ruled Taiwan for some two centuries. Japan acquired Taiwan in 1895 following the first Sino-Japanese War, and it became a colony. Taiwan was returned to Nationalist Chinese control in 1945 following Japan’s defeat in World War II. However, in 1949 Chinese communist armies defeated Nationalist forces on the mainland and established the People’s Republic of China there. The Nationalist government and armies fled to Taiwan, resulting in the separation of Taiwan from China. In the ensuing years the ROC claimed jurisdiction over the Chinese mainland as well as Taiwan, although in the early 1990s Taiwan’s government dropped this claim to China. The Chinese government in Beijing has maintained that it has jurisdiction over Taiwan and has continued to propound a one-China policy—a position that few countries in the world dispute. Taiwan is claimed by the PRC, which refuses to establish diplomatic relations with countries that recognise the ROC. Taiwan maintains official diplomatic relations with 11 out of 193 UN member states and the Holy See. Many others maintain unofficial diplomatic ties through representative offices and institutions that function as de facto embassies and consulates. International organizations in which the PRC participates either refuse to grant membership to Taiwan or allow it to participate on a non-state basis. Source: Hindu DIGITAL MONOPOLY Syllabus Mains – GS 3 Context: Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has expressed strong opposition to Google’s delisting of certain applications from the Play Store. Background: The dispute is over Google imposing a fee of 11 to 26 per cent on in-app payments after anti-competition body CCI ordered scrapping of an earlier system of charging 15 to 30 per cent. Google went ahead to remove the apps not paying the fee after the Supreme Court did not provide interim relief to companies behind these apps in their battle against the search giant’s app marketplace fee. Digital Monopoly: It refers to a situation where a single company or platform holds significant control over their respective digital ecosystems and markets. Its examples include big tech companies like Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft. Threats Posed by Digital Monopolies: Exclusionary behaviour hinders business users and consumers from switching to third-party service providers. E.g., App stores mandating the use of their payment systems. A digital enterprise according to the favourable treatment of its products on its platform, thus creating a conflict of interest. Combining or bundling core or essential services with complementary offerings, thus forcing users to buy related services. Using personal data for consumer profiling to offer targeted online services and products, thus raising data privacy concerns. Predatory pricing strategies, or intentionally setting prices below cost price to exclude competitors. Exclusive agreements with business users or sellers, thus preventing them from dealing with other enterprises. E.g., Apple restricts installation of third-party applications on iPhones. India’s Initiatives to Prevent Digital Monopolies: Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules of 2020 were introduced to govern the operations of e-commerce platforms and digital marketplaces. These rules aim to prevent anti-competitive practices, ensure transparency, and protect consumer interests. The Competition (Amendment) Act of 2023 introduced new merger notification thresholds and deal value thresholds to capture acquisitions of high-value, data-rich firms that can potentially lead to digital monopolies. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) also investigates and takes action against anti-competitive practices by digital platforms. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act of 2023 emphasizes the importance of data to prevent the concentration of data in the hands of a few dominant players. The proposed Digital India Act (DIA) proposes to regulate a vast array of digital enterprises including social media websites, artificial intelligence-based platforms, and e-commerce enterprises. Draft National Data Governance Framework Policy aims to create standardized data management and security for non-personal and anonymised data across all government bodies. Way Forward: (It is based on the recommendations of the Committee on Digital Competition Law of 2024). Introduction of a Digital Competition Act with ex-ante measures (using a form of financial analysis that uses forecasting for future events as against the prevailing practice of ex-post framework in most cases). Identification and designation of certain large digital platforms as Systemically Important Digital Intermediaries’ (SIDIs). They would be subject to ex-ante regulations and obligations. Introduction of a deal value threshold and the consideration of non-price factors like data and innovation in merger assessments. Strengthening the Competition Commission of India (CCI) by enhancing the institutional capacity and expertise to effectively deal with competition issues in the digital domain. Better coordination among various regulatory authorities, such as the CCI, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), etc. Increased international cooperation and alignment with global best practices in digital competition regulation. Source: Indian Express Practice MCQs Daily Practice MCQs Q1.) Consider the following Taiwan Hawaii Hainan Island How many of the above are located in pacific ocean? Only one Only two All three None Q2.) Consider the following statements about sweet sorghum: Sweet sorghum is an attractive crop for biofuel production. One of the key characteristics of sweet sorghum varieties is their drought resistance. It produces a lot of plant material (biomass) as it grows which can be used as animal feed. How many of the statements given above are correct? Only one Only two All three None Q3.) Consider the following statements about G7 The G-7 does not have a formal constitution or a fixed headquarters. China has never been a member of G7. European Union (EU) is a “non-enumerated member”. Which of the statements give above is/are correct? 1 only 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!! ANSWERS FOR ’ 25th May 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st ANSWERS FOR 24th May – Daily Practice MCQs Answers- Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) – d Q.2) – b Q.3) – c

May 25, 2024 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

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