Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: For the first time in many years, enrolment of students in schools, as per a UDISE+ report, has declined by over a crore in 2022-23 and 2023-24 compared to an average of about 26 crore every year over the previous four years.

Background: –

• For the first time, enrolment figures fell to 25.17 crore in 2022-23 and further declined to 24.8 crore in 2023-24. This represents a drop of about 1.55 crore students (nearly 6 per cent) from the 2018-19 to 2021-22 period, when enrolment averaged 26.36 crore.

About UDISE +

• The Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) Plus is a data aggregation platform maintained by the education ministry to collate school education data from across the country.
• UDISE+ has a mandate of collecting information from all recognized schools imparting formal education from Pre-primary to XII.
• The Schools which get onboarded successfully on the platform are provided a UDISE Code, which acts as a national level unique identifier. UDISE+ has the school as the unit of data collection and district as the unit of data distribution.
• UDISE+, collects information through an online Data Collection Form (DCF) on parameters ranging from school, Infrastructure, teachers, enrolments, examination results etc. spread across 11 sections.
• UDISE serves as a crucial tool for monitoring and evaluating the quality of education.

Drop in numbers

• Ministry officials acknowledged the drop in enrolment but said it stemmed from revised data collection methods implemented in 2022-23. 
• Under the new system, schools must now provide student-specific information rather than just school-level numbers. This requires detailed records for each student, including their name, parent’s name, address, and Aadhaar number, instead of simply reporting total class numbers.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Traditionally a tea exporter, India is making significant inroads into the global coffee market with total exports during the current financial year up to November crossing the $1-billion mark for the first time, according to data from Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE).

Background: –

• Notably, India’s exports of tea saw little change despite expectations of gaining new markets following the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, one of the largest tea exporters in the world.

Key takeaways

• India is the only country that grows all of its coffee under shade. 
• India is the seventh-largest producer of coffee globally.
• Types of Coffee Grown in India
  • Arabica (Coffea arabica):
    • Grown at higher altitudes (900–1,800 meters).
    • Arabica has a higher market value than Robusta coffee due to its mild aromatic flavour.
    • Requires a cool climate and less rainfall compared to Robusta.
  • Robusta (Coffea canephora):
    • Grown at lower altitudes (500–1,000 meters).
    • Higher yield and more resistant to diseases.
    • Preferred for instant coffee production due to its strong flavor.

Major Coffee-Producing States

• Karnataka: Largest producer, accounting for about 70% of India’s coffee output.
  • Key regions: Kodagu (Kodagu district alone produces 33% of India’s coffee) , Chikmagalur, Hassan.
• Kerala: Second-largest producer.
  • Key regions: Wayanad, Idukki, and Palakkad.
• Tamil Nadu: Known for its coffee estates in the Nilgiri Hills.
  • Important regions: Pulneys, Nilgiris, and Shevaroys.
• Non-traditional Areas: Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and the northeastern states (especially Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland) are emerging coffee-growing regions.
• Climatic Requirements for Coffee
  • Temperature: 15°C–28°C.
  • Rainfall: 1,500–2,500 mm annually, well-distributed.
  • Soil: Well-drained, rich in organic matter.

Reasons for hike in export value

• The sharp growth is partly attributed to a surge in Robusta coffee prices and partly due to stocking ahead of the European Union’s new deforestation regulation that could raise the cost of coffee as well as several other agricultural exports to the EU.
• The European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), aimed at preventing products sold in the EU from being sourced from deforested land, was scheduled for implementation in December. However, the European Parliament recently decided to extend the regulation’s timeline by another year.
• According to the think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), the EUDR is expected to impact India’s agricultural exports to the EU, valued at $1.3 billion, more severely than exports from competing countries due to India’s higher deforestation rate.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Mains – GS 3

Context: The United Nations’ efforts to address critical environmental challenges hit roadblocks, with four key summits in 2024 — in Colombia on biodiversity, Azerbaijan on climate, Saudi Arabia on land degradation, and South Korea on plastics — failing to deliver meaningful outcomes.

Background:

• This setback may lead to delayed action on critical issues such as climate finance, drought mitigation, and plastic pollution, with the most vulnerable countries suffering the greatest impact.

Reasons for the setbacks in summits

• At the heart of the talks’ breakdown lies a stark and growing divergence in national priorities. 
• Developing nations, grappling with developmental challenges, economic constraints, and the impacts of climate change, have repeatedly demanded more technology transfer and financial support from developed countries. But developed nations are reluctant to commit resources citing domestic political pressures and economic challenges.
• For Example 
  • Colombia Biodiversity Talks: Failure to agree on financing mechanisms for sustainable land-use practices.
  • Azerbaijan Climate Summit:
    • Developing nations sought $1.3 trillion annually; developed nations loosely agreed to lesser funds from diverse sources, including private investments.
    • Disagreement over transitioning from fossil fuels hindered progress.
  • South Korea Plastic Pollution Talks:
    • Lack of consensus on a legally binding treaty.
    • Economies dependent on plastics opposed strict measures, advocating for better usage and recycling practices instead.
• Several talks stumbled on disagreements over the frameworks needed to monitor and enforce environmental goals. 
• In Azerbaijan, discussions on implementing the global stocktake under the Paris Agreement saw divisions over the accountability mechanisms for emission reductions, particularly for high-emission nations.
• Global crises including the COVID, economic instability, and geopolitical conflicts have diverted attention and resources away from pressing environmental priorities as governments grapple with urgent domestic concerns such as public health, economic recovery, and social stability.

The setbacks in negotiations complicate the task of addressing environmental challenges: 

• Delayed action: The failure to agree on frameworks and commit to actions postpone measures required to fight global issues. This delay increases the likelihood of pushing global systems closer to irreversible tipping points.
• Incoherent, fragmented efforts: As multilateral processes falter, there is a growing risk of countries turning to unilateral actions. While these initiatives are well-meaning and can make progress, they would lack the global coherence necessary to address issues comprehensively and equitably, and could trigger new problems.
• Erosion of trust: Repeated failures in negotiations risk undermining confidence among nations, making future cooperation even more difficult.
• Pressure on future summits: The failure of negotiations further forces upcoming meetings to deliver meaningful outcomes.

To advance global environmental goals, several key strategies must be prioritised: 

• Wealthier nations must honour commitments to provide financial and technological support. This would create an equitable foundation for negotiations and help bridge trust gaps. 
• Equally critical is the need to enhance transparency and accountability by establishing robust mechanisms to track progress and hold nations accountable for their commitments. This would play a vital role in restoring confidence in processes. 
• Inclusive diplomacy is also essential to tensions and ensure all voices, particularly those of vulnerable nations, are heard in negotiations. By promoting equitable participation, global cooperation can become more effective and resilient.
• Further, there must be a strong focus on implementation — shifting the emphasis from pledges to action. This approach ensures progress even in the face of disagreements.
• Finally, it is crucial to acknowledge and address interconnections between biodiversity loss, land degradation, plastic pollution, and climate change. Global talks must prioritise the interconnections and foster integrated strategies.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus:

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Bhuvnesh Kumar took charge as the Chief Executive Officer of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)

Background: –

• These telescopes are much like the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, which can detect high-energy neutrinos from deep space but is under the frozen ice in the Antarctic rather than being in the water.

Key takeaways

• The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is a statutory authority established under the provisions of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 on 12 July 2016 by the Government of India, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). 
• Its primary role is to issue Aadhaar numbers, a unique 12-digit identification number, to all residents of India.
• UIDAI is responsible for Aadhaar enrolment, authentication, and managing the entire Aadhaar lifecycle.
• Historical Background
  • Initial Approval: The project for Unique Identification for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families was approved on March 3, 2006.
  • First UID Number: The first UID number was issued on September 29, 2010, to a resident of Nandurbar, Maharashtra.
  • Before its establishment as a statutory authority, UIDAI was functioning as an attached office of the then Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog).
• Services Provided
  • Aadhaar Enrolment: Enrolling residents for Aadhaar numbers.
  • Aadhaar Authentication: Verifying the identity of Aadhaar holders for various services.
  • Aadhaar Update: Updating demographic and biometric information.
  • Aadhaar PVC Card: Issuing Aadhaar cards in the form of PVC cards.
  • Virtual ID (VID) Generator: Providing a temporary, revocable number for privacy.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus:

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Weeks before he returns as US President, Donald Trump’s supporters are locked in a public row about skilled immigration and H-1B visas.

Background: –

• The infighting was triggered by the appointment of Sriram Krishnan as Trump’s AI adviser, after which an earlier post by Krishnan on X, which had called for “unlock[ing] skilled immigration”, went viral — inviting the ire of Trump’s anti-immigration base. The outrage of the MAGA crowd — the vocal supporters of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan — was directed towards the H-1B visa.

Key takeaways 

• The H-1B visa program allows American employers to hire immigrant workers in occupations that require “a high level of skill” and “at least a bachelor’s degree”, according to the US Department of Labour.
• The visa is employer-sponsored, meaning a U.S. employer must file the petition on behalf of the foreign worker
• The program was started in 1990, with the intention of helping employers who cannot otherwise obtain needed skills and abilities from the US workforce by authorising the temporary employment of qualified individuals who are not otherwise authorised to work in the U S.
• An H-1B visa can be issued for a maximum of six years at a stretch, after which the visa holder has to either leave the US for a period of at least 12 months before returning, or apply for and receive permanent residence (Green Card).
• People born in India are the largest beneficiaries of the H-1B program. 
• Data from the US government show that Indians account for more than 70% of all H-1B petitions approved each year since 2015. People born in China come a distant second, hovering at the 12-13% mark since 2018.

Source: Indian Express

Q1.) With reference to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), consider the following statements:

1. UIDAI was established as a statutory authority under the Aadhaar Act, 2016.
2. It functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
3. UIDAI is responsible for the issuance and lifecycle management of Aadhaar numbers.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q2.) India is the seventh-largest producer of coffee globally. Consider the following statements about coffee cultivation in India:

1. Arabica coffee is grown at higher altitudes and is known for its superior flavor.
2. Karnataka is the largest coffee-producing state in India.
3. Coffee cultivation in India requires temperatures ranging from 5°C to 15°C.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q3.) With reference to the H-1B visa program, consider the following statements:

1. It allows U.S. employers to hire immigrant workers in specialized fields.
2. H-1B visas are issued for a maximum period of six years without the possibility of extension.
3. People born in India account for the majority of H-1B visa approvals annually.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’  Today’s – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs

Q.1) – b

Q.2) – b

Q.3) – c