Daily Current Affairs UPSC 10 September 2024

GST Council

• The 54th meeting of the GST Council recently took place.
• Key recommendations from the meeting included forming a Group of Ministers to focus on Life and Health Insurance and studying the future of Compensation Cess.
• The meeting also recommended reducing GST rates on cancer drugs like Trastuzumab, Deruxtecan, Osimertinib, and Durvalumab from 12% to 5%.
• The GST Council is a constitutional body established under Article 279 (A) of the Constitution through the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016.
• It is constituted by the President with the Union Finance Minister serving as the Chairperson.
• The objective of the GST Council is to set tax rates, make policy decisions related to GST, and facilitate communication between the center and states.

Monkeypox (MPox)

• The Ministry of Health advisory instructed all States and UTs to assess their readiness for MPox in terms of public health.
• WHO has declared a public health emergency for 'clade 1' MPox.
• MPox is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus from the Orthopoxvirus genus, which is in the same family as smallpox but not related to chickenpox.
• Clade 1 of the virus historically caused more severe illnesses than clade 2, but recent outbreaks have had lower death rates and are currently increasing in Central and Eastern Africa.
• Clade 2 of the virus is typically found in West Africa and infections are less severe with very low mortality rates.

Parliamentary Committee on Official Languages (PCOL)

• The Union Home and Cooperation Minister has been re-elected as the Chairperson of PCOL.
• PCOL was established in 1976 under Section 4 of the Official Languages Act, 1963.
• The committee was formed to oversee the adoption of Hindi for official purposes, with members elected from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
• PCOL's main function is to review the progress of Hindi usage for official purposes and make recommendations to the President.

National Statistical Commission (NSC)

• NSC has become more important since the dissolution of the Standing Committee on Statistics by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
• NSC was established in 2005 following the recommendations of the Rangarajan Commission, which reviewed the Indian Statistical System in 2001.
• The mandate of NSC is to develop policies, priorities, and standards in statistical matters, with the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation overseeing its operations.
• The Chief Statistician of India serves as the Secretary of the Commission, which is composed of a Chairperson and 4 Members with expertise in specific statistical fields.

Exercise Yudh Abhyas

• The 20th edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas-2024 has started in Rajasthan.
• Yudh Abhyas-2024 is a joint Military Exercise that has been held annually between India and the USA since 2004.
• The exercise aims to enhance the military capabilities of both countries for counter-terrorism operations and defense cooperation by improving interoperability.

Amphibious Operations

• The Chief of Defence Staff has published the Joint Doctrine for Amphibious Operations, which offers guidance to Commanders on how to carry out such operations in today's complex military environment, allowing them to operate in the Indian Ocean Region.
• Amphibious Operations involve a sea-based attack by naval and landing forces, including landing on an enemy shore with significant air support.
• These operations are an important part of multi-domain operations and demonstrate strong cohesion and integration among the different branches of the military.

Elongated Tortoise (Indotestudo elongata)

• Discovered during a research survey in Aravallis, Haryana.
• Characteristics of the Elongated Tortoise include a medium size, yellowish brown or olive shell, and distinct black blotches at the center
• Habitat of the Elongated Tortoise includes Sal deciduous and hilly evergreen forests in various countries
• The Elongated Tortoise is heavily exploited and hunted for food and traditional medicines
• Conservation status of the Elongated Tortoise is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and mentioned as Schedule I under the WPA, 1972

Typhoon

• Typhoon Yagi caused landslides and floods in Vietnam, making it the most powerful storm in Asia this year.
• A typhoon is a rotating system of clouds and thunderstorms that forms over tropical or subtropical waters with a closed, low-level circulation.
• Once a tropical cyclone reaches sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or higher, it is classified as a hurricane, typhoon, or tropical cyclone depending on its origin.
• In the Northwest Pacific, it is called a typhoon, while in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean, it is referred to as a tropical cyclone.
• In the North Atlantic, central North Pacific, and eastern North Pacific, the term hurricane is used to describe such storms.

Govind Ballabh Pant

• Govind Ballabh Pant was born on 10 September 1887 in Almora, Uttarakhand.
• He founded the Kumaon Parishad in 1916 and was elected to the All-India Congress Committee.
• In 1923, he was elected to the United Provinces Legislative Council on a Swaraj Party ticket.

Key Contributions of Govind Ballabh Pant

• Participated in the Salt March and Quit India Movement, and was arrested in 1930 for planning the Civil Disobedience Movement.
• Played a key role in establishing Hindi as an official language of the central government and some states.
• Led the Linguistic Reorganization of States during his tenure as India's home minister from 1955 to 1961.
• As Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, he protested against the zamindari system and passed the Hindu Code Bill, which made monogamy compulsory for Hindu men.
• Received the Bharat Ratna in 1957 for his achievements.

Values of Govind Ballabh Pant

Known for his courage, integrity, compassion, and other admirable qualities.

Celebrating Five Years of PM-KMY

• The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare introduced a Central Sector Scheme in 2019 to offer social security and old age protection to small and marginal farmers who own land.
• As of August 6, 2024, a total of 23.38 lakh farmers have enrolled in the scheme.

Key Features of PM-KMY

• Minimum Assured Pension: Rs. 3,000 per month at age 60.
• Eligibility: SMF aged 18-40 with up to 2 hectares of cultivable land.
• Fund manager: Life Insurance Corporation.
• Voluntary and Contributory pension scheme: Monthly contribution ranges from Rs. 55 to 200, with matching contribution from Central government.
• Family Pension: Spouse entitled to 50% of pension if subscriber dies.
• Provisions for disability: Spouse can continue with scheme if subscriber becomes disabled before age 60.

Beneficiaries not eligible for PM-KMY

• Previous and current holders of constitutional positions.
• Previous and current members of legislatures and ministers at the Central/State Government.
• Individuals who have paid income tax in the most recent assessment year.
• Former and current mayors of municipal corporations and chairpersons of district panchayats.
• All holders of institutional land.
• Self-employed individuals covered under other statutory social security schemes like NPS.
• Farmers who have chosen to participate in Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Vyapari Maandhan.

Problems faced by SMF

Insufficient knowledge about insurance options, challenges in implementing mechanization, limited insurance coverage, and delays in claim payments are obstacles to adopting mechanization.

"New Trust Fund to Boost Solar Projects"

• MIGA and ISA have collaborated to create the MIGA-ISA Solar Facility, a trust fund aimed at promoting solar energy adoption in developing countries.
• MIGA provides guarantees to investors and lenders to encourage cross-border investment, with India being a member of the organization.

About MIGA-ISA Solar Facility

• ISA and MIGA will work together to use technical expertise and financing capabilities to promote the global adoption of solar energy, including advanced technologies.
• Initially, the focus will be on Sub-Saharan Africa, with plans to expand globally.
• ISA has provided $2 million in seed funding and aims to raise $10 million for the facility.
• This program is the first under the guarantee component of ISA's Global Solar Facility, which aims to raise $200 million for projects in Africa.
• The Global Solar Facility aims to stimulate solar investments worldwide, starting with underserved segments in Africa, through payment guarantees, insurance, and investment funds.

Significance of MIGA-ISA Solar Facility

• The facility will provide cost-effective risk mitigation tools to support the growth of solar projects in ISA member countries.
• By attracting private investment through concessional financing and risk mitigation instruments, the facility will help lower costs and bridge the energy gap in underserved regions.

International Solar Alliance (ISA)

• Origin: India and France collaborated to create the International Solar Alliance at the CoP21 in Paris in 2015.
• Purpose: The ISA is a platform focused on taking action, driven by its members, to increase the use of solar energy technologies and facilitate the transition to clean energy in member countries.
• Goal: The ISA aims to mobilize $1,000 billion in investments in solar energy solutions by 2030, provide clean energy access to 1 billion people, and install 1,000 GW of solar energy capacity.
• Membership: Currently, 100 countries have ratified the ISA Framework Agreement, including India. All UN member states are eligible to join, with an amendment to the agreement made in 2020.

"India-UAE Energy Agreements"

• New agreements were signed during the official visit of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to India.
• The agreements include a long-term LNG supply agreement between ADNOC and Indian Oil Corporation Limited to diversify LNG sources.
• A production concession agreement for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1 was signed between Urja Bharat and ADNOC, aiming to bring crude oil to India and enhance the country's energy security.
• An MoU was signed between ADNOC and India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited for crude storage in India and the renewal of their storage agreement.
• An MoU on Nuclear Cooperation was signed for increased cooperation in the operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants.

India-UAE Relations

• In 2015, a new Comprehensive and Strategic partnership began between India and the UAE.
• UAE is the second top export destination for India, following the US, while India is the UAE's second largest trading partner.
• The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was signed in 2022.
• In the fiscal year 2023, the UAE was the fourth largest foreign investor in India.
• Approximately 30% of the UAE's population, around 3.5 million people, are Indians, making up roughly 35% of the country's population.
• Both countries are involved in various multilateral platforms such as BRICS, I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA), and UFI (UAE-France-India) Trilateral.
• India and the UAE participate in military exercises like Desert Flag and Desert Cyclone.

SEBI amends regulations for Foreign Venture Capital Investors

• The regulations aim to update the framework for registering Foreign Venture Capital Investors (FVCIs) and align it with Foreign Portfolio Investors for better oversight.

Overview of FVCI

• FVCIs are investors from outside India registered under FVCI Regulations who invest in venture capital funds or undertakings in India.
• Venture Capital funds (VCFs) are used for high-risk investments in exchange for equity stakes in businesses and are regulated by SEBI (VCF) Regulations, 1996.
• FVCIs bridge the gap between the capital needs of technology startups and traditional funding sources like banks.

Key Points of New Regulations

• FVCI applicants must obtain a registration certificate from a Designated Depository Participant (DDP) authorized by SEBI.
• Individuals or entities dealing with FVCIs must also obtain a certificate from the DDP.
• Eligibility criteria for FVCIs have been expanded to include Resident Indians, NRIs, and OCIs, with some conditions.
• FVCIs and their global custodians must have agreements with both the DDP and custodian before making investments in India.

"Indian Navy Launches Two ASW-SWCs"

ASW-SWC vessels are able to conduct anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO), and mine-laying operations.

Newly Launched ASW-SWC:

• The newly launched shallow watercrafts are part of a contract with Cochin Shipyard (CSL) for eight ASW-SWCs to replace the Abhay-class ASW Corvettes of the Indian Navy.
• These vessels are the 4th & 5th ASW-SWC of the Mahe-class built by Cochin Shipyard (CSL) and will be named INS MALPE and INS MULKI.
• Earlier vessels in the Mahe-class include Mahe, Malvan, and Mangrol, all built by CSL.

Anti-Submarine Warfare:

• Anti-Submarine Warfare is a military strategy that involves using aircraft, surface warships, and submarines to find, track, and destroy enemy submarines.

India’s ASW Capabilities:

• Kamorta class ships, such as INS Kamorta and INS Kadmatt, are frontline warships with stealth capabilities and low signature of radiated underwater noise.
• Integrated ASW Defence Suites (IADS) are used for underwater detection and protection from threats in partnership with Mahindra Defence Systems Limited.
• Maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft like the Boeing P-8I (Poseidon) are utilized.
• ASW helicopters, specifically the MH-60R Seahawk multi-role helicopters, are also used.
• SMART is a missile-based lightweight torpedo delivery system developed by DRDO.

Significance of ASW:

• India's maritime security is of utmost importance due to its extensive coastline, strategic positioning, and the presence of nuclear-armed submarines in the Indian Ocean region.
• The rising presence of extra-regional powers and their submarines, coupled with advancements in submarine technology, poses a significant threat to India's security.
• Other important factors include promoting self-reliance in shipbuilding, participating in multilateral naval exercises, and strengthening strategic partnerships.

"CCAC Launches AQMx Platform"

• The AQMx was launched on the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, which falls on 7 September each year.
• The initiative is led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and this year's theme is 'Invest in Clean Air Now'.

About Air Quality Management Exchange Platform (AQMx)

• AQMx is a comprehensive platform that offers the latest guidance and tools for air quality management to help countries meet the interim targets set by the WHO Air Quality Guidelines.
• It is a key component of the CCAC Clean Air Flagship and supports the implementation of the UNEA-6 Resolution, which aims to enhance regional cooperation and action to improve air quality globally.

Need of AQMx

• Air pollution is a significant global issue, causing over 8 million premature deaths annually, with a disproportionate impact on poor and vulnerable populations.
• AQMx helps address capacity gaps in air quality management by providing curated guidance on monitoring, health impact assessments, and other best practices.
• The platform also facilitates knowledge sharing among regional and sub-regional communities to enhance air quality management efforts.

Overview of CCAC

• The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) was established in 2012 and operates under the UNEP, with over 160 governments, intergovernmental organizations, and NGOs as members. India joined the CCAC in 2019.
• The CCAC focuses on reducing short-lived climate pollutants such as methane, black carbon, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and tropospheric ozone, which contribute to both climate change and air pollution.

WHO Air Quality Guidelines (AQG)

• They consist of scientifically supported guidelines for restricting levels of certain air pollutants.
• They suggest thresholds and goals for popular air pollutants such as PM, O₃, NO₂, SO₂, and CO.
• For example, the 24-hour average of PM2.5 should not go beyond 15 μg/m³ and the yearly average of PM2.5 should not surpass 5 μg/m³.