Daily Current Affairs UPSC 13 August 2024

Mission Karmayogi

• Recently, two portals were launched as part of Mission Karmayogi: the Amrit Gyan Kosh portal and the Faculty Development portal.
• The Amrit Gyan Kosh portal serves as a knowledge bank for India-centric case studies for shared learning resources.
• The Faculty Development portal focuses on training practitioners and faculties to improve the delivery of knowledge to civil servants.
• Mission Karmayogi, launched in 2020, aims to create a competent civil service with a foundation in Indian values.
• The mission has six key pillars, including Policy Framework, Institutional Framework, Competency Framework, Digital Learning Framework (iGOT-Karmayogi), e-HRMS, and Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.

Spintronics

• Scientists created a see-through conducting connection between two non-conductive materials using spintronics.
• This advancement has the potential to greatly enhance the speed of data transfer within electronic devices and boost the storage capacity of quantum devices.
• Spintronics is a technology that incorporates the spin and charge of electrons in transportation devices.
• Spintronic systems are especially important in the realms of quantum computing, nano-electronics, and contemporary electronic storage devices.

Geneva Conventions of 1949

• The Geneva Conventions of 1949, which mark 75 years since their adoption, are a crucial part of international humanitarian law.
• These conventions set out important rules to limit the cruelty of war, protecting wounded soldiers, prisoners of war, and civilians in occupied territories.
• India has ratified all four Geneva Conventions of 1949, showing its commitment to upholding international humanitarian law.
• The Additional Protocols of 1977 and 2005 further enhance and supplement the protections provided by the Geneva Conventions.

NIRF Ranking 2024

• The Ministry of Education has released the 9th edition of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) for 2024.
• NIRF was launched in 2015 and provides a methodology for ranking educational institutions in India based on five parameters.
• The implementing agency for NIRF is the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) in collaboration with the INFLIBNET Centre in Gandhinagar.
• The latest edition of NIRF includes new categories for ranking such as Open Universities, State Public Universities, and Skill Universities.
• IIT Madras has been ranked as the best educational institution in the country for the sixth time since 2019, followed by IISC Bangalore.

Gurmar (Gymnema sylvestre)

• Researchers have found the anti-diabetic herb Gurmar on Gaya's Brahmayoni Hill.
• Gurmar is a slow-growing plant that is found in central and southern India as well as tropical Africa.
• The active component in Gurmar leaves, gymnemic acid, has properties that can help with obesity and diabetes by reducing body weight and inhibiting glucose absorption.
• Gurmar is used in dietary supplements to help reduce body weight, blood cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.
• The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) used Gurmar to create the anti-diabetic drug BGR-34.
• The first diabetes drug, Metformin, was also derived from a medicinal plant called Galega.

Silicosis

• Researchers warn that exceeding the daily exposure limits to silica dust can lead to the development of silicosis, a serious lung disease.
• The Permissible Exposure Limit for silica dust in India is set at 0.15 mg/m3, which is considered high.
• Silicosis is a chronic lung disease caused by prolonged inhalation of crystalline silica dust, resulting in lung hardening, shortness of breath, and potentially fatal consequences.
• Silicosis is a progressive disease with no known cure.
• Silica is naturally found in various rocks like quartz and soil, and is commonly found in industries such as construction, mining, oil and gas extraction, pottery and sculpting, and glass manufacturing.

Housing Finance Companies (HFCs)

• RBI has made stricter regulations regarding public deposit acceptance by HFCs.
• The limit for public deposits has been reduced from 3 times to 1.5 times of HFC's net owned fund.
• HFCs are corporate entities established under the Companies Act, 1956, with the goal of providing housing loans and finance efficiently.
• They are now regulated by the RBI, previously overseen by the National Housing Bank.
• There are two types of HFCs: Deposit-taking and Non-deposit taking.
• In India, there are a total of 97 HFCs operating.
• HFCs offer advantages such as more flexible loan approval processes compared to banks and consideration of lower credit scores.

Technological doping

• Some experts have expressed worries about the concept of Technological doping.
• Technological doping involves using sports equipment to gain an edge in competition.
• An example of Technological doping is the Speedo LZR Racer swimsuits used in the 2008 Olympics, which were later banned.
• The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) may ban technologies that are deemed to enhance performance or go against the principles of fair play in sports.

Zambia (Capital: Lusaka)

Zambia plans to reopen its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that had previously been closed.

Political Features:

• Zambia is a landlocked country located in south-central Africa.
• It shares borders with Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola.
• Zambia is a member of the Commonwealth.

Geographical Features:

• Zambia has a sub-tropical climate with three distinct seasons.
• The country is a major producer of cobalt and copper.
• Zambia is home to several important rivers such as the Kafue River, Luangwa River, and Zambezi River.
• There are also several lakes in Zambia including Lake Bangweulu, Lake Kariba, Lake Mweru, and Lake Tanganyika.

Assessing the Impact of PMMY: NITI Aayog & KPMG Report

The report has evaluated the effectiveness and impact of the PM Mudra Yojana, a program under the Ministry of Finance that supports Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Key Findings of Study

• Overall Performance: The scheme has supported 35 crore Micro and Small entrepreneur Accounts since its inception in 2015.
• Financial Inclusion: Women hold 71% of the accounts in FY 2022, and the sanctioned amount for new entrepreneurs has increased.
• Encouragement of small businesses: 80% of the loan accounts are in the Shishu category in FY 2021.
• Regional variation: The Northeast region has the lowest number of accounts and decreasing sanctioned amounts.

Challenges associated with Scheme

• Scheme Design: Lack of collateral increases banks' fear of NPAs, high refinancing rates, and a 15% ceiling on pay out under CGFMU restricts bank benefits.
• Institutional Mechanism: Poor credit penetration in weaker sections and remote areas, lack of centralized customer information database.

Key recommendations for scheme

• Implement a Portal for real-time beneficiary data upload.
• Increase digitization with tools like Chatbots for query resolution.
• Establish a recognition mechanism for Micro Lending Institutions based on their performance and scale of operation.

About PM Mudra Yojana

• Type: Central Sector Scheme.
• Purpose: To foster an inclusive, sustainable entrepreneurial culture.
• Loan Categories
  
  • Shishu: Loans up to INR 50,000.
  • Kishore: Loans above INR 50,000 and up to INR 5 lakhs.
  • Tarun: Loans above INR 5 lakhs and up to INR 20 lakhs.
• Credit Guarantee.
• Eligible micro units can receive credit guarantees through the Credit Guarantee Fund for Micro Units (CGFMU) under this scheme.

"Russian Control Raises Security Concerns at ZNPP"

• A fire recently occurred at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, which Russia has labeled as an act of nuclear terrorism.
• Zaporizhzhia is the largest nuclear plant in Europe and is currently under Russian control.

Nuclear Terrorism

• Unauthorized use or the threat of using nuclear weapons, materials, fuel, waste, facilities, or installations to endanger lives, property, and the environment is considered nuclear terrorism.
• This type of terrorism is a global threat and can manifest in various ways, such as detonating a nuclear weapon, acquiring fissile material for an improvised device, obtaining a dirty bomb, or sabotaging nuclear facilities to release radioactivity.

International Regulations for Nuclear Security

• The UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy urges member states to combat the smuggling of radiological and nuclear materials.
• The International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism criminalizes the unlawful possession of radioactive material.
• The IAEA has established seven pillars for nuclear safety and security during conflicts.
• The Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material establishes legal obligations for parties to protect nuclear materials.

India's Approach to Nuclear Safety

• India's governance framework includes the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 2005.
• Institutions like the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board focus on the security of civilian nuclear facilities.
• India follows nuclear security practices such as the National Design Basis Threat Document and the Central Industrial Security Force.
• Technology like the closed fuel cycle with reprocessing of plutonium is utilized for nuclear safety.
• India is a party to various anti-terrorism conventions including the CPPNM and ICSANT, showcasing its commitment to international cooperation in nuclear security.

"Tungabhadra Dam Crest Gate Failure"

The increase in water pressure following a heavy rainfall led to the malfunction of the crest gate, which is responsible for controlling the overflow of the reservoir. This has raised worries about potential flooding and the safety of the dam in Karnataka.

About Tungabhadra or Pampa Dam

• The Tungabhadra or Pampa Dam is a multipurpose dam completed in 1958 that spans the Tungabhadra River in Hospet, Ballari district in Karnataka.
• M. Visvesvaraya served as the chairman of the board of engineers for the construction of the dam.

About Tungabhadra River

• The Tungabhadra River gets its name from the two streams, Tunga and Bhadra, which originate in the Western Ghats and meet near Shimoga to form the Tungabhadra River.
• This river is a tributary of the Krishna River.

Concerns associated with dam safety in India

• Aging dams: Majority of large dams in India are over 25 years old.
• Seismic vulnerability: Earthquakes can lead to issues like liquefaction in dam foundations.
• Floods and excessive rain: Instances like the Chungthang Dam in Sikkim being washed away during flash floods highlight the risks.
• Other concerns include overtopping failures and sedimentation.

Steps Taken for Dam Safety:

• Dam Safety Act 2021 and Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) are initiatives aimed at improving dam safety.
• The web-based tool Dam Health and Rehabilitation Monitoring Application (DHARMA) is used for monitoring dam health.

Dams in India (According to National Register of Large Dams, 2023)

• According to the National Register of Large Dams in 2023, there are 6138 completed and operational specified dams in India.
• Out of these, 234 large dams are over 100 years old.

Dam Failure

• Dam failure refers to the collapse of part of a dam or its foundation, rendering it unable to retain water.
• Examples of dam failures in India include the Machchu dam failure in Gujarat in 1979 and the Tiware dam failure in Maharashtra in 2019.

"Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024 Report Released by ILO"

The report commemorates the 20th anniversary of get for Youth and discusses the accomplishments, obstacles, and future prospects for youth employment.

Key Highlights of Report

• The global youth unemployment rate in 2023 is at its lowest in 15 years, standing at 13% with 64.9 million unemployed youth, the lowest number since 2000.
• In 2023, 20.4% of youth were classified as NEET, meaning they were not in employment, education, or training, showing a wider issue of labor market exclusion.
• Two out of every three young NEET individuals are women.
• Global Challenges:
  • Inequalities of Opportunity: In high-income countries, 4 out of 5 young adult workers have regular paid jobs, while in low-income countries, only 1 out of 5 do.
  • Regional Disparities: Africa is projected to see growth in the youth labor force by 2050, while other regions will experience contraction. Additionally, 1 in 3 youth in Arab states and North Africa are unemployed.
  • Youth Well-being Concern: Many young people are worried about job loss, the state of the economy, and lack of social mobility across generations.
  • Educational Mismatch: In developing economies, 2 out of 3 young adult workers have qualifications that do not align well with their jobs.

Recommendations from the report

• Enhance education and training to improve school-to-work transitions and address skill mismatches.
• Target labor market policies to support disadvantaged youth.
• Promote entrepreneurship and self-employment among young people.
• Amplify the policy focus on job creation through gender-responsive macroeconomic and sectoral policies.
• Emphasize youth inclusion in policy making, improve international cooperation, and enhance public-private partnerships.

"SC Directs Implementation of NCAHP Act, 2021"

• Despite being in force for 3-4 years, many provisions of the NCAHP Act have not been implemented.
• Only 14 out of 28 states and union territories have set up state councils, and these councils are not functioning properly.

Supreme Court Directions for Implementation

• Union and States must take necessary steps to implement the NCAHP Act within 2 months.
• The Health Ministry will convene an online meeting within 2 weeks to create a roadmap for implementing the Act.
• All states and union territories must submit a compliance report on the next hearing.

Issues Arising from Non-implementation

• Lack of uniform qualifications for allied and healthcare professional courses by private organizations.
• Unregulated healthcare training institutions jeopardize patient care.
• Unregulated institutions offering courses in allied and healthcare aspects of medical treatment are increasing.
• Allied health professionals play a crucial role in supporting the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

Key Provisions of NCAHP Act, 2021

• Recognizes certain categories of allied and healthcare professions.
• Establishes the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions to regulate education and practice, create a Central Register of professionals, and conduct uniform entrance and exit examinations.
• Professional Councils will be formed for each recognized category of allied and healthcare professions.
• State Allied and Healthcare Councils will enforce professional conduct, code of ethics, and provide permissions for institutions.

"AUKUS Members Sign Naval Nuclear Propulsion Agreement"

The agreement will allow AUKUS members UK and US to provide Australia with the necessary materials and equipment for their upcoming nuclear-powered submarines.

Key highlights of Agreement

• The transfer of Virginia-class nuclear submarines from the US to Australia and equipment from the UK for use in SSN-AUKUS submarines will be a key aspect of the agreement.
• The agreement prohibits Australia from enriching uranium or reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, ensuring compliance with international non-proliferation obligations.
• Australia will be tasked with managing the nuclear waste produced by its submarines.

AUKUS

• In 2021, Australia, the US, and the UK formed a trilateral security partnership to enhance their security and defense interests.
• The partnership has two main components that showcase its abilities and advantages:
• The first pillar involves assisting Australia in obtaining its initial conventionally armed, SSN submarine fleet.
• The second pillar focuses on collaborating in eight advanced military capability areas, including AI, quantum technologies, innovation, information sharing, cyber security, undersea operations, hypersonic and counter-hypersonic capabilities, and electronic warfare.

Impact of AUKUS in Indo-Pacific region

• The goal is to counter Chinese influence and reshape security arrangements by involving more western powers.
• India can use this as a way to enhance its concept of 'strategic autonomy' in the Indo-Pacific region and work alongside the Quad grouping.
• The sharing of nuclear materials and information could have significant strategic consequences related to nuclear proliferation.