Daily Current Affairs UPSC 16 July 2024

Indian Leopard

• According to the IUCN, the Indian leopard has experienced a decline of 24.5% over the last three generations.
• The Indian leopard is found in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of Pakistan, excluding mangrove forests and deserts.
• Characteristics of the Indian leopard include being nocturnal, skilled climbers, and solitary predators.
• The leopard population in India in 2022 is estimated to be 13,874.
• The top three states with the largest population of leopards in India are Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
• The Indian leopard is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN and is listed under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
• Threats to the Indian leopard include habitat loss, fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, poaching, and illegal trade.

Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC)

• BRIC-THSTI recently hosted an industry meet called 'SYNCHN 2024' to promote collaboration and high-quality data in the NCR Biotech Cluster.
• BRIC is a registered society created by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, integrating research, training, and innovation programs.
• BRIC-THSTI serves as a catalyst for translating fundamental discoveries into clinical research capacity.
• THSTI is located within the NCR Biotech Science Cluster in Faridabad, promoting synergy in science through collaboration and expertise.

Article 341

• The Supreme Court ruled that the State does not have the authority to change the Schedule Caste (SC) list published under Article 341.
• The Court invalidated a resolution by the Bihar government to merge the Economically Backward Class Community into the SC list.
• Article 341 allows the President to officially designate certain groups as Scheduled Castes for specific States or Union Territories.
• The designation process involves consultation with the Governor for States and may include entire castes, races, tribes, or subgroups within these categories.
• Parliament has the power to add or remove groups from the list of Scheduled Castes through legislation.

Uniform GST on Aircraft Parts

• The Ministry of Civil Aviation has introduced a consistent 5% IGST rate on aircraft and aircraft engine parts.
• This move aims to support the domestic MRO industry and enhance India's position as a global aviation hub.
• The uniform tax rate simplifies the tax structure, lowers operational expenses, resolves tax credit problems, and attracts investment.

Pheromone Traps

• The Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) are using AI powered Pheromone traps in a pilot project to protect cotton crops from Pink Bollworm pest infestation.
• Pheromone traps use chemical signals emitted by female moths to attract males of that species, helping to control the pest population.
• These traps can be used to monitor target pests in agriculture or residential areas, providing early detection of infestations.
• Constant monitoring for insects with Pheromone traps may help detect infestations before they become a serious problem for crops.

Tizu and Zungki River

• The MV Sea Change is the first passenger ferry powered by hydrogen fuel cells, which was launched in San Francisco.
• The ferry can travel 300 nautical miles and operate for 16 hours before needing to refuel.
• Hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity by combining oxygen and hydrogen in an electrochemical reaction.
• Vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells do not produce any tailpipe pollutant emissions, including particulates, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.

Hydrogen-Fuel Cells

• Inland Waterways Authority of India and Transport Department of Government of Nagaland will be conducting a detailed feasibility study for the development of Tizu and Zungki River (National Waterways 101).
• Tizu River originates near Longkhim, Tuensang district, of Nagaland and flows into the Chinwin River, also known as Ningthi river in Myanmar.
• The main tributaries of Tizu River are river Zungki, Lanye, and Likimro.
• Zungki is the largest tributary of Tizu in Nagaland.

Electroencephalography (EEG)

• The year 2024 will be the 100th anniversary of EEG, a medical test that measures brain electrical activity.
• EEG uses electrodes attached to the scalp to detect the electrical impulses generated by brain cells.
• The activity recorded on an EEG appears as wavy lines, showing how the brain cells communicate.
• EEG is commonly used to detect epilepsy, neurological disorders, brain tumors, and other brain-related issues.

Maharishi Sushruta (c. 7th or 6th century BCE)

• AIIA organized Second National Seminar SAUSHRUTAM Shalya Sangoshti on Sushruta Jayanti-2024
• Sushruta, ancient physician from Kashi, known as Father of Indian Medicine and Surgery
• Key Contributions of Sushruta:
  • Author of Sushruta Samhita, part of Great Trilogy of Ayurvedic Medicine
  • Covers pathology, anatomy, surgical management, treatment of fractures, dislocations, skin grafting, rhinoplasty
  • Values promoted by Sushruta: Courage, hard work, composure, proficiency, dedication 

"Exploring India's Energy Storage Landscape"

Key Findings:

• India's cumulative installed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) capacity is 219.1 Megawatt-hours (MWh).
• Chhattisgarh has the highest BESS capacity, accounting for 54.8% of the cumulative installed capacity.
• Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, combined with BESS, make up 90.6% of the total installed capacity.

About BESS:

• BESS refers to an electrochemical device that stores and releases renewable energy like solar and wind energy when needed.
• Types of batteries used in BESS include Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, Lead-acid batteries, and Sodium-sulfur batteries.

Significance of BESS:

• Minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, aiding in achieving the Panchamrit target of net zero emissions by 2070.
• Reduces energy costs by using stored energy during peak hours when prices are highest.
• Reduces grid dependency and improves grid stability by sourcing, storing, and balancing power supply and demand.

Concerns with BESS:

• Increased need for maintenance and monitoring.
• High initial costs may deter users from investing in these systems.
• Extraction of raw materials like lithium can be energy-intensive and lead to water pollution and land degradation.

Initiatives to promote BESS:

• Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme for the development of 4,000 MWh of BESS projects by 2030-31.
• Waiver of Inter-State Transmission Charges on BESS projects commissioned up to June 2025.
• Production Linked Incentive Scheme for the National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Storage.
• National Framework for Promoting Energy Storage Systems by the Ministry of Power.

"World Bank Group Guarantee Platform Launches"

• Established in 2024, WBG Guarantees brings together guarantee products and experts from various WBG institutions under MIGA.
• These guarantees are aimed at private lenders for infrastructure financing in situations where there is a high demand for debt funding, significant political and sovereign risks, and long-term financing is crucial for project success.
• Prior to the platform's launch, the WBG offered 20 different guarantee solutions with varying processes, rules, and standards that made it difficult for clients to access.

WBG GP

• The WBG aims to increase annual guarantee issuance to $20 billion by 2030.
• In 2024, the WBG issued around $10.3 billion in new guarantees using products from the platform.
• The platform offers three types of coverages: credit guarantees for loans, trade finance guarantees, and political risk insurance for non-commercial risks in private sector projects or public-private partnerships.

Significance of WBG Guarantees Platform

• The platform provides a simplified menu of guarantee options that are market-friendly and offer multiple choices to WBG clients.
• By streamlining processes, removing redundancies, and de-risking investments in developing countries, the platform aims to increase accessibility to financing.
• Prioritizing high-impact projects and promoting growth, the platform contributes to sustainable development and inclusive growth through innovative financing.

About the WB Group

• The WB Group is a global partnership of five institutions, with India being a part of the first four institutions (not ICSID).
• IBRD (The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development),
• IDA (The International Development Association),
• IFC (The International Finance Corporation),
• MIGA (The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency),
• ICSID (The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes),
• IBRD and IDA form the WB.

"Ratna Bhandar Reopens After 46 Years"

• A high-level committee, headed by retired Justice Biswanath Rath, was set up by the Odisha government to oversee the inventory of valuables, including jewelry, stored in the Ratna Bhandar.
• The Magji Ladoo, a special sweet from Odisha's Dhenkanal district, which is part of the 'chappan bhog' prasad at the Shree Jagannath Temple, has been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) Tag.

Ratna Bhandar Overview

• Situated on the north side of Jagamohana.
• Consists of Bahar Bhandar and Bhitar Bhandar.
• Houses the jewels of Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath, and Devi Subhadra.

Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha

• The temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Sister Devi Subhadra, and elder brother Lord Balabhadra, who are considered a holy trinity in Hinduism.
• It was constructed during the reign of Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, the founder of the Ganga dynasty, in the early 12th century A.D.
• The temple is a significant religious site for followers of Hinduism, particularly those who worship Lord Vishnu and his incarnations.

Architectural Style of Shree Jagannath Temple

• Style of Architecture: Kalinga Architecture.
• Components of Kalinga Architecture:
  • Vimana or Deula (Garbhagriha): Built in the nagara style.
  • Rekha deula: Characterized by a curvilinear tower known as sikhar.
  • Jagamohana: Formed in the Pidha deula style with tiers of diminishing platforms.
  • Natamandapa: Audience/Dancing Hall.
  • Bhogamandapa: Hall for residuary offerings.
• Vishnu Figures: Carved on the outer wall of the main temple, depicting 24 forms of Vishnu such as Keshava, Madhava, Damodara, and Narayana.

"India's G20 Task Force Report on DPI Released"

• A task force was created in 2023 during India's G20 Presidency to focus on priorities related to Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Financial Inclusion.
• The task force aims to support and enhance global efforts in promoting the adoption of DPI. 
• The establishment of the task force demonstrates India's commitment to advancing digital infrastructure and financial inclusion on a global scale.

About Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)

• Building blocks or platforms such as digital identity, financial infrastructure, and data exchange solutions help governments empower individuals and enhance lives through digital inclusion.
• India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), known as India Stack, consists of three key layers: Digital identification (Aadhaar), Real-time fast payment (UPI), and a platform for secure sharing of personal data while maintaining privacy.
• These foundational layers of India Stack work together to provide a comprehensive digital infrastructure that supports various government initiatives and services, ultimately benefiting the population through improved access and efficiency.

Achievements of India's DPI

• UPI sees 10 billion transactions per month.
• DigiLocker stores over 6 billion documents for 211 million users.
• Rich and Poor divide in bank account ownership reduced from 14% to 1% (2011-2022).

Significance of DPI

• Gives individuals the ability to manage their finances and personal information, providing them with autonomy and security.
• Encourages advancements in the market by lowering transaction expenses, promoting competition through compatibility, and drawing in private investments.
• Allows marginalized groups, such as those in remote areas and women, to utilize services, aiding in the reduction of disparities between different groups, like gender inequalities.
• The disparity in bank account ownership between genders has decreased significantly from 18% to nearly 0% over the span of 2011 to 2022.

5 Major Digital Public Infrastructure Categories within & across Sectors

Verifiable Identity & Registries:

• Confirming identification and retrieving profile information for individuals, organizations, and items.
• Examples: ID Authentication; ekYC.

Data Sharing, Credentials, and Models:

• Exchanging information (such as personal background, characteristics, and details) between individuals or making it available to the public.
• Examples: Giving permission to share personal information.

Signatures & Consent:

• Ensuring that the data/agreements were obtained with the source's permission.
• Examples: Digital signatures that cannot be tampered with and are unable to be denied or disputed.

Discovery & Fulfillment:

• Utilizing open protocols and APIs to access goods and services.
• Examples: Access APIs for services such as business registration and tax filing.

Payments:

• Completing financial transactions effortlessly.
• Examples: Peer-to-peer, person-to-machine, business-to-business, and government-to-person transactions for social benefit transfers.

"Charting a Course: UNEP's Foresight Report"

• The report points out that there are significant global changes happening that are worsening pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change.
• It emphasizes that the current global crisis, which includes various challenges like wars, extreme weather events, and pandemics, are interconnected and are a result of globalization.

Various Shifts, Signals, and Potential Disruptions

• Changing relationship between humans and the environment leading to rising AMR and uninhabitable spaces due to climate change.
• Scarcity and competition for critical resources reshaping global security dynamics, like orbital space debris.
• Waves of innovation in the digital landscape, including Internet of Things and AI adoption.
• Risks of biological agents misuse with autonomous and artificial intelligence weapons systems.
• Mass forced displacement affecting 1.5% of the world's population.
• Eco-anxiety causing negative emotional responses related to environmental and climate crises.

Recommendations

• Implementing 'A new social contract' as proposed in the UN Secretary General's report 'Our Common Agenda' by engaging diverse stakeholders.
• Establishing agile and adaptive governance for a sustainable future using technology and funding.
• Guiding governance through data and knowledge to address global challenges.

"RBI Updates Rules on Financial Fraud"

• Revised Master Directions on Fraud Risk Management by RBI.

Regulated Entities under RBI:

• Commercial banks, including regional rural banks, and all India financial institutions are included in this category.
• Cooperative banks, such as urban cooperative banks, state cooperative banks, and central cooperative banks, are also part of this group.
• Non-banking finance companies, including housing finance companies, are also considered in this classification. 

Key Points of Master Directions:

• REs must follow principles of natural justice before classifying Persons/Entities as fraud.
• Data Analytics and Market Intelligence Unit required to enhance risk management.
• Framework for Early Warning Signals and Red Flagging of Accounts has been improved for fraud prevention.
• Timely reporting to law enforcement agencies and supervisors is also necessary.

Significance:

• Simplifying and streamlining the regulatory requirements for financial institutions by removing 36 Circulars.
• Implementing strong internal audit processes and control mechanisms within financial institutions to ensure compliance and prevent fraud.
• Expanding the scope of fraud risk management to include Regional Rural Banks, Rural Cooperative Banks, and Housing Finance Companies for a more comprehensive approach to safeguarding financial institutions.