Daily Current Affairs UPSC 21 June 2024

Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD)

• Chad has become the first country in 2024 and 51st globally to eliminate the gambiense form of Human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)
• Sleeping sickness is a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by the Trypanosoma parasite
• Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of conditions caused by various pathogens
• Examples of NTDs include Dengue, chikungunya, leprosy, and onchocerciasis
• NTDs are mainly prevalent among impoverished communities in tropical areas
• NTDs are preventable and treatable when detected early
• India has eliminated NTDs like guinea worm, trachoma, and yaws
• Initiatives to eliminate NTDs include the London Declaration, Kigali Declaration on NTDs, and World NTD Day on January 30th.

Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)

• IUCN has upgraded the conservation status of the Iberian lynx from Endangered to Vulnerable due to a significant increase in its population.
• The Iberian lynx is a medium-sized wild cat species native to the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, specifically Portugal and Spain.
• It weighs about half as much as the Eurasian species and has long legs, a short tail with a black tip, tufted ears, and a relatively small head.
• The Iberian lynx is a solitary hunter that is nocturnal or crepuscular, but may become diurnal during winter. They live in small, isolated meta-populations and the European Rabbit makes up a large portion of their diet.
• Threats to the Iberian lynx include decreasing food base, poaching, habitat loss, and more.
• The conservation status of the Iberian lynx is listed as Appendix I of CITES.

Diatom

• A new freshwater diatom genus called Indiconema was found in the Eastern and Western Ghats.
• Diatoms are unicellular algae that are part of a phytoplankton group.
• They are eukaryotes and do not move.
• Diatoms have cell walls made of transparent, opaline silica that are very durable.
• Over time, diatom cell wall deposits create diatomaceous earth.
• Diatoms are major producers in oceans and generate 20-30% of global oxygen.
• They are important indicators of aquatic health.
• Diatoms remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, convert it to organic carbon like sugar, and release oxygen.
• They are the foundation of the aquatic food chain, for example Diatoms-Crustaceans-Herrings.
• Diatoms play a role in nutrient cycling in marine and lake waters.

Asiatic Lion

• Six Asiatic lions have moved from Gir Forest to Barda Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Asiatic lions are endangered and protected under various laws.
• They are smaller than African lions and have moderate mane growth.
• Lions do not have a specific breeding season.
• Their habitat is limited to Gir forest and other protected areas in Gujarat's Saurashtra region.

World Investment Report 2024

• The UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released the World Investment Report 2024.
• The report found that global foreign direct investment flows decreased by 2% in 2023.
• India experienced significant declines in foreign direct investment.
• The mobilization of funds for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) investment through sustainable finance products is slowing down.
• UNCTAD is a permanent intergovernmental body established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1964.
• Its mission is to support developing countries in accessing the benefits of a globalized economy more fairly and effectively.

Mata ni pachedi paintings

• Mata ni pachedi is an ancient art form from Gujarat inspired by Kalamkari style of painting.
• Translates to "behind the idol of Mother Goddess".
• Another form of this art is Matano candarvo.
• Painted by the Vaghari community for rituals, only by men.
• Features divine feminine at center surrounded by devotees, flora, and fauna.
• Drawn with bamboo stick pens.
• Traditionally in maroon, black, and white colors.

Kolar Gold Fields (KGF)

• The Karnataka Government approved the Centre's plan to restart gold mining at KGF.
• KGF is situated around 100 kilometers from Bangalore in the Kolar district of Karnataka.
• The gold mines at KGF are managed by the Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML), a government-owned organization.
• BGML was founded in 1972 under the Department of Mines, with its headquarters located at KGF.
• The mines at KGF are known for being some of the deepest in the world, making the extraction of gold ore a costly endeavor.

Sangam: Digital Twin initiative

• The Department of Telecom hosted the first networking event for the Sangam-Digital Twin Initiative at IIT Delhi.
• Sangam is an initiative by the Department of Telecommunication that focuses on revolutionizing infrastructure planning and design through the integration of Digital Twin technology with AI and IoT.
• The goal of Sangam is to enhance utility value, optimize resource utilization, and reduce costs through effective data integration.
• Digital Twin Technology is a virtual representation of a physical object or system that mimics the behavior of its real-world counterpart in real-time or near-real-time.

Methanol

• In Tamil Nadu, there have been recent deaths due to the consumption of spurious liquor, also known as hooch.
• Spurious liquor is identified by its high methanol content.
• Methanol, also called wood alcohol, is a colorless liquid with a slightly sweet and pungent odor.
• Methanol is commonly used as a solvent in paints and varnishes, as well as in the production of formaldehyde.
• The Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations 2018 specify the maximum allowable amount of methanol in various alcoholic beverages.

Striped caecilian (Ichthyophis spp)

• A new addition to the fauna in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve is the striped caecilian.
• Caecilians are a type of limbless amphibian classified under the order Apoda.
• These animals spend most of their lives burrowed under soil and have wormlike bodies with smooth, moist skin.
• Their eyes are small and covered with skin, limiting their visual perception to distinguishing between light and dark.
• Caecilians can take in oxygen through both their skin and lungs.
• The genus Ichthyophis are egg-laying caecilians.
• Caecilians are found in six families and are distributed across Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia.

"Cabinet Approves VGF Scheme for Offshore Wind Energy Projects"

• The VGF scheme, with a total outlay of Rs. 7,453 crore, aims to commission 1 GW of OWEP off the coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, as well as upgrade two ports to meet logistics requirements for these projects.
• India is the fourth largest wind energy producer in the world, with a cumulative installed capacity of 46.4 GW by May 2024.

About VGF Scheme for OWEP

• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is the nodal ministry for the VGF scheme for OWEP.
• The scheme is a crucial step in implementing the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy, 2015, which aims to explore and promote the deployment of India's offshore wind energy potential.
• Private developers will establish projects, while Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. will build the necessary transmission infrastructure like offshore substations.

Significance of the Scheme

• Commissioning 1 GW of OWEP will generate approximately 3.72 billion units of renewable electricity annually, reducing CO2 emissions by 2.98 million tons each year for 25 years.
• The reduced cost of power from offshore wind projects will make them viable for purchase by DISCOMs.
• The scheme will lead to the creation of the required ecosystem for the development of the offshore wind sector, attracting investments and developing indigenous manufacturing capabilities.

Offshore Wind Energy

• Offshore wind energy is derived from winds blowing across the sea, transformed into electricity, and supplied into the electricity network onshore.
• MNRE has set a target of 30 GW offshore wind installations by 2030.
• Benefits of offshore wind energy include higher adequacy and reliability, lower storage requirements, and higher employment potential.
• Associated challenges include technical challenges like installation and infrastructural shortcomings, as well as the displacement of marine wildlife.

"Draft Mining Plan Guidelines Released by Ministry of Coal"

• Objective: Optimize coal resource extraction through sustainable practices.
• Authority: Coal Controller Organization (CCO) in New Delhi.
• Monitoring: CCO monitors progress of development of Captive Coal/Lignite blocks.
• Objections: CCO hears objections to Government notifications on coal-bearing areas.

Key Highlights of Guidelines

• Mining plan approval for all coal/lignite blocks.
• Flexibility in calendar plan for increased coal production.
• Preference for blast-free and continuous coal-cutting technologies.
• Safety Management Plans and audits as per Coal Mines Regulations, 2017.
• Integration of fly ash filling protocols.
• Mandatory Mine Closure Plans for abandoned mines post-2009.

Significance of Sustainable Coal Mining

• Promotes systematic and scientific mining with new technologies.
• Supports responsible mining practices for industry and ecosystem.
• Ensures robust safety measures for workers.

Coal Sector in India

• Coal accounts for 55% of India's energy needs.
• India has the fifth-largest coal reserves globally.
• Major coal producing states include Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and others.
• Ministry of Coal launched commercial coal mining in 2020.

“10th Anniversary of International Yoga Day”

International Day of Yoga (IYD) proclaimed by United Nations in 2014

• Aim to raise awareness worldwide about benefits of yoga.
• Draft resolution proposed by India and endorsed by 175 member states.

About

Meaning and Genesis of Yoga

• Derived from Sanskrit root yuj meaning "to join".
• Symbolizes unity of mind and body and holistic approach to health.
• One of six Schools of Indian Philosophy.
• Evidence of yoga in ancient India dating back to 2700 BC.
• Systematic reference found in Patanjali's Yogasutra (2nd century B.C.).

Yoga and Cultural Diplomacy

• Key instrument of India's soft power and cultural diplomacy.
• Cultural diplomacy fosters mutual understanding through exchange of culture.

Summer Solstice (June 21)

• Northern Hemisphere tilted towards sun on this day.
• North Pole inclined towards sun, Arctic Circle experiences continuous daylight.
• Longest day and shortest night in northern hemisphere.
• Conditions reversed in Southern Hemisphere.

UGC-NET 2024 Cancelled by Union Education Ministry

• The exam was called off because of cheating and a paper leak, which undermined the exam's credibility.
• The UGC-NET is administered by the National Testing Agency.

Reasons for Cheating in Examinations

• Positive attitude towards cheating: students avoid taking responsibility for their actions.
• Societal pressures: success is measured by marks rather than integrity in learning.
• Delayed justice: perception of the judicial system being slow and ineffective.
• Overambition and pursuit of self-interest: students cheat to gain an unfair advantage.

Ethical Reasons Against Cheating in Examinations

• Violates deontological ethics: unfair means for favourable ends.
• Against Utilitarianism: cheating does not serve society's interests.
• Justice as Fairness Principle: cheating violates human liberties and equality of opportunities.
• Virtue Ethics: virtues of truth, trust, and excellence do not support deception.

Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024

• Enacted by the government for transparency, fairness, and credibility in public examinations.
• Deals with unfair means by entities conducting public examinations.
• Lists 15 actions that amount to using unfair means, like leakage of question papers.
• Offenses under the Act are cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable.

"Gulf Region: India's Extended Neighbourhood"

• Geographical definition including countries in the Indian Ocean Region, East Africa, Gulf Region, Central Asian Region, and south-east Asia.

Strategic Convergence with Gulf Region

• Economic: GCC is India's largest regional trading partner.
• Energy Security: India imports a significant amount of crude oil from the Gulf region.
• Regional Geo-economic and Connectivity Focus: Engagement in various groups and economic corridors.
• Defence and Security Cooperation: Securing maritime lines of communication.
• Welfare of Indian Diaspora: Large number of Indians working in the region.

Challenges

• Hamas-Israel war and Red Sea attacks by Yemen's houthis.
• Growing engagement of Gulf countries with China.

Gulf Cooperation Council

• Established in 1981 with 6 Gulf states as members.
• Objectives include coordination, integration, and inter-connection between Member States.
• Organisational Structure includes the Supreme Council and Ministerial Council.

"India's Space Economy Set to Quadruple by 2030"

• The Minister of State for Science & Technology emphasized that in 2021, the Indian space industry held a 2% share of the global space economy, which is projected to increase to 15% by 2047.

Indian Space Economy Growth

• Minister of State for Science & Technology predicts Indian space industry will have 15% global share by 2047.
• Indian space economy estimated at $8.4 billion in 2023, with potential to capture 9% of global market share by 2030.
• Number of space start-ups increased to nearly 200 in 2024 from just 1 in 2022.
• Private sector involvement in space missions on the rise, with successful test firing of 3D-printed cryogenic engine by Skyroot Aerospace.
• 100% FDI allowed in the space sector.

Concerns in Indian Space Economy

• Constrained space budgets and low space spending as a percentage of GDP.
• India spends only 0.04% of its GDP on space compared to United States' 0.28%.
• Shortage of trained scientists, engineers, and technicians for expanding space program.
• Lack of clear national space legislation leading to uncertainty in planning and conducting space activities.

Steps taken in Space Sector

• Indian Space Policy 2023 allows Non-Governmental Entities to participate in all space activities.
• Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) established as an independent nodal agency.
• New Space India Limited created to promote private sector participation.