In today’s daily current affairs briefing for UPSC aspirants, we explore the latest developments that hold relevance for the upcoming civil services examination. Our focus today includes a critical analysis of recent policy changes, international affairs, and national developments, all of which play a pivotal role in shaping the socio-political and economic landscape of India. Stay informed and stay ahead in your UPSC preparations with our daily current affairs updates, as we provide you with concise, well-researched insights to help you connect the dots between contemporary events and the broader canvas of the civil services syllabus.
Nari Adalats
Tags: GS-2: Government initiatives
In News:
Indian government set to launch a unique “Nari Adalat” court at the village level as an alternate dispute resolution forum.
About Nari Adalats:
- Nari Adalats, or women’s courts, are being set up at the village level in India as a unique initiative for alternate dispute resolution.
- It will be launched on a pilot basis in 50 villages each in Assam and Jammu and Kashmir to address issues including domestic violence, property rights etc
- These women only courts will serve as platforms for grievance redressal, reconciliation, and creating awareness about women’s rights and entitlements.
- Each Adalat will have 7-9 members, including elected gram panchayat members and women with social standing, such as teachers, doctors, and social workers.
- The members will be nominated or selected by the villagers, ensuring representation and diversity in the decision-making process.
- It will focus on reconciliation, raising awareness, and resolving cases within their jurisdiction.
- Its implementation will be overseen by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, under the Sambal sub-scheme of Mission Shakti.
- The tenure of the head known as the Mukhya Nyaya Sakhi will be approximately six months, after which a new head will be selected to ensure active involvement and fresh perspectives.
- These Adalats, although lacking legal status, will play a crucial role in reconciliation, grievance redressal, and awareness-raising about rights and entitlements.
- Overall, Nari Adalats holds the potential to empower women, provide accessible justice, and strengthen community support systems at the grassroots level.
Source: The Hindu
Performance Grading Index for Districts (PGI-D)
Tags: GS-III: Education, Government reports
In News:
Ministry of Education releases report on Performance Grading Index for Districts (PGI-D) for
About Performance Grading Index for Districts (PGI-D)
- The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSE&L) under the Ministry of Education, has recently released the PGI-D combined report for the year 2020-21 & 2021-22.
- The report graded the performance of the school education system at the 742 and 748 districts during 2020-21 and 2021-22 across the States/UTs by creating an index for comprehensive analysis.
- Based on the success of State PGI, an 83-indicator grouped into 6 categories and 12 domains, including Learning Outcomes and Quality, Access Outcomes, Teacher Availability etc,
- Districts are graded as Daksh for scoring more than 90% of the total points in a category or overall and Akanshi-3 which is lowest for scoring up to 10% of the total points.
- Highest scoring district in PGI-D is Pathanamthitta in Kerala with a score of 518, followed by Kottayam in Kerala with a score of 516.
- Lowest scoring district in PGI-D is Kiphire in Nagaland with a score of 79, followed by Longleng in Nagaland with a score of 80.
- Top performing states/UTs in terms of average score of their districts are Kerala, Chandigarh, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- Most improved states/UTs in terms of average score of their districts from 2018-19 to 2020-21 & 2021-22 are Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
- With Indian Education System being one of the largest in the world, PGI-D will help districts to prioritize areas for intervention in school education besides improving the reach to the highest grade.
Source: PIB Gov.
Export Control
Tag: GS-1 Mineral & Energy Resources; GS-2 India and its Neighbourhood, International Geopolitics
In News:
China has recently announced that it will impose export controls on gallium and germanium, two critical elements for semiconductor manufacturing, from August 1, 2023.
About Gallium and Germanium:
Gallium:
- Gallium is used to make gallium arsenide which forms the core substrate for semiconductors.
- They are used to manufacture semiconductor wafers utilised in integrated circuits, mobile and satellite communications (in chipsets), and LEDs (in displays).
- Gallium is also used in automotives and lighting, and for sensors in avionic, space and defence systems.
Germanium:
- Germanium is a lustrous, hard, silvery-white semi-metal which is used in electronic and optical devices.
- It is used in fibre-optic cables, infrared imaging devices – used by enforcement agencies for surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance and optical devices – to improve the ability to operate weapon systems in harsh conditions.
- They are also used in solar cells for their ability to withstand heat and higher energy conversion efficiency.
Reasons for China’s export control measures:
- The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced that it would implement export controls on items related to gallium and germanium in order to safeguard national security interests.
- It appears to be a retaliatory step over the export control measures by the US, Japan and Netherlands to restrict China’s ability to obtain advanced computing chips, develop and maintain supercomputers, and manufacture advanced semiconductors.
Impact of the Export Control decision by China:
- Shortage of critical raw material for chip industry as China commands 80% of gallium production and 60% of Germanium production.
- Supply Chain disruption for import dependent nations. The European Commission has an import dependency of 71% and 45% for gallium and germanium respectively in China.
- Increase in prices of Semiconductors. Restrictions may lead to an increase in prices of gallium and germanium in the global market resulting in increased prices of semiconductor devices.
- Diversification of supply chain. Restrictions of raw materials present an opportunity to the global market to diversify its supply sources and create a resilient supply chain.
- Export controls may have a short-term impact on India and its industries, however long-term consequences depend on alternative supply sources and domestic production capabilities.
Source: The Hindu
Hydrazine Hydrate
Tag: GS- 2 Government Policies & Interventions
In News:
In alignment with the Atma Nirbhar Bharat mission, Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Ltd (GACL), a chlor-alkali producer has started shipments of indigenously produced Hydrazine Hydrate to reduce import dependence on Europe.
About Hydrazine Hydrate:
- Hydrazine Hydrate (N2H4·H2O) is a colorless liquid that is widely used as a reducing agent.
- It is used as a corrosion inhibitor in cooling water reactors and in the process of electrolytic plating of metals on plastic and glass.
- Hydrazine Hydrate has applications in industries such as Pesticides, Agrochemicals, Water Treatment, Pharmaceuticals, blowing agent in Polymer Industry, Fine Chemicals etc.
Significance of indigenous production of Hydrazine Hydrate and Phosphoric Acid:
- Hydrazine Hydrate is an import-substitute product with world-class quality that will help in reducing the country’s dependency on imports, thereby saving valuable foreign exchange.
- In order to overcome the import-dependence, GACL and CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad, jointly received patents from India and the US for indigenous manufacturing of Hydrazine Hydrate (H6N2O).
- GACL established a commercial-scale plant in Dahej to manufacture 10,000 metric tonnes per annum of Hydrazine Hydrate.
- India has a very few manufacturers for Purified Phosphoric Acid, thus requiring imports of around 35,000 MTA Purified Phosphoric Acid. It has applications in Sugar Refining, Edible Oil Refining, Beverages, and Pharmaceuticals among others.
- Purified Phosphoric Acid plant set up by GACL will further reduce import dependency and herald an era of Atma Nirbhar Bharat. .
Source: The Hindu Business Line
Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) by CBIC
Tags: GS – 2: Indian Polity (Election)
Why in News:
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has issued a standard operating procedure (SoP) to prevent the use of freebies, illicit liquor, and other prohibited items to lure voters during elections.
Standard Operating Procedure (SoP):
- SoP is a set of guidelines and instructions that define how a particular task or process should be carried out.
- These guidelines and instructions ensure consistency, enhances efficiency and help to compliance with the set protocols.
- SoP by CBIC:
- It aims to ensure fair and transparent elections by preventing the flow of suspicious cash, illicit liquor, drugs/narcotics, freebies and smuggled goods during assembly and general elections.
- CBIC has instructed its field officials to monitor both monetary and non-monetary inducements used during the election process.
- The officers will report their activities to the Election Commission on a daily basis.
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC):
- It was formerly known as the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC). It is one of the Statutory Boards constituted under the statute the Central Boards of Revenue Act, 1963 (54 of 1963).
- It is subordinate to the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
- It is headed by a chairman and has 6 members in addition to the Chairman.
- It deals mainly with the tasks of formulation and implementation of policy concerning to the levy and collection of Customs duties, Central Excise duties and Goods & Services tax, prevention of smuggling and administration of matters relating to Customs, Central Excise, Central Goods and Service Tax (CGST) and Narcotics to the extent under CBIC’s purview.
Source: Indian Express
Shelf Cloud
Tags: GS – 1: Physical Geography (Weather and Climate)
Why in News:
A terrifying shelf cloud recently appeared in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar.
Shelf Cloud:
- A “shelf cloud” or “Arcus cloud” generally forms along the leading edge of thunderstorms.
- It is a type of low-lying, horizontal cloud formation characterized by a clearly defined line of solid clouds.
- It is known for its distinctive wedge-shaped formation. They usually appear as a broad arc across the sky that can sometimes appear to be rotating horizontally.
- Formation:
- It forms when cold and dense air is forced into a warmer air mass by wind.
- As the warm air rises, it cools and condenses, forming a cloud. The rising air creates a boundary between the cool, downdraft air from the storm and the warm, updraft air ahead of it.
- Shelf clouds produced by thunderstorms are always preceded by a rush of dry and cold air ahead of the cloud, with rain arriving after the shelf cloud has passed overhead.
Thunderstorm:
- A thunderstorm is a rain shower during which the thunder is heard. This thunder is due to lightening. So, all thunderstorms have lightening.
- Thunderstorms form when warm, moist air rises into cold air. The warm air becomes cooler, which causes moisture, called water vapor, to form small water droplets. The cooled air drops lower in the atmosphere, warms, and rises again. This forms a circuit called Convection cell.
- If this happens a small amount, a cloud will form. If this happens with large amounts of air and moisture, a thunderstorm can form.
Source: Livemint
India joins the Champions Group of the Global Crisis Response Group
Tags: General Studies – 2 Important International Institutions
Why in news?
Recently, India has accepted an invitation from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to join the Champions Group of the Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG).
About:
- The GCRG was established (in 2022) by the UN Secretary-General to address urgent global issues related to food security, energy, and finance, and to coordinate a global response.
- UN Deputy-Secretary-General leads the Steering Committee of the GCRG involving 32 UN agencies, international and regional financial institutions, and multi-stakeholder partners.
- It is overseen by the Champions Group consisting of heads of state or government from Bangladesh, Barbados, Denmark, Germany, Indonesia, and Senegal.
- Within the Group, three work streams on Food, Energy and Finance has set up.
- They will collate data and generate analysis, policy recommendations and solutions to support decision-making and advocacy for consideration of the Steering Committee.
More Information:
- India’s decision to join the group signifies its growing global leadership and commitment to addressing contemporary global challenges.
- India’s participation will enhance the United Nations’ efforts in finding effective solutions for developmental issues that affect the world, particularly developing countries.
Source: MEA Gov.
Captive Breeding of Fishes
Tags: General Studies – 3 Environment, Conservation
Why in news?
The Centre for Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Visakhapatnam is engaged in captive breeding and seed production of Groupers, John’s Snapper, and Indian Pompano at its mariculture lab.
About:
- Captive breeding of fishes refers to the practice of breeding and rearing fish species in controlled environments such as fish farms, hatcheries, or aquariums.
- The stages in development of fish are; eggs – larvae – fingerlings – juvenile – grow out – adult.
- The grow out to adult stage takes about six months.
- The Indian Pompano commands the maximum demand. A fully grown adult of this species can weigh between 2.5 kg and 5 kg. Groupers can grow up to 9 kg and John’s Snapper weighs up to 8 kg.
- These fish species, typically found in deep waters, are being bred to provide sustained income to coastal fish farmers affected by frequent cyclones.
About CMFRI:
- The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute is the leading tropical marine fisheries research institute in the world.
- It was established in 1947 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and later joined the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) family in 1967.
- The institute is headquartered in Kochi, Kerala, and has four regional centers and seven regional stations spread across India.
Source: The Hindu
Evidence of superbug found in Delhi’s stray dogs
Tags: General Studies –3 Biotechnology
Why in news?
Recently, Scientists have discovered and isolated the first live culture of the superbug Candida auris, a disease-causing fungus, from the ear canals of Delhi’s stray dogs.
About:
- Candida auris (C. auris) is a drug-resistant, emerging fungus that can cause persistent and severe infections and widespread outbreaks in hospitals.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it one of the world’s four ‘critical priority’ fungal pathogens.
- C. auris can survive in harsh conditions i.e., in tidal marshes and in environments with extremely high salinity.
- Origin:
- It was first identified in Japan in 2009
- The fungus has been reported in more than 40 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, and Australia.
- Spread
- It is generally thought to be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces or by person-to-person transmission.
- Infections Caused:
- It has caused bloodstream infections, wound infections, and ear infections.
- Symptoms
- Its symptoms are often similar to those of other common diseases, such as fever and chills that do not go away after treatment with antibiotics.
- Treatment
- It is resistance to multiple classes of antifungal drugs.
- Most C. auris infections are treatable with a class of antifungal drugs called echinocandins.
- Findings
- Report documents for the first time the isolation of live C. auris culture from an animal source.
- Overall, 4 of the 87 dogs (4.5%) contained evidence of C. auris infection or colonisation in their ear and on the surface of their skin.
- The recent finding suggests pets could act as reservoirs for superbugs, potentially transmitting infections to humans.
Source: Economic Times
Klotho
Tags: General Studies –3 Biotechnology
Why in news?
Recently, a new study has revealed that Injecting ageing monkeys with a ‘longevity factor’ protein that can restore levels of Klotho, can improve their cognitive function.
About:
- Klotho is a protein that is primarily produced in the kidneys.
- Circulating levels of soluble Klotho decrease with age and the Klotho gene is associated with increased risk of age-related diseases.
- It has been shown to suppress both oxidative stress and age-related inflammation and hence makes it an effective anti-inflammatory and anti-aging factor.
Key Findings:
- The findings, published in Nature Aging, could lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
- It is the first time that restoring levels of klotho — a naturally occurring protein that declines in our bodies with age — has been shown to improve cognition in a primate.
- Previous research on mice had shown that injections of klotho can extend the animals’ lives and increases synaptic plasticity— the capacity to control communication between neurons, at junctions called synapses.
Source: Nature
Ecuador
Tags: General Studies –1 Geography
Why in news?
The port city of Guayaquil in Ecuador (a route for cocaine trafficking from neighbouring Colombia to the United States and Europe) is grappling with a devastating battle for control among criminal gangs, leaving the country broken.
About:
- Ecuador is on South America’s west coast.
- It is bordered by Colombia to the north, Peru to the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
- The capital of Ecuador is Quito, which is located in the Andes Mountains.
- Ecuador is a diverse country, with a variety of landscapes, including the Amazon rainforest, the Andes Mountains, and the Galapagos Islands.
- Ecuador is home to a variety of wildlife, including jaguars, monkeys, parrots, and penguins.
- Ecuador’s role in the drug trade dates back to the 1980s, when it was a transit route for Peruvian coca base trafficked into Colombia.
Source: The Hindu
Sweden
Tags: General Studies –1 Geography
Why in news?
Sweden’s request for joining NATO membership has been facing hurdles (Turkey and Hungary have still not approved).
About:
- Sweden is a country located in Northern Europe.
- It is a Scandinavian nation with thousands of coastal islands and inland lakes, along with vast boreal forests and glaciated mountains.
- It is bordered by Norway to the west and Finland to the northeast, and it is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund Strait.
- Stockholm is the capital and largest city of Sweden, built on 14 islands.
NATO
- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an intergovernmental military alliance between 31 member states – 29 European and two North American.
- It was formed in 1949 to promote mutual defence and collective security among its members.
- Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.
- Recently, Finland became NATO’s 31st member in April 2023.
Source: Indian Express
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