Today’s daily current affairs briefing for UPSC aspirants explores the latest developments relevant to 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 India’s socio-political and economic landscape. 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.
Commercial flight trials at Noida airport to begin on Nov 30
Why in News:
- Full-crew tests for commercial passenger flights at the under-construction Noida International Airport (NIAL) in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, are set to commence by November 30.
Key terms:
- Instrument Landing System (ILS): The Instrument Landing System (ILS) is a ground-based radio navigation system(a precision approach system) is that guides aircraft during the final stages of landing, providing both horizontal (localizer: align the aircraft with the runway’s centerline) and vertical (glideslope: Provides vertical guidance to ensure the aircraft descends at the correct angle) guidance.
- The ILS is regulated by aviation authorities like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the U.S. and the Director General of Civil Aviation(DGCA) in India. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) sets global standards for ILS operations. ILS is crucial for landing in low visibility conditions.
- Aerodrome Licensing: Aerodrome licensing is the process by which aviation regulatory authorities grant approval for an airport (aerodrome) to operate. This involves assessing the facility’s compliance with safety, operational, and environmental standards. Licensing ensures that the airport meets all necessary regulations to safely accommodate aircraft and passengers.
- IATA CODE(Booking Code for Ticketing): A booking code (IATA code) is a unique three-letter identifier assigned to each airport, used in airline ticketing, baggage handling, and travel reservations. Ex: IXD for Prayagraj Airport, DEL: Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. These codes streamline communication and operations within the aviation industry, allowing for quick identification of airports worldwide.
- CAT levels: CAT levels in airports refer to the Category I, II, and III levels of precision instrument approaches and landings. These levels are based on the minimum visibility and decision height requirements for landing.
- CAT I ILS: This is the most basic level of ILS and allows for landings in visibility as low as 550 meters (1,800 feet) and a decision height of 200 feet. It provides horizontal and vertical guidance but requires pilots to have visual reference to the runway at a certain altitude.
- CAT III ILS: This is a more advanced system that enables landings in very low visibility conditions. It is further divided into three categories:
- CAT IIIA: Allows for landings with a decision height as low as 200 feet and runway visibility of 550 meters.
- CAT IIIB: Can operate with no decision height (essentially no visibility) but requires the aircraft to be equipped with advanced technology.
- CAT IIIC: Allows for automatic landings without any decision height or visibility requirements.
Internship portal to be launched by Government
Why in News:
- The government, in collaboration with Indian industry, is launching a one-year internship scheme for youth aged 21-24 on October 3. This initiative aims to enhance employability by connecting candidates with internships in the country’s top 500 companies.
Key Details of the Internship Scheme:
- Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must be between 21-24 years old and not engaged in full-time employment. Individuals from families with government jobs are excluded. Those with qualifications from IIT, IIM, IISER, or CA, CMA are ineligible. Youth from ITIs and Kaushal Kendras can apply.
- Application Process: The portal will allow companies to upload available internship positions starting October 3. Candidates can apply from October 12. A backend bot will handle candidate selection, minimizing bias.
- Financial Support: The government will provide ₹4,500 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer, with an additional ₹500 from companies’ CSR funds.
- Companies may offer more than the ₹5,000 per month but any additional amount beyond ₹500 will not count as CSR expenditure.
- Duration and Structure: Internships will involve at least six months of practical experience. Phase 1 aims to skill 30 lakh youth over two years, while Phase 2 targets an additional 70 lakh over three years. Interns will receive a grant of ₹6,000 annually for incidental expenses.
This scheme aims to provide valuable on-the-job training, benefiting both interns and companies by creating a skilled workforce ready to meet market needs.
Tremendous honour
Why in News:
- Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin has made history as the first woman to be appointed as the Director General of the Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS).
About the News:
- Role and Responsibilities: As DGAFMS, she will oversee medical policy matters for the Armed Forces, focusing on enhancing healthcare for soldiers, sailors, airmen, and their families. She aims to strengthen holistic healthcare, digitize healthcare delivery, and promote medical research and innovation.
- Career Background: With a career spanning 38 years, Vice Admiral Sarin has held numerous prestigious roles, including: DG Medical Services for both the Navy and Air Force. Director and Commandant of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune. Serving in all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces.
- Serving in all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces. Sarin has received several honors for her dedication to patient care, including the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2024) and Vishisht Seva Medal (2021). She has also been commended by the Chiefs of the Army and Navy for her distinguished service. She has recently been appointed to the National Task Force by the Supreme Court to develop protocols for safe working conditions for medical professionals.
Compassion That Embraced All
Why in News:
- Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence has had a profound impact on global leaders and movements, influencing figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.
Key Reflections on Gandhi’s Influence:
- Legacy: Gandhi’s legacy as a teacher and practitioner of non-violence continues to resonate today, demonstrating the power of peaceful resistance in the fight for justice and change. Gandhi embodied the principles of the UN Charter long before they were established. He believed that only peaceful methods could lead to a peaceful future, maintaining that means and ends were inseparable. Non-violence disarms those who confront it, which is why it is effective.
- Non-Violence as a Strategy: Gandhi firmly believed that only peaceful methods could pave the way for a peaceful future, insisting that means and ends are intertwined. Non-violence disarms those who confront it, which is why it is so effective. King Ashoka, who renounced violence, embraced Buddhism, and dedicated his life to peace—an enduring example that Gandhi continued.
- International Recognition: The UN General Assembly’s resolution to observe Gandhi’s birthday as the “International Day of Non-Violence” highlights his global significance. This initiative aims to spread the message of non-violence through education and awareness.
Current Challenges and Opportunities:
- Climate Crisis:
- Challenge: The climate crisis poses an existential threat, with potential devastation if global targets, such as those in the Paris Agreement, are not met.
- Opportunity: Collective action from governments, civil society, and businesses is crucial. India’s commitment to climate leadership and achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 aligns with Gandhi’s legacy of care for the planet.
- Sustainable Development:
- Challenge: Despite progress, significant disparities persist globally, with millions still living in poverty and hunger.
- Opportunity: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer a framework for addressing these issues. By embracing Gandhi’s belief that “Earth provides enough to satisfy everyone’s needs, but not everyone’s greed,” we can work toward equitable resource distribution and empowerment.
- Spiritual Knowledge vs. Material Prosperity:
- Challenge: While technological advancements have increased material wealth, there’s a lack of spiritual knowledge, which is essential for peace and harmony.
- Opportunity: Embracing diversity and democratic values can foster a more inclusive and harmonious world, reflecting Gandhi’s teachings on unity and respect for all individuals.
Call to Action: Everyone has a moral obligation to act in their own spheres and contribute to addressing the significant challenges we face today. Let us amplify our collective efforts to promote peace, sustainability, prosperity, and dignity.
ISRO targets to launch Venus mission in March 2028
The Venus Orbiter expedition (VOM), India’s first expedition to Venus, is scheduled to launch on March 29, 2028, and arrive on July 19, 2028, after a 112-day voyage. The project would cost ₹1,236 crore. ISRO will use the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3) to launch the mission.
About mission:
- The project would cost ₹1,236 crore. ISRO will use the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3) to launch the mission. A spacecraft will spend 112 days in orbit around Venus as part of the project. It will take the satellite about 140 days to reach Venus when it leaves Earth’s orbit.
What is LVM 3?
- The first (or bottommost) stage of the LVM-3 consists of two S200 boosters strapped to the sidewalls of the rocket body. They burn hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene, a solid fuel.
- The liquid fuel, either nitrogen tetroxide or unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine, is burned in the Vikas Engines powering the second stage.
- A cryogenic engine powers the topmost final stage. Liquified hydrogen and oxygen undergo combustion in it.
- Roughly 100 kg of scientific payloads will be transported on the voyage. It is anticipated that the orbiter will be equipped with sensors to examine Venus’s ionosphere, infrared and ultraviolet cameras, and synthetic aperture radar.
- After Venus Orbit Insertion (VOI), aerobraking will be used for six to eight months in order to reach a low-altitude scientific orbit measuring 200 by 600 kilometres with a 90-degree inclination.
Objectives of the mission:
- VOM will explore the planet’s atmosphere, surface and its interaction with the Sun.
- Studying Venus’s atmosphere, topography, solar X-rays, airglow, and subsurface are important goals.
The Waqf Bill 2024: procedural irregularities and retrograde steps and irrationalities
What is the news context?
On August 8, 2024, two bills, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, were introduced in the Lok Sabha to ensure the efficient management of Waqf properties.The Bill suffers from procedural irregularities and has retrograde steps and irrationalities
About The Waqf Bill 2024
Fundamental Rights and Religious Autonomy
- Article 26: Grants religious denominations the right to manage their affairs, including property ownership.
- Article 13(2): Prohibits state laws infringing on fundamental rights, declaring such laws void.
- Waqf Bill 2024: Raises concerns over reduced Muslim representation in waqf property management, risking community autonomy.
The Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024: Overview
| features | Details |
| Title and Scope | Amends the Waqf Act, 1995; renames it to “Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995.” Proposes comprehensive reforms for better administration and management of waqf properties. |
| Key Definitions | Clause 3 defines “waqf” as property dedicated by a Muslim practicing for at least five years. New definitions include “Aghakhani waqf,” “Bohra waqf,” and “Government property.” |
| Governance Shifts | Transfers key powers from Waqf Boards/Tribunals to state governments. Clause 11 permits non-Muslims to serve as CEOs and board members of State Waqf Boards. |
| Proviso Clause 22 | Central Government can order audits of waqf properties via the Comptroller and Auditor-General or designated officers. |
| Registration and Survey Provisions | Requires formal waqf deed for creation. Transfers survey functions from Survey Commissioner to Collector. Introduces a central portal/database for waqf registration and public notices. |
| Board Composition | Introduces broad-based composition for the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards. Ensures representation for Muslim women and non-Muslims. Allows separate Boards for Bohras and Aghakhanis; representation for various Muslim communities is mandated. |
| Powers and Functions | Omits Section 40, which allowed Waqf Boards to determine waqf property status. Reduces annual contribution to the Board from 7% to 5%. Mandates public filing of waqf accounts and proceedings on a central portal. |
| Tribunal and Appeals | Restructures tribunals to have two members. Allows appeals against tribunal orders to High Courts within 90 days. Removes the finality of tribunal decisions. |
| Other Key Changes | Ensures waqf-alal-aulad doesn’t infringe on women’s inheritance rights. Omits provisions for “waqf by user.” Allows removal of mutawalli if linked to unlawful associations. Applies Limitation Act, 1963 by omitting Section 107. |
Issues Raised by the Waqf Bill 2024
- Reduction of Muslim Representation: The Bill proposes lowering Muslim representation in the Central Waqf Council (CWC) and State Waqf Boards to below 50%. This is viewed as an infringement on the constitutional rights of religious communities to self-governance, contrasting sharply with how other religious properties are managed in India.
- Disparity with Other Religious Laws: Unlike the proposed Waqf Bill, existing laws for other religions (e.g., the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Act) mandate that only members of that faith manage their religious properties. This inconsistency raises questions about equal treatment under the law.
- Lack of Stakeholder Consultation: The Bill was drafted without meaningful input from key stakeholders, including the CWC, State Waqf Boards, and Muslim organizations, unlike the consultative processes that preceded previous reforms.
- Historical Context of Mismanagement: The CWC has been largely non-functional, hindering effective governance. While urgent reforms are needed, the Bill’s approach may further weaken existing structures rather than strengthen them.
- Women’s Representation: While the Bill mandates female representation on waqf boards, this requirement was already addressed in the Waqf Amendment Act of 2013, leading to questions about redundancy.
- Erosion of Tribunal Powers: The proposal to remove experts on Muslim law from waqf tribunals and limit the finality of their orders could undermine fair dispute resolution and prolong legal uncertainties.
- Mandatory Re-registration of Waqfs: The requirement for all waqfs to re-register could jeopardize long-standing waqfs without existing original deeds, risking their legal recognition and functionality.
Recommendations
- Reconstitution of the CWC: The CWC should be reconstituted with full Muslim representation to restore trust and oversee the reform process, ensuring that the community’s voices are heard.
- Preservation of Religious Autonomy: The government should uphold the principle of religious autonomy, allowing Muslim communities to manage waqfs without state interference, akin to practices for other religious communities.
- Clarification on Women’s Representation: The Ministry should clarify the need for revisiting women’s representation and ensure robust mechanisms are in place for inclusive governance.
- Strengthening Tribunal Functions: Maintain the expertise of Muslim law specialists in waqf tribunals to ensure fair adjudication, and reassess any changes that could weaken tribunal authority.
- Addressing Encroachments and Legal Framework: Strengthen penalties for encroachments on waqf properties and carefully evaluate the re-registration proposal to prevent legal complications for historical waqfs.
By addressing these concerns and incorporating stakeholder feedback, the government can promote a more equitable and respectful approach to the management of waqf properties that honors the autonomy of religious communities.
Government picks three new members to join RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee
What is the news context?
The Central government, on Tuesday (October 1, 2024), appointed new monetary policy committee members with immediate effect. The new members are Ram Singh, Saugata Bhattacharya and Nagesh Kumar. They have been appointed by the central government for a period of four years.
About the monetary policy committee:
- The new members are Ram Singh, Saugata Bhattacharya and Nagesh Kumar. They have been appointed by the central government for a period of four years.
- The central bank’s strategy for using the monetary instruments under its jurisdiction to accomplish the objectives outlined in the Act is referred to as monetary policy.
- The basic goal of the RBI’s monetary policy is to preserve price stability while keeping growth in mind. A prerequisite for sustainable growth is price stability.
- The RBI Act of 1934 was changed, and it now stipulates that the Government of India, in collaboration with the Reserve Bank, shall determine the inflation objective (4% + 2%), once every five years.
Appointment procedure and tenure of MPC members:
As per the provisions of the RBI Act, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) consists of six members: three Members from RBI and three are appointed by the Central Government. In exercise of the powers conferred by section 45ZB of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, the Central Government has accordingly reconstituted the Monetary Policy Committee of RBI, as below:-
- Governor of the Reserve Bank of India — Chairperson, ex officio;
- Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, in charge of Monetary Policy —Member, ex officio;
- One officer of the Reserve Bank of India to be nominated by the Central Board —Member, ex officio;
- Prof. Ram Singh, Director, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi —Member;
- Shri Saugata Bhattacharya, Economist — Member; and
- Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Director and Chief Executive, Institute for Studies in Industrial Development, New Delhi — Member.
The Members of the Monetary Policy Committee appointed by the Central Government (4,5 and 6 of the above), shall hold office for four years, with immediate effect or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
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