UPSC Daily Current Affairs – June 7, 2024

In our daily current affairs tailored for UPSC exam aspirants, we delve into pertinent updates crucial for the upcoming civil services examination. Today, our spotlight is on insightful evaluations of recent policy shifts, global affairs, and domestic advancements. These topics are integral in moulding India’s socio-political and economic fabric. Stay abreast and gain an edge in your UPSC readiness with our daily current affairs synopses. We offer succinct, meticulously researched insights, aiding you in bridging the gap between current events and the extensive civil services syllabus.

Role of Nuclear Technology in Global Food Safety

Tags: GS-3, Sci.& Tech.—Nuclear Technology – E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers— Food Processing — Agricultural Marketing— Indigenization of Technology

In News: 

• Recently an International Symposium on “Safe Food for a Better Life,” organised by the FAO and IAEA, highlighted the crucial role of nuclear technologies in ensuring food safety.

The Application of Nuclear Technology on the Food Safety Standard: 

• Complementary to One Health Approach:
  • The One Health approach acknowledges the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health. Nuclear techniques can detect and monitor contaminants, pathogens, and toxins in food and the environment.
  • PCR tests, a molecular nuclear technique, can rapidly detect animal diseases in less than a day.

• Food Irradiation:
  • Food irradiation involves exposing food to ionising radiation to eliminate harmful bacteria, pathogens, and pests, extending shelf life and ensuring food safety.
  • Stable isotope analysis, a nuclear technique, determines the origin and authenticity of food products, detecting adulteration and verifying labelling claims.

• Improved Soil and Water Management:
  • Past nuclear fallouts help scientists measure and assess soil erosion. Radioactive nuclides from nuclear events help determine soil health and erosion rates.

• Pest Control:
  • Nuclear techniques like the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) are used for pest control in agriculture, limiting reproduction and reducing the need for chemical pesticides, enhancing food safety.

• Plant Breeding and Genetics:
  • Nuclear technology in crop breeding develops enhanced varieties adaptable to climate change. Irradiation of seeds by gamma rays, X-rays, ions, or electron beams initiates genetic alterations, increasing genetic diversity for breeding.

Need for Tech-Related Advancements in Food Security:

• Climate Change: Climate-induced challenges like droughts, floods, and temperature fluctuations negatively impact crop production and food availability, necessitating the promotion of climate-smart agriculture (CSA).
• Food Waste: According to the FAO, about one-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally, totalling approximately 1.3 billion tons per year. In 2020, around 3.1 billion people could not afford a healthy diet (FAO, 2022).
• Increasing Population: The global population is projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050 (UN World Population Prospects, 2019), placing immense pressure on food production systems and necessitating technological advancements.
• Limited Resources: With limited arable land and freshwater resources, technology can maximise productivity through vertical farming, hydroponics, and efficient irrigation systems.

Challenges are Associated with using Nuclear Technology for Food Safety:

• Geographical and Regional Variations:
  • Diverse agro-climatic regions and farming practices pose challenges in the uniform application and adaptation of nuclear techniques worldwide.
  • Isotopic techniques for soil and water management require region-specific calibration due to variations in soil types, climatic conditions, and irrigation practices.

• Limited Funding and Investment in Technology:
  • Developing irradiation facilities for food preservation and pest control requires significant capital investment, often limited by budget constraints.
  • Access to advanced techniques like accelerator-based mutation breeding or specialised analytical equipment for food traceability can be hindered by technology transfer restrictions or high costs.

• Regulatory Challenges:
  • Using nuclear technology in agriculture involves strict regulations and guidelines for safety and security, making the approval, licensing, and compliance processes lengthy and complex.
  • Intellectual property rights and technology transfer barriers further complicate adaptation.

• Lack of Allied Infrastructure:
  • The absence of specialised laboratories and research facilities hinders the effective utilisation of nuclear techniques in agriculture.
  • A shortage of trained personnel and expertise limits the widespread application of these techniques.

Way Forward:

• Developing Infrastructure and Facilities: Allocate funds and resources to establish irradiation facilities, analytical labs, and equipment for nuclear technology, such as food irradiation facilities to preserve perishable produce, reduce losses, and ensure food safety.
• Regulatory Reforms and Streamlining Processes: Create guidelines for the safe handling, transport, and disposal of radioactive agricultural materials. Establish a regulatory body to oversee the approval and commercialization of radiation-induced mutant crops.
• Promoting Public-Private Partnerships: Foster collaborations between research institutions, the private sector, and industry for nuclear technology transfer. Offer incentives for companies to invest in developing and commercialising nuclear-based agricultural products.
• International Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing: Encourage international collaborations, such as partnering with the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre for expertise and technology transfer.

Source: FAO

UNESCO State of Ocean Report 2024

Tas; GS3 – Ecology & Environment – Conservation – UNESCO Ocean Report

In News:

• According to the UNESCO Report 2024 the oceans are crucial for climate regulation, but our understanding is insufficient to address various ocean crises and validate carbon dioxide removal technologies.
• The report aims to monitor the progress of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) and to mobilise global action towards achieving a sustainable ocean.

Findings of the Report

• Ocean Heat and Warming:
  • The upper 2,000 meters of the oceans have warmed at a rate of 0.32 ± 0.03 watts per sq.m. from 1960 through 2023 and are expected to continue warming, leading to irreversible changes.
  • About 90% of the Earth’s energy imbalance (the difference between incoming and outgoing energy) is being absorbed by the oceans, resulting in a cumulative increase in ocean heat content (OHC).
  • Increased OHC may prevent ocean layers from mixing, lowering the oxygen content of near-surface high-latitude waters reaching deeper layers, a process known as deoxygenation. However, it is still unclear whether deoxygenation is accelerating in response to increased OHC.
  • Deoxygenation negatively impacts marine ecosystems and coastal communities reliant on oceans.

• Ocean Acidification:
  • The report highlights the mean global increase in ocean acidification in all ocean basins and seas.
  • Coastal waters can turn acidic due to
    • Natural processes (freshwater influx, biological activity, temperature change and ENSO)
    • Human activities (nutrient input from agricultural and industrial activities)

• Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) Technologies:
  • mCDR technologies capture carbon dioxide from the air and store it durably.
  • These techniques, such as altering seawater chemistry or adding nutrients to promote plankton growth, face technical, environmental, and regulatory challenges.
  • The ocean absorbs around one-quarter of the annual emissions of anthropogenic CO2.

• Marine Biodiversity:
  • The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasises marine biodiversity protection for sustainable food security, which aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework‘s goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030, focusing on conservation and sustainable resource use.
  • 50% of all catalogued marine species are reported in Marine Protected Areas (MPA), which occupy only 9% of the ocean. 72% of species facing extinction find refuge in MPAs, with 54% in no-take zones.

Case Study: Marine Protected Area (MPA) Success in the Coral Triangle:

• The Coral Triangle is a marine region in Southeast Asia known for its high marine biodiversity.
• Initiative: Establishment and management of a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Coral Triangle to conserve coral reefs, fish populations, and other marine species.
• The MPA network has led to the recovery of coral reefs, increased fish populations, enhanced biodiversity within the protected areas, and benefitted local communities through sustainable practices.
• Key Strategies include collaborative governance involving local communities, government agencies, and conservation organisations, enforcement of fishing regulations, and community engagement.
• The success of the MPA network in the Coral Triangle highlights the importance of community involvement, effective management strategies, and long-term commitment to conservation efforts.

Souce: (DTE)

Demand for Special Category Status

Tags: GS- 2, Polity & governance–Indian Constitution– Federalism — Centre-State Relations

In News:

• The discussion regarding the special category status for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh has regained momentum following the Lok Sabha elections.

Special Category Status: 

• It is a designation provided by the Central government to aid the progress of states encountering geographical or socio-economic challenges.
• The concept originated in 1969 under the recommendation of the fifth Finance Commission (FC), aiming to offer additional assistance to certain states grappling with geographical and infrastructural limitations.

• Factors  are considered before granting SCS includes
  • hilly and difficult terrain. 
  • low population density.
  • a significant tribal population.
  • strategic positioning along international borders.
  • economic and infrastructural backwardness, and the non-viability of state finances.

• States Covered:
  • In 1969, the SCS was initially granted to three states: Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, and Nagaland. 
  • Subsequently, eight more states, namely Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, were bestowed with the SCS by the former National Development Council.

Why is Bihar Demanding Special Category Status (SCS)?

• Bihar contends with significant economic challenges, like lack of industrial development and limited investment opportunities. The state’s partition led to industrial migration to Jharkhand, exacerbating unemployment and impeding economic progress.
• Bihar frequently confronts natural disasters such as floods in the north and severe droughts in the south. These calamities disrupt agricultural activities, impacting livelihoods and economic stability.
• Infrastructure deficiencies persist, particularly in irrigation facilities and water supply. Insufficient irrigation resources hamper agricultural productivity, a critical livelihood source for many.
• Bihar has a high poverty rate, With a per-capita GDP of around Rs 54,000, Bihar has consistently been one of the poorest States. Bihar is home to around 94 lakh poor families and the granting of SCS will help the government get about RS 2.5 lakh crore required to fund various welfare measures over the next five years.
• It is estimated that SCS designation could provide approximately Rs 2.5 lakh crore over the next five years, facilitating the implementation of various welfare measures.

Why is Andhra Pradesh Demanding SCS?

• When Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated to create Telangana in 2014 through the AP Reorganisation Act, the union government promised Special Category Status (SCS) to AP to compensate for the loss of revenue and Hyderabad, where much development was concentrated.
• AP inherited 59% of the undivided state’s population, debt, and liabilities but only 47% of the revenue.
• The SCS would get higher grants-in-aid from the Centre, and such states enjoy special incentives such as Income-tax exemptions, GST concessions, Customs duty waivers, etc.
• In SCS states, the Centre funds central schemes up to 90%, compared to 70% in non-SCS states.
• AP argues that SCS is vital for the state’s rapid industrialisation, employment generation, and overall development, and it would encourage investments in sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, IT, etc.

Benefits of Special Category Status (SCS):

• Historically, SCS states received approximately 30% of central assistance, determined by the Gadgil-Mukherjee formula.
• Increased Devolution of Funds: With the recommendations of the 14th and 15th Finance Commissions (FC) and the dissolution of the Planning Commission, this assistance has been merged into an enhanced devolution of the divisible pool funds for all states, increasing to 41% in the 15th FC from 32%.
• Higher Funding in Centrally-Sponsored Schemes: The Centre provides 90% of the funds required in a Centrally-Sponsored Scheme to special category status states, compared to 60% or 75% for other states. The remaining funds are contributed by the state governments.
• Carry Forward of Unspent Funds: Unspent money in a financial year does not lapse for SCS states; it is carried forward, providing flexibility in utilising allocated funds for developmental projects.
• Concessions in Taxes: SCS states receive significant concessions in excise and customs duties, income tax, and corporate tax, promoting industrial and economic growth within these regions.
• Higher Share of Centre’s Budget: Approximately 30% of the Centre’s Gross Budget is allocated to Special Category states, ensuring a substantial portion of resources for their development needs.

The Concerns Related to Special Category Status:

• Resource Allocation: Granting Special Category Status (SCS) involves providing additional financial assistance to the state, which can strain the central government’s resources. Balancing the allocation of funds among various states becomes crucial, and granting SCS might lead to disparities or dissatisfaction among non-SCS states.
• Dependency on Central Assistance: States bestowed with SCS often become heavily reliant on central assistance. This could potentially discourage efforts toward self-sufficiency and independent economic growth strategies as they may become complacent in seeking external support.
• Implementation Challenges: Even after receiving the SCS designation, there might be challenges in effectively utilising the allocated funds due to administrative inefficiencies, corruption, or lack of proper planning. .

Way forward:

• As India marches towards achieving a $5 trillion economy, the ongoing debate surrounding Special Category Status (SCS) highlights the necessity for a nuanced approach to development. 
• The insights gleaned from the SCS experience can serve as valuable lessons informing future strategies aimed at mitigating disparities and fostering a more balanced development trajectory nationwide.
• It is crucial that the principles of cooperative federalism steer the discourse on SCS, guaranteeing that every region of India has the opportunity to partake in the benefits of economic advancement. 

Source: TH

ONDC Records Transactions 

Tags: GS– 3, Economy- Growth and  development 

In News: 

• In May 2024, the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) achieved a significant milestone by recording an all-time high of 8.9 million transactions across retail and ride-hailing segments.
• The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has expanded its reach to encompass 5,35,000 sellers across more than 1,200 cities, with a remarkable 84 percent being small sellers. 
• Impressively, these small-scale entrepreneurs contribute 56 percent of the total orders, demonstrating ONDC’s commitment to empowering and benefiting small businesses.

About ONDC: 

• The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is an initiative aimed at fostering open networks for the exchange of goods and services over digital or electronic platforms. 
• It operates on open-sourced methodology, utilising open specifications and network protocols that are platform-independent. 
• ONDC is spearheaded by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Need of the ONDC

• India’s E-commerce Landscape: Despite having the third-largest online shopper base globally, India’s e-retail penetration remains relatively low at 4.3%, compared to 25% in China and 26% in South Korea. There is a significant gap between the potential and the current state of e-commerce adoption in India.
• Platform-centric Challenges: The dominance of single entities in managing all operations within the e-commerce value chain poses challenges. Sellers often face high margin costs and the need to maintain a presence across multiple platforms, limiting their flexibility and profitability.
• Limited Interoperability: Currently, buyers and sellers can only transact if they are part of the same platform, restricting the scope of commerce and reducing market efficiency.
• Rise of Monopolies: The emergence of monopolistic practices in the e-commerce sector creates barriers to entry for new players, hindering widespread adoption and stifling competition. This trend undermines the principles of a fair and open market.

Features of ONDC:

• Autonomous Transactions: ONDC empowers consumers and merchants to engage in transactions for goods and services without being restricted to a particular platform or application.
• Improving Effectiveness: ONDC strives to enhance effectiveness by deploying a dynamic pricing mechanism, digitised inventory management, and optimising delivery expenses. This contributes to reducing the overall operational expenses for all stakeholders involved.
• Localised Search Engine: ONDC introduces a hyper-localised search engine that utilises GPS proximity data as its default setting. This enables buyers to independently select sellers and logistics partners to fulfil their orders based on proximity.
• Legal Compliance: The platform is designed to comply with the Information Technology Act, 2000, and is structured to adhere to the forthcoming Personal Data Protection Bill, ensuring regulatory alignment and data security standards.

Benefits of ONDC:

• Sellers: Enable fair competition with larger players and increase online visibility.
• Buyers: Enjoy seamless shopping experiences with access to a diverse product range through a single checkout process.
• Tech Companies: Experience accelerated product/service adoption and scalability.
• FinTech: Provide credit and financing options to e-commerce entities, fostering financial inclusion and growth.

Challenges:

• Complexity Factor: ONDC’s intricate mechanisms make it less user-friendly compared to simpler systems like UPI, hindering easy adoption.
• Breaking Established Habits: Consumers are used to current e-commerce platforms, so ONDC must provide a seamless, user-friendly experience to compete.
• Dispute Resolution Concerns: ONDC’s focus on buying and selling, without managing the entire transaction lifecycle, could increase disputes over deliveries, product quality, and after-sales service.
• Lack of Robust Grievance Redressal: Unclear responsibility for customer service and complaint handling may deter users from joining ONDC.
• Challenges from Existing Platforms: E-commerce giants have strong customer relationships through loyalty programs and bundled services, requiring ONDC to develop strong strategies to attract and retain customers.
• Price Advantage Uncertainty: As a facilitator, ONDC may struggle to influence product pricing or offer discounts like established players who benefit from bulk deals and partnerships.

Source: TOI

Direct Seeded Rice Method

Tags: GS Paper – 3, Agriculture sector-  Irrigation– Modes of Irrigation

In News:   

• Recently, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has introduced herbicide-tolerant (Ht) basmati rice varieties, aimed at enhancing weed management in rice cultivation and enabling water-conservation methods such as direct seeded rice (DSR).

Direct-Seeding Method:

• Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR), commonly referred to as the ‘broadcasting seed technique,’ is an eco-friendly approach to sowing paddy that conserves water.
• In this method, seeds are directly planted into the fields, bypassing the necessity for nursery preparation and transplantation.
• It is a traditional method of cultivating Basmati rice in the North Western Plains, including Punjab and Haryana.

Benefits of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR):

• Labor Reduction: Employing drum seeders reduces the labour requirement for sowing seeds on one acre to only two labourers, a significant reduction from the 25-30 labourers needed in traditional methods. This effectively cuts labour expenses and lightens the workload for farmers.
• Herbicide-Tolerant Basmati Rice:ICAR has introduced commercially available non-genetically modified (non-GM) herbicide-tolerant (Ht) basmati rice varieties. These varieties allow for the direct application of the herbicide Imazethapyr, facilitated by a mutated ALS gene.
• Time and Resource Efficiency: By eliminating the need for nursery cultivation, farmers save approximately 30 days in the crop cycle. This enables them to start the rabi season earlier and avoid untimely rains during the harvesting phase.
• Efficient & Yield-boosting: Scientific debate suggests that hand weeding at designated intervals (20 and 40 days after sowing) in Direct-Sown Rice (DSR) is more efficient and yield-boosting than employing Imazethapyr.
• Yield Enhancement: Based on research trials and field surveys among farmers, this technique has resulted in a yield increase of one to two quintals per acre compared to puddled transplanted rice.
• Conservation of Water: The direct-seeding method reduces water demands by approximately 15%, as water logging occurs only after a month. This is particularly advantageous in regions experiencing delayed rainfall.
• Reduced Methane Emissions: A shorter flooding period and reduced soil disturbance compared to transplanting rice seedlings help reduce methane emissions

Challenges Associated With Direct Seeded Rice (DSR):

• Yield and Pest Susceptibility Concerns: Farmers express apprehensions about Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) due to perceived lower crop yields compared to traditional transplanting methods. They increased susceptibility to pests and insects in DSR crops as another challenge.
• Weed Diversity and Concerns: While Imazethapyr selectively targets certain broadleaf weeds (BLW), not all weed varieties are affected. The emergence of herbicide-resistant weeds poses risks to rice production and food security. 
• Post-Harvest Facility Shortage: Inadequate post-harvest facilities pose a barrier to the widespread adoption of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR). Enhanced facilities are essential to efficiently handle and process DSR crops, facilitating their integration into the market.
• Climate Extremes: Extreme temperatures and insufficient rainfall may impact seed germination and crop growth, posing challenges to the successful cultivation of DSR crops. Adaptation strategies and resilient crop varieties are necessary to mitigate the effects of climate extremes on DSR production.

Source:  DTE

Preston Curve 

Tags: GS Paper – 3, Economy- Fiscal Policy— Inclusive Growth

In News:

• Recently seen in the news the preston curve refers to a certain empirical relationship that is witnessed between life expectancy and per capita income in a country.

About Preston curve:

• The Preston curve refers to the empirical relationship between life expectancy and per capita income in a country, proposed by American sociologist Samuel H. Preston in 1975.
• It refers to a certain empirical relationship that is witnessed between life expectancy and per capita income in a country.

Key Points of  preston curve:

• Relationship Between Wealth and Lifespan: The curve illustrates that individuals in wealthier countries generally enjoy longer life spans compared to those in poorer countries, likely due to better access to healthcare, education, nutrition, and other essential services.
• Initial Impact of Income Increase: As a poor country’s per capita income rises, its life expectancy initially increases significantly. For example, India’s per capita income rose from Rs 9,000 in 1947 to Rs 55,000 in 2011, while life expectancy increased from 32 to 66 years.
• Diminishing Returns: However, the positive relationship between per capita income and life expectancy begins to flatten beyond a certain point, as the human lifespan cannot be increased indefinitely.
• Applicability to Other Indicators: The positive relationship depicted by the Preston curve can also be applied to other development indicators such as infant/maternal mortality, education, and healthcare, reflecting broader improvements in quality of life with increased income.

Source: TH

Pneumothorax

Tags: GS-3 –Science & Technology – Biology – Diseases

In News: 

•  NEET UG 2024 Topper suffered from pneumothorax, a severe lung condition.

• A pneumothorax is a lung rupture because of a puncture. It is when air gets inside the chest cavity and creates pressure against the lung, causing it to collapse partially or fully.
• It happens when there’s air in the space between the chest wall and the lung (pleural space).
• Causes: Lung injury, smoking, lung diseases.
• Symptoms: Slight chest pain and breathlessness. But in extreme emergencies, one may present with profound breathlessness and a dangerous fall in oxygen levels.

Source: (IE)

Cassowary

Tags: GS-3, Ecology & Environment – Biodiversity- Species

In News: 

• Recently, the southern cassowary is facing the risk of extinction in Australia.

• Cassowaries belong to a group of flightless birds known as ratites, which also includes the ostrich, emu, moa (now extinct), and the small kiwi.
• They are among the closest living species to dinosaurs.
• There are three extant (living) species of cassowary:
  • Southern (Casuarius casuarius)
  • Northern (C. unappendiculatus)
  • Dwarf (C. bennetti)
• Largest Forest Bird: The southern cassowary is the largest forest bird in the world and the second heaviest bird after the ostrich. It is the third tallest, following the ostrich and emu.
• Distribution: Found in Northern Australia, New Guinea, and surrounding islands.
• Habitat: They inhabit tropical forests and wetlands.
• Physical Appearance: Adults have black plumage, while immature birds are brownish. They have a naked blue head protected by a bony helmet or casque.
• Diet: Primarily frugivorous, feeding on fallen fruits, but also predates on small vertebrates when available.
• Conservation Status: Classified as Least Concern for all three subspecies.
• Threats: Face threats from car strikes, habitat clearing, dog attacks, and climate change.
• Ecological Role: Considered a “keystone species” due to their crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and aiding seed dispersal in the rainforest.

Source:(NDTV) 

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