Current Affairs Reverse Engineering
Care (14-03-2024)
| News at a Glance
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| National: Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices 2024 |
| Kerala CM Launches Sabari K-Rice |
| International: Almost 5 million children died before their fifth birthday in 2022, finds UN report
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| Environment and Technology: Scaling Sustainable Food Production in Face of Climate Change |
| Science and Technology: Digital arrest |
| Days: Pi Day: Celebrating World’s Most Famous Mathematical Constant |
Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices 2024
Source: Indian Express
Context: : Govt notifies new marketing code for pharma cos to curb unethical practices.
UPSC Syllabus Relevance GS 3 (Health sector)
Why in news
- New marketing code for pharma companies, spearheaded by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, seeks to curb misleading promotional activities and ensure responsible marketing practices within the sector.
Need for the UCPMP 2024
- The UCPMP 2015 for Pharmaceutical as well as Medical Device Industry is being implemented to prevent unethical practices by the pharmaceutical companies.
- Much of the criticism that this version of the code attracted was related to its voluntary nature.
- There was no legal backing to its provisions and it therefore remained toothless.
- There has been a long-pending demand of various health activists to make it mandatory. Even the 2017-18 annual report of the Department of Pharmaceuticals insisted on making it mandatory.
- While the government has now removed the word ‘voluntary’ from the code, which was there in the previous version, it has stopped short of making it mandatory.
- It has now merely ‘requested’ the pharmaceutical companies’ associations to see to it that the code is ‘implemented’.
Highlights of the UCPMP 2024 on Ethical Practices of Pharma Companies
- Engagement of the pharmaceutical industry with healthcare professionals for Continuing Medical Education (CME) should only be allowed Through a well-defined, transparent, and verifiable set of guidelines, and conduct of such events in foreign locations is prohibited by the uniform code.
- Medical representatives must not use any incentive and must not pay for access to a healthcare practitioner.
- Companies or their representatives should not pay cash or monetary grants to any healthcare professional or their family members (both immediate and extended) under any pretext.
- Gifting is prohibited by any pharmaceutical company or its agent (distributors, wholesalers, retailers, etc).
- Additionally, no pecuniary advantage or benefit in kind may be offered, supplied or promised to any person qualified to prescribe or supply drugs by any pharmaceutical company or its agent.
- Paid travel, hotel stays should not be extended to healthcare professionals or their family members by pharmaceutical companies or their representatives, unless the person is a speaker for a CME, etc.
- The Union government has allowed firms to provide research grants for healthcare professionals, provided these are done in a transparent manner.
- The guidelines allow the industry to support research for studies authorised by bodies such as the Indian Council for Medical Research or the Drug Controller General of India.
Highlights of the UCPMP 2024 on Drugs
- On drugs, the UCPMP states that promotion of a drug must be consistent with the terms of its marketing approval.
- Claims for the usefulness of a drug must be based on up-to-date evaluation of all available evidence.
- The word ‘safe’ must not be used without qualification, and it must not be stated categorically that a medicine has no side effects, toxic hazards, or risk of addiction.
- The word ‘new’ must not be used to describe any drug which has been generally available or any therapeutic intervention which has been generally promoted in India for more than a year.
Implementation of the UCPMP 2024
- The UCPMP is to be circulated for strict compliance, and all associations have been requested – To constitute an Ethics Committee for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices, set up a dedicated UCPMP portal on their website, and Take further necessary steps for the code’s implementation.
- All Indian pharmaceutical associations are to upload the UCPMP on their website along with the detailed procedure for lodging of complaints.
- This will be linked to the UCPMP portal of the Department of Pharmaceuticals.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
| Q1. What is the primary objective of the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) 2024?
A. To promote misleading promotional activities within the pharmaceutical sector. B. To ensure responsible marketing practices and curb unethical behavior by pharmaceutical companies. C. To provide legal backing to the voluntary provisions of the UCPMP 2015. D. To encourage pharmaceutical companies to engage in unethical marketing practices.
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Q. With reference to Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, consider the following statements: (UPSC Prelims 2022)
1. Private and public hospitals must adopt it. 2. As it aims to achieve universal health coverage, every citizen of India should be part of it ultimately. 3. It has seamless portability across the country. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 1 and 2 only B. 3 only C. 1 and 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3 Answer: B
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| Ans 1 B
Explanation
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Kerala CM Launches Sabari K-Rice
Source: The Hindu
Context: Under the Sabari K-Rice scheme, the Kerala government is providing a substantial subsidy of nearly ₹11 per kilogram on the rice.
UPSC Syllabus relevance: GS 2 (Government policies and its Impact)
Why in news
- In a significant move aimed at providing affordable and high-quality rice to the citizens of Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched the state government’s subsidised Sabari K-Rice initiative.
About Sabri K – Rice
- Under the Sabari K-Rice scheme, the Kerala government is providing a substantial subsidy of nearly ₹11 per kilogram on the rice, which is procured by the state at ₹40 per kilogram.
- This initiative is part of the state’s efforts to enhance food security and ensure access to nutritious food items for all citizens.
Background
- Before the implementation of the National Food Security Act, Kerala was entitled to receive 16.25 lakh tonnes of food grains.
- However, post the enactment of the act, the quota was reduced to 14.25 lakh tonnes.
- To meet the increased demand during festivals and times of natural calamities, the state government has been procuring additional rice through the Open Market Sales Scheme (OMSS).
Key Features of Sabari K-Rice
- Objective: The primary goal of the Sabari K-Rice initiative is to provide good quality rice at affordable rates, offering an alternative to the existing subsidized rice scheme.
- Distribution: Sabari K-Rice will be made available through Supplyco outlets across the state. Each cardholder is entitled to purchase 10 kilograms of subsidized rice under this scheme.
- Quality and Pricing: Unlike Bharat Rice, which is sold by agencies like NAFED and NCCF at different prices, Sabari K-Rice offers high-quality varieties at subsidized rates.
- While Bharat Rice is priced at ₹29 per kilogram, Sabari K-Rice aims to provide rice at even more affordable rates, with the state government incurring additional costs for distribution.
Bharat Rice and Other Commodities
- Bharat Rice, distributed by agencies like the Food Corporation of India (FCI), aims to stabilize markets and ensure affordability for consumers.
- It is available in 5kg and 10kg packs priced at ₹29/kg. Apart from rice, these agencies also offer wheat flour, chickpeas, and onions at subsidized rates.
- The launch of the Sabari K-Rice initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing food security and promoting the well-being of the citizens of Kerala. With its focus on affordability and quality, this initiative is expected to benefit numerous households across the state.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
| Q2. What is fundamental difference between Sabari K-Rice and Central government scheme Bharat Rice?
1. Sabari K-Rice is sold at a higher price than Bharat Rice. 2. Sabari K-Rice is offered at low subsidized rates. 3. Sabari K-Rice is distributed exclusively through online platforms. Code A. 1 and 2 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 2 only D. 1, 2 and 3
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Q. Which of the following countries has been the largest exporter of rice in the world during the last five years? (UPSC Prelims 2019)
A. China B. India C. Myanmar D. Vietnam Answer: B
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| Answer 2– C
Explanation – · Under the Sabari K-Rice scheme, the Kerala government is providing a substantial subsidy of nearly ₹11 per kilogram ( Bharat rice 29/kg) on the rice, which is procured by the state at ₹40 per kilogram. · This initiative is part of the state’s efforts to enhance food security and ensure access to nutritious food items for all citizens. · Therefore, option C is correct answer.
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Almost 5 million children died before their fifth birthday in 2022, finds UN report
Source: The Hindu
Context: India is poised to meet 2030 Sustainable Development Goals targets of child mortality
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS – 2 (Government Policies & Interventions, India and its Neighbourhood)
Why in News
- Global child deaths reached a historic low in 2022, according to the latest estimates by the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation.
Key highlights
- The report released on March 13, 2024 noted the annual number of global under-five deaths in 2022 declined by more than half from the 2000 estimate — from 9.9 million to 4.9 million.
- However, the numbers are still bad. Globally, neonatal deaths, or the death of a baby within 28 days of birth, happened every 14 seconds; a child aged under five died every six seconds and an adolescent died every 35 seconds in 2022, the report found.
- The report noted a 62 per cent decline in child deaths from the 1990 estimates.
- However, it warned that “these averages mask persistent and entrenched inequities among vulnerable populations of children.”
- Between 2000 and 2022, the world lost 221 million children, adolescents, and youth. Children younger than 5 comprised 162 million and neonatal deaths accounted for 72 million with most under-five deaths being increasingly concentrated in the neonatal period.
- While the larger trend shows a decline, the trend of under-five deaths has increased in the neonatal period from 41 per cent in 2000 to 47 per cent in 2022.
- “The slower decline in neonatal deaths is due to factors like population change and differences in the cause-of-death structure by age, with mortality among 1–59-month-olds being generally more responsive to basic public health interventions, while neonatal mortality relates more to complications around the time of birth,” the report said.
- Sub-Saharan Africa, where annual neonatal deaths have stagnated at about 1 million, bears the greatest burden of under-five deaths in the world.
- Children under five faced the most challenging odds of survival in sub-Saharan Africa.
- The mortality rate for children aged 28 days was 46 deaths per 1,000 children in the region, more than two times higher than the global average of 20 deaths per 1,000 children aged 28 days.
- Prematurity, pneumonia, trauma, malaria and diarrhoea are among the leading causes of death for newborns and children, all preventable causes.
- These illnesses could have been prevented with vaccinations, availability of skilled health personnel at birth, support for early and continued breastfeeding, and diagnosis and treatment of childhood illnesses.
- The child’s survival largely depends on the place of birth; whether the child belongs to a low-income or high-income country, and also on the inequity within countries.
- On average, children living in rural areas are at a higher risk of death before age 5 compared to their urban counterparts.
- The report estimates that 35 million children under the age of 5 will lose their life before 2030 and sub-Saharan Africa will bear most of the death toll.
- It further warned that countries will not meet the United Nations-mandated Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets on time.
- “If, however, every country realised the SDG-5 vision of an end to preventable under-five deaths and met the relevant mortality targets on time, nine million more children would survive to age five,”
About Child mortality
- Child mortality is the mortality of children under the age of five.
- The child mortality rate, also under-five mortality rate, refers to the probability of dying between birth and exactly five years of age expressed per 1,000 live births.
- It encompasses neonatal mortality and infant mortality (the probability of death in the first year of life).
- Reduction of child mortality is reflected in several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
- Target 3.2 is “by 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age”.
- Child mortality rates have decreased in the last 40 years worldwide.
- Rapid progress in medical sciences has resulted in a significant decline.
Indian Government initiatives for reduction of mortalities
- India has taken up a number of innovative initiatives to reduce the mortalities due to malnutrition.
Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC)
- At the Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) are admitted.
About ICDS
- The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme is one of the flagship programs of the Government of India.
- The beneficiaries under the Scheme are children in the age group of 0-6 years, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
- Ministry of Women and Child Development is the implementing agency.
Poshan Abhiyan
- It is intended to reduce stunting in identified districts of the country with the highest malnutrition burden by improving utilization of key Anganwadi Services and improving the quality of Anganwadi services delivery.
Better feeding practices
- Under infant and young child feeding practices, guidelines are there to improve cognitive development, enhance weight gain and prevent malnutrition among children.
Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)
- KMCs have been found to be very effective for stable newborns in providing adequate thermal care, reducing nosocomial infections, improving exclusive breastfeeding and weight gain, besides fostering greater maternal and family involvement in care.
Protecting mothers
- Research suggests that the process of a baby’s brain development begins during pregnancy and is influenced by a pregnant woman’s health, nutrition and environment.
- Hence, we need to understand that child survival cannot be addressed in isolation as it is intricately linked to the health of the mother.
- ‘Paalan 1000 – Journey of the First 1000 Days’, focuses more on the cognitive developments of children in the first 2 years of its life.
- On the other hand, PAALAN 1000 parenting app provides caregivers with practical advice on what they can do in their everyday routine and helps resolve the various doubts of parents and directs our efforts in the development of a child.
Matritva Sahyog Yojana
- It is a Conditional Maternity Benefit (CMB) Scheme launched in 2010.
- The scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development as the centrally sponsored scheme.
- It was launched for pregnant and lactating women to improve their health and nutrition status to better-enable the environment by providing cash incentives to pregnant and nursing mothers.
National Nutrition Mission
- It is the government’s flagship programme to improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
- Aim: To reduce stunting and wasting by 2 percent per year (total 6 per cent until 2022) among children and anaemia by 3 percent per year (total 9 per cent until 2022) among children, adolescent girls and pregnant women and lactating mothers.
- The Ministry of Women and Child Development is the nodal ministry for implementation.
Way Ahead
- With these measures in place, we can expect some more concrete and positive health related changes in the days to come.
- India is poised to meet 2030 Sustainable Development Goals targets of child mortality with focused interventions, strong Centre-State partnership, and dedication of all health workers.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
| Q3. Consider the following statements:
1. The probability of dying between birth and exactly five years of age, as expressed per 1,000 live births. 2. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.2 targets the reduction of child mortality. Which of the above statement is/are correct? A. 1 only B. 2 only C. 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2
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Q. Which of the following are the objectives of ‘National Nutrition Mission’? (UPSC Prelims 2017)
1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers. 2. To reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women. 3. To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice. 4. To promote the consumption of poultry eggs. Select the correct answer using the code given below: A. 1 and 2 only B. 1, 2 and 3 only C. 1, 2 and 4 only D. 3 and 4 only Ans: A
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| Answer 3 C
Explanation · The child mortality rate, also under-five mortality rate, refers to the probability of dying between birth and exactly five years of age expressed per 1,000 live births. · Target 3.2 is “by 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age”. So, statement 1 is correct answer. · Child mortality rates have decreased in the last 40 years worldwide. · Rapid progress in medical sciences has resulted in a significant decline. So, statement 2 is correct. · Therefore, option C is correct answer. |
Scaling Sustainable Food Production in Face of Climate Change
Source: Down to Earth
Context: Recent reports study the ramifications of climate change on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its impact on food insecurity and malnutrition.
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: : GS 3 (Climate change and its Impact of Sustainable Agriculture)
Why in News
- Recently Dasra, a strategic philanthropy organization, in collaboration with the think tank Observer Research Foundation (ORF), released a groundbreaking report titled Our Uncommon Future: Intersectionality of Climate Change and SDGs in the Global South.
Key highlights
- The report underscores the critical need to address food insecurity not only as a humanitarian crisis but also to confront the diminishing agricultural productivity induced by the escalating frequency of extreme weather events caused by climate change.
Recommendations for Sustainable Solutions
- Dasra and ORF’s report advocates for the implementation of nature-based solutions and adaptation strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.
- These solutions aim not only to safeguard the environment and conserve natural resources but also to explore sustainable avenues to uplift marginalized farming communities.
Complexities of Traditional Agriculture Explored
- In a recent study conducted during PhD fieldwork in Odisha’s Koraput plateau, Sanjog Sahu, co-founder of Mati Farms, shed light on the multifaceted nature of traditional agriculture’s relationship with sustainability.
- While organic farming methods were employed in the region, economic pressures often led smallholder farmers to intensify production, sometimes at the expense of environmental degradation.
Importance of Agrobiodiversity and Local Initiatives
- Sahu’s research also underscores the significance of agrobiodiversity in traditional agriculture systems, emphasizing the need to preserve heirloom seeds and cultivars to enhance global food security.
- Additionally, local agriculture initiatives play a crucial role in bolstering food resilience, particularly in the face of climate change-induced disruptions to global food supply chains.
Leveraging Technology for Sustainable Solutions
- In addressing the challenges of scaling sustainable food production, leveraging technology to customize solutions based on local environmental variables is paramount.
- Sahu advocates for democratizing information flow among stakeholders and integrating climate analysis into agricultural practices to promote climate-smart agriculture.
Looking Ahead: The Global Challenge
- With projections indicating a surge in global hunger by 2030, the urgency to scale sustainable food production has never been greater.
- While regenerative farming holds promise in mitigating ecosystem damage, a holistic approach that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals is essential.
- Empowering farming communities with knowledge and adaptive solutions is key to addressing the formidable challenge of feeding a growing population amidst climate uncertainty.
Exploring Low External Input Sustainable Agriculture (LEISA)
- Low External Input Sustainable Agriculture (LEISA) offers a paradigm shift in agricultural practices, focusing on optimizing locally available resources while minimizing external inputs such as synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
- Unlike conventional methods, LEISA does not aim for the complete elimination of these inputs but rather their judicious use in combination with cultural practices and Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
Maximizing Resource Efficiency
- At the core of LEISA lies the principle of maximizing resource efficiency by harnessing the synergistic effects of various components within farming systems.
- This approach emphasizes the utilization of on-farm resources and management techniques to maintain yields and promote sustainability.
- By leveraging the complementary nature of different agricultural components, LEISA strives to achieve optimal productivity while minimizing environmental impact.
Complementary Use of External Inputs
- In LEISA, external inputs are viewed as supplementary rather than primary components of agricultural production.
- Instead of relying solely on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, farmers integrate these inputs in a complementary manner, supplementing them with locally available resources and management practices.
- This not only reduces reliance on costly external inputs but also enhances the resilience of farming systems to fluctuations in input availability and market prices.
Empowering Farmers and Promoting Resilience
- LEISA empowers farmers by equipping them with the knowledge and tools to harness the full potential of their land and resources.
- By promoting sustainable practices and resource optimization, LEISA helps farmers build resilient farming systems capable of withstanding environmental challenges and market uncertainties.
- This approach fosters greater self-reliance and strengthens the long-term viability of agricultural livelihoods.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
| Q4. Which of the following best defines sustainable agriculture?
A. Intensive farming practices aimed at maximizing short-term yields B. A holistic approach to farming and food production ensuring long-term viability and resource preservation C. Traditional farming methods that rely heavily on synthetic inputs D. Agricultural practices focused solely on economic profitability
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Q. With reference to ‘Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion’, which of the following statements is/are correct? (UPSC Prelims 2016)
1. This initiative aims to demonstrate the improved production and post-harvest technologies, and to demonstrate value addition techniques, in an integrated manner, with a cluster approach. 2. Poor, small, marginal and tribal farmers have a larger stake in this scheme. 3. An important objective of the scheme is to encourage farmers of commercial crops to shift to millet cultivation by offering them free kits of critical inputs of nutrients and micro irrigation equipment. Select the correct answer using the code given below: A. 1 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 1 and 2 only D. 1, 2 and 3 Ans: C
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| Answer 4 B
Explanation · Sustainable agriculture refers to a comprehensive approach to farming and food production that prioritizes long-term viability of agricultural systems and preservation of natural resources for future generations. · It encompasses various practices and principles such as Crop Switching, Organic Farming, and Community Supporting Agriculture, which aim to promote environmental stewardship, economic profitability, and social equity. · Therefore option B is correct answer. |
Digital arrest
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Syllabus relevance: GS 3 (Cyber security and Government Initiative)
Context: Police have cautioned about digital arrest scams, where scammers impersonate law enforcement officials to deceive individuals.
Why in news
- In March 2024, the Delhi Police cautioned about digital arrest scams, where scammers impersonate law enforcement officials to deceive individuals into believing their personal information or possessions are involved in illegal activities, leading to significant financial losses.
What is the digital arrest case of Noida
- In November 2023, Rohini, a 50-year-old resident of Noida’s Sector 34, received a phone call from “TRAI officials”.
- The officials told her that a SIM card purchased using her Aadhaar credentials had been used to launder money.
- She was then informed that she has an arrest warrant out in a money laundering case.
- The scammers posed as police officials who mentioned the names of an IPS officer in the CBI and the founder of a grounded airline, associating the victim in a fictitious money-laundering case.
What is Cybercrime
- Cybercrime can be defined as “The illegal usage of any communication device to commit or facilitate in committing any illegal act”.
- A cybercrime is explained as a type of crime that targets or uses a computer or a group of computers under one network for the purpose of harm.
- Cybercrimes are committed using computers and computer networks. They can be targeting individuals, business groups, or even governments.
- Investigators tend to use various ways to investigate devices suspected to be used or to be a target of a cybercrime.
Most Common type of Cyber Crimes
- Phishing and Scam: Phishing is a type of social engineering attack that targets the user and tricks them by sending fake messages and emails to get sensitive information about the user or trying to download malicious software and exploit it on the target system.
- Identity Theft : Identity theft occurs when a cybercriminal uses another person’s personal data like credit card numbers or personal pictures without their permission to commit a fraud or a crime.
- Ransomware Attack : Ransomware attacks are a very common type of cybercrime. It is a type of malware that has the capability to prevent users from accessing all of their personal data on the system by encrypting them and then asking for a ransom in order to give access to the encrypted data.
- Hacking/Misusing Computer Networks : This term refers to the crime of unauthorized access to private computers or networks and misuse of it either by shutting it down or tampering with the data stored or other illegal approaches.
- Cyber Bullying : It is also known as online or internet bullying. It includes sending or sharing harmful and humiliating content about someone else which causes embarrassment and can be a reason for the occurrence of psychological problems. It became very common lately, especially among teenagers.
- Cyber Stalking : Cyberstalking can be defined as unwanted persistent content from someone targeting other individuals online with the aim of controlling and intimidating like unwanted continued calls and messages.
- Cyber Extortion : Cyber extortion is the demand for money by cybercriminals to give back some important data they’ve stolen or stop doing malicious activities such as denial of service attacks.
What are the Government Initiatives to Cope with Cyber Crimes in India
- Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): This center coordinates efforts to tackle all types of cyber-crimes across the country.
- National Cyber Forensic Laboratory: It provides early-stage cyber forensic assistance to Investigating Officers of all State/UT Police through both online and offline modes.
- CyTrain Portal: A Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) platform for capacity building of police officers, judicial officers, and prosecutors through online courses on critical aspects of cyber-crime investigation, forensics, and prosecution.
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: A platform where the public can report incidents of cyber-crimes, with a special focus on crimes against women and children.
- Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System: It is a system for immediate reporting of financial frauds and assistance in lodging online cyber complaints through a toll-free helpline.
- Cybercrime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC) Scheme: Financial assistance provided to States/UTs for developing capabilities of Law Enforcement Agencies in investigating cyber-crimes.
- Joint Cyber Coordination Teams: Constituted to enhance coordination among Law Enforcement Agencies of States/UTs, particularly in areas with multi-jurisdictional issues related to cyber-crimes.
- Central Assistance for Modernization of Police: Providing financial support to States/UTs for acquiring modern weaponry, advanced communication/forensic equipment, and cyber policing equipment.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
| Q5. Which of the following is NOT a common type of cybercrime?
1. Phishing 2. Identity Theft 3. Cyber Bullying 4. Cyber Extortion 5. Tracking 6. Online gaming Code A. 2, 3, 4 and 6 only B. 5 and 6 only C. 1, 3, 4 and 5 only D. 3, 4, 5 and 6 only
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Q. In India, under cyber insurance for individuals, which of the following benefits are generally covered, in addition to payment for the loss of funds and other benefits? (UPSC Prelims 2020)
1. Cost of restoration of the computer system in case of malware disrupting access to one’s computer 2. Cost of a new computer if some miscreant wilfully damages it, if proved so 3. Cost of hiring a specialized consultant to minimize the loss in case of cyber extortion 4. Cost of defence in the Court of Law if any third-party files a suit Select the correct answer using the code given below: A. 1, 2 and 4 B. 1, 3 and 4 only C. 2 and 3 only D. 1, 2, 3 and 4 Answer: B
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Answer 5: B Explanation: · Spoofing, Tracking and Online Gaming is not related to cybercrime. A crime that does not involve a computer, the internet, and a networked device is not a cybercrime. In cybercrime, computers, mobile, the internet, etc., are used as a tool to harm someone’s financial health and security. Cybercrime is a broad term that includes many types of attacks, including: · Phishing: Fake emails that are sent to users to get personal information. · Identity theft: Using the internet to stalk or harass someone, including making false accusations, monitoring, or creating threats. · Hacking: Shutting down or misusing computer networks or websites. · Cyberstalking: When someone sends unwelcome messages to another person online, such as through social media, websites, or search engines, to intimidate or control them.
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Pi Day: Behind the World’s Most Famous Mathematical Constant
Source: Indian Express
UPSC Syllabus relevance: GS 3 (Science and Technology)
Context: Pi Day, is celebrated globally in homage to the renowned mathematical constant Pi, represented by the symbol π.
Why in news
- As the world commemorates Pi Day, it serves as a reminder of humanity’s enduring quest for knowledge and the profound elegance inherent in the mathematical constants that shape our understanding of the universe.
Key highlights
- Originating in 1988 through the initiative of physicist Larry Shaw at the Exploratorium museum in San Francisco, Pi Day has evolved into a worldwide phenomenon.
- The day sees mathematicians engaging in various activities to promote awareness of their discipline among the general public, including lectures, museum exhibitions, and pie-eating competitions.
- In 2019, the significance of Pi Day was further underscored when UNESCO’s 40th General Conference designated it as the International Day of Mathematics.
Understanding Pi
- Pi symbolizes the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, a value that remains constant regardless of the circle’s size.
- It is an irrational number, with a decimal representation that neither terminates nor repeats, commonly approximated as 3.14 or 22/7.
Historical Calculations
- The calculation of Pi dates back over 4,000 years, with ancient civilizations such as the Babylonians and Egyptians attempting their approximations.
- Greek polymath Archimedes revolutionized Pi’s calculation methodology around 287-212 BCE, employing geometric principles to establish upper and lower bounds for Pi.
- Subsequent advancements led to increasingly precise approximations, culminating in modern techniques involving calculus and computer algorithms.
- Pi has been calculated to over 31 trillion decimal places, serving as a fundamental constant in various scientific and engineering disciplines.
Practical Significance
- Despite its seemingly esoteric nature, Pi holds practical importance in fields such as architecture, design, and engineering, where precise geometric calculations are essential.
- Moreover, Pi’s ubiquitous presence in natural phenomena underscores its relevance in understanding the intricacies of the universe.
The Beauty of Pi
- Beyond its utilitarian value, Pi captivates mathematicians and enthusiasts alike with its enigmatic nature.
- Its infinite, non-repeating decimal expansion embodies the allure of infinity, inviting contemplation and exploration into the depths of mathematical beauty.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
| Q6. Consider the following statements with reference to Pi Day:
1. Physicist Larry Shaw initiated the tradition of Pi Day in 1988 at the Exploratorium Museum in San Francisco. 2. Pi symbolizes ratio, which remains constant regardless of the circle’s size. Which of the above statements is/are correct? A. 1 only B. 2 only C. 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2
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Q. Which one of the following is a reason why astronomical distances are measured in light-years? (UPSC Prelims 2022)
(a) Distances among stellar bodies do not change. (b) Gravity of stellar bodies does not change. (c) Light always travels in a straight line. (d) Speed of light is always same. Ans: (d)
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| Answer 6– C
Explanation · March 14 is celebrated globally as Pi Day, in homage to the mathematical constant Pi. · Physicist Larry Shaw initiated the tradition of Pi Day in 1988 at the Exploratorium Museum in San Francisco. So, statement 1 is correct. · Pi symbolizes this ratio, which remains constant regardless of the circle’s size. So, statement 2 is correct. · Pi has been calculated to over 31 trillion decimal places using modern techniques involving calculus and computer algorithms. · Therefore, option C is correct answer. |