Current Affairs Reverse Engineering
Care (20-03-2024)
| News at a Glance
|
| Environment and Ecology: IQAir World Air Quality Report 2023 |
| Science and Technology: SAKHI App |
| Economy: Govt contemplating changes in SARFAESI, DRT laws |
| International: From Sex Trade to Slavery: Examining the Alarming Rise in Forced Labor Profits |
| Geography: Vernal Equinox, 2024 |
IQAir World Air Quality Report 2023
Source: Hindustan Times
Context: : Air pollution was the 4th leading risk factor for early death worldwide in 2019 (State of Global Air Report 2020).
UPSC Syllabus Relevance GS 3 (Air Pollution and its Impact)
Why in news
- The 6th Annual World Air Quality Report reveals troubling details of the world’s most polluted countries, territories, and regions in 2023.
Key highlights
- Seven countries met the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline (annual average of 5 µg/m3 or less): Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, and New Zealand.
- The top five most polluted countries in 2023 were:
- Bangladesh more than 15 times higher than the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline
- Pakistan more than 14 times higher than the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline
- India more than 10 times higher than the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline
- Tajikistan more than 9 times higher than the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline
- Burkina Faso more than 9 times higher than the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline
- A total of 124 out of 134 countries and regions exceeded the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline value of 5 µg/m3.
- Africa remains the most underrepresented continent, with a third of the population still lacking access to air quality data.
- Climate conditions and transboundary haze were major factors in Southeast Asia, where PM2.5 concentrations rose in nearly every country.
- The region of Central & South Asia was home to the top ten most polluted cities in the world.
- Begusarai, India was the most polluted metropolitan area of 2023. India was home to the four most polluted cities in the world.
- Delhi, on the other hand, became the capital city with the poorest air quality, according to the IQAir report. Delhi’s PM2.5 levels worsened to 92.7 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. It was 89.1 micrograms per cubic metre in 2022.
- This is the fourth consecutive time Delhi has emerged as the world’s most polluted capital city.
- For the first time in the history of this report, Canada was the most polluted country in Northern America, with the region’s 13 most polluted cities located within its borders.
- Ten out of the top 11 most polluted cities in the world are from India, the other being Lahore in Pakistan.
Particulate matter
- Particulate matter, or PM, is the term for particles found in the air, including dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets.
- Particles can be suspended in the air for long periods of time.
- Some particles are large or dark enough to be seen as soot or smoke. Others are so small that individually they can only be detected with a microscope.
- Many manmade and natural sources emit PM directly or emit other pollutants that react in the atmosphere to form PM.
PM 2.5
- Particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5) are referred to as “fine” particles and are believed to pose the greatest health risks.
- Because of their small size (approximately 1/30th the average width of a human hair), fine particles can lodge deeply into the lungs.
- Particles with diameters between 2.5 and 10 micrometers are referred to as “coarse” particles.
- PM 2.5 particles can only be detected with the help of electron microscope.
Sources of PM
- Sources of fine particles include all types of combustion activities (motor vehicles, power plants, wood burning, etc.) and certain industrial processes.
- Sources of coarse particles include crushing or grinding operations, and dust from paved or unpaved roads.
- Other particles may be formed in the air from the chemical change of gases.
About Air Pollution
- Air pollution is the degradation of air quality due to the contamination of pollutants.
- It was the 4th leading risk factor for early death worldwide in 2019 (State of Global Air Report 2020).
- Industries (51%), Vehicles (27%), and Crop burning (17%) are the largest contributors to Air pollution.
Measures to Control Air Pollution:
- Alternative City Building Strategy:
- Focus on public transport, secure pedestrian paths, and bicycle lanes.
- Creation of bicycle officers for better management.
- Promotion of Public Transport:
- Investment in buses for towns and cities.
- Addition of nearly 10 lakh buses to the existing fleet to meet urban mobility demands.
- Emulate Urban Renewal Initiatives:
- Implement initiatives similar to the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.
- Control of Private Vehicles:
- Implement measures like congestion tax during peak hours.
- Consider odd-even number plate formula for vehicular movement control.
- Adopt Car-Free Days:
- Implement initiatives like World Car Free Day on 22nd September annually.
- Zero Tolerance for Industrial Pollution:
- Implement real-time monitoring of industrial pollution.
- Encourage street supervision by residents.
- Preservation of Urban Commons:
- Protect ponds, water bodies, urban forests, parks, and playgrounds from private takeover.
- Ecological Urban Planning:
- Incorporate ecological principles into urban planning.
- Consider natural environment and afforestation within cities.
- Promote Public Awareness and Participation:
- Raise awareness about air pollution sources and effects.
- Integrate pollution guides into daily lives of city residents.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
| Q1. According to the sixth annual World Air Quality Report 2023, the descending order of the top five most polluted countries in the world is –
1. Burkina Faso 2. Pakistan 3. India 4. Tajikistan 5. Bangladesh Code
|
Q. In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of the Air Quality Index? (UPSC Prelims 2016)
1. Carbon dioxide 2. Carbon monoxide 3. Nitrogen dioxide 4. Sulphur dioxide 5. Methane Select the correct answer using the code given below: A. 1, 2 and 3 only B. 2, 3 and 4 only C. 1, 4 and 5 only D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Ans: B
|
| Ans 1 C
Explanation · According to the Sixth Annual World Air Quality Report 2023, the five most polluted countries in the world in correct descending order are – · The top five most polluted countries in 2023 were: · Bangladesh more than 15 times higher than the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline · Pakistan more than 14 times higher than the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline · India more than 10 times higher than the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline · Tajikistan more than 9 times higher than the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline · Burkina Faso more than 9 times higher than the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline
|
SAKHI App
Source: The Hindu
Context: The Space-borne Assistant and Knowledge Hub for Crew Interaction (SAKHI) App
UPSC Syllabus relevance: GS 3 (Science and Technology)
Why in news
- Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre has developed the multi-purpose app that will help astronauts on Gaganyaan space flight mission carry out a range of tasks.
About SAKHI
- The Space-borne Assistant and Knowledge Hub for Crew Interaction (SAKHI) App, is equipped to monitor astronauts’ health, maintain communication with Earth, and manage dietary schedules.
- It serves as an essential tool for the crew, offering real-time assistance and access to necessary data.
- It would assist astronauts during the Gaganyaan space flight mission, facilitating tasks such as accessing vital technical information and communication.
- Strapped to astronauts’ space suits, it allows for easy access and facilitates the maintenance of mission logs in various formats.
Utility offered by SAKHI
- SAKHI provides comprehensive health monitoring, including parameters like blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation.
- It also reminds astronauts about hydration, dietary schedules, and sleep patterns, enhancing their mission efficiency.
- SAKHI maintains communication between the crew, onboard computers, and ground-based stations, ensuring seamless connectivity.
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC):
- VSSC is a major space research centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), focusing on rockets and space vehicles for India’s satellite programme.
- It Is located in Trivandrum, in the Indian state of Kerala.
- The centre had its beginnings as the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in 1962.
- It was renamed in honour of Vikram Sarabhai, often regarded as the father of the Indian space program.
- VSSC is an entirely indigenous facility working on the development of sounding rockets, the Rohini and Menaka launchers, and SLV, ASLV, PSLV, GSLV and GSLV Mk III families of launch vehicles.
Gaganyaan Mission:
- The Gaganyaan Mission is India’s ongoing project to send a 3-day manned mission to the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) of 400 km with a crew of 3 members and bring them safely back to Earth.
- As part of this program, two unmanned missions and one manned mission are approved by the Government of India.
- The first manned spaceflight is expected to take place in 2024.
- The success of the Gaganyaan Mission will put India in the elite group of nations (US, Russia, and China) having human space flight capability.
Objectives of Gaganyaan Mission
- To undertake human space flights: Its immediate aim is to demonstrate indigenous capability to undertake human space flights.
- Space exploration: In the long run, it will lay the foundation for a sustained Indian human space exploration programme.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
| Q2. Consider the following with reference to SAKHI App:
1. It is developed by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) & Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). 2. It is a multi-purpose app that will help on the Gaganyaan mission carry out a range of tasks such as looking up vital technical information or communicating with one another. Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?
|
Q. Consider the following: (UPSC Prelims 2022)
1. Aarogya Setu 2. CoWIN 3. DigiLocker 4. DIKSHA Which of the above are built on top of open-source digital platforms? A. 1 and 2 only B. 2, 3 and 4 only C. 1, 3 and 4 only D. 1, 2, 3 and 4 Answer : D
|
| Answer 2– A
Explanation –
|
Govt contemplating changes in SARFAESI, DRT laws
Source: The Hindu
Context: The Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act, 2002 aims to expedite the recovery of bad loans and reduce the burden on the judicial system.
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS 3 (Indian Economy)
Why in News
- To speed up the debt recovery process, the Finance Ministry has set up a panel to suggest amendments to the SARFAESI and DRT Acts, including a provision for granting legal sanctity to e-notices to debtors.
Key highlights of the News:
- Last month, the Finance Ministry held extensive deliberations with the top brass of banks and Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) to enhance the efficacy of DRTs for expeditious recovery of debts.
- The aim Is to make the debt recovery process less tedious and more effective.
- It is also planning to introduce a provision to provide legal sanctity to e-notices.
What is e-notices?
- e-notices refer to electronic notices, which are notices or communications delivered digitally rather than through traditional physical mail or paper documents.
- e-notices can be sent via email, messaging platforms, or other electronic means, and they are commonly used for various purposes such as official announcements, legal notifications, billing statements, reminders, and updates from organizations or authorities.
- e-notices offer advantages such as instant delivery, cost-effectiveness, environmental sustainability, and ease of access for recipients who can view them on computers, smartphones, or other electronic devices.
About Debt Recovery of Tribunal
- The Debts Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) and Debts Recovery Appellate Tribunals (DRATs) were established under the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act (RDB Act), 1993.
- These are established to provide expeditious adjudication and recovery of debts due to Banks and Financial Institutions.
- At present, 39 Debts Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) and 5 Debts Recovery Appellate Tribunals (DRATs) are functioning across the country.
Under the section 22(2) in the Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1993 DRT has the following powers-
- Summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;
- Requiring the discovery and production of documents;
- Receiving evidence on affidavits;
- Issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents;
- Reviewing its decisions;
- Dismissing an application for default or deciding it ex parte;
- Setting aside any order of dismissal of any application for default or any order passed by it ex parte;
- Any other matter which may be prescribed.
Composition
- It is headed by the Presiding Officer to be appointed, by notification, by the Central Government.
- Qualification of Presiding officer: A person shall not be qualified for appointment as the Presiding Officer of a Tribunal unless he is, or has been, or is qualified to be, a District Judge.
- Tenure: The Presiding Officer of a Tribunal shall hold office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office and shall be eligible for reappointment.
About SARFAESI Act
- The Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act, 2002 is a legislation enacted in India to facilitate asset reconstruction and enforcement of security interests by banks and financial institutions.
- It primarily applies to banks, financial institutions, and asset reconstruction companies (ARCs).
- The SARFAESI Act provides banks and financial institutions with the power to enforce their security interests in the case of non-performing assets (NPAs) by seizing and selling the secured assets without the intervention of the court.
- Its aim is to expedite the recovery of bad loans and reduce the burden on the judicial system.
- Borrowers have the right to challenge the actions taken by banks and financial institutions under the SARFAESI Act before the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT).
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
| Q3. Which of the following methods of recovery under SARFAESI Act is/are adopted?
1. Securitisation 2. Asset reconstruction 3. Enforcement of security without the interruption of the court Code A. 1 and 2 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3
|
Q. With reference to the governance of public sector banking in India, consider the following statements:(UPSC Prelims 2018)
1. Capital infusion into public sector banks by the Government of India has steadily increased in the last decade. 2. To put the public sector banks in order, the merger of associate banks with the parent State Bank of India has been affected. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 1 only B. 2 only C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2 Ans: B
|
| Answer 3 D
Explanation · Sarfaesi Act is termed as Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (Sarfaesi) Act. · The Act comes into play if a borrower defaults on his or her payments for more than six months. · The lender then can send a notice to the borrower to clear the dues within 60 days. · In case that doesn’t happen, the financial institution has the right to take possession of the secured assets and sell, transfer or manage them. · The defaulter, meanwhile, has recourse to move an appellate authority set up under the law within 30 days of receiving a notice from the lender. · Modes of recovery under the SARFAESI Act · Securitisation · Asset reconstruction · Enforcement of security without the interruption of the court · Therefore, option D is correct answer. |
From Sex Trade to Slavery: Examining the Alarming Rise in Forced Labor Profits
Source: DD NEWS
Context: The alarming rise in profits from forced labor demands immediate attention and collective action.
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS 2 (Important International Institutions report and Global Groupings)
Why in News
- The ILO’s recent study reveals that illegal profits from forced labor have reached an astounding $236 billion annually. This represents a 37% increase, or $64 billion, compared to the previous estimate made a decade ago.
Key highlights
- According to study approximately three-fourths of these profits are attributed to sexual exploitation.
- This insidious business not only robs migrants of their hard-earned money but also displaces legal workers and enables criminals to evade taxes.
- Implications of Forced Labor: Forced labor not only perpetuates cycles of poverty and exploitation but also fuels corruption, strengthens criminal networks, and incentivizes further exploitation.
- Urgent Call for International Cooperation: Gilbert Houngbo, the director-general of the ILO, emphasizes the need for global collaboration to combat this heinous racket. He underscores that forced labor violates human dignity and exacerbates poverty.
- Definition and Scope: The ILO defines forced labor as work imposed against the will of the employee, enforced through penalties or threats. It can occur at any stage of employment, including recruitment and living conditions associated with work.
- Scale of Forced Labor: In 2021, an estimated 27.6 million people were trapped in forced labor, representing a 10% increase compared to five years earlier.
- The Asia-Pacific region accounted for more than half of these cases, while Africa, the Americas, and Europe-Central Asia each represented approximately 13% to 14%.
- Privately Imposed Forced Labor: Around 85% of individuals affected by forced labor were subjected to privately imposed conditions. This includes slavery, serfdom, bonded labor, and other forms of exploitation where the proceeds benefit someone else.
- Sexual Exploitation: Sexual exploitation accounted for over one-fourth of global forced labor victims but generated nearly three-quarters of the total profits, amounting to approximately $173 billion.
- The majority of victims were girls and women, with children comprising more than a quarter of the cases.
- Industrial, Service, and Agricultural Sectors: Forced labor in the industry sector generated $35 billion in profits, followed by services at nearly $21 billion, agriculture at $5 billion, and domestic work at $2.6 billion.
- Global Efforts and Challenges: While some countries, including the United States, have made efforts to combat forced labor, the ILO report emphasizes that the world remains far from achieving the United Nations’ goal of eradicating forced labor by 2030. This underscores the need for stronger international commitments and actions.
Conclusion:
- The alarming rise in profits from forced labor demands immediate attention and collective action.
- Understanding the magnitude of this issue, its impact on human dignity, and the various sectors involved is essential for aspirants preparing for the UPSC exam.
- Efforts to combat forced labor must be intensified to protect vulnerable individuals, uphold labor rights, and ensure social justice around the world.
About the International Labour Organization (ILO)
- The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to improving labor conditions and living standards worldwide.
- The primary objectives of the ILO are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection, and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues.
- The ILO organizes the International Labour Conference (ILC) annually in Geneva to set broad policies, including conventions and recommendations. This conference, known as the “international parliament of labor,” plays a pivotal role in decision-making and electing the Governing Body.
Factual Information
- Established in 1919 by the Treaty of Versailles as an affiliated agency of the League of Nations.
- Became the first affiliated specialized agency of the United Nations in 1946.
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
- Received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1969
- India is a founding member of the ILO and it has been a permanent member of the ILO Governing Body since 1922.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
| Q4. Consider the following statements:
Statement 1: The ILO’s recent study uncovered that illegal profits from forced labor have surged to an astonishing $236 billion annually, signifying a 37% increase from the previous estimate made a year ago. Statement 2: This surge in profits from forced labor underscores the urgent need for concerted global efforts to combat this pervasive issue and safeguard the rights and dignity of affected individuals worldwide.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I C. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect D. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
|
Q. International Labour Organization’s Conventions 138 and 182 are related to (UPSC Prelims 2018)
A. Child Labour B. Adaptation of agricultural practices to global climate change C. Regulation of food prices and food security D. Gender parity at the workplace Ans: A |
| Answer 4 D
Explanation · The ILO’s recent study uncovered that illegal profits from forced labor have surged to an astonishing $236 billion annually, signifying a 37% increase from the previous estimate made a decade ago. So, statement 1 is incorrect. · This surge in profits from forced labor underscores the urgent need for concerted global efforts to combat this pervasive issue and safeguard the rights and dignity of affected individuals worldwide. So, statement 2 is correct. · Therefore, option D is correct answer.
|
Vernal Equinox: 2024
Source: Hindustan Times
UPSC Syllabus relevance: GS – 1 (Physical Geography Important Geophysical Phenomena)
Context: 2024 vernal equinox, symbolizes the transition from winter to spring, bringing longer daylight hours and setting the stage for the upcoming June summer solstice.
Why in news
- The 2024 vernal equinox, occurring on March 19, marks the commencement of the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere.
Key highlights
- The vernal equinox, also known as the spring equinox, occurred on March 19, 2024 at 11:06 PM Eastern Time.
- This marked the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. The vernal equinox occurs when the sun reaches the point where the ecliptic and celestial equator meet.
- This moment marks the “equal night” when daylight and darkness are evenly distributed across the globe.
- The Earth’s orbit around the sun and its tilted axis cause equinoxes and solstices to occur.
- The Earth’s axis is tilted at a 23.4° angle in relation to the ecliptic, which is an imaginary plane created by the Earth’s path around the sun.
About Equinox
- The equinox occurs twice a year, around 21st March and 23rd September, when the sun is directly above the equator.
- During the equinox, both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres experience equal day and night time.
- In the Northern Hemisphere, the vernal equinox (spring equinox) occurs around 20th or 21st March, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it takes place on 22nd or 23rd September.
- Conversely, during the autumn season in the Northern Hemisphere on 23rd September (autumnal equinox), it is springtime in the Southern Hemisphere, and on 21st March, it is the opposite.
Significance of Equinox
- During the equinox, the Sun is directly above the equator, and both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres receive almost equal amounts of sunlight.
- The spring equinox, which occurs in March in the Northern Hemisphere, results in more hours of daylight with earlier sunrises and later sunsets as the northern hemisphere tilts closer to the Sun.
- In Hindu astrology, the vernal equinox is known as Vasant Vishuva or Vasant Sampat.
- The spring equinox brings earlier sunrises, later sunsets, and sprouting plants in the Northern Hemisphere.
- In the Southern Hemisphere, the autumnal equinox brings later sunrises, earlier sunsets, chillier winds, and dry and falling leaves.
- The equinox plays a significant role in astronomy, and it is observed as a significant event in various cultures and traditions around the world.
About Solstice
- The summer solstice is an astronomical phenomenon that occurs when the Earth’s tilt and orbital path around the sun cause the longest day of the year. The summer solstice for the Northern Hemisphere will occur on June 20, 2024, and the Southern Hemisphere will have its summer solstice on December 21, 2024.
- The Earth’s tilt on its axis causes the different lengths of day and night. During the June solstice, the North Pole is tilted most towards the sun due to the Earth’s position in its orbit.
- The winter solstice occurs on December 21 or 22 and marks the beginning of winter.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
| Q5. Consider the following statement with reference to vernal equinox:
1. The vernal equinox occurs when the sun is directly above the equator. 2. It happens twice a year, around June 21 and December 22. 3. During the vernal equinox, the Eastern and Western regions have equal day and night time. 4. The vernal equinox also marks the beginning of spring, which lasts until the summer solstice. Which of the above statements is/are correct? A. 1 and 4 only B. 2, 3 and 4 only C. 3 and 4 only D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
|
Q. In the northern hemisphere, the longest day of the year normally occurs in the: (UPSC Prelims 2022)
A. First half of the month of June B. Second half of the month of June C. First half of the month of July D. Second half of the month of July Ans: B
|
| Answer 5– A
Explanation
|