Current Affairs Reverse Engineering – CARE (24-09-2024)
| News at a Glance |
| Science and Technology: India reports 1st mpox case which matches strain that triggered WHO public health emergency alert |
| Economy: NBFC sector remains resilient under scale-based regulations framework: RBI bulletin |
| Science and Technology: Army inducts robotic mules; drones, high-altitude tents under evaluation |
| India to launch its first mission to Venus in 2028 |
| International Relations: California’s new anti-deepfake bill and manipulated political ads |
India reports 1st mpox case which matches strain that triggered WHO public health emergency alert
Source: Indian Express
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-mpox-case-who-public-emergency-alert-9584086/
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS 3 (Science and Technology)
Context: Mpox case strain
Why in News
- India reports 1st mpox case which matches strain that triggered WHO public health emergency alert.
Background
- Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral infection caused by the mpox virus (MPXV).
- It was first discovered in humans in 1970 and primarily affected people in certain regions of Africa, where it was considered endemic.
- However, since the outbreak in 2022, mpox has spread to several countries across the world, prompting global health authorities like the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
Symptoms and Nature of the Disease
- Mpox is a self-limiting viral infection, meaning that it typically resolves on its own without requiring extensive treatment.
- The main symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle ache
- Back pain
- Low energy
- Swollen lymph nodes
- A distinct pox-like rash that lasts 2 to 3 weeks
- While most cases resolve without complications, it can be severe or even deadly, particularly for vulnerable populations like children and those with weakened immune systems.
Clades of Mpox
The mpox virus is categorized into different genetic clades (strains). Each clade can vary in terms of transmissibility and severity:
- Clade I (including 1B): Historically found in the Congo Basin, it is considered more severe and deadlier than other strains.
- Clade II: This includes strains that have been found to cause milder infections and were responsible for the 2022-2023 outbreak.
The detection of Clade 1B in India recently is of significant concern, as this strain is more deadly. The WHO has raised alarm due to its transmission patterns and increased severity.
Global Spread and 2022 Outbreak
- Although mpox was initially concentrated in Africa, the global outbreak between July 2022 and May 2023 saw cases spread worldwide, including non-endemic regions.
- This prompted the WHO to declare the outbreak a PHEIC, the highest level of public health alert.
- A key difference in the recent outbreak is that the infection spread through sexual contact, a pattern not typically seen in previous outbreaks, particularly for Clade 1 infections.
India’s Situation
- India has reported at least 32 cases of mpox since 2022, along with one death.
- The recent case involving a 38-year-old from Kerala is the country’s first instance of a Clade 1B infection, raising concerns due to its more severe nature.
What is Mpox?
- Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is a DNA virus. It belongs to the family Poxviridae, which consists of large, double-stranded DNA viruses.
- The virus was first identified in monkeys in 1958 but has since been found to infect humans as well.
- Transmission: Mpox is primarily transmitted to humans from animals, particularly rodents and primates, through direct contact or through contaminated objects.
- Symptoms: Mpox infection in humans typically presents with fever, headache, muscle aches, and a characteristic rash that progresses from macules to papules to vesicles and pustules.
- Vaccination: While a vaccine for mpox exists, its availability and effectiveness are limited, highlighting the need for improved prevention and control measures.
- Global Outbreaks: Mpox gained global attention during a widespread outbreak that affected over 100,000 people in more than 118 countries in 2022-2023.
- The outbreak was characterised by high human-to-human transmission, particularly through close contact and the sexual route.
- WHO Declaration: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency, leading to coordinated efforts to control its spread.
Genomic Features:
- Clades and Lineages: Mpox genomes are divided into clades I and II, with evidence suggesting clade I has higher mortality.
- The 2022 outbreak involved a new lineage, clade IIb, better adapted for human-to-human transmission.
- Genomic Analysis: Researchers found evidence of a distinct lineage of clade I associated with human-to-human transmission, suggesting a recent zoonotic spillover event.
- Evolutionary Adaptations: Mpox viruses can undergo genomic accordion through gene duplication or deletion to adapt to different hosts and environments.
- A study published in Nature Communications sequenced the genome of the mpox virus from the 2022 outbreak, revealing that certain sections strongly influence human-to-human transmission and are the virus’s genomic accordions.
WHO public health Emergency
A public health emergency is a formal declaration made by an organization to acknowledge a public health risk:
- The WHO declares a public health emergency of international concern when it identifies an extraordinary event that poses a public health risk.
- The WHO may trigger the Emergency Use Listing process for vaccines to accelerate access for lower-income countries.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
Q1. Recently, a case of Clade 1B mpox was reported in India, raising concerns due to its deadlier nature. With reference to mpox, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 1 and 2 only |
Q. The term ‘ACE2’ is talked about in the context of (2021)
(a) genes introduced in the genetically modified plants (b) development of India’s own satellite navigation system (c) radio collars for wildlife tracking (d) spread of viral diseases Ans: (d) |
| Answer 1- B
Explanation
|
NBFC sector remains resilient under scale-based regulations framework: RBI bulletin
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Relevance: GS 3- Economy
Context: Non-banking financial companies (NBFC) sector in India
Why in News
- The non-banking financial companies (NBFC) sector in India continues to demonstrate resilience within the scale-based regulations (SBR) framework, improving in asset quality and diversifying its funding base, said Reserve Bank of India (RBI) officials.
Trade Surplus and Deficit Overview
- The Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFC) sector in India has shown considerable resilience and improvement since the introduction of the Scale-Based Regulations (SBR) in October 2022, according to a report published by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
- This report, featured in the RBI’s September 2024 Bulletin, highlights key improvements and trends within the sector, underscoring its growing strength and diversification.
Key Highlights:
- Asset Quality and Risk Management:
- The gross non-performing asset (NPA) ratio of NBFCs has significantly improved. Between December 2021 and December 2023, the NPA ratio for government-owned NBFCs decreased from 4.4% to 2.4%, and for non-government NBFCs, it dropped from 10.6% to 6.3%. This reflects stronger asset quality and better risk management.
- The report notes that upper layer NBFCs (larger and more systemically important ones) have better gross NPA ratios compared to middle layer NBFCs. However, middle-layer NBFCs have maintained adequate provisions for their riskier loan portfolios, resulting in a lower net NPA ratio.
- Credit Growth and Capital Adequacy:
- The NBFC sector showed double-digit credit growth by the end of December 2023, with adequate levels of capital and a low delinquency ratio. This signals a strong financial position within the sector.
- NBFCs are also focusing on diversifying their funding sources to reduce their dependence on bank borrowings, which is particularly important given the rising risk weights on bank lending. This includes expansion into secured retail credit sectors like gold loans, vehicle loans, housing loans, and lending to industrial and service sectors.
- Profitability:
- The sector has seen rising profitability, reflected in improved Return on Assets (RoA) and Return on Equity (RoE) by the end of 2023, indicating efficient financial operations.
- Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) Norms:
- The introduction of Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) norms will be extended to government-owned NBFCs starting October 2024. PCA focuses on improving financial discipline by monitoring capital adequacy and asset quality, ensuring that NBFCs remain financially robust.
- The report suggests that government-owned NBFCs, with adequate capital and low net NPAs, are well-positioned to comply with these regulations.
- Cybersecurity and Climate Risk:
- The report also emphasizes emerging risks in cybersecurity and climate risk. NBFCs must continue to strengthen their risk management, compliance, and internal audit functions to navigate these evolving challenges.
- Assurance functions like risk management, compliance, and internal audit are crucial for maintaining the robustness of the NBFC sector and its ability to adapt to the fast-changing financial landscape.
- Upper Layer NBFCs:
- The RBI has identified a list of major NBFCs under the upper layer category of the SBR framework, which includes prominent names like LIC Housing Finance, Bajaj Finance, Shriram Finance, and Aditya Birla Finance.
- Most of these NBFCs have complied or are in the process of complying with listing requirements. However, Tata Sons has opted to voluntarily surrender its certificate of registration to the RBI.
Significance:
- The NBFC sector in India is demonstrating strong growth, improved asset quality, and diversified funding strategies under the SBR framework.
- The introduction of PCA norms and the focus on emerging risks like cybersecurity and climate change reflect the sector’s need for continued vigilance in risk management.
- As NBFCs play an increasingly significant role in the Indian financial system, proactive steps toward resilience and sustainability will be key to ensuring their continued growth.
NBFCs
- An NBFC is a company registered under the Companies Act, 1956 or Companies Act, 2013, involved in various financial activities like lending, investing in securities, leasing, insurance.
- They offer various banking services but do not have a banking licence.
Key Features:
- NBFCs provide diverse financial services like personal loans, home loans, vehicle loans, gold loans, microfinance, insurance, and investment management.
- They can accept public deposits for a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of 60 months.
- However, NBFCs cannot accept demand deposits.
- They do not form part of the payment and settlement system and cannot issue cheques drawn on itself.
Classification:
On the Basis of Deposits:
- Deposit-taking non-banking finance companies
- Non-Deposit taking Non-Banking Financial Institutions
On the Nature of their Major Activity:
- Investment and Credit Company
- Consumer Durable Loan Finance
- Core Investment
- Company (CIC)
- Infrastructure Finance Company (IFC)/Infrastructure Debt Fund (IDF)
- Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARC)
- Factoring Companies
- Gold Loan Companies
- Fintech cos: P2P Lenders
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
Q2. With reference to the recent developments in the Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFC) sector in India, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 1 and 2 only |
Q. With reference to the Non-banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in India, consider the following statements: (2010)
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only Ans: (b) |
| Answer 2– C
Explanation –
|
Army inducts robotic mules; drones, high-altitude tents under evaluation
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Relevance: GS 3– Science and Technology
Context: Range of high-altitude technologies
Why in News
- The Indian Army has inducted robotic mules to enhance its logistical capabilities, especially in difficult terrains where traditional mules are used.
BioE3 Policy Overview:
- The Himtech symposium held in Leh showcased a range of high-altitude technologies designed to support the Indian Army’s operations in extreme environments, such as those encountered at high altitudes like Siachen and Eastern Ladakh.
- Some of the key technologies exhibited included robotic mules, advanced tents for high-altitude conditions, and logistics drones.
Robotic Mule:
- A key innovation is the robotic mule, which is a versatile ground robot designed to endure extreme conditions. It is capable of navigating rugged terrains, including climbing stairs, hills, and obstacles.
- It can function in temperatures ranging from -40°C to +55°C and carry a 15 kg payload.
- The Army has inducted 100 robotic mules under the fourth tranche of emergency procurements (EP), carried out between September 2022 and September 2023, to enhance its logistics and mobility in difficult terrains.
Peak Pods – High-Altitude Shelters:
- DTECH 360 Innovations showcased its Peak Pods, specially designed tents for sub-zero environments.
- These shelters can maintain an internal temperature of 15°C even when external temperatures drop to -40°C, without requiring fuel or electricity.
- The Peak Pod features an inbuilt bio-toilet, providing a sustainable and holistic living solution for high-altitude regions.
- It has been tested by the Indian Army at various high-altitude locations, such as Leh, Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), and Durbuk, to assess its effectiveness. The trials at DBO are ongoing.
- These tents are also lightweight, easily transportable in 30 kg blocks, and ideal for military bases, disaster relief camps, and even adventure tourism.
Logistics Drones:
- Drone-A-Thon 2 featured a competition that tested the capabilities of various Indian drone manufacturers for high-altitude logistics. The winning drone was the CargoMax 4000Q by Scandron Pvt Ltd.
- This drone successfully completed a challenge that required it to take off from 15,400 feet, carry 20 kg of cargo, cross the Wari La Pass at 18,000 feet, and return.
- The CargoMax 4000Q can carry 50 kg over a distance of 10 km and will be tested further at Umling La (altitude of over 19,000 feet) in October.
Strategic Importance:
- Since the 2020 standoff with China in Eastern Ladakh, the Indian Army has been focusing on procuring advanced technologies to improve logistics and sustainability in high-altitude areas.
- These technologies, particularly the robotic mule, high-altitude shelters, and logistics drones, are critical for enhancing the operational capabilities of the Army in remote, rugged terrains.
Significance
- The technologies displayed at the Himtech symposium in Leh reflect the growing emphasis on innovation and self-reliance in India’s defence sector, especially for high-altitude and extreme environment operations.
- These innovations will likely improve the Army’s efficiency, logistics, and survivability in challenging regions like Siachen and other high-altitude bases.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ | ||||||||
Q3. Match the following technologies with their correct descriptions:
Select the correct option: A. 1-B, 2-C, 3-A |
Q. With reference to Web 3-0, consider the following statements: (2022) 1. Web 3-0 technology enables people to control their own data. 2. In Web 3-0 world, there can be blockchain based social networks. 3. Web 3-0 is operated by users collectively rather than a corporation. Which of the statements given above are correct? Ans: (d) |
| Answer 3 A
Explanation
|
India to launch its first mission to Venus in 2028
Source: Indian Express
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/india-venus-mission-9584146/
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS 3- Science and Technology
Context: India’s first mission to Venus
Why in news
- The Union Cabinet approved India’s first mission to Venus which ISRO aims to launch in March 2028.
Overview
- Launch Date: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) aims to launch the Venus mission in March 2028.
- Significance: This mission marks India’s second interplanetary endeavor, following the successful Mars Orbiter Mission launched in 2013. The goal is to study Venus from orbit, focusing on its surface, atmosphere, and interactions with solar radiation.
Importance of Studying Venus
- Earth’s Twin: Venus is often referred to as Earth’s twin due to its similar size, mass, and density. Studying Venus can provide insights into Earth’s own evolution and climate history.
- Historical Water Presence: Venus is believed to have had water at some point in its history. Understanding how it transitioned from a potentially habitable environment to a dry, inhospitable planet can reveal important information about planetary climates.
Key Characteristics of Venus
- Extreme Surface Temperature: The surface temperature on Venus averages around 462°C (864°F), hotter than Mercury, due to a runaway greenhouse effect. Water vapor likely evaporated, trapping heat and creating a hotter environment.
- High Atmospheric Pressure: The atmospheric pressure on Venus is approximately 92 times that of Earth, akin to the pressure found at depths of about 900 meters in Earth’s oceans.
- Composition of Atmosphere: Venus’s atmosphere consists of 96.5% carbon dioxide and has clouds of sulfuric acid, making it extremely hostile.
- Slow Rotation: A single rotation of Venus takes about 243 Earth days, which is longer than its orbital period around the Sun (225 Earth days).
Mission Specifications
- Path to Venus: The mission will utilize a gravitational assist from Earth to reach Venus, making the timing of the launch crucial as Earth and Venus align for the shortest travel path approximately every 19 months.
- Payload Capacity: The mission will carry scientific instruments weighing around 100 kg, comprising both Indian and international payloads.
Aero-Braking Technique
- Definition: Aero-braking is a technique used to slow down a spacecraft by passing it through a planet’s atmosphere, creating drag that reduces its velocity.
- Implementation: For this mission, the spacecraft will enter a highly elliptical orbit around Venus (500 km x 60,000 km) and will use aero-braking to lower its orbit to either 300 km x 300 km or 200 km x 600 km.
- Process: The spacecraft will skim the outer atmosphere at a height of about 140 km, which will create drag and gradually lower its orbit. This process is critical as it conserves fuel while ensuring the satellite reaches the desired orbit.
Scientific Payloads
- The mission will include several experiments to analyze various aspects of Venus:
- Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR): An L and S band SAR will provide detailed imaging of the Venusian surface.
- Thermal Camera: This will study the thermal characteristics of the surface and atmosphere.
- Interplanetary Dust Study: An experiment will investigate the flow of interplanetary dust particles impacting Venus.
- Atmospheric Composition and Dynamics: Payloads will analyze the composition, structure, and thermal state of the atmosphere, as well as high-energy particles contributing to its ionization.
Global Context and Competitors
- Numerous countries have previously conducted missions to Venus, including the United States, the former USSR, and Japan. Currently, future missions include:
- NASA: Plans for DaVinci (2029) and Veritas (2031) missions to study Venus’s atmosphere and surface.
- European Space Agency (ESA): The EnVision mission is scheduled for 2030 to investigate the planet’s geological evolution.
Significance
- India’s Venus mission is poised to enhance our understanding of both Venus and Earth’s climatic evolution.
- With its innovative use of aero-braking and a suite of scientific instruments, the mission aims to unlock the mysteries of one of Earth’s closest planetary neighbors.
- As the mission approaches its launch date, it reflects India’s growing capabilities in space exploration and commitment to contributing to global scientific knowledge.
What is Venus?
- It is named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty. It is the second planet from the Sun and sixth in the solar system in size and mass.
- It is the second brightest natural object in the night sky after the Moon.
- Unlike the other planets in our solar system, Venus and Uranus spin clockwise on their axis.
- It is the hottest planet in the solar system because of the high concentration of carbon dioxide which works to produce an intense greenhouse effect.
- A day on Venus is longer than a year. It takes Venus longer to rotate once on its axis than to complete one orbit of the Sun.
- That’s 243 Earth days to rotate once – the longest rotation of any planet in the Solar System – and only 224.7 Earth days to complete one orbit of the Sun.
- Venus has been called Earth’s twin because of the similarities in their masses, sizes, and densities and their similar relative locations in the solar system.
- No planet approaches closer to Earth than Venus; at its nearest it is the closest large body to Earth other than the Moon.
- Venus has 90 times the atmospheric pressure of Earth.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
Q4. What technique will the upcoming Venus mission employ for the first time in India’s space exploration?
A) 1 and 2 |
Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched? (2014)
Spacecraft Purpose
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only Ans: (b) |
| Answer 4 B
Explanation
|
California’s new anti-deepfake bill and manipulated political ads control
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS 2– International Relations
Context: California’s new anti-deepfake bill
Why in News
- The recent events involving California Governor Gavin Newsom and Elon Musk have brought the issue of AI-generated deepfake content into focus, particularly in the context of elections.
Background:
- In late July 2024, Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), shared a deepfake video of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. In the video, Harris falsely referred to herself as a “diversity hire.”
- This AI-generated content stirred controversy, leading to criticism from various quarters, including California’s Governor Gavin Newsom.
- Musk defended himself, claiming the video was a parody, which is protected under free speech laws in the United States.
The Issue with Deepfakes:
- Deepfakes are AI-generated videos or images that manipulate or alter content to create false or misleading impressions.
- These can be highly dangerous, especially in the context of elections, where such media can spread disinformation, manipulate public opinion, and undermine the democratic process.
- In response to the viral deepfake involving Harris, Newsom promised action to regulate this growing threat.
- On September 18, 2024, he announced that California had taken legal steps to combat deepfakes in election campaigns.
The New Anti-Deepfake Legislation:
- Governor Newsom signed three key bills aimed at tackling the issue of deepfakes in election-related content.
- These laws focus on the distribution of deceptive content and set new rules for the use of AI in creating political ads.
- AB 2655: Defending Democracy from Deepfake Deception Act of 2024
- This bill focuses on online platforms like X, requiring them to remove or label election-related deepfakes during specific periods.
- Platforms must act against materially deceptive content related to elections, such as deepfakes and manipulated videos, both before and after elections.
- Large online platforms are obligated to ensure such content is clearly marked as inauthentic, fake, or false to avoid misleading the public.
- AB 2839: Expanding the Period of Restrictions on Deceptive Media
- This bill expands the time frame during which election-related deceptive AI content cannot be distributed.
- It strengthens the window for preventing manipulated or deepfake election ads from circulating, ensuring that voters are not misled during crucial moments in an election cycle.
- AB 2355: Political Reform Act of 1974: Political Advertisements: Artificial Intelligence
- This bill requires that electoral ads containing AI-generated or altered content must clearly disclose that they have been modified or created by AI.
- For example, a video or image altered using AI must include a statement like “Ad generated or substantially altered using artificial intelligence” to inform viewers of the content’s authenticity.
These bills allow regulators and law enforcement to intervene if deceptive content is spread. Platforms can face legal consequences if they fail to take action on deepfakes or misleading AI content.
The Impact on Social Media Platforms and Elections:
- These new laws aim to address a growing problem in election integrity: the use of AI to create misleading, false, or exaggerated content that can influence voters.
- Newsom highlighted that the spread of deepfakes undermines the trust in democracy and poses a significant risk in today’s politically charged environment.
- Tech companies are already taking steps to counter deepfakes.
- For example, some AI companies use filters and content restrictions to block deepfakes of election candidates, public officials, and other high-profile figures.
- Search engines and social media platforms are also required to label AI-generated content with watermarks or other identifiers to prevent misinformation from spreading unchecked.
Controversies and Challenges:
- While Musk claims that his repost of the Kamala Harris deepfake was protected under parody laws, the AB 2655 bill exempts satirical or parody content from the restrictions on deepfakes.
- However, in Musk’s case, the original post did not clearly label the video as parody, leading to confusion.
- Musk, who has over 180 million followers, shared the video without adding disclaimers or content notes, which could have alerted viewers that the video was a deepfake.
- His defense that the video was a parody was not enough to exempt him from criticism, as the content was not properly labeled, leaving many unaware that it was not real.
- While Musk has since shared a version of the video clearly marked as parody, his actions demonstrate how deepfakes can easily circulate without proper context or disclaimers, causing disinformation to spread rapidly.
What Happens If Someone Violates the New Laws?
- The bills outline measures for handling violations, but it remains to be seen how they will be enforced in practice.
- As these laws were signed just 50 days before the U.S. election, it may take time to evaluate their effectiveness.
- In cases where content violates the new regulations, the penalties for non-compliance may not be severe. For instance, while AB 2355 requires that AI-altered content carries a disclosure, violations of this rule do not constitute a misdemeanor.
- However, repeated violations could lead to legal action against platforms like X, especially as California’s laws continue to evolve. This could eventually affect X’s standing with advertisers and its reputation among content regulators.
Conclusion:
- California’s new bills mark an important step in regulating deepfake content in the context of elections, ensuring that voters are protected from misleading and deceptive media.
- While platforms like X may try to defend deepfakes under parody protections, the laws set a clear precedent that deceptive AI-generated content, particularly in politics, will not be tolerated.
- As the 2024 election approaches, it will be critical to monitor how effectively these laws curb the spread of disinformation and how tech companies respond to the new regulations.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
| Q5. Which of the following statements regarding California’s anti-deepfake laws is correct?
1. The laws require platforms to remove or label election-related deepfakes during specific periods before and after elections. Select the correct answer using the code given below: A. 1 and 2 |
. With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? (2020)
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only Ans: (b) |
| Answer 5 B
Explanation
|