Daily Current Affairs UPSC 08 May 2024

Border Roads Organisation (BRO)

BRO's 65th Raising Day Celebration

• BRO, short for Border Roads Organisation, recently celebrated its 65th Raising Day.
• The organization was established in 1960 under the Ministry of Defence with the purpose of building and maintaining roads in India's border regions.
• BRO's first project was Project Tusker, later renamed as Vartak, in the eastern region of India.

Functions of BRO

• BRO not only works on road infrastructure in border regions but also in various Indian states like Bihar and Maharashtra, as well as in friendly neighboring countries such as Bhutan, Myanmar, and Afghanistan.
• The organization plays a crucial role in supporting the Indian Army by maintaining roads in forward zones during national emergencies and times of hostilities.
• BRO also contributes to the Indian Air Force by rehabilitating airfields when needed.

Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR)

Maharashtra's Plan to Relocate Tigers to Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.

Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) Overview

• Located in the Sahyadri Ranges of Western Ghats in Maharashtra.
• Spread over Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, and Ratnagiri districts in western Maharashtra.
• Notified in 2010 by merging Koyana Sanctuary and Chandoli National Park.
• Habitat includes woodlands, grasslands, and plateaus (Sadaa).
• Flora consists of Subtropical Hill Forests, Semi-evergreen Forests, and Deciduous Forests.
• Fauna includes tigers, Atlas Moth, Moon Moth, endangered butterflies, Blue finned Mahasheer fish, and Hornbills.

Darfur Crisis

Hunger Crisis in Darfur

• The UN has reported that people in Darfur are resorting to eating grass and peanut shells due to the hunger crisis in Sudan.
• This crisis has been exacerbated by the civil war that began in April 2023, leading to clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

About Darfur

• Darfur is a region in western Sudan that shares borders with Libya, Chad, and the Central African Republic.
• The recent increase in violence is linked to the RSF surrounding North Darfur's capital, El Fasher.
• The RSF's actions have also blocked aid convoys from reaching Darfur through the humanitarian corridor that passes through El Fasher and the Tine border crossing in Chad.

Provisioning

RBI Draft Guidelines on Provisioning for Project Finance

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued draft guidelines on provisioning for lenders involved in project finance.
• According to the guidelines, lenders must maintain 5% provisions on exposures to projects that are still under implementation at different stages.

Provisioning

• Banks in India are required to allocate funds for a certain percentage of their assets.
• This involves setting aside a specific amount of money from their profits to cover potential losses.

Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA)

RBI Eases FEMA Norms for Foreign Investment in Derivatives

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made changes to the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) to make it easier for foreign investors to invest in derivatives.
• Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is based on underlying assets.

Overview of FEMA

• FEMA was introduced as a replacement for the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) of 1973.
• The main goal of FEMA is to support external trade and payments and to promote the orderly development of foreign exchange markets in India.
• There are two main categories of foreign exchange transactions: capital account transactions and current account transactions.
• The Liberalized Remittances Scheme allows residents to send money abroad for any permissible current or capital account transactions.

West Nile Virus (WNV)

West Nile Fever Cases Reported in Kerala

• West Nile Virus (WNV) Overview.
• Isolation: Discovered in 1937 in Uganda.
• Virus Family: Belongs to the flavivirus genus.
• Vectors: Spread through infected mosquito bites, particularly from the Culex genus
• Natural Hosts: Birds.
• Health Risks: Can lead to serious neurological illnesses and death, although many infected individuals show no symptoms.
• Vaccination: Vaccines exist for horses but not for humans.

Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)

CEO of OpenAI is dedicated to developing AGI.

Definition of AGI

• AGI is a theoretical form of AI that can understand, learn, and apply knowledge like humans.
• It aims to have intelligence comparable to human intelligence.

AGI vs AI

• AGI is a more generalized form of intelligence not limited to specific tasks.
• AI, or narrow AI, is designed for specific tasks like image recognition, translation, and playing games.

Virtual Touch

Importance of Teaching Minors about 'Virtual Touch'

• The Delhi High Court has emphasized the importance of educating minors about 'virtual touch' to help them recognize risks in cyberspace.
• 'Virtual touch' involves teaching appropriate online behavior, recognizing warning signs of predatory behavior, and understanding privacy settings and online boundaries.
• It promotes critical thinking skills for assessing online contacts and is essential for minors in the digital age.

Inclusion of 'Virtual Touch' in School Curriculum

• Schools should include education on 'virtual touch' and its dangers in their curriculum to help students navigate the online world safely.
• Just as children are taught about good and bad touch in the physical world, understanding 'virtual touch' is crucial for minors in today's digital age.

Tileswari Koch (1930 -1942)

Early Life:

• Father: Bhabakanta Barua
• Birthplace: Nij-Borgaon village on the outskirts of Dhekiajuli (Sonitpur district) Assam.

Contributions:

• She was shot by the British on September 20, 1942, during the Quit India Movement while trying to hoist the Tricolour at a police station in Dhekiajuli, along with other freedom fighters.
• This incident is sometimes referred to as the Dhekiajuli martyrdom, and the procession of freedom fighters to hoist the flag is known as mrityu vahini (suicide squad) led by Monbor Nath.

Honour:

• Dhekiajuli town commemorates September 20 as Martyrs’ Day in her honor.

Values:

• She exemplified values such as courage, justice, and valour through her actions.

"UHI Effects and Pollutants: A Study"

Urban Heat Island (UHI) Study Findings by NIT Trichy

• NIT Trichy's study shows that urban areas have higher pollutant concentrations compared to rural areas.
• Aerosols, Carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3) directly contribute to the UHI phenomenon.

Understanding Urban Heat Island (UHI)

• UHI occurs when cities are significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas.
• The effect can increase temperatures by 5°C to 10°C, worsening heat waves.

Causes of UHI:

• Reduced natural landscapes in urban areas lead to heat-absorbing surfaces.
• Urban geometry traps heat due to structures and surfaces obstructed by buildings.
• Human activities like vehicles and industrial facilities generate heat.

Impacts of UHI

• Higher energy consumption due to increased need for air conditioning.
• Health issues like respiratory problems, sunstroke, and dehydration.

Solutions for UHI

• Using high albedo and cool surface materials can mitigate the impact of UHI.
• Implementing urban greenery and green roofs can also help reduce the effects of UHI.

 "Rising Threat: AI-Powered Disinformation"

Artificial Intelligence-Generated Fake Content in Recent Elections

• Fake audio and video clips created by artificial intelligence have been used in national elections worldwide.
• Disinformation is the intentional spread of misleading or biased information by various groups.
• Criminals, terrorist/extremist groups, and state-sponsored actors use disinformation to spread propaganda and incite violence.
• Information technology has played a significant role in the spread of disinformation.

Challenges Posed by Disinformation

• Curtailing Human Rights: Disinformation interferes with the right to freedom of thought and expression.
• Weakening Trust in Democratic Institutions: Misinformation can sway public opinion and influence democracy.
• Polarization of Society: Disinformation often seeks to divide society along political or social lines.
• Digital Violence and Repression: Non-state actors use coercive information tactics like cyberbullying.

Way Forward

• Technological Solutions: Using AI and machine learning to identify and filter out false information.
• Collaboration between governments, technology companies, and civil organizations for effective regulation.
• Threat monitoring and regular technological system updates.
•  International cooperation for sharing best practices and intelligence.

Steps Taken

• Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021: Social media platforms are required to remove fact-checked content.
• Information Technology (IT) Act, 2008: Penalties for spreading fake news through electronic communication.
• Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023: Provisions for addressing fake news through electronic means.

"World Bank's Plan for Net Zero Emissions in Agrifood"

Global Roadmap for Mitigating Agrifood System's Climate Change Contributions

• The report provides a comprehensive plan to reduce the impact of the agrifood system on climate change.
• The agrifood system includes all stages of food production from farming to consumption, as well as non-food products like forestry and animal rearing.

Key Findings on Agrifood Emissions

• Agrifood activities contribute nearly one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions.
• Developing countries, particularly China, Brazil, and India, are the top emitters of agrifood emissions.
• In India, 60% of emissions come from the farm gate, mainly due to enteric fermentation in livestock.
• Climate Financing for Agrifood Systems : Despite a doubling of climate financing over the last decade, only 4.3% is allocated to agrifood projects. To halve agrifood emissions by 2030 and achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050, annual investments need to increase to $260 billion.
• The greatest potential for mitigation lies in carbon sequestration in agriculture, such as reducing enteric fermentation and improving fertilizer efficiency.

Revolutionizing the Agrifood System:

ransformatInvestments for Agrifood System Tion

• Leveraging climate finance and blended financing can enhance the effectiveness of investments in the agrifood system.
• Increasing corporate accountability can ensure that investments are directed towards sustainable practices.

Repurposing Subsidies for Agrifood System Transformation

• Redirecting harmful subsidies towards mitigation technologies in the agrifood system can help drive sustainable practices.
• This shift in incentives can encourage the adoption of environmentally friendly technologies.

Access to Information in the Agrifood Value Chain

• Utilizing digital technologies to provide faster access to information can motivate farmers to adopt sustainable production tools.
• This increased transparency can lead to more informed decision-making in the agrifood value chain.

Innovative Mitigation Technologies in the Agrifood System

• Implementing innovative technologies such as chemical methane inhibitors and indoor farming methods can help reduce emissions.
• These technologies, including feed additives from red seaweed and precision machinery, can contribute to a more sustainable agrifood system.

Creating "Green Jurisdictions" for Climate Action

• Establishing "green jurisdictions" where subnational entities collaborate on climate action can drive systemic change.
• By working together, these jurisdictions can implement policies and initiatives that support sustainable practices in the agrifood system.

Ensuring Inclusion in Agrifood System Transformation

• Prioritizing the needs of vulnerable groups and smallholder farmers is essential for reducing emissions while maintaining livelihoods.
• Ensuring jobs, good health, and food security for all stakeholders can lead to a more inclusive and sustainable agrifood system.

"India's Milestone: Net Exporter of Medical Consumables"

Export and Import Trends in MedTech Sector

• The Department of Pharmaceuticals reported that exports of consumables and disposables exceeded imports last year, but the overall MedTech sector saw an increase in imports.
• The surge in imports was mainly driven by countries like the US, China, and Germany.

Overview of MedTech Sector

• MedTech, or Medical Technology, is a healthcare segment that involves designing and producing various medical products for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
• Major categories include disposables and consumables, electronics and equipment, and surgical instruments and implants.

India's MedTech Sector

a. Current Status:

• India's MedTech sector is expected to grow by 28% annually, reaching a size of US$50 billion by 2030.
• India is the 4th largest market for medical devices in Asia and ranks among the top 20 globally.

b. Challenges:

• Indian companies primarily focus on producing low-end products like syringes, needles, catheters, and blood collection tubes.
• Around 65% of medical device manufacturers in India are domestic players in the consumables segment, serving mainly local demand.
• Cost competitiveness, quality assurance, and regulatory issues are significant obstacles.

c. Way Ahead:

• Emphasize quality, promote partnerships among stakeholders, and increase investment in research and innovation.

Enhancing Competitiveness in India's Med-Tech Sector:

a. Promotion of Domestic Manufacturing of Medical Devices through PLI Scheme.

• The government has implemented a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to encourage domestic manufacturing of medical devices in India. This initiative aims to boost the competitiveness of the Med-Tech sector by providing incentives to manufacturers.

b. Establishment of Medical Devices Parks in States.

• The approval of 4 Medical Devices Parks in different states will create dedicated infrastructure for the manufacturing of medical devices. This will help in improving the competitiveness of the sector by providing a conducive environment for production.

c. Facilitation of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the Medical Devices Sector.

• Allowing 100% FDI through the automatic route for the medical devices sector will attract foreign investment and technology transfer. This will enhance the competitiveness of the sector by bringing in new technologies and expertise.

d. Introduction of National Medical Devices Policy in 2023.

• The launch of the first National Medical Devices Policy in 2023 will provide a comprehensive framework for the development of the sector. This policy will focus on promoting innovation, quality standards, and global competitiveness in the Med-Tech industry.

e. Draft National Policy on R&D and Innovation in the Pharma-MedTech Sector.

• The draft National Policy on R&D and Innovation in the Pharma-MedTech sector aims to promote research and development activities in the industry. This initiative will help in enhancing the competitiveness of the sector by fostering innovation and technological advancements.

"ISRO's Successful Pre-Burner Ignition Trial for SCE-200"

Importance of Ignition Process in Liquid Rocket Engine Systems

• The ignition process is crucial for the development of liquid rocket engine systems, with recent advancements achieved using a start fuel ampule developed by VSSC.

Semi-Cryogenic Engine (SCE) Development

• SCE uses liquid oxygen as an oxidizer and refined kerosene as fuel, with ISRO working on a powerful SCE that can produce a thrust of 2,000 kilonewtons.
• The aim of this SCE is to enhance the payload capacity of LVM3 and future launch vehicles, with LPSC in Bengaluru leading the development efforts.

Advantages of SCE Over Cryogenic Engines

• SCE engines offer benefits such as easy storage and handling of refined kerosene, increased thrust capacity, and being more eco-friendly and cost-effective compared to cryogenic engines.

"World Migration Report 2024 Released by IOM"

Global Displacement Trends

• Conflict and climate change are the main drivers of global displacement.
• There are approximately 281 million international migrants worldwide, with 117 million being displaced, the highest level ever recorded.

Climate Impact on Internal Migration in India

• Climate impacts are influencing internal migration from states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh in India.
• India is home to the largest number of international migrants (18 million), with many residing in countries like the UAE, USA, and Saudi Arabia.
• In 2022, India received over USD 111 billion in remittances, making it the top recipient country.

Challenges Faced by Migrants

• Limited migration pathways for individuals from less developed countries are leading to more people resorting to irregular migration.
• Migrants often face racism, xenophobia, criminalization, gender-based violence, and other human rights violations.

About the International Organization for Migration (IOM)

• Established in 1951 as part of the UN System, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
• IOM has 175 member states and aims to find solutions to displacement and facilitate regular migration pathways.
• One of IOM's key initiatives is the Global Compact For Migration.