Daily Current Affairs UPSC 25, 26 and 27 May 2024

Silence Period

• The Silence Period is a period of time where political campaigning is banned before voting in Lok Sabha elections.
• It begins 48 hours before the voting day and ends after polling has concluded.
• Prohibitions under the Representation of People Act 1951 during the Silence Period:
• Section 126 (1) prohibits displaying election matter on television or similar apparatus, or propagating election matters through entertainment like musical concerts.
• Section 126A prohibits conducting Exit polls and displaying their results through print or electronic media.
• Section 126(1)(b) prohibits displaying the results of any Opinion Poll on electronic media.

Project 28

• INS Kiltan, a Project 28 (P28) ASW Corvette, visited Brunei as part of operational deployment.
• P28 aimed to build 4 indigenous ASW corvettes or Kamorta class ships.
• Features of ASW corvettes include anti-aircraft guns, torpedo launcher, early warning and fire control radars.
• ASW corvettes can be deployed in nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare conditions.
• Utilized indigenously developed special high strength warship grade steel type DMR 249A.
• Designed by Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design.
• Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata.
• Ships include INS Kamorta, INS Kadmatt, INS Kiltan, and INS Kavaratti.

Cost Inflation Index (CII)

CBDT Notification of CII for FY 2024-25

• CBDT has notified the Cost Inflation Index (CII) for the financial year 2024-25.
• CII is used to calculate long-term capital gains (LTCG) on the sale of capital assets.
• LTCG is the profit made from selling a capital asset held for 12 to 36 months.

Significance of CII

• CII is an important factor in determining the taxable gains from the sale of capital assets.
• It helps taxpayers adjust for inflation when calculating their gains.
• CII is notified annually under the Income-tax Act (1961) to ensure accurate computation of LTCG.

Nephrotic Syndrome

1. Anti-nephrin autoantibodies as biomarker for Nephrotic syndrome. Scientists found that anti-nephrin autoantibodies can be used as a biomarker to monitor the progression of Nephrotic syndrome.

1. Biomarkers are measures used in clinical assessments, similar to blood pressure readings.

2. Nephrotic Syndrome Overview.

1. Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder that results in excessive protein loss from the blood into the urine.
2. The syndrome causes scarring or damage to the filtering part of the kidneys known as glomeruli.
3. Glomeruli are tiny blood vessels that filter waste and excess water from the blood, sending them to the bladder as urine.
4. Causes of nephrotic syndrome can include various disorders that affect different parts of the body, such as diabetes and lupus.

Periyar River

Recent mass fish deaths reported in Periyar River.

Periyar River Overview

• Perennial and longest river in Kerala.
• Originates from Sivagiri Hills of Western Ghats.
• Flows through Periyar Tiger Reserve and reaches Periyar Lake (man-made reservoir).
• Water then flows into Vembanad Lake and Arabian Sea.
• Tributaries include Muthirapuzhayar, Mullayar, Cheruthoni, Perinjankutti, and Edamala.
• Major dams on Periyar basin: Idukki, Mullaperiyar, Edamalayar.
• Kaladi, Birthplace of Shankaracharya, located on the bank of Periyar.

AI Krish and AI Bhoomi

D Kisan is set to introduce two AI anchors named AI Krish and AI Bhoomi.D

• Human-like Abilities: These AI anchors can work around the clock, reading news and providing information on agriculture.
• Information Provided: AI Krish and AI Bhoomi will offer updates on ongoing research, market trends, weather changes, and more in agriculture.
• Multilingual Capabilities: The AI anchors can communicate in fifty national and international languages.

Establishment of DD Kisan

• Government Initiative: DD Kisan was established in 2015 by the Government of India to keep farmers informed about weather changes, global markets, and local market trends.

Ghughwa National Fossils Park

Ancient tools crafted from fossilized wood were discovered at Ghughwa National Fossils Park, suggesting that early humans used petrified tree trunks as a source for making tools.

Prehistoric artefacts made from fossil wood found in Ghughwa National Fossil Park

• Location: Dindori district, Madhya Pradesh.
• Landscape: Tropical dry deciduous.
• Recognized as a National Park in 1983.

Key Features of Ghughwa National Fossil Park

• Contains plants in fossil form that existed in India between 40 million and 150 million years ago.
• Notable discoveries include preserved fossils of woody plants, climbers, leaves, flowers, fruits, and a dinosaur egg fossil. Indicates use of fossilised tree trunks as raw materials for tools by early men.

Astrosat

• AstroSat observations have revealed irregular emission of high energy X-ray photons from a Black Hole X-Ray Binary system (BH-XRB).
• BH-XRB system consists of a black hole and a companion star locked in gravitation.

About AstroSat

• Launched by ISRO in 2015 using PSLV-C30 in Low Earth Orbit.
• India's first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory.
• Aims to study celestial sources in X-ray, optical, and UV spectral bands simultaneously.
• Has five payloads for multi-wavelength observations.
• Objectives include understanding high energy processes in binary star systems, detecting new transient X-ray sources, and studying star birth regions.

Papua New Guinea (Capital: Port Moresby)

A huge landslide has struck the nation.

Political Boundaries:

• The country is an island nation located in the south-western Pacific Ocean along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
• It includes the eastern half of New Guinea, the world's second largest island, as well as the Bismarck Archipelago, Bougainville, Buka, and many small offshore islands.
• The country stretches from just south of the Equator to the Torres Strait.

Geographical Features:

• The country is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it prone to natural disasters like landslides.
• Some major rivers in the country include the Sepik, Fly, and Strickland rivers.
• The highest peak in the country is Mount Wilhelm.

Advancing Tax Justice in India

The World Inequality Lab has published a new paper as a continuation of their previous study titled 'Income and Wealth Inequality in India, 1922-2023: The Rise of the Billionaire Raj' which was released in March 2024.

• The paper proposes a tax package for the ultra-wealthy in India that could generate revenue between 2.5% - 5% of GDP.
• This revenue would be used to fund social sectors like health and education to facilitate redistribution of wealth.

Income and Wealth Inequality Trends in India

• The paper discusses the historical trends of income and wealth inequality in India, noting a decline post-independence, a rise in the 1980s, and a significant increase since the 2000s.
• Income Inequality: The top 1% of earners now make up 22.6% of total pre-tax national income, a significant increase from 7.3% in 1980, while the bottom 50% only earn 15%.
• Wealth Inequality: The top 1% now control over 40% of total wealth, up from 12.5% in 1980, while the bottom 50% hold only 6.4% of total wealth.

Proposed Tax Package for the Ultra-Wealthy

• Wealth Tax: A 2% annual tax on net wealth exceeding Rs. 10 crores and a 4% tax for net wealth exceeding Rs. 100 crores.
• Inheritance Tax: A 33% inheritance tax on estates exceeding Rs. 10 crores in valuation and a 45% tax on estates exceeding Rs. 100 crores.

Impact of Economic Inequality:

• Perpetuation of Poverty & Deprivation.
• Social Unrest & Conflict.
• Reduced Social Mobility.
• Political Instability.
• Reduced Economic Growth.

"India's Dal Imports Surge to 6-Year High"

India saw an 84% increase in pulses imports in fiscal 2024, reaching the highest level in six years.

Increase in Pulses Imports in Fiscal Year 2024

• Quantity: India imported 4.65 million metric tons of pulses, the highest since fiscal 2018.
• Value: Imports jumped 93% to $3.75 billion.
• Reasons: Lower production led to duty-free imports of red lentils and yellow peas.

Pulses in India

• Global Ranking: India is the largest producer, consumer, and importer of pulses globally.
• Major Producing States: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka.
• Major Pulses: Chickpeas, Pigeon pea, Mungbeans, Urdbeans, Lentil, Peas, and various beans.
• Import Countries: Australia, Canada, Russia, Turkey, Tanzania, Sudan, Mozambique, Malawi, and Myanmar.
• Export Destinations: Bangladesh, China, UAE, USA, and Nepal.

Significance of Pulses

• Nutritional Value: Pulses are rich in protein and soluble fiber.
• Less Water Intensive: Over 80% of pulses are grown in rainfed regions.
• Sustainable Agriculture: Pulses improve soil fertility and reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers for climate change mitigation.

Initiatives to promote pulses cultivation:

National Food Security Mission (NFSM):

• Aimed at increasing pulse production through expanding cultivation areas and enhancing productivity.

Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PMAASHA):

• Procures oilseeds and pulses from registered farmers at Minimum Support Price to support their income.

Crop Diversification Programme (CDP):

• A sub-scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana in Green Revolution States to shift from water-intensive paddy crops to alternative crops like pulses.

"Hampi's Virupaksha Temple Suffers Collapse"

• The 'saalu mantap' of the Virupaksha temple collapsed due to heavy rains.
• The temple is dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, a form of Shiva, and is located in Hampi.
• The temple is part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• It showcases Dravida style of temple architecture with grand gopuras, Vimana, intricate carvings, and pillared halls.

History of Virupaksha Temple

• The temple was built over centuries with contributions from various dynasties.
• Inscriptions suggest that the earliest shrine dates back to the ninth-tenth centuries.
• The Vijayanagara Empire greatly expanded and transformed the temple into a major religious monument.
• Krishnadeva Raya constructed a hall in front of the main shrine and the eastern gopuram during his reign.

Features of Dravida Temple Architecture:

• Garbhagriha has a small tower: The oldest part of the temple typically has a smaller tower compared to the rest of the structure.
• Temple enclosed within compound wall: The temple is surrounded by a compound wall with an entrance gateway called Gopuram.
• Main temple tower shape: The main tower of the temple, known as Vimāna, resembles a stepped pyramid that rises geometrically instead of curving like the Shikhara of Nagara style.
• Dvarapalas sculptures: Sculptures of door-keepers can be found guarding the temple entrance.
• Water reservoir or temple tank: A large water reservoir or temple tank is often present within the temple compound.

 Protecting Traditional Knowledge: New Treaty Adopted

The member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have approved a groundbreaking new treaty. This is the first WIPO Treaty to focus on the connection between Intellectual Property (IP), Genetic Resources (GR), and Traditional Knowledge (TK), with provisions designed for Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

About the Treaty:

1. New disclosure requirement for patent applicants based on genetic resources (GR) and traditional knowledge (TK).

1. Must disclose country of origin or source of GR.
2. Must disclose indigenous peoples or local community that provided associated TK.

2. Membership open to any member states of WIPO.

3. Non-retroactivity clause: Does not apply to patents filed before the treaty comes into effect.

Need for the Treaty:

• Biopiracy refers to the unauthorized use of traditional knowledge for profit without permission or compensation to indigenous people.
• Genetic resources from medicinal plants and crops are often used in patented inventions, even though the resources themselves cannot be patented.
• Traditional Knowledge is sometimes incorporated into scientific research and patent development without recognition or compensation to the indigenous communities.

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO):

• WIPO was established in 1967 through the WIPO Convention, which transformed the earlier BIPRI into WIPO.
• WIPO is a specialized UN Agency that serves as a global forum for intellectual property services, policy, information, and cooperation.
• WIPO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
• WIPO has 193 member states, including India.
• WIPO administers treaties such as the Berne Convention, Washington Treaty, Paris Convention, Singapore Treaty on the Law of Trademarks, etc.

Protection of GR and TK in India:

• Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
• Patents Act, 1970.
• Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
• Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act, 2001.
• Traditional Knowledge Digital Library.

"Russia and India Strengthen Nuclear Ties"

During the visit of the Chairman of India's Atomic Energy Commission to the "Proryv" project site in Tomsk region, Russia, discussions were held on potential areas for increasing nuclear cooperation.

Expansion of Nuclear Cooperation between India and Russia

• Project Proryv aims to create a new technological platform with a closed nuclear fuel cycle to address issues related to spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste.
• The nuclear fuel cycle consists of the Front End, Service Period, and Back End stages, with the closed cycle involving reprocessing and recycling of spent fuel.

Perspective Areas for Russia-India Nuclear Cooperation

• Serial construction of high-capacity nuclear power units in India based on Russian designs.
• Collaboration in the nuclear fuel cycle sector and non-power applications.
• Implementation of floating nuclear power plants as a potential area of cooperation.

Floating Nuclear Power Plants (FNPP)

• FNPPs are platforms at sea with one or more nuclear reactors, often utilizing Small Modular Reactors for clean electricity, heat, and desalinated water.
• Russia currently operates the Akademik Lomonosov, the only operational FNPP in the world.
• Benefits of FNPPs include low-carbon power and heat production, reduced construction costs, and increased resilience to earthquakes.

Current India-Russia Nuclear Cooperation:

• The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Russia's Rosatom signed an agreement in 2014 to enhance cooperation in the peaceful use of atomic energy.
• A "Programme of Action" was also signed to localize manufacturing in India for Russian-designed nuclear power plants.
• The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) in Tamil Nadu is being constructed with assistance from Russia.
• KKNPP Units 1 and 2 are already operational, with four more units currently under construction.

Fire Safety Concerns Sparked in Delhi and Rajkot

Recent fires at a private hospital in Delhi and an indoor gaming center in Rajkot have reignited discussions about fire safety in India. According to the National Crime Records Bureau report for 2022, over 7,500 fire accidents resulted in the deaths of 7,435 people in India.

Challenges in preventing fire outbreaks

• Absence of uniform safety legislation: Fire safety operations in India are managed by municipalities, which often lack resources due to the decentralized nature of fire services.
• Inadequate Fire Services: The Central Government has reported a significant shortage of fire stations and personnel in India, making it difficult to respond effectively to fire incidents.
• Poor Compliance: Many establishments, such as the hospital in Delhi and the gaming centre in Rajkot, fail to meet basic fire safety requirements, putting lives at risk.
• Suboptimal government oversight: Despite weak inspections and audits revealing critical shortcomings, follow-up actions to improve fire safety are rare in India.

Other Initiatives Taken for Fire Safety:

• The Centre launched a scheme in 2023 to expand and modernize fire services in the States until 2025-26.
• A model bill for the maintenance of fire and emergency services in the States was circulated by the Centre.
• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) released guidelines on scaling, equipment types, and training for fire services in the country.