Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• Old ties: India and Greece are finding new ways to revive an age-old relationship
• India needs comprehensive sexuality education
• Why was the WFI suspended by United World Wrestling?
• At Delhi summit, demonstrate climate leadership
• Keep Running – Athletics medal chances depend on not just picking winners but investing to create a large talent pool
• Too Few Seats For The Kotas
• Express View on India and AI regulation: The cutting edge
• A question of trusts – regulations of NGOs
• Leveraging India’s air power: A force to reckon with

GS Paper 3

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

Old ties: India and Greece are finding new ways to revive an age-old relationship

News: The article talks about a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. They wanted to make India-Greece relations stronger by starting a “Strategic Partnership,” improving trade, and talking about shared worries like sea security and getting back historical items.

What are the outcomes of the India-Greece Prime Minister meeting?

Strengthened Relations: Despite no Indian PM visiting Greece since 1983, the relationship remains warm.

Strategic Partnership: India and Greece decided to establish a new “Strategic Partnership”. Both countries announced plans for discussions between their National Security Advisers.

Migration and Mobility: They are looking into a skilled migration and mobility partnership.

Trade and Connectivity: They aim to finalize the India-European Union Free Trade Negotiation on Connectivity partnership.

Economic Aspirations: India’s PM wants India’s manufacturing growth to align with Greece’s goal to be an economic gateway to the EU.

Future Cooperation: The intent is to foster closer ties without long gaps in high-level meetings.

What common ground exists between India and Greece?

Common ground between India and Greece:

Historical Relations: Both countries share a past connection with Alexander’s invasion in 326 BCE.

Restoration of Artefacts: Both were plundered by colonial powers and are discussing the restoration of historical items. They’re considering collaborating through UNESCO for this.

Geopolitical Ties: Greece’s relations with Israel and Cyprus provide common ground, especially given Delhi-Ankara tensions.

Maritime Concerns: As former maritime powers, both nations share concerns over maintaining maritime security in line with international laws.

Shared Democratic Values: They represent the most populous democracy (India) and the first democracy (Greece), seeking to build upon these shared values.

India needs comprehensive sexuality education

News: In this article, the author talks about the need for thorough sex education in India to stop child abuse. They stress the importance of learning about consent and propose using local languages to explain it. The author also points out that schools, parents, and caregivers have a crucial role in this education.

What is sexual consent?

Sexual consent is a mutual agreement between individuals to engage in any form of intimate activity. It’s essential for maintaining healthy relationships and understanding boundaries.

Consent can be given, asked for, and withdrawn at any point. Many in India, especially teenagers and young adults, may not fully understand this concept.

There’s a need for clear language and education in regional languages to discuss and teach about consent and its significance.

Why is a better understanding of sexual consent important?

Better understanding of sexual consent is important because:

Protection from Abuse: The NCRB reported 51,863 cases under The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act in 2021, emphasizing the need for awareness.

Healthy Relationships: Understanding consent helps maintain respectful and mutual relationships.

Awareness Gaps: A Tinder study showed over 64% of young Mumbaikars hesitated around the concept of giving, asking for, or withdrawing consent.

Legal Implications: High Courts in Madras, Delhi, and Meghalaya have highlighted the frequent criminalization of consensual adolescent relationships, indicating the need for clarity.

Cultural Context: Historically, discussions around consent have been limited in India, making education essential for the diverse population.

Empowerment: Knowledge of consent empowers individuals, promoting their well-being, dignity, and human rights.

What are the challenges of sex education in India?

Challenges of sex education in India include:

Cultural Resistance: Some state governments and societal sections believe it violates “Indian values”.

Misunderstandings: Concerns about it “sexualizing” children have led to watered-down programs.

Language Barrier: Absence of vocabulary in regional languages for discussing concepts like consent.

Teacher Preparedness: UNESCO’s 2021 report indicates teachers often lack knowledge on diverse topics in sex education.

State Discretion: Each state in India can design its own curriculum, leading to varied levels of education quality.

What should be done?

Comprehensive Curriculum: Implement comprehensive sexuality education for children, parents, and caregivers.

Emphasize Consent: Develop clear language, especially in regional languages, to teach about sexual consent.

Early Start: UN global guidance suggests that comprehensive sexuality education should start at the age of five, paired with formal education.

Teacher Training: According to the UNESCO 2021 global status report, there’s a need to enhance teacher capacity to ensure they are equipped to address these diverse topics.

Incorporate NGOs: Models like Jharkhand’s Udaan can be integrated into the main education system.

Holistic Approach: Cover the broad relation between sexual health and human rights, not just legal aspects.

Why was the WFI suspended by United World Wrestling?

News: This article talks about the suspension of India’s Wrestling Federation (WFI) by United World Wrestling (UWW) because of delayed elections and accusations against the ex-president. This led Indian wrestlers to compete using the UWW flag instead of their own country’s flag.

What are the reasons for the suspension of India’s Wrestling Federation (WFI) by United World Wrestling (UWW)?

Election Delays and Legal Hurdles:

WFI didn’t conduct its elections on time.

The Gauhati High Court and Punjab and Haryana High Court imposed stays on elections due to demands from various state associations.

Allegations and Athlete Protection:

Wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat, alleged sexual harassment, intimidation, financial misconduct, and administrative lapses against former WFI president, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

The UWW Disciplinary Chamber highlighted concerns for the protection of athletes following these allegations.

Non-compliance with UWW Regulations:

The ongoing situation, coupled with the absence of an elected president and board, contradicted UWW’s membership conditions.

The chamber stressed the importance of restoring the federation’s normal operation.

What will be the impact of this suspension?

Representation: Indian wrestlers will compete under the UWW flag, not the Indian flag.

National Pride: No Indian national anthem will be played if a wrestler wins gold in UWW events, like the World championships in Belgrade.

Administration: In the absence of WFI’s elected body, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) appointed ad-hoc committee manages the federation.

What is the way forward?

Elections: Conduct WFI elections in a transparent, free, and fair manner to regain UWW’s trust.

Unified Approach: Different factions within WFI must recognize the sport’s damage and work cohesively for its betterment.

Limit Influences: Wrestlers aim to keep loyalists of Brij Bhushan, the former president, out of power to ensure a fair administration.

Inclusive Participation: Wrestlers have identified preferred candidates for the elections, implying active involvement in the decision-making process.

Address Grievances: Prioritize addressing allegations and concerns raised by wrestlers to restore faith and confidence in the federation.

At Delhi summit, demonstrate climate leadership

News: This article stresses the G-20 nations must work together for clean energy and climate goals. They point out the important G-20 summit in New Delhi as a chance for leaders to commit to fighting climate change.

About G-20 countries energy shifts

G-20’s Shift: Members increased their renewable energy mix from 19% in 2010 to 29% in 2021.

India’s Progress: Became the third-largest renewable energy producer, aiming for 50% renewable energy by 2030.

Support for Green Steel: G-20 produces 90% of global steel, highlighting the importance of transitioning to low-carbon steel production.

Unified Action: The upcoming G-20 summit in New Delhi is a crucial platform for countries to further commit to clean energy and climate goals.

What is needed by G-20 countries to create a significant energy shift?

1. Improving Energy Transitions in Governments

Set clear governance structures: Ensure processes are inclusive and results are equitable, avoiding siloed operations.

Emulate successful models: Take cues from South Africa’s just transition framework, which was spearheaded by the Presidential Climate Commission.

2. The Importance of Decarbonization

Industrial shift: As G-20 countries are responsible for 90% of steel production, there’s an urgent need to transition to low-carbon steel.

Green financial support: Encourage financial institutions to support renewable projects and embrace low-carbon technologies. For example, Green Public Procurement could be beneficial in achieving this.

3. The Need for Transparency in Energy Transitions

Accountability: G-20 countries should regularly disclose their progress on energy transitions to ensure they are on track.

Collaboration: Utilizing platforms such as the G-20 Energy Transitions and Sustainable Finance Working Groups, along with the Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JET-Ps), can assist countries in collaborating and exchanging best practices.

Keep Running – Athletics medal chances depend on not just picking winners but investing to create a large talent pool

News: The article explains the recent achievements by Indian athletes at the World Athletics Championships and more measures needed to enhance sports in India.

What are some of the recent achievements made by Indian athletes?

Neeraj Chopra won India’s first gold at the World Athletics Championships.

The men’s 4×400 relay team secured fifth place setting an Asian record.

Parul Chaudhary broke the national record and qualified for the Paris Olympics in women’s 3000m steeplechase.

What has enabled these achievements?

A decade ago, India’s global athletics performance wasn’t impressive.

However, recent success has been possible due to a model that links talented athletes with global trainers and resources. This model is supported by entities like JSW Foundation.

Moreover, the government has also increased the funding for the sports sector and has allowed top athletes to train according to their preferences.

Must Read: Sports sector in India: Issues and challenges – Explained

What lies ahead?

This approach has shortcomings, and it would only benefit a few.

Therefore, to enhance India’s sports sector – a) India’s basic sports infrastructure should be improved, b) sports organizations need to work better, c) talent scouts must be very good at finding talented athletes, and d) stakeholders should understand that, just like in technology, sports also involve substantial failure rates.

Too Few Seats For The Kotas

News– The news of more student suicides in Kota should worry us greatly about the increasing numbers of such deaths countrywide.

What are reasons behind the student suicides in Kota?

The tuition centers fees are high. It adds a significant financial load on numerous parents. The students understand the sacrifices their parents are making for their education. It initiates stress right from the outset.

These exams have a low acceptance rate, as low as 2%. Succeeding in these exams is an extremely difficult task. The pressure intensifies when the results of the entrance exams are announced.

Is student suicide issue limited to Kota only?

It’s important to recognize that this issue is not confined solely to Kota. In the year 2019, students accounted for 7.4% of all suicide-related deaths.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), more than 12,500 adolescents took their own lives in India in just the year 2020.

Kota has been particularly impacted. Nevertheless, the stress and suicides among students are a broader nationwide concern.

Way forward-

Indian parents- They should educate themselves on this matter. They should refrain from imposing your own aspirations onto your children. Becoming a doctor or an engineer is not the sole purpose of life. There are countless other career paths available.

Teachers– They should recognize the stubborn and narrow-minded nature of some Indian parents. They must guide students not only on how to study for these exams but also on how to approach them mentally.

Policymakers- They should understand why only a handful of government colleges are considered prestigious.

Despite India’s preference for private products and services, private colleges lack credibility and their intentions are often questioned.

Perhaps it’s time to open doors for foreign universities or establish partnerships between major Indian corporate entities and colleges. The goal should be to increase the availability of esteemed colleges and available seats.

Students- They should embrace the truth about life. It is challenging, uneven, and demanding. Failing an entrance exam might be disheartening.

Failures, setbacks, and injustices will reoccur. The solution isn’t to give up, but to adapt your goals, strategies, and actions.

Express View on India and AI regulation: The cutting edge

News– Indian government has decided to move in the direction of actively formulating regulations.

What is the approach followed by various jurisdictions for regulating AI?

European approach-  The regulatory structure aims to categorize artificial intelligence systems based on the level of risk they present. These levels of risk are divided into four groups: minimal, limited, high, and unacceptable.

This model also proposes the establishment of a European Artificial Intelligence Board responsible for supervising the enforcement of regulations.

Indian approach- A document published by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India in July outlined a potential structure for regulation.

It suggested the creation of an independent statutory body and a diverse stakeholder group comprising government, academia, and industry representatives to provide guidance.

The document put forward a matrix for classifying AI applications based on their risk levels and recommended regulating them in accordance with principles of responsible AI.

These principles encompassed inclusive growth, sustainable development, fairness, transparency, explainability, robustness, security, safety, and accountability.

The TRAI document also discusses the establishment of a global organization responsible for the “advancement, establishment of standards, and utilization of AI technology.”

Way forward-
The influence of AI is poised to extend beyond the realm of information technology. It is reaching various domains such as education, healthcare, and finance.

AI systems encompass matters ranging from privacy concerns to biases and inequities, security vulnerabilities, intellectual property entitlements. It demands a forward-thinking strategy.

Furthermore, regulatory structures cannot operate in isolation. AI’s impact is not confined by geographic limits. Effective global cooperation will be imperative as AI transcends geographical boundaries.

A question of trusts – regulations of NGOs

News: The government has tightened regulations for the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).

How has the government tightened regulation for the NGOs?

In the past seven months, over 100 NGOs have lost their licenses under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) as the government has imposed stricter disclosure requirements and established guidelines for fund utilization.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes has introduced changes to reporting rules, mandating that NGOs specify whether their activities are charitable, religious, or both in order to claim tax exemptions.

Additionally, in April 2023, the Income Tax Department issued 8,000 notices to large donors, citing concerns that these donations might be linked to tax evasion.

Why is the government cracking down on NGOs?

A 2022 report by the Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG), stated that about 21,000 unregistered charitable trusts took tax breaks between 2014-15 and 2017-18, which may have cost the exchequer Rs. 18,800 crores.

In 2014, an Intelligence Bureau report said some NGOs were negatively impacting economic development to the tune of 2-3 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), although no concrete data on NGOs’ economic contributions to India’s GDP exists.

What are the concerns?

The arbitrary nature of the FCRA-related license cancellations raises concerns about potential biases related to the organizations’ ideological affiliations.

Though punitive measures against corrupt trusts is justified, the current pressure being exerted on the voluntary sector is counterproductive.

NGOs and trusts play a crucial role in channeling private funds for development, especially when the government’s performance in this area is inconsistent.

The sector is also a major job creator, accounting for over five million jobs, according to the government data, and plays a key role in linking youth to the grassroots.

While individuals may donate substantial amounts to NGOs to benefit from tax incentives, these tax breaks are lawful. If money laundering is suspected, the tax department possesses the necessary tools to detect such flows.

What should be the way ahead?

Given the confusion over NGO activities, there’s a need for a streamlined law.

Charitable work should be as precisely defined as it is in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) laws. This narrow rule would exclude elements like advocacy that can create political controversies.

Discouraging a sector that contributes to development is not a constructive way to address India’s human development challenges.

Leveraging India’s air power: A force to reckon with

News– The article explains the increasing significance of airpower for India in context of Chinese national security strategy.

How is India recognising the importance of the air force?

The concept of national security is evolving from being limited to the land and sea domains. It is moving gradually towards a forward-looking strategy that encompasses multiple domains.

The involvement of the Indian Air Force in the regular border discussions with the Army signifies a significant advancement.

The agreement to procure 26 naval variants of the Rafale combat aircraft underscores the crucial role of air power in maritime settings.

It increases the interoperability between the land-based air capabilities of the IAF and the carrier-based air capabilities of the Navy.

New Delhi seems to recognize the pivotal role the Air Force plays in safeguarding India’s national and regional security, and its foreign policy objectives.

This is evident from the participation in seven air exercises this year alongside the air forces of the US, France, Japan, UK, Greece, the UAE, and the upcoming 12-nation mega air exercise planned for October-November.

It also signifies international acknowledgment of the IAF’s professional capabilities and the broader significance of air power in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific regions.

Why is the air force becoming a strategic necessity?

The capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force are increasing. Therefore, the utilisation of Indian air power for diplomatic signals and coercive actions in disputed aerial territories is necessary.

It’s a strategic necessity to deploy Indian air power in the Indian Ocean. It is a vital conduit for India’s trade, business, security interests, and regional stability.

China is persistent in its strategy of expansion to reclaim its historical territories and maritime areas. So, India’s border disputes with China are expected to become more intricate.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, hold great significance for Beijing.

These corridors address its Malacca Strait dilemma. From India’s standpoint, these routes provide China entry into the Indian Ocean and allows it to strategically enclose India’s eastern and western coastlines.

Both countries similarly recognize the strategic importance of the Gulf of Aden, Malacca Strait, and Sunda Strait.

What are the factors shaping the strategic outlook of China?

The United States’ utilisation of aircraft carriers has been politically influential in coercive diplomacy. It seems to have influenced China.

China’s economic power emanates from its ports and the two seas it borders.

Its security perspective is influenced by the strategic interests of nations, including the US, that traverse the regional waters and airspace for reconnaissance under the banner of “freedom of navigation.”

China aims to acquire aircraft carriers to surmount its geographical limitations, pursue its Taiwan reunification strategy, counter maritime assertions in the South and East China Seas, and safeguard its Pacific region sea routes.

What are the potential benefits of airpower for India?

Leveraging air power yields several advantages.

It includes establishing a distinctive hard power deterrent in the South China Sea, ensuring maritime and aerial freedom across the Indian Ocean region, and enabling aerial access to strategically positioned air bases in friendly neighbouring nations.

It also grants India the option of utilising its soft power by extending humanitarian aid and providing disaster relief.

GS Paper 3

Lessons from our lunar landing go far beyond science

News: Recently, India became the first country to land on the south polar region of the moon. This achievement has a lot of lessons to offer for everyone.

What are the lessons provided by the success of Chandrayaan-3?

Frugality: The success of Chandrayaan-3 emphasizes the benefits of limited budgets in promoting innovation and sustainability. This approach can also be applied to various sectors.

India’s lunar success proves that frugality and high ambition can go hand in hand.

Learning from Failure: Chandrayaan-2 and -3 failures taught scientists to enhance Chandrayaan-3, especially the lunar landing approach. US Apollo missions also succeeded through learning from failures.

India’s government and private sector could greatly benefit from adopting this lesson to achieve significant rewards.

Preparedness and Planning: Chandrayaan-3 landed a minute early. This approach, characterized by learning from failure, thorough planning, simulation, monitoring, should be embraced by Indian companies, state governments, and the Union government.

Resourceful Supply Chain Management: Chandrayaan project managers reduced costs by using local substitutes. For example, Tamil Nadu’s anorthosite rock was used to resemble lunar soil, which replaced expensive imported rocks.

This practice offers India Inc. the chance to benefit from affordable and accessible alternatives.

Partnerships: ISRO collaborated with various governments (BHEL, Keltron, Kerala Minerals, etc.) and private institutions (L&T, Godrej & Boyce, etc.) to make this mission successful.

Therefore, partnering with vendors with effective coordination, design, and collaboration can yield significant advantages.

International Collaboration: International collaboration has been integral to India’s space program.

India’s desirability as a partner for Western nations has increased due to the emergence of strategic challenges posed by space efforts from China and Russia.

Collaborations with Nasa, Jaxa, ESA, and Roscosmos have strengthened India’s missions, showing the benefits of mutual interdependence.

Watching for Potholes: Chandrayaan-3’s notable achievement was its adaptable lander design, allowing it to adjust its final landing position. Two planned descent pauses enabled the lander to choose a spot with minimal risk.

This strategic flexibility in the face of uncertainties holds valuable lessons for both companies and governments.

Marketing/Positioning: India’s south pole landing secured its place as the fourth lunar country and the first at the moon’s south pole. This surpassed China’s Chang’e 4, which landed far from the south pole.

This success has been possible due to India’s strategic choice, effective presentation, while preparation and technology also played a crucial role. This lesson holds significance for India Inc.

Must Read: Chandrayaan-3: Small step to moon, giant leap for India’s space journey

What lies ahead?

Chandrayaan-3’s achievement goes beyond science, covering project management, collaboration, and organizational culture. It also highlights the need to prioritize the future based on modern science.

Vikram Sarabhai’s words, “The development of the nation is intimately linked with understanding and application of science and technology by its people,” remain significant.

The case for uniform minimum export price for rice, without basmati distinction

News– The article explains the issues of recent government decisions on restricting the exports of wheat and rice.

What government statistics say about  rice and wheat production?

India achieved record-breaking levels of rice and wheat production in the previous year,

As per data from the Agricultural Ministry, rice output was 135.54 mt in 2022-23.

Wheat production reached 112.74 mt in the fiscal year 2022-23.

What are actions taken by the Indian government for restricting the exports of rice and wheat?

In May 2022, the government implemented a prohibition on the export of wheat. In June 2023, restrictions on stock holdings were imposed.

In September, 2022, the export of broken rice was forbidden. A 20% tariff was imposed on shipments of all non-parboiled white grains.

In July, 2023, the export of non-basmati white rice was entirely prohibited. Only parboiled non-basmati and basmati rice exports were permitted.

Recently, a 20% duty was introduced on all exports of parboiled non-basmati rice.

Why is the Indian government putting restrictions on exports of rice and wheat?

The implementation of this minimum export price rule aimed to prevent any potential illicit exports of non-basmati white rice disguised as basmati rice.

The government’s aim has been to decrease o exports in order to enhance the supply of grain within the country.

According to the official consumer price index, retail food inflation was 11.5% in July. Over the past three months, the cost of wheat flour has risen from Rs 30 to Rs 32 per kg.

What are the issues with the government initiative to limit the exports of rice and wheat?

Enforcement of limitations on exports can be evaded through inaccurate classification. In this instance, export of white non-basmati rice has taken place by utilizing the Harmonized System codes intended for parboiled and basmati rice.

There are instances where basmati rice export agreements have been established at prices as low as $359 per tonne, even though parboiled rice is being shipped out at $480 per tonne.

The majority of basmati rice exports are occurring within a range of $1,050 to $1,100 per tonne for the parboiled Pusa-1121 variety.

The $1,200 Minimum Export Price is excessively high. Only steamed Pusa-1121 and 1718 rice are achieving prices of $1,200-1,300, in addition to the traditional premium basmati priced at $1,550 per tonne. These types account for just around 15% of our basmati exports.

Way forward-

The government should eliminate the differentiation between basmati and non-basmati rice. There can be a consistent MEP of $800-900 per tonne for all types of rice, whether basmati or parboiled, including white non-basmati.

Implementing a uniform MEP of $800 per tonne would enable the export of all these premium rice types without compromising domestic food security.

This approach would not only benefit basmati farmers, but also protect those who cultivate other premium varieties not distributed through the Public Distribution System.

For the government, this approach would eliminate concerns related to misclassification or unauthorized exports of non-basmati rice disguised as parboiled or basmati rice.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

ISRO’s Aditya-L1 to be launched on September 2: With feet on the Moon, the space agency eyes the Sun

Source: The post is based on the article “ISRO’s Aditya-L1 to be launched on September 2: With feet on the Moon, the space agency eyes the Sun”  published in Indian Express on 29th August 2023

What is the News?

ISRO has announced that the Aditya-L1 mission will be launched on September 2 from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

What is Aditya-L1 Mission?

Aditya-L1 is the first Indian mission dedicated to observe the Sun.It is scheduled to be launched aboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle(PSLV).

Objectives of the Mission: Study of Solar upper atmospheric (chromosphere and corona) dynamics.

– Study of chromospheric and coronal heating, physics of the partially ionized plasma, initiation of the coronal mass ejections and flares

– Observe the in-situ particle and plasma environment providing data for the study of particle dynamics from the Sun.

– Physics of solar corona and its heating mechanism.

– Development, dynamics and origin of coronal mass ejection (CME).

– Magnetic field topology and magnetic field measurements in the solar corona .

Lagrange Point: There are five Lagrange points, L1 to L5, between any two celestial bodies. These points can act as parking spots in space where the gravitational pull of the celestial objects equals the centripetal force required to keep a satellite in orbit. 

– This means satellites placed at Lagrange points do not need to expend a lot of fuel to remain in position.

– Aditya L1 shall be placed at L1.A satellite placed in the halo orbit around the L1 point has the major advantage of continuously viewing the Sun without any occultation/eclipses.

– This will provide a greater advantage of observing the solar activities and its effect on space weather in real time. 

What are the payloads of Aditya L1 Mission?

The spacecraft carries seven payloads to observe the photosphere, chromosphere and the outermost layers of the Sun (the corona) using electromagnetic and particle and magnetic field detectors.

Source: ISRO

Why should we study the Sun?

Firstly, the Sun is our closest star, allowing for detailed examination.This research not only enhances our knowledge of the Sun but also sheds light on other stars. 

Secondly, while the Sun sustains life on Earth, it also produces explosive events that can harm satellites and communication systems.Monitoring the Sun can offer early warnings for such disruptions.

Thirdly, the Sun exhibits extreme thermal and magnetic phenomena that serve as a natural laboratory for scientific exploration.These phenomena can’t be adequately studied in a controlled lab environment. 

Lastly, it is important to study the Sun from space because the Earth’s atmosphere and the magnetic field act as protective shields that block out harmful radiations, such as UV light.This means studying the Sun from the Earth can’t provide a complete picture.

Govt Warns Citizens About Smishing Scam: How To Protect Against This Online Threat

Source: The post is based on the article “Govt Warns Citizens About Smishing Scam: How To Protect Against This Online Threat”  published in Zee News on 27th August 2023

What is the News?

The Indian government has warned people against a new scam called ‘Smishing’.

What is Smishing?

“Smishing” is a short form of “SMS” (Short Message Service) and “phishing.” 

It refers to a type of cyber attack or scam where fraudsters send deceptive text messages to trick individuals into revealing personal information, such as login credentials, credit card numbers, or other sensitive data. 

Smishing messages often contain links that lead to fake websites or phone numbers that direct victims to call and provide information.

Common smishing tactics include posing as a trusted organization, like a bank or a government agency, and claiming that urgent action is required or that there’s a problem with the recipient’s account. 

– The goal is to create a sense of urgency and manipulate the recipient into responding with their confidential information.

How to protect yourself against smishing attacks?

To protect yourself from smishing attacks, be cautious when receiving unsolicited text messages, especially if they request personal information or contain suspicious links. 

Verify the legitimacy of the sender or organization independently, and never click on links or provide sensitive information in response to unsolicited messages. 

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) – National Mission for Financial Inclusion, completes nine years of successful implementation

Source: The post is based on the article “Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) – National Mission for Financial Inclusion, completes nine years of successful implementation”  published in PIB on 28th August 2023

What is the News?

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) – the National Mission for Financial Inclusion – has completed nine years of successful implementation.

What is Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana(PMJDY)?

Click Here to read

What is the impact of PMJDY?

PMJDY has been the foundation stone for people-centric economic initiatives.Whether it is direct benefit transfers, COVID-19 assistance, PM-KISAN, wages under MGNREGA, the first step of all these initiatives is to provide every adult with a bank account, which PMJDY has nearly completed.

One in 2 accounts opened between March 2014 to March 2020 was a PMJDY account.

Within 10 days of nationwide lockdown more than about 20 crore women PMJDY accounts were credited with financial assistance of Rs 500 per month for three months through DBT in each women PMJDY account.

What are the achievements of PMJDY?

Number of total PMJDY Accounts: 50.09 crore.Of which 55.6% account holders are women and 66.7% accounts are in rural and semi-urban areas.

Deposits: Deposits have increased about 13 times.

Average deposit per account has increased over 3.8 times.Increase in average deposit is another indication of increased usage of accounts and inculcation of saving habits among account holders.

DBT transactions: About 6.26 crore PMJDY account holders receive direct benefit transfer (DBT) from the Government under various schemes.

Digital transactions in India have experienced remarkable growth due to various initiatives:

– The issuance of over 33.98 crore RuPay debit cards through the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY).

– The installation of 79.61 lakh Point of Sale (PoS) and mobile Point of Sale (mPoS) machines.

– The introduction of mobile-based payment systems like UPI (Unified Payments Interface).

– Due to these initiatives, the growth is evident in the total number of digital transactions, which has surged from 1,471 crore in FY 17-18 to 11,394 crore in FY 22-23. 

– Specifically, UPI financial transactions have seen substantial growth, increasing from 92 crore in FY 2017-18 to 8,371 crore in FY 2022-23. 

– Similarly, the total number of RuPay card transactions at PoS and in e-commerce has risen from 67 crore in FY 2017-18 to 126 crore in FY 2022-23.

What is Jan Dhan Darshak App (JDD App)?

JDD App is a mobile application which provides a citizen centric platform for locating banking touch points such as bank branches, ATMs, Banking Correspondents (BCs), Indian Post Payment Banks etc in the country.

The app is also being used for identification of villages which are yet to be covered by banking outlets within a 5 km radius. 

These identified villages are allocated to various banks by concerned SLBCs for opening of banking outlets.The efforts have resulted in a significant decrease in the number of uncovered villages.

Somatic genetic variants: A genomic revolution hiding inside our cells

Source: The post is based on the article “Somatic genetic variants: A genomic revolution hiding inside our cells”  published in The Hindu on 28th August 2023

What is the News?

Scientists have been aware of Somatic Genetic Variations for quite some time but there has been a recent surge in the volume of data related to these variations.

What are Somatic Cells?

Somatic cells are the cells in the body other than sperm and egg cells (which are called germ cells). 

In humans, somatic cells are diploid, meaning they contain two sets of chromosomes, one inherited from each parent. 

DNA mutations in somatic cells can affect an individual, but they cannot be passed on to their offspring.

What is Somatic Genetic Mutations?

Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, one from each parent, which carry our genetic information or blueprint.

After fertilization, a single cell with 23 chromosomes begins dividing, ultimately creating nearly a trillion cells in the human body.

During cell division, DNA is accurately copied thanks to error-correcting proteins, but there’s still a very low error rate (0.64-0.78 mutations per billion base pairs per division).

An error that occurs in the DNA after birth but during development is called a Somatic Genetic Mutation. 

This occurrence of mutation is driven by the repeated ‘copy-pasting’ of the genome – which means there will be more somatic genetic mutations the older an individual is and the higher the turnover of the tissue.Turnover is the replacement of old cells with new ones.

Sometimes, a somatic genetic mutation can render a cell fitter than others, which lead to the formation of tumours.These mutations are called driver mutations.

What is the importance of Somatic genetic variants?

Cancer signatures: Somatic genetic variants play an important role in the development of cancers.We now know that somatic changes can cause a cancer to develop and that cancers can accelerate the development of somatic changes.So they can help with early detection, diagnosis, and prognosis.

Development of Genetic Diseases: Many genetic conditions arise from somatic genetic variants. Obviously, these conditions are not inherited from either parent but are due to new genetic variations that have arisen during development. So the severity and distribution of the disease depends on how early or late during development the corresponding mutation occurred.

Beneficial in some cases: In some instances, somatic changes can be beneficial in a genetic disease – by changing a deleterious change to a normal one, a phenomenon known as revertant mosaicism. 

– For example, around 10% of cases of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, a rare genetic immuno- deficiency, have been found to have revertant mosaicism, as a result alleviating the severity of the disease in many individuals.

What is Somatic Mosaicism across Human Tissues(SMaHT) Network?

Launched by: U.S. National Institutes of Health 

Aim: To discover somatic variants, develop tools for study, and improve analysis for biological and clinical insights.

Investment: The U.S. government has invested $140 million to study somatic variants in post-mortem samples.

China releases new map showing territorial claims

Source: The post is based on the article “China releases new map showing territorial claims”  published in The Hindu on 27th August 2023

What is the News?

The Chinese government has released the “2023 edition of the standard map of China”.

What does the “2023 edition of the standard map of China” show?

The map shows Arunachal Pradesh which China claims as South Tibet and Aksai Chin occupied by it in the 1962 war as part of its territory.

The map also incorporates China’s claims over the nine-dash line thus laying claim to a large part of the South China Sea.

The map also adds a “tenth dash” east of Taiwan to assert its claims over the island.

Why has China released this 2023 map?

China’s release of the 2023 map comes after it announced in April,2023 its intention to standardize the names of 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh, including one near the capital Itanagar.

This was the third such list “renaming” places in Arunachal Pradesh.

This is seen by observers as a response to India holding events in the lead-up to the G-20 summit in Arunachal Pradesh which China had opposed.

What Is Magic Rice? What Is Special About This Rice That It Got GI Tag

Source: The post is based on the article “What Is Magic Rice? What Is Special About This Rice That It Got GI Tag”  published in TOI on 28th August 2023

What is the News?

Chokuwa rice has received a GI (Geographical Indication) tag due to its exceptional quality and uniqueness.

What is Chokuwa Rice?

Chokuwa rice is also known as Magic rice.It is grown in Assam.

It has a significant role in Assam’s culinary history and was a staple food for the Ahom dynasty.

Cultivated in: This healthy rice is mainly cultivated along the Brahmaputra River in places like Tinsukia, Dhemaji, and Dibrugarh.

Characteristics: Chokuwa rice is basically a semi-glutinous winter rice, known as Sali rice.The sticky and glutinous variety is categorized as Bora and Chokuwa based on their amylose concentration. 

– The low amylose Chokuwa rice variants are used to make soft rice, which is known as Komal Chaul or soft rice. 

– This whole grain can be consumed after soaking the rice in cold or lukewarm water.

– This unique rice variety is consumed with curd, sugar, jaggery, bananas to name a few. 

– This rice is also used in making several Assamese delights like Pithe and other local dishes.

ISRO-developed device for fishers’ safety successfully tested at Neendakara

Source: The post is based on the article “ISRO-developed device for fishers’ safety successfully tested at Neendakara”  published in The Hindu on 27th August 2023

What is the News?

ISRO-Space Applications Centre (Ahmedabad) has successfully tested a device called ‘Nabhmitra’.

What is Nabhmitra?

Nabhmitra is a device developed by ISRO-Space Applications Centre (Ahmedabad) for the safety of fishermen.

This device uses satellite communication to allow two-way messaging between boats and authorities at sea.

The authorities can communicate weather and cyclone warnings with the boats.In turn, the fisherman can also send distress messages to the authorities. 

In emergencies like capsizing or fires, fishermen can press a button on the device to contact the control center. 

The control center will receive the alert with the boat’s location and the boat’s crew will receive a response message from the control center.

Apart from providing information about shipping channels and maritime boundaries, the device will also help to identify fishing fields.

State of birds report 2023: Most species show dip, Indian Peafowl among those flourishing

Source: The post is based on the article “State of birds: Most species show dip, Indian Peafowl among those flourishing”  published in Indian Express on 28th August 2023

What is the News?

The State of India’s Birds, 2023 has been released.

What is the State of India’s Birds Report, 2023?

State of India’s Birds Report ​​is an assessment of the distribution range, trends in abundance and conservation status of 942 of India’s 1,200 bird species.

Published by: State of India’s Birds Partnership, a group of 13 governments (including SACON, WII, ZSI) and non-governmental organizations.

What are the key findings of the State of India’s Birds, 2023?

Source: Hindustan Times

Decline in birds: Of the 338 species that had enough data to assess for long-term trends, 60% of the species showed long-term declines.

– Birds that feed on vertebrates and carrion (including raptors and vultures) have declined greatly, suggesting harmful pollutants in their food resources, a decline in prey availability, or both.

Endemic Birds: Birds endemic to the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspots have rapidly declined in India over the past few decades. India is home to 232 endemic species, found nowhere else in the world.

Birds that live in open habitats are severely impacted: Open habitats in India have been severely compromised by the spread of invasive, drought tolerant woody plants, as well as wind turbines and power lines, impacting several bird species. Of particular note is the Great Grey Shrike, which has suffered a worrisome long-term decline of more than 80%.

Three Indian Bustard species face imminent extinction: The three bustard species that breed in India – the Great Indian Bustard, Lesser Florican and Bengal Florican – face imminent extinction.

Migratory birds under greater threat than resident species: Birds face many dangers during migration, from extreme weather events, to predation, starvation, and hunting/illegal killing.

Long-distance migrants have declined the most, by over 50% followed by short-distance migrants.

Some bird species are in abundance: Several species like the Indian Peafowl, Rock Pigeon, Asian Koel, and House Crow are thriving and increasing in both abundance and distribution.

– For instance, there has been a 150% increase in the abundance of peafowl across the country over the past decades.

What are the major threats to birds in India highlighted in the report?

The major threats are: Climate Change, Urbanization, Monocultures, Energy Infrastructure, ecosystem degradation and environmental pollutants.

The following today’s current affairs articles have been covered in 7 PM Explained section of the day:

7 PM Editorial of the day: Changes to Industrial Policy in India –Explained, Pointwise