9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – December 6th, 2023

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 1

NCRB Report 2022 – The crime story

Source: The post on NCRB Report 2022 has been created based on the article “Express View on latest NCRB data: The crime story” published in “Indian Express” on 6th December 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1- Society- Salient features of Indian Society.

News: The article discusses the National Crime Records Bureau’s annual report for 2022. The report highlights an increase in crimes in India, especially against vulnerable groups, and emphasizes the growing issue of cybercrimes, underscoring the need for improved crime reporting and prevention strategies.

About National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) is a government agency in India, headquartered in New Delhi. It was established in 1986 and operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

The NCRB’s main job is to collect and analyze crime data based on the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Special and Local Laws.

They publish a report each year, containing statistics on various types of crimes, including financial, commercial, and crimes against women. This data is gathered by State Crime Records Bureaux (SCRBx) from District Crime Records Bureaux (DCRBx) and sent to the NCRB at the end of each calendar year.

For information on key findings of NCRB report 2022 read here

What does the NCRB report for 2022 indicate?

1.The report shows a significant increase in crimes in India, particularly against women, children, senior citizens, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes. Notably, there were 468 suicides daily in 2022, and cybercrimes rose by nearly 25%.

2.The NCRB clarifies that the data represents registered crimes, not the actual total number of crimes, suggesting potential under-reporting. This under-reporting is particularly concerning in cases where the perpetrators are acquaintances of the victims.

3.The report is crucial for understanding crime patterns and for formulating policies to protect vulnerable groups.

4.The NCRB also notes that the increase in crime numbers in certain areas, like Delhi, could be attributed to greater awareness, increased presence of law enforcement agencies, or citizen-centric initiatives.

What should be done?

Enhance Reporting Accuracy: The NCRB should improve its data collection methodologies to more accurately reflect the actual number of crimes, considering that the current data only includes registered crimes.

Prioritize Vulnerable Groups: The report highlights the necessity to make homes, educational institutions, and public spaces safer, particularly for women, children, and marginalized communities.

Combat Cybercrime Rise: In response to the 25% increase in cybercrimes, law enforcement agencies must adapt and enhance their capabilities to tackle these digital threats.

Utilize Data for Policy Making: The NCRB data, despite its limitations, should be used as a valuable aid for developing policies and strategies to address the highlighted issues.

Question for practice:

Examine the key findings and implications of the National Crime Records Bureau’s 2022 report for crime trends and prevention in India.

GS PAPER - 3

On Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Synthetic Petrol – Flight to sustainability

Source: This post on Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Synthetic Petrol has been created based on the article “Flight to sustainability” published in “Business Standard” on 6^th December 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Environment – Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation.

News: The article discusses the utility as well as challenges in transitioning to cleaner fuels such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and synthetic petrol.

Recently, a commercial Boeing 787 made a London-New York flight using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

What is SAF?

Sustainable Aviation Fuel is produced by taking biomass such as used cooking oil, waste animal fat, manure and sewage, and broken or spoiled maize, foodgrains, rice and waste wood, and rendering these into synthetic jet fuel substitutes.

What are the benefits of SAF?

1 Emission Reduction: About 65% SAF fuel-mix can meet the emission targets of 2050.

2 Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Aviation Industry: Currently, civil aviation contributes 10-12% of transport-related greenhouse gas emission. Across the entire supply chain of aircraft manufacture, the footprint is much more.

3 Negative Carbon Footprint: This is due to:
a. Carbon Dioxide Capture: Some SAF processes capture carbon dioxide from the air.
b. Utilises Methane: Some versions of SAF reduce free methane (found in manure and sewage).

4 Compensate for Future Emissions: Widespread use of SAF would address the carbon impact of modifying or replacing jet engines of fleets.

5 Waste Recycling: It could also have other beneficial effects like waste recycling (biowaste).

How is the government of India promoting SAF?

Government has approved the initial indicative blending percentages of SAF in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF):

1. 1% SAF indicative blending target in 2027 (Initially for International flights).
2. 2% SAF blending target in 2028 (Initially for International flights).

What are the roadblocks in its adoption?

High Cost: However, it is at least three times as expensive as jet fuel and,

Low Adoption: At the moment, SAF contributes less than 1% to the aviation fuel mix.

What is Synthetic Petrol?

Synthetic petrol, also known as synfuel, is a liquid or gaseous fuel that can be obtained from syngas. Syngas is a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Syngas is derived from the gasification of biomass or coal, or from natural gas.

What are the issues with Synthetic Petrol adoption?

High Cost: Synthetic petrol costs about 5 times mining and refining crude oil.

Carbon Footprint of Transitioning: Replacing billions of internal combustion vehicles with electrical propulsion would have a large carbon footprint.

What should be done for greater adoption of SAF and Synfuel?

Scaling up Production: The technology and engineering challenges can be met if production is scaled up and engineering processes improve.

Policy Support: It will be needed for research into better capture and collection of biomass and atmospheric carbon.

Subsidies: Subsidies could also play a role in the early adoption of synthetic fuel.

Question for practice:

Decarbonising the transport sector is crucial to achieve climate goals. In this regard, critically analyse the importance of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and synthetic petrol.

On Phasing Out Coal – Honest reckoning

Source: This post on Phasing Out Coal has been created based on the article “Honest reckoning” published in “The Hindu” on 6^th December 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Environment – Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation.

News: The article discusses India’s apprehensions in endorsing the pledge on tripling renewable energy due to its mention of phasing out coal.

Global pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions are insufficient to achieve the target of preventing Earth’s temperatures from rising to 1.5 degree C above the pre-industrial levels.

What are the efforts being made in this regard?

Current estimates are that to limit warming to 1.5°C, the world requires 3 times more renewable energy capacity by 2030 (at least 11,000 GW). The recent Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge at COP28 acknowledges this.

However, only 118 countries have endorsed the pledge so far. 2 major countries, i.e., India and China, have so far abstained from signing.

What has been India’s stance?

India is committed to the goal of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030, as reflected by the following:

1. India’s Nationally determined contributions (NDC) aims to increase renewable energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030, which is three times the existing 170 GW.
2. New Delhi Declaration of G20 on tripling renewable energy.

At the same time, India’s major concerns regarding the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge is related to the reference made in the draft text to “phase down of coal power and ending the investment in new coal-fired power plants”

India has been unwilling to give up specific fuel sources (such as coal, which contributes to nearly 70% of India’s greenhouse gas emissions). This is because coal-fired plants provide a major portion of India’s energy consumption (more than 50%).

Why is India against phasing out coal?

1. Energy Demand: India heavily relies on coal for its energy needs. The country’s growing population and industrialization require a steady power supply.
2. Economic Impact: Coal mining and associated industries provide employment for a significant portion of the Indian workforce. Phasing out coal could lead to job losses and economic disruptions.
3. High Transitioning Costs: Shifting to alternative energy sources requires substantial investments in infrastructure, grid upgrades, and technology, which might be a challenge in terms of cost and implementation.
4. Lack of Reliability of Renewable Sources: While renewable energy sources like solar and wind are promising, their intermittency poses challenges in providing consistent power.
5. Singular focus on phasing out Coal and Not other fossil fuels: Developed countries (such as the USA) that have made commitments to give up coal often have other large, fossil-fuel resources as back-up.
   For instance, USA only draws about 20% of its energy from coal and at least 55% from oil and gas, with plans to increase it.

Question for practice:

India’s dependence on coal may impact its commitments under the Paris Accord. Analyse.

On India’s Forex Reserves – Decoding the fall and rise of India’s forex reserves

Source: This post on India’s Forex Reserves has been created based on the article “Decoding the fall and rise of India’s forex reserves” published in “Live Mint” on 6^th December 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Indian Economy and issues relating to planning and mobilization of resources.

News: The article discusses the recent rise of India’s foreign exchange reserves. It highlights the various components of forex reserves as well as the mechanisms of RBI’s interventions involving them.

India’s Forex Situation:

On 14 July, India’s foreign exchange (forex) reserves stood at $609 billion. On 20 October, it hit a recent low of $583.5 billion before rising again slightly to $597.9 billion on 24 November.

What are India’s forex reserves?

Primarily, foreign exchange reserves consist of foreign currency assets and gold.

1 Gold:

Gold reserves are maintained for financial emergencies.

As per the latest data, gold has risen to around 7.7% of foreign exchange reserves of $597.9 billion (from 7% $530 billion a year earlier).

This has primarily been on account of the price of gold in dollar terms going up by close to 15% in the last one year.

2 Foreign Currency Assets (FCAs):

This constitutes major global currencies like the US dollar, euro, pound sterling, Japanese yen, etc., held in the form of securities such as treasury bills, bonds, and deposits in foreign central banks. It forms the majority of India’s forex.

These are used by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to actively manage the value of the rupee against the dollar.

Apart from this, forex also consists of:

3 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs): SDRs are allocated to member countries of the IMF, including India, and serve as an additional reserve asset. The SDR is not a currency. It is a potential claim on the freely usable currencies of IMF members.

4 Reserve Position in IMF: It represents the funds held in the IMF that a country can use based on its membership quota. Part of the quota can be withdrawn from the IMF during critical situations such as Balance of Payment (BOP) crises.

How does forex reserve help RBI in managing the value of the Rupee?

For India’s macroeconomic stability, it is important that the rupee does not depreciate too much and/or too fast against the dollar.
For instance, India imports much of the oil that it consumes (more than 80%). In such a scenario, a weaker rupee makes oil imports expensive, (which passes on to either the end-consumers or the primarily government-owned oil marketing companies). This makes it important for the RBI to ensure that the value of the rupee doesn’t fall too much and too fast against the dollar.

The RBI secures this stability by selling the dollars from its reserve of foreign currency assets and acquiring rupees in return. This practice ensures availability of dollars in the economy, thereby averting swift devaluation of the rupee against the dollar.

Why did the Forex reserves recently go down?

Recently, the Rupee has come under pressure of depreciating. This is because the returns on US government bonds have been going up. Higher returns led foreign institutional investors (FIIs) to sell Indian stocks and move money to USA (because investors opt for safer investment options).

In order to move this money out of India they had to sell rupees and buy dollars. This put pressure on the rupee, forcing the RBI to act.

Why have the Forex reserves now gone up?

The return on the US government bond fell in November. The fall in returns has encouraged FlIs to bring money back into India.

So, with FII dollars coming into the country again, the RBI doesn’t need to sell its dollar reserves anymore to prevent the depreciation of rupee. This is why forex reserves have risen to close to $598 billion.

Question for practice:

Healthy foreign exchange reserves are fundamental to India’s macroeconomic stability. In light of this, discuss the role of RBI in forex reserve management.

On Cyclone Michaung – Shared blame

Source: This post on Cyclone Michaung has been created based on the article “Shared blame” published in “The Hindu” on 6^th December 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Disaster and disaster management.

News: The article discusses the reasons other than the natural calamity which led to the recent crisis in Chennai due to Cyclone Michaung.

Detailed articles on developments related to Cyclones can be read here.

Late on December 3, heavy rains hit Chennai due to Cyclone Michaung. Most areas recorded more than 120 mm of rain, with a few even recording more than 250 mm (a very huge volume of rain in a single day).

Cyclone Michaung:

1 It was formed over the Bay of Bengal on November 29, 2023. It moved westward and intensified into a severe cyclonic storm.

2 The storm made landfall near Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh, on December 5, with winds of up to 110 kilometers per hour. It caused widespread damage in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

3 The storm caused heavy rains, flooding, and power outages. At least 12 people were killed and around 9,450 people were evacuated.

4 Named by Myanmar, Michaung means ‘strength and resilience’.

Cyclone Michaung. Source: The Hindu BusinessLine

What factors apart from the natural calamity worsened the situation?

1. Issues with the Power Infrastructure: Inadequate investment in maintenance and repair meant that the power had to be cut off in the city as a precaution to prevent loose electric cables from electrocuting pedestrians.
2. Unplanned construction: This includes defiance of zoning (construction based on consideration of flood situations). This led to water stagnation on almost all roads.
3. Public indiscipline: This includes littering, leading to storm water drains choking with plastic trash.
4. Climate Change: Climate change is contributing to the intensification and increased frequency of cyclones due to rising sea surface temperatures and altered atmospheric conditions.

What should be done?

In order to deal with such situations, the following can be implemented:

1. Power Infrastructure Issues: Increased allocation of funds for maintenance. Apart from this, measures like using waterproof materials, or relocating vulnerable infrastructure away from flood-prone areas can be done.
2. Unplanned Construction: Strictly enforcing zoning laws and regulations. Measures like better drainage systems or green infrastructure to absorb water should be the way forward.
3. Public Indiscipline: Public Awareness Campaigns and Community Engagement Initiatives should be implemented.

Question for practice:

Dealing with cyclones requires a holistic multi-sectoral approach rather than working in silos. Discuss in the context of the havoc caused by Cyclone Michaung in Chennai.

On Effective Use of Public Procurement – Public procurement for Make in India

Source: The post on Effective Use of Public Procurement has been created based on the article “Public procurement for Make in India” published in “Business Standard” on 6th December 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper 3- Economy- Effects of liberalisation on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.

News: The article discusses how India can use government buying power to boost local manufacturing in high-tech and labor-intensive industries. This involves selecting key products, creating new capacities, and offering incentives like lower financing costs and duty-free imports, to compete globally and achieve self-reliance.

What are the issues with India’s public procurement policy?

Limited Utilization of Procurement Power: Initially, India excluded government procurement from WTO agreements to maintain policy freedom. However, this tool remains underutilized in recent policies.

Shift to Competitive Procurement: Post-1990s reforms favored global competitive procurement, overlooking the potential of government procurement for national development.

Overreliance on PLI Scheme: The overemphasis on the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, while successful in areas like smartphone manufacturing, limits broader application due to fiscal constraints.

For more information on PLI Scheme read here

What government initiatives are in place to encourage domestic manufacturing through procurement policy?

Public Procurement and National Law: India’s public procurement is not governed by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as India hasn’t signed the Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA).

MSEs Procurement Policy, 2018: Central Ministries, Departments, and PSUs are required to procure 25% annually from the MSE sector. Within this, there’s a 4% sub-target for procurement from MSEs owned by SC/ST entrepreneurs.

Government e-Marketplace (GeM) Policy: Sellers must specify the “country of origin” on products listed on the GeM. This platform also features a provision for indicating the percentage of local content in products, supporting the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

How can public procurement be effectively used to boost domestic manufacturing?

Identify Import-Dependent Products: Select important products that India imports, which could potentially be manufactured domestically. If market forces alone are insufficient for initiating their production in India, then the implementation of policies such as the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme should be considered.

Use Procurement to Support New Capacities: To reduce investment risks in new manufacturing capacities, the government should invite bids for future supply contracts. These contracts should guarantee purchases for at least five years to ensure financial viability. Additionally, allowing second and third lowest bidders to match the lowest bid can foster competitive pricing and industry growth.

Lower Financing Costs and Offer Incentives: Ensure lower financing costs for projects which can have advanced technology and efficient production. This can be done by providing incentives like duty-free imports and reasonable infrastructure costs. Initially higher prices are acceptable but expected to decrease with competitive bidding. This strategy can spur industries like solar panel, green hydrogen, and shipbuilding in India, reducing dependence on financial aids like the PLI scheme.

Question for practice:

Discuss the challenges and strategies in using India’s public procurement to enhance domestic manufacturing.

On India’s nuclear history lessons for AI development – Why India cannot afford to repeat its nuclear weapons mistakes with AI

Source: The post on India’s nuclear history can guide its AI development has been created based on the article “Why India cannot afford to repeat its nuclear weapons mistakes with AI” published in “Indian Express” on 6th December 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Science and Technology- Developing new technology.

News: This article discusses how lessons from India’s nuclear history can guide its approach to artificial intelligence (AI). It compares the nuclear era’s challenges to those posed by AI today. It emphasized the need for international regulation, collaboration with the US, and strong domestic AI capabilities without falling into exceptionalism or delayed action. Notably, India is set to take a leading role as the Lead Council Chair for the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) and will host the prominent GPAI Summit in New Delhi from December 12 to 14, 2023.

What is the current global situation in AI?

Military AI Development and Arms Control: The US and China are not only rapidly advancing in military AI but also engaging in arms control discussions. For instance, the recent San Francisco summit between US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping focused on regulating military AI.

International Norms Discussion: There are talks about forming an “International Agency for Artificial Intelligence” (IAAI), inspired by the International Atomic Energy Agency for nuclear energy, to manage AI’s global impact.

Global Partnerships for AI: The Global Partnership for Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) is a notable initiative with 28 member countries and the EU, demonstrating international collaboration in AI.

Technological Restrictions: Reflecting the geopolitical AI race, the US is attempting to slow China’s AI development by restricting its access to advanced chip technology.

How are nuclear and AI challenges similar?

Geopolitical Impact: Nuclear technology and AI both have major effects on global politics, influencing geopolitical rivalries and international relations.

Destructive Potential: Nuclear weapons showed immense destructive power in Hiroshima and Nagasaki; similarly, AI poses risks like machines overpowering humans, threatening humanity.

Military Use and Governance: Both nuclear technology and AI have raised concerns about their military applications, necessitating international governance and regulation.

Great Powers’ Dominance: Just as the US and Soviet Union led the discourse on nuclear weapons, the US and China are central to AI discussions, shaping global policies.

Rapid Technological Advancement: Despite concerns about their impact, both nuclear and AI technologies have seen rapid advancements, outpacing efforts for effective control and regulation.

What steps should India take in AI development?

Moving beyond disarmament idealism: India should shift from its nuclear disarmament approach to a proactive stance in AI. This change is vital, as previous idealism in nuclear policy delayed technological progress.

Strengthening partnership and technological cooperation: To advance in AI, India must build on its partnership with the US. An example of a missed opportunity in the past was when India did not accept President Kennedy’s offer in the 1960s to assist in developing nuclear weapons. This decision, aimed at maintaining good relations with China and non-alignment, led to a delay in India’s nuclear advancement.

Avoiding the trap of exceptionalism: India needs to adopt global science and technology standards in AI, rather than seeking a unique technological path. Building strong domestic AI capabilities and involving the private sector are key steps for success in this rapidly advancing field.

Terminology used

Global partnership on artificial intelligence (GPAI): It is a multi-stakeholder initiative bringing together leading experts from science, industry, civil society, international organizations, and government that share similar values. Its aim is to connect theoretical aspects with practical applications in AI by promoting advanced research and applied projects focused on AI-related priorities. GPAI is a congregation of 28 Member Countries and the European Union. India had joined the group as a founding member in 2020.

Question for practice:

Discuss how India’s experience with nuclear technology can inform its approach to artificial intelligence development and policy.

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Following articles have already been covered in the 7 PM Articles of the day: 

The journey towards a plastic-free world 
7 PM Editorial 
Article- The journey towards a plastic-free world 
7 PM Article - The UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution – Explained Pointwise+ Infographic 

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)

Source– This post is based on the article “What is OpenAI Project Q*? AGI Superintelligence Explained” published in “Tech.Go” on 24th November 2023.

Why in the News?

This post discusses the various aspects of Artifical General intelligence and the related technological developments.

What is Artificial General Intelligence?

Artificial general intelligence (AGI) is defined as the intelligence of machines that allows them to comprehend, learn, and perform intellectual tasks much like humans. AGI emulates the human mind and behavior to solve any kind of complex problem. AGI is also known as strong AI or Human AI.

What is the difference between Narrow AI and General AI?

Narrow AI is concerned with only simulating human behavior based on a set of rules, parameters, and contexts that they are trained with. On the other hand, general AI mimics human intelligence by going a step beyond. It has the ability to learn and apply its intelligence to solve any problem.

Specifications	Narrow AI	General AI
Learning ability	Narrow AI focuses on a single task under various constraints and limitations.	AGI is envisioned to have the capacity for generalization and adaptation across diverse domains.
Operational domain	Fixed domain models provided by programmers	Self learn and reasons with its operating environment
Data processing	Narrow AI analyses data by using ML, Natural Language Processing, Deep Learning, and Artificial Neural Networks	General AI uses an advanced version of these technologies for analysis.
Limitation	Limited to a single task ,lacks broader intelligence	May lack depth in certain areas and have ethical concerns
Examples	Virtual assistant, spam filter, image recognition tools.	Self driving cars, advanced chatbot.

What is OpenAI Project Q*?

1) Project Q* refers to a new AI model being developed the ChatGPT owner OpenAI.

2) Under this project, an AI algorithm has been developed that is capable of solving elementary mathematical problems by itself, including those that are not part of its training data.

3) It demonstrates advanced reasoning capabilities similar to humans and is a significant step towards Artificial General Intelligence.

UPSC Syllabus- Science & Technology

Navy of Ancient India

Source– This post is based on the article “Navy Day: As PM Modi praises Shivaji’s naval prowess, a look at the Maratha Navy” published in “The Indian Express” on 5th December 2023.

Why in the News?

PM Narendra Modi, on the occasion of Navy Day (December 4), highlighted Shivaji’s naval power, and announced that epaulettes (ornamental shoulder pieces denoting rank) adorned by naval officers will soon carry his emblem.

How Indian Navy acknowledged the naval power of the Marathas, under Shivaji?

1) INS Shivaji: To commemorate the sea-faring prowess of the Marathas, under Shivaji, the Indian Navy has named its training establishment in Lonavala as INS Shivaji.

2) INS Angre: The shore-based logistics and administrative hub of the Western Naval Command, Mumbai, is named as INS Angre — after Kanhoji Angre (1669-1729), the celebrated Maratha naval commander.

3) New Naval Ensign: The use of the octagonal design of the seal of Shivaji on the new Naval Ensign.

What is the history of Shivaji’s Naval Power?

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the great Maratha ruler, is considered by many as the ‘Father of the Indian Navy’. It is him who laid the foundation of a modern navy in India.

Birth of the Maratha Navy (1661-1663): Between 1661 and 1663, the Maratha Navy came into existence, and at its peak included 400-odd ships of various kinds and sizes.

Philosophy of Naval Dominance: Historians note that his vision for the navy was based in his belief – “Jalameva yasya, balameva tasya”, which translates to “He who rules over the seas is all powerful”

Construction of multiple naval forts– Between 1653 and 1680, Shivaji ordered the construction of multiple naval forts, starting with the Vijaydurg in 1653, and followed by the likes of Sindhudurg and Kolaba. They were used to keep a watch on enemies approaching via the seas.

Limitation of this navy: While the Marathas could hold their own in littoral waters but could not challenge European naval power in the high seas.

UPSC Syllabus- History 

India Infrastructure Report 2023

Source– This post is based on the article “India Infrastructure Report 2023 released” published in “PIB” on 5th December 2023.

Why in the News?

Shri Venkaiah Naidu, former Vice-President of India, has released The India Infrastructure Report 2023 on Urban Planning and Development.

What is India Infrastructure Report?

1) The report focused on wide range of various complex issues related to urban planning and development along with solutions to make Indian cities sustainable.

2) It is a collaborative effort of the IDFC Foundation, Infrastructure Development Corporation (Karnataka) Ltd. (iDeCK) and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA).

What are the Key highlights of the India Infrastructure Report 2023?

1) Role of digital technology– The report highlights the transformative role of digital technology in shaping India’s urban landscape with focus on areas like smart cities.

2) Financing urban development– It examines the financial dimensions of urban development, with a special emphasis on public-private partnerships (PPPs). The report also analyses the financial sustainability of urban local bodies.

3) Component of effective urban governance- Report focuses on transient-oriented development, regulation of floor space and land prices, etc.

4) It also laid out a roadmap on how to improve the existing cities through urban redevelopment which merited the attention of planners and policy-makers.

What is the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA)?

1) NIUA, established in 1976, is a Central Autonomous Body under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

2) It has been bridging the gap between research and practice on issues related to urbanization and suggest ways and mechanisms to address urban challenges in the country

UPSC Syllabus- Governance/ Reports and Indices

Global Positioning System (GPS)

Source– This post is based on the article “Understanding how the Global Positioning System (GPS) works” published in “The Hindu” on 5th December 2023.

Why in the News?

Global Positioning System (GPS), used for navigation, has had a revolutionary impact on our lives. From civilians to the military, from precision scientific studies to urban planning and disaster risk estimation, it has been crucial in various sectors.

What is GPS?

1) The U.S. Department of Defence started the GPS programme in 1973 and launched the first satellite in 1978.

2) GPS is a satellite-based navigation system based on a “constellation” of approximately 24 well-spaced satellites.

3) The 24 satellites move around the earth in six orbits, with each satellite completing 2 orbits in a single day. In this configuration, anyone on the earth will be able to ‘see’ at least four satellites at a time, which is a crucial requirement.

4) The overall programme has three main components — the space segment, the control segment, and the user segment.

How does GPS work?

1) Each GPS satellite continuously broadcasts a radio signal containing information about its location in orbit, operational status, and the time at which the signal is emitted.

2) Based on the information contained in this signal, the GPS receiver calculates its precise distance from the satellite.

3) Such calculations are made from the signals of four satellites which helps in accurately triangulating the location of the GPS receiver on the ground.

4) Time at which the signal is emitted from the satellite (and received by the GPS receiver on ground) plays a crucial role in calculating the distance. To ensure accuracy in timekeeping, each GPS satellite is equipped with an atomic clock that provides extremely accurate timekeeping.

What are other countries that have Global Navigation Satellite System?

1) Apart from GPS, Russia’s GLONASS, the E.U.’s Galileo, and China’s BeiDou are some other global navigational satellite systems.

2) India has its own regional navigation satellite system called Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) developed by ISRO. It consists of 7 satellites.

For more information on India’s NavIC Click here to read

UPSC Syllabus- Science & Technology

First Genome sequencing of jamun

Source– This post is based on the article “IISER Bhopal researchers conduct first genome sequencing of jamun” published in “The Indian Express” on 6th December 2023.

Why in the News?

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal have completed the first-ever genome sequencing of the jamun tree (Syzygium cumini).

What is Genome Sequencing?

Genome sequencing is a process of determining the complete DNA sequence of an organism’s genome.

Click Here to read

Why was Jamun chosen for Genome Sequencing?

1) Syzygium cumini, more commonly known as jamun, is popular in India for its medicinal properties, fruit and ornamental value.

2) Fruit seed extracts of jamun have well-known anti-diabetic properties and is highly recommended in Ayurveda to treat a variety of health ailments.

3) The research aimed to gain new insights from the jamun genome and better understand its pharmacological properties (such as its anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties)

What are the Major Findings of the Research?

1) Additional genetic material- The jamun genome has a higher number of coding genes (gene that contains instructions that tell a cell how to synthesize a specific protein) resulting from gene duplication. The generation of new genetic material under gene duplication allows jamun to acquire novel functions.

2) Various classes of Metabolites– The presence of various metabolites (substance formed during metabolism) was responsible for its anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties.

3) Adaptive evolution in jamun– Jamun has various genes that make the plant rugged and improve its stress tolerance to factors like weeds and insects that induce damage, heat stress, salinity, and drought.

What is the significance of this research?

The understanding of metabolites and their associated benefits can be used in future projects of genetic engineering of other plants.

UPSC Syllabus- Science & Technology/ Environment

Glaciers shrank 1 meter a year in a decade: WMO

Source– This post is based on the article “Glaciers shrank 1 m a year in a decade: WMO” published in “The Hindu” on 6th December 2023.

Why in the News?

A recent report by World Meteorological Organisation ‘The Global Climate 2011-2020: A Decade of Acceleration’ highlights the impact of climate change from 2011-2020.

What re the Key highlights of the report?

1) The 2011-2020 decade, despite being the warmest recorded, saw the lowest number of deaths from extreme events. The decade marked the first since 1950 without a single short-term event causing 10,000 deaths or more.

2) Improved early warning systems, forecasting, and disaster management contributed to the decrease in casualties. India benefited from improved cyclone forecasting, enhancing preparedness and evacuation measures

3) The ozone hole visibly showed signs of recovery for the first time during this decade.

4) Glaciers globally shrank by approximately 1 meter per year on average from 2011 to 2020.
– Greenland and Antarctica lost 38% more ice from 2011 to 2020 compared to the 2001-2010 period.

5) While heatwaves were responsible for the highest number of human casualties, tropical cyclones caused the most economic damage.

6) Public and private climate finance nearly doubled during the decade. But it needed to increase by at least seven times by the end of 2011-20 to achieve climate objectives, including limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

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