9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 14th December, 2024

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 2

Concern over a speech by Justice S.K. Yadav of the Allahabad High Court

Source: The post concern over a speech by Justice S.K. Yadav of the Allahabad High Court has been created, based on the article “Wounding the spirit of the Constitution of India” published in “The Hindu” on 14th December 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2- Constitution of India —historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

Context: The article criticizes Justice S.K. Yadav’s speech for promoting bigotry and incitement to violence, violating constitutional values. It demands accountability, calls for collective resistance through civil disobedience, and urges reaffirmation of India’s pluralistic, non-denominational constitutional spirit.

For detailed information on Constitutional morality read this article here

What did Justice S.K. Yadav do?

1. Justice S.K. Yadav of the Allahabad High Court delivered a controversial speech, which violated constitutional values.
2. His remarks were widely perceived as incendiary, bigoted, and promoting mob violence.
3. The speech was reported as “genocidal street-talk” that targeted minorities and encouraged divisive rhetoric.

What Actions Have Been Taken?

1. Impeachment Motion: Opposition Members of Parliament initiated an impeachment motion against Justice S.K. Yadav for his controversial speech.
2. Supreme Court’s Intervention: The Supreme Court of India sought a report on the incident after citizens and activists raised concerns.
3. Citizen Activism: Concerned citizens wrote to the Chief Justice of India, demanding accountability for Justice Yadav’s remarks.
4. Public Outrage: Protests and petitions highlighted the slow response to the judge’s speech.

Why is this Incident Significant?

1. The incident highlights the erosion of judicial propriety.
2. It also raises concerns about the judiciary being influenced by political ideologies.
3. Public humiliation and divisive rhetoric from judicial figures harm the Constitution’s values of justice, liberty, and equality.

What Should Be Done?

1. Citizens, judiciary, and lawmakers must work together to protect constitutional values.
2. Resistance to hate speech and divisive rhetoric is essential.
3. The focus should be on reaffirming India’s pluralistic identity as outlined in the Preamble: “We, the people of India.”

Question for practice:

Examine how the controversial speech by Justice S.K. Yadav and its aftermath reflect the challenges to constitutional values and judicial accountability in India.

Donald Trump’s return as U.S. President and its impact on South Asia

Source: The post Donald Trump’s return as U.S. President and its impact on South Asia has been created, based on the article “Trump’s return and the South Asia outlook” published in “The Hindu” on 14th December 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2- International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Context: The article discusses Donald Trump’s return as U.S. President and its impact on South Asia. It highlights increased U.S.-India cooperation, reduced focus on democracy, continued opposition to China, and challenges for South Asian countries in balancing major powers.

For detailed information on Trump’s Re-election and India US Relations read this article here

What is the Impact of Trump’s Return on U.S.-India Relations?

1. Strengthened Cooperation Against China: Trump’s foreign policy prioritizes countering China, aligning with India’s regional objectives. His focus on pushing back China supports India’s leadership in South Asia.
2. Less focus Over Democracy and Human Rights: Unlike Biden, Trump is likely to focus less on democracy and human rights. This will help avoid friction over India’s pragmatic support for regimes like Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina government and Myanmar’s junta.
3. Support for Regional Leadership: Trump’s burden-sharing approach emphasizes India’s leadership while the U.S. supplements it. This will deepen Indo-Pacific collaboration, including areas like defense and development.
4. Economic and Strategic Cooperation: Projects like the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in Nepal and economic assistance in Sri Lanka could continue, boosting India-U.S. ties.
5. Alignment on Afghanistan and Pakistan: With reduced U.S. interest in Pakistan post-Afghanistan withdrawal, irritants in bilateral relations may diminish further.

What Could Be the Challenges for South Asia Under Trump’s Administration?

1. Under Trump, South Asia may face challenges due to his confrontational stance towards China. 2. This could pressurize countries in the region to choose sides more definitively.
2. Additionally, Trump’s unpredictable policy decisions might limit the regional countries’ flexibility in international relations.

How Might Trump’s Foreign Policy Approach Impact Global Issues?

1. Trump’s promises to tackle global issues like the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia could, if successful, alleviate economic pressures in South Asia from food and fuel inflation.
2. However, his focus on American interests and reduced emphasis on nation-building could lead to varied impacts across different countries in the region.

Conclusion

Trump’s return as U.S. President may strengthen U.S.-India ties, focusing on countering China while reducing emphasis on democracy and human rights. His policies could benefit India’s regional leadership and South Asian countries like Sri Lanka, but pressure on others like Bangladesh may rise. His focus on peace efforts may help South Asia tackle economic challenges.

Question for practice:

Evaluate the impact of Donald Trump’s potential return as U.S. President on U.S.-India relations and South Asia’s geopolitical dynamics.

GS PAPER - 3

Zika virus transmission in Africa is low due to differences in mosquito species

Source: The post Zika virus transmission in Africa is low due to differences in mosquito species has been created, based on the article “Genomic variation in mosquitoes responsible for low rates of Zika transmission in Africa: Study” published in “Down to Earth” on 14th December 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3-Science and technology-Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

Context: The article explains that Zika virus transmission in Africa is low due to differences in mosquito species. The native mosquito, Aedes aegypti formosus, is less effective at spreading the virus. Temperature and mosquito genetics influence Zika spread, though urbanization and climate change may increase future risks.

For detailed information on Zika virus read this article here

Why is Zika Virus Transmission Low in Africa?

The Zika virus spreads less in Africa due to differences in mosquito species. The native mosquito, Aedes aegypti formosus (Aaf), is less effective at transmitting the virus than its globally invasive counterpart, Aedes aegypti aegypti (Aaa). Aaf feeds on both humans and animals, lowering human infection risks, while Aaa primarily feeds on humans, making it more efficient at spreading the virus.

How Do Mosquito Variations Affect Transmission?

Aedes aegypti exists in two forms:

1. Aedes aegypti aegypti (Aaa): Found outside Africa, it breeds in artificial containers, lives in human habitats, and feeds mainly on humans.
2. Aedes aegypti formosus (Aaf): Native to Africa, it breeds in natural habitats, like tree holes, and feeds on both humans and animals.

The mixed feeding behavior of Aaf acts as a natural barrier, reducing Zika virus transmission in Africa.

How Do Genetics and Temperature Influence the Spread?

1. Genetics: Zika burden closely matches the proportion of Aaa mosquitoes in African regions. Aaf mosquitoes are genetically less capable of transmitting the virus.
2. Temperature: Sub-Saharan Africa has ideal conditions for Zika transmission in some regions. However, areas with extreme temperatures (too hot or cold) limit mosquito survival and virus spread.

What Did the Study Find About Urban Risks?

1. Researchers analyzed 59 African cities with populations over 1 million.
2. They found: 23 cities (39%) are already suitable for Zika outbreaks due to their climate and mosquito populations.
3. Rapid urbanization and climate change could increase vulnerability to Zika in African cities.

Conclusion

The low Zika burden in Africa is due to mosquito genetics and feeding preferences. However, urbanization and climate change could make African cities more prone to outbreaks in the future.

Question for practice:

Discuss how mosquito species, genetics, and environmental factors influence the transmission of the Zika virus in Africa.

India’s need to triple climate investments to meet its targets

Source: The post India’s need to triple climate investments to meet its targets has been created, based on the article “India needs to triple green investments for meeting climate targets: Report” published in “Down to Earth” on 14th December 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3-Environment

Context: The article discusses India’s need to triple climate investments to meet its targets. It highlights green finance progress, gaps in funding, and sector-wise trends. Most mitigation funds are private, while adaptation funds rely on public sources, especially government budgets.

What is India’s Climate Investment Need?

1. India requires Rs 16,250,000 crore ($2.5 trillion) by 2030 to achieve its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This means Rs 1,100,000 crore ($170 billion) annually is needed.
2. Adaptation alone demands Rs 8,560,000 crore ($1 trillion), or Rs 5,733,000 crore ($67 billion) annually from 2015 to 2030.

What is the Current Green Finance Status?

1. India invested Rs 425,300 crore in green finance during 2021-22.
2. Mitigation efforts received Rs 371,200 crore ($50 billion), a 20% increase from 2019-20.
3. Adaptation sectors received Rs 1,09,200 crore ($15 billion), a three-fold increase from 2019-20.
4. The CPI report, titled The Landscape of Green Finance in India, analyzed both public and private sources of green finance. 83% of mitigation finance was domestic, with the private sector contributing 66%.
5. International mitigation finance rose to 17%, with 66% from private sources, up from 40% in 2019-20.
6. Clean energy attracted 47% of mitigation funding, energy efficiency 35%, and clean transportation 18%.
7. Adaptation funds were 98% public, primarily from government budgets.

How is Adaptation Finance Sourced?

1. 98% of adaptation finance is from public domestic sources, primarily government budgets.
2. Farm adaptation activities saw negligible private funding, with less than 1% from private equity and venture capital.
3. International adaptation finance grew by 19% in 2021-22, with 92% from public sources.

Which Adaptation Sectors Received the Most Funds?

1. Disaster risk management: 42% of adaptation funds, with a ten-fold increase since 2019-20.
2. Flood and cyclone mitigation: 32% of funds.
3. Agricultural adaptation activities: 24%, with crop insurance taking 58%, mostly funded by public sources.

Question for practice:

Discuss the trends and sources of funding for climate adaptation and mitigation efforts in India.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Manganese

News: A study conducted by Mahavir Cancer Sansthan, Bihar has found that manganese contamination of water is leading to cancer in the Gangetic plains of Bihar. 

About Manganese 

• It is a hard, brittle, silvery metal that is usually found in combination with iron, not as a free element in nature. 
• The two common types of manganese ore are Pyrolusite and Psilomelane. 
• India is the fifth largest producer of manganese in the world after China, Gabon, South Africa, and Australia. 
• Manganese deposits occur in almost all geological formations, though they are mainly associated with Dharwar System. 
• Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha are the leading manganese producing states. 
• States with highest reserves of manganese are Odisha (44%), Karnataka (22%), Madhya Pradesh (12%).
• Uses: It is an important raw material for smelting iron ore. 
  • It is also used for manufacturing ferro alloys, bleaching powder, insecticides and paints. 

Abathsahayeswarar Temple

News: The Abathsahayeswarar temple has been selected for the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. 

About Abathsahayeswarar Temple 

• The temple is in Thukkatchi in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu. 
• It is 1,300-year-old and was constructed by Kings Vikrama Chola and Kulothunga Chola. 
  • Kulothunga established an idol for Sarabeshwarar, which is the reason this deity is called Aadhi Sarabeshwarar. 
• The temple houses numerous deities like Soundaryanayaki Ambal, Pillayar, Murugan etc. 
• The temple has been restored using traditional and modern conservation techniques. 

Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation  Initiated by UNESCO in 2000.  Recognises the efforts of individuals and organisations in Asia and Pacific in restoring, conserving, and transforming structures of heritage value.  The objective is to protect cultural heritage sites.

GenCast

News: Google’s DeepMind has launched GenCast to improve the weather forecasting models. 

About GenCast 

• It is a new Artificial Intelligence based weather forecasting model that can predict weather up to 15 days in advance in just 8 minutes. 
• It displays greater speed and accuracy than traditional weather forecasting systems. 
• Working of GenCast: 
  • It employs probabilistic ensemble forecasting to predict a broad range of possible weather scenarios. 
  • It employs a diffusion model approach to generate multiple forecasts, capturing the complex behaviour of the atmosphere. 
  • To improve forecasting, it has been trained on 40 years of weather data like temperature and wind speeds. 
• It can be used to forecast climate change induced extreme weather events, improving disaster preparedness. 
• Scientists are working on making GenCast’s data publicly available to benefit the larger weather forecasting community. 

DHARANI

News: The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras has released 3D high resolution images of human foetal brain, achieving a major landmark in the domain of brain mapping technology.

About Dharani

• It is the largest publicly available digital dataset of the human foetal brain.
• It is a complete atlas of the human brain with researchers providing detailed insights into brain development from the second trimester of the foetus.
• Dharani has been developed with less than one-tenth of the initial funds that were used to create the US-based Allen Brain Atlas.
• It will help in improving current foetal imaging techniques, early diagnosis and treatment of health conditions affecting the brain.
• It signifies advancement in neuroscience research, providing insights into neurological disorders like autism.