Daily Current Affairs UPSC 01 June 2024

Living Will

High Court judge in Goa creates history by registering a 'living will'

• About Living Will (Advance Medical Directive).
• Written document with explicit instructions for medical treatment in case of incompetence or inability to communicate.
• Voluntarily executed.
• Supreme Court ruling in Common Cause vs. Union of India & Anr. (2018) allows for passive euthanasia for those in persistent vegetative state.
• Living will can be used to refuse medical treatment for terminal illness.

Variable Repo Rate (VRR)

• The recent VRR auction conducted by the Reserve Bank of India received a positive response from banks.

About VRR

• VRR stands for Variable Rate Repo, which is the rate at which RBI allows banks to borrow money at a rate determined by the market.
• Repo Rate is the fixed rate at which banks borrow money from RBI.
• The borrowing duration for VRR is typically more than one day and up to 14 days.
• VRR is a tool used by RBI to inject short-term liquidity into the banking system
  Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR) is a similar process conducted by RBI to absorb excess liquidity from the system.

Funan Techno Canal

1. Upcoming Construction of Funan Techno Canal in Cambodia

• Cambodia has recently revealed plans to begin construction on the Funan Techno Canal in the near future.

2. Details of the Funan Techno Canal Project

• The Funan Techno Canal is a proposed 180-kilometer canal project in Cambodia that is being funded by China.
• The canal will link the Cambodian coastal province of Kep, located on the Gulf of Thailand, with the capital city of Phnom Penh via the Bassac River (Hau Giang River), which is a significant tributary of the Mekong River.
• Once completed, the canal will help reduce Cambodia's dependence on Vietnamese ports for international shipping.

Koya Tribe

Special Enforcement Bureau raids on Mahua liquor in Andhra Pradesh have impacted the Koya tribe's traditional practices.

Mahua Liquor Raids

• The Special Enforcement Bureau has conducted raids on Mahua liquor in Andhra Pradesh.
• Mahua is considered sacred by the Koya tribe, and its flowers are used for brewing liquor.

About the Koya Tribe

1.Habitat

• The Koya tribe resides in the hills and forests north of Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh and Malkangiri district in Odisha.

2.Occupation

• Traditionally, the Koya tribe were pastoralists and shifting cultivators, but now they have shifted to settled cultivation.
• They cultivate crops such as paddy, maize, mandia (millet), and tobacco leaf.

3.Culture

• The Koya tribe speaks the Koya language, which belongs to the Dravidian family of languages.
• They observe annual religious festivals like Bijja Pandu, Kodta Pandu, and Bimud Pandu.

Dag Hammarskjold medal

Presentation of Dag Hammarskjöld Medal to Naik Dhananjay Kumar Singh

• The UN recently awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal posthumously to Indian peacekeeper Naik Dhananjay Kumar Singh.
• This award is given to members of peacekeeping operations who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the UN.

About the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal

•  The Dag Hammarskjöld Medal is a posthumous award given to individuals who have lost their lives while serving in UN peacekeeping operations. 
• The first Medal was presented to the family of Dag Hammarskjöld, who served as Secretary-General of the UN from 1953 to 1961.
• The Medal serves as a tribute to those who have dedicated their lives to promoting peace and security around the world.

Global food policy report 2024: Food systems for healthy diets and nutrition

IFPRI Releases New Report

Key Findings:

• IFPRI's research shows that climate change and biodiversity loss can have intricate impacts on diets, influencing factors such as food availability and diversity.
• More than two billion individuals, particularly in Africa and South Asia, are unable to afford a nutritious diet.
• In India, around 38% of the population consumes unhealthy foods.
• Due to poor dietary habits, 16.6% of Indians suffer from malnutrition.

About IFPRI

• IFPRI, established in 1975, is a research center that is part of the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers.

Stromatolites

• Recently, researchers made the first discovery of living shallow-marine stromatolites near the Red Sea in the Middle East.

About Stromatolites

• Stromatolites are microbial communities that are found in layers of rock.
• They are the earliest geological record of life on Earth.
• Stromatolites played a role in the Great Oxygenation Event, which introduced oxygen into the atmosphere.
• These microbial communities are typically found in extreme environmental niches, making them rare and sparsely scattered across the globe.

Senkaku Islands

Chinese ships spotted near disputed Senkaku Islands

About:

• The Senkaku Islands, also known as Diaoyu in Chinese, are located in the East China Sea approximately 170km northwest of Japan's Ishigaki Island/ Okinawa Prefecture, 170km northeast of Taiwan, and 330km from the mainland China coast.
• The islands comprise a group of islands including Uotsuri Island (the largest), Kuba Island, Taisho Island, and others.
• Japan and China have long disputed the ownership of the Senkaku Islands, with both nations asserting historical claims over the uninhabited rocky chain.

Ahilyabai Holkar (1725 – 1795)

Commemoration of the 299th Birth Anniversary of Ahilyabhai Holkar

About:

• Ahilyabhai Holkar, the Holkar Queen of Malwa Kingdom, was honored on her 299th birth anniversary.
• She was born in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, and took control of Malwa in 1754 after her husband's death in the Battle of Kumher.

Significant Contributions of Ahilyabhai Holkar

• The city of Maheshwar flourished under her rule, becoming a hub for literature, music, art, and industry.
• She played a key role in establishing the textile industry that produced the famous Maheshwari sarees.
• Ahilyabhai Holkar promoted the message of dharma and encouraged industrialization in her kingdom.
• She also undertook the restoration of various temples, including Kashi Vishwanath and Omkareshwar.

Values Upheld by Ahilyabhai Holkar

• Ahilyabhai Holkar was known for her courage, compassion, and exceptional administrative skills, which contributed to her success as a ruler. 

RBI's Strategic Plan for INR Internationalisation 2024-25

Action Plan for Internationalisation of INR

• RBI's Annual Report for 2023-24 highlighted an Action Plan for promoting the internationalisation of INR.
• This includes permitting the opening of INR accounts outside India by persons resident outside India (PROI), INR lending by Indian banks to PROI, and enabling Foreign Direct Investment and Portfolio Investment through Special Non-Resident Rupee (SNRR) and Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA).

Internationalisation of Rupee

• Refers to the use of the rupee in cross-border transactions.
• To be accepted as an international currency, the INR should be widely used in international transactions, easily convertible, and the country should have a stable financial market.

Benefits of Internationalisation of Rupee

• Reduces dollar demand and strengthens the INR.
• Reduces the cost of doing business and improves competitiveness.
• Reduces the need for holding foreign exchange reserves.
• Reduces vulnerability to external shocks.

Challenges in Internationalisation of Rupee

• INR is not fully convertible.
• Triffin dilemma: The obligation of a country to supply its currency to meet global demand can conflict with its domestic monetary policies.
• Integration of financial markets could affect macroeconomic stability.

Steps taken for Internationalisation of Rupee

• Usage of Indian payment infrastructure in foreign countries like Singapore, Malaysia, etc.
• Bilateral Currency Swap agreements with countries like Japan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, etc.
• Issuance of rupee-denominated bonds, i.e., Masala bonds.

SNRR Account

• SNRR account can be opened by non-residents with business interests in India for legitimate rupee transactions.
• These accounts are typically used for specific transactions related to trade, foreign investments, and External Commercial Borrowings.

SRVA Account

• SRVA is a Vostro account held by domestic banks for foreign banks in Indian rupees.
• It is an additional system to existing ones using freely convertible currencies.
• Opening an SRVA account requires prior approval from the RBI.

India's FDI inflows decline in FY 2023-24: DPIIT

FDI Inflows in India in 2023-24

• FDI inflows in India decreased by 3.49% to $44.42 billion in 2023-24 compared to the previous year.
• Maharashtra received the highest FDI in the country, followed by Gujarat and Karnataka.
• Singapore was the top source of foreign inflows into India, followed by Mauritius and the USA.
• The top 5 countries for FDI equity inflows into India from 2000-2024 are Mauritius, Singapore, USA, Netherlands, and Japan.
• The sectors receiving the highest FDI in 2023-24 were Computer Software & Hardware, Service sector, and Construction Activities.
• The top 5 sectors receiving the highest FDI equity inflow from 2000-2024 are Services Sector, Computer Software & Hardware, Trading, Telecommunications, and Automobile Industry.

About FDI in India

• FDI is an investment made by a company or individual in one country into business interests located in another country.
• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is responsible for formulating FDI policy in India.
• FDI can be permitted through the Automatic route (no government approval required) or the Government route (approval required).
• Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds, Foreign Institutional Investment with certain conditions, and Global Depository Receipts are included in FDI.
• FDI is prohibited in certain sectors such as Lottery Business, Gambling and Betting, Chit funds, Nidhi company, and Trading in Transferable Development Rights.

Importance of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

• Boosts economic growth by bringing in capital and technology.
• Promotes development in underdeveloped regions.
• Helps maintain exchange rate stability.

Concerns about FDI in India

• Concentration of FDI in states like Maharashtra and Karnataka exacerbates existing inequalities
• Potential for unfair competition that could harm domestic companies

Efforts to encourage FDI

• Relaxation of FDI regulations in sectors such as Insurance and Power exchanges
• Investment promotion and facilitation through programs like Invest India
• Attracting foreign investment through initiatives like Make in India

"India's Millet Production Stagnant: RBI Report"

Reasons for Stagnant Millet Production:

• Labor shortages and insufficient fertilizer leading to yield gap
• Shift in consumer preferences towards fine cereals
• Relatively shorter shelf life of crops causing storage issues

About Millet (Shree Anna):

• Millets are small cereal grains belonging to the grass family
• They are nutri-cereals with major millets like sorghum and pearl millet, and minor millets like foxtail and kodo
• Rich source of micronutrients with 7-12% protein, 2-5% fat, 65-75% carbohydrates, and 15-20% dietary fiber
• India's millet productivity (excluding sorghum) was lower than China, Ethiopia, and Russia in 2022
• Major millet producing states in India include Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana

Initiatives to promote Millet:

• National and International year of millets observed in 2018 and 2023 respectively
• National Food Security Mission to increase production and productivity of millets in India
• Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 mandate supply of millets at least once a week and integration in Hot Cooked Meal

Benefit of Millet

Health

• Millet is a good source of minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium
• It has a low Glycemic Index, making it beneficial for preventing diabetes
• Being gluten-free, millet is beneficial for celiac disease patients
• Millet can help combat anemia, cardiovascular disease, and lower cholesterol levels

Economic Security

• Millet provides a sustainable source of income for farmers
• Low investment is needed for production of millet

Environment

• Millet helps to reduce carbon footprint
• It is less water intensive, drought resistant, and sustainable
• Millet requires less fertilizers and pesticides for growth.

"Conservation of Gangetic Dolphin in Small Ganga Rivers"

Key Findings:

• Small rivers contain over 15% of Gangetic dolphins.
• Distribution of dolphins has decreased in certain rivers.
• Lack of ecological information hinders conservation efforts.

Threats to Gangetic Dolphins:

• Unintentional killing, overfishing, net entanglement, poaching, pollution, and dams.

Recommendations:

• Implement comprehensive conservation strategies.
• Adopt a river basin-wide approach.
• Use umbrella-species approach to conserve small rivers.
• Identify priority river stretches for biodiversity protection.
• Implement measures to reduce pollution and monitor biodiversity changes.

About Gangetic dolphins

Protection Status of Gangetic Dolphins:

• IUCN: Endangered
• CITES: Appendix I
• WPA 1972: Schedule I and IV
• Part of species recovery programme

Characteristics of Gangetic Dolphins:

• Long thin snout, rounded belly, stocky body, and large flippers
• Only live in freshwater and are essentially blind
• Also known as "Susu" based on sound made while breathing
• Females are larger than males

Government Initiatives for Protection:

• Declared as national aquatic animal
• Project dolphins
• Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Wildlife Sanctuary

IMD Investigates High Temperature Readings at AWS

AWS Overview:

• AWS stands for Automatic Weather Station
• It is a meteorological station that automatically records and transmits weather data
• Uses four sensors: wind, temperature humidity, pressure, and rainfall sensors
• Measures air temperature in degrees Celsius using an electrical resistance thermometer

Challenges with AWS:

• Accuracy of recordings can become unreliable beyond a certain temperature threshold
• Issues with sensor calibration and placement on concrete structures
• Lack of regular maintenance can affect the accuracy of data

Alternative Heat Measuring Device:

• High temperatures can be measured using a thermometer placed in a Stevenson Screen
• Stevenson Screen is a wooden enclosure that protects meteorological instruments from precipitation and direct heat radiation while allowing air circulation.

About India Meteorological Department (IMD)

• IMD was founded in 1875 and is the main government agency for meteorology and related subjects.
• It is one of the six Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres of the World Meteorological Organization.
• IMD operates under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• The headquarters of IMD is located in New Delhi.
• In addition to the headquarters, IMD has six Regional Meteorological Centres.

Conclusion of 46th ATCM and 26th CEP

National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) Hosted Events

• Hosted by NCPOR, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India
• CEP advises ATCM on environmental protection in Antarctica
• Measures, Decisions, and Resolutions at ATCM implement Antarctic Treaty principles

Antarctic Treaty Overview

• Signed in 1959 in Washington by 12 countries, in force since 1961
• 57 members, 29 consultative parties
• India a Consultative Party since 1983
• Applicable south of 60° South latitude
• Key provisions: peaceful use, scientific cooperation, bans on nuclear activity and military presence

India's Antarctic Initiatives

• India's first research station: Dakshin Gangotri (1983)
• Current research stations: Maitri (1989) and Bharati (2012)
• Plan for new station, Maitri-II, announced at ATCM-46
• Antarctic Act enacted in 2022 to uphold Antarctic Treaty commitments

Related agreements to Antarctic Treaty 

• Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (1991)
• Antarctica is designated as a natural reserve for peace and science
• Focuses on protecting the environment in Antarctica

Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972)

• Aims to protect, study, and use Antarctic seals in a sustainable manner
• Promotes scientific research on Antarctic seals

Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980)

• Focuses on conserving and sustainably using krill, fin fish, and other marine resources in Antarctica
• Aims to protect the marine ecosystem in Antarctica