Daily Current Affairs UPSC 04 May 2024

Percolation wells

NGO Project to Build Percolation Wells in Bengaluru

• An NGO in Bengaluru has set a goal to construct 10,000 percolation wells in the city by 2026.

Percolation Wells: How They Work

• Percolation wells are earthen dams lined with concrete rings and filled with gravel.
• When it rains, water enters the percolation well and seeps into the soil through multiple layers, eventually reaching natural aquifers underground.

Importance of Percolation Wells

• Percolation wells help improve groundwater levels and prevent flooding in the area.

Other Water Harvesting Structures

• In addition to percolation wells, other water harvesting structures like Kund or Tanka in Rajasthan, Pat in Madhya Pradesh, and Eri in Tamil Nadu are also used to conserve water resources in different regions of India.

Chang'e-6

China successfully launches Chang'e-6 lunar probe

• Chang'e-6 aims to bring back samples from the far side of the moon.
• Humans have never done this before.
• China previously brought samples from the near side of the moon in 2020 with Chang'e-5.
• The probe is expected to make a soft landing in the South Pole of the moon, specifically in the Aitken Basin.
• The mission includes the ICUBE-Q orbiter, a CubeSat developed by Pakistan
• CubeSats are miniature satellites known for their small size and standardized design.

World Press Freedom Index (WPFI) 2024

India's Ranking in WPFI 2024

• India ranked 159 out of 180 countries in the annual World Press Freedom Index (WPFI) 2024.
• The report is published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a Paris-based NGO dedicated to defending and promoting freedom of information.
• The WPFI 2024 was released on World Press Freedom Day (3 May) with the theme "A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the Environmental Crisis".

About WPFI 2024

• The top three countries in the WPFI 2024 are Norway, Denmark, and Sweden.
• The ranking is based on five indicators: Political, Economic, Legislative, Social, and Security.

Goods & Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT)

Appointment of Retired Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra as President of GSTAT

• The Centre has appointed retired Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra as the President of GSTAT, the Second Appellate Authority established under the Central GST (CGST) Act, 2017.

About GSTAT

• GSTAT is a Second Appellate Authority established under the Central GST (CGST) Act, 2017 for hearing appeals against orders passed by the Appellate Authority under the CGST Act, 2017 and State GST Acts.
• It ensures uniformity in the redressal of disputes arising under GST.
• GSTAT consists of a Principal Bench located in New Delhi and various State Benches.
• The Principal Bench is presided over by the President and consists of two Technical Members, one each from the Centre and State.

Participatory notes (P-notes)

• Registered FPIs at GIFT IFSC can now issue participatory notes (p-notes).
• Participatory notes are issued by registered foreign FPIs to overseas investors to invest in the Indian stock market without direct registration.
• P-notes serve as a substitute for owning Indian company shares.
• Benefits of p-notes include avoiding registration with SEBI and providing anonymity for investors.
• P-notes offer more investment choices for investors in Indian stocks.
• Challenges of p-notes include lack of transparency and potential for uncontrolled money in the Indian stock market.

Batillipes chandrayaani

Discovery of Batillipes chandrayaani

• A new species of marine tardigrade was found off the southeast coast of Tamil Nadu and named Batillipes chandrayaani after the Chandrayaan-3 moon mission.

Characteristics of Batillipes chandrayaani

• Batillipes chandrayaani is the third marine tardigrade species discovered in Indian waters and has a trapezoid-shaped head and four pairs of legs with sharp-tipped sensory spines.

Information about Tardigrades

• Tardigrades are near-microscopic aquatic animals with plump, segmented bodies and flattened heads, also known as 'water bears'. They are incredibly resilient creatures and marine tardigrades make up 17% of all known tardigrade species.

Oxytocin

Delhi High Court Orders Police Action Against Oxytocin Use on Cattle in City Dairies

• Oxytocin is a hormone produced by mammals during various physiological processes such as sex, childbirth, lactation, and social bonding.
• The hormone is used to prevent excessive bleeding in new mothers after childbirth.
• Unfortunately, oxytocin is misused on milch cattle to increase milk yield.
• The use of oxytocin on animals is regulated under Section 26 A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940.
• Administering oxytocin to cattle is considered animal cruelty and is punishable under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

Sri Madhava Perumal Temple

1. Inscriptions at Sri Madhava Perumal Temple reveal ancient trade route.

• The inscriptions found at the temple, which is mostly submerged by the Bhavanisagar dam, indicate the existence of a 1000-year-old trade route.
• The trade route connected the Kongu region in western Tamil Nadu with southern Karnataka and Kerala by crossing the River Bhavani and River Moyar.

2. Construction of Sri Madhava Perumal Temple by Veera Siddha Keththaya Dhandanayaka.

•  In 1338, Veera Siddha Keththaya Dhandanayaka built the Sri Madhava Perumal Temple.

3. Dedication of the temple to Thondreeshwaramudiayar (Lord Shiva) under Hoysala rule.

• The temple is dedicated to Thondreeshwaramudiayar, who is Lord Shiva.
• During this time, the area where the temple is located came under the rule of the Hoysala dynasty.

Netherlands (Capital: Amsterdam)

Political Features:

• The 12th India-Netherlands Foreign Office Consultations took place in The Hague, Netherlands.
• The Netherlands is located in north-western Europe and is also known as Holland.
• It shares land boundaries with Belgium to the south and Germany to the east.
• The country is surrounded by the North Sea to the north and west.

Geographical Features:

• The Netherlands is home to major rivers such as the Rhine and Meuse.
• The highest point in the country is Vaalserberg.
• More than a quarter of the total land area of the Netherlands is below sea level.

"Spices Board India Requires ETO Testing for Spice Shipments to Singapore, Hong Kong"

Spice Industry in India

• India is the leading producer, consumer, and exporter of spices globally.
• In 2022-23, spice exports from India reached US$ 3.73 billion, with major destinations being China, USA, and Bangladesh.
• India produces 75 out of the 109 varieties of spices recognized by ISO, with chilli, cumin, turmeric, ginger, and coriander making up 76% of total production.
• The top spice-producing states in India include Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka.

Challenges in the Spice Industry

• Challenges in the spice industry include low productivity, poor product quality, disappearance of indigenous varieties, and export rejections due to pesticide residues exceeding limits.

Initiatives to Boost Spice Exports

• The Spices Board of India has introduced guidelines to prevent ETO contamination in spice exports.
• Efforts are being made to develop and promote spice exports, as well as establish and maintain infrastructure for common processing in Spices Parks.

About the Spices Board of India

• The Spices Board of India was established in 1987 under the Spices Board Act of 1986, with its headquarters in Cochin, Kerala.
• It is an autonomous body responsible for promoting the export of 52 scheduled species and developing cardamom.
• India hosts and chairs the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) under the Codex Alimentarius Committee, with the Spices Board of India serving as its secretariat.
• The Spices Board of India operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

"India's Logistics Performance Index to Soar by 2030: Invest India"

Growth of Indian Logistics Sector

• Invest India predicts that the Indian logistics sector will grow from USD 250 billion in 2021 to USD 380 billion by 2025.
• India aims to reduce logistics costs from 13%-14% of GDP to 8%-10% of GDP by 2030.

Components of Logistics

• Logistics involves the transportation and handling of goods, storage, value addition, and related services.
• Logistics infrastructure includes ports, Multimodal Logistics Parks (MMLPs), warehouses, etc.

Benefits of a Efficient Logistics Sector

• An efficient logistics sector ensures a smooth supply chain, reduces delays, and minimizes lead time.
• It fosters economic integration by improving connectivity between regions and markets.
• Enhances business competitiveness by reducing transportation, storage, and distribution costs, leading to employment generation.

Challenges Faced by Indian Logistics Sector

• The sector faces challenges such as a fragmented supply chain with many small players, complex regulatory frameworks, and a lack of qualified personnel.
• Delays in shipments and increased costs are also issues due to lack of coordination between states.

Initiatives to Promote Logistics Sector

• The National Logistics Policy 2022 aims to promote seamless flow of goods and improve Indian goods competitiveness.
• MMLPs are being established to enhance the country's freight logistics sector and enable efficient inter-modal freight movement.
• The Logistics Efficiency Enhancement Programme (LEEP) and PM GatiShakti are initiatives to improve freight transport efficiency and overall logistics efficiency.

"US Accuses Russia of Using Chloropicrin in Ukraine"

Chloropicrin as a Broad-Spectrum Chemical

• Chloropicrin is a versatile chemical that can be used for various purposes such as antimicrobial, fungicide, herbicide, insecticide, nematicide, and even as a warfare agent.
• Originally used as a poison gas in World War I by both Allied and Central Powers.

International Regulation on Chemical Weapons

• The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) was established in 1997 by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to prohibit the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons.
• India is a signatory of the CWC and has enacted the Chemical Weapons Convention Act, 2000.
• The Geneva Protocol of 1925 also prohibits the use of chemical and biological weapons in conflicts.

Concerns and Issues with Chemical Weapons

• Chemical weapons are indiscriminate in nature and can cause lifelong damages.
• Recent conflicts, such as in Syria, have seen the use of chemical weapons, raising concerns globally.

Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

• The OPCW is the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention with a mission to achieve a world free of chemical weapons.
• It has 193 member states, including India, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for its efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.

CDSCO Centralizes NOC Issuance for Drug Exports

Export NOC and manufacturing license now under CDSCO

• Previously, State Licensing Authority granted export NOC and manufacturing license for unapproved/banned/new drugs solely for export purposes. 
• Now, the sole licensing authority for this will be the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). 
• Manufacturers must obtain NOC from respective Zonal offices of CDSCO through SUGAM Portal to streamline the process and avoid delays in export consignments.

Indian Pharmaceutical Industry overview

• Known as the ‘Pharmacy of the World’, the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry is the largest provider of generic medicines globally, with a 20% share in global supply by volume. 
• It contributes significantly to the production of vaccines such as DPT, BCG, and measles vaccines. 
• The industry is projected to reach USD 130 Billion by 2030.

Challenges faced by Indian Pharmaceutical Industry

• Dependence on China for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, instances of contaminated drugs and cough syrups, and low investments in Research & Development are some of the challenges faced by the industry.

Initiatives to strengthen Pharma Industry

• Initiatives such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Pharmaceuticals, Strengthening of Pharmaceutical Industry Scheme, and Scheme for Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks have been implemented to strengthen the industry.

About CDSCO

• CDSCO operates under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare with its headquarters in New Delhi. 
• It has 9 Zonal offices and performs regulatory functions under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and rules 1945. 
• Responsibilities include approval of drugs, conducting clinical trials, setting standards for drugs, and ensuring quality control of imported drugs.

"Ganga River Floodplain Encroachment: NGT Warning"

Floodplain Zoning and its Importance

• In 2017, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) declared a 100-meter area along the Ganga river between Haridwar and Unnao as a "No Development Zone" to prevent encroachment and pollution. This order required the state government to identify permissible and non-permissible activities in the floodplains.

Importance of Floodplain Zoning

• Floodplain zoning is a non-structural method for managing floods by identifying areas at risk of flooding and regulating development in those zones to minimize damage.
• However, some states are hesitant to implement floodplain zoning due to challenges like high population density and lack of land for relocating people living in flood-prone areas.

Challenges in Implementing Floodplain Zoning

• Many states have reservations about implementing floodplain zoning due to high population density and lack of sufficient land for relocating people living in flood-prone areas.

Steps for Floodplain Zoning

• The Model Bill for Flood Plain Zoning 1975 outlines zoning of floodplains according to flood frequencies, with states like Manipur, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir enacting legislation.
• The National Mission for Clean Ganga has advised all states in the Ganga basin to demarcate river floodplains and remove encroachments.
• The National Disaster Management Authority Guidelines provide recommendations for construction in floodplains based on flood frequencies, with preferences given to different types of installations and structures.

Implementing Indian Space Policy 2023: IN-SPACe's NGP Released

ISP and IN-SPACe in the Indian Space Sector

• ISP aims to involve the private sector in the space industry.
• ISRO focuses on advanced space technology research and development.
• IN-SPACe focuses on developing the space ecosystem in India.

NGP and its role in the Indian space sector

• Complements government efforts by providing a predictable regulatory framework.
• Aims to increase transparency and ease of doing business in the space sector.

Authorization Process by IN-SPACe

• Entities conducting space activities in or from Indian territory need authorization.
• Only Indian entities can apply for authorization.
• Non-Indian entities can apply through an Indian entity.
• Registration process requires detailed information about space objects.

About IN-SPACe

• Established in 2020 as a single-window agency in the Department of Space.
• Aims to reform the space sector to involve private players.
• Responsible for promoting, enabling, authorizing, and supervising space activities of non-governmental agencies.
• Acts as a bridge between ISRO and Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs).