Daily Current Affairs UPSC 09 and 10 June 2024

Large Action Models (LAMs)

Adoption of LAMs in enterprises for cost-cutting

Definition of LAMs

• AI model that understands and executes complex tasks.
• Goes beyond text generation like ChatGPT.

Working of LAMs

• Hierarchical approach to action representation and execution.
• Breaks down complex actions into smaller sub-actions for efficient planning.

Applications of LAMs

• Job application automation.
• Investment portfolio optimization.
• Personalized social media content creation.

Subansiri River

Implementation of Fisheries Management Plan at SLHEP

• An agreement has been signed for the implementation of a comprehensive Fisheries Management Plan at Subansiri Lower Hydro Electric Project (SLHEP).
• SLHEP is an under construction gravity dam on the Subansiri River.
• A gravity dam is a concrete or masonry dam designed to resist overturning and sliding forces by its own weight.

About Subansiri River (Gold River)

• The Subansiri River, also known as the Gold River, rises from the Kangig glacier range in Tibet.
• It is a trans-Himalayan river that enters the state of Arunachal Pradesh in India.
• It is a right bank tributary of the Brahmaputra River and joins it in the plains of Assam.
• Major tributaries of the Subansiri River include Laro, Nye, Yume, Tsari, Kamla, etc.

Face Recognition Technology (FRT)

• Adoption of Facial Authentication Technology (FAT) for Digital Life Certificate (DLC) by EPFO in 2022-23 has benefited pensioners.
• FAT is based on Face Recognition Technology (FRT).

About Face Recognition Technology (FRT)

• FRT is a type of biometric security.
• Other forms of biometric security include voice recognition, fingerprint recognition, and eye retina or iris recognition.
• FRT can identify human faces in images or videos and search for faces in a large collection of images.
• Significance: Used in automatic image indexing, video surveillance systems for personal security, etc.

Sticky Inflation

• RBI's recent monetary policy review resulted in the decision to keep the repo rate unchanged for the eighth consecutive time.
• Sticky inflation is a situation where prices do not adjust quickly to changes in supply and demand, causing persistent inflation.
• Factors contributing to sticky inflation include rising wages and prices for consumer goods and services.
• To combat sticky inflation, monetary authorities may need to tighten monetary policy and raise interest rates.

Mumbai High Field

• ONGC is looking for international partners for Mumbai High oil-field.
• Mumbai High Field is in the Arabian Sea, 165 km west-northwest of Mumbai.
• Discovered in 1974, production started in 1976.
• Largest oil field in India with estimated initial oil-in-place of 1,696 million metric tonnes.

East Asia Summit

• The East Asia Summit Senior Official’s Meeting took place in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
• Established in 2005 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on strategic, political, and economic issues in East Asia.
• Membership includes 18 members, including 10 ASEAN members and countries like Australia, China, Japan, India, and the US.
• 6 priority areas of cooperation: Environment and energy, Education, Finance, Global health issues, Natural disaster management, and ASEAN Connectivity.

Northern Limit of Monsoon

Definition of Northern Limit of Monsoon (NLM)

• The NLM is the furthest point north that the monsoon has reached on a specific day.

Southwest Monsoon Progression

• Typically begins in Kerala around June 1st and moves northward, covering the entire country by July 15th.

Latest Advancement in NLM

• The NLM now passes through regions in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and other areas.

National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX)

NHCX Overview

• The NHCX initiative is a collaboration between the Union Health Ministry and IRDAI.
• It aims to provide patients with access to quality healthcare while reducing out-of-pocket expenses.

NHCX Functionality

• The platform will facilitate the exchange of claims-related information among different stakeholders in the healthcare sector.
• It is designed to be interoperable, machine-readable, auditable, and verifiable to ensure the accuracy and trustworthiness of the information being shared.
• NHCX operates on an open standard communication system to promote transparency and efficiency in healthcare services.

Panama (Capital: Panama City)

Political Features

• Panama is a country in Central America located on the Isthmus of Panama.
• It is bordered by Costa Rica to the west and Colombia to the east.
• Panama has maritime boundaries with the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south.

Geographical Features

• Major rivers in Panama include Río Chagres and Rio Chepo.
• The country's major mountain range is the Cordillera Central.
• The highest peak in Panama is Barú Volcano. 

"Call for Action: High Seas Biodiversity Treaty Needed"

• Director General of IUCN urges countries to work towards a High Seas Biodiversity Treaty.
• Action theme for World Oceans Day 2024 is 'Catalyzing Action for Our Ocean & Climate'.

About High Seas Biodiversity Treaty:

• Agreement under UNCLOS on conservation and sustainable use of marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).
• Formally adopted in 2023, will become international law when signed and ratified by at least 60 countries.
• Only 7 countries have ratified the treaty, India has not signed or ratified it.

Key provisions of the Treaty:

• Includes polluter-pays principle and mechanisms for resolving disputes related to pollution in high seas.
• Emphasizes capacity building, technology transfer, and collaboration among regional organizations.
• Recognizes rights and knowledge of indigenous peoples, freedom of scientific research, and fair sharing of benefits.

High Seas

• High seas are areas of the ocean that are not under the jurisdiction of any country.

Characteristics of High Seas

• High seas are not included in exclusive economic zones, territorial seas, or internal waters of any country.
• Resources in the high seas are not owned or regulated by any specific country.

Madras High Court: Cooperative Societies Exempt from RTI Act

• Court ruled that cooperative societies registered under Tamil Nadu Cooperative Societies Act, 1983 are not considered 'public authorities' under the RTI Act, 2005.
• The RTI Act, 2005 provides a framework for citizens to access information held by public authorities to ensure transparency and accountability.
• The Act is based on the right to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed in the Indian Constitution.
• Key provisions of the Act include time limits for providing information, disclosure of certain categories of information, appointment of PIOs, and establishment of Information Commissions.
• Section 8 of the Act outlines exemptions for certain categories of information from disclosure.
• Public Authorities under the RTI Act, 2005 include government bodies, state-controlled entities, and NGOs substantially financed by central or state governments.
• The Supreme Court has ruled that the Office of the Chief Justice of India is considered a Public Authority.
• Duties of Public Authorities include maintaining records, proactively disclosing information, and designating PIOs to provide information to those seeking it under the RTI Act.

Exemptions under Section 8 of the RTI Act:

• Information that could harm the sovereignty and integrity of India, as well as the security, strategic, scientific, or economic interests of the State.
• Information that is prohibited by courts or could be considered contempt of court.
• Information that breaches the privilege of Parliament or State Legislature.
• Commercial confidences, trade secrets, and intellectual property, unless disclosure is in the larger public interest.
• Personal information that is not related to public interest or invades privacy.

"Combatting Misinformation with Media Literacy"

Definition of Misinformation

• False or inaccurate information, such as rumors.
• Identified as a top risk impacting peace and prosperity globally.

Major Impacts of Misinformation

Influencing Voting Behaviour

• Prevalence in political campaigns globally.
• Example: 50,000 fake news posts during India's 2019 elections.

Alienation: Erodes confidence in political system and civic engagement.

Health-related Misinformation: Misinterpretation of scientific knowledge, opinion polarization, fear escalation.

Other Impacts: Manipulation of beliefs, impact on spending behavior.

 Media Literacy as Solution

• Composite set of knowledge, skills, attitudes, competencies, and practices.
• Empowers individuals to critically evaluate news accuracy.
• Reduces susceptibility to manipulation.
• Helps tackle misinformation without undermining freedom of the internet and media.

Initiatives Taken to Combat Misinformation

India

• Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 require social media platforms to prevent the spread of false information.
• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued directives to crack down on deepfakes on social media.

Global

• UNESCO created a Media and Information Literacy curriculum to educate people on how to navigate and critically evaluate information.
• European Commission issued a Code of Practice on Disinformation in 2022 to address the spread of false information.

India's Neighbourhood First Policy and SAGAR Vision

 Neighbourhood First Policy (NFP)

• Guides India's approach towards managing relations with immediate neighbours.
• Countries included: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.
• Aim: Enhance connectivity, trade, and commerce in the region.

Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)

• Concept introduced in 2015.
• Aim: Create a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region based on rules.
• India contributes to connectivity, capacity building, disaster management under SAGAR.

Significance of NFP and SAGAR

• Countering Chinese influence in Indian Ocean Region.
• Strengthening India's leadership role in representing Global South interests in international forums.
• Enhancing maritime security and addressing transnational security challenges
• Promoting implementation of policies like Act East Policy through collaboration with neighbouring countries.

Initiatives to Promote NFP and SAGAR

• South Asia Satellite (SAS): Launched to enhance communication and disaster links with neighboring countries.
• Mission Sagar: India's effort to support Indian Ocean Littoral states during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Vaccine Maitri: Providing Covid vaccines to Bhutan and Maldives as part of NFP.
• Infrastructure projects: Including the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project to connect India with Myanmar and Southeast Asia.

"CCI to Monitor Anti-Trust Settlements"

 Key Highlights of the Draft Regulations:

• Appointment of monitoring agencies: CCI can appoint independent agencies like accounting firms and individuals like chartered accountants to monitor the implementation of CCI's orders.
• CCI's authority over monitoring agencies: CCI can suspend or terminate the involvement of these agencies if they do not meet certain standards, and this decision cannot be challenged in court.
• Independence of monitoring agencies: Agencies must disclose any potential conflicts of interest to confirm their independence.
• Responsibilities of monitoring agencies: Agencies must inform CCI of instances of non-implementation of orders and submit periodic reports as directed by CCI.

Potential Significance of the Draft Proposal:

• Preventing big tech firms from circumventing regulatory orders and ensuring they adhere to their commitments with transparency and accountability in the tech sector.
• Guaranteeing fair and equal participation for all parties involved, ensuring their interests are adequately represented and considered.

"Breakthrough: Exosome-Based CRISPR/Cas9 Platform"

 SafeEXO-Cas Platform Developed by Scientists at Columbia University

• Exosomes are natural vesicles manipulated for drug delivery.
• Enhances delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 for gene editing.
• Facilitates precision medicine and improves cancer treatment.

CRISPR/Cas9 Technology

• Genome editing technology to change genetic code.
• Works as cut and paste mechanism on DNA strands.
• Cas9 protein acts as molecular scissors to allow modifications.

 Applications of CRISPR

• Edit genes in human embryos.
• Improve crop resilience by changing genetic codes.
• Treat diseases like sickle cell disease.