Daily Current Affairs UPSC 11 June 2024

Welcome to our daily current affairs blog post for UPSC aspirants! In today's edition, we will be discussing the most significant events and news updates that took place on 11th June 2024. Staying updated with current affairs is crucial for UPSC preparation, as it not only helps you stay informed but also enhances your understanding of various subjects. So, let's dive into the important happenings of the day and explore their potential impact on the upcoming UPSC examinations.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

The Prime Minister released the 17th instalment of the PM Kisan Nidhi scheme.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
Type: Central Sector Scheme.
Aim: To supplement financial needs of land-holding farmers families in procuring various inputs and also domestic needs.
Objective: To provide income support to all land-holding eligible farmer families (families include husband, wife and minor children).
Beneficiaries: All landholding farmers, subject to certain exclusions.
Benefits: Rs. 6,000 is transferred annually in three equal instalments of Rs. 2,000 each every four months.
Exclusion: Beneficiaries of higher economic status shall not be eligible.

Veterinary Council of India (VCI)

Election of Members to VCI

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying holds elections every three years to elect 11 members to VCI.
The Council also includes nominated members.

About VCI

VCI is a statutory body established under the Indian Veterinary Council Act 1984.
It receives 100% Grants-in-Aid from the Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying to cover its office expenses.
VCI is responsible for regulating veterinary practice, preparing and maintaining an Indian Veterinary Practitioners Register, and other related duties.

Cold lava

Cold Lava, also known as Lehar in Indonesian, is a dense mixture of volcanic material, debris, and water that behaves like a fast-moving landslide.
It is formed when water interacts with volcanic ash and debris on the slopes of a volcano, remaining hot internally due to chemical reactions within volcanic material.

Threats Posed by Cold Lava:

Cold Lava can advance rapidly, giving little time for evacuation.
Its high density and abrasive nature can cause significant damage to buildings, roads, and human life.

Lipulekh pass

Demand for resumption of border trade through Lipulekh Pass.

Location of Lipulekh Pass

Close to tri-junction of India, China (Tibet), and Nepal.
Situated in Uttarakhand (Pithoragarh district).
Major pass of Kumaun region in Kali Valley.

Historical significance of Lipulekh Pass

Ancient trade route used for centuries by traders, pilgrims, and travelers.
Facilitates cultural exchange.
Reduces travel time for Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrimage.

Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on border trade

Closure of Lipulekh Pass during pandemic.
Indian traders demanding resumption of trade with China.

Importance of resuming border trade through Lipulekh Pass

Boosts economic activity in the region.
Enhances cultural exchange and connectivity.
Facilitates trade and pilgrimage routes.

Xylitol

Xylitol Health Risks

Recent study suggests that xylitol may pose health risks, including an increased risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes.

What is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol commonly used as a sweetener in various products.
It combines traits of sugar molecules and alcohol molecules.
It is commonly found in sugar-free chewing gums, diabetes-friendly foods, and oral-care products.
Xylitol can be found naturally or artificially produced, primarily from plant materials.

Microalgae

Microalgae are a diverse group of single-cell photosynthetic organisms, including both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, that live in various ecosystems.
They are rich in nutrients and biologically active substances like proteins and vitamins, making them a potential protein supplement.
Microalgae play a significant role in the carbon cycle by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen through photosynthesis.
They are also an essential part of the food chain, with phytoplankton, including microalgae, forming the base of the food chain.

General Anti-avoidance Rule (GAAR)

Telangana High Court ruling on GAAR

The Telangana High Court ruled in favor of GAAR against a taxpayer.
The court held that colourable devices, which are transactions without commercial substance, cannot be part of tax planning.

About GAAR

GAAR empowers tax authorities to deny tax benefits on transactions or arrangements that have no commercial substance and are solely for the purpose of avoiding tax.
GAAR came into effect on 1st April 2017.
The provisions of GAAR are contained in Chapter X-A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)

Initiatives Launched by NITI Aayog to Foster Innovation

1. AIM – Innovation Centre Denmark (ICDK) Water challenge 4.0.

A program aimed at addressing critical water-related challenges through inventive solutions.

2. Innovations For You – Sustainable Development Goals.

A handbook spotlighting entrepreneurs from India who are contributing to societal betterment through sustainable innovations.

About AIM

Launched in 2016 by NITI Aayog, it is the Government of India's flagship program to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
All initiatives of AIM are monitored using real-time systems and dynamic dashboards.

Ramprasad Bismil (1897-1927)

Early Life

Born in Shahjahanpur district of present-day Uttar Pradesh.
Contribution
Joined Arya Samaj Youth Association at a young age to spread teachings of Swami Dayanand.
Involved in Mainpuri Conspiracy in 1918, where he was found selling banned books.
Published pamphlet 'Deshwasiyon ke Naam' and distributed it along with his poem 'Mainpuri ki Pratigya'.
Established Hindustan Republican Association in 1924 with Sanyal, Ashfaqullah, and Chatterjee.
Mastermind behind Kakori Conspiracy Case.

Values: Patriotism, Courage, Leadership.

"ISRO unveils stunning images of the Sun from Aditya-L1"

Remote sensing payloads on Aditya-L1 spacecraft

Solar UltraViolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) and Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC).
Purpose: Study solar flares, energy distribution, sun spot, space weather, solar activity, and UV radiation.

SUIT and VELC

SUIT: Images Solar Photosphere and Chromosphere in near UV, measures solar irradiance variations.
VELC: Studies solar corona and dynamics of coronal mass ejections.

Aditya L-1

India's first space mission to observe the Sun from a halo orbit around Lagrange point 1 (L1).
Launched in 2023 by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) XL (PSLV-C57) with 7 payloads.
Significance: Understand Coronal heating, solar wind acceleration, study particle dynamics from the Sun.

Other solar missions

NASA's Parker Solar Probe, European Space Agency's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, China's Kuafu-1 solar probe.
Similar missions to study the Sun and its effects on space weather and solar activity.

Definition of Lagrange points (L1)

Lagrange points are locations in space where the gravitational forces of two large bodies balance the centripetal force required for a smaller object to orbit with them.

Advantages of L1

L1 allows for continuous viewing of the Sun without any interruptions from occultation or eclipses.

Types of Lagrange points

There are five Lagrange points, with three being unstable (L1, L2, L3) and two being stable (L4, L5).
The unstable Lagrange points (L1, L2, L3) lie along the line connecting the two large masses, while the stable points (L4, L5) are located in the same orbit as one of the large masses.

"Enhancing CPEC: Pakistan and China's Agreement"

Overview of CPEC

CPEC phase-1 focused on infrastructure, energy, and port development projects.
CPEC phase-2 focuses on Special Economic Zone development and industrialization.
It is a 3,000-km-long route connecting China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and Gwadar Port in Pakistan.
Launched in 2015 as part of the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI).

India's Concerns about CPEC

CPEC passes through Gilgit-Baltistan, violating India's sovereignty.
Gwadar port development threatens India's maritime security and energy imports.
Economic non-viability of some BRI projects leading to debt trap situations in other countries.

India's Countermeasures against CPEC

Development of Chabahar port in Iran to counter Gwadar port.
International North-South Transport Corridor to connect India to central Asia and Eurasia without passing through Pakistan.

"Government's Initiative: 3 Crore New Houses Under PMAY"

Housing targets under PMAY: 3 crore houses in total.
Breakdown of housing targets: 2 crore under PMAY-Rural, 1 crore under PMAY-Urban.
Additional houses under PMAY-Rural: 2 crore, in addition to 2.95 crore sanctioned in 2016.
Goal of PMAY: Provide pucca houses to all by 2024.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) Parameters

Parameters	PMAY-Urban	PMAY-Rural
Nodal Ministry	Launched in 2015 by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.	Launched in 2016 by Ministry of Rural Development.
Type	Both Centrally Sponsored and Central Sector Scheme.	Centrally Sponsored.
Beneficiaries	Economically Weaker Section (EWS) with up to 3 lakh income. Low Income Group (LIG) with 3-6 lakh income. Middle Income Group (MIG) with 6-12 lakh income. EWS eligible for Assistance in all four verticals of Missions, while LIG/MIG category is eligible under only CLSS component of Mission.	Identified through Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC), 2011.
Four Verticals	In-situ Slum Redevelopment Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) Affordable Housing in Partnership Beneficiary-led Construction/ Enhancement
Current Status	83.51 Lakh houses completed as of 3rd June 2024.	2.62 Crore houses completed as of 11 June 2024.

"2024 Fisheries and Aquaculture Report Released"

Key Findings of FAO Report on Blue Transformation in Action:

World fisheries and aquaculture production reached a record high of 223.2 million tonnes in 2022.
India ranked second in aquatic animals production, accounting for 8% of total production.
Aquaculture surpassed capture fisheries for the first time as the main producer of aquatic animals.
India ranked first in Inland fisheries production with 1.9 million tonnes.

Role of Aquatic Foods in Climate Action:

The UNFCCC Ocean Dialogue in 2023 recognized the potential of aquatic foods in providing climate solutions.
FAO integrates traditional knowledge to adapt to climate change, such as using local species suited for changing conditions.

Blue Transformation in Action Objectives:

Sustainable aquaculture expansion to meet global demand with equitable benefit distribution.
Effective fisheries management for healthy stocks and fair livelihoods.
Upgraded aquatic value chains to ensure social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

Fisheries and aquaculture in the context of Global Biodiversity Agreements

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

CBD adopted the GBF in 2022 to assist countries in creating national plans for biodiversity protection.
Aquatic food systems are linked to GBF targets like managing aquatic spaces and reducing species extinction risk.

UN Treaty for Marine Biological Diversity Conservation

In 2023, UN members approved a binding treaty for conserving and sustainably using marine biological diversity beyond national jurisdiction.

"Empowering Indian Schools: New Data Ecosystem Report"

Origin of the released data

Released by Aapti Institute and Mozilla foundation.
Funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Importance of school education data

Can be used to create targeted policies and interventions.
Can lead to personalized learning and improved educational outcomes.
Promotes efficient allocation of resources.

Challenges in implementing data-backed education system in India

Lack of integration among diverse data sets.
Digital divide in rural and underprivileged regions.
Labor-intensive nature of data collection.

Recommendations for improving data collection and utilization

Establishment of a centralized data collection agency.
Incentivizing teachers for data entry tasks.
Strengthening infrastructure and capacity through effective budgeting and training.
Creation of school leaderboards based on data utilization effectiveness.

Central Elements of Data and Technology in Indian Education Ecosystem

National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR) under National Education Policy 2020.

Aims to revolutionize education system with unified and interoperable digital infrastructure.

Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+)

Manages school level data.

Anganwadi Centres and POSHAN Tracker

Oversees data on children aged 3 to 6.

BRICS Expansion: First Ministerial Meeting in Russia

Joint Statement Highlights:

Reaffirmation of commitment to strengthen BRICS Strategic Partnership.
Support for comprehensive UN reform.
Commitment to multilateralism and upholding international law.

About BRICS:

BRIC leaders first met in 2006, with the first summit held in Russia in 2009
South Africa joined in 2010, making it BRICS.

Significance of BRICS for India:

Provides a voice for developing nations and the global south.
Offers a safe space for dialogue and resolution of differences.
Pushes for reforms in global institutions and financial systems.

Challenges with BRICS:

Divergence in world views among member countries.
Internal trust deficit.
Overlapping with other groups like IBSA.

Key Initiatives of BRICS

New Development Bank (HQ: Shanghai): Aims to gather resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects.
BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement: Designed to prevent short-term liquidity crises and enhance financial stability within the member countries.
BRICS Payments Task Force: Focuses on collaborating on national payments systems to facilitate smoother transactions and financial interactions among the member nations.