Daily Current Affairs UPSC 21 and 22 April 2024

Genomic Accordion

Genomic Accordions in Poxviruses

• The term "genomic accordion" is used to describe the evolutionary process of Poxviruses, which involves gene amplification, mutation, and reduction.
• Gene amplification is a process that increases the number of copies of a gene, allowing viruses to adapt quickly to host antiviral defenses.

Mpox Virus

• The Mpox virus is a double-stranded DNA virus.
• It belongs to the orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family, which also includes variola, cowpox, vaccinia, and other viruses.

Ethylene Oxide

Singapore Food Agency (SFA) recalls India's Spice product due to ethylene oxide presence.

• SFA has issued a recall for India's Spice product because it contains ethylene oxide, a potentially harmful chemical.

Ethylene Oxide Overview

• Ethylene oxide is a colorless, flammable gas with a sweet odor.
• It is commonly used in the production of various chemicals, including antifreeze, textiles, plastics, detergents, and adhesives.
• Additionally, ethylene oxide is utilized as a pesticide and sterilizing agent for medical equipment.

Health Effects of Ethylene Oxide

• Prolonged exposure to ethylene oxide can lead to irritation of the eyes, skin, and respiratory passages, as well as impact the nervous system.
• Furthermore, ethylene oxide is classified as carcinogenic to humans, posing a potential risk to health.

Exercise Poorvi Lehar

The Indian Navy carried out Exercise Poorvi Lehar on the East Coast, overseen by the Eastern Naval Command.

 Aadharshila

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has introduced a new curriculum called 'Aadharshila' for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) in 2024.
• Aadharshila is a comprehensive 48-week curriculum designed for children aged three to six years old in anganwadis.
• The curriculum is in line with the National Education Policy 2020, emphasizing the importance of early childhood education.
• Aadharshila will act as a foundation for states to create their own curriculums that are culturally relevant and appropriate for their region.

Mahanadi river

Passenger boat capsized in Mahanadi River in Odisha.

Origin and Drainage of Mahanadi River

• Originates from a pool in Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh.
• Drains into Bay of Bengal.

States and Tributaries of Mahanadi River

• Basin spread over Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
• Important tributaries include Seonath, Hasdeo, Mand, Ib, Ong, Tel, Jonk, etc.

Important Projects and Protected Areas along Mahanadi River

• Important projects like Hirakud dam, Mahanadi Reservoir Project.
• Protected areas like Satkosia Tiger Reserve, Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary, etc.

Ross Ice Shelf

Recent Research on Ross Ice Shelf

• Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf experiences sudden jumps twice a day.
• Ross Ice Shelf is a large ice slab comparable in size to France.

Cause of Sudden Jumps

• Sudden jumps occur when two sections of ice press against each other, creating tension.
• Similar to tectonic plates causing earthquakes on Earth.

Potential Impact of Jumps

• Jumps may result in "icequakes," which are seismic disturbances within the ice
  Icequakes can be harmful, particularly to animals and explorers in close proximity

Pink Hydrogen

• Nuclear energy can be utilized to produce Pink Hydrogen through electrolysis.
• Pink Hydrogen, also known as purple or red hydrogen, is generated using nuclear power.
• The high temperatures from nuclear reactors can be used in various hydrogen production methods, such as producing steam for more efficient electrolysis or fossil gas-based steam methane reforming.
• Other types of hydrogen include Green Hydrogen (from renewable energy) and Blue Hydrogen (from natural gas).

NOTTO-ID

• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) mandates unique NOTTO-IDs for all organ transplant cases.
• NOTTO-ID will serve as an identification number for organ donors and recipients
• Directive aims to prevent commercial organ trafficking, particularly involving foreign nationals.
• NOTTO is a national organization under MOHFW responsible for coordinating organ and tissue procurement and distribution efforts.

Sudan (Capital: Khartoum)

Foreign supporters are providing weapons that are contributing to the ongoing conflict in Sudan, as reported by the United Nations.

Political Boundaries:

• Situated in the northeastern region of Africa.
• Shares borders with Egypt, Libya, Chad, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea.
• Has a maritime border with Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea.

Geographical Features:

• The highest peak in Sudan is Deriba Caldera, located in the Jabel Marra Mountain range.
• The major river in Sudan is the Nile River, where the White Nile and Blue Nile converge in the capital city of Khartoum.  

Evaluating Marine Cloud Brightening for Geoengineering Efficacy

• MCB Programme: Increasing cloud condensation nuclei in low marine clouds to reflect more sunlight into space.
• Geoengineering: Manipulating the environment to offset climate change impacts.

Types of Geoengineering:

• Solar Radiation Management: Reflecting sunlight back into space.
• Carbon Dioxide Removal: Sucking carbon out of the atmosphere.
• Earth Radiation Management: Allowing heat to escape into space.

Concerns with Geoengineering:

• Implications for ozone layer recovery.
• Repercussions for weather patterns.
• Creating a "moral hazard" for reducing fossil fuel use.

NHRC India Convenes Full Commission Meeting

• The meeting aimed to discuss how to protect the rights of vulnerable and marginalized groups.

NHRC Background:

• Established in 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act.
• Aligned with the Paris Principle for national human rights institutions.
• Composition includes a Chairperson, full-time Members, and deemed Members.
• Tenure is three years or until the age of seventy.

NHRC Powers and Functions:

• Has the powers of a civil court.
• Can inquire into human rights violations by public servants.
• Can intervene in court proceedings regarding human rights violations.

Key Initiatives:

• Guidelines to prevent police misuse of arrest powers.
• Efforts to eliminate manual scavenging.

Key Challenges:

• NHRC's re-accreditation by GANHRI has been deferred due to political interference and other issues.
• Without accreditation, NHRC may not be able to represent India at the UN Human Rights Council.

Reflecting on 50 Years of Chipko Movement

Chipko Movement: 

• Non-violent protest in Himalayas to prevent tree felling.
• Started in 1973 in Chamoli district under Sundarlal Bahuguna's leadership.
• Villagers hugged trees to prevent felling.

Eco-feminism:

• Examines connections between ecological concerns and women.
• Critiques capitalist patriarchal system.
• Highlights women's role in promoting sustainable practices.

Reasons for emergence of Eco-feminism:

• Interconnected exploitation of environment and subjugation of women.
• Importance of traditional knowledge held by women.
• Women's close relationship with natural environment.

Contemporary relevance of Eco-feminism:

• Critique of capitalist exploitation.
• Valuing traditional ecological knowledge.
• Recognition of Environmental Justice.

Other eco-feminist movements:

• Narmada Bachao Andolan (1985).
• Appiko Movement (1980s).
• Silent Valley Movement (1973).
• Women's fight against Bhopal Gas tragedy.

UN Secretary-General Praises India's MDBs Reform Efforts

• The Secretary-General has announced that the reform of MDBs will be a major focus at the Summit of the Future 2024, which will be hosted by the UNGA.
• MDBs are international financial institutions that provide financial and technical assistance to developing countries, owned by multiple member countries and working globally to promote economic development and reduce poverty.
• Major MDBs include the World Bank Group, Asian Development Bank, among others.

Need for Reforming MDBs:

• Adapting to the changing development needs of the 21st century, such as climate change and income inequality.
• Developing countries are advocating for greater voting power and a more equitable say in MDB decision-making.
• Reforms aim to mobilize private capital alongside public financing to increase development impact.

Challenges in Reforms:

• Difficulty in achieving consensus among diverse member countries.
• Limited financial and technical resources for implementing reforms.
• Slow approval processes hindering progress.

Recommendations from the independent expert group (IEG) on MDB reform:

• Triple the annual lending levels of MDBs to $390 billion by 2030.
• Adopt a triple mandate for MDBs to eliminate extreme poverty, boost shared prosperity, and contribute to global public goods.
• Expand and modernize funding models.

Other suggestions:

• Enhance engagement with the private sector in MDB operations.

IMF Report Warns of Liquidity Risks in Private Credit

Private Credit (PC) Definition and Importance:

• Private Credit refers to non-bank corporate credit provided through bilateral agreements or small "club deals" outside of public securities or commercial banks.
• It is significant as it provides access to credit for companies that are too risky or large for commercial banks and too small for public markets.
• PC also offers customized lending terms to provide flexibility in times of stress.

Threats to Financial Stability due to PC:

• Regulations in PC markets are less regulated and opaque to stakeholders, posing a risk.
• The complex network of leveraged players in the PC value chain, from borrowers to funds to end investors, can lead to risks of spillovers.
• Borrowers in PC are mostly small and mid-size with higher leverage, increasing the risk, especially in a stagflation scenario.

Policy Recommendations for PC:

• Implement a robust supervisory and regulatory approach to PC funds, institutional investors, and leverage providers.
• Strengthen regulations on valuation independency, governance, and frequency.
• Enhance cross-sectoral and international regulatory cooperation to address risks associated with PC.

Australia elevates India to top-tier security partnership

Australian Government's National Defense Strategy 2024 and India as a top-tier security partner.

• The Australian Government's National Defense Strategy 2024 has identified India as a 'top-tier security partner' in the Indo-Pacific Region (IPR).
• The strategy also emphasizes that Australia will continue to seek opportunities with India for practical bilateral and multilateral cooperation, defense industry cooperation, and information sharing.

India-Australia Security Partnership in the Indo-Pacific Region

• Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad): India and Australia, along with Japan and the US, are actively cooperating in the Quad to address urgent challenges in the IPR.
• Bilateral cooperation: Both countries elevated their bilateral ties to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in 2020.
• Defense cooperation: Agreements such as the Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement and Defense Science and Technology Implementing Arrangement provide a framework for deepening defense cooperation. The AUSTRAHIND joint military exercise is also conducted between the two countries.

Significance of India-Australia Partnership in the Indo-Pacific Region

• The partnership is significant due to shared interests in maintaining a rules-based order, freedom of navigation, respect for international laws, collaboration in emerging technologies and critical minerals, and securing regional balance of power in response to Chinese aggression.

Other aspects of India-Australia ties

• Economic cooperation: Both countries signed an Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement in 2022.
• Clean Energy cooperation: A Letter of Intent was signed in 2022 on New and Renewable Technology.
• Critical Mineral Investment Partnership: A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2022 between the AU Critical Minerals Office and Khanji Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL).
• Nuclear cooperation: A Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement was signed in 2014.