Daily Current Affairs UPSC 28 and 29 April 2024

Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)

• The Prime Minister recently spoke at the 6th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI).
• The CDRI is a partnership between national governments, UN agencies, and multilateral development banks aimed at promoting the resilience of infrastructure systems.
• The CDRI was launched at the UN Climate Action Summit in 2019 by India.
• The CDRI's strategic priorities include Technical Support and Capacity-building, Research and Knowledge Management, and Advocacy and Partnership.
• The CDRI has 39 member countries and 7 organizations.
• Key initiatives of the CDRI include Infrastructure For Resilient Island States (IRIS) and the Global Infrastructure Resilience Report.
• India serves as the permanent co-chair of the CDRI Governing Council and Executive Committee.
• The CDRI Secretariat is located in New Delhi.

South-China Sea

Philippines Rejects China's Claim on Second Thomas Shoal Agreement.

• The Philippines has rejected China's claim regarding an agreement over the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.
• The South China Sea is a region in the western Pacific Ocean that extends from Singapore and the Strait of Malacca in the southwest to the Strait of Taiwan in the northeast.

Key Disputes in the South China Sea

• Nine-Dash Line: China's imaginary line that encompasses most of the South China Sea and conflicts with the exclusive economic zone claims of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
• Paracel Islands: Controlled by China but also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam.
• Spratly Islands: Contested by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines, and Malaysia.
• Second Thomas Shoal: A submerged reef near the Spratly Islands.
• Scarborough Shoal: Claimed by China, Taiwan, and the Philippines.

Star Campaigner

• The Representation of the People Act, 1951, outlines the rules for star campaigners, also known as leaders of a political party.
• A recognized political party can have up to 40 star campaigners, while a registered unrecognized party can have up to 20.
• The expenses incurred by star campaigners for travel are not considered part of the election expenses of a candidate from that party.

Nilgiri Tahr

Tamil Nadu government conducting survey to estimate Nilgiri Tahr population.

• The Tamil Nadu government is currently conducting a synchronized survey to estimate the population of Nilgiri Tahr.
• Nilgiri Tahr, also known as Nilgiri Ibex, are stocky goats with short, coarse fur. Both males and females have curved horns, with the males having larger horns.
• They are the only Mountain Ungulate (Hoofed Mammal) found in southern India.
• Their habitat consists of open montane grassland habitats in the South Western Ghats.
• Nilgiri Tahr is listed as Endangered under the IUCN Red List and is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• It is also the state animal of Tamil Nadu.

Bisphenol A (BPA)

Negotiations under UNEP to Address Plastic Pollution

• UNEP is leading negotiations to address plastic pollution throughout its life cycle, including the use of harmful chemicals like BPA in plastic packaging.
• BPA is a chemical primarily used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins.
• Polycarbonate plastics are commonly used in containers for food and beverages.
• Epoxy resins are used to coat the inside of metal products like food cans and bottle tops.
• Exposure to BPA can have negative health effects on the brain and prostate gland of foetuses, infants, and children.

Salmonella

Rejection of Indian Spice Exports by US Authorities

• US authorities have declined to accept certain spice-related exports from an Indian company due to salmonella contamination.

Salmonella Bacteria Overview

• Salmonella is a type of anaerobic bacteria that can be present in various foods such as chicken, beef, and pork.
• Humans typically contract salmonella through contaminated water or food.
• These bacteria reside in the intestines of animals and humans.

Health Effects of Salmonella

• Salmonella contamination can lead to food poisoning, diarrhea, and other health issues.

ISHAN Initiative

Initiative Overview

• The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has initiated the Indian Single Sky Harmonized Air Traffic Management (ISHAN) Initiative.
• ISHAN involves combining India's Flight Information Regions (FIRs) into a single system overseen from Nagpur.

Current FIR Structure

• Currently, Indian airspace is divided into 4 FIRs: Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, and a sub-FIR in Guwahati, each managed separately.

Benefits of Unification

• Unifying these FIRs under a single authority in Nagpur is expected to improve efficiency, safety, and seamlessness in air traffic operations.

Rampage Missiles

Introduction of Rampage Missiles in Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.

Rampage Missile Overview

• Description of the missile as long-range, supersonic, Air-to-Surface, precision strike missile.
• Developed by Israel Aerospace Industries and Israeli Military Industries Systems.
• Range of approximately 250 kms.
• Guidance system using GPS/ Inertial Navigation System (INS) with anti-jamming capabilities.
• Explanation of INS as an electronic system detecting and measuring change in motion.

Integration into Aircraft Fleet

• Integration into Russian-origin aircraft fleet including Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, and Jaguar fighters.
• Integration into Indian Navy's MiG-29K fleet.

Significance of Rampage Missiles in Indian Air Force and Indian Navy

• Impact of the induction of Rampage Missiles on the capabilities of the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.
• Importance of having long-range, precision strike capabilities in modern warfare.

Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887-1920)

Remembering S Ramanujan on his death anniversary.

• S Ramanujan, a great mathematician, was born in Erode, Tamil Nadu.
• He did not have formal mathematics training and relied on intuition for his discoveries.

Key Contributions of S Ramanujan

• Ramanujan made significant contributions to complex analysis, number theory, infinite series, continued fractions, and game theory.
• He is known for the Ramanujan number 1729, which can be expressed as the sum of two cubes in two different ways.

National Mathematics Day

• National Mathematics Day is observed on December 22, which is S Ramanujan's birth anniversary.
• Values such as scientism, perseverance, dedication, and curiosity that Ramanujan embodied.

"UN Panel on Energy Transition Minerals"

• The Panel's Objective: Developing global common and voluntary principles for energy transition by involving all stakeholders in the critical energy transition minerals value chain.
• Panel Members: Government and intergovernmental actors from various countries including the European Union, African Union, Australia, Indonesia, Colombia, India, etc.
• Importance of Critical Energy Transition Minerals: Essential components in clean energy technologies like wind turbines, solar panels, and electric vehicles, including copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, etc.

Challenges/Issues Related to Critical Energy Transition Minerals:

• Geographical concentration leading to geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruption.
• Unsustainable mining and processing causing environmental damage and human rights issues.
• Growing demand exceeding supply, with demand expected to grow significantly by 2030.

Global Initiatives:

• Global Mineral Security Partnership (MSP) to strengthen critical minerals supply chains, with India's participation.
• Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative and UN Framework on Just Transitions for Critical Energy Transition Minerals.

India's Initiatives:

• Identification of 30 critical minerals for self-reliance.
• Partnerships with Australia and Argentina for lithium and cobalt.
• Formation of Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) to secure strategic minerals from overseas locations for supply in India.

"Guidelines for Eliminating Corporal Punishment in Tamil Nadu Schools"

• GECP's focus on student well-being and addressing harassment in schools.
• GECP aims to protect the physical and mental health of students and address any form of harassment in schools.

Definition and examples of Corporal Punishment (CP)

• CP is any punishment that involves physical force and is intended to cause pain or discomfort, such as hitting or kicking.

Ethical issues with corporal punishment

• Physical and psychological harm: CP can lead to physical injuries, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
• Perpetuation of violence: CP may normalize violence as a means of conflict resolution or authority assertion.
• Discrimination and disproportionate impact: CP may be applied unfairly based on factors like gender or race.
• Ineffectiveness as a disciplinary measure: CP may instill fear rather than promoting positive behavior.
• Impact on education: CP can lead to poor learning outcomes and school drop-outs due to fear and intimidation.

Measures against Corporal Punishment in India

• Article 39 of the Constitution: Directs the State to protect children from exploitation and abandonment.
• Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act 2009: Prohibits physical and mental harassment in schools.
• NCPCR guidelines: Provide strategies for positive engagement with children and setting up monitoring cells to address CP in schools.

"CDS of India Visits France"

• Purpose of Visit: The visit aims to strengthen the defense ties between India and France, which have been growing significantly in recent years.
• Defense Modernization: France is actively involved in India's defense modernization efforts through technology transfer, joint ventures, and supplying advanced systems. For example, agreements for technology transfer for submarines and supply of Rafale aircrafts.
• Space Cooperation: The Strategic Space Dialogue launched in June 2023 provides strategic guidance for space cooperation between India and France.
• Indo-Pacific Cooperation: Both countries have agreed on a Joint Strategic Vision for cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region, with a focus on establishing the Indo-Pacific Triangular Development Cooperation Fund.
• Counter-terrorism: Collaboration between India's National Security Guard and France's GIGN for counter-terrorism efforts, including working towards the adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
• Joint Defense Exercises: India and France conduct joint defense exercises such as Varuna (naval), Garuda (Air Force), and Shakti (Army).
• Developmental Cooperation: Collaboration in areas such as smart cities, with projects like the Chandigarh Smart City project.
• Climate Change: The International Solar Alliance, a joint effort by India and France, aims to deploy solar energy solutions globally.
• Global Governance: France supports India's bid for permanent membership on the UN Security Council for effective multilateralism.

"FIU Alert Indicators for AML"

Alert Indicators Issued for Market Infrastructure Institutions

• A fresh set of alert indicators has been issued for capital markets, insurance companies, online payment gateway intermediaries, and crypto service providers to address emerging risks in market infrastructure institutions.
• These indicators have been issued under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

Definition of Money Laundering

• Money laundering is any process or activity connected with the proceeds of crime including its concealment, possession, acquisition or use and projecting or claiming it as untainted property as per the PMLA, 2002.

Key Highlights of the Indicators

• Stock Exchanges are mandated to consider suspicious cases of mis-utilization of client funds by stockbrokers and analyze cases of "serious anomalies" from the perspective of money laundering and terrorism financing.
• Alert indicators for virtual digital asset (VDA) or crypto currency service providers range from directions to register with FIU to carrying out "enhanced due diligence to implementation of travel rule."
• The Travel Rule, extended to crypto companies in 2019 by FATF, requires businesses to collect and share the personal data of participants in a transaction.
• For credit rating agencies (CRAs), new guidelines will ensure timely reporting of suspicious transactions to FIU to identify serious corporate frauds.
• FIU-IND was established in 2004 as an independent body reporting directly to the Economic Intelligence Council (EIC) headed by the Finance Minister.
• Its functions include being the central national agency responsible for receiving, processing, analyzing and disseminating information relating to suspect financial transactions.
• FIU-IND is also responsible for coordinating and strengthening efforts of national and international intelligence, investigation and enforcement agencies in pursuing global efforts against money laundering and terror financing.

Other Measures to Curb Money Laundering and Terror Financing

• Specialized agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are involved in combating money laundering and terror financing.
• India is a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism, showing international cooperation in these efforts.

"Rising Screen Time in Kids"

Reasons for Increase in Screen Time Among Children:

• Role Modeling: Children tend to imitate the screen time habits of their parents, family members, and peers.
• Educational or Recreational Purposes: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a widespread acceptance of mobile devices for educational and recreational purposes.
• Working Parents: Parents provide mobile phones to children for safety and communication purposes.
• Increased Accessibility: The availability of smartphones, tablets, computers, and other digital devices has increased in recent times.

Concerns Associated with High Screen Time Among Children:

• Mental and Physical Health Issues: High screen time can lead to anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and a sedentary lifestyle that may contribute to obesity.
• Cognitive Ability and Social Skills: Excessive screen time can hinder the development of cognitive, social, and emotional skills, such as empathy.
• Cyber Bullying and Child Abuse: Incidents of bullying and abuse are on the rise, with young girls being particularly vulnerable.

Initiatives to Address Concerns Related to Screen Time:

• World Health Organization Guidelines: WHO has released guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep for children.
• Manodarpan Initiative: The Ministry of Education launched this initiative to provide psychosocial support to students for mental health and emotional well-being.
• Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC) Scheme: The Ministry of Home Affairs has initiated this scheme to create a safe online environment for children.

"New Corporate Governance Charter for Start-Ups"

• Corporate Governance is a set of principles and measures that guide an organization's development in the right direction.
• It is based on values such as Transparency, Fairness, and Accountability.

Reason for Charter Release

• The charter was released due to a significant erosion in shareholders' value in Indian Startups caused by governance failures in high-profile Start-ups like BharatPe and GoMechanic.

Key Highlights of the Charter

• Objective: The charter will serve as a self-governing code for Startups incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013.
• It will help Startups add value and achieve stability, growth, resilience, competitiveness, and long-term success.
• Guidelines for different stages of Startups: The charter provides guidance for Inception Stage, Progression Stage, Growth Stage, and Going Public Stage.
• For example, it defines the roles and responsibilities of Board members and directors in the Progression Stage.
• Online Self Evaluative Governance Scorecard: Startups can use this scorecard to measure their current governance status and track improvements over time.

Key Legal Provisions related to Corporate Governance in India

• The Companies Act, 2013 and Companies Rules provide a strong framework for Corporate Governance.
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India monitors corporate governance in listed companies.
• The National Foundation for Corporate Governance, established by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, also plays a role in promoting good governance practices.