UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 10 October 2024

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 10 October 2024 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles

InstaLinks :  Insta Links help you think beyond the  current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.

Table of Contents 

GS Paper 2: (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 10 October 2024)

1. Rice fortification

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

2. Living Planet Report 2024

3. UMANG – Digi Locker

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

1. UPI123 and UPI Lite

2. Slag and Sedimentary Rock Formation

3. 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

4. MQ-9B HALE

5. Humsafar Policy

Mapping:

1. Chaukhamba III Peak

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 10 October 2024

GS Paper 2:

Rice fortification

Syllabus: Food and Nutrition

Source:  IE

Context: The Union Cabinet has extended the universal supply of fortified rice in all central government schemes providing free food grain under the National Food Security Act, 2021, in its present form, until December 2028.

What is rice fortification, and why is it needed?

• Definition: Rice fortification involves adding essential micronutrients to rice to improve its nutritional quality, providing public health benefits with minimal risk to health.
• Need: India has high levels of malnutrition, with widespread anaemia affecting children, women, and men. Malnutrition results in stunted growth and low productivity, which fortification can help address.
• Health benefits: Fortified rice supplements diets with vital nutrients like iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12, addressing the widespread nutritional gaps in the population.
• Staple diet: Since rice is a staple food consumed by nearly two-thirds of India’s population, fortifying it can significantly impact public health.

Process of rice fortification

• Technologies used: Methods like coating, dusting, and extrusion are used to add micronutrients to rice, with extrusion being the most suitable for India.
• Extrusion process: Dry rice flour is mixed with micronutrient premix and water, then passed through an extruder machine to produce fortified rice kernels (FRKs).
• Blending: These kernels are blended with regular rice at a ratio of 10 g FRK to 1 kg of regular rice.
• Shelf life: Fortified rice kernels have a shelf life of at least 12 months, ensuring long-term storage and distribution without losing nutritional value.

FSSAI norms and nutrients involved:

• Iron: Each kilogram of fortified rice contains 28 mg-42.5 mg of iron to combat iron-deficiency anaemia.
• Folic acid: Contains 75-125 micrograms of folic acid, essential for preventing birth defects and boosting immunity.
• Vitamin B-12: Includes 0.75-1.25 micrograms of vitamin B-12 to improve energy levels and prevent nerve damage.
• Additional nutrients: Fortified rice may also include zinc, vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, and B6 to enhance overall health.

Initiatives so far:

• Phase 1 (2022): Fortified rice was initially distributed through Integrated Child Development Services and PM POSHAN schemes.
• Phase 2 (2023): Extended to the Public Distribution System (PDS) in 112 Aspirational Districts and 291 high stunting burden districts.
• Phase 3 (2024): Universal coverage achieved, with fortified rice distributed in all districts under various government schemes.
• Production capacity: India has 925 fortified rice manufacturers with a capacity to produce 111 LMT of fortified rice annually.

Limitations:

• Cost: The annual cost of rice fortification is around Rs 2,700 crore, which may strain budget allocations.
• Quality control: Inconsistent quality of fortified rice due to the varying standards of rice mills and manufacturers.
• Awareness: Lack of awareness among the population about the benefits of fortified rice reduces its acceptance.
• Distribution challenges: Ensuring uniform distribution of fortified rice to remote and underprivileged areas remains a logistical challenge.

Way ahead:

• Increase awareness: Educate the public about the health benefits of fortified rice to improve its acceptance and demand.
• Enhance quality standards: Establish stringent quality control measures to ensure consistent nutrient levels in fortified rice.
• Expand infrastructure: Strengthen infrastructure at rice mills to improve blending and distribution capabilities.
• Monitoring and evaluation: Implement robust monitoring systems to assess the impact of rice fortification on public health regularly.

Insta Links:

PYQ:

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 10 October 2024 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Living Planet Report 2024

Context: The World-Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF) Living Planet Report 2024 reveals a 73% decline in monitored wildlife populations from 1970 to 2020. This report highlights the significant impact of habitat loss, climate change, and over-exploitation on global biodiversity.

Key data points

• Wildlife population decline: 73% decline in the average size of monitored wildlife populations from 1970-2020, up from 69% reported in 2022.
• Ecosystem-specific declines:
  • Freshwater ecosystems: 85% decline
  • Terrestrial ecosystems: 69% decline
  • Marine ecosystems: 56% decline
• Main threats to wildlife: Habitat loss, degradation, over-exploitation, invasive species, and diseases.
• Data source: Living Planet Index (LPI) provided by the Zoological Society of London, covering trends from 5,495 species and nearly 35,000 population records.

UPSC syllabus relevance

• GS Paper III: Environment and Ecology – Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.
• Essay paper: Topics related to climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable development.
• Current affairs: Issues concerning wildlife conservation, climate change policies, and environmental protection strategies.

UMANG – Digi Locker

Context: The National e-Governance Division has announced the integration of the UMANG app with DigiLocker, allowing citizens to access a wide range of government services through a single platform.

• This collaboration aims to simplify user experience by bringing together multiple services under one digital interface.

Significance:

• Enhanced accessibility: Integration enables citizens to access government services easily and securely using both UMANG and DigiLocker.
• Streamlined services: Facilitates a unified platform for managing multiple government services, reducing the need for multiple apps.
• Promotes Digital India: Supports the government’s goal of digitizing public services and promoting secure cloud-based storage solutions.

About UMANG App:

• Full Form: Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance.
• Purpose: Provides a single platform for Indian citizens to access e-Gov services ranging from Central to Local Government bodies.
• Availability: Accessible to all Android users, offering various government services in one place.

About DigiLocker:

• Flagship initiative: Part of the Digital India program by the Ministry of Electronics and IT.
• Purpose: Provides secure cloud-based storage for essential documents and digital certificates.
• Integration: Allows users to access UMANG services through the DigiLocker app, enhancing convenience and efficiency.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 10 October 2024 Facts for Prelims (FFP)

UPI123 and UPI Lite

 Source: BT

 Context: To encourage wider adoption of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), the RBI on Thursday announced an increase in transaction limits on UPI123 and UPI Lite.

Recent Changes Announced by RBI

1. UPI Lite wallet limit: The UPI Lite wallet limit has been increased from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000, and the per-transaction limit has been enhanced from ₹500 to ₹1,000.
2. UPI123Pay transaction limit: The per-transaction limit for UPI123Pay has been raised from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 to support higher-value transactions.
3. Beneficiary account name look-up: RBI will introduce a beneficiary account name look-up facility for RTGS and NEFT, similar to UPI and IMPS, enhancing security in payment transactions.

Difference between UPI Lite and UPI 123 are:

Insta links:

Slag and Sedimentary Rock Formation

Source: TH

 Context: Human activity has drastically transformed the Earth’s landscape, leading to the creation of new geological formations, such as sedimentary rocks formed from slag, a by-product of the steelmaking industry.

 Key Points on Slag and Sedimentary rock formation:

1. Slag’s role in artificial ground:
   • Slag is a composite material from steel production, containing metal oxides and silicon dioxide.
   • It becomes a significant component of artificial ground, contributing to sedimentary material in the environment.
2. Formation of sedimentary rock from slag:
   • Slag undergoes lithification, turning into sedimentary rock through natural weathering.
   • This process can sequester greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide through mineral carbonation, mimicking natural processes.
3. Carbon capture potential:
   • The lithification of slag through calcite cement precipitation traps atmospheric carbon dioxide in the form of calcite.
   • This process can potentially reduce the carbon footprint of the steel industry by reusing slag deposits.
4. Environmental and industrial implications:
   • Calcite formation on the slag surface aids in carbon capture and prevents coastal erosion.
   • Calcium-silicate-hydrate (CSH) minerals formed in the intertidal zone limit the release of toxic metals from slag.
5. Slag’s future potential:
   • Repurposing slag deposits for carbon capture could eliminate the need for additional processing facilities.
   • Hardened slag can also be used in coastal defense strategies to prevent erosion, combining waste management with environmental protection.

Insta links:

2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Source: TH

 Context: The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to three scientists for their pioneering contributions to protein design and prediction using advanced computational techniques.

Nobel Chemistry, 2024 winners:

1. David Baker: Recognized for his work in computational protein design.
2. Demis Hassabis and John Jumper: Awarded for their development of the AI model AlphaFold 2, which predicts protein structures.

Their Work:

• David Baker:
  • Developed methods for designing new proteins using bespoke software, leading to the creation of ‘designer’ proteins for specific applications.
  • His team’s work in computational protein design began in 2003 and has since been refined to construct a wide variety of proteins.
• Demis Hassabis and John Jumper:
  • Created AlphaFold 2, an AI model capable of predicting the structures of millions of proteins.
  • AlphaFold 2 marked a breakthrough in 2020 by using AI to accurately predict complex protein structures, significantly surpassing previous manual efforts.

Significance:

1. Revolutionizes protein research: Their work enables the creation of custom proteins with specific applications, potentially transforming fields like drug discovery, biotechnology, and materials science.
2. Accelerates scientific progress: AlphaFold 2’s ability to predict protein structures rapidly has saved years of research, offering insights into biological functions and disease mechanisms.
3. Wider impact on chemistry: The award highlights chemistry’s interdisciplinary influence, involving AI and computational tools that expand its reach beyond traditional boundaries.
4. Immediate recognition: The prize was awarded just four to six years after Hassabis and Jumper’s breakthrough, showcasing the rapid impact of their contributions on modern science.

Insta links:

MQ-9B HALE

Source:  TH

Context: The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved two major defense deals: the purchase of 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from General Atomics and the indigenous construction of two nuclear attack submarines (SSNs).

Key Points:

• MQ-9B UAV Deal:
  • Quantity and type: Includes 15 Sea Guardians for the Indian Navy and 16 Sky Guardians for the Indian Army and Air Force.
  • Cost: The deal is valued at approximately $3.99 billion.
  • MRO facility: General Atomics will set up a Global Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India.
  • Indigenous content: Amendments to include indigenous content were approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC).

Features of MQ-9B Predator UAV:

• • High-altitude capability: Operates at over 40,000 feet with a top speed of 442 km/h.
  • Endurance: Up to 40 hours of continuous flight for prolonged surveillance.
  • Payload and armament: Can carry up to 5,670 kg, equipped with four Hellfire missiles and bombs.
  • Variants: Two variants include Sky Guardian and Sea Guardian, the latter in use by the Indian Navy since 2020.
  • Roles: Engages in surveillance, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, and electronic warfare.
  • Operational flexibility: Capable of automatic take-offs and landings, integrates into civil airspace for real-time situational awareness.

Nuclear Attack Submarines (SSNs):

• • Current status: India has indigenously developed SSBNs (ballistic missile submarines), with the new SSNs being a follow-on project.
  • Significance: SSNs have unlimited endurance, limited only by crew, crucial for various naval tasks.
  • Previous leases: India has previously leased two SSNs from Russia, with a third expected to join soon.

Insta Links:

Humsafar Policy

Source: News on Air

 Context: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari today launched the ‘Humsafar Policy’ in New Delhi to enhance the convenience of traveling on national highways and accelerate the development of wayside amenities.

About Humsafar policy:

• Ministry: Launched by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
• Origin: Introduced in 2024 as an initiative to improve travel experiences on national highways by developing wayside amenities and supporting environmental sustainability.
• Aim: The policy aims to enhance convenience, safety, and comfort for highway travelers while promoting local economic development and ecological sustainability.

• Key Features of Humsafar Policy:

• • Wayside amenities: Establishes standardized facilities like rest areas, food courts, clean washrooms, and parking on national highways.
  • Support for local communities: Creates business opportunities and employment for marginalized communities.
  • Environmental sustainability: Promotes water and soil conservation, waste recycling, and solar energy use.
  • Digital accessibility: Offers travelers instant access to services via the ‘Rajmarg Yatra’ app.

Insta links:

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 10 October 2024 Mapping:

Chaukhamba III Peak

Source: HT

 Context: Recently, two foreign climbers, Michelle Theresa Dvorak (USA) and Fay Jane Manners (UK), were rescued from an elevation of 6,015 meters near the Chaukhamba III peak in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand.

About Chaukhamba:

• Location: Part of the Gangotri Group in the Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand, India.
• Proximity: Located west of Badrinath at the head of the Gangotri Glacier.
• Summits:
  • Chaukhamba I: 7,138 m (23,419 ft) — the tallest in the Gangotri range.
  • Chaukhamba II: 7,070 m (23,196 ft).
  • Chaukhamba III: 6,995 m (22,949 ft).
  • Chaukhamba IV: 6,854 m (22,487 ft).
• Significance: Forms the eastern anchor of the Gangotri Glacier and a prominent massif in the Garhwal Himalayas.

Insta links:

Daily Current Affairs + PIB Summary 10 Oct 2024

Follow us on our Official TELEGRAM Channel HERE

Subscribe to Our Official YouTube Channel HERE

Please subscribe to Our podcast channel HERE

Official Facebook Page HERE

Twitter Account HERE

Instagram Account HERE

LinkedIn: HERE