UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 19 December 2024

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 19 December 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 – 19 December  2024)

1. India and Sri Lanka

2. Malpractice in Exams

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

1. Women and Nature

Facts for Prelims (FFP):

1. National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI)

2. Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)

3. Human Rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (HLVM-3)

4. Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS)

5. Sacred Groves

6. Hydrothermal Vent

7. Ganges River Dolphin

8. Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme

Mapping:

1. Arakan Army

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 19 December 2024

GS Paper 2 :

India and Sri Lanka

Syllabus: International Relations

Source:  IE

Context: India and Sri Lanka share a long history of cultural, economic, and strategic ties. Recent developments have strengthened bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, defence, and energy, amid concerns about geopolitical influences in the Indian Ocean region.

Historical Background and Agreements:

• Cultural Ties: Rooted in Buddhism, which spread from India to Sri Lanka during Emperor Ashoka’s reign, fostering deep religious and historical connections.
• Post-Independence Relations: India supported Sri Lanka during its early nation-building years, including the Indo-Sri Lanka Agreement of 1987, which aimed to resolve the Tamil issue through autonomy.
• Civil War Era: Relations soured due to India’s involvement through the Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) and tensions over LTTE activities.
• Post-Civil War: India supported reconstruction efforts post-2009, aiding Tamil communities and addressing human rights concerns.
• Trade Relations: The India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA) signed in 2000 boosted bilateral trade, with India emerging as Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner.

Recent outcomes of the meeting:

1. Economic Cooperation: Agreements on energy connectivity, including a multi-product petroleum pipeline and electricity grid integration.
2. Defence Commitments: Assurance from Sri Lanka to prevent its territory from being used against India’s security.
3. Development Projects: Initiatives like the Indian Housing Project and renewable energy efforts targeting Tamil areas.
4. Regional Stability: Reaffirmation of mutual goals through the Colombo Security Conclave to enhance maritime security.

Significance of India-Sri Lanka Relations:

1. Strategic Location: Sri Lanka’s position in the Indian Ocean makes it crucial for securing Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs).
2. Maritime Security: Ports like Hambantota are vital for regional stability amid rising Chinese influence.
3. Economic Collaboration: Trade, investment, and energy partnerships are key to regional development.
4. Cultural and People-to-People Ties: Shared history fosters goodwill and cooperation in areas like education and heritage conservation.

Concerns in India-Sri Lanka Relations:

1. Chinese Influence: Projects like Hambantota Port and Colombo airport raise security concerns.

E.g. Chinese naval vessel docking incidents in Sri Lankan waters.

1. Fishing Disputes: Indian fishermen’s arrests in the Palk Strait create tensions.
2. Tamil Issue: Lack of progress on the 13th Amendment for Tamil autonomy remains contentious.
3. Geopolitical Rivalries: Balancing relationships with China and India is challenging for Sri Lanka.
4. Debt Crisis: Sri Lanka’s economic instability requires careful navigation to ensure sustainable aid and trade ties.

Way ahead:

1. Strengthen Strategic Ties: Enhance maritime security through joint exercises and infrastructure investments.

E.g. Colombo Security Conclave and the Trincomalee oil tank farm project.

1. Address Tamil Issues: Advocate for equitable political solutions for Tamil minorities.
2. Expand Economic Engagement: Conclude the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA) for broader trade coverage.
3. Counter Chinese Influence: Leverage soft power and strategic investments to balance geopolitical competition.

E.g. Development of Sampur Power Plant.

1. People-Centric Initiatives: Focus on community welfare through education, healthcare, and housing programs.

Conclusion:

India-Sri Lanka relations are rooted in shared cultural heritage and strategic imperatives. Strengthening ties through mutual respect, economic cooperation, and security collaboration will ensure regional stability and prosperity in South Asia.

Insta Links:

PYQ:

Malpractice in Exams

Syllabus: Governance

Source:  IE

Context: A seven-member panel headed by former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan has made a set of 101 recommendations to the Ministry of Education for conducting national level entrance exams in a “transparent, smooth and fair” manner.

Reasons for malpractice in exams:

• High Stakes: Entrance exams like NEET and JEE determine admissions to premier institutes, leading to unethical practices.
• Lack of Robust Systems: Dependence on outsourced agencies and weak digital infrastructure create vulnerabilities.
• Inadequate Monitoring: Insufficient oversight at test centres allows manipulation.
• Corruption and Collusion: Involvement of insiders and private service providers in leaks and irregularities.
• Technological Exploitation: Use of advanced cheating devices and hacking of online systems.

Recent Exam Scams in 2024:

1. NEET-UG Paper Leak: Reports of question paper leaks led to widespread criticism of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
2. UGC-NET Irregularities: Allegations of mismanagement and suspicious allocation of testing centres.
3. BPSC Exam Scam Allegation 2024 involved irregularities in the recruitment process, including alleged paper leaks and manipulation in the selection of candidates

Government initiatives to counter malpractice:

1. Strengthening NTA: Increased focus on enhancing its capacity and resources.
2. Biometric Verification: Implementation of Digi-Exam systems to verify candidates’ authenticity.
3. Digital Infrastructure: Collaboration with Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas to establish computer-based testing centres.
4. Use of AI and Big Data: Predictive analytics to identify unusual patterns in exam results.
5. Legal Frameworks: Strict penalties under laws such as the Prevention of Malpractices in Exams Act in some states.

Challenges in countering malpractices:

1. Resource Constraints: Lack of funding and infrastructure to implement secure testing systems nationwide.
2. Coordination Issues: Difficulty in synchronizing efforts among central and state authorities.
3. Dependence on Private Agencies: Outsourcing leads to a lack of accountability.
4. Technological Barriers: Limited access to reliable digital solutions in rural areas.
5. Resistance to Reform: Bureaucratic inertia and reluctance to adopt new measures.

Key recommendations of the Radhakrishnan Committee:

1. Limit NTA’s Scope: Focus primarily on entrance exams, reducing dependence on outsourced agencies.
2. Strengthen Local Coordination: Involve state and district officials in exam processes akin to election management.
3. Multi-Stage Testing: Introduce multi-session and adaptive testing models to enhance security and fairness.
4. Digital Transformation: Establish 400-500 nationwide computer-based testing centres within a year.
5. Improved Security Measures: Use sealed test centres, CCTV monitoring, and secure transport for question papers.
6. Candidate Authentication: Implement Digi-Exam systems to ensure biometric verification.
7. Harmonized Criteria: Standardize eligibility, admission criteria, and exam modes across institutions.

Conclusion:

To safeguard the integrity of national-level exams, robust digital infrastructure, transparent systems, and coordinated efforts are essential. The Radhakrishnan Committee’s recommendations provide a pathway for reform, ensuring equitable opportunities for all students.

Insta Links:

PYQ:

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 19 December 2024 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Women and Nature

Context: The connection between women and nature reflects the deep-rooted association of nurturing, sustainability, and responsibility.

Connection between Women and Nature:

1. Nurturers and Caregivers: Women traditionally manage resources like water, food, and fuel, fostering sustainable practices.

E.g. In Uttarakhand, women led the Chipko Movement to protect forests.

1. Advocates for Climate Justice: Women spearhead community-led conservation initiatives and demand eco-friendly policies.

E.g. Vandana Shiva’s works advocate agroecology and biodiversity conservation.

1. Impact on Livelihoods: Women rely directly on natural resources for their livelihoods, ensuring resource conservation.

E.g. Arati Kumar Rao’s research highlights the role of women in sustaining fragile ecosystems in Thar Desert.

1. Leaders in Conservation: Female activists highlight pressing environmental issues and influence policy changes.

E.g. Prerna Singh Bindra’s advocacy has raised awareness about India’s wildlife crisis.

1. Promoters of Eco-Friendly Solutions: Women promote regenerative agriculture and biodiversity-based solutions.

E.g. Vandana Shiva’s Navdanya Movement emphasizes sustainable farming practices.

Relevance in UPSC Syllabus:

• General Studies Paper I:

• • Role of women in society and social empowerment.
  • Issues related to diversity and inclusivity in sustainable development.

• General Studies Paper III:

• • Conservation, environmental pollution, and degradation.
  • Environmental impact assessment with a focus on gender roles.

• Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude:

• • Ethics in public service related to sustainable practices.
  • Case studies on women-led environmental activism.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 19 December 2024 Facts for Prelims (FFP)

National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI)

Source:  PIB

Context: Union Minister addressed the 20th Foundation Day of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI), emphasizing the rights of minorities under the Constitution.

National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI):

• Founded In: Established in 2004 under the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions Act, 2004.
• Ministry: Operates under the Ministry of Education.
• Aim: To safeguard and promote educational rights of religious and linguistic minorities as per Article 30(1) of the Constitution.
• Powers and Functions:

• Quasi-judicial body with civil court powers.
• Decides minority status and no objection certificate disputes for educational institutions.
• Enquires complaints on deprivation of minority educational rights.
• Advises and recommends to authorities regarding minority education issues.
• Has appellate and original jurisdiction as per SC rulings.

Insta Links:

Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)

Source:  BS

 Context: The Constitution (129th) Amendment Bill, proposing simultaneous federal and state elections, has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for wider consultation.

About Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC):

• What is it: A JPC is an ad-hoc and bipartisan committee constituted to examine specific matters such as proposed legislation or policy issues in detail.
• Law governing formation: Formed under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha.
• Who forms it: The Lok Sabha Speaker constitutes the JPC, and members are drawn from both Houses of Parliament.
  • Once formed, the committee will have 90 days to submit its report, though this deadline can be extended if needed.
• Members Selection: Typically, up to 31 MPs (21 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha) are selected, reflecting proportional party strength.
• Powers and Function:
  • The JPC is an ad-hoc Committee.

• Examines bills, policies, or specific issues referred to it.
• Consults stakeholders, experts, and officials for comprehensive analysis.
• Can summon documents, witnesses, and experts for deliberations.
• The committee’s recommendations are advisoryand not mandatory for the government to follow.

• Reports to: Submits its detailed findings and recommendations to the Parliament for further discussion and action.

Insta links:

Human Rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (HLVM-3)

Source:  NIE

 Context: ISRO has initiated the assembly of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (HLVM-3) for Gaganyaan’s first uncrewed flight.

About Human Rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (HLVM-3):

• What it is: HLVM-3 is a human-rated version of ISRO’s LVM3 designed for India’s Gaganyaan mission to carry humans to space.
• Aim: To enable safe human spaceflight by incorporating advanced reliability and safety features.
• Features:

• Three-Stage Design: Combines solid, liquid, and cryogenic stages.
• Payload Capacity: Carries 10 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
• Height and Weight: 53 meters tall, weighing 640 tonnes.
• Crew Escape System (CES): Operational until atmospheric flight separation, ensuring astronaut safety.

• How It Differs from Other ISRO Launch Vehicles:

• Human-Rated: Enhanced reliability and redundant systems tailored for human safety.
• Crew Escape System: Specific to manned missions, absent in other vehicles.
• Payload and Design: Optimized for carrying the crew module with life-support systems, unlike PSLV or GSLV.
• Precursor for BAS: Provides data and technology critical for Bharatiya Antariksh Station development.

Insta links:

Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS)

Source:  TH

 Context: The Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) has achieved full integration by linking all 17,130 police stations across India.

About Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS):

• Launched in: 2009 under the Ministry of Home Affairs with a budget of ₹2,000 crore.
• Aim: To create a comprehensive and integrated system for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of policing across the country through IT-enabled solutions.
• Nodal agency: The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) is the central nodal agency that would manage CCTNS.
• Objectives:

• Provide citizen-centric police services via a web portal.
• Enable pan-India search on a national database of crime and criminal records.
• Generate crime and criminal reports at State and Central levels.
• Computerize police processes for better coordination and accountability.

About National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB):

• Founded: 1986.
  • Based on the recommendations of the Tandon Committee and National Police Commission (1977).
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• Functions:

• Acts as a repository of crime and criminal data.
• Publishes reports like Crime in India, Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India, and Prison Statistics.
• Houses the Central Finger Print Bureau for fingerprint data.
• Supports States with capacity building in IT, CCTNS, digital forensics, and network security.
• Aids investigators in crime analysis and criminal tracking.

Insta links:

Sacred Groves

Source:  TH

 Context: The Supreme Court has directed the Union Government to formulate a comprehensive policy to manage sacred groves, emphasizing their ecological and cultural importance.

 About Sacred Groves:

• What they are: Sacred groves are patches of forest traditionally preserved by local communities due to their religious, cultural, or spiritual significance.
• Classification:

• 1. Traditional Sacred Groves: Dedicated to village deities represented by natural symbols.
  2. Temple Groves: Forests preserved around temples for worship.
  3. Cremation/Burial Ground Groves: Forest patches maintained near burial sites for rituals.

• Distribution in India:

• • Found across India, predominantly in Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and the Western Ghats.

• Importance and Significance:

• • Cultural and Spiritual Value: Links nature and culture, fostering a sense of identity and heritage.
  • Biodiversity Conservation: Acts as sanctuaries for endangered species and genetic diversity.
  • Water Resource Management: Associated with water bodies, aiding aquifer recharge.
  • Soil Conservation: Vegetative cover prevents soil erosion and enhances fertility.
  • Environmental Indicator: Reflects potential vegetation in degraded areas.

Insta links:

Hydrothermal Vent

Source:  IE

Context: Indian oceanographers have achieved a milestone by capturing an image of an active hydrothermal vent located 4,500 meters below the Indian Ocean.

About Hydrothermal Vents:

• What they are: Hydrothermal vents are underwater springs formed in tectonically active regions where seawater interacts with magma beneath the ocean floor.
• Location:

• • Found near tectonic plate boundaries, ridges, and volcanic arcs.

E.g. Central and Southwest Indian Ridges.

• Geographical formation:

• • Cold Seawater Penetration: Water seeps through cracks in the ocean crust near tectonic plate boundaries.
  • Heating by Magma: Water gets superheated (up to 370°C) as it comes into contact with magma.
  • Emergence as Plumes: Hot water emerges through vents, forming mineral-rich plumes and structures like chimneys.

• Significance:

• • Mineral Deposits: Rich in economically beneficial minerals like copper, zinc, cobalt, nickel, gold, and silver.
  • Ecosystem Insights: Hosts unique chemosynthetic organisms, providing insights into life in extreme environments.
  • Economic Potential: Long activity spans (hundreds to thousands of years) make them valuable for sustained exploration.
  • Scientific Research: Offers understanding of deep-sea geological processes and resource potential for strategic missions like India’s Deep Ocean Mission.

Insta Links:

Ganges River Dolphin

Source:  TH

 Context: For the first time, Indian wildlife experts successfully tagged a Ganges River dolphin, marking a historic milestone in the conservation of this endangered species.

• The initiative under Project Dolphin, supported by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
• Aim: To track the dolphin’s movement, habitat use, and migratory patterns using advanced satellite-compatible lightweight tags.

About Ganges River Dolphin:

• Scientific name: Platanista gangetica gangetica
• Common name: Susu
• Habitat: Found in freshwater river systems, including the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
• Characteristics:
  • Nearly blind, relying on echolocation for navigation and hunting.
  • Lives exclusively in freshwater ecosystems.
  • Sturdy, flexible body with large flippers and low triangular dorsal fins.
  • Females are larger than males and reproduce every 2-3 years, giving birth to a single calf.
  • Newborns are chocolate brown, turning grey-brown as adults.
• Conservation status:
  • IUCN: Endangered
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule-I
  • CITES: Appendix I

Insta links:

Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme

Source:  BS

Context: The Indian government is considering discontinuing the Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) Scheme due to high financing costs, despite its role in offering a secure, interest-earning alternative to physical gold.

About Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme:

• Launched: November 2015.
• What It Is: A government-backed debt security denominated in grams of gold, offering a substitute for holding physical gold.
• Issuer: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on behalf of the Government of India.
• Eligibility: Indian residents, including individuals, Hindu Undivided Family (HUFs), trusts, universities, and charitable institutions. Minors can invest through guardians.
• Minimum and Maximum Investment:
  • Minimum: 1 gram of gold.
  • Maximum: 4 kg for individuals and Hindu Undivided Family (HUFs); 20 kg for trusts per fiscal year.
• Benefits:
  • Periodic interest of 2.5% per annum.
  • No risks of theft or purity concerns like physical gold.
  • Exemption from capital gains tax on redemption.
  • Market value of gold assured at redemption.
• Risks:
  • Potential capital loss if market prices of gold fall.
  • Returns tied to market price fluctuations of gold.

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 19 December 2024 Mapping:

Arakan Army

Source:  ET

Context: Bangladesh faces a critical threat from Myanmar’s insurgent group, the Arakan Army, which has reportedly encroached on parts of its territory near Teknaf, heightening tensions in the region.

About Arakan Army:

• Founded in: 2009
• What it is: The Arakan Army is an ethno-nationalist armed organization and the military wing of the United League of Arakan (ULA), representing the Rakhine ethnic group.
• Aim: Seeks greater autonomy for the Rakhine people and restoration of their sovereignty, challenging Myanmar’s central government.
• Region found in: Based in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, with operations expanding into strategic areas near Bangladesh, including the Teknaf region and Saint Martin Island.

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Daily Current Affairs + PIB Summary 19 Dec 2024

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