UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 2 December 2024

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 2 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 3 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 2 December  2024)

1. UPI: Revolutionizing Digital Payment

2. Busan Summit

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

1. HIV Decline in India

2. The Invisible Hands of Deceit (Digital Duping)

Facts for Prelims (FFP):

1. Linen Inspection and Sorting Assistant (LISA) System

2. Notifiable Diseases

3. Green Steel

4. Ajmer Sharif Dargah

5. Aravalli Green Wall Project

6. Phlegraean Fields (Campi Flegrei)

7. Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme

Mapping:

1. Aleppo City

2. Georgia

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 2 December 2024

GS Paper 3:

UPI: Revolutionizing Digital Payment

Syllabus: Economy

Source:  PIB

 Context: Launched in 2016 by NPCI, India’s UPI has revolutionized digital payments, achieving record usage in October 2024 and showcasing India’s digital financial leadership.

UPI and Its Unique Features:

• Round-the-Clock Transactions: Operates 24/7, including holidays, for seamless fund transfers.
• Single Interface: Integrates multiple bank accounts in one mobile application.
• Secure Authentication: Features single-click 2-factor authentication for secure payments.
• Privacy Protection: Uses virtual payment addresses, avoiding direct sharing of bank details.
• QR Code Compatibility: Enables instant payments by scanning QR codes.
• Flexibility in Use: Supports merchant payments, in-app transactions, donations, and collections.
• No Merchant Discount Rate (MDR): An incentive for merchants to adopt UPI.
• Voice-enabled Notifications: Assists small vendors with real-time transaction alerts.

Impact of UPI in India:

• Financial Inclusion: UPI has empowered small businesses, street vendors, and rural populations by enabling seamless and secure digital transactions.
• Contactless Transactions: Its adoption surged during COVID-19, providing a safe alternative to physical cash exchanges.
• Economic Boost: UPI is accelerating India’s transition to a cashless economy, enhancing efficiency in financial transactions.
• Consumer Empowerment: Offers flexibility with multiple payment methods, enhancing user convenience and control over financial activities.
• Market Penetration: UPI is widely used across all sectors, from roadside vendors to large corporations, showcasing its universal acceptability.

 Success of UPI:

• Rapid Growth: UPI recorded 16.58 billion transactions worth ₹23.49 lakh crores in October 2024 (NPCI), and 74 billion transactions worth ₹125.94 trillion in 2022 (NPCI).
• Wide Acceptance: UPI supports payments from ₹1 micro-transactions to large-scale retail payments, benefiting users across socio-economic groups.
• Tech Integration: The linkage with RuPay credit cards has expanded its utility, allowing payments through credit lines instead of savings accounts (Ministry of Finance, 2023).
• Global Expansion of UPI:
  • Operational in 7 Countries: Includes UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, and Mauritius.
  • Cross-Border Transactions: Facilitates seamless payments for Indians abroad.
  • Global Recognition: Accounts for 49% of global real-time payment transactions (2023).
  • BRICS Advocacy: Proposed expansion to BRICS nations to enhance remittances and financial inclusion.

Limitations of UPI:

• Cybersecurity Risks: Rising threats include phishing and identity theft, with over ₹129 crore lost in digital frauds in 2022 (RBI).
• Infrastructure Challenges: Dependence on internet and smartphone access leaves out 45% of rural India without broadband (TRAI, 2023).
• Transaction Limits: UPI caps transactions at ₹2 lakh (₹1 lakh for some banks), limiting high-value transfers (NPCI guidelines).
• Over-reliance on Digital: Excludes 20% of India’s adult population that lacks digital literacy (NSSO, 2022).
• Operational Issues: Users face downtime during peak hours; NPCI reported a 5% failure rate in 2023 for UPI transactions.

Way Ahead:

• Strengthen Security: Implement advanced fraud detection systems and educate users; India lost ₹1,631 crore to cyber fraud in 2022 (CERT-IN).
• Expand Infrastructure: Increase smartphone and broadband penetration in rural areas, where 25 crore people still lack mobile connectivity (TRAI, 2023).
• Global Collaboration: Collaborate with nations like France, UAE, and Singapore, where UPI has already gained traction (NPCI).
• Innovate Features: Introduce offline UPI and QR-based rural solutions to include non-smartphone users (NPCI, 2024).
• Public Awareness: Nationwide campaigns to teach safe UPI usage; 40% of frauds stem from user negligence (RBI).

Conclusion:

UPI has not only revolutionized the way India conducts financial transactions but has also positioned the country as a global leader in digital payments. By offering a seamless, secure, and accessible platform for both individuals and businesses, UPI has played a pivotal role in promoting financial inclusion and accelerating the nation’s shift towards a cashless economy.

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PYQ:

Busan Summit

Syllabus: Environment

Source:  DD News

 Context: The fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) meeting for the Global Plastics Treaty concluded in Busan, South Korea, without achieving consensus on a legally binding framework to eliminate plastic pollution.

Busan INC-5:

• Objective: Establish a legally binding global treaty to address plastic pollution across its life cycle.
• Participants: 170 nations, under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• Timeline: INC meetings began in 2022, with INC-5 held in November 2024 as the “final” scheduled session.
• Outcome: No consensus; negotiations extended to a probable INC-5.2 session in 2025.

Need for a Plastic Treaty in the World:

• Escalating Plastic Production: Global plastic production doubled from 234 million tonnes (2000) to 460 million tonnes (2019).
• Low Recycling Rates: Only 9% of global plastic waste is recycled.
• Marine Pollution: Over 8 million tonnes of plastic waste enter oceans annually.
• Environmental Impact: Microplastics found in air, water, and human bodies; projected to triple plastic production by 2050.
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Plastics contribute 3.4% of global emissions.

Key Features in the Draft of Busan INC-5 Summit:

1. Global Targets for Plastic Reduction: Proposed capping virgin plastic production and reducing harmful plastic products and chemicals.
2. Life-Cycle Approach: Addressed plastic pollution from production to disposal, emphasizing extended producer responsibility (EPR).
3. Phasing Out Harmful Plastics: Suggested gradual elimination of specific single-use plastics and microplastics contributing to marine pollution.
4. Financial Mechanisms: Called for a multilateral fund for technology transfer and compensation to developing countries.
5. Chemical Management: Proposed regulation of over 3,000 toxic chemicals in plastics, prioritizing vulnerable populations like women and children.
6. Monitoring and Accountability: Included frameworks for tracking plastic pollution and ensuring compliance through transparent reporting.
7. Flexibility for Nations: Allowed countries to design implementation strategies respecting their developmental and economic contexts.
8. Stakeholder Inclusion: Emphasized participation from private sectors, civil society, and indigenous groups in treaty implementation.

Reasons Behind Busan INC-5 Failure:

• Divided Stance on Plastic Production: Oil-dependent nations like Saudi Arabia opposed capping virgin plastic production, while over 100 countries, including Pacific Island nations, demanded ambitious cuts.

E.g., Pacific countries face marine pollution challenges and sought strict production limits.

• Lack of Consensus on Treaty Scope: Delegates could not agree on whether to focus on reducing production or managing waste.

E.g., Panama-backed proposals targeted production cuts, but alternative views excluded such measures.

• Procedural Challenges: Consensus-based decision-making allowed a few nations to stall progress, avoiding binding commitments.

E.g., Saudi Arabia used procedural tactics to delay discussions.

• Undefined Terminologies: Key terms like “plastic” and “control measures” remained ambiguous, complicating negotiations.

E.g., The lack of clarity on plastic types hindered setting universal standards.

• Economic Priorities of Developing Nations: Countries like India emphasized the need for financial aid and technology transfer to manage plastic control costs.

E.g., India proposed a multilateral fund to ensure equitable transition.

Way Ahead:

• Clarify Definitions: Establish clear and universally accepted terms in treaty discussions.
• Strengthen Negotiations: Transition from consensus to majority voting for smoother decision-making.
• Financial Mechanisms: Develop equitable financing models for developing nations to adopt sustainable practices.
• Global Collaboration: Enhance cooperation among nations to reduce plastic production and promote alternatives.
• Regional Agreements: Encourage regional initiatives as interim solutions while global consensus builds.

Conclusion:

The Busan INC-5 underscores the urgent need for a unified approach to combat plastic pollution. While global consensus remains elusive, sustained dialogue and regional cooperation can pave the way for an ambitious and binding treaty to protect the planet from the mounting plastic crisis.

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 2 December 2024 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

HIV Decline in India

Context:  India’s sustained efforts in combating the HIV epidemic have resulted in significant reductions in new infections and AIDS-related deaths over the years.

Key Insights on HIV in India: (SOURCE: ministry of Health and Family Welfare)

Relevance to UPSC Syllabus:

• General Studies Paper II (Governance, Health & Social Issues):
  • Policies and Interventions: National AIDS Control Program, 95-95-95 Target.
  • Challenges in combating communicable diseases.
  • Role of health initiatives in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• General Studies Paper III (Science & Technology, Social Development):
  • Use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and advancements in medical science.
  • Epidemiology of HIV and its impact on socio-economic factors.

The Invisible Hands of Deceit (Digital Duping)

Essay Introduction: In a world interconnected by screens and boundless possibilities, the internet is both a marvel and a minefield. Imagine a retired teacher losing her life savings to a fake lottery email, or a diligent jobseeker lured by a dream opportunity that turns into a trap in a distant land. From phishing scams to cryptocurrency frauds, and from fake online marketplaces to deepfake identity theft, the digital realm has become a playground for innovation—and exploitation. While technology promises convenience and connectivity, it also opens doors to cunning schemes that prey on human trust, greed, and fear. The glowing screen, once a symbol of progress, now hides faceless predators spinning webs of deceit with keystrokes. As the digital world evolves, so too do the methods of deception, reminding us that vigilance must grow alongside innovation.

Relevance in UPSC exams:

• Essay Paper:
  • Topics on technology and ethics, governance challenges, or the digital divide.
  • Digital scams in modern era.
  • Technological challenges in tackling cybercrime.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 2 December 2024 Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Linen Inspection and Sorting Assistant (LISA) System

Source:  TNIE

 Context: Indian Railways has launched the AI-powered Linen Inspection and Sorting Assistant (LISA) system to enhance the quality and hygiene of linens provided to passengers in air-conditioned coaches.

About LISA System:

• What it is: LISA is an AI-based automation system designed for inspecting and sorting linens like bed sheets and towels used in Indian Railways’ air-conditioned coaches.
• Origin: Developed by the Pune Division of Indian Railways, deployed at the Ghorpadi Integrated Coaching Complex (GICC).
• Ministry: Ministry of Railways.
• Aim: To ensure 100% quality inspection, streamline operations, reduce manual labor, and elevate passenger comfort and hygiene.
• Features:
  • 100% Quality Inspection: Detects defects, stains, or damages and segregates substandard linens.
  • AI-Based Technology: Uses advanced algorithms for precise and reliable inspection results.
  • Efficiency: Processes large volumes of linens quickly, enhancing operational efficiency.
  • Enhanced Passenger Experience: Contributes to cleaner, more hygienic, and comfortable travel.
  • Automation: Reduces dependency on manual labor, transforming linen management processes.

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Notifiable Diseases

Source:  TH

 Context: The Government of India has urged States and Union Territories to classify snakebite cases and deaths as “notifiable diseases” to enhance surveillance and improve public health interventions.

• This move aligns with the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE), which aims to reduce snakebite-related deaths and disabilities by 50% by 2030.

About Snake Bites:

• Epidemiology: India records the highest number of snakebite incidents globally, with over 58,000 deaths annually (WHO estimate).
• High-Risk Areas: Rural regions with agricultural activity and forested areas report the majority of cases.

About Notifiable Diseases in India:

• Definition: Diseases legally required to be reported to government authorities for effective monitoring and response.
  E.g. Cholera, tuberculosis, AIDS, dengue.
• Power to Declare Notifiable Disease:
  • Lies with the State Government under public health legislation.
  • The Centre can recommend diseases for notification.
• Impacts of Declaring Notifiable Disease:
  • Improved Surveillance: Ensures accurate tracking of cases and deaths.
  • Early Outbreak Warning: Helps prevent large-scale epidemics.
  • Targeted Interventions: Enables better allocation of healthcare resources.
  • Global Collaboration: Aligns with WHO’s International Health Regulations for global disease monitoring.
• Features:
  • Mandatory Reporting: Doctors and healthcare facilities must report cases.
  • Legal Implications: Non-compliance can lead to penalties under state laws.
  • Burden Analysis: Provides comprehensive data on disease prevalence.
  • Disease Control: Facilitates public health planning and preventive measures.

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Green Steel

Source:  TH

 Context: The steel industry contributes 8% of global CO2 emissions. Decarbonization efforts have spurred innovations in green steel using renewable energy and sustainable practices.

About Green Steel:

• What It Is:
  • Green steel refers to steel produced using renewable energy and sustainable processes, minimizing carbon emissions.
• Various Methods in Prodcution:
  • Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF): Use renewable electricity to melt scrap metal, significantly reducing CO2 emissions.
  • Green Hydrogen-Based Reduction: Replaces coal with hydrogen derived from renewable sources to process iron ore.
  • Direct Electrolysis: A method similar to aluminium production, using renewable electricity to extract iron from ore (e.g., Boston Metal’s innovation).
  • Dismantled ships scrap: Green steel is also made using ferrous scrap mix in the raw material chain to ensure a proportionate reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
• Significance:
  • Environmental Benefits: Reduces dependence on fossil fuels, cutting up to 75% of CO2 emissions in some methods.
  • Circular Economy: Promotes recycling of ferrous scrap from end-of-life products like ships and vehicles.
  • Economic Potential: Creates demand for renewable energy and green hydrogen, driving innovation and job creation in decarbonization technologies.
  • Global Climate Goals: Aligns with initiatives like SteelZero, aiming for zero-emission steel by 2050.

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Ajmer Sharif Dargah

Source:   IE

 Context: Ajmer Sharif Dargah, the revered shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, has recently come under scrutiny due to a petition claiming it was built on demolished temples.

• Ajmer, historically known as Ajaymeru, has seen significant cultural and religious evolution.

About Ajmer Sharif Dargah:

• Who Built It: The mausoleum’s earliest structure was built in the 15th century by the Khalji rulers of Malwa. Further expansions were carried out by Mughal emperors like Akbar and Humayun.
• Location: Situated in Ajmer, Rajasthan, at the heart of the city’s historical and spiritual landscape.
• Features:
  • Buland Darwaza: Constructed by Sultan Mahmud Khan Khalji, showcasing a mix of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles.
  • White Marble Dome: Added during Humayun’s reign in 1532.
  • Akbari Masjid: Built by Akbar in the 1570s, enhancing the shrine’s prominence.
• Historical Significance:
  • The dargah became a spiritual refuge for people of all faiths under Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti’s philosophy of inclusivity.
  • The site reflects Mughal patronage and syncretic cultural heritage.

About Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti:

• Birth: Born in Sistan (modern-day Iran) in 1141 CE.
• Philosophy: Preached Sufism with a focus on love, tolerance, and service to humanity.
• Journey: Traveled widely across Central Asia and South Asia before settling in Ajmer in 1191 CE.
• Legacy:
  • Founded the Chishtiyya Sufi order in India.
  • Known as “Gharib Nawaz” (protector of the poor) for his generosity and compassion.
  • Attracted kings, nobles, and commoners alike through his teachings.
• Influence: Immediate disciples like Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki carried forward his mission.

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Aravalli Green Wall Project

Source:  DD News

Context: At United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP16 in Riyadh, India will showcase its innovative Aravalli Green Wall Project (AGWP), a comprehensive initiative to combat land degradation and desertification.

About Aravalli Green Wall Project:

• Origin:
  • Inspired by Africa’s Great Green Wall initiative, which spans from Senegal to Djibouti.
  • Conceptualized to combat desertification spreading from the Thar Desert to northern India.
• States Covered: Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi.
• Aim:
  • Restoration of 1.15 million hectares of degraded land by 2027.
  • Mitigation of soil degradation, erosion, and drought impacts.
  • Rejuvenation of 75 water bodies in the initial phase.
• Features:
  • Creation of a 1,400 km long and 5 km wide green belt along the Aravalli Range.
  • Integration of indigenous afforestation, biodiversity conservation, and advanced water management.
  • Use of GIS tools and Nature-Based Solutions to stabilize ecosystems.
  • Community engagement for sustainable restoration and green employment opportunities.

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Phlegraean Fields (Campi Flegrei)

Source:  Earth

Context: The Phlegraean Fields (Campi Flegrei), a massive supervolcano in Italy, are exhibiting increased activity, raising concerns within the scientific community.

About the Phlegraean Fields (Campi Flegrei):

• Location: Situated in the western suburbs of Naples, Italy, within the Campanian volcanic arc.
• Features:
  • A 13-km wide caldera formed by collapsed volcanic craters.
  • Emits between 4,000–5,000 tons of carbon dioxide daily.

About Super volcanoes:

What they are:

• A super volcano is a volcanic centre capable of producing eruptions ejecting over 1,000 km³ of material.
• They form vast depressions in the Earth’s crust called calderas.

Formation of Super volcanoes:

• Magma Accumulation: A large column of magma rises through a vent into the Earth’s crust but gets trapped.
• Melting Surrounding Rock: Over thousands of years, the trapped magma melts the surrounding rock, creating a massive magma chamber.
• Pressure Build-Up: The magma chamber grows in size, and pressure builds as gases dissolve in the magma.
• Eruption: When pressure exceeds the crust’s strength, it results in a massive eruption ejecting over 1,000 km³ of material.
• Caldera Formation: The land above the emptied magma chamber collapses, forming a large depression called a caldera.

Key Characteristics:

• Long formation timescales (thousands of years).
• Massive energy release and global impact during eruptions.
• Formation results in depressions rather than steep volcanic peaks.

Example: Yellowstone Caldera (USA), Toba (Indonesia), and Phlegraean Fields (Italy).

Difference Between Volcano and Supervolcano:

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Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme

Source:  ET

Context: India and ADB have signed a $98 million loan to boost horticulture productivity by providing disease-free planting materials under the Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme.

About Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme:

• Origin: Announced in Budget 2023-24 with an allocation of ₹2,200 crore for seven years until 2030.
• Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
  • Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme is implemented under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
• Aim:
  • Increase horticulture yield.
  • Promote climate-resilient and disease-free plant varieties.
  • Enhance productivity and profitability for farmers.
• Features:
  • Establishment of 10 world-class Clean Plant Centres (CPCs) for fruits like apple, walnut, almond, mango, and pomegranate.
  • The centres will be fully funded by the Centre
  • Advanced diagnostic labs and tissue culture technologies for disease control.
  • Affordable access to high-quality planting material, including a robust certification and traceability system.
  • Active engagement with women farmers and region-specific technologies.
• Implementing Agency:
  • Anchored by the National Horticulture Board (NHB) in partnership with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
  • Operates in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode with research organizations, agriculture universities, and private sector partners.

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 2 December 2024 Mapping:

Aleppo City

Source:  TH

 Context: Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, has been overtaken by Islamist rebel factions for the first time in over a decade, marking a significant shift in control amidst Syria’s ongoing civil war.

About Aleppo City:

• Location: Northern Syria, approximately 30 miles south of the Turkish border.
• River: Quwayq River runs through Aleppo but often dries up due to heavy water usage in Turkey.
• Terror organisation involved: Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)
• Significance:
  • Ancient trade hub, located at the crossroads of major commercial routes.
  • Hosts the UNESCO World Heritage site “Old City of Aleppo,” including its iconic citadel, a prime example of medieval Islamic architecture.

About Syria:

• Capital: Damascus.
• Neighbours: Turkey (north), Iraq (east), Jordan (south), Israel and Lebanon (southwest), and the Mediterranean Sea (west).
• Rivers: Euphrates River, Barada River, Quwayq River.
• Civil War: Began in 2011, stemming from authoritarian governance, sectarian conflicts, and geopolitical rivalries between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
• Significant Features:
  • Historically rich Levant region.
  • Key battleground in Shia-Sunni conflicts and a focal point of the Arab Spring movements.

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Georgia

Source:  The Print

 Context: Georgia is witnessing turmoil as protests erupted following the government’s decision to delay European Union (EU) membership talks until 2028.

About Georgia:

• Capital: Tbilisi.
• Neighbours: Russia (north and northeast), Azerbaijan (east and southeast), Armenia and Turkey (south), Black Sea (west).
• Geographical Features:
  • Highest Point: Mount Shkhara in the Greater Caucasus range.
  • Major Rivers: Inguri, Rioni, and Kodori.
  • Conflict Regions: Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Ajaria.

About European Union (EU):

• Origin: Established to ensure peace and economic cooperation post-World War II.
• Key Treaty: Treaty of Maastricht (1993) formalized the EU.
• Members: 27 countries, namely Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
• Criteria to Join the EU:
  • European geography
  • Respect for democratic values
  • Stable institutions ensuring rule of law
  • Functioning market economy
  • Capacity to adopt EU laws
  • Commitment to EU integration goals
• Recent Developments:
  • 2013: Croatia became the latest member.
  • 2020: The UK left the EU (Brexit).

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Daily Current Affairs + PIB Summary 2 Dec 2024

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