UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 December 2024

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 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 – 21 December  2024)

1. Declining Legislative Productivity

2. Global Antibiotic Shortages

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

1. The Dilemma of Dronacharya

Facts for Prelims (FFP):

1. SMILE program

2. Underwater Cable

3. Northern Giant Hornet

4. Protected Area Pemit

5. Nexus Report

6. Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary

7. Caucasus Mountain

Mapping:

1. Kuwait

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 December 2024

GS Paper 2 :

Declining Legislative Productivity

Syllabus: Polity 

Source:  PRS

 Context: The recent Winter Session of Parliament was marked by significant disruptions, leading to a substantial reduction in legislative productivity.

Ineffectiveness of Winter Session 2024: [Source: PRS]

1. Low Functioning Hours: Lok Sabha functioned for only 52% of its scheduled time, while Rajya Sabha operated at 39%, with both houses frequently disrupted.
2. Question Hour Impacted: Question Hour did not function for 15 out of 19 days in Rajya Sabha and for more than 10 minutes on 12 out of 20 days in Lok Sabha, undermining legislative scrutiny.
3. Legislation Backlog: Only one bill, the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024, was passed, marking the lowest legislative productivity in the last six Lok Sabha terms.
4. No Private Members’ Business: Lok Sabha conducted no private members’ business due to disruptions and a discussion on the Constitution, while Rajya Sabha managed to discuss only one resolution.
5. Deputy Speaker Vacancy: The 18th Lok Sabha continued without electing a Deputy Speaker since 2019, violating constitutional mandates for timely appointments.

Reasons behind the disruptions:

1. Political Polarization: Deepening ideological divides between the ruling party and the opposition have led to confrontational politics, resulting in frequent disruptions.
2. Contentious Legislation: The introduction of controversial bills without adequate pre-legislative consultations has sparked resistance and protests within the Parliament.
3. Unaddressed Opposition Demands: The government’s reluctance to address pressing issues raised by the opposition has led to protests and walkouts.
4. Procedural Violations: Instances of unparliamentary behaviour, such as sloganeering and rushing to the well of the house, have disrupted proceedings.
5. External Events Influencing Proceedings: External controversies and scandals have spilled over into parliamentary sessions, causing further disruptions.

Consequences of disruptions:

1. Legislative Delays: Important bills face delays, hindering policy implementation and governance.
2. Resource Wastage: Disruptions lead to the wastage of public funds allocated for parliamentary sessions.
3. Erosion of Public Trust: Frequent disruptions diminish public confidence in democratic institutions.
4. Missed Debates: Crucial discussions on socio-economic challenges are often sidelined.
5. International Image: Persistent disruptions can tarnish India’s reputation as a functioning democracy.

 Way ahead:

1. Strengthening Parliamentary Procedures: Implementing stricter rules to curb unruly behaviour and ensuring adherence to parliamentary decorum.
2. Promoting Bipartisan Dialogue: Encouraging constructive dialogue between the ruling party and the opposition to address contentious issues amicably.
3. Ensuring Pre-Legislative Consultations: Engaging stakeholders in discussions before introducing significant legislation to build consensus.
4. Enhancing Disciplinary Measures: Empowering parliamentary authorities to take prompt action against members violating decorum.
5. Public Awareness and Accountability: Increasing transparency and making MPs accountable to the public for their conduct in the house.

 Conclusion:

Addressing the root causes of parliamentary disruptions is essential to uphold the sanctity of democratic institutions. Implementing the suggested measures can lead to more productive sessions, ensuring that Parliament effectively fulfils its legislative and deliberative roles.

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PYQ:

Global Antibiotic Shortages

Syllabus: Health

Source:  DTE

 Context: The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP), has highlighted the urgent issue of global antibiotic shortages.

Antibiotic Shortage: Global Data and Examples

• Global Burden: In 2019, AMR directly caused 1.27 million deaths and was associated with 4.95 million more (Source: Lancet, 2022).
• Regional Examples:

• United Kingdom: A 2023 shortage of pediatric amoxicillin, used for Strep A, led to treatment delays and fatalities.
• Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs): Frequent stockouts of first-line antibiotics exacerbate public health challenges.

• Market Failures: Over 42% of antibiotic shortages are reported compared to other drugs (WHO, 2024).

Reasons behind antibiotic shortage:

• Market and Economic Failures: Antibiotics are less profitable than other drugs, leading to reduced investment in production.

• Supply chain disruptions and bottlenecks deter manufacturing.

• Regulatory Hurdles: Strict regulatory requirements increase production costs.

• Delays in approvals further discourage manufacturers.

• Sudden Demand Surges: Outbreaks of bacterial infections result in erratic demand, straining supply chains.
• Limited Manufacturers: Dependence on a small number of global suppliers increases vulnerability to disruptions.
• Stock Management Issues: Poor procurement practices and lack of national stockpiling systems.

Impacts of antibiotic shortages:

1. Increased AMR Risk: Shortages force reliance on suboptimal or broad-spectrum antibiotics, accelerating resistance.
2. Higher Mortality and Morbidity: Delayed treatments contribute to preventable deaths.
   • Vulnerable populations, including children, face severe health risks.
3. Economic Strain: Prolonged illnesses due to ineffective treatments burden healthcare systems.
4. Public Health Challenges: Limited access undermines global health security, especially in Lower- middle income countries (LMICs).
5. Quality Concerns: The use of substandard or falsified antibiotics increases the likelihood of treatment failure.

WHO recommendations to counter antibiotic shortages:

1. Enhancing Flexibility for Acute Shortages: Temporary imports, extending expiry dates, and waiving certain testing requirements during crises.
2. Strengthening Supply Chains: Diversifying suppliers, incentivizing local production, and maintaining strategic stockpiles.
3. Increasing Market Visibility: Sharing data on demand and potential shortages to ensure better supply chain coordination.
4. Institutionalizing Collaboration: Establishing emergency plans and fostering partnerships between countries and manufacturers.
5. Reinforcing Regulatory Frameworks: Streamlining approval processes, enforcing quality controls, and removing substandard products.

Conclusion:

Addressing antibiotic shortages is pivotal to combating AMR and safeguarding global health systems. WHO’s roadmap provides actionable steps to mitigate these shortages and enhance resilience. Strengthening global collaboration and regulatory measures will be key to ensuring equitable and sustainable access to essential antibiotics.

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 December 2024 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

The Dilemma of Dronacharya

Anecdote: Once upon a time in the ancient kingdom of Hastinapur, Dronacharya, the revered royal guru, faced a moral crossroads. Among his disciples, Arjuna stood out as his favorite, destined to become the greatest archer of his time. One day, during a hunting expedition, Drona and his pupils encountered a remarkable display of archery a dog silenced by arrows without harm. The archer, Eklavya, a Nishad prince, emerged from the forest. Despite being denied formal training, Eklavya had honed his skills independently, idolizing Drona through a clay idol. Impressed yet uneasy, Drona demanded his guru dakshina: Eklavya’s thumb. With unwavering respect for his “guru,” Eklavya sacrificed his thumb, effectively ending his archery aspirations. This incident sparked debates over duty and morality. From one perspective, Dronacharya’s actions upheld his duty to the crown, ensuring no rivals to the princes’ supremacy, particularly Arjuna’s. However, critics argue that Drona’s demand epitomized social discrimination, denying merit and perpetuating systemic inequality. The story reflects the complexity of dharma, where the lines between loyalty, fairness, and justice blur. It challenges us to question: Should duty to power outweigh the principles of equity and inclusivity? And how do leaders balance personal loyalties with the greater good?

Relevance in UPSC Exam:

• GS Paper IV – Ethics: Highlights moral dilemmas in leadership and the ethics of fairness, meritocracy, and social justice.
• GS Paper I – Social Issues: Illustrates caste and privilege-based exclusion in traditional and modern contexts.
• Essay Writing: Provides a foundation for essays on topics like systemic inequality and the ethics of power.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 December 2024 Facts for Prelims (FFP)

SMILE program

Source:  PIB

Context: The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $350 million policy-based loan under the SMILE program to enhance India’s logistics ecosystem and strengthen its manufacturing sector.

About SMILE Program:

• What It Is: Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE Program), a policy-based loan program.
• Ministry: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Funded By: Asian Development Bank (ADB).
• Aim: Enhance logistics efficiency, expand manufacturing, and improve supply chain resilience.
• Features:

• Strengthens multimodal logistics infrastructure at national, state, and city levels.
• Standardizes warehousing and logistics assets to attract private investment.
• Improves efficiencies in external trade logistics.
• Promotes smart systems for efficient and low-emission logistics.

About Asian Development Bank (ADB):

• Headquarters: Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines.
• Established In: December 19, 1966.
• Members: 69 countries, including regional (e.g., India, China) and non-regional (e.g., USA, Japan) members.
  • The bank admits the members of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and non-regional developed countries.
• Functions:

• Promotes social and economic development in Asia and the Pacific.
• Provides loans, grants, and technical assistance for development projects.

• Features:

• Weighted voting system based on capital subscriptions.
• Major shareholders: Japan (15.57%), USA (15.57%), India (6.32%), China (6.43%), and Australia (5.77%).

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Underwater Cable

Source:  TH

 Context: India is strengthening its digital connectivity with the launch of two new undersea cables, India Asia Xpress (IAX) and India Europe Xpress (IEX).

About Underwater Cables:

• What it is: Fiber-optic cables laid under the ocean to transmit data at high speeds globally.
• New Cables:
  • IAX: Connects Chennai and Mumbai with Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia.
  • IEX: Connects Chennai and Mumbai with France, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Djibouti.
• How they work:
  • Fiber-optic technology transmits data using laser beams through thin glass fibres.
  • Protected by layers of insulation, plastic, and steel wires.
  • Buried under seabed near shores; laid directly on the ocean floor in deep sea.

• Features:
• Depth and Placement: Buried near shores; placed directly on seabed in deep waters.
• Data Capacity: Can carry up to 224 Tbps in new-generation cables.
• Durability: Protected with multiple layers; routed to avoid fault zones, fishing areas, and anchors.
• Speed: Faster and more cost-efficient than satellite communication for large-scale data transfer.
• Why Underwater Cables over Satellites?
• Higher Capacity: Cables handle far more data than satellites.
• Cost-Effective: Cheaper on a bit-for-bit basis for large-scale data transfer.
• Reliability: More stable connections compared to satellites, especially for high-volume data.

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Northern Giant Hornet

Source:  IE

Context: The United States successfully eradicated the invasive Northern Giant Hornet, commonly known as the “Murder Hornet,” which posed significant threats to native pollinators and agriculture.

About Murder Hornet (Northern Giant Hornet)

• Scientific name: Vespa mandarinia.
• Habitat: Native to Asia; prefers forested areas and underground cavities for nesting.
• Features:
  • Up to 2 inches long.
  • Delivers venom nearly seven times stronger than that of honeybees.
  • Can sting multiple times and penetrate beekeeper suits.
• Threats:
  • Can decimate entire honeybee hives within 90 minutes by decapitating bees.
  • Competes with native pollinators, disrupting ecosystems and agriculture.
  • Deadly to humans; caused fatalities and injuries in China in 2013.

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Protected Area Pemit

Source:  NIE

 Context: The Indian government has reinstated the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime in Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland due to security concerns stemming from the influx of people from neighbouring countries.

About Protected Area Permit (PAP):

• What it is: An official document required for foreign nationals to visit certain “protected” areas in India under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958.
• States Under PAP:

• Arunachal Pradesh
• Manipur
• Mizoram
• Nagaland
• Sikkim (partly protected)
• Parts of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand

• Authority to Declare PAP: Declared by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958.
• Procedure to Obtain PAP:

• Application submitted to Indian Missions abroad or competent local authorities in India.
• Cases requiring special clearance referred to MHA with state government recommendations.
• PAP valid for group tourists or individuals with extra-ordinary reasons.

• Features of PAP:

• Valid for group tourists (minimum of 2 people).
• Restricted to specified circuits/routes and entry/exit points.
• Foreigners must register with the district Foreigners Registration Officer within 24 hours.
• PAP is time-bound, and overstaying is prohibited.
• Citizens from Afghanistan, China, and Pakistan require prior MHA

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Nexus Report

Source:  IPBES

 Context: The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) launched the Nexus Report, a comprehensive scientific assessment of the interconnections among biodiversity, water, food, health, and climate change.

About Nexus Report:

• Full Name: Assessment Report on the Interlinkages Among Biodiversity, Water, Food and Health.
• Aim: To analyze the complex interdependencies among biodiversity, water, food, health, and climate change, offering over 60 specific response options to optimize co-benefits and tackle global challenges effectively.

About Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES):

• Established in: April 21, 2012, in Panama City by 94 governments.
• Headquarters: Bonn, Germany.
• Aim: To strengthen the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services, ensuring sustainable use and long-term human well-being.
• Functions:

• Assess global biodiversity and ecosystem service trends.
• Promote sustainable practices and conservation efforts.
• Provide decision-makers with actionable scientific insights.
• Bridge the gap between science and policy for biodiversity management.

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Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary

Source:  TH

 Context: The Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary (BBBS) in Assam has recorded a significant 72% decline in bird species over 27 years, primarily due to anthropogenic activities.

About Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary:

• Location: Located on the border of Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts in Assam.
• Established in: Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1996.
• Habitat: Covers 11.25 sq. km of wetlands; experiences a moist tropical climate. Vegetation includes flooded valley grasslands and wetlands.
• Major Flora and Fauna:
  • Flora: Aquatic plants and grassland species.
  • Fauna: Migratory birds like Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) and Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus); resident birds like the Indian Pond Heron and Fulvous Whistling Duck.

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Caucasus Mountain

Source:  IE

Context: A recent gas leak at an Indian restaurant has drawn attention to a ski resort located in the Caucasus Mountains of Georgia.

About Caucasus Mountains:

• Spread over: Extends across Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.
• Peak point: Mount Elbrus (5,642 meters), the highest peak in Europe.
• Rivers: Originates major rivers like the Terek, Kura, and Rioni.
• Significance:
  • Geopolitical boundary between Europe and Asia.
  • Biodiversity hotspot with unique flora and fauna.
  • Popular for tourism and winter sports.

About Georgia:

• Capital: Tbilisi.
• Neighbours: Bordered by Russia (north), Turkey (southwest), Armenia (south), Azerbaijan (southeast), and the Black Sea (west).
• Geographical features:
  • Rivers: Kura and Rioni rivers dominate the landscape.
  • Mountains: Home to the Caucasus Mountains and the Likhi Range, dividing the eastern and western parts of the country.

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 December 2024 Mapping:

Kuwait

Source:  News on Air

Context: Indian Prime Minister will visit Kuwait for a two-day trip, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 43 years.

About Kuwait:

• Location: Situated in West Asia at the northern tip of the Arabian Peninsula.
• Neighbours: Borders Iraq to the north, Saudi Arabia to the south, and shares a maritime boundary with Iran in the Persian Gulf.
• Capital: Kuwait City.
• Geographical Features:
  • Lacks major rivers or mountains; primarily a desert terrain.
  • Coastline: Approximately 500 km along the Persian Gulf.
  • Notable geographic feature: Kuwait Bay, a prominent natural harbour.

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