UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 October 2024

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 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 3: (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 October 2024)

1. All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey (2021-22)

2. Indian Railways Stress Factors

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

1. Mining Dust for Carbon Capture

2. Google’s Violation of Antitrust Laws

Facts for Prelims (FFP):

1. Kala-azar

2. Azores Archipelago

3. Statue of Lady Justice

4. International Container Transshipment Port

5. eShram-One Stop Solution

6. Maritime Exercises

Mapping:

1. Sri Singeeswarar Temple

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 October 2024

GS Paper 3:

All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey (2021-22)

Syllabus: Agriculture and allied activities.

Source:  IE

 Context: The latest All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey (2021-22) indicates a reversal of the declining trend in rural households’ dependence on agriculture.

About All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey (2021-22):

1. Increase in Agricultural Households:
   • 57% of rural households were identified as “agricultural” in 2021-22, up from 48% in 2016-17. This includes semi-urban centers with less than 50,000 population. (NABARD’s All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey)
2. Rise in Agricultural Income:
   • The average monthly income of agricultural households was ₹13,661 in 2021-22, compared to ₹8,931 in 2016-17. Agricultural households earned more than their non-agricultural counterparts. (NABARD Survey)
3. Increased Income from Cultivation and Animal Husbandry:
   • Income from farming activities rose from 43.1% to over 45% in 2021-22. (NABARD Survey)
4. Impact of COVID-19:
   • The pandemic-induced economic slowdown caused a shift back to agriculture, which was less affected by lockdowns due to exemptions. (NABARD Survey and PLFS).
5. Rising Dependence on Agriculture for Employment:
   • PLFS data shows agriculture engaged 46.5% of India’s workforce in 2020-21, rising from 42.5% in 2018-19. (PLFS)

Positives:

1. 1. Increased agricultural participation: More rural households are relying on agriculture for income, potentially revitalizing the sector.

• Example: 57% rural households involved in agriculture (NABARD).

1. 1. Higher agricultural income: Agricultural households reported an increase in income, contributing to rural economic stability.

• Example: Monthly income increased to ₹13,661 from ₹8,931 (NABARD).

1. 1. Resilience during COVID-19: Agriculture remained resilient during the pandemic, ensuring a livelihood for many when non-farm jobs were scarce.

• Example: Agriculture was exempt from lockdowns (NABARD, PLFS).

1. 1. Improved farm productivity: A rise in income from animal husbandry and cultivation reflects increased farm productivity.

• Example: Income from farming activities rose to 45% (NABARD).

Negatives:

1. 1. Lack of non-farm jobs: The increased dependence on agriculture reflects a shortage of alternative employment in manufacturing and services.

• Example: Only 11.4% of the workforce is employed in manufacturing (PLFS).

1. 1. Low marginal productivity: Agricultural jobs tend to offer low productivity and subsistence-level wages, hindering overall economic growth.

• Example: Employment characteristics in agriculture remain similar to low-wage, informal sectors.

1. 1. Income diversification decline: Agricultural households are now earning less from non-farm sources, which could make them more vulnerable to farming risks.

• Example: Reduction in income from non-farm sources across land-size categories (NABARD).

1. 1. Economic disparities across states: States like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh still have a very high dependency on agriculture, which points to regional economic disparities.

• Example: Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar have over 50% of their labor force in agriculture (PLFS).

Way ahead:

1. Diversify rural employment: Promote rural industries and service-sector jobs to reduce over-reliance on agriculture.
2. Boost agricultural productivity: Invest in modern technologies and practices to enhance farm productivity and increase income.
3. Strengthen rural infrastructure: Improve transportation, irrigation, and storage facilities to support the agricultural sector and rural industries.
4. Promote skill development: Implement programs for skill development in rural areas to provide youth with non-farm employment opportunities.

Conclusion:

The survey data highlights a paradox where rural India is increasingly reliant on agriculture despite overall economic growth. While agricultural income has risen, the need for diversification and productivity improvements is essential for long-term rural prosperity.

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Indian Railways Stress Factors

Syllabus: Railways infrastructure

Source: TH

Context: On October 17, eight coaches of the Agartala-Lokmanya Tilak Express derailed in Assam with no casualties. On October 11, a passenger train rear-ended a stationary goods train near Chennai, also with no casualties. Indian trains have been involved in multiple accidents of late. 

Key stress factors:

1. Accidents and safety concerns:
   • Accidents have reduced from 1,390 per year in the 1960s to 40 in 2023-24, but recent high-profile incidents like the Balasore crash raise serious safety issues.
   • 55.8% of accidents are due to human error, with equipment failure accounting for 6.2%.
2. Slow implementation of ‘Kavach’ technology:
   • ‘Kavach’ covers only 2% of the railway network despite being a crucial safety feature designed to prevent collisions. Its high cost and slow implementation hinder wider adoption.
3. Financial challenges and operating ratio:
   • The operating ratio for 2024-25 is projected at 98.2%, meaning the Railways spends nearly as much as it earns, leaving little for upgrades.
   • Dependence on Extra-Budgetary Resources has grown, increasing fiscal pressure.
4. Freight services and revenue imbalance:
   • Freight accounts for 65% of revenue, but inefficiencies and slow freight movement (26 km/hr in 2016) dampen growth. Coal, which contributes 45% of freight volume, faces decline due to a shift towards renewable energy.
5. Underinvestment in infrastructure:
   • Capital outlay for track renewal is inadequate, and the depreciation reserves have shrunk by 96%, weakening the ability to maintain assets.
6. Passenger services losses:
   • In 2021-22, passenger services incurred a loss of ₹68,269 crore. Efforts like Vande Bharat trains increase revenue, but rationalising fares is crucial.

About Kavach system:

• Indigenous development: Kavach is an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) under Indian Railways, in collaboration with Medha Servo Drives Pvt Ltd, HBL Power Systems Ltd, and Kernex Microsystems.
• Functionality: It uses electronic devices and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) installed in locomotives, signalling systems, and tracks to communicate using ultra-high radio frequencies. These systems control train brakes and alert drivers based on pre-programmed logic.
• Field testing: Field tests for Kavach on passenger trains began in 2016, showing promising results in preventing collisions and enhancing safety.
• Applications:
  • Prevents Signal Passing At Danger (SPAD) and overspeeding by alerting the loco pilot.
  • Automatically applies brakes when it detects another train within a predefined distance.
  • Provides signals to the loco pilot ahead of time, useful in low-visibility conditions.
  • Automatically controls train speed if the pilot fails to respond.
  • Assists in driving during harsh weather conditions like dense fog.

Potential solutions:

1. Improving safety with ‘Kavach’ and signalling upgrade:
   • Prioritising the completion of Kavach across high-density routes and upgrading signalling systems could prevent future accidents and improve operational safety.
2. Strengthening financial health:
   • A better balance between passenger fares and freight rates, fare rationalisation, can address financial gaps. Expanding premium services and curbing losses from subsidised services is also essential.
3. Infrastructure upgradation:
   • Increasing investment in track renewal and wagon replacements will enhance efficiency and reduce accidents. Funds should also be allocated for capacity expansion and completing the DFC projects.
4. Leveraging technology and data:
   • Introducing AI-based systems for real-time monitoring of tracks, improving training, and better staff management could improve both safety and efficiency.

Conclusion:

            Addressing these stress factors requires a comprehensive approach that includes investments in technology, safety improvements, financial reforms, and sustainable growth strategies. A well-balanced strategy between affordability and profitability is crucial for securing the future of India’s key public transportation system.

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

Mining Dust for Carbon Capture

Context: Alt Carbon, a Darjeeling-based company, accelerates the natural process of rock weathering to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) by using crushed basalt, a type of volcanic rock rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium.

Process:

• Crushed basalt, a type of volcanic rock, is spread over land to increase surface area, accelerating natural weathering processes.
• Atmospheric CO2 reacts with minerals in the basalt, forming bicarbonates that are washed into oceans where carbon is stored for long periods.
• This speeds up the natural carbon capture process, which normally takes thousands of years, making it efficient in 2-4 years.

Location:

• Basalt-rich regions like the Deccan Traps in Maharashtra and Gujarat, as well as Jharkhand and West Bengal (Rajmahal Traps), are ideal for sourcing the basalt rock.

Environmental Benefit:

• Apart from capturing carbon, basalt also acts as a soil enhancer, improving fertility and benefiting agricultural productivity.

Scale:

• For every 3-4 tonnes of basalt dust, 1 tonne of CO2 can be sequestered over a few years.

Usage in Carbon Credits:

• Companies can purchase carbon credits generated from this process to offset their emissions voluntarily.

Usage in UPSC Syllabus:

1. GS Paper 3 – Environment and Ecology:
   • Climate change mitigation: Enhanced rock weathering as a method for carbon sequestration can be discussed in solutions to combat climate change.
   • Sustainable development: Incorporates innovation in reducing carbon emissions and ensuring sustainable soil management.
   • Carbon credit markets: Discussing voluntary carbon credits and international climate commitments.
2. GS Paper 2 – Governance:
   • Environmental policies: Reference to how this can be incorporated into national policies on climate change and green technologies.

Google’s Violation of Antitrust Laws

Context: In 2020, Epic Games made a bold move that challenged the status quo of the app economy by introducing a direct payment option within its popular game, Fortnite. This bypassed the hefty commissions charged by both Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store, which typically take a 15-30% cut of all in-app purchases. In retaliation, Google removed Fortnite from the Play Store, leading to a long legal battle. Epic argued that Google’s exclusive agreements with developers and mandatory billing system were anti-competitive practices, and after years of litigation, a U.S. jury ruled in December 2023 that Google had indeed violated antitrust laws. This resulted in a pivotal injunction requiring Google to open its Play Store to third-party apps and alternative payment options, reshaping the landscape of digital marketplaces and app distribution.

• GS Paper 3 – Economic Development.

• • Regulation and Anti-Trust Laws: The case illustrates the need for regulatory mechanisms to address monopolistic practices in digital economies.
  • Innovation and Growth: Promoting fair competition fosters innovation and strengthens the digital economy, relevant under Digital Economy and Industrial Policies.
  • Entrepreneurship: The case exemplifies how unchecked corporate dominance hampers small businesses, linking to Inclusive Growth and Market Dynamics.

• GS Paper 4 – Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude.

• • Business Ethics: The case highlights the ethical responsibility of companies to avoid exploitative practices, aligning with topics on Integrity and Corporate Governance.
  • Fairness and Accountability: The ruling stresses fairness in business practices, central to discussions on Ethical Dilemmas and Public Accountability.
  • Moral Leadership: The role of leadership in ensuring ethical business conduct can be tied to Leadership, emphasizing Empathy and Accountability in governance.

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

Kala-azar

Source: TH

 Context: India is on the brink of eliminating Kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis) as a public health problem, having maintained fewer than one case per 10,000 people for two consecutive years, a requirement for World Health Organization (WHO) certification.

Current status in India:

• Cases and deaths: India registered 595 cases and four deaths in 2023. In 2024, the number of cases decreased to 339, with one recorded death so far.
• Eligibility for WHO certification: India could soon become eligible for the elimination certificate if the trend of keeping cases below one per 10,000 people continues for another year.
• Vulnerable regions: Bihar accounts for over 70% of the total cases, along with Jharkhand, West Bengal, and parts of Uttar Pradesh.

About Kala-azar:

• Origin: Kala-azar, or visceral leishmaniasis, is caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani.
• Transmission: The disease is transmitted by the bite of an infected female sandfly (Phlebotomus argentipes in India).
• Vector: The sandfly, breeding in humid conditions and poor sanitation, plays a major role in the spread of the disease.
• Symptoms: It is characterized by fever, significant weight loss, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and severe anemia. If left untreated, Kala-azar has a fatality rate of over 95%.
• Diagnosis: Diagnosis relies on clinical symptoms and parasitological or serological tests, such as the rK39 diagnostic kit.
• Treatment: Various anti-parasitic treatments are available, such as amphotericin B, miltefosine, and sodium stibogluconate.

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Azores Archipelago

Source: TOI

Context: Recently, the regional assembly of the Azores approved the creation of the largest marine protected area in the North Atlantic, significantly contributing to global conservation goals.

About Azores Archipelago:

• Location: The Azores is a group of nine volcanic islands located in the North Atlantic Ocean, around 1,500 km west of mainland Portugal.
• Origin: The islands were formed through volcanic activity, and the archipelago sits above the Azores Triple Junction, where the Eurasian, North American, and African tectonic plates meet.
• Geography: Divided into three groups — northwest, central, and eastern — the islands run in a northwest-southeast direction.
• Key Features:
  • Mount Pico on Pico Island is the highest point in the Azores.
  • Climate: The islands have an oceanic subtropical climate, characterized by mild temperatures year-round.
  • Fauna: The Azores are home to unique biodiversity, including the endemic Azores bullfinch and Monteiro’s storm petrel, as well as rich laurel forests.
  • Marine conservation: The Azores government recently established a 300,000 square km protected marine area, aiming to preserve underwater mountain ranges and deep-sea ecosystems.
  • Conservation leadership: The region is leading marine protection efforts, aligning with the UN’s 2030 goals to protect 30% of land and sea.
  • Marine biodiversity: The islands are known for their diverse marine life, including deep-sea corals and hydrothermal vents.

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Statue of Lady Justice

Source:  TOI

Context: Recently, a new statue of Lady Justice was unveiled at the Supreme Court of India, replacing the older version that symbolized British colonial influence.

Features of the New Justice Statue:

• Traditional attire: The new statue is dressed in a saree, replacing the Western attire to reflect Indian cultural heritage.
• Eyes open: Unlike the traditional blindfolded Lady Justice, the new statue’s eyes are open, symbolizing that justice is not blind in India but sees everyone equally, recognizing the country’s social diversity and challenges.
• Scales of justice: The statue continues to hold scales in one hand, symbolizing the weighing of evidence impartially and maintaining fairness in judgments.
• Constitution in hand: The sword has been replaced with the Indian Constitution in the statue’s other hand, emphasizing the Constitution’s supremacy in India’s legal system over the use of force or punishment.
• Decoloniality: The shift from colonial symbols like the blindfold and sword represents an attempt to indigenize and decolonize judicial imagery, aligning the statue with the principles of Indian jurisprudence and values.

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International Container Transshipment Port

Source: TH

 Context: A quarter century after Kamarajar Port was named the country’s 12th major port, the mega international container transshipment port (ICTP) at Galathea Bay in the Great Nicobar Island in the Bay of Bengal has been notified as the 13th major port.

About Galathea Bay:

• Location: On Great Nicobar Island, part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.
• Strategic importance: Near the Malacca Strait, handling 35% of global sea trade, critical for Indo-Pacific maritime logistics.
• International Container Transshipment Port: Designed as a major transshipment port for cargo from India’s east coast, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
• Development: Planned in four phases, with Phase 1 operational by 2028, starting with 4 million TEUs, and reaching 16 million TEUs by 2058.
• Cost: ₹41,000 crore total, with Phase 1 costing ₹18,000 crore.
• Environmental sensitivity: Requires careful development due to the region’s ecological vulnerability.
• Economic impact: Expected to save $200-220 million annually by reducing India’s reliance on foreign transshipment ports.

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eShram-One Stop Solution

Source:  PIB

Context: Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya is set to launch the eShram-One Stop Solution, a platform designed to streamline access to various social security and welfare schemes for unorganized workers in India.

About e-Shram:

• Origin: Launched on August 26, 2021, to provide a comprehensive database of unorganized workers and serve as a platform for accessing welfare schemes.
• Aim: To act as a One-Stop Solution for unorganized workers, integrating information and facilitating easy access to social security and welfare schemes.
• Nodal ministry: Ministry of Labour & Employment.
• Features:
  • Integration: Combines information from 12 central schemes to ensure unorganized workers benefit from multiple government initiatives.
  • Platform: Serves as a centralized database and mediator to simplify the process of identifying eligible workers and saturating scheme benefits.
  • Enrolment success: Over 30 crore unorganized workers have registered on the platform as of October 2024.
  • Social impact: Improves awareness among unorganized workers regarding available welfare schemes, contributing to better coverage and support for this vulnerable sector.

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Maritime Exercises

Source:  PIB

Context: India conducted two significant maritime exercises in October 2024 to enhance security and cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.

About NASEEM AL BAHR Exercise:

• Nations involved: India and Oman.
• Location: Off the coast of Goa, India.

About Sagar Kavach Exercise:

• Forces involved:
  • Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Marine Police, State Police, Border Security Force (BSF), National Security Guard (NSG), and port authorities.
  • Aerial surveillance support provided by Coast Guard aircraft and drones.
• Location: Gujarat and Union Territory of Daman & Diu.
• Key activities:
  • Coastal security drills and simulated scenarios to test coordination and SOPs among various forces.
  • The exercise aimed to sharpen coastal defense mechanisms and enhance preparedness for maritime threats.

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 October 2024 Mapping:

Sri Singeeswarar Temple

Source: TH

Context: A set of copper-plate inscriptions dating back to the 16^th Century CE have been discovered at the Sri Singeeswarar temple at Mappedu village in Tiruvallur district recently.

About Singeeswarar Temple (Mappedu):

• Location: Situated in Mappedu, Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu, approximately 20 km from Poonamallee on the Chennai-Poonamallee-Perambakkam highway.
• Construction: Built in 976 A.D. by Aditya Karikal Chola II, the elder brother of Rajaraja Chola.
• Renovation: In the 16th century, Ariyanatha Mudaliar, an officer under King Tirumala Nayaka, renovated the temple, particularly erecting the main tower (Raja Gopuram).
• Historical inscriptions: Copper-plate inscriptions from 1513 CE, written in Sanskrit and Nandinagari script during the reign of Vijayanagara King Krishnadevaraya, were recently discovered at the temple. These inscriptions hold significant historical value.
• Special features: The temple is known for its unique depiction of Anjaneya (Hanuman) playing the Veena in a subtle state, making it a special spiritual site.

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Daily Current Affairs + PIB Summary 21 Oct 2024

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