UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23 November 2024

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23 November 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 – 23 November 2024)

1. Impacts of Social Media on Democracy

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

1. Nova, An AI-Powered Humanoid

2. Quotes on Socialism

Facts for Prelims (FFP):

1. “Jobs At Your Doorstep” Report

2. Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), 2025

3. Centrifugal Process & Uranium Enrichment

4. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

5. Paris Agreement

6. High-Altitude Sickness

Mapping:

1. Cayirhan Coal Mine

2. Ashtamudi Lake

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23 November 2024

GS Paper 3:

Impacts of Social Media on Democracy

Syllabus: Science and Technology

Source:  TH

 Context: Social media has revolutionized communication and information dissemination globally. While it fosters democratic values by empowering voices and facilitating debates, it also poses challenges through misinformation, hate speech, and monopolistic control.

 Social Media and Its Types:

• Definition: Social media platforms allow users to create, share, and interact with content online.
• Types:
  • Social Networks: Platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn for connections.
  • Microblogging sites: Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) for quick updates and news sharing.
  • Media sharing platforms: Instagram, YouTube for visual and video content.
  • Discussion forums: Reddit, Quora for topic-based discussions.

Recent Examples of Social Media Impacting Democracy:

1. US Elections: X and Facebook played significant roles in spreading political campaigns and misinformation during elections.
2. Palestine conflict: social media brought real-time updates about the situation, showcasing atrocities and fostering global awareness.
3. Sri lanka riots: Lack of local content moderation on Facebook exacerbated the spread of hate speech.
4. Farmer Protests in India: social media amplified protests, leading to global attention and support.

Positive Impacts of Social Media on Democracy:

• Enhanced political participation: Empowers citizens to engage in discussions and hold governments accountable.

E.g. Youth-led campaigns during climate protests.

• Global connectivity: Enables sharing of ideas and real-time updates across borders.

E.g. Ukraine-Russia conflict updates mobilized international aid.

• Amplification of Marginalized Voices: Offers a platform for underrepresented groups to voice concerns.

E.g. #MeToo movement started global conversations about gender justice.

• Transparency and Accountability: Brings government actions under public scrutiny.

E.g. Social media whistleblowers exposing corruption.

Negative Impacts of Social Media on Democracy:

• Spread of Misinformation: Unverified content can manipulate public opinion.

E.g. Fake news during COVID-19 led to vaccine hesitancy.

• Polarization and Echo Chambers: Algorithms amplify like-minded content, reinforcing biases.

E.g. Partisan political debates in the US.

• Hate Speech and Extremism: Platforms fail to control harmful content.

E.g. Rohingya crisis in Myanmar exacerbated by Facebook posts.

• Monopolistic control: Ownership by individuals or corporations affects neutrality.

E.g. Elon Musk’s influence on X.

• Censorship: Governments can suppress dissent by manipulating platform policies.

E.g. Internet shutdowns during protests in authoritarian regimes.

Suggested measures:

• Strengthen moderation: Increase local-language moderators to manage hate speech and misinformation.

E.g. Facebook should hire moderators fluent in regional languages.

• Regulate algorithms: Make algorithms transparent to prevent the amplification of harmful content.
• Promote decentralized platforms: Encourage platforms like Mastodon and Bluesky to reduce monopolistic influence.
• Legal safeguards: Enact stringent laws to prevent misuse of social media for spreading fake news.
• Media literacy: Integrate information verification techniques in school curriculums.
• Independent oversight: Set up international bodies to monitor the neutrality of platforms.

Conclusion:

Social media is a powerful tool for democracy, amplifying voices and enabling transparency. However, its potential to harm through misinformation and monopolistic control necessitates regulation, decentralization, and education to ensure it serves democratic ideals responsibly.

Insta Links:

PYQ:

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23 November 2024 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Nova, An AI-Powered Humanoid

Context: Nova, an AI-powered humanoid, is revolutionizing education at a government school in Punalur, Kerala. With multilingual capabilities and a focus on improving communication skills, the humanoid provides an engaging, interactive learning experience, introducing children to advanced technology.

About Humanoid Robot:

• Nova: AI-powered humanoid designed to assist in education.
• Capabilities: Speaks four languages (English, Malayalam, Hindi, Arabic) and interacts with students using GPT-4o technology.
• Focus: Enhances communication skills, encourages curiosity, and familiarizes students with technology.

UPSC Relevance:

• GS Paper II (Governance): Role of technology in education and skill enhancement.
• GS Paper III (Science & Tech): AI applications in education and social sectors.
• Essay: Technology and its transformative impact on learning.

Quotes on Socialism

Context: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna clarified that socialism in India reflects the idea of a welfare state ensuring equality of opportunity, rather than imposing a rigid or dictatorial framework.

Key Quotes and Statements by CJI:

• “Socialism in India means a welfare state that provides equality of opportunity for all, not a dictatorial dogma.”
• “Socialism has never prevented the private sector from thriving; we have all benefited from it.”
• “The idea of socialism runs through many Articles of the Constitution.”
• “Socialism and secularism are integral parts of the Basic Structure of the Constitution.”

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23 November 2024 Facts for Prelims (FFP)

“Jobs At Your Doorstep” Report

Source:  PIB

Context: Union Minister launched the “Jobs at Your Doorstep” report by the World Bank.

• This report focuses on diagnostics for the employment landscape in six Indian states and highlights strategies to align education and skilling with India’s jobs agenda.

About Jobs at Your Doorstep Report:

• Purpose: Provides a diagnostic roadmap to align skill education with employment opportunities.
• Coverage: Focuses on six STARS states – Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Rajasthan.
• Key Features:
  • Addresses the skills gap by aligning school trades with district-specific industry needs.
  • Promotes a bottom-up approach to skill development, emphasizing local market-driven training.
  • Integrates skilling into school education for grades 9-12, ensuring future workforce readiness.
  • Envisions 50% student access to skill education by 2025 and 100% by 2030 under NEP 2020.
• STARS Program: Supported by the World Bank, this scheme strengthens teaching, learning, and results for skill-based education in schools.

About STARS Program: (Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States)

• Launch and Duration: Approved in October 2020, effective from 2021 for five years, till FY 2024-25.
• Implementation: Managed by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education, with financial assistance from the World Bank.
• Target States: Covers six states—Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Kerala—to enhance the quality of school education.
• Alignment with NEP 2020: Focuses on improving quality-based learning outcomes in line with the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020.
• Scope: Carved out from Samagra Shiksha, emphasizing components directly linked to educational quality enhancement.

Insta links:

Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), 2025

Source:  CCPI

 Context: The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2025 evaluates the climate protection performance of 63 countries and the EU, collectively responsible for over 90% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

About Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), 2025:

• Origin: First published in 2005.
• Published by: Germanwatch, NewClimate Institute, and Climate Action Network.
• Aim: To monitor and compare climate mitigation efforts and enhance transparency in climate policies globally.
• Indicators Used:
  1. GHG Emissions
  2. Renewable Energy
  3. Energy Use
  4. Climate Policy
• Top Ranking Countries:

• • No country received an overall very high rating.
  • Denmark holds its 4th-place ranking in this year’s CCPI and is again the highest-ranked of all countries surveyed. (No nation made it top 3)

India’s Performance in CCPI 2025:

• Overall Rank: 10th, among the highest performers.
• Overall, only 22 of the 64 surveyed CCPI countries (including the EU) are on track, while 42 are lagging. India and the United Kingdom are two that are on track.
• Category Ratings:
  • GHG Emissions: High
  • Energy Use: High
  • Climate Policy: Medium
  • Renewable Energy: Low

• Strengths:
  • Rapid renewable energy expansion, particularly in large-scale solar power projects.
  • Introduction of energy efficiency standards and electric vehicle deployment.
  • Low per capita emissions and energy use despite being the most populous country.
• Challenges:
  • Heavy reliance on coal with slow phase-out progress.
  • Limited inclusion of sectors like transport, housing, and water in climate targets.

Insta links:

Centrifugal Process & Uranium Enrichment

Source:   TH

 Context: Iran announced plans to launch advanced centrifuges in response to a censure resolution by the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), escalating tensions over its nuclear program.

About Centrifugal Process:

• Definition: Centrifuges spin uranium gas at high speeds to enrich uranium by increasing the concentration of the fissile isotope U-235.
• Uses: Low-enriched uranium (LEU) is used for nuclear reactors, while highly enriched uranium (HEU) can be used for nuclear weapons.
• Efficiency: Advanced centrifuges enrich uranium faster and require fewer machines compared to older designs.
• Origins: Iran’s centrifuge program began in the 1980s using designs and components acquired from A.Q. Khan’s proliferation network.
• International Concerns: The process raises fears of nuclear weapons development due to its dual-use nature.

About Uranium Enrichment:

• Definition: Enrichment is the process of increasing the proportion of U-235 isotope in uranium to make it suitable for use in nuclear reactors or weapons.
• Natural Uranium Composition: Contains 0.7% U-235 (fissile isotope) and 99.3% U-238 (non-fissile).
• Purpose: Enhances U-235 concentration from 0.7% to 3-5% for standard nuclear reactors (LEU) or up to 20% for specialized reactors (HALEU).
• Fission Process: U-235 undergoes nuclear fission to produce heat for energy generation in reactors.
• Methods of Enrichment: Isotope separation techniques like gas centrifuges and gaseous diffusion are commonly used.

Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

Source:  TH

Context: The recent conflict between tigers and villagers near the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan highlights the challenges of human-wildlife coexistence.

• Overcrowding, habitat overlap, and inadequate management have led to tragic incidents, emphasizing the need for balanced conservation strategies and human safety measures.

About Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR):

• Location: Situated at the confluence of the Aravallis and Vindhyas, near Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan.
• Area: Covers 1,411 sq. km, making it one of northern India’s largest tiger reserves.
• History: Former royal hunting grounds of Jaipur’s Maharajas; designated a Project Tiger Reserve in 1973.
• Geography: Includes steep rocky hills, Padam Talab, Raj Bagh Talab, rivers Chambal and Banas, and the Great Boundary Fault.
• Flora: Tropical dry deciduous forests and thorny landscapes dominated by Dhok trees and grasslands.
• Fauna: Home to Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, striped hyenas, marsh crocodiles, and over 250 bird species.
• Tourism Significance: A popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts, contributing significantly to local livelihoods.

Insta Links:

Paris Agreement

Source:  IE

Context: Argentina, under President Javier Milei’s leadership, is reconsidering its commitment to the Paris Agreement, citing philosophical disagreements and a re-evaluation of its climate strategies.

About Paris Agreement:

• Adoption: Signed in 2015 by 195 countries to address global climate change.
• Goals:
  • Limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C, with efforts to cap it at 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
  • Enhance countries’ abilities to adapt to climate impacts.
  • Ensure nations commit to updated and ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) every five years.
• Framework: Non-binding yet cooperative, focusing on shared but differentiated responsibilities.

Withdrawal process:

• Eligibility: A country can withdraw after three years of the treaty’s entry into force for that party (since 2016).
• Notification: Written communication to the UN’s Office of Legal Affairs.
• Timeline: Withdrawal becomes effective one year after the notification is received.
• Participation: Until withdrawal takes effect, the country remains bound by the treaty.

Argentina’s Position and Contribution to Global Warming:

• 24th largest global emitter of GHGs.
• Significant reserves of shale gas and shale oil, contributing to fossil fuel exports.
• A major agricultural producer, influencing methane emissions through livestock.

Insta Links:

High-Altitude Sickness

Source:  TH

Context: The recent death of a trekker in Uttarakhand due to respiratory failure highlights the critical dangers posed by high-altitude sickness in the Himalayas.

What is High-Altitude Sickness?

• Definition: High-Altitude Sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), occurs when the body struggles to acclimatize to low oxygen levels at elevations above 8,000 feet (2,400 meters).
• Types:
  • HAPE: High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (fluid in lungs).
  • HACE: High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (fluid in brain).
• Symptoms: Headache, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, confusion, and, in severe cases, coma.

Why Does It Happen?

• Low Oxygen Levels: Reduced oxygen in the air leads to hypoxia in body tissues.
• Physiological Strain:
  • Hyperventilation increases breathing rate.
  • Thicker blood due to increased red blood cell production strains the heart.
• Rapid Ascent: Climbing too quickly without acclimatizing exacerbates risks.

Preventive and Mitigative Measures:

• Gradual Ascent:

• Rest every 3-4 days at altitudes above 3,000 meters.
• Avoid sleeping elevation increases of more than 500 meters per day.

• Medications:

• Acetazolamide: Enhances acclimatization.
• Dexamethasone: Reduces severe inflammation.
• Nifedipine: Preventive for those prone to HAPE.

Insta Links:

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23 November 2024 Mapping:

Cayirhan Coal Mine

Source:  TH

Context: Nearly 500 miners have locked themselves in the Cayirhan coal mine near Ankara, Turkiye, protesting the privatization of the mine and associated thermal power plant.

About Cayirhan Mine:

• Location: Situated on the outskirts of Ankara, in Ankara Province, Turkiye.
• Grade of Coal: Produces lignite, a low-grade coal primarily used for power generation.
• Significance:
  • Supplies the adjacent 620 MW Cayirhan coal-fired power station.
  • Integral to Turkiye’s energy production and local employment.
  • Subject of environmental and economic scrutiny due to proposed extensions and concerns over inefficiency and pollution.

Insta Links:

Ashtamudi Lake

Source:  TH

Context: Kerala’s Ashtamudi Lake, a Ramsar site, faces ecological threats from pollution and habitat degradation, with recent fish deaths from algal blooms endangering biodiversity and local livelihoods.

More about news:

• Issues:

• • Pollution: Sewage discharge, plastic dumping, and illegal waste disposal are rampant.
  • Encroachments: Illegal constructions block water flow and degrade habitats.
  • Microplastics: High levels of pollution detected in fish, shellfish, and sediments, impacting the aquatic ecosystem.
  • Water Hyacinth: Spread of invasive plants limits fishing activities.

• Algal Bloom Impact:

• • Overloading of nutrients causes oxygen depletion, suffocating aquatic species.
  • Streptococci and E. coli contamination points to severe sewage pollution.
  • Leads to significant economic losses for fishers and cage farmers.

About Ashtamudi Lake:

• Location: Situated in Kollam district, Kerala; named for its eight interconnected arms (“Ashtamudi”).
• Significance:
  • Second-largest Lake in Kerala.
  • Designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2002
  • Major source of livelihood for local fishers.
• Hydrology: Fed by the Kallada River, connects to the Arabian Sea through the Neendakara estuary.
• Historical Importance: A key port city during the 14th century; noted in the travel records of Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta.
• Biodiversity: Rich in mangrove species, including endangered ones like Syzygium travancoricum and Calamus rotang.

Insta links:

Daily Current Affairs + PIB Summary 23 Nov 2024

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