UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 December 2024

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 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 – 25 December  2024)

1. Global Warming

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

1. Women Empowerment Through Organic Farming

Facts for Prelims (FFP):

1. Quantum Computing

2. Akbar

3. Lion-Tailed Macaque

4. Ken-Betwa Link Project

5. Yana: Mammoth

6. Dodo

7. Kamarajar Port

Mapping:

1. Kilauea Volcano

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 December 2024

GS Paper 3 :

Global Warming

Syllabus: Environment

Source:  IE

 Context: The year 2024 marked a grim milestone as global temperatures breached the 1.5°C threshold for the first time.

Definition:

Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth’s average temperature due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) in the atmosphere, primarily caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation.

Mechanism of Global Warming:

• Solar Radiation Absorption: Sunlight reaches Earth, and the surface absorbs solar energy, heating up the planet.
• Infrared Radiation Emission: Earth radiates the absorbed energy back into the atmosphere as infrared radiation (heat).
• Greenhouse Gas Trapping: GHGs like CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O trap this heat in the atmosphere, preventing it from escaping into space.
• Enhanced Greenhouse Effect: Increased GHG concentrations amplify the natural greenhouse effect, causing more heat retention and warming.
• Feedback Loops: Melting ice reduces albedo (reflectivity), absorbing more heat, while warming oceans release stored CO₂, further accelerating warming.

2024 Data on Global Warming:

• Average Global Temperature: 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels; the warmest year on record.
• Days Breaching 1.5°C: 173 days in 2023; projections for 2024 indicate over 200 days exceeding the threshold.
• Sea Level Rise: Accelerated melting of polar ice caps and glaciers contributing to higher sea levels.
• Emissions Gap: IPCC data shows only a 2% reduction in global emissions by 2024, far below the required 43% cut by 2030.

Government Schemes to Tackle Global Warming:

• Global Initiatives:

• • Paris Agreement (2015): Limit warming below 2°C with updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
  • Green Climate Fund: Provides financial resources to developing nations for climate-resilient projects.
  • UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol: Frameworks for global cooperation in emissions reduction.

• Indian Schemes:

• • National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): Includes missions on renewable energy, water conservation, and energy efficiency.
  • Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME): Promotes e-mobility to reduce fossil fuel dependence.
  • National Green Hydrogen Mission: Aims to develop clean energy solutions.
  • State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs): Tailored state-level initiatives under the NAPCC.
  • Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) Scheme: Enhances energy efficiency in industries and power plants.

Consequences of Global Warming:

• Human Impact:

• • Health Risks: Heat stress, asthma, and vector-borne diseases are on the rise.
  • Food Security: Crop failures and reduced yields due to droughts and floods.
  • Migration: Displacement from coastal and drought-affected regions.
  • Economic Losses: Damage to infrastructure and loss of livelihoods from extreme events.
  • Social Inequalities: Marginalized communities bear disproportionate impacts.

• Environmental Impact:

• • Loss of Biodiversity: Habitat destruction leading to species extinction.
  • Polar Melting: Accelerated ice melt increases sea levels and alters ecosystems.
  • Ocean Acidification: Absorption of CO₂ harms marine life and ecosystems.
  • Extreme Weather Events: Increased frequency and severity of cyclones, heatwaves, and droughts.
  • Deforestation and Desertification: Degraded landscapes reduce Earth’s carbon-absorbing capacity.

Way Ahead:

• Accelerate Emissions Reductions: Shift to renewables and phase out fossil fuels globally.
• Climate Adaptation: Invest in infrastructure to withstand extreme weather, such as early warning systems.
• Technological Innovations: Focus on AI, quantum systems, and carbon capture technologies for clean energy.
• Global Cooperation: Fulfill commitments under the Paris Agreement and provide financial aid to vulnerable nations.
• Local Action: Promote sustainable agriculture, urban planning, and reforestation projects.

Conclusion:

The year 2024 highlights the urgency to act against global warming. While the 1.5°C target seems unattainable, accelerating adaptation and mitigation efforts can minimize its adverse impacts and secure a sustainable future.

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 December 2024 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Women Empowerment Through Organic Farming

Anecdote: In West Bengal’s Jhargram district, women like Panchabati Baske have not only embraced organic farming but also defied entrenched patriarchal norms. By cultivating indigenous varieties of paddy through the Aamon farmer producer company, these women have gained economic independence, social recognition, and the confidence to challenge societal stereotypes. From riding bicycles to attending rural fairs and managing production decisions, they’ve redefined their roles within their communities. Organic farming, which eliminates dependency on chemical fertilizers and seeds, has further enabled them to reduce costs and control the quality of their produce, thereby transforming their lives and inspiring others to follow suit.

Relevance to UPSC Exam Syllabus:

• General Studies Paper I (Indian Society):
  • Women Empowerment: Examines grassroots initiatives for gender equality and the role of women in community development.
• General Studies Paper II (Governance):
  • Role of NGOs: The role of organizations like PRADAN in empowering marginalized communities.
  • Government Schemes: The significance of programs like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in promoting organic farming.
• General Studies Paper III (Agriculture):
  • Organic Farming: Sustainable agricultural practices and their economic, environmental, and social benefits.
• Essay:
  • Themes like “Women Empowerment and Sustainable Agriculture” or “Grassroots Movements in Rural Development”.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 December 2024 Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Quantum Computing

Source:  TH

Context: Quantum computing is revolutionizing technology with its potential to solve problems far beyond the reach of classical computers.

About Quantum Computing:

• What it is:

• • A type of computing based on quantum mechanics, utilizing qubits instead of classical bits for calculations.
  • Offers the ability to perform complex computations exponentially faster than classical computers in specific tasks.

• Origin:

• • Concept proposed by Richard Feynman in 1982, envisioning computers that could simulate quantum systems.
  • First commercial quantum computer, IBM Q System One, launched in 2019.

• How it works:

• • Qubits: Unlike classical bits (0 or 1), qubits can be in a state of superposition, holding values of 0, 1, or both simultaneously.
  • Entanglement: Qubits are intrinsically linked, enabling faster computations through instantaneous correlations.
  • Quantum Gates: Operate on qubits like logic gates in classical computers, enabling complex calculations.
  • Parallel Processing: Exploits superposition and entanglement to process multiple possibilities at once.

• Limitations:

• • High Costs: Building and maintaining quantum computers is extremely expensive.
  • Error Rates: Quantum states are fragile and prone to decoherence due to environmental noise.
  • Scaling Challenges: Large-scale quantum computing requires millions of stable qubits.
  • Limited Applications: Currently, only specific tasks like cryptographic problems benefit significantly.

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Akbar

Source:  TH

Context: Akbar, the third Mughal emperor, is celebrated for his administrative brilliance, religious tolerance, and cultural patronage, which have inspired leadership lessons in modern contexts.

About Akbar:

• Management System:

• • Mansabdari System: Military-administrative system assigning ranks (mansabs) to nobles, ensuring accountability and military efficiency.
  • Land Revenue System:
    • Zabt System: Standardized land revenue collection.
    • Land categorized into Polaj, Parauti, Chachar, and Banjar based on fertility.
  • Centralized Administration:
    • Subhas, Sarkars, Paraganas, Villages: Organized hierarchy with specific officials like Subhadars and Muqaddams.
    • Councils like Diwan-i-Arz (military), Diwan-i-Kohi (agriculture), and Diwan-i-Khairat (charity).

• Art and Architecture:

• • Fatehpur Sikri: Built iconic structures like Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal, and Jama Masjid, reflecting Persian, Islamic, and Indian styles.
  • Agra Fort: Renovated with structures like Jahangir Mahal.
  • Mughal Paintings: Emphasized naturalism and realism in miniature paintings, showcasing court scenes, historical events, and nature.

• Religious Policy:

• • Religious Tolerance:
    • Abolished jiziya and pilgrimage tax for non-Muslims.
    • Prevented Sati and promoted equality.
  • Ibadat Khana: Established a platform for interfaith dialogues at Fatehpur Sikri.
  • Din-i-Ilahi: Introduced a syncretic religious doctrine promoting universal harmony.
  • Sulh-i-Kul: Governance policy advocating peace and inclusivity.

• Historians and Books on Akbar:

• • Akbarnama and Ain-i-Akbari by Abu’l-Fazl: Detailed records of Akbar’s reign and administration.
  • Hamzanama: Commissioned by Akbar, narrating Persian epic tales.
  • Razmnama: Persian translation of the Mahabharata.

• Literature:

• • Encouraged translations of Hindu and Persian texts, such as Yogavashishtha and Mahabharata.
  • Patronized poets and scholars like Faizi and Tansen.

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Lion-Tailed Macaque

Source:  TH

 Context: The lion-tailed macaque endemic to the Western Ghats, faces growing threats from increased human interaction due to habitat encroachment, tourism, and road crossings.

About Lion-Tailed Macaque:

• What it is:
  • Scientific name:  Macaca silenus
  • An Old-World monkey named for its lion-like tufted tail and grey mane, also called a bearded monkey.
  • Known for distinct vocalizations (17 types) used for communication and territory marking.
• Endemic to:
  • Found exclusively in the rainforests of the Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, India.
• Unique features:
  • Characterized by a grey mane-like fur around the face and a long, tufted tail.
  • Primarily arboreal, relying on dense rainforest canopies for food and safety.
• IUCN Status:
  • Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
  • Protected under Appendix I of CITES and Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Habitat:
  • Inhabits small, fragmented patches of rainforests in the Western Ghats, vulnerable to deforestation, fragmentation, and human intrusion.

Insta links:

Ken-Betwa Link Project

Source:  News on Air

 Context: Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the Ken-Betwa Link Project, India’s first interlinking of rivers project, in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.

About Ken-Betwa Link Project:

• What it is:
  • India’s first interlinking of rivers project under the National Perspective Plan (NPP) for river interlinking.
  • Estimated cost: ₹44,605 crores, with 90% funded by the Central Government.
• Rivers involved:
  • Connects the Ken River and Betwa River, both tributaries of the Yamuna River.
• Phases of the Project:
  • Phase I: Includes the construction of the Daudhan Dam in Panna Tiger Reserve, Low-Level and High-Level Tunnels, the Ken-Betwa Link Canal, and Powerhouses.
  • Phase II: Includes the Lower Orr Dam, Bina Complex Project, and Kotha Barrage.
• Regions Covered:
  • Provides irrigation to over 8 lakh hectares in 10 districts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

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Yana: Mammoth

Source:  TH

 Context: The discovery of Yana, a 50,000-year-old baby mammoth in the melting permafrost of Yakutia, Russia, is one of the most exceptional finds in palaeontology.

About Mammoth:

• What it is: Mammoths are extinct species of the elephantid genus Mammuthus, known for their large size and adaptations to cold climates.
• Scientific Name: Mammuthus primigenius (Woolly Mammoth).
• IUCN Status: Extinct; they disappeared approximately 4,000 years ago.
• Features:
  • Tusks: Spirally twisted, long tusks.
  • Cold Adaptations: Thick fur, fat layers, and smaller ears to minimize heat loss.
  • Habitat: Inhabited Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America during different epochs.
• Similarity Between Asian Elephants and Mammoths:
  • Genetics: Asian elephants are more closely related to mammoths than to African elephants.
  • Physical Features: Both share similar body structures like domed skulls and high foreheads.

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Dodo

Source:  TH

Context: Kashmiri artisans are reviving the memory of the extinct dodo (Raphus cucullatus) through papier mache art, with over 50,000 colourful models exported to markets in Europe.

About Dodo:

• Scientific Name: Raphus cucullatus.
• Classification:
  • Family: Columbidae (related to pigeons and doves).
  • Subfamily: Raphinae (extinct flightless birds).
• IUCN Status: Extinct (1681).
• Features:
  • Flightless bird, approximately 3 feet tall.
  • Grey or brown plumage with yellow-tipped hooked beak.
  • Native to Mauritius, with stout legs and curly rear feathers.
• Closest Relative: Nicobar pigeon (living), and Rodrigues solitaire (extinct).

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Kamarajar Port

Source:  NIE

 Context: Tamil Nadu’s Kamarajar Port, with a 154% capacity growth, has become a key driver of India’s port-led industrialization under the Sagarmala Programme.

About Kamarajar Port:

• Established: Declared a major port under the Indian Ports Act, 1908 in March 1999; incorporated as Ennore Port Limited under the Companies Act in October 1999.
• Location: Situated on the Coromandel Coast, about 24 km north of Chennai Port, Tamil Nadu.
• Features:
  • It was declared as 12^th Major port of India.
  • First corporatized major port in India, registered as a public company.
  • Integral to the National Perspective Plan of the Sagarmala Programme, fostering port-led industrialization.

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 December 2024 Mapping:

Kilauea Volcano

Source:  APN

 Context: Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, began erupting again in December 2024.

About Kilauea Volcano:

• Location:
  • Situated on the southeastern shore of Hawaii’s Big Island, within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
• Type of Volcano:
  • An active shield volcano, characterized by its broad, sloping profile and fluid lava flows.
• Geographic Formation:
  • Part of the Hawaiian hotspot and the Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain, Kilauea is the second-youngest volcanic product of this hotspot.
  • Features a large caldera at the summit and two active rift zones.

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