UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 October 2024

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 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 2: (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 October 2024)

1. India-China Patrolling Arrangement

GS Paper 3:

2. Ethanol Blending Program

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

1. Pakistan Women Movement

2. AI-powered chatbot on CPGRAMS

Facts for Prelims (FFP):

1. Doli Yatra Protest

2. Great Indian Bustard

3. 21st Livestock Census Operation

4. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority

5. Indian Flapshell Turtles

6. Emissions Gap Report, 2024

Mapping:

1. Hwange National Park

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 October 2024

GS Paper 2:

India-China Patrolling Arrangement

Syllabus: International relations

Source: IE

 Context: India and China recently announced an agreement on “patrolling arrangements” along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), aimed at resolving lingering border disputes.

Key Points on the India-China Patrolling Agreement:

• Restoration of patrolling rights: Indian and Chinese troops will regain patrolling rights in areas of longstanding contention, such as the Depsang Plains and Demchok, restoring pre-2020 conditions.
• Three-phase process: The agreement outlines a phased approach — Disengagement, De-escalation, and De-induction of troops — aimed at reducing troop presence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) over time.
• Resumption of grazing rights: Traditional grazing activities will resume in certain areas, reflecting an effort to return to a status quo that predates recent border tensions.
• Monitoring and verification: Both countries agree on close monitoring to prevent the reoccurrence of confrontations, such as the Galwan Valley clash in 2020.
• Limited areas of engagement: Current disengagement covers the Depsang and Demchok regions, with previous stand-off points, including Pangong Tso and Galwan, remaining unchanged.

Challenges in the de-escalation process:

• Trust deficit: India remains cautious due to past incidents where China did not uphold previous border agreements fully, emphasizing the need for a “trust, but verify” approach.
• Diverging interpretations: Differences in Indian and Chinese statements indicate varying perspectives, with China emphasizing general progress, while India highlights specific de-escalation steps.
• Sequence of de-escalation: India’s focus is on disengagement first, while China’s position on the sequence is less clear, possibly complicating the pace and sequence of military withdrawal.
• Political sensitivities: India’s stance links border peace with broader bilateral relations, whereas China views the border issue as separate from overall ties, adding diplomatic tension.

Way ahead:

• Close monitoring: Maintain stringent checks on patrolling activities to ensure compliance and avoid provocations.
• Strategic engagement: Continue dialogues at various diplomatic levels to address boundary issues transparently.
• Strengthened surveillance: Enhance infrastructure and surveillance along the LAC to swiftly detect and address potential violations.
• Promote confidence-building measures: Initiate regular communication channels and confidence-building measures to rebuild trust.

Conclusion:

The recent agreement represents a cautious yet hopeful step in India-China relations. Sustained efforts toward disengagement and de-escalation, guided by mutual respect and trust, are essential for restoring long-term stability along the LAC. As India emphasizes, maintaining peaceful borders is key to resuming “business as usual” with China.

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 October 2024 GS Paper 3:

Ethanol Blending Program

 Syllabus: Science and Technology, Energy

 Source:  PIB

 Context: India’s rising energy demands and dependency on imported oil have led the government to focus on sustainable alternatives like ethanol blending. This initiative, which aims to reduce fossil fuel use and carbon emissions, is a major step toward energy security.

About Ethanol Blending Program:

• Origin: Launched in 2003 as a pilot project, ethanol blending was formalized through the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) program to support energy needs and environmental goals.
• Aim: Reduce reliance on imported oil, improve energy security, lower carbon emissions, and boost rural income by supporting sugarcane farmers.
• Target: Achieve 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025, advancing the original target of 2030 in response to increased capacity and demand.
• Ministry: Led by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, with support from the Department of Food and Public Distribution and Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change for sustainable biofuel production and integration into the energy landscape.

Key achievements:

• Ethanol blending growth: Ethanol blending has surged from 1.53% in 2014 to 15% in 2024. The government is targeting 20% blending by 2025.
• Increased ethanol production capacity: Ethanol production capacity has more than doubled in four years, reaching 1,623 crore litres in 2024.
• Foreign exchange savings: The program has saved ₹1,06,072 crore in foreign exchange and reduced CO₂ emissions by 544 lakh metric tons.
• Economic impact: Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have paid ₹1,45,930 crore to ethanol distillers and ₹87,558 crore to farmers, promoting rural prosperity.

 Challenges:

• Feedstock availability: Limited feedstock options, such as sugarcane, restrict the scale of ethanol production.
• Infrastructure gaps: Insufficient infrastructure for ethanol storage, transportation, and blending poses logistical challenges.
• Technological constraints: Need for technology advancements in ethanol production to ensure efficient use of diverse feedstocks, including lignocellulosic biomass.
• Regulatory and inter-state barriers: Variations in state regulations and taxation can hinder smooth ethanol trade across state borders.

Key measures:

• Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana (Modified): Expanding the scope to include advanced biofuels and extending the timeline till 2028-29.
• Roadmap for blending: A comprehensive plan for achieving 20% ethanol blending by 2025, ensuring efficient implementation.
• Tax reductions: GST on ethanol reduced to 5%, making it financially attractive for producers and consumers.
• Interest subvention: Subsidies provided to enhance ethanol production capacity.
• Free movement of ethanol: Changes in regulations to facilitate smooth inter-state movement of ethanol.

 Conclusion:

India’s commitment to ethanol blending represents a transformative approach to energy security, environmental sustainability, and economic development. With a significant increase in ethanol production capacity and blending percentages, the government is making substantial strides towards its ambitious target of 20% blending by 2025.

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

Pakistan Women Movement

Context: In Lahore, 21-year-old Khadija Shabbir found herself at the forefront of a protest sparked by an alleged assault case on her college campus. Although authorities dismissed the incident as a “hoax,” she and her peers felt compelled to act, voicing concerns over persistent harassment that has long been ignored. The allegations, though unverified, struck a chord among Pakistani students facing harassment daily in a society where addressing such issues is often taboo. As the protests gained momentum, Khadija felt a shared sense of frustration with fellow students. The movement soon became a call not only for justice in this alleged case but also for broader systemic change—a plea for safety, respect, and the basic right to pursue an education without fear.

Relevance in UPSC syllabus:

• General Studies Paper I (Indian Society): Explores themes of social empowerment, gender issues, and the challenges faced by women in patriarchal societies.
• General Studies Paper II (Governance): Addresses the role of institutional mechanisms, such as emergency helplines and judicial committees, in ensuring women’s safety and security.
• General Studies Paper IV (Ethics): Demonstrates ethical concerns surrounding trust in public institutions, citizens’ rights, and police accountability in sensitive issues.

AI-powered chatbot on CPGRAMS

Context: The Indian government is set to introduce an AI-powered chatbot on the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) to streamline grievance lodging processes.

Data information:

• Total grievances:45 lakh grievances filed by November 30, 2023.
• User registration:37 lakh citizens registered on CPGRAMS from 2019-2023.
• Average disposal time: Grievances in 2023 were resolved on average within 17 days.

Grievances received (DARPG’s annual report, 2023):

Grievances by state (DARPG’s annual report, 2023):

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

Doli Deaths

Source: TH

 Context: Andhra Pradesh Home Minister stated that the government would take measures to eliminate the issue of “doli deaths” in the Agency by enhancing road connectivity to the remote villages of Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district.

About Doli Yatra Protest:

• Objective of the yatra: The tribal community organized the ‘doli yatra’ to demand proper road connectivity to hilltop villages, including Pedagaruvu, Pithrigedda, and Jajulabandha.
• Reason for protest: Due to the lack of roads, around 300 Kondh tribe members face difficulties accessing healthcare, often carrying sick or pregnant individuals in makeshift dolies over long distances.
• Community initiative: In 2020, the villagers built a road using pooled resources, but it was destroyed by rains, worsening their transportation challenges.
• Health risks: The lack of connectivity has resulted in numerous deaths as patients fail to reach hospitals in time.

About Kondh Tribe:

• Cultural division: Kondhs are divided into two main groups – hill-dwelling and plain-dwelling – and are further classified into various clans.
• Traditional lifestyle: Historically, the Kondh tribe were hunter-gatherers, relying on forest resources for their livelihood.
• Language: They primarily speak Kui, a Dravidian language, and use the Odia script for writing.
• Scheduled tribe status: The Kondh tribe has been recognized as a Scheduled Tribe (ST) in eight Indian states: Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and West Bengal.
• Social structure: Kondhs follow a clan-based system, with strong community ties and traditional village governance structures.
• Religion: They practice animism, with a deep connection to nature and forest deities, though many have also embraced Hindu rituals over time.

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Great Indian Bustard

Source: IE

 Context: The birth of a Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chick through artificial insemination at the Sudasari Breeding Centre in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer marks a significant step in the conservation of this critically endangered species.

 Artificial Insemination of GIB:

• The chick was hatched on October 16, marking the first birth of a Great Indian Bustard through artificial insemination.
• A team from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) learned the technique from a similar project in Abu Dhabi, where artificial insemination is used to breed the houbara bustard.
• This initiative is part of the ongoing captive breeding program started in 2019, with the aim of eventually releasing bred GIBs into the wild.

About Great Indian Bustard:

• Scientific Name: Ardeotis nigriceps
• Distribution: Found mainly in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, with a viable population of around 100-150 individuals.
• Habitat: Prefers dry grasslands and scrublands.
• Features:
  • Among the heaviest flying birds, with males weighing up to 15 kg.
  • Distinctive black crown, pale neck, and brownish body with marked wings.
• Diet: Opportunistic eaters, consuming grass seeds, insects, small rodents, and reptiles.
• Breeding: Lays a single egg during the monsoon season on open ground.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
  • CITES: Appendix I
• Threats: Habitat destruction, power line collisions, and human interference.

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21st Livestock Census Operation

Source:  PIB

Context: The 21st Livestock Census Operation, a landmark initiative led by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, is set to be launched by Union Minister today.

 About 21st Livestock Census:

• Launch date: October 25, 2024.
• Ministry involved: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying.
• Frequency: Conducted every five years since 1919; the last census was in 2019.
• Census period: Scheduled from October 2024 to February 2025.
• Scope:
  • Covers 15 livestock species, including cattle, buffalo, yak, sheep, goats, and more.
  • Includes poultry species like fowl, ducks, turkeys, quail, and others.
  • Data on 219 indigenous breeds of 16 species.
• New features:
  • First census to capture independent data on livestock holdings by pastoralists.
  • Will provide information on the gender of individuals primarily involved in livestock rearing.
• Technology: Utilizes mobile technology for accurate and efficient data collection and transmission.
• Field officials: Around 1 lakh veterinarians and para-veterinarians will conduct the door-to-door survey.
• Importance: Provides critical data for policy-making and supports the livestock sector’s growth and development.

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National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority

Source: TH

 Context: The NPPA recently increased the ceiling prices of eight essential drugs by 50%, citing “extraordinary circumstances” to ensure these medications remain accessible.

Rules and Laws for price revision:

• Para 19 of DPCO 2013: Allows the government to revise drug prices during extraordinary circumstances.
• Essential Commodities Act: Empowers price regulation to ensure availability and affordability.
• Annual Price Revision: Ceiling prices are typically revised based on the previous year’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
• Extraordinary Circumstances: Invoked when market conditions make price regulation necessary to maintain drug availability.

About National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority:

• Origin: NPPA was established on August 29, 1997, to regulate the prices of pharmaceutical drugs and medical devices, implementing the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order (DPCO).
• Ministry: It operates under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
• Governing law: NPPA’s authority comes from the DPCO, 2013 and the Essential Commodities Act, ensuring availability and fair pricing of essential drugs.
• Functions:

• • Price regulation: Control and regulate the prices of essential drugs and medical devices to ensure they remain affordable.
  • Enforcement: Implement and enforce the provisions of the DPCO regarding the pricing of pharmaceutical products.
  • Monitoring availability: Ensure that essential medicines are available and address shortages when necessary.
  • Data collection: Gather information on drug production, imports, exports, and market shares of pharmaceutical companies.
  • Advisory role: Provide the government with recommendations on drug price revisions and policy changes related to pharmaceuticals.
  • Legal matters: Handle legal cases and disputes arising from pricing and availability issues.

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Indian Flapshell Turtles

Source: TOI

Context: Recently, two individuals were arrested in Noida for smuggling live Indian flapshell turtles. These turtles, protected under India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, are considered government property, making their trade illegal.

About Indian flapshell turtle (Lissemys punctata):

• Habitat: Freshwater species found in rivers, ponds, lakes, and canals, preferring areas with muddy or sandy bottoms.
• Distinguishing feature: Named “flapshell” due to the flaps of skin on their plastron that cover their limbs when retracted.
• Distribution: Found across South Asia, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
• Lifestyle: Omnivorous and typically solitary, they are well adapted to drought conditions.
• Conservation status:
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable.
  • CITES: Appendix I.
  • Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I, making their trade, hunting, and transportation illegal.

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Emissions Gap Report, 2024

Source:  UNEP

Context: The Emissions Gap Report, an annual publication of the UN Environment Programme, warned that the Paris Agreement objective of keeping global rise in temperatures to within 1.5 degree Celsius would be “gone within a few years”.

Key Findings of Emissions Gap Report 2024:

• GHG emissions growth: Global GHG emissions increased by 1.3% in 2023, with China and India seeing notable rises of 5.2% and 6.1%, respectively.
• Paris agreement targets in jeopardy: The report emphasizes that without rapid reductions, the goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C will likely become unachievable within a few years, with the world on track for a 2.6-3.1°C rise by the century’s end.
• Ambitious emissions reductions required: To stay on the 1.5°C path, a reduction of 42% in global GHG emissions is required by 2030 and 57% by 2035, with current plans achieving only about a 10% cut by 2030.
• Financial commitment for emissions reductions: Achieving the necessary reductions by 2030 would require investment at $200 per ton of CO₂, which could bridge the emissions gap by 31 billion tonnes.

About Emission Gap Report:

• Publisher: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• Title: “Emissions Gap Report 2024: No More Hot Air…Please!”
• Purpose: Annual analysis to assess the gap between current and required emissions levels to meet Paris Agreement goals.
• Focus of the 2024 report:
  • Review of upcoming Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) due by 2025.
  • Call for a 7.5% annual reduction in emissions through 2035 to meet targets.
  • Emphasis on enhanced financial, policy, and technological commitments.

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 October 2024 Mapping:

Hwange National Park

Source:  Down to Earth

Context: Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest wildlife reserve, recently became the center of attention due to the discovery of three poached lions.

About Hwange National Park:

• Location: Situated in northwest Zimbabwe, near the main road between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls.
• Size: Covers approximately 14,600 sq. km, making it the largest natural reserve in Zimbabwe.
• History: Established in 1928; formerly known as Wankie Game Reserve.
• Wildlife: Home to over 100 mammal species and 400 bird species, including 19 large herbivores and eight large carnivores. It houses half of Zimbabwe’s elephant population (around 50,000) and over 500 lions.
• Conservation efforts:
  • Part of the Kavango-Zambezi Trans frontier Conservation Area (KAZA) involving five Southern African nations.
  • Use of drones and other technologies to combat poaching.
• Threats:
  • Poaching, though under control, continues to target species like lions, elephants, and rhinos.
  • Trophy hunting contributes to challenge.

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Daily Current Affairs + PIB Summary 25 Oct 2024

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