UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 31 October 2024

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 31 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 – 31 October 2024)

1. USA Elections

GS Paper 3:

2. Unpaid Labor

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

1. Aarambh 6.0 Initiative

2. “Mummy-Papa, Vote Do” campaign

Facts for Prelims (FFP):

1. Kanda Express

2. Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park

3. Gold Reserves

4. BRICS and Venezuela

5. Global TB Report 2023

6. DANA

Mapping:

1. Sambhar Lake

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 31 October 2024

GS Paper 2:

USA Elections

Syllabus: Comparison of elections. 

 Source:  TH

 Context: In the United States, the President is elected not directly by popular vote but through a unique system known as the electoral college. This indirect voting system mandates that each state appoints electors who then cast their votes to determine the President.

U.S. Presidential Election Process:

• Governing articles: The U.S. Constitution, particularly Article 2 and the 12th Amendment, govern the election process for the President and Vice-President.
• Electoral college:
  • Structure: The electoral college is composed of 538 electors, a figure derived from the total members of Congress (435 Representatives, 100 Senators) plus three electors for the District of Columbia.
  • State representation: Each state’s number of electors equals its representation in Congress.

For example, California has the most with 54, while smaller states like Delaware have the minimum of three.

• • Voting procedure: On election day, citizens vote for their preferred candidate. The party that wins the popular vote in each state appoints its slate of electors.
    • These electors meet in December to cast their votes based on their state’s popular vote, with “winner-takes-all” rules applying in most states except Maine and Nebraska.
  • Faithless electors: Electors who defy the popular vote in their state are known as faithless electors. Some states impose penalties for this, though their impact on election outcomes has been negligible.
• If a Tie Occurs:
  • Historical Precedent: A tie has happened twice (1800 and 1824), resolved by the House of Representatives.
  • House vote: In the case of a tie, each state delegation in the House gets one vote to select the President. A candidate must secure 26 state votes to win.
    • If no decision is reached by the inauguration date, the Vice-President, chosen by the Senate, temporarily assumes the role until a President is elected.

• Comparison of U.S. and Indian election systems:

Conclusion:

The U.S. and India’s Electoral Colleges reflect distinct democratic contexts: the U.S. system balances state representation but may diverge from the popular vote, while India’s system ensures proportional representation through Parliament and state assemblies. Both illustrate diverse democratic approaches to uphold federalism and constitutional integrity.

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 31 October 2024 GS Paper 3:

Unpaid Labor

Syllabus: Economics

Source: TH

 Context: The paper “Valuation of Unpaid Household Activities in India” by Sahoo, Sarkar, and Kumar sheds light on the economic significance of unpaid household work, particularly the disproportionate burden borne by women.

 Unpaid work and India’s status:

• High burden on women: Indian women spend an average of 36 hours per week on unpaid domestic work, compared to 16 hours for men.
• Major contributor to economy: Unpaid work in India contributes approximately ₹22.7 lakh crore, around 7.5% of GDP.
• Labor force gap: Women outside the labor force spend over seven hours daily on unpaid work, limiting their ability to participate in paid employment.

Comparison with global trends:

• Global perspective: Unpaid work accounts for between 10% to 60% of GDP worldwide, varying significantly across countries.
• Examples: APEC member economies estimate unpaid work at 9% of GDP; in Australia, it represents up to 41.3%, while it is only 5.5% in Thailand.
• SDG integration: Recognizing unpaid labor aligns with UN SDG 5, which promotes gender equality and values unpaid care and domestic work.

Consequences of unpaid work:

• Gender inequality: Disproportionate unpaid work for women perpetuates gender disparity, restricting women’s financial independence and professional growth.
• Economic underutilization: Excluding unpaid work from GDP undervalues substantial economic contributions, leading to an incomplete view of national productivity.
• Reduced workforce participation: High unpaid workload limits women’s entry into the formal labor market, affecting overall labor force productivity and economic growth.
• Mental and physical health impact: The burden of unpaid work can lead to stress, burnout, and negative health outcomes for those disproportionately responsible for it.
• Policy blind spot: Without quantification, unpaid work remains unaddressed in policy-making, leaving a significant economic and social issue unresolved.

Way ahead:

• Policy recognition and inclusion: Develop frameworks to recognize and account for unpaid work in national economic indicators, acknowledging its economic value.
• Redistribution of domestic labor: Encourage shared domestic responsibilities to address gender disparities, supported by public awareness and educational initiatives.
• Enhanced data collection: Conduct frequent and comprehensive Time Use Surveys to obtain accurate data on unpaid labor and support evidence-based policymaking.
• Supportive services: Introduce affordable childcare, eldercare, and family support services to ease the unpaid workload on primary caregivers, mostly women.
• Financial support mechanisms: Consider direct or indirect support, such as tax credits or social security benefits for primary caregivers, to offset unpaid work contributions.

Conclusion:

            Integrating unpaid labor into economic assessments would not only highlight the economic value of women’s contributions but also foster more equitable policies, supporting India’s growth and aligning with global goals for sustainable development.

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 31 October 2024 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Aarambh 6.0 Initiative

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged with young civil servants during Aarambh 6.0, focusing on enhancing governance through public participation (Jan Bhagidari) and improving feedback and grievance redressal systems.

About Aarambh 6.0 initiative:

• Objective: Aarambh is an orientation program for young civil servants, designed to equip them with governance skills and foster innovative thinking.
• Focus Areas: This edition emphasized “Jan Bhagidari” (public participation), the importance of robust feedback mechanisms, and streamlined grievance redressal.

Relevance in UPSC syllabus:

• Governance: Highlights the role of citizen-centric governance and the significance of feedback in public administration.
• Polity and Public Administration: Demonstrates how public participation can strengthen the effectiveness and accountability of civil services.
• Ethics and Integrity: Reinforces values such as responsiveness, transparency, and citizen welfare in government roles.

“Mummy-Papa, Vote Do” campaign

Context: Ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Jharkhand, the Election Commission launched an innovative voter awareness campaign, “Mummy-Papa, Vote Do,” engaging schoolchildren to encourage their parents to vote.

About “Mummy-Papa, Vote Do” Campaign:

• Objective: Aimed at increasing voter turnout by involving children in urging their parents to vote.
• Method: Over 1.7 million students from 18,570 schools wrote letters to their parents, encouraging them to fulfill their civic responsibility.
• Significance: Boosts democratic participation, especially in rural areas, and emphasizes the importance of voting as a civic duty.

Relevance for UPSC

• Electoral awareness: Demonstrates strategies for increasing electoral participation, an important aspect of democratic governance.
• Civic engagement: Highlights citizen involvement in the democratic process, relevant to Indian polity and governance topics.
• Innovative governance: Showcases the role of innovative campaigns in strengthening democratic participation, aligning with themes of social awareness and electoral reforms in the syllabus.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 31 October 2024 Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Kanda Express

Source: News on Air

Context: The Kanda express train with 840 metric tonnes of onion arrived at Kishanganj Railway Station in Delhi from Nashik in Maharashtra to meet the demand of onion in Delhi-NCR.

About Kanda Express:

• Cargo: The Kanda Express carries bulk loads of onions to meet regional demands.
• Recent arrival: Recently delivered 840 metric tonnes of onions to Delhi’s Kishanganj Railway Station from Nashik.
• Second bulk shipment: Follows a previous shipment of 1,600 metric tonnes to Delhi-NCR.
• National impact: The initiative contributes to onion price stabilization, with similar shipments aiding markets in Northeast India and other major states.
• Buffer stock utilization: Part of the government’s price stabilization strategy, using its 4.7 lakh tonne buffer of rabi onions to counter price fluctuations.

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Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park

Source:  DD News

 Context: Himachal Pradesh’s upcoming Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park in Kangra’s Dehra constituency is set to become India’s first zoo certified by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) for sustainable and eco-friendly infrastructure.

About Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park:

• Location: Situated in the Bankhandi area of Kangra’s Dehra assembly constituency, Himachal Pradesh.
• Unique attractions: The park will feature 34 enclosures within its Van Vaibhav Path and Biodiversity Court, housing 73 species, including Asiatic lions, crocodiles, gharials, and indigenous birds.
• Sustainability: With a budget of ₹619 crore, it emphasizes eco-friendly design and will be the first zoo to earn IGBC certification.
• Tourism and employment impact: Aims to attract tourists, create jobs, and promote eco-tourism in Kangra, reinforcing its status as Himachal Pradesh’s “Tourism Capital.”

About Indian Green Building Council (IGBC):

• Established: Formed in 2001 as part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
• Headquarters: Based in Hyderabad, India.
• Role: India’s leading body for green building certification, offering programs to promote sustainable architecture.
• Services: Provides certification, develops rating systems for eco-friendly buildings, and conducts training on green construction practices.
• Global representation: One of five countries on the World Green Building Council board, engaging in international discussions on sustainability at events like COP.
• Rating criteria: Evaluates projects based on categories like energy and water efficiency, hygiene, innovation, and sustainable practices.

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Gold Reserves

Source:  DD News

Context: India’s total gold reserves held by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) amount to 854.73 metric tonnes, according to the central bank’s latest report.

India’s Gold Reserve Status:

• Total Gold Reserves: 854.73 metric tonnes, with 510.46 metric tonnes held domestically and 324.01 metric tonnes stored at the Bank of England and BIS.
• Gold’s Share in Total Reserves: Gold now represents 9.32% of forex reserves as of September 2024, an increase from 8.15% in March.
• Import Cover: As of June 2024, forex reserves cover 11.2 months of imports, slightly down from March’s 11.3 months.
• World ranking: (as of September 2024)
  • Top rankers are United States, Germany and Italy.
  • The United States has the most gold reserves and has nearly as many reserves as the combined total of the next three countries with the largest gold holdings: Germany, Italy, and France.
  • India holds a significant position in global gold reserves, ranking 8th in the list of countries with the most gold reserves.

About Forex Reserves:

• Definition: Forex reserves are assets held by RBI in foreign currencies, including foreign currencies, gold, SDR (Special Drawing Rights), and RTP (Reserve Tranche Position) with the IMF.
• Purpose: They support the Indian rupee, stabilize the exchange rate, and enable monetary policy adjustments. Reserves also back liabilities and serve as a safety net in times of currency devaluation.
• Importance: A strong forex reserve helps India attract foreign trade and investment, enhancing its international reputation and economic resilience.

Insta Links:

BRICS and Venezuela

Source: Live Mint

Context: Tensions are escalating between Venezuela and Brazil after Venezuela’s bid to join BRICS was blocked, reportedly by Brazil.

BRICS and Joining Process:

• Joining process: BRICS evaluates candidates based on international influence, regional stability, and potential contributions to the bloc.
  • New members are typically proposed during BRICS summits, and all current members must agree for a country to be accepted.
• Venezuela’s bid: Venezuela aimed to join BRICS in 2024, but Brazil’s concerns over Venezuela’s regional standing and internal stability, especially following its disputed presidential election, led to the rejection.

About BRICS:

• Origin: Founded in 2009 as a coalition of emerging economies to strengthen economic ties and political influence globally.
• Headquarters: BRICS does not have a permanent headquarters; activities are coordinated through annual summits hosted by member nations.
• Current members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, with recent additions of Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates (joined in 2024).
• Key features:
  • Economic cooperation: Fosters trade and investment among members.
  • Political influence: Acts as a counterbalance to Western-dominated global institutions.
  • Multilateral development: Focuses on sustainable development, infrastructure financing, and currency stability through the New Development Bank.

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Global TB Report 2023

Source:  IE

Context: The Global TB Report 2023 by the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that while India has improved in TB diagnosis and treatment coverage, it still faces significant challenges in achieving its ambitious 2025 TB elimination target.

• India remains the country with the highest TB burden globally, underscoring the need for enhanced funding and healthcare strategies.

About Global TB Report 2023 and India’s status:

• Global TB cases: 8.2 million people were newly diagnosed with TB in 2023, making TB the leading infectious killer worldwide, overtaking COVID-19.
• India’s TB burden: India reported 2.8 million estimated TB cases in 2023, accounting for 26% of global TB cases and 29% of global TB deaths (315,000 deaths).
• Progress towards targets: India has reduced TB cases by 18% and deaths by 24% since 2015, short of the 2025 targets of a 50% reduction in cases and a 75% reduction in deaths.
• Increase in diagnosed cases: Reported TB cases rose to 2.51 million in 2023, signalling improvement in diagnostic reach, with 85% of diagnosed patients receiving treatment.
• Multi-Drug-Resistant TB: India accounts for 27% of global multi-drug-resistant TB cases, highlighting the need for targeted treatment strategies.
• Funding gap: India’s TB funding dropped from $432.6 million in 2019 to $302.8 million in 2023, with domestic funding falling to $253 million.
• Catastrophic costs: For the first time, the report estimates that many households face catastrophic health costs, spending more than 20% of their income on TB-related healthcare.

Read more about Tuberculosis here.

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DANA

Source:  IE

Context: The weather pattern known as DANA, or “gota fría” (cold drop), recently triggered devastating flash floods across southern and eastern Spain, causing widespread damage and fatalities.

• This atmospheric phenomenon, which has become increasingly intense and widespread, is linked to climate changes affecting rainfall patterns in the Mediterranean region.

About DANA (Cold Drop):

• Definition: DANA stands for “depresión aislada en niveles altos” (isolated depression at high altitudes) and is also called “gota fría” or cold drop in Spain.
• Formation: Occurs when a pocket of cold air descends over the warm Mediterranean Sea, causing rapid atmospheric instability.
• Mechanism: The cold air mixes with warm, moist air, causing the latter to rise quickly and form cumulonimbus clouds that lead to intense rainfall.
• Polar jet stream influence: Involves the polar jet stream, which separates polar and tropical air; sometimes, a cold air pocket detaches and moves over the Mediterranean, sparking DANA.
• Seasonal occurrence: Commonly occurs in autumn and spring in the western Mediterranean.
• Intensity: Increasingly severe and geographically spread due to rising sea temperatures, with warmer air retaining more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall.

NOTE: Don’t confuse this with Cyclone DANA (was a tropical cyclone which affected the states of West Bengal and Odisha in India.)

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 31 October 2024 Mapping:

Sambhar Lake

Source:   Free Press Journal

Context: Over the past three days, 164 migratory birds were found dead at Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan, raising concerns about a possible recurrence of avian botulism, which previously caused the deaths of around 18,000 birds in 2019.

Why in news:

• Mysterious bird deaths: 164 migratory birds, including Northern Shovelers and Black-winged Stilts, were found dead at Sambhar Lake.
• Suspected cause: Preliminary analysis suggests avian botulism, a bacterial illness that affects birds in low-oxygen environments.
• Response actions: Local authorities, with support from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), are removing dead birds to prevent the spread of the disease, and officials from multiple departments are coordinating conservation efforts.

About Sambhar Lake:

• Location: Situated in Nagaur and Jaipur districts, Rajasthan, 80 km southwest of Jaipur.
• Largest saltwater lake: India’s biggest inland saline lake, spanning over 200 sq. km.
• Shape and feed: Elliptical in shape, fed by ephemeral streams like Mendha and Runpangarh.
• Ramsar site: Designated as a Ramsar site in 1990, marking it as a wetland of international importance.
• Migratory birds: Key winter habitat for flamingos, pelicans, and various migratory birds, especially during winter.
• Salt production: Produces approximately 210,000 tonnes of salt annually, making Rajasthan one of India’s top salt-producing states.

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Daily Current Affairs + PIB Summary 31 Oct 2024

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