DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 23rd May 2023

Syllabus

• Prelims : International Relations

Context: Recently, Prime Minister of India attended Forum for India–Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit in Papua New Guinea.

About Forum for India–Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC ) Summit

• Forum for India-Pacific Islands cooperation is a multinational grouping developed in 2014 for cooperation between India and 14 Pacific Islands nations.
• FIPIC consists of Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
• India established the Forum for FIPIC as a part of the Act East Policy.
• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Fiji convened FIPIC’s inaugural gathering in 2014. All 14 countries actively participated in this landmark event.
• In 2015, the second meeting of the forum was held in Jaipur, with the participation of all 14 countries.
• Third summit of India-Pacific Islands Co-operation (FIPIC Summit 2023) held at Port Moresby was jointly hosted with Papua New Guinea.
• Prime minister of India co- chaired the summit with PM of Papua New Guinea.
• On this occasion, Prime Minister of India unveiled a comprehensive 12-step initiative aimed at advancing India’s collaborations with the countries in the Pacific region.
• India’s development partnership with Pacific Island Countries (PICs) encompasses various areas, such as infrastructure development, with a particular emphasis on education, health, and culture.
• Additionally, community development projects have involved initiatives such as refurbishing libraries and school buildings, renovating colleges, providing IT infrastructure to educational institutions, and establishing digital libraries.

Act East Policy

• The Act East Policy launched in November 2014, is considered to be an upgrade of the Look East Policy.
• India’s Act East Policy focuses on the extended neighbourhood in the Asia-Pacific region.
• The Objective of ”Act East Policy” is to promote economic cooperation, cultural ties and develop strategic relationship with countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Act East Policy (AEP) provides an interface between North East India including the state of Arunachal Pradesh and the ASEAN region.
• Various plans at bilateral and regional levels include steady efforts to develop and strengthen connectivity of Northeast with the ASEAN region through trade, culture, people-to-people contacts and physical infrastructure (road, airport, telecommunication, power, etc.).
• Some of the major projects include Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport Project, the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway Project, Rhi-Tiddim Road Project, Border Haats, etc.

MUST READ: ASEAN

SOURCE: The Hindu https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pm-modi-underlines-importance-of-free-and-open-indo-pacific-at-fipic-summit-in-papua-new-guinea/article66879690.ece.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION

 Q1. With reference to the “Look East Policy” of India, consider the following statements

1. India wants to establish itself as an important regional player in East Asian affairs.
2. India wants to plug the vacuum created by the termination of the Cold War.
3. India wants to restore the historical and cultural ties with its neighbours in Southeast and East Asia.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Syllabus

• Prelims : Environment

Context:  A three-day Jumbo census in Seshachalam hills, Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary hints at sizeable presence of Jumbos in the region.

About Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary

• Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary and an elephant reserve situated in Andhra Pradesh, India.
• It is the only sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh with a population of Asian elephants, which migrated after 200 years from neighboring regions.
• This Sanctuary comes under Project elephant – a Country wide Elephant Conservation Project taken up by Government of India.
• The Sanctuary also has many places of attraction around it.
• Forest Type: Southern tropical dry deciduous forest, with patches of thorn, scrub and grassy plains.
• Flora: Plants like Albizzia amara, Ficus glomerata, Zizyphus xylocarpus, Gymnosporia Montana, etc; make this a green panoramic place with a breathtaking floral diversity.
• Fauna: Insects like Gongylus praying mantis, Painted grasshopper, Plain tiger butterfly, Common grass yellow butterfly, etc; abound this elephant land. Reptiles like Common cobra, Rat snake, Indian rock python, Forest calotes, Skinks, etc; make this place their abode. Birds like Partidges, quails, storks, Cotton teal, etc; make this Sanctuary their domicile. A further balance in the food-web is maintained by mammals like Indian Elephant, Panther, Sloth bear, Wild boar, Chowsingha, Nilgai, Hyena, Jackal, etc.

MUST READ: Asian Elephants

SOURCE : The Hinduhttps://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/jumbo-census-in-seshachalam-hills-koundinya-wildlife-sanctuary-hints-at-sizeable-presence/article66870607.ece.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. Consider the following pairs: (2013)

1. Nokrek Biosphere Reserve : Garo Hills
2. Logtak (Loktak) Lake : Barail Range
3. Namdapha National Park : Dafla Hills

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. None

Q2.From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats? (2017)

1.  Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
2.  Nallamala Forest
3. Nagarhole National Park
4.  Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve

Syllabus

• Prelims – Polity

Context: D K Shivakumar was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister (CM) of Karnataka.

About Post of Deputy CM

• Articles 163-164 deals with Council of Ministers (CoM) in states.
• Article 163(1) of the Constitution says, “There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister at the head to aid and advice the Governor in the exercise of his functions”.
• Article 164 (1) says “there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister at the head to aid and advise the Governor in the exercise of his functions.”
• Hence, neither Article 163 nor Article 164 mentions a Deputy Chief Minister.
• Therefore, the post of Deputy CM is understood as being equivalent in rank to that of Cabinet Minister (in the state).
• The Deputy CM enjoys the same pay and perks as a Cabinet Minister.
• Ten other states in the country (besides Karnataka) currently have Deputy CMs.
• Perhaps the first Deputy CM in India was Anugrah Narayan Sinha. He was served as the Deputy Chief Minister cum Finance Minister from the time of the first Congress Ministry of Bihar in 1937 till his death on 5 July 1957.

SOURCE: The Indian Express https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-politics/dk-shivakumar-deputy-cm-post-explained-8621053/

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. With reference to the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, consider the following statements: (2022)

1. As per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, the election of Deputy Speaker shall be held on such date as the Speaker may fix.
2. There is a mandatory provision that the election of a candidate as Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha shall be from either the principal opposition party or the ruling party.
3. The Deputy Speaker has the same power as of the Speaker when presiding over the sitting of the House and no appeal lies against his rulings.
4. The well-established parliamentary practice regarding the appointment of a Deputy Speaker is that the motion is moved by the Speaker and duly seconded by the Prime Minister.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 1, 2 and 3
3. 3 and 4 only
4. 2 and 4 only

Syllabus

• Prelims –Science and Technology

Context: Indian naval sailing vessel,Tarini is on her return journey to India after a seven-month-long transoceanic intercontinental expedition.

About INS Tarini:

• The Indian Navy is all set to receive the six-member crew of INSV Tarini, including 2 women officers at the “flag in” ceremony on May 23 at the Indian Naval Watermanship Training Centre (INWTC), INS Mandovi, Goa.
• INSV Tarini is returning home after successfully completing the 17000-nautical miles trans-ocean inter-continental voyage in seven months.
• The current sailing expedition of INSV Tarini is part of the run-up towards the Navy’s next big project to send a woman to circumnavigate the globe solo.
• The officers that participated in this expedition were shortlisted from volunteers after rigorous selection at the Ocean Sailing Node (OSN).
• Ocean Sailing Node was established on 24 Aug 2016 with the aim of promoting and undertaking ocean sailing activities and is located at INS Mandovi.

INSV Tarini and INSV Mhadei

• INSV Tarini is almost identical to her illustrious predecessor, the iconic INSV Mhadei that has sailed over 115000 nautical miles in the past eight years.
• INSV Tarini is known for circumnavigating the globe with an all-women officer crew in the historic expedition titled ‘Navika Sagar Parikrama’ in 2017.
• The boat draws her origin from the famous Tara-Tarini temple of Orissa’s Ganjam district.
• The word Tarini means a Boat and is also a Sanskrit word for Saviour.
• Tara-Tarini is a patron deity for sailors and merchants and is worshipped for safety and success at sea.
• Tara-Tarini of Orissa is known to have historical linkages with the river Goddess Mhadei- the exclusive boat deity of the Mhadei river of Goa.
• Both the deities Tarini and Mhadei have sculptural similarities.

MUST READ: Navika Sagar Parikrama

SOURCE: The Economic Times  https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/navy-to-receive-insv-tarini-on-may-23-after-her-17000-nm-voyage/articleshow/100384162.cms

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. Which one of the following is the best description of ‘INS Astradharini’, that was in the news recently? (2016)

1. Amphibious warfare ship.
2. Nuclear-powered submarine.
3. Torpedo launch and recovery vessel.
4. Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

Syllabus

• Prelims – Environment and Ecology

Context: Shankar, aged around 27, has been the Delhi zoo’s sole African elephant since 2001, when a female elephant brought with it died. Now the search for their prospective mates has run into a quagmire of monetary, legal, logistical and, importantly, ethical considerations.

About Elephants

• Elephants occupy a wide range of habitats, including deserts, swamps, and highlands in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. They are found most often in savannas, grasslands, and forests
• The African savannah, or bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) weighs up to 8,000 kg and stands 3 to 4 metres at the shoulder.
• The African forest elephant, which lives in rainforests, was recognized as a separate species in 2000 and is smaller than the savannah elephant.
• The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) weighs about 5,500 kg and has a shoulder height of up to 3.5 metres.
• The Asian elephant includes three subspecies: the Indian, or mainland (E. maximus indicus), the Sumatran (E. maximus sumatranus), and the Sri Lankan (E. maximus maximus). African elephants have much larger ears, which are used to dissipate body heat.

About African Elephants:

• African Savanna (or bush) elephant – IUCN Red List: Endangered
• African Forest Elephants- IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
• Previously, IUCN listed both African elephants as “vulnerable”. But now it has opted to list them separately. It is after genetic evidence has proved that both are different species.
• Habitat: The distribution of African elephants is throughout the savannas of sub-Saharan Africa and the rainforests of Central and West Africa.
• African Savanna (or bush) elephant are larger animals that roam the plains of sub-Saharan Africa. African Forest Elephants are smaller animals that live in the forests of Central and West Africa.

Characteristics

• African elephants are the largest land animals on Earth. They are slightly larger than Asian Elephants and can be identified by their larger ears. Asian elephants have smaller, rounded ears.
• Elephants are matriarchal. It means they live in female-led groups. The matriarch is usually the biggest and oldest.
• Keystone Species: African elephants are keystone species, i.e., they play a critical role in their ecosystem. They are also known as “ecosystem engineers” as they shape their habitat in many ways.

About Asian Elephants:

• The Asian elephant is the largest land mammal on the Asian continent.
• They inhabit dry to wet forest and grassland habitats in 13 range countries spanning South and Southeast Asia.
• IUCN Red List: Endangered
• CITES: Appendix I.
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I.

Elephant Reserves in India:

• The Indian elephant Elephas maximus occurs in the central and southern Western Ghats, North-east India, eastern India, and northern India and in some parts of southern peninsular India.
• It occurs in 16 of the 28 states in the country and is showing an increasing trend across its distributional range.
• Its population in 2007 was estimated to be in the range from 27,657 to 27,682, whereas in 2012 the population was estimated to be between 27,785 and 31,368.
• Karnataka has highest elephant population followed by Kerala, according to recent report of MoEF&CC.

Project Elephant

• The Project Elephant is being mainly implemented in 16 States / UTs , viz. Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change provides the financial and technical support to major elephant range states in the country through Project Elephant.
• Seasonal Migration: Elephants migrate seasonally according to the availability of food and water. Memory plays an important role during this time, as they remember locations of water supplies along migration routes.
• Growing human/animal populations overlap with established wildlife/human territory, creating a reduction of resources leading several cases man – elephant conflicts in several areas of India.

MUST READ: Project Re-Hab

SOURCE: The Indian Express https://indianexpress.com/article/india/finding-mates-for-indias-single-african-jumbos-its-complicated-8621814/

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements: (2020)

1. The leader of an elephant group is female.
2. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months.
3. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only.
4. Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 4 only
3. 3 only
4. 1, 3 and 4 only

Q2.  Consider the following protected areas:  (2012)

1. Bandipur
2. Bhitarkanika
3. Manas
4. Sunderbans

Which of the above are declared Tiger Reserves?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1, 3 and 4 only
3. 2, 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 2 3 and 4

Syllabus

• Prelims –Science and Technology

Context: Scientists have called into question an idea that the bodies of cold-blooded marine animals, such as fish, will shrink in a warming world.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/NkOkkE9jVUg/maxresdefault.jpg

About Cold-bloodeness:

• Cold-bloodedness, also called Poikilothermy, Ectothermy, or Heterothermy,
• It is the state of having a variable body temperature that is usually only slightly higher than the environmental temperature.
• This state distinguishes fishes, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrate animals from warm-blooded, or homoiothermic, animals (birds and mammals).
• Because of their dependence upon environmental warmth for metabolic functioning, the distribution of terrestrial cold-blooded animals is limited, with only a few exceptions, to areas with a temperature range of 5–10° to 35–40° C (41–50° to 95–104° F). For cold-blooded animals living in the arctic seas, temperatures may range from below 0° C to 10–15° C (below 32° F to 50–59° F).
• Cold-blooded animals do maintain a limited control over internal temperature by behavioral means, such as basking in sunlight to warm their bodies.

About Warm-bloodeness

• Warm-bloodedness, also called Homoiothermy, also spelled Homeothermy,
• The term refers to the ability of certain animals to maintain a relatively constant internal temperature (about 37° C for mammals or about 40° C for birds), regardless of the environmental temperature.
• Warm-blooded animals are able to remain active in situations in which cold-blooded ones cannot.
• Body temperatures of warm blooded animals are kept at a constant value by regulatory mechanisms that counteract the effects of the external environment.
• In cold environments, regulatory mechanisms maintain body temperature by increasing heat production and decreasing heat loss. In hot environments, regulatory mechanisms maintain body temperatures by increasing heat loss.
• Shivering, a regulatory mechanism of many warm-blooded animals, increases heat production.
• Hibernation, another mechanism used by certain warm-blooded animals, decreases heat loss by means of a general slowing-down of bodily functions. Panting and perspiring are mechanisms for increasing heat loss.
• Aestivation or “summer sleep”, on the other hand, is the low metabolic process by the animals during summer.

SOURCE: The Hindu https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/european-perch-larger-body-size-warm-water/article66873491.ece

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1.  Which of the following statements are correct regarding the general difference between plant and animal cells? (2020)

1. Plant cells have cellulose cell walls while animal cells do not.
2. Plant cells do not have a plasma membrane, unlike animal cells which do.
3. Mature plant cell has one large vacuole whilst animal cell has many small vacuoles.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Syllabus

• Prelims – Economy

Context: Capital markets regulator the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed that asset management companies (AMCs) should set up surveillance and internal control systems for the deterrence of possible market abuse and fraudulent transactions.

About Asset Management Company

• The term asset management is synonymous with wealth management. As a financial service provider, an asset manager manages the assets of his or her clients.
• The task includes not only providing advice, but also making investment decisions based on the client’s investment strategy, risk tolerance and financial situation

Image Source: https://www.wallstreetmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Asset-Management-Company-1.jpg

• Asset Management Companies (AMC), invest their client’s money in a variety of asset classes.
• AMC invests financial assets, such as funds and money from investors, companies, in companies that use those assets as a financial investment, operational investment, or any other type of investment to grow the investment.
• For example, a debt fund of an AMC would primarily invest in bonds and government securities and the investment objective is to generate moderate returns but at minimal risk.

Investment and Returns

• While investing in an AMC, basically they are investing in a fund managed by the AMC.
• The returns of the funds are market-linked and therefore depend on the performance of the fund. A well-managed fund has the potential to deliver relatively higher returns.
• In return, the fund would charge a small fee called a fund management fee. It is a prime source of revenue generation for the AMC. A fund is expected to generate competitive returns in its category to maximize its subscribers and hence, the revenue.
• Regulator: The capital market regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) regulates the AMCs in India.

SOURCE: The Indian Express https://indianexpress.com/article/business/companies/sebi-proposes-surveillance-system-by-mfs-to-check-frauds-8620392/

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1.  Consider the following statements: (2022)

1. In India, credit rating agencies are regulated by Reserve Bank of India.
2. The rating agency popularly known as ICRA is a public limited company.
3. Brickwork Ratings is an Indian credit rating agency.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. What does venture capital mean? (2014)

1. A short-term capital provided to industries.
2. A long-term start-up capital provided to new entrepreneurs.
3. Funds provided to industries at times of incurring losses.
4. Funds provided for replacement and renovation of industries.

Syllabus

• Prelims : Science &Technology

Context: WHO launched the International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN) recently.

About Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN)

• The International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN) is a global network

launched by the World Health Organization and partners.

• IPSN will help to protect people from infectious disease threats through the power of pathogen genomics.
• IPSN will provide a platform to connect countries and regions, improving systems for collecting and analyzing samples, using these data to drive public health decision-making, and sharing that information more broadly.
• Pathogen genomics analyzes the genetic code of viruses, bacteria and other disease-causing organisms to understand how infectious they are, how deadly they are, and how they spread. With this information, scientists and public health officials can identify and track diseases to prevent and respond to outbreaks as part of a broader disease surveillance system, and to develop treatments and vaccines.
• By connecting countries, regions, and wider stakeholders, the IPSN will help to increase critical capacity, amplify regional and country-level voices, and strengthen their priorities.

SOURCE : WHO https://www.who.int/news/item/20-05-2023-who-launches-global-network-to–detect-and-prevent-infectious-disease-threats

Syllabus

• GS-2: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
• GS-2: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.

In News: The meeting of the “G-7” was recently held in Hiroshima, sending out a message of global solidarity for peace.

G7 Meet: What went well and what could have been better outcomes?

1. On Russia:

• The G-7 members issued a separate statement on Ukraine, hitting Russia with more sanctions [UPSC Mains – Russia-Ukraine War]
• They would “starve Russia of G7 technology, industrial equipment and services that support its war machine” + Would step up efforts to prevent circumvention of their existing sanctions regime, “including targeting entities transporting material to the front”
• Criticism: Failed to highlight a path towards dialogue and ending the war.

1. On wanting ‘stable’ China relations, warning on ‘militarisation’:

• United in voicing concerns about human rights in China, including in Tibet, in Hong Kong and in the far western region of Xinjiang, where the issue of forced labor is a perennial issue.
• The leaders expressed “serious concern” about the situation in the East and South China seas, where Beijing has been expanding its military presence and threatening to use force to exert its control over self-governed Taiwan. They called for a “peaceful resolution” of China’s claim to Taiwan, which has remained unresolved since the communists gained power on the Chinese mainland in 1949.
• To press Russia to end its war in Ukraine
• Cooperation with China is needed given its global role and economic size, in appealing for working together on challenges such as climate change, biodiversity, debts and financing needs of of vulnerable countries, global health concerns and economic stability.
• G7 members vowed to take a stand against various types of “economic coercion,” saying they will counter malign practices, such as illegitimate technology transfer or data disclosure, while also avoiding unduly limiting trade and investment.

China responded by accusing the U.S. and other members of hypocrisy.

1. On Nuclear Status:

• Britain, France and the United States alone possess thousands of warheads, and the bloc’s remaining members — including Japan — are covered by Washington’s “nuclear umbrella”.
• There appears to be little appetite to reduce stockpiles elsewhere, with Moscow making thinly veiled threats to use the weapons, China expanding its arsenal and North Korea stoking fears of a new nuclear test with a barrage of missile launches.

1. Climate Wishlist:

• The G7 stressed on the need for a global peak in emissions by 2025.
• The G7 — the US, the UK, Germany, Italy, Japan, France and Canada — claimed that their emissions had already “peaked”, and asked all “major economies” to ensure that their individual emissions do not continue to rise beyond 2025.
  • “Major economies” is not defined, but in the context of climate change, it usually includes countries like India, China, Brazil, South Africa, and Russia, each of which is a significant emitter.
  • China has said it would turn net-zero only in 2060, while India has set 2070 as the target.
  • Some other countries, including big emitters like Russia and Saudi Arabia, have 2060 as their net-zero targets.
  • If these countries do not become net-zero by 2050, it would mean that the other major emitters, mainly the US and the European Union, would have to reach there much earlier.
  • As of now, only Germany has said it would attain net-zero status by 2045.
• The G7 reiterated its commitment to turn net-zero by 2050, and asked all ‘major economies’ to attain net-zero status by that year and to come up with detailed road maps to reach the target.

Criticisms:

• The G7 countries put no deadline to ending the use of fossil fuels, only saying that they were committed to accelerating the phase-out of “unabated fossil fuels” in line with 1.5 degree Celsius trajectories.
  • “Unabated” is not clearly defined.
  • They also said they would eliminate “inefficient fossil fuel subsidies” by 2025 or earlier, without defining “inefficient subsidies”.
• The G7 also claimed they had stopped financing new fossil fuel-based energy projects “except in limited circumstances”.
  • These circumstances include the need to end the dependence on Russian gas, because of which new investments in the gas sector would be considered legitimate.

1. View of the world: Still polarised; despite presence of countries such as India, Brazil, Indonesia and Vietnam with a less black-and-white view of the world

• If the G-7 grouping wishes to broaden its prism, it must recognise that it is grossly unrepresentative of the world today.
• While members together represent more than half the world’s net wealth, the G-7 accounts for less than a third of the global GDP, and just over a tenth of the world’s population.
• Apart from Japan, the G-7 membership comprises an essentially Euro-American worldview.
• It is also hard to justify an economic grouping that does not include some of the world’s largest economies (China and India), the fastest-growing GDPs, or the biggest global energy providers.

Points raised by India

• Rights of the transgender individuals: Raised the need to safeguard the rights of transgender individuals.
• Removal of hurdles in fertiliser supply chain: There is an urgent need to remove the political obstacles that have emerged in the global fertiliser supply chains.
  • Should support natural farming as an alternative to fertilisers.
  • An attempt to address the fallout of the crisis in Ukraine which has affected fertiliser supplies across the world.
• Building inclusive food system: Millets help in addressing nutrition requirements, climate change, water conservation and food security. Building an inclusive food system will focus on the welfare of the most vulnerable people and marginal farmers.
• Called for raising voice against “unilateral attempts to change the status quo”.
• On UN: The institutions created in the last century are not in line with the system of the twenty-first century. They do not reflect the realities of the present. That is why it is necessary that reforms should be given concrete shape in big institutions like the UN. It will also have to become the voice of the Global South.

Conclusion

• While some efforts were made in Hiroshima to recognise the G-7’s role in, for example, promoting transparent financing and debt sustainability for the developing world, or in compensating for the developed world’s contribution to global warming and greenhouse gas emissions, the summit failed to propose concrete measures to help defray these responsibilities.
• There is a need for the grouping to work towards a more inclusive outlook and help in building a more comprehensive global consensus on some of the bigger challenges the world faces today.

Value-addition

What is G7?

• G7 (UPSC Mains – G7) stands for “Group of Seven” industrialized nations.
• It is an intergovernmental organisation that was formed in 1975.
• The bloc meets annually to discuss issues of common interest like global economic governance, international security and energy policy.
• The G-7 does not have a formal constitution or a fixed headquarters. The decisions taken by leaders during annual summits are non-binding.
• G-7 countries include United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom.
• Members share common values like democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, free markets, and respect for international law.
• Together the member countries represent 31% of global GDP, 10% of the world’s population and 21% of global carbon dioxide emissions, according to the Summit website.
  • When the group was created in 1975, they represented 70% of global GDP.
• China has never been a member, despite its large economy and having the world’s biggest population. Its relatively low level of wealth per person means it’s not seen as an advanced economy in the way the G7 members are.

Nuclear Bombs:

• A nuclear bomb is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission (fission bomb) or a combination of fission and fusion reactions (thermonuclear bomb), producing a nuclear explosion.
• Both bomb types release large quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter.
• They are weapons of mass destruction as they can devastate an entire city by blast, fire, and radiation.
• In 1942, under the Manhattan Project, the first nuclear bombs were dropped on Japan in Hiroshima and Nagasaki by U.S. during the Second World War.
• The Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT) aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to foster the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of disarmament.

• The Treaty establishes a safeguards system under the responsibility of the IAEA, which also plays a central role under the Treaty in areas of technology transfer for peaceful purposes.

• The UN Treaty on the Prohibition of nuclear weapons (TPNW)

• Prohibits activities like not developing, testing, producing, acquiring, possessing, stockpiling, using or threatening to use nuclear weapons.
• Not to deploy nuclear weapons on national territory

News Source: The Hindu

Q1 With reference to Forum for India–Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC), consider the following statements:

1. India established the Forum for FIPIC as a part of the Act East Policy.
2. FIPIC’s inaugural gathering was convened by the Prime Minister of India in Marshall Islands.
3. India’s development partnership with Pacific Island Countries is also includes community development programmes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 3 only
4. 1,2 and 3

Q2. Consider the following Wildlife Sanctuaries:

1. Rajiv Gandhi Wild Life Sanctuary
2. Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary
3. Pulicat Wild Life Sanctuary
4. Sri Lnkamalleswara Wild Life Sanctuary
5. Srivilliputhur Wild Life Sanctuary

Which of the above are located in the state of Andhra Pradesh?

1. 1,2 and 3
2. 1,3,4 and 5
3. 1,2,3 and 4
4. 1,2,3,4 and 5

Q3. Which one of the following is the best description of ‘INSV Tarini’, that was in the news recently? (2016)

1. Sailboat of the Indian Navy.
2. Private registered sail boat used for Navika Sagar Parikrama.
3. Torpedo launch and recovery vessel.
4. First Indian sailboat that circumnavigated the globe.

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’ 23rd May 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – c

Q.2) – b

Q.3) – b