DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 30th May 2023

Syllabus

• Prelims : Polity

Context:  Recently , The Centre has finalised a comprehensive ‘Model Prisons Act, 2023’ to replace the pre-independence era ‘Prisons Act, 1894’ which mainly focused on keeping criminals in custody and enforcing discipline and order in prisons.

The Model Prisons Act, 2023, is being introduced following the spate of killings and gang violence within prisons. One such incident was the killing of 33-year-old Tillu Tajpuriya, who was allegedly stabbed to death by members of a  rival gang inside Tihar jail.

About Model Prisons Act 2023

• The current ‘Prisons Act, 1894’ is almost 130 years old and mainly focuses on keeping criminals in custody and enforcing discipline and order in prisons, with no provision for reform and rehabilitation.
• MHA assigned the task of revising the Prisons Act, 1894, to the Bureau of Police Research and Development.
• Under the new Act, prisons will be viewed as reformative and correctional institutions, with a focus on transforming and rehabilitating inmates back into society as law-abiding citizens.
• The Model Prisons Act, 2023 aims to ;
• Address the gaps in the existing Prisons Act by providing guidance on the use of technology in prison management.
• Make provisions for parole, furlough, and remission to prisoners to encourage good conduct.
• Special provisions for women and transgender inmates.
• Focus on the reformation and rehabilitation of inmates.

Features of the new Model Prisons Act;

Some salient features of the new Model Prisons Act include

• Provision for security assessment and segregation of prisoners.
• Individual sentence planning.
• Grievance redressal.
• The establishment of a prison development board.
• A focus on the physical and mental well-being of prisoners.
• Use of technology in prison administration, such as video conferencing with courts and scientific and technological interventions in prisons.
• Punishment of prisoners and jail staff for using prohibited items like mobile phones in jails.

New provisions being proposed; 

• It seeks to create provisions for the grant of parole, furlough, and remission to prisoners to encourage good conduct.
• It aims to provide separate accommodation for women and transgender inmates, ensure the physical and mental well-being of prisoners, and focus on the reformation and rehabilitation of inmates.
• It also intends to bring about “attitudinal change towards prisoners” and initiate vocational training and skill development for prisoners for their reintegration into society.
• It also seeks to bring about “transparency in prison management” .

Is the Model Prisons Act, 2023, binding on states?

• As per the provisions of the Constitution, ‘prisons’ and ‘persons detained therein’ fall under the State List.
• This means that the responsibility of prison management and administration solely vests with the state government, which alone is competent to make appropriate legislative provisions in this regard.
• So, the ministry also clarified while announcing the 2023 Act that it “may serve as a guiding document for the States” so that they may benefit from its adoption in their jurisdictions.

Prisons Act, of 1894;

• It defined a “prison” as “any jail or place used permanently or temporarily under the general or special orders of a State Government for the detention of prisoners”, excluding police custody and subsidiary jails.
• It demarcated prisoners into three different categories according to the nature of their crimes, such as “criminal prisoner”, “convicted criminal prisoner” and “civil prisoner”.
• The 1894 Act dealt with provisions for accommodation, food, clothing, bedding segregation, and the discipline of prisoners, including solitary confinement.
• It also laid down provisions for the prisoners’ employment, health, and visits.

Flaws in 1894 Act

• The act had no provisions for reformation or rehabilitation and permitted “whipping, provided that the number of stripes shall not exceed thirty,” albeit for only male prisoners.
• This Act did not apply to “civil jails in the State of Bombay, outside the city of Bombay, and those jails administered under the provisions of Sections 9–16 of the Bombay Act, 1874.

The Prisoners Act 1900

• It was introduced with the objective of consolidating the “several acts relating to prisoners” and replacing the “separate enactments by a single act, expressed more simply and intelligibly.”
• Presently, the jail manuals of each state also deal with the administration and management of its prisons.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION

Q1. Consider the following statements: (2023)

Statement-I:

In India, prisons are managed State Governments with their own rules and regulations for the day-to-day administration of prisons.

Statement-II:

In India, prisons are governed by the Prisons Act, 1894 which expressly kept the subject of prisons in the control of Provincial Governments.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. Both Statement-1 and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

SOURCE: The Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims : Science and Technology

Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the first of the second-generation satellites for its navigation constellation. The 2,232 kg satellite, the heaviest in the constellation, was launched by a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) rocket that lifted off from Sriharikota.

About Navigation With Indian Constellation (NavIC)

• NavIC was erstwhile known as Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).
• It was developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and its commercial wing ANTRIX.
• NavIC consists of 8 satellites located at a distance of approximately 36,000 Km and currently, 7 satellites are active.
• 3 satellites are in Geostationary Orbit (GEO)
• 5 satellites are in inclined Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO)

Objective of the NavIC

• To provide navigation, timing, and reliable positioning services in and around India.
• It is being designed to give precise position data service to users located in India and also to users in the area out-spreading up to 1500 Km from India’s boundary.

Other Countries with Navigation Satellite System

• Global Positioning System (GPS)- USA
• GLONASS – Russia
• Galileo – European Union
• BeiDou – Chinese
• Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) – Japan

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION

Q1. Which one of the following countries has its own Satellite Navigation System? (2023)

• Australia
• Canada
• Israel
• Japan

SOURCE:  Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims : International Relation

Context: Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni  visited India recently. The visit  it marks the culmination of the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Cambodia, which were established in 1952.

• This visit by the Cambodia King is taking place after almost six decades, with the last being that of the current King’s father in 1963.
• It gives an opportunity to further deepen the civilisational relations between India and Cambodia.

About India’s Relation with Cambodia :

SOURCE: WorldAtlas.com

• India assists Cambodia in capacity building and human resource development through training slots under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme and scholarships under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
•  India has also extended grants and concessional loans for developmental projects.
• Conservation and restoration of ancient temples of Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and Preah Vihar are also being carried out under the Indian government funding.

Angkor Vat Temple

• Angkor Wat  was originally constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire, it was gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century.
• It was built by Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yasodharapura (present-day Angkor), the capital of the Khmer Empire.
• Trade between the two countries for FY 2023-23 stood at $366 million and is growing. Indian investments in Cambodia are estimated around $115 million primarily in pharmaceuticals, automobiles and mining.

SOURCE : The Hindu

Syllabus

• Prelims : Economy

Context: To mark the inauguration of the new Parliament building, Prime Minister of India released a commemorative coin of Rs 75 denomination on May 28^th 2023.

About Commemorative coins:

• A commemorative coin is a coin produced to mark a special occasion, event, or issue.
• These coins typically have a unique design that reflects the occasion for which they were created.
• India has been issuing commemorative coins since the 1960s for several reasons such as paying homage to notable personalities, spreading awareness about government schemes, or remembering key historic events.
• Commemorative coins are not intended for general circulation, so they are not used for transactions.
• Interested individuals can acquire the commemorative special coins from the website of the Securities of Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL).
• The country released its first commemorative coin in 1964 in honour of Jawaharlal Nehru, who had passed away that year.

Features of the new commemorative coin

• As per the Ministry of Finance notification, the latest Rs 75 coin is circular in shape with a diameter of 44mm.
• The composition of the coin is of a quaternary alloy — 50 per cent silver, 40 per cent copper, 5 per cent nickel and 5 per cent zinc.
• The face of the coin shall bear the Lion Capitol of Ashoka Pillar in the centre, with the legend Satyameva Jayate inscribed below, flanked on the left periphery with the word Bharat in Devnagri script and on the right periphery the word “INDIA” in English.
• The other side of the coin displays an image of the new parliament building.
• The inscription “Sansad Sankul” is written in Devanagari script on the upper periphery while the words “Parliament Complex” in English on the lower periphery of the coin.

Minting of Comemmorative Coins

• The Coinage Act, 2011 gives the central government the power to design and mint coins in various denominations.
• In the case of coins, the role of the RBI is limited to the distribution of coins that are supplied by the central government.
• The central government regularly releases commemorative coins according to its choice, but it also mints such coins at the request of third parties.
• All coins are minted in the four mints owned by the Government of India in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Noida.

Source: Hindustan Times  

Syllabus

• Prelims : Environment

Context: An Interpretation Centre has been developed in the Sainj valley of the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) at Sainj Ropa  in Kullu district.

• The Interpretation Centre gives information about the flora and fauna found in the GHNP. It will focus on orchids and medicinal plants, along with birds and beautiful locations.

About Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP)

• It was established in 1984 and in 2014 accorded UNESCO World Heritage site status under the criteria of exceptional natural beauty and conservation of biological diversity.
• It’s located in Kullu region of Himachal Pradesh state.
• Species found : Himalayan brown bear, Himalayan tahr, blue sheep, snow leopard, birds and musk deer
• The vegetation like the lofty pines, spruces and the horse chestnuts of the lower valleys, to the dense cushions and prostrate branches of the alpine herbs and junipers are present here.

SOURCE : The Tribune

Syllabus

• Prelims : Government Schemes

Context: Recently, the Prime Minister virtually inaugurated the 3^rd edition of Khelo India University Games (KIUG) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

About Khelo India Games

• Khelo India Programme is a central sector scheme for the development of sports in India.
• The government launched the Khelo India scheme in 2018 to revive the sports culture in India at the grass-root level.
• It aims to revive the sports culture by building a solid framework for all sports played in India and establishing our country as a sporting nation.
• It is a national scheme for the development of sports.
• It aims at mainstreaming sports as a tool for national, economic, community and individual development.
• The Union Cabinet approved the revamped ‘Khelo India’ program by consolidating the National Sports Talent Search System Programme, Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (formerly called the Yuva Krida and Khel Abhiyan).
• The Khelo India scheme strives to promote ‘Sports for Excellence’ and ‘Sports for All’.
• This program is implemented by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Important Features of the Program

• The most talented young sportspersons will be given scholarships each year across the selected sports disciplines.
• Each athlete selected under the scheme shall receive an annual scholarship worth Rs. 5.00 lakh for 8 consecutive years.

SOURCE: Hindustan Times

Syllabus

•  Prelims: Art and culture

Context: Six out of the seven idols of ‘Saptarishis’ installed at the Mahakal Lok corridor, developed on the Mahakaleshwar temple premises in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain city, have collapsed and suffered damages due to gusty winds.

• There are a total of 160 idols installed at the Mahakal Lok corridor.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first phase of the Mahakal Lok corridor project in October last year.

About Mahakaleshwar Temple

• Mahakaleshwar temple is located in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
• The temple is believed to be governed by Mahakaleshwar, which means the ‘Lord of time’ i.e., Lord Shiva.
• As per Hindu mythology, the temple was constructed by Lord Brahma and is presently located alongside the holy river Kshipra.
• Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain is one of the 12 jyotirlingas considered the most sacred abodes of Shiva.
• The Mahakal temple finds a mention in several ancient Indian poetic texts. In the early part of the Meghadutam (Purva Megha) composed in the 4th century, Kalidasagives a description of the Mahakal temple.
• In the 13th century, the temple complex was destroyed by Turk ruler Shams-ud-din Iltutmishduring his raid on Ujjain.
• The present-day five-storeyed structure was built by the Maratha general Ranoji Shinde in 1734, in the Bhumija, Chalukya and Maratha styles of temple architecture.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the first phase of the Mahakal Lok corridor project in October last year and it was part of Mahakal Maharaj Mandir Parisar Vistar Yojna which is a plan for the expansion, beautification, and decongestion of the Mahakaleshwar temple and its adjoining area in Ujjain district.

Source: The Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims: Science and Technology

Context: Researchers from the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), in collaboration with researchers in Australia and Panama have established a new test for successful diagnosis of Chytridiomycosis.

About Chytridiomycosis

• Often referred to as the driver of the ‘amphibian apocalypse’, Chytridiomycosis is an infectious disease that has driven more than 90 amphibian species to extinction globally.
• It is caused by two fungal pathogens: Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal).
• It is caused by a fungus that attacks the skin of frogs, toads and other amphibians. As the creatures use their skin to breathe and regulate their bodies’ water levels, the damage caused by the disease eventually leads to heart failure and death.
• Currently, the disease is most widespread in Latin America and Australia, with trade with Asia—where the fungus originated—blamed for the spread.
• Recently, the researchers have developed and validated a new marker for the disease which has been published in ‘Transboundary and Emerging Diseases’.
• The study reported 70% of amphibians with Chytridiomycosis infection, almost eight times higher prevalence than earlier.

SOURCE: The New Indian Express

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2 (International Relations)

Context: Recently the United Nations observed the 75th anniversary of its peacekeeping missions.

About UN Peace keeping:

Source:   The Hindu

• The International Day of UN Peacekeepers is observed annually on May 29th. It is a day dedicated to honouring the contributions and sacrifices of United Nations (UN) peacekeepers in maintaining peace and security around the world.
  • The day also serves as a tribute to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
• The theme of the 75th anniversary “Peace begins with me” recognizes the service and sacrifice of peacekeepers, past and present, including more than 4200 who have given their lives under the UN flag.
• It also pays tribute to the resilience of the communities that we serve, who continue to strive for peace despite many obstacles.
• This campaign also calls on each of us to join the global movement for peace. Alone, we can never succeed.
  • But, together, we can be a strong force for change.

Progress till now:

• For 75 years, UN peacekeepers have saved and changed lives in the world’s most fragile political and security situations.
• Peacekeeping is flexible and over the past two decades has been deployed in many configurations.
• Today’s multidimensional peacekeeping operations are called upon not only to maintain peace and security, but also to facilitate the political process, protect civilians, assist in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants; support the organization of elections, protect and promote human rights and assist in restoring the rule of law.

Significance of UN peacekeeping missions:

• Recognizing Peacekeeping Efforts: The day serves as a global recognition of the crucial role played by UN peacekeepers in maintaining peace and security around the world. It acknowledges their commitment and tireless efforts in preventing conflicts, protecting civilians, and promoting stability in areas affected by violence and war.
• Honouring Fallen Peacekeepers: The International Day of UN Peacekeepers is an occasion to honor and remember those peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
  • It pays tribute to their bravery and sacrifice, emphasizing the profound impact they have made in the pursuit of peace.
  • The day offers an opportunity to express gratitude and support to the families and loved ones of fallen peacekeepers.
• Promoting Awareness and Understanding: The day raises awareness about the challenges faced by UN peacekeepers and the complex nature of their work.
  • It helps foster understanding and appreciation among the general public, highlighting the significance of peacekeeping operations in resolving conflicts and preventing the escalation of violence.
• Advocating for Peace and Security: The International Day of UN Peacekeepers serves as a platform for advocating peace and security at the international level.
  • It encourages governments, organizations, and individuals to recommit themselves to the principles of peacekeeping and to strengthen their support for UN peacekeeping missions.
• Strengthening International Peacekeeping: The day provides an opportunity to reflect on the achievements, challenges, and future directions of UN peacekeeping.
  • It encourages discussions and dialogue on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of peacekeeping operations, including the development of new strategies, technologies, and approaches.
  • The day’s significance lies in its role as a catalyst for advancing the field of international peacekeeping and promoting continuous improvement in peacekeeping practices.

Challenges:

• UN peacekeeping faces increasingly difficult challenges, including attacks against our peacekeepers, complex mandates, and uneven political support.
• Peacekeeping is essentially a collective endeavour: a partnership.
• The Charts below show the number of peacekeepers, country-wise, who died due to malicious acts during peacekeeping missions.

Way Forward:

We require strong, collective action if we are to succeed in addressing the existing challenges. Strengthening peacekeeping means helping countries who provide us with troops and police, including by supporting training needs to ensure we deploy personnel equipped and prepared to accomplish these tasks.

Thus, ensuring that all United Nations personnel maintain the highest standards of conduct must be at the heart of our collective efforts. We must continue to work harder and closely with Member States who possess the authority to hold all categories of personnel accountable for criminal conduct.

Source:   The Hindu

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 3 (Environment and Ecology)

Context: It seems the government is contemplating a ban on setting up new coal-based power stations.

India’s Coal Demand:

• India’s demand for coal has risen to 784.6 million tonnes for the financial year ending March 2023.
• However, today, India’s projected annual coal shortage is at 49.3 million tonnes, three times the previous estimates of 17.7 million tonnes.
• Coal shortage is prompting the government to start developing these coal projects.

Significance of the move:

• It shows India’s commitment to fight climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• India’s proposed coal power capacity is the highest after China. Both India and China account for about 80% of all active coal projects.
• Aligns with the global trend of phasing out coal and shifting to cleaner sources of energy.
• Encourages the development of renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency.
• The government plans to achieve an installed renewable energy capacity of 500 GW by 2030 and net zero carbon neutrality by 2070.

Ban on coal-based power stations vs power demand

About the ban:

• The government may need to rethink upon the ban on setting up new coal-based power stations. Although, the plants which are already under construction will be allowed to continue.

Power demand:

• The government has said that in order to meet the power demand in 2029-30, an additional capacity of about 16,000 MW of coal-based capacity would be required.
• This would be over and above the capacity of about 27,000 MW already under construction.
• The need for additional capacity of 16,900 MW has been cited in the report of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) called Optimal Generation Capacity Mix, which was released recently.

Ways to reduce coal dependency:

• Increasing Renewable Energy Capacity: India has set a target of increasing its renewable energy capacity to 500 gigawatts by 2030, which would help reduce the share of coal in the power mix.
  • Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro and biomass can provide clean, affordable, and reliable electricity for India’s growing population and economy.
• Improving Energy Efficiency: India can save energy and reduce emissions by improving the efficiency of its power plants, industries, buildings, appliances and vehicles.
  • Energy efficiency measures can also lower electricity bills, create jobs and enhance competitiveness.
• Phasing out Old and Inefficient Coal Plants: India can retire its old and inefficient coal-fired power plants that are costly to run and maintain and replace them with cleaner and cheaper alternatives.
• Diversifying Energy Sources: India can reduce its reliance on coal by diversifying its energy sources and increasing the share of natural gas, nuclear and hydro power in its energy mix.
  • These sources can provide flexibility and stability to the grid and complement the variable output of renewable energy.
• Strengthening Grid Infrastructure: India can improve its grid infrastructure and transmission networks to enable the integration of more renewable energy and reduce losses and outages.
  • India can also invest in smart grids, energy storage and demand response technologies to enhance grid reliability and resilience.

Challenges associated with clean and green energy alternatives:

• The poor financial condition of power distribution companies (DISCOMs), most of which are owned by state governments. DISCOMs are the main buyers of renewable energy, but they often delay payments to generators or curtail their power due to low demand or high costs.
  • This affects the viability and bankability of renewable energy projects.
• The lack of adequate grid infrastructure and storage capacity to integrate variable renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, into the power system.
  • This requires investments in transmission lines, substations, smart meters, demand response and battery storage to ensure reliability and stability of supply.
• The lack of financial intermediaries and instruments to mobilize capital for renewable energy projects, especially from domestic sources.
  • India relies heavily on foreign financing for its renewable energy sector, which exposes it to currency risks and policy uncertainties.
• The lack of investor understanding and awareness of the opportunities and benefits of renewable energy, especially among small and medium enterprises, households and rural communities.
• The poor financial condition of power distribution companies (DISCOMs), most of which are owned by state governments.
  • DISCOMs are the main buyers of renewable energy, but they often delay payments to generators or curtail their power due to low demand or high costs.
  • This affects the viability and bankability of renewable energy projects.
• The lack of adequate grid infrastructure and storage capacity to integrate variable renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, into the power system.
  • This requires investments in transmission lines, substations, smart meters, demand response and battery storage to ensure reliability and stability of supply.
• The lack of financial intermediaries and instruments to mobilize capital for renewable energy projects, especially from domestic sources.
  • India relies heavily on foreign financing for its renewable energy sector, which exposes it to currency risks and policy uncertainties.
• The lack of investor understanding and awareness of the opportunities and benefits of renewable energy, especially among small and medium enterprises, households and rural communities.

Way Forward:

There is a need to improve information dissemination, capacity building, technical assistance and consumer engagement to increase the adoption and acceptance of renewable energy solutions.

Strengthening the grid infrastructure and storage capacity by investing in transmission and distribution networks, enhancing grid flexibility and resilience, and deploying battery storage and pumped hydro storage systems.

Source:  Indian Express

Q.1) Consider the following statements regarding Prisoners Act 1894:

1. The term prison was left undefined by the prisoners Act 1894.
2. It demarcated prisoners into three different categories according to the nature of their crimes one of which is civil prisoner.
3. Reform and rehabilitation of prisoners is the major goal of the Act.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only  one
2. Only two
3.  All three
4.  None

 Q.2) Consider the following pairs:

National Parks                               State

1. Great Himalayan National Park       Uttarakhand
2. Mollen National Park                          Goa
3. Indravati National Park                     Karnataka
4. .Namdapha National  Park                   Assam

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Q.3) Consider the following countries:

1. Laos
2. Malaysia
3. Thailand
4. Vietnam
5. Myanmar

How many of the above-mentioned countries share a land border with Cambodia?

1. Only two
2. Only three
3. Only four
4. All five

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

ANSWERS FOR ’ 30th May 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – b

Q.2) – a

Q.3) – b