DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 11th October 2023

Syllabus

• Prelims –INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Context: Recently, Palestine-based Hamas militants launched a barrage of rockets on Israel on Saturday infiltrating the towns near the Gaza Strip through land, air, and sea.

• Hamas or the Islamic Resistance Movement: is a militant group that governs the Gaza Strip.
  • It emerged in 1987 as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood during the first Palestinian intifada, or uprising, against the Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank.
  • It was founded by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, a Palestinian cleric.
  • Its military wing, the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, was established around 1991.

About ISRAEL-PALESTINE CONFLICT:-

Background of the war:-

IMAGE SOURCE: express.co.uk

• Both Israelis and Palestinians have been in a struggle for self-determination and sovereignty over the territory, developing respective movements for their causes.
• Both Palestinians and Israelis see the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea as their own, and Christians, Jews, and Muslims all hold parts of the land as sacred.
• The past seven decades have brought war and uprisings. (15th India-Israel Joint Working Group)

Historic Timeline:-

• Ottoman Empire: The Ottoman Empire had controlled that part of the Middle East from the early 16th century until control of most of the region was granted to the British after World War I.
• In 1916: the Sykes-Picot Agreement secretly negotiated between Britain and France planned to carve up the Middle East into spheres of influence, and determined that the land in question was to be internationalized.
• In 1917: Britain’s foreign secretary, Lord Arthur Balfour, expressed his government’s support for “the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.

1947: UN resolution

• 1947: After World War II, nearing the end of the British Mandate for Palestine, the United Nations General Assembly in 1947 passed Resolution 181, urging the partition of the land into two independent states — one Arab and one Jewish.
• Religiously significant Jerusalem is to be under special international administration.
• The plan is not implemented after the Arab side rejects it, arguing that it is unfavorable to their majority population.
• Violence in the regional conflict grows.

1948: Israel declares independence.

• Israel declared independence in May 1948.
• The next day, a coalition of Arab states, allied with Palestinian factions, attacked Israeli forces in what became the first of several Arab-Israeli wars.
• In the end, Israel gains control of an even larger portion of territory — not including the areas of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

1967: the Six-Day War

• In June of 1967, a war known as the “Six-Day War” or the 1967 Arab-Israeli War broke out amid lingering conflicts, including Egypt’s continued blockade of shipping into the Gulf of Aqaba.
• Israel ultimately took control of the Gaza Strip, Sinai, the West Bank, the Golan Heights, and predominantly Palestinian East Jerusalem.
• The Arab armies suffered massive losses.

1987: First intifada

• A Palestinian uprising, or intifada, brings largely spontaneous clashes, protests, and civil disobedience against Israeli occupation in the West Bank, Gaza, and Israel, leading to harsh Israeli military crackdowns.
• Unrest continues for years, with many killed or injured on both sides.

1993: Oslo Accords

• The first of two pacts, known as the Oslo Accords, was signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
• It set out a peace process based on previous U.N. resolutions.
• It charted out the expansion of a limited Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
• A follow-up accord was signed in 1995.
• However, key issues such as Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the status of Jerusalem, were left unresolved.

2006: Hamas elected in Gaza

• Israel withdrew its troops from Gaza in 2005.
• The Palestinian militant group Hamas wins legislative elections the next year, leading to political strains with the more moderate Fatah party controlling the West Bank.

2017: U.S. recognizes Jerusalem as capital

• The Donald Trump administration recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and announces that it plans to shift the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv, stirring outrage from Palestinians.

2023: Recent events:-

• January 2023: Israeli forces raid the Palestinian city of Jenin, killing nine people in a shootout.
• Summer 2023: Retaliatory attacks flare
• Israel launches surprise airstrikes across the Gaza Strip in May.
• October 2023: Israel is attacked by Hamas.
• Prime Minister of Israel, Netanyahu formally declared war on Hamas on Oct. 8 following a surprise assault by Hamas militants that came a day after the 50th anniversary of the start of the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

MUST READ: India-Israel Industrial R&D & Technological Innovation Fund (I4F)

SOURCE: HINDUSTAN TIMES

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which one of the following is a part of the Congo Basin? (2023)

1. Cameroon
2. Nigeria
3. South Sudan
4. Uganda

Q.2) With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements: (2022)

1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from a baseline determined in accordance with the convention.
2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –GEOGRAPHY/DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Context: The recent breach in the Chungthang dam breach hit the milk supply in Sikkim.

Background:-

• Neighbouring Bihar stopped milk supply to Sikkim as the climate-change-induced flood-damaged roads in the state, causing supply chain disruptions. (National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)).
• Flash floods occurred in north Sikkim after the South Lhonak Lake burst due to incessant rains.
• Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF): A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) is a type of catastrophic flood that occurs when the dam containing a glacial lake fails, releasing a large volume of water.
• This type of flood is typically caused by the rapid melting of glaciers or the buildup of water in the lake due to heavy precipitation or the inflow of meltwater. (Reimagining Disaster Management)

About Chungthang Dam:-

IMAGE SOURCE: researchgate.net

• Location: Chungthang, Sikkim.
• Height: 817 meters.
• River: Teesta.
• The dam serves as a hydroelectric power generation facility, contributing to Sikkim’s renewable energy portfolio.
• It is an integral part of the 1200 MW mega Teesta Stage III Hydro Electric Project which is a major source of electricity for Sikkim and West Bengal.

Teesta Stage III Hydro Electric Project:-

• River: Teesta.
• Power: 1,200 MW hydropower project.
• Construction began: in 2008.
• Commissioned: 2017.
• Type: It is a run-of-the-river hydroelectric project.
• The project is run by Sikkim Urja (formerly Teesta Urja).

Significance:-

• By regulating the flow of the Teesta River, the Chungthang Dam plays a crucial role in irrigation, drinking water supply, and flood control.
• Environmental Impact: While the dam offers valuable benefits, its construction and operation also raise environmental concerns, including alterations in river ecosystems.

MUST READ: Uttarakhand Glacier Disaster

SOURCE: DOWN TO EARTH

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) In the Guidelines, statements: the context of WHO considers the Air Quality following (2022)

1. The 24-hour mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 15 ug/m³ and the annual mean of PM 2.5 should not exceed 5 µg/m³.
2. In a year, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during periods of inclement weather.
3. PM10 can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream.
4. Excessive ozone in the air can trigger asthma.

Which of the statements given above is correct?

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

Q.2) Which of the following are the reasons/factors for exposure to benzene pollution? (2020)

1. Automobile exhaust
2. Tobacco smoke
3. Woodburning
4. Using varnished wooden furniture
5. Using products made of polyurethane

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY/GOVERNANCE

Context: Recent studies show that Mental health issues are 10 times common among asylum-seeking children.

Key Highlights of the report:-

• The WHO estimates that one in five people in conflict-affected areas may experience depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.
• Behavioural disorders may be more common among younger refugee and migrant children.
• They are more severe in younger (6-14 years) compared with older (15-17 years) age groups, according to a worldwide review of asylum seekers and refugee children.
• High rates of mental health conditions among refugee children were associated with being placed in detention.
• Prolonged stay in an asylum centre was associated with a 30-fold increase in the risk of psychopathology among children aged 11-16 years.
• Among refugees based in high-income countries, those originally from the Middle East and North Africa had a threefold higher risk of psychotic disorders compared with refugee groups from other geographies.
• Evidence suggests that, among refugees and migrants, girls and women have a higher risk of depression and anxiety than boys and men.
• Moreover, refugees and migrants who identify as LGBTQI+ were affected in terms of their mental health.

About Mental health issues:-

• As per WHO, Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.
• It is an integral component of health and well-being.
• It underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships, and shape the world we live in.
• Mental health is a basic human right. (Need for stronger mental health strategy)
• It is crucial to personal, community, and socio-economic development.

Determinants of mental health:-

• Individual psychological and biological factors: emotional skills, substance use, and genetics.
• Exposure to unfavourable social, economic, geopolitical, and environmental circumstances: poverty, violence, inequality, and environmental deprivation.
• Risks occurring during the developmentally sensitive periods, especially early childhood, are particularly detrimental.
  • For example, harsh parenting and physical punishment are known to undermine child health and bullying is a leading risk factor for mental health conditions.
• Protective factors: they serve to strengthen resilience.
• They include our individual social and emotional skills and attributes as well as positive social interactions, quality education, decent work, safe neighborhoods, and community cohesion, among others.

Early signs of Mental health issues:-

• Withdrawing from friends, family, and colleagues.
• Avoiding activities they would normally enjoy.
• Sleeping too much or too little.
• Eating too much or too little.
• Feeling hopeless.
• Having consistently low energy.
• Using mood-altering substances, including alcohol and nicotine, more frequently.
• Displaying negative emotions.
• Being confused.
• Being unable to complete daily tasks, such as getting to work or cooking a meal.
• Having persistent thoughts or memories that reappear regularly.
• Thinking of causing physical harm to themselves or others.
• Hearing voices.

Diagnosis:-

• Diagnosing a mental health disorder requires a multi-step process.
• A doctor may begin by looking at a person’s medical history and performing a thorough physical exam to rule out physical conditions or issues that may be causing the symptoms.
• They will also do a psychological evaluation which includes asking about a person’s symptoms, experiences, and how these have impacted their lives.
• Most mental health specialists use the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to make a diagnosis.

Treatment:-

• Psychotherapy, or talking therapies.
• (Mental Healthcare Act, 2017)

MUST READ: Address Stigma and Discrimination in Mental Health

SOURCE: DOWN TO EARTH

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following: (2022)

1. Aarogya Setu
2. COWIN
3. DigiLocker
4. DIKSHA

Which of the above are built on top of open-source digital platforms?

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

Q.2) Consider the following statements: (2022)

1. Biofilms can form on medical implants within human tissues.
2. Biofilms can form on food and food processing surfaces.
3. Biofilms can exhibit antibiotic resistance.

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Context: Presiding Officers of G20 Nations began arriving in India for the 9th Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20 Summit) recently.

Background:-

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Summit.

About Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20 Summit):-

• Year: 2023.
• Host Country: India
• Inauguration: 13th October 2023.
• Venue: New Delhi.
• Frequency: Annual
• Theme: Multilateralism for Inclusive Development.
• Objective: To bring together Speakers of Parliament from G20 countries for discussions on global issues.
• Under the banner of “Multilateralism for Inclusive Development,” the P20 Summit 2023 underscores the imperative role of international cooperation in addressing pressing global concerns, including climate change, poverty alleviation, and inequality.
• During the global event, four high-level sessions will be organized on the topics namely:
  • Accelerating Sustainable Development Goals
  • Sustainable Energy Transition
  • Women-led development
  • Transformation in People’s lives through Public Digital Platforms.
• India aims to provide consensus-based solutions to complex global issues towards a more inclusive, peaceful, and equitable world during the P20 Summit with the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future.
• The Parliament20 Summit, stands as a pivotal global gathering of political leaders, scholars, activists, and stakeholders.
• They come together to address some of the most pressing issues facing our world today.
• It is an extension of the G20 Summit. (G20 logo)
• It focuses exclusively on parliamentary diplomacy, governance, and international cooperation.
• It provides a platform for legislators worldwide to exchange ideas, collaborate on policy solutions, and foster meaningful dialogue on global challenges such as climate change, economic stability, and social justice.

MUST READ: G20 Presidency

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements: (2022)

1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from a baseline determined in accordance with the convention.
2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.

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

Q.2) Consider the following statements: (2019)

1. The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) has a ‘Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air’.
2. The UNCAC is the ever-first legally binding global anti-corruption instrument.
3. A highlight of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) is the inclusion of a specific chapter aimed at returning assets to their rightful owners from whom they had been taken illicitly.
4. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is mandated by its member states to assist in the implementation of both UNCAC and UNTOC.

Which of the statements given above is correct?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY/DEFENSE

Context: Russia recently, tested the 9M730 Burevestnik missile, a next-generation nuclear missile.

Background:-

• Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Moscow has successfully tested a next-generation nuclear missile.

About 9M730 Burevestnik missile:-

• Country: Russia.
• Type: nuclear-powered cruise missile.(BrahMos Missiles)
• Range: intercontinental range.
• The missile is claimed to have an essentially unlimited range.
• It is also known as the “Storm petrel“.
• It is designated SSC-X-9 Skyfall by NATO.
• Its primary objective is to penetrate any interceptor-based missile defense system, thereby enhancing Russia’s nuclear strike capability.
• It is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
• It is nuclear-powered. (Ballistic missiles)
• No country has to date deployed a cruise missile using an onboard nuclear reactor, largely given the engineering challenges and safety concerns involved.
• This makes it a truly revolutionary weapon.
• It is a ground-launched, low-flying cruise missile which would make it harder for air-defense radar to detect.

MUST READ: Agni–Prime

SOURCE: HINDUSTAN TIMES

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which one of the following countries has its own Satellite Navigation System? (2023)

1. Australia
2. Canada
3. Israel
4. Japan

Q.2) Consider the following statements: (2023)

1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight.
2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Syllabus

• Prelims –INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Context: The 8th BRICS International Competition Conference to be held in Delhi recently.

About the 8th BRICS International Competition Conference Venue: New Delhi.

• Year: 2023.
• Host: India.
• Venue: New Delhi.
• Date: 12-13 October 2023.
• Theme: New issues in competition law and policy, dimensions, perspectives, and challenges.
• The Competition Commission of India(CCI) will be hosting the 8th BRICS ICC.
• This two-day international conference will commence with registration and a reception dinner on the evening of October 11, 2023.
• Around 350 delegates from competition authorities in BRICS and non – BRICS Nations, including globally eminent competition experts and Indian delegates, are expected to attend and participate in this conference.
• The heads of BRICS competition authorities will address the closing ceremony and will sign a Joint Statement. (BRICS Summit 2021)

About BRICS International Competition Conference:-

• First conference: Russia, September 2009.
• The BRICS International Competition Conference (BRICS ICC) is an important event under the framework of the BRICS Leaders’ Meeting.
• It is held biennially by the BRICS competition authorities on a rotation basis.
• It was established at the meeting of the Heads of State of BRICS (then BRIC) countries in Yekaterinburg, Russia, on 16 June 2009.
• After 2013, it is after 10 years since the hosting rights of the BRICS ICC have been handed over to

MUST READ: BRICS – 14th Summit

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements about G-20: (2023)

1. The G-20 group was originally established as a platform for the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss international economic and financial issues.
2. Digital public infrastructure is one of India’s G-20 priorities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Q.2) Consider the following statements: (2023)

Statement-I:

Switzerland is one of the leading exporters of gold in terms of value.

Statement-II:

Switzerland has the second-largest gold reserves in the world.

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-I 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

Syllabus

• Prelims –GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES/SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Context: Bharat NCX 2023 was inaugurated recently.

Background:-

• Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India Ajay Kumar Sood today inaugurated the ‘Bharat NCX 2023.

About Bharat NCX 2023:-

• Date: 09 – 20 October 2023. 
• Duration: 12 Days.
• Conducted by: National Security Council Secretariat in strategic partnership with Rashtriya Raksha University.
• Objective: to train senior management and technical personnel of Government and Critical Sector organizations and Public and Private agencies on contemporary cyber threats and handling cyber incidents and response.
• Bharat NCX 2023 will showcase an exclusive exhibition spotlighting the innovation and resilience of Indian cybersecurity startups and Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs).
• It is the second edition of the National Cyber Security Exercise 2023 ‘Bharat NCX 2023’.
• It will be conducted as a hybrid exercise.
• This exhibition will shine a spotlight on the cutting-edge solutions and technologies developed by these dynamic entities, underscoring their pivotal role in fortifying India’s cybersecurity ecosystem.
• It will host a prestigious conclave, gathering over 200 Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) from government, public organizations, and the private sector.
• This exclusive gathering of industry leaders will provide a unique platform for in-depth discussions and deliberations on the evolving cyber threat landscape. (India’s National Cyber Security Strategy)
• The participants will be trained in various key cyber security areas.
• These areas include Intrusion Detection Techniques, Malware Information Sharing platforms, Vulnerability Handling and Penetration Testing, Network Protocols and Data Flows, and Digital Forensics. (Cyberattacks)

Significance:-

• It will help strategic leaders to better understand cyber threats, assess readiness, and develop skills for cyber crisis management and cooperation. Cybercrime
• This will also help develop and test cybersecurity skills, teamwork, planning, communication, critical thinking, and decision-making.

MUST READ: Global Cybersecurity

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) In India under cyber insurance for individuals, which of the following benefits are generally covered, in addition to payment for the loss of funds and other benefits? (2020)

1. Cost of restoration of the computer system in case of malware disrupting access to one’s computer
2. Cost of a new computer if some miscreant wilfully damages it, if proven so
3. Cost of hiring a specialized consultant to minimize the loss in case of cyber extortion
4. Cost of defense in the Court of Law if any third party files a suit

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Q.2) Consider the following statements : (2020)

1. Aadhaar metadata cannot be stored for more than three months.
2. The state cannot enter into any contract with private corporations for the sharing of Aadhaar data.
3. Aadhaar is mandatory for obtaining insurance products.
4. Aadhaar is mandatory for getting benefits funded out of the Consolidated Fund of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Q1) Consider the following pairs:

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

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

Q2) Consider the following statements

Statement-I :

Theme of the P20 Conference 2023 is Multilateralism for Inclusive Development.

Statement-II :

It will be hosted in Mumbai, India.

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-I 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

Q3) With reference to Mental health issues, consider the following statements:

1. The American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is ONLY used to make a mental health diagnosis.
2. Withdrawing from friends, family, and colleagues is one of the symptoms of a mental health issue.
3. Phobia is a mental health disorder.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  11th October 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – d

Q.2) – d

Q.3) – c