DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 6th March 2024

Syllabus

• Prelims – Geography

Context: Ukraine said on Tuesday that its forces destroyed a Russian military patrol ship in the Black Sea near annexed Crimea, the latest naval attack on Moscow’s fleet in the key waterway.

Background:-

• The Black Sea has been a vital battleground in the two-year war between Russia and Ukraine

About Black Sea

• The Black Sea is a marginal mediterranean sea lying between Europe and Asia, east of the Balkans, south of the East European Plain, west of the Caucasus, and north of Anatolia.
• It is bounded by Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine.
• The Black Sea is supplied by major rivers, principally the Danube, Dnieper and Dniester.
• The Bosporus strait connects it to the small Sea of Marmara which in turn is connected to the Aegean Sea via the strait of the Dardanelles. To the north, the Black Sea is connected to the Sea of Azov by the Kerch Strait.
• While the net flow of water through the Bosporus and Dardanelles (known collectively as the Turkish Straits) is out of the Black Sea, water generally flows in both directions simultaneously: Denser, more saline water from the Aegean flows into the Black Sea underneath the less dense, fresher water that flows out of the Black Sea.
• This creates a significant and permanent layer of deep water that does not drain or mix and is therefore anoxic. This anoxic layer is responsible for the preservation of ancient shipwrecks which have been found in the Black Sea.

Source: NDTV

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – Polity

Context: In the backdrop of protests across Ladakh, the Centre is mulling granting Article 371-like protection to the Union Territory.

Background:

• Ladakh witnessed massive protests demanding statehood, legislature and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule, apart from concerns about environmental degradation due to possible industrialisation.

About Article 371 (A-J):

• Article 371 of the Constitution includes special provisions for 11 states, including six of the Northeast.
• Articles 369 through 392 (including some that have been removed) appear in Part XXI of the Constitution, titled ‘Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions’.
• Article 370 dealt with Temporary Provisions with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir.It was repealed in 2019; Articles 371, 371A, 371B, 371C, 371D, 371E, 371F, 371G, 371H, and 371J define special provisions with regard to another state (or states).Articles 370 and 371 were part of the Constitution at the time of its commencement on January 26, 1950; Articles 371A through 371J were incorporated subsequently.
• Article 371 has provisions for Maharashtra and Gujarat.
• Article 371A (13th Amendment Act, 1962), Nagaland: This provision was inserted after a 16-point agreement between the Centre and the Naga People’s Convention in 1960, which led to the creation of Nagaland in 1963. Parliament cannot legislate in matters of Naga religion or social practices, Naga customary law and procedure, administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law, and ownership and transfer of land without concurrence of the state Assembly.
• Article 371B (22nd Amendment Act, 1969) has provisions for Assam; Article 371C (27th Amendment Act, 1971) has provisions for Manipur.
• Article 371D & E – has provision for Andhra Pradesh.
• Article 371F (36th Amendment Act, 1975) has provision for Sikkim; Article 371G (53rd Amendment Act, 1986) has provision for Mizoram, Article 371H (55th Amendment Act, 1986) has provision for Arunachal Pradesh.
• Article 371I deals with Goa, but it does not include any provision that can be deemed ‘special’.
• Article 371J (98th Amendment Act, 2012) has provision for Karnataka.

Examples/details of provisions for some northeast states:

• Article 371G (53rd Amendment Act, 1986), Mizoram: Parliament cannot make laws on “religious or social practices of the Mizos, Mizo customary law and procedure, administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Mizo customary law, ownership and transfer of land unless the Assembly so decides”.
• Article 371A (13th Amendment Act, 1962), Nagaland : Parliament cannot legislate in matters of Naga religion or social practices, Naga customary law and procedure, administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law, and ownership and transfer of land without concurrence of the state Assembly.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims – Polity

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court of India issued the contempt notice and passed an interim order imposing a ban on advertisements of Patanjali Ayurved’s medicines.

Background:

• According to Section 2(28) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, an advertisement is deemed misleading when it gives a false guarantee or is likely to mislead consumers regarding the nature, substance, quantity, or quality of the product or service.

About The Consumer Protection Act :

• The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 is a comprehensive legislation enacted in India to safeguard the rights and interests of consumers.

Key provisions of the Act:

• Definition of Consumer:

1. The Act defines a consumer as any person who:
2. Buys goods or avails services for personal use.
3. Uses goods with the consent of the buyer.
4. Hires or avails services for consideration.
5. It also covers legal heirs and representatives of consumers.

Rights of Consumers

• Right to Safety: Protection from hazardous goods and services.
• Right to Information: Access accurate and transparent information about products and services.
• Right to Choose: Choose from a variety of goods and services.
• Right to Redressal: Seek redressal for unfair trade practices and defective products.
• Right to Consumer Education: Be informed about their rights and responsibilities.

Unfair Trade Practices

• The Act prohibits various unfair practices, such as:
• False representation: Misleading advertisements or false claims.
• Unfair contracts: Imposing unfair terms on consumers.
• Defective goods: Selling goods with defects.
• Restrictive trade practices: Monopolistic behaviour.

Consumer Disputes Redressal

• The Act establishes Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions at the district, state, and national levels.
• Consumers can file complaints related to unfair trade practices, defective goods, or deficient services.

Source: Livemint

Previous Year Question

Q1. With reference to consumer’s rights/privileges under the provisions of the law in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Consumers are empowered to take samples for food testing.
2. When a consumer files a complaint in any consumer forum, no fee is required to be paid.
3. In case of the death of a consumer, his/her legal heir can file a complaint in the consumer forum on his/her behalf.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Syllabus

• Prelims – Current Event

Context: Risa, a traditional tribal attire from Tripura, has recently received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

Background:

• Risa is a handwoven cloth used primarily as a female upper garment. It also serves as headgear, a stole, or a present to express respect. This exquisite fabric is woven in colourful designs and holds significant social and religious importance.

About Geographical Indication (GI) tag

• A Geographical Indication (GI) tag is a distinctive sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are essentially due to that origin.
• It serves as a form of intellectual property protection, safeguarding the unique identity and value of these products.

Significance of GI Tags:

• Authenticity: GI tags ensure that registered authorized users are allowed to use the popular product name.
• Preserving Tradition: They protect traditional methods of production and recognize the product’s historical roots.
• Promoting Local Artisans: GI tags benefit local artisans and promote cultural heritage.

Governance of GI Tags in India:

• The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 governs GI tags in India.
• As a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), India implemented this Act to fulfil its obligations under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
• The Geographical Indication Registry under the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry grants these tags.
• Darjeeling tea holds the distinction of being the first product in India to receive the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

Source: Business Standard

Previous Year Question

India enacted The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 in order to comply with the obligations to

1. ILO
2. IMF
3. UNCTAD
4. WTO

Syllabus

• Prelims – Environment

Context: In a significant shift from its previous stance, Germany, a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, has decided to permit industries to capture their carbon emissions and store them underground at offshore sites.

Background:

• Germany aims to become carbon neutral by 2045, but it faces challenges in curbing emissions from sectors like cement production. Carbon capture and storage is now seen as a temporary solution until more sustainable innovations emerge.

About Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS):

• Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a crucial approach in the fight against climate change.
• Carbon capture and storage (CCS) involves capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial processes and power plants.
• Unlike carbon dioxide removal (CDR), which removes CO2 from the atmosphere, CCS prevents CO2 from escaping into the air in the first place.
• The goal of CCS is to prevent a significant amount of CO2 from entering the atmosphere and contributing to global warming and climate change.

Benefits

• Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions:

1. CCS captures carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial processes and power plants, preventing them from entering the atmosphere.
2. By storing CO2 underground, CCS helps reduce the overall concentration of greenhouse gases.

• Preserving Fossil Fuel Use:

3. CCS allows us to continue using fossil fuels while minimizing their environmental impact.
4. It provides a bridge toward cleaner energy sources by reducing emissions from existing fossil fuel infrastructure.

• Industrial Applications:

5. CCS can be applied to sectors like cement production, steel manufacturing, and chemical industries.
6. These sectors often emit substantial CO2, and CCS offers a way to address their emissions.

• Creating Carbon Sinks:

7. Underground storage sites act as carbon sinks, permanently storing CO2 away from the atmosphere.
8. Properly managed storage sites can sequester emissions for centuries.

• Transitioning to Clean Energy:

9. CCS provides a transition strategy as we shift toward renewable energy sources.
10. It buys time for renewable technologies to mature and become economically competitive.

Source: Economic Times

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – Polity

Context: The Delimitation of constituencies for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies is to be carried out based on the First Census after 2026.

Background:

• The 2021 Census was originally postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently due to delays on the part of the Central government.

About Delimitation

• Delimitation means the process of fixing the number of seats and boundaries of territorial constituencies in each State for the Lok Sabha and Legislative assemblies.
• It also includes determining the seats to be reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in these houses.
• It is performed by the ‘Delimitation Commission’ that is set up under an act of Parliament.
• Delimitation Commissions have been set up four times — 1952, 1963, 1973, and 2002 under the Acts of 1952, 1962, 1972, and 2002.
• The first delimitation exercise was carried out by the President (with the help of the Election Commission) in 1950-51.

Significance of Delimitation

• Delimitation ensures fair representation in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies by adjusting the number of seats based on population changes which is crucial for upholding the democratic principle of one citizen-one vote-one value.
• By readjusting the boundaries of territorial constituencies, delimitation aims to ensure equitable distribution of seats among different regions, considering population shifts over time. This helps prevent underrepresentation or overrepresentation of specific areas.
• Delimitation determines the allocation of reserved seats for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in accordance with constitutional provisions, ensuring adequate political representation for marginalized communities.
• Delimitation impacts federal principles by influencing the distribution of political power among states. It is essential to strike a balance between population-based representation and federal considerations to maintain harmony among diverse regions.
• Historically, the freezing of seats based on the 1971 Census aimed to incentivize population control measures. However, the impending delimitation exercise raises questions about the effectiveness and implications of this policy in the context of changing demographics.

Issues/Concerns related to Delimitation:

• The disparity in representation between the northern and southern parts of India in the Lok Sabha due to population as a deciding factor.
• The delimitation based solely on population disregards the progress made by the southern states in population control and may lead to disparities in the federal structure. Despite having only 18% of the country’s population, the southern states contribute 35% to the country’s GDP. The northern states, which did not prioritize population control, are expected to benefit from the delimitation process due to their higher population growth.
• After the 15th Finance Commission used the 2011 Census as a basis for its recommendation, concerns were raised about southern states losing funding and representation in parliament. Previously, the 1971 Census was used as the base for funding and tax devolution recommendations to states.
• The scheduled delimitation and reallocation of seats may result in not only a loss of seats for southern states but also an increase in power for political parties with their base of support in the north. This could potentially lead to a shift of power toward the north and away from the south.
• The exercise will also affect the division of seats reserved for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in each state (under Articles 330 and 332).

Source: The Hindu

Q1.) With reference to Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), consider the following statements:

1. CCS captures carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial processes and preventing them from entering the atmosphere.
2. CCS allows to continue using fossil fuels while minimizing their environmental impact.
3. CCS can be applied to sectors like cement production, steel manufacturing, and chemical industries.

How many of the above given statements are not correct?

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

Q2.)Consider the following pairs:

Products with GI Tag                   States

1. Lanjia Saura paintings – Jammu and Kashmir
2. Risa Textile –                          Tripura
3. Amroha Dholak –             Uttar Pradesh

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

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

Q3.) Consider the following statements:

Statement-I:

The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 is a comprehensive legislation enacted in India to safeguard the rights and interests of consumers.

Statement-II:

The Act establishes Central Consumer Protection Authority to addresses improper trade practices, misleading advertisements, and violations of consumer rights.

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

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  6th March  2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – b

Q.2) – c

Q.3) – d