DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 29th April 2024

Syllabus

• Prelims – Polity

Context: On April 22, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party opened its tally in the Lok Sabha when its nominee for the Surat constituency in the western State of Gujarat, Mukesh Dalal, was elected unopposed.

Background:-

• This happened because of the rejection of the nomination papers of the Congress candidates [main and substitute nominees] the previous day and the withdrawal of other nominees.

How is a candidate declared elected before polling?

• Section 53 (3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 deals with the procedure in uncontested elections.
• According to this proviso, if the number of such candidates is less than the number of seats to be filled, the returning officer (RO) shall forthwith declare all such candidates to be elected.
• The RO’s actions are governed by Section 33 of the Act which pertains to the presentation of nomination papers and requirements for a valid nomination.The sub-section 4 says: “On the presentation of a nomination paper, the returning officer shall satisfy himself that the names and electoral roll numbers of the candidate and his proposer as entered in the nomination paper are the same as those entered in the electoral rolls”.
• In the given instance, three proposers of the Congress’ candidate for Surat, Nilesh Kumbhani, claimed in an affidavit to the district election officer (DEO) that they had not signed his nomination form. They did not also turn up before the DEO on April 21 to support the candidate’s nomination form.

What is the scope for negative voting in the election system?

• There is ample scope in the system. While the NOTA (none of the above) option has been in force since 2013, the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, allows electors to decide not to vote through Rule 49-O. A remark to the effect that the elector has decided not to record his or her vote would have to be made in the “remarks column” against the entry relating to the elector in the Register of Voters by the presiding officer, after which the signature or thumb impression of the elector would have to be obtained against such a remark.
• The option of NOTA, introduced through the Supreme Court’s intervention, has been available on electronic voting machines (EVMs) since November 2013. This became a reality in the wake of a verdict given by a Bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice P. Sathasivam and Justices Ranjana Desai and Ranjan Gogoi in September 2013, while allowing a petition filed by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties.
• The then CJI, who wrote the judgment, said: “Giving right to a voter not to vote for any candidate while protecting his right of secrecy is extremely important in a democracy. Such an option gives the voter the right to express his disapproval of the kind of candidates being put up by the parties.” He expressed the hope that “gradually, there will be a systemic change and the parties will be forced to accept the will of the people and field candidates who are known for their integrity.”
• There is a difference between an elector exercising Rule 49-O and one using the NOTA option. In the case of the former, the likelihood of such an elector compromising his or her secrecy is high, as there is a procedure to be followed manually at a polling booth. However, in the case of the latter, there is no such issue.

Source: Hindu

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – Current Event

Context: On March 5, both aircraft carriers of the Indian Navy, INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, showcased “twin carrier operations” with MiG-29K fighter jets taking off simultaneously from both and landing cross deck as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh looked on from onboard one of them.

Background:

• An aircraft carrier is fundamental to command, control and coordination of operations from the sea and to project combat power ashore, over the seas or in the air.

What does INS Vikrant signify? :

• The design work on the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC)-I, later christened Vikrant, began in 1999; however 2005-2006 were probably the most crucial years for the carrier and for India’s war shipbuilding.
• The crucial decision was on the warship grade steel, which till then was procured from Russia. After much brainstorming, it was decided that it would be developed and produced in India, a collaborative effort between the Steel Authority of India, the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy.DMR grade steel was developed.
• Vikrant is an engineering marvel. It has a total area in excess of 12,450 m2 which equals to about two and a half hockey fields.
• The 262m long and 62m wide ship is powered by four General Electric LM2500 engines generating 88 MW of power giving it a maximum speed of 28 Knots and an endurance of 7,500 nautical miles. Built at an overall cost of around ₹20,000 crore and 76% indigenous content, the ship has around 2,200 compartments, for a crew of around 1,600 that include specialised cabins to accommodate women officers and sailors.
• Vikrant can operate an air wing of 30 aircraft comprising MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, in addition to indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters and Light Combat Aircraft (Navy).
• It uses the STOBAR (Short Take-Off but Arrested Recovery) method to launch and recover aircraft for which it is equipped with a ski- jump to launch aircraft, and three ‘arrester wires’ for their recovery.
• Noting that among manufacturing activities, shipbuilding has one of the highest employment multipliers of 6.48, the economic Survey 2022-23 said that Vikrant alone engaged approximately 500 MSMEs, 12,000 employees from ancillary industries, and 2,000 CSL employees.
• While the present Vikrant was the first carrier built in the country, India has had a long history of operating carriers. The erstwhile 19,500 tonne Vikrant was India’s first carrier purchased from the U.K., which arrived in 1961 and played a vital role in the 1971 war. Then came the 28,700 tonne INS Viraat commissioned in 1987, formerly HMS Hermes, also from the U.K. INS Vikramaditya procured from Russia and commissioned in 2013 is India’s third carrier.

Source: Hindu

Syllabus

• Prelims – Current Event

Context: The Union government releases disaster relief funds for Karnataka and Tamil Nadu from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

Background:

• Move comes weeks after the two State governments approached the Supreme Court seeking relief funds for calamities such as Cyclone Michaung, floods and drought in 2023.

About NATIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE FUND (NDRF)

• The National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) is a crucial component of disaster management in India.
• It is a fund managed by the Central Government to meet expenses related to emergency response, relief, and rehabilitation during threatening disaster situations or actual disasters.
• The fund aims to provide immediate assistance when natural or man-made calamities strike.
• Decisions on NDRF expenses are made by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the National Disaster Management Authority.
• The NDRF accounts are audited annually by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

Supplementing State Disaster Response Funds (SDRF):

• The NDRF operates alongside the State Disaster Response Funds (SDRF).
• It provides additional financial assistance for natural calamities of severe nature.
• When a state faces a disaster that exceeds the available funds in its own SDRF, the NDRF steps in to offer support.

Eligibility and Coverage – NDRF guidelines cover a range of disasters:

• Natural Calamities: Cyclones, drought, earthquakes, fires, floods, tsunamis, hailstorms, landslides, avalanches, cloud bursts, pest attacks, and cold waves.
• Man-Made Disasters: These include terrorist attacks, chemical or biological incidents, and nuclear disasters as notified by the Central Government.
• States seeking NDRF funds must submit a memorandum detailing the damage and funding requirements.
• The NDRF provides immediate relief assistance, not compensation for property or crop loss.

Sources of Financing:

• The NDRF is financed through a cess on certain items, chargeable to excise and customs duty, approved annually through the Finance Bill.
• If additional funds are needed beyond what the NDRF provides, they come from general budgetary resources.

Source: The Wire

Syllabus

• Prelims – Current Event

Context: India and Chinese Taipei have jointly requested the World Trade Organization (WTO) not to adopt any ruling regarding New Delhi’s import duties on specific information and technology (ICT) products until July 26.

Background:

• ICT products fall under the WTO’s Information Technology Products Agreement (ITA). India’s involvement with the ITA has led to disputes due to the imposition of customs duties on certain ICT products.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS AGREEMENT (ITA) :

• The Information Technology Agreement (ITA) is a significant trade agreement under the World Trade Organization (WTO) that was adopted in 1996.
• The ITA aims to eliminate all import duties and other charges on specified information technology products.
• The commitments under the ITA become binding on a country under Articles II of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) only if they are incorporated into the Goods Schedule.

Key aspects of the ITA include:

• Trade Liberalization: The ITA promotes trade liberalization by eliminating duties on IT products among participating WTO member countries.
• Product Coverage: The agreement covers a wide range of IT products, including computers, telecommunication equipment, semiconductors, software, and scientific instruments.
• Expansion: The ITA has been expanded since its inception to include more products and participants, reflecting the evolving nature of technology and global trade.

Source: Business Standard

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – Education

Context: The provisions of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Act have been brought into force on February 5, 2024 in line with the commitment of the Government to boost Research and Innovation as the fulcrum of growth and development of the country.

Background:

• The Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act of 2023 provides for the establishment of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF).

National Research Foundation (NRF):

• It is an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country in accordance with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) and will be established at a cost of 50,000 crore over the period 2023-28.
• It aims to increase private sector contributions to research in India and to ensure that a larger portion of government funds go to state universities and colleges.
• The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will be NRF’s administrative department.

Functions of the National Research Foundation:

• Preparing the roadmap for short-, medium-, and long-term research and development.
• Facilitating and funding the expansion of Research and Development and related infrastructure in universities, colleges, and research institutions.
• Funding competitive peer-reviewed grant proposals to eligible individuals.
• Assisting in the transformation of research into capital-intensive technology.
• Enhancing India’s role and engagement in significant national and global areas.
• Encouraging private and public sector entities to invest in the foundation.
• Carry out annual surveys of scientific research, outcomes, and spending.

Need for National Research Foundation:

• India’s Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) stagnated at about 0.7 percent of GDP, which is less as compared to the 2% of the global benchmark. A significant infusion of funding, steered by a clear implementation strategy, is required for India to become a science leader.
• 52% of GERD in India is by the government which is substantially higher than in the US (10%), Germany (13%), and China (15%). To bridge this gap, the ANRF-2023 Act plans to seek significant private-sector contributions.
• NRF can be a viable tool to address challenges to India’s research and development capacity. For example, a share of the funds should be targeted toward building scientific research capacity in universities and semi-urban areas.
• Lower spending on R&D and less innovative opportunities may force young talents to move to better terrains. India must strive to optimally use its pool of talent.

Significance of the National Research Foundation:

• NRF will prioritize funding for projects in outlying, rural, and semi-urban areas, which are underserved and rarely receive funding for science projects.
• The NRF would support research in areas other than natural sciences and engineering, such as social sciences, arts, and humanities.
• For the implementation of missions such as the supercomputer mission or the quantum mission.
• The NRF will establish collaborations between business, academia, government agencies, and research institutions, and will dig into the financial resources of the private sector to ensure a financially viable research ecosystem.

Limitations of the National Research Foundation:

• An amount of Rs 50,000 crore has been earmarked for priority areas in research over 2023-2028. It is stated that approximately 70% will be raised from the private sector. There is no mechanism in the NRF Act to ensure this support.
• It does not follow the principle of cooperative federalism and has no place for the representatives of state governments in the decision-making structure.
• The act does not enunciate the role and contribution of the relevant actors operating under the economic and social ministries in the NRF decision-making structures.
• The CPSEs should play a pivotal role in being vehicles for the transfer of R&D benefits from academic institutions to application to strategic areas of manufacturing.

Source: Times of India

Syllabus

• Prelims – Current Event

Context: The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) celebrates its 10-year anniversary as a key player in advancing climate technology and innovation.

Background:

• The CTCN’s commitment to climate resilience and emissions reduction remains unwavering as it continues to drive technological advancements for a sustainable future.

About CLIMATE TECHNOLOGY CENTRE AND NETWORK (CTCN) :

• The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) is a vital initiative that connects countries to climate solutions.
• The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) is the operational arm of the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism, hosted by the UN Environment Programme and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
• It was established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to facilitate the transfer of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries for low carbon and climate-resilient development.
• The primary goal is to facilitate the transfer of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries.

Key Functions:

• Technology Transfer: The CTCN accelerates the adoption of climate-friendly technologies by responding to country-driven requests.
• Capacity Building: It provides expertise, policy advice, and capacity-building support tailored to individual countries.
• Global Network: The CTCN collaborates with a global network of technology companies and institutions.

Source: UNEP

Q1.) With reference to the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), consider the following statements:

1. The CTCN serves as the implementation arm of the Technology Mechanism under the UNFCCC.
2. The primary goal is to facilitate the transfer of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries.

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

Q2.) The Information Technology Agreement (ITA), recently seen in news is related to

1. IMF
2. WTO
3. ASEAN
4. EU

Q3.) With reference to the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), consider the following statements:

1. It is a fund managed by the Central Government to meet expenses related to emergency response, relief, and rehabilitation during threatening disaster situations or actual disasters.
2. Decisions on NDRF expenses are made by the National Executive Committee of the National Disaster Management Authority.
3. The NDRF accounts are audited annually by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

How many of the above statements are correct?

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

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  29th April  2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – b

Q.2) – d

Q.3) – c