DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam –14th June 2024

Syllabus

• Prelims – ENVIRONMENT

Context: Emissions of planet-warming nitrous oxide gas rose by 40 per cent between 1980 and 2020, a study by the Global Carbon Project revealed recently.

Background:-

• China (16.7 per cent), India (10.9 per cent), US (5.7 per cent), Brazil (5.3 per cent) and Russia (4.6 per cent) were the top five emitters of the gas more potent than carbon dioxide and methane.

About NITROUS OXIDE

• Nitrous oxide commonly known as laughing gas is a chemical compound, an oxide of nitrogen with the formula N2O.
• At room temperature, it is a colourless non-flammable gas, and has a slightly sweet scent and taste.
• At elevated temperatures, nitrous oxide is a powerful oxidiser similar to molecular oxygen.
• Nitrous oxide has significant medical uses, especially in surgery and dentistry, for its anaesthetic and pain-reducing effects.
• Its colloquial name, “laughing gas” is due to the euphoric effects upon inhaling it, a property that has led to its recreational use as a dissociative anaesthetic.It is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines.
• Most recreational users are unaware of its neurotoxic effects when abused. When used chronically, nitrous oxide has the potential to cause neurological damage through inactivation of vitamin B12.
• It is also used as an oxidiser in rocket propellants, and in motor racing to increase the power output of engines.
• It is a major scavenger of stratospheric ozone, with an impact comparable to that of CFCs.
• Being the third most important greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide substantially contributes to global warming. Reduction of emissions is a popular topic in the politics of climate change.

Key Takeaways from the study

• Agricultural production and livestock rearing were the two key human-driven sources of nitrous oxide.
• In the last decade agricultural production, chiefly owing to the use of nitrogen fertilisers and animal manure, contributed to 74 per cent of the total anthropogenic nitrous oxide emissions, according to the study.
• The world’s farmers used 60 million metric tonnes of commercial nitrogen fertilisers in 1980. By 2020, the sector used 107 million metric tonnes.
• Nitrous oxide is also emitted from natural sources such as oceans, inland water bodies and soil. These sources contributed to 11.8 per cent of the global emissions of the gas between 2010 and 2019.
• Agriculture activities and related waste generation, biomass burning, fossil fuels and industries together contributed to around six per cent of the global nitrous oxide emissions in 2010-2019, the study noted.
• The study involved examination of global data for all major economic activities that lead to nitrous oxide emissions and 18 anthropogenic and natural sources and three absorbent “sinks” of global nitrous oxide.
• The High levels of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere can deplete the ozone layer and compound effects of climate change, the study said. On the earth, excess nitrogen contributes to soil, water and air pollution.
• Among the 18 regions considered in this study, only Europe, Russia, Australasia, and Japan and Korea had decreasing nitrous oxide emissions.
• Europe had the largest rate of decrease between 1980 and 2020, resulting from reduced fossil fuel and industry emissions.
• China and South Asia, on the other hand, had the largest increases in nitrous oxide emissions from 1980 to 2020 at 92 per cent.
• Nitrous oxide emissions from human activities must decline in order to limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius as established by the Paris Agreement.Reducing nitrous oxide emissions is the only solution since at this point no technologies exist that can remove nitrous oxide from the atmosphere.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – HISTORY

Context: 11th June marked the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Ram Prasad Bismil.

Background:

• His ideals of freedom struggle stood in contrast to that of Mahatma Gandhi and he would reportedly say “independence would not be achieved by means of non-violence”.

About RAM PRASAD BISMIL

• Ram Prasad Bismil (11 June 1897 – 19 December 1927) was an Indian poet, writer, and revolutionary who fought againstBritish Raj.
• He composed poetry in both Urdu and Hindi, using pen names like Ram, Agyat, and Bismil.
• Early Life:
  • Bismil was born on June 11, 1897, in Shahjahanpur district (present-day Uttar Pradesh, India).
  • He came from a Brahmin family and showed early talent for writing patriotic poetry.
  • Bismil learned Hindi from his father and Urdu from a moulvi.
  • Despite his father’s disapproval, he attended an English-language school and joined the Arya Samaj.
• Revolutionary Activities:
  • At 18, Bismil read about the death sentence passed on Bhai Parmanand, a scholar and companion of Har Dayal.
  • Angered by this, he composed a Hindi poem titled “Mera Janm” (My Birth), expressing his commitment to removing British control over India.
  • Bismil was associated with the Arya Samaj and became a founding member of the revolutionary organization Hindustan Republican Association (HRA).
• Conspiracies :
  • Bismil participated in the Mainpuri Conspiracy of 1918 and the Kakori Conspiracy of 1925.
    • Bismil got his name etched as a prominent freedom fighter with his participation in the Mainpuri conspiracy of 1918.
    • Bismil along with Genda Lal Dixit, a school teacher from Auraiya, organised youth from Etahwah, Mainpuri, Agra and Shahjahanpur districts to strengthen their organisations, ‘Matrivedi’ and ‘Shivaji Samiti’.
    • He published a pamphlet titled ‘Deshwasiyon ke Naam’ and distributed it along with his poem ‘Mainpuri ki Pratigya’ on January 28, 1918. To collect funds for the parties, they looted government coffers.
  • The Kakori train robbery, masterminded by Bismil, aimed to fund revolutionary activities.
    • On August 9, 1925, Ram Prasad Bismil along with companions Ashfaqulla Khan and others executed the plan of looting the train at Kakori near Lucknow.
    • After the revolutionaries stopped the 8-Down Saharanpur Lucknow passenger train at Kakori, Ashfaqullah Khan, Sachindra Bakshi, Rajendra Lahiri and Ram Prasad Bismil subdued the guard and looted cash meant for the treasury.
    • Within a month of the attack, the angered colonial authorities arrested more than a dozen HRA members.After the trial in the so-called Kakori conspiracy, these four revolutionaries were sentenced to be hanged.

Source: PIB

Syllabus

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: The Telangana High Court has made a significant ruling regarding the General Anti-avoidance Rule (GAAR).

Background:

• The court ruled against a taxpayer, Ayodhya Rami Reddy Alla, in a case where the revenue department had invoked GAAR. This decision is notable as it marks the first judgment on GAAR since its implementation in April 2017.

About General Anti-Avoidance Rule

• General Anti-Avoidance Rule is an anti-tax avoidance law in India, aimed at curbing tax evasion and preventing tax leaks.
• Implemented on April 1, 2017, under the Income Tax Act, 1961.
• Objective of GAAR:
  • To check aggressive tax planning strategies that lack commercial substance.
  • To ensure that transactions are not structured solely to avoid taxes.
• Key Features of GAAR:
  • GAAR can be invoked for transactions that are legal but are entered into primarily to avoid tax.
  • It distinguishes between acceptable tax mitigation and unacceptable tax avoidance or evasion
  • Tax mitigation is allowed under the Act, even after GAAR’s implementation.
  • Tax evasion, which is illegal, is not covered by GAAR as existing laws address it.
  • Tax avoidance, though not illegal, is considered undesirable if it undermines effective tax collection.
• GAAR vs BEPS:
  • GAAR is often discussed in relation to Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS).
  • BEPS refers to tax avoidance strategies by Multinational Corporations (MNCs) to shift profits to tax havens, thus eroding the tax base.

Source: Hindu Businessline

Syllabus

• Prelims – ENVIRONMENT

Context: Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa, three of the six states traversed by the Western Ghats, have requested a reduction in the extent of the proposed eco-sensitive areas (ESAs) to allow for development works.

Background:

• These states have communicated their concerns to an expert panel appointed by the Centre, which is tasked with finalizing a draft notification on the matter.

About Western Ghats :

• The Western Ghats, also known as Sahyadri Hills in Maharashtra and Sahya Parvatham in Kerala, form a mountain range that runs parallel to the western coast of the Indian peninsula.
• They are not traditional mountains but the faulted edge of the Deccan Plateau.
• Geology:
  • The region is rich in geological diversity, with rocks such as Basalt, charnockites, granite gneiss, khondalites, leptynite, metamorphic gneisses, and occurrences of crystalline limestone, iron ore, dolerites, and anorthosites.
• Biodiversity:
  • Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s eight ‘hotspots’ of biological diversity.
  • Home to 30% of India’s flora and fauna species.
• Hydrology:
  • Rivers flowing westward include the Periyar, Bharathappuzha, Netravati, Sharavathi, and Mandovi.
  • Rivers flowing eastward include the major rivers Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.
• Political Geography:
  • Encompasses six states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
• Mountain Ranges and Peaks:
  • The Nilgiri ranges in Karnataka connect to the Shevaroys and Tirumala range, linking the Western Ghats to the Eastern Ghats.
  • The highest peak is Anamudi, standing at 2,695 meters.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims – GEOGRAPHY

Context: The devastating fire in Kuwait has resulted in the loss of 49 lives, with 41 of those being Indian nationals.

Background:

• The majority of the Indian victims were from the southern states, particularly Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

About KUWAIT

• Kuwait is situated in the northeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula.
• It is bordered by Iraq to the north and northwest, Saudi Arabia to the south, and the Persian Gulf to the east.
• Kuwait City is the capital and largest city, serving as the political, cultural, and economic centre of the country.
• Political System:
  • Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government.
  • The head of state is the Emir, who is a hereditary monarch.

• Economic Significance:
  • Kuwait holds the world’s sixth-largest oil reserves, contributing to nearly 10% of the world’s reserves.
  • Kuwait is a founding member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which coordinates and unifies petroleum policies among Member Countries.
• Historical Context:
  • Kuwait gained independence from British protection in 1961.
  • It was invaded by Iraq in 1990, leading to the Gulf War, and was liberated by coalition forces in 1991.
• India-Kuwait Relations:
  • Diplomatic relations between India and Kuwait began in June 1962.
  • The relationship is marked by economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, and a significant Indian diaspora in Kuwait.
  • India was among the earliest countries to recognize Kuwaiti independence and has maintained traditionally friendly relations.

Source: Business Standard

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 4

Context: As the largest democracy in the world, India has been grappling with a recurring and complex problem: the widespread menace of Criminalization of Politics.

Background:

• This complex issue not only undermines democratic principles but also harms the difficult process of developing and enacting public policy. A long shadow has been cast over the course of the country’s progress due to the predominance of individuals with criminal backgrounds dominating politics.

Criminalization of Politics:

• It refers to the involvement of individuals with a criminal record in the political arena. It can include criminals running for and being elected to positions in parliament and state legislatures.
• It often occurs due to the close relationship between politicians and criminal elements.

Ethical challenges related to the Criminalization of Politics:

• Few members from the legislative wing who are facing serious criminal charges reveal a pattern of defending individuals accused of serious offenses relating to women, indicating the separation from ethical norms across party lines. This separation often originates from intense partisanship and prioritization of power over ethical conduct.
• Many times, there are failures to address misconduct within the political class, which undermines accountability and ethical standards.
• The recent case of Prajwal Revanna which faced severe public outrage catalyzed action within political parties. However, the reactive nature of political responses to scandals highlights a broader issue of accountability within democratic systems.
• Even when the members are at fault through their misconduct, parties often remain inactive until forced to address the public outcry, emphasizing the need for more robust mechanisms of accountability beyond public pressure.
• A culture of impunity diffuses through the political sphere, where norms and rules are inconsistently enforced, placing the burden of accountability on individual women.
• Despite widespread agendas on women’s empowerment, substantive progress on women’s issues such as respect, equality, and security
• remain unaddressed. While women are mobilized as voters and beneficiaries of welfare schemes, their collective concerns often remain on the periphery of political agendas.
• Only an equitable representation for women won’t suffice to politically empower women. The disconnect between representation and empowerment is evident in the limited impact of bodies like the National Women’s Commission.

Source: SCO

Q1.) Consider the following states:

1. Rajasthan
2. Gujarat
3. Maharashtra
4. Andhra Pradesh
5. Goa
6. Karnataka

Western Ghats pass through how many of the above-mentioned states?

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

Q2.) Consider the following countries:

1. Saudi Arabia
2. Iran
3. Iraq
4. Jordan
5. Oman
6. Yemen

How many of the above-mentioned countries share border with Kuwait?

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

Q3.) With reference to the General Anti-avoidance Rule (GAAR), consider the following statements:

1. GAAR is an anti-tax avoidance law in India.
2. It aimed at curbing tax evasion and preventing tax leaks.
3. It can be invoked for transactions that are legal but are entered into primarily to avoid tax.

Which of the statements given above 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 ’  14th June 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – a

Q.2) – c

Q.3) – c