DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam –18th June 2024

Syllabus

• Prelims – GEOGRAPHY

Context: Hyderabad-based Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has developed a new product to predict the emergence of El Niño and La Niña conditions — they are different phases of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) — up to 15 months in advance.

Background:-

• In India, while El Niño conditions usually lead to a weak monsoon and intense heatwaves, La Niña conditions result in a strong monsoon.

About ENSO

• ENSO is a climate phenomenon that involves changes in the temperature of waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, coupled with fluctuations in the overlying atmosphere.
• It can alter the global atmospheric circulation, which, in turn, influences weather across the world.
• ENSO occurs in irregular cycles of 2-7 years and has three different phases — warm (El Niño), cool (La Niña), and neutral.
• In the neutral phase, the eastern side of the Pacific Ocean (near the northwestern coast of South America) is cooler than the western side (near the Philippines and Indonesia). This is due to the prevailing wind systems that move from east to west, sweeping the warmer surface waters towards the Indonesian coast. The relatively cooler waters from below come up to replace the displaced water.
• In the El Niño phase, however, wind systems weaken, leading to lesser displacement of warmer waters. As a result, the eastern side of the Pacific becomes warmer than usual.
• In contrast, a La Niña event is characterized by a period of colder than average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean and an intensification of the prevailing east to west surface winds.

What is the new product?

• Known as Bayesian Convolutional Neural Network (BCNN), the new product uses the latest technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), deep learning, and machine learning (ML) to improve forecasts related to the ENSO phases.
• The model’s prediction relies on the fact that El Niño or La Niña are connected to the slow oceanic variations and their atmospheric coupling, which gives sufficient lead time to issue early forecasts.

How does BCNN compare with existing models?

• There are largely two kinds of weather models used for forecasting.
• One is the statistical model, which generates forecasts based on various information sets received from different countries and regions.
• The other is the dynamic model, which involves a 3D mathematical simulation of the atmosphere done using High Performance Computers (HPC). The dynamic model is much more accurate than the statistical model.
• The BCNN, however, is a combination of the dynamic model with AI. This helps it forecast the emergence of El Niño and La Niña conditions with a 15-month lead time — unlike other models which can give a prediction up to six to nine months in advance.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – ECONOMY

Context: As the Indian economy grapples with the problem of flagging consumption, policymakers in the government are in favour of rationalising the existing income tax structure, especially at lower income levels.

Background:

• In the most recent GDP data release for the January-March quarter on May 31, Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE), an indicator of consumption demand, dropped as a share of GDP to 52.9 per cent — the lowest level in the 2011-12 base year series.

Key Takeaways

• According to senior government officials, it is likely that tax rate cuts for those earning less may likely take precedence over freebies or excessive welfare spending given the focus on fiscal consolidation.
• The tax cuts may be a more efficient measure to enhance disposable income, which in turn would result in higher consumption, and give a fillip to economic activities.
• A boost to consumption is being seen as crucial for reviving demand, which in turn is central to restarting the investment cycle, especially rekindling private capital expenditure in consumer-focused sectors.
• The revenue loss from any such measure requires a dynamic analysis, officials said. “Since it is expected to spur demand, it requires a general equilibrium analysis to assess the net effect. There will be more money in the hands of the people, leading to better consumption and more direct and indirect tax revenues. So even though revenue loss might be there, the net effect will be positive,” the official said.
• In the most recent GDP data release for the January-March quarter on May 31, Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE), an indicator of consumption demand, dropped as a share of GDP to 52.9 per cent — the lowest level in the 2011-12 base year series.
• The government has been focusing on fiscal consolidation over the last few years, with an aim to bring down the fiscal deficit to 5.1 per cent of the GDP in 2024-25 and reduce it further to below 4.5 per cent in 2025-26.

• The discussions have taken note that the rise in marginal income tax is “too steep” in the existing tax structure.
• Right now, in the new tax system, first slab of 5 per cent starts at Rs 3 lakh. By the time it goes to Rs 15 lakh, which is five times, the marginal tax rate jumps from 5 per cent to 30 per cent — a six fold jump. So while income goes up five times, the marginal tax rate goes up six times, which is quite steep.
• Tax simplification is also being seen as a better tool than overt spending on welfare schemes, which may see possible leakages.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims – HISTORY

Context: Birth anniversary of Shri Taraknath Das was celebrated recently.

Background:

• He was a pioneering immigrant in the west coast of North America and discussed his plans with Tolstoy, while organising the Asian Indian immigrants in favour of the Indian independence movement.

About TARAKNATH DAS

• Taraknath Das (15 June 1884 – 22 December 1958) was an Indian revolutionary and internationalist scholar.
• Tarak was born at Majupara, in the 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.
• Coming from a lower-middle-class family, his father Kalimohan was a clerk at the Central Telegraph Office in Calcutta.
• At a young age Das was attracted by the revolutionary cause of the Anushilan Samiti, a secret society, and became its member.
• On the advice of Jatindranath Mukherjee, Das escaped initially to Japan and then moved to the United States of America.
• Taraknath Das reached Seattle on 12 July 1906 and subsequently got enrolled in the University of California.
• In the United States, Das was actively participating in the political activities of the South Asian immigrants.
• Following the Bellingham riots of September 1907 against South Asian immigrants, he started the publication of an anti-British newspaper, ‘Free Hindusthan’ to champion the cause of these immigrants.
• In 1913, Das came in contact with Har Dayal and got associated with the Ghadar Movement and its anti-colonial activities. In 1917, he was implicated in the Indo-German conspiracy case for which he was imprisoned in Kansas for two years.
• Das continued to be involved in revolutionary activities throughout his life, his writings maintained a strong anti-British stance, instilling nationalism in the minds of the readers.

Source: Amritmahotsav

Syllabus

• Prelims – ENVIRONMENT

Context: EU health agency recently stated that the Climate change is influencing the spread and impact of the Aedes albopictus mosquito.

Background:

• Warmer conditions are allowing this mosquito, to thrive in regions where it previously could not survive.
• Predictions suggest that this species will continue to be a successful invasive species and spread beyond its current geographical boundaries due to its adaptation to colder climates.

About AEDES ALBOPICTUS :

• The Aedes albopictus, also known as the Asian tiger mosquito or forest mosquito, is native to tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast Asia.
• It’s easily recognizable by its distinctive black and white striped appearance, which has earned it the nickname ‘tiger mosquito’.
• This species is an important vector for transmitting several viral pathogens, including yellow fever, dengue fever, chikungunya fever, and Zika virus, as well as some filarial nematodes like Dirofilaria immitis.
• The spread of Aedes albopictus has been facilitated by international trade and increased travel, and it’s now found on all continents except Antarctica.
• Its adaptability to various environments and its close association with humans make it a significant concern for public health.

Source: NDTV

Syllabus

• Prelims – ENVIRONMENT

Context: A rare species of bioluminescent mushrooms, scientifically known as Filoboletus manipularis, has been discovered in the forests of Kasaragod.

Background:

• The discovery was made during a micro-fungal survey conducted by the Kasaragod division of the Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department and the Mushrooms of India Community in the Ranipuram forest. Scientists have warned against consuming these mushrooms due to potential toxicity.

About FILOBOLETUS MANIPULARIS

• Filoboletus manipularis is a species of agaric fungus in the family Mycenaceae.
• Filoboletus manipularis is commonly found in Australasia, Malaysia, and the Pacific islands.
• They thrive in tropical, humid environments, typically found in dense forests where there’s plenty of decaying organic matter, like fallen trees and leaves. This rich, moist environment provides the nutrients and conditions necessary for their growth and their unique glowing property.
• The glow in Filoboletus manipularis is due to a chemical reaction involving luciferin (a pigment) and luciferase (an enzyme), with oxygen playing a critical role. This reaction produces light, a trait shared with other bioluminescent organisms like fireflies and certain marine creatures.
• In fungi, this glowing mechanism is thought to attract insects, which help disperse the mushroom’s spores.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully completed its participation in Exercise Red Flag 2024.

Background:

• It was conducted at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, from June 4 to June 14.

About EXERCISE RED FLAG 2024

• Exercise Red Flag is a premier air-to-air combat training exercise that serves as an advanced aerial combat training event for air forces of the United States and its allies.
• 2024 edition was conducted at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, and Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.
• The 2024 edition of the focused on offering realistic training that replicates the stresses of combat operations, improving the participants’ capabilities to maintain a high level of readiness and survivability, and enhancing interoperability among allied air forces.
• Red Flag exercise is known as the most realistic air combat training, where fighter pilots refine skills against numerous targets, authentic threats, and adversary forces.
• This was the first time the IAF Rafale aircraft participated in Ex Red Flag.
• Other combat exercises in which IAF regularly participates:

Source: PIB

Q1.) Consider the following Air combat exercises:

1. Pitch Black
2. Desert Flag
3. Red Flag

The Indian Air Force (IAF) participates in how many of the above given exercises?

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

Q2.) Filoboletus manipularis, recently seen in news is a

1. Bacterium
2. Virus
3. Fungus
4. Alga

Q3.) Consider the following statements:

1. Aedes albopictus mosquito is a native to tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast Asia.
2. Aedes albopictus mosquito transmits dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses.

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

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  18th June 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st1

Q.1) – c

Q.2) – a

Q.3) – c