DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 21st June 2024

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT, SOCIAL ISSUES

Context: The 2024 edition of the Global Gender Gap Index places India at 129 out of the 146 countries it surveyed. This puts India at the 18th position from the bottom.

Background:-

• For comparison, of the 156 countries included in 2021, India was at the 17th position from the bottom. Thus, overall, India’s ranking has remained in the bottom 20 over years.

Key Takeaways

• The Global Gender Gap Index annually benchmarks the current state and evolution of gender parity across key dimensions.It is published by World Economic Forum
• Like all indices, the Global Gender Gap Index, first introduced in 2006, is a précis measure. It is a combination of four different sub-indices — economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival and political empowerment — each summarising multiple indicators.
• The index lies between 0 and 1, with 1 denoting complete parity.
• It is important to note that this index focuses on gender gaps, that is, the focus is on the position of women relative to men (gender equality), rather than to their absolute position. The idea is to track changes in gender gaps both over time and across countries.
• The 2024 report shows that on “Health and Survival Score”, India’s value is at 0.951 which means that 95.1 per cent of the male-female gap has been closed. Similarly, in educational attainment, 96.4 per cent of the gap has been closed.
• India has done well on these indicators but since several other countries have done better, India is at 112th position in the educational ranking and at 142nd position in the health rankings among 146 countries.
• On economic participation, India’s score at 39.8 per cent places it at the 142nd position among 146 countries. While this is an improvement since 2021 (when it was 32.6 per cent), it is very low in absolute terms, and is lower than the 2012 score of 46 per cent.
• To put this score in perspective, countries with the lowest levels of economic parity are Bangladesh (31.1 per cent), Sudan, (33.7 per cent), Iran (34.3 per cent), Pakistan (36 per cent), India (39.8 per cent), and Morocco (40.6 per cent).
• In political participation, even though India has closed only 25.1 per cent of the gap, its global rank is 65. This reflects the fact that while the rest of the world has made significant forward strides towards gender equality in the economic, educational and health spheres, the global progress on gender equality in political participation remains low. We should note that India’s position was at 51 in 2021 with a value of 27.6 per cent, implying that India’s score has worsened over the last two years.
• There is ample research documenting the staggering economic costs of side lining women. An OECD estimate reveals that gender-based discrimination in social institutions could cost up to $12 trillion for the global economy, and that a reduction in gender discrimination can increase the rate of growth of GDP.
• Internalisation of this understanding would mean that gender equality has to be mainstreamed into economic policy making, rather than viewed as a residual concern to be tackled later, as an afterthought.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: The accident involving the Sealdah Kanchanjunga Express on June 17, which claimed 10 lives, has brought to the fore once again the delay in installing Kavach, an indigenously developed automatic train protection (ATP) system, across the country’s rail network.

Background:

• Experts, including former Railway Minister and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, raised questions about the delay in the implementation of the system.

About KAVACH

• The KAVACH is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in collaboration with the Indian industry.
• It is a state-of-the-art electronic system with Safety Integrity Level-4 (SIL-4) standards.
• It is meant to provide protection by preventing trains to pass the signal at Red (which marks danger) and avoid collision.
• It activates the train’s braking system automatically if the driver fails to control the train as per speed restrictions. In addition, it prevents the collision between two locomotives equipped with functional Kavach systems.
• The system also relays SoS messages during emergency situations. An added feature is the centralised live monitoring of train movements through the Network Monitor System.
• ‘Kavach’ is one of the cheapest, SIL-4 certified technologies where the probability of error is 1 in 10,000 years.

How does Kavach work on Railway Systems?

• The Traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS), with the help of equipment on board the locomotive and transmission towers at stations connected with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, helps in two-way communication between the station master and loco-pilot to convey any emergency message.
• The instrument panel inside the cabin helps the loco-pilot know about the signal in advance without visual sighting, and the permissible speeds to be maintained.
• If a red signal is jumped and two trains come face to face on the same line, the technology automatically takes over and applies sudden brakes.
• Additionally, the hooter activates by itself when approaching a level crossing which serves as a big boon to loco-pilots during fog conditions when visibility is low.

Source: Hindu

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – ENVIRONMENT

Context: Air pollution has caused 8.1 million deaths around the world in 2021 with China and India accounting for more than half of the global burden at 2.3 and 2.1 million deaths respectively, according to the recently released State of Global Air Report.

Background:

• The State of Global Air report is a comprehensive analysis of the levels and trends in air quality and health for every country in the world. They are produced annually by the Health Effects Institute and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation’s (IHME’s) Global Burden of Disease (GBD) project.

Key takeaways from the report

• As per the report, air pollution is considered to be one of the biggest killers globally, second only to high blood pressure. In fact, it outranks tobacco consumption as a leading cause of death and disability, said the report.
• Even though the situation is bleak globally, India is among the countries which bears the highest brunt of air pollution.
• India with 2.1 million deaths and China with 2.3 million deaths due to air pollution, account for 55% of the global burden.
• Not only the particulate matter, Indians are also exposed to high levels of ozone. Short-term exposure to ozone has been linked to exacerbation of asthma and other respiratory symptoms while long term exposure is linked to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease  — a condition where the lungs remain inflamed obstructing the airflow.
• The report states that 489,000 deaths globally were attributable to ozone exposure in 2021 — of these deaths nearly 50% or 237,000 deaths took place in the country.
• India also reported the highest number of pollution-linked deaths in children under the age of five in 2021 with at least 169,400 deaths attributed to air pollution.
• As per data, there has been a steady increase in the number of deaths attributable to air pollution in India, barring a small dip seen during the pandemic.

Health challenge

• Air pollution poses a big public health challenge — becoming the second leading risk factor for early deaths after high blood pressure and ahead of tobacco consumption.
• Unlike high blood pressure and tobacco consumption — which mainly affects adults — air pollution kills children.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 10th International Day of Yoga in Srinagar.

Background:

• PM Modi emphasised the global journey of Yoga, mentioning that in India, the AYUSH department has established the Yoga Certification Board for yoga practitioners.

Key Takeaways:

• The term “Yoga” originates from the Sanskrit word “yuj,” which means to join or unite.
• Yoga aims to harmonize the mind, body, and soul, fostering a connection between individual consciousness and universal consciousness.
• The International Day of Yoga (IDY) is observed annually on June 21st.
• Historical Background:
  • India proposed the idea of IDY during the opening of the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2014.
  • The UN officially declared June 21st as IDY by passing a resolution in December 2014.
• Significance and Theme:
  • The theme for International Yoga Day 2024 is “Yoga for Self and Society”.
  • This theme emphasizes the dual benefits of yoga practice: enhancing personal well-being and contributing to the betterment of society.

Source: Hindu

Syllabus

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is yet to receive formal orders to take over the security at the Parliament. In the past few months, over 2,500 CISF personnel have been deployed on the premises replacing the Delhi Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Background:

• After a security breach in the new Parliament building on December 13, 2023, MHA accorded in-principle approval to the CISF to survey the complex for regular deployment of personnel on a comprehensive pattern under the Government Building Security.

About Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)

• The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is a federal police organization in India operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• It is one of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and provides security to over 356 industrial units, government infrastructure projects, and establishments across the country.
• Established in 1969, the CISF has grown into a premier multi-skilled force with a current strength of 177,713 personnel.
• Its security umbrella covers critical infrastructure facilities such as nuclear installations, space establishments, airports, seaports, and power plants.
• Additionally, the CISF safeguards important government buildings, iconic heritage monuments, and the Delhi Metro.
• The force also has a specialized VIP Security vertical that ensures round-the-clock protection for important dignitaries.
• Post the Mumbai terror attack in November 2008, the mandate of CISF was broadened to provide security cover to private corporate establishments also.
• The CISF also provides security consultancy services to private entities and its services are much in demand.

Source: Hindu

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2 & 3

Context: The condition of Rohingya refugees is once again in the limelight as the world refugee day was observed

Background:

• World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20 and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.

About Rohingyas:

• They are a Muslim minority ethnic group with their roots in the Arakan kingdom in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.
• The Rohingya are culturally and religiously distinct from the majority Buddhist population in Myanmar.

Rohingyas in India:

• As per the Ministry of Home Affairs, there are more than 40,000 Rohingya in India.
• Only 14,000 of them hold United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) refugee ID cards, which offers them protection from arbitrary detention.

Challenges faced by Rohingya refugees in India:

(According to the report ‘A Shadow of Refuge: Rohingya Refugees in India’ the following are the challenges faced by Rohingya refugees in India.) :

• According to the report, India is not allowing exit permissions for Rohingya refugees who have completed refugee status determinations with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and gained approval from third countries for resettlement
• The Rohingya refugees in India are being labelled as illegal migrants which hamper their integration into society along with risks of being deported back to Myanmar, where they fled from a genocidal regime.
• The fear of deportation has instilled a sense of fear within the Rohingya community, compelling some to return to camps in Bangladesh.
• Rohingyas live in dire conditions such as slum-like settlements without safe running water, toilets, or access to basic healthcare and education.

Source: Hindu

Q1.) Global Gender Gap Report 2024 was released by

1. World Economic Forum
2. World Bank
3. International Monetary Fund
4. World Trade Organisation

Q2.) With reference to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), consider the following statements:

1. It is a federal police organization operating under the Ministry of Defence.
2. Its security umbrella covers critical infrastructure facilities such as nuclear installations, space establishments, airports, seaports, and power plants.

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

Q3.) With reference to the International Yoga Day, consider the following statements:

1. The International Day of Yoga (IDY) is observed annually on June 21st.
2. The theme for International Yoga Day 2024 is “Yoga for Self and Society”.

Which of the statements given above 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 ’  21st June 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – c

Q.2) – d

Q.3) – d