DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam –27th June 2024

Syllabus

• Prelims – POLITY

Context: With the Opposition’s increased strength in Lok Sabha, its members are hoping to get the post of Deputy Speaker. There was no Deputy Speaker for the entire duration of the 17th Lok Sabha (2019-24).

Background:-

• The first four Deputy Speakers, from 1952 to 1969, were from the ruling Congress. The Opposition had the post of Deputy Speaker continuously from 1990 through 2014.

Key takeaways

• According to Article 95(1), the Deputy Speaker performs the duties of the Speaker if the post is vacant.
• The Deputy Speaker has the same general powers as the Speaker when presiding over the House.
• All references to the “Speaker” in the Rules are deemed to be references to the Deputy Speaker as well for the times when he or she presides.
• Both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker must be appointed “as soon as may be”. Article 93 states that “The House of the People shall, as soon as may be, choose two members of the House to be respectively Speaker and Deputy Speaker”.
• Article 178 contains the corresponding provision for the Speakers and Deputy Speakers in the state Assemblies.

Is it mandatory under the Constitution to have a Deputy Speaker?

• The Constitution does not specify a time frame for making the appointments. It is this gap in the provision that allows governments to delay or avoid appointing a Deputy Speaker.
• However, constitutional experts have pointed out that both Article 93 and Article 178 use the words “shall” and “as soon as may be” – indicating that not only is the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker mandatory, it must be held at the earliest.

What are the rules for the election of the Deputy Speaker?

• The Speaker / Dy Speaker is elected from among the Lok Sabha members by a simple majority of members present and voting
• The election of the Deputy Speaker usually takes place in the second session, even though there is no bar on having this election in the first session of the new Lok Sabha or Assembly. But the election of Deputy Speaker is generally not delayed beyond the second session unless there are some genuine and unavoidable constraints.
• In the Lok Sabha, the election of Deputy Speaker is governed by Rule 8 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha.According to Rule 8, the election shall be held on such date as the Speaker may fix.
• The Deputy Speaker is elected once a motion proposing his or her name is carried. Once elected, the Deputy Speaker usually continues in office until the dissolution of the House.
• Under Article 94 (and Article 179 for state Assemblies), the Speaker or Deputy Speaker shall vacate his office if he ceases to be a member of the House of the People. They may also resign (to each other), or may be removed from office by a resolution of the House of the People passed by a majority of all the then members of the House.

Additional Information:

• After the first Speaker, G V Mavalankar, died in 1956 before his term ended, Deputy Speaker M Ananthasayanam Ayyangar filled in for the remaining tenure of Lok Sabha from 1956 to 1957. Ayyangar was later elected as Speaker of the second Lok Sabha.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Context: China’s Chang’e-6 on Tuesday became the first spacecraft to bring back samples from the far side of the Moon — the part that the Earth never gets to see.

Background:

• India’s Chandrayaan-4 mission, which is currently under development by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), will also be a sample return mission.Chandrayaan-3 landed about 600 km from the South Pole of the Moon last year.

Key Takeaways

• The lander descended on the Moon’s surface on June 1, and spent two days collecting rocks and soil from one of the oldest and largest of lunar craters — the 2,500 km-wide South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin — using a robotic arm and drill.
• The lander then launched an ascent module that transferred the samples to the Chang’e-6 orbiter that was orbiting the Moon. On June 21, the orbiter released a service module thatbrought back the samples to Earth.

Is this the first time a spacecraft has brought lunar samples to Earth?

• Back in July 1969, the US Apollo 11 mission brought 22 kg of lunar surface material, including 50 rocks, to Earth.
• In September 1970, the Soviet Luna 16 mission — the first robotic sample return mission — too, brought pieces of the Moon to Earth.
• In recent years, Chang’e-5, the predecessor of Chang’e-6, brought back 2 kg of lunar soil in December 2020.
• All these samples, however, came from the near side of the Moon.
• Difficult terrain, giant craters, and the difficulty in communicating with ground control made it technically challenging to land a spacecraft on the side that never faces the Earth. The Moon is tidally locked with Earth; thus we see only one side of our nearest space neighbour.
• Chang’e-4 overcame these difficulties in 2019, putting the Yutu-2 rover on the far lunar surface. Now, Chang’e-6 has not only landed on the far side, but also returned with samples from there.

Why are sample return missions significant in the first place?

• A sample return missionsuch as Chang’e-6 aims to collect and return samples from an extraterrestrial location like the Moon or Mars to Earth for analysis. The sample can be rocks or soil — or even some molecules.
• In situ robotic explorations — in which landers, orbiters, and rovers carry out experiments in space or on heavenly bodies — can carry only miniature instruments that are not very sophisticated or accurate, and answer only certain types of questions. For instance, they can’t determine the origin or age of a rock.
• If the samples can be brought to Earth, on the other hand, scientists can examine them using extremely sensitive laboratory instruments. Also, returned samples can be preserved for decades, and can be examined by future generations using ever more advanced technology.
• India’s Chandrayaan-4 mission, which is currently under development by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), will also be a sample return mission.Chandrayaan-3 landed about 600 km from the South Pole of the Moon last year.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – ENVIRONMENT

Context: The European Union (EU) on June 17 approved its ambitious Nature Restoration Plan which aims to make continent-wide efforts to restore degraded ecosystems.

Background:

• It is a crucial part of the bloc’s 2030 biodiversity strategy which, in turn, forms a core area of the European Green Deal. The European Green Deal is a package of policy initiatives, which aims to set the EU on the path to a green transition, with the ultimate goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2050.

Key Takeaways

• The new law aims to restore ecosystems, including species and habitats that exist on EU’s land and in seas to:
  • enable the long-term and sustained recovery of biodiverse and resilient nature,
  • contribute to achieving the EU’s climate mitigation and climate adaptation objectives, and
  • meet international commitments.
• According to the European Commission, 81% of habitats in the EU currently have a “poor” status, and one in three bee and butterfly species are in decline.

What are the targets to be met under the new law?

• The primary target of the new legislation is long-term recovery of ecosystems.
• The measures should ideally cover at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030, and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.
• Priority should be given to areas under the Natura 2000 – a network of 27,000 natural sites protected by EU legislation.
• The Restoration Law also has specific targets based on existing legislations, for urban, forest, marine, and agricultural ecosystems, for pollinating insects, and those related to river connectivity. Some of these are:
  • Reversing the decline of pollinator population by 2030
  • No net loss of green urban space and tree cover by 2030, and an increase in their area thereafter
  • Increasing stock of organic carbon
  • Restoring drained peatlands under agricultural use
  • Restoring the habitats of iconic marine species such as dolphins and porpoises, sharks and seabirds
  • Restoring at least 25,000 km of rivers to a free-flowing state by 2030
• How will the law be implemented?
  • Countries in the EU bloc are expected to submit National Restoration Plans to the Commission within two years – by mid-2026 – specifying their plans to achieve the targets.
  • Monitoring and reporting progress on these targets will be under the purview of the countries themselves.
  • The European Environment Agency will prepare technical reports on this progress.

Source: Hindu

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – GEOGRAPHY

Context: According to the Ministry of Textiles, cotton consumption by the textile industry during the current marketing season (October 2023 to September 2024) is one of the highest this decade.

Background:

• This year is expected to be the second highest in terms of consumption over the last ten years, with an estimated demand of 307 lakh bales, including 103 lakh bales from the MSME textile units.

Key Takeaways:

• India is believed to be the original home of the cotton plant.
• Although a significant portion of cotton-growing areas was lost to Pakistan during partition, India’s acreage has increased considerably over the last 50 years.
• Cotton occupies about 4.7% of the total cropped area in the country.
• Cotton is a tropical or sub-tropical crop primarily grown in semi-arid regions, especially on the Deccan Plateau.
• Cotton is a Kharif crop, taking 6 to 8 months to mature.
• It requires at least 210 frost-free days and prefers light rainfall (50 to 100 centimeters).
• Bright sunshine during growth and a clear sky during flowering are essential.
• Ideal soil for cotton cultivation is well-drained and capable of retaining moisture. Black cotton soil is preferred.
• Cotton-Producing States:
  • India has three major cotton-growing regions:
  • North-West: Includes parts of Punjab, Haryana, and northern Rajasthan.
  • West: Gujarat and Maharashtra.
  • South: Plateaus of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
  • Leading cotton producers are Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Telangana.
  • Other significant states include Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

Source: Regulation Asia

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – ECONOMY

Context: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das has recently emphasized the importance of managing inflation effectively.

Background:

• The central bank has been mandated by the government to keep inflation at 4% with a margin of 2% on either side.

About Inflation

• Inflation refers to the sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over a period of time.
• It erodes the purchasing power of money and affects the standard of living.
• Causes of Inflation:
  • Demand-Pull Inflation: Occurs when aggregate demand exceeds aggregate supply, leading to rising prices.
  • Cost-Push Inflation: Arises due to increased production costs (e.g., higher wages, raw material costs).
  • Built-In Inflation: A self-perpetuating cycle where expectations of future inflation lead to higher wages and prices.
• Effects of Inflation:
  • Positive Effects:
    • Debt relief for borrowers (as money becomes less valuable).
    • Encourages spending and investment.
  • Negative Effects:
    • Reduced purchasing power for fixed-income earners.
    • Uncertainty and instability in the economy.
  • Measuring Inflation:
    • Consumer Price Index (CPI):
      • The CPI measures changes in the cost of a basket of goods and services consumed by households.
      • CPI includes various categories such as food, energy, commodities (like cars and clothes), and services (e.g., rent, healthcare).
      • Each category has a relative importance based on its share of total expenditures.
    • Wholesale Price Index (WPI):
      • The WPI reflects changes in wholesale prices of goods at the producer level.
      • WPI helps understand cost pressures in production and supply chains.
      • Unlike CPI, WPI does not directly represent consumer prices.
    • Controlling Inflation:
      • Monetary Policy:
        • Interest Rates: The RBI adjusts policy interest rates (like the repo rate) to influence borrowing costs. Higher rates can reduce demand and curb inflation.
        • Open Market Operations (OMOs): The RBI buys or sells government securities to manage liquidity and influence interest rates.
        • Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR): The CRR determines the portion of deposits banks must keep with the RBI. Adjusting it affects liquidity and lending capacity.
      • Fiscal Policy: The government can control inflation through fiscal measures such as
        • Taxation: Adjusting taxes affects disposable income and spending.
        • Government Spending: Managing public expenditure impacts demand.
      • Supply-Side Measures:
        • Agricultural Reforms: Enhancing productivity and reducing supply bottlenecks in agriculture can stabilize food prices.
        • Infrastructure Development: Improving infrastructure reduces production costs.
      • Trade Policies: Facilitating imports can ease supply constraints.
      • Inflation Targeting Framework:
        • The Central Government, in consultation with the RBI, determines the inflation target in terms of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), once in five years and notifies it in the Official Gazette.
        • The MPC determines the policy repo rate required to achieve the inflation target.

Source: Hindustan Times

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – ECONOMY

Context: The external debt to GDP ratio declined to 18.7% at the end of March 2024 from 19.0% at the end of March 2023.

Background:

• India’s external debt reached $663.8 billion by the end of March 2024, marking a 6% increase (approximately $39.7 billion) compared to March 2023.

About Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX)

• The external debt-to-GDP ratio is a crucial economic metric that compares a country’s external debt to its gross domestic product (GDP).
• External Debt:
  • External debt refers to the total amount of money a country owes to external creditors, including foreign governments, international organizations, and private entities outside the country.
  • It includes both short-term and long-term debt obligations.
  • External debt is a type of public debt. Public debt refers to the total amount of money that a government owes to external creditors and domestic lenders.
• Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
  • GDP represents the total value of all goods and services produced within a country’s borders during a specific period (usually a year).
  • It reflects the economic output and productivity of a nation.
• Calculation of External Debt-to-GDP Ratio:
  • The external debt-to-GDP ratio is calculated by dividing the total external debt by the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
  • This ratio helps assess a nation’s financial stability and its ability to manage debt obligations.
  • A low external debt-to-GDP ratio indicates that an economy produces sufficient goods and services to repay its debts without accumulating further debt.
  • Conversely, a high ratio suggests challenges in paying off external debts, potentially leading to higher interest rates for borrowing.
• Significance:
  • When a country’s debt-to-GDP ratio climbs, its risk of default increases, potentially causing financial panic in domestic and international markets.
  • Governments aim to lower this ratio, but during periods of unrest (e.g., wartime or recession), borrowing may increase to stimulate growth.

Source: Reserve Bank of India

Q1.) With reference to the external debt to GDP ratio, consider the following statements:

1. The external debt-to-GDP ratio is calculated by dividing the total external debt by the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
2. This ratio helps assess a nation’s financial stability and its ability to manage debt obligations.
3. A low external debt-to-GDP ratio indicates that an economy produces sufficient goods and services to repay its debts without accumulating further debt.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Q2.) With reference to the Inflation, consider the following statements:

1. Inflation refers to the sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over a period of time.
2. It erodes the purchasing power of money and affects the standard of living.
3. A moderate level of inflation is good for economy

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Q3.) Consider the following states:

1. Gujarat
2. Maharashtra
3. Telangana
4. Kerala

How many of the above-mentioned states are the leading cotton producers in India?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  27th June 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – b

Q.2) – c

Q.3) – c