DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 15th July 2024

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently reviewed the implementation of Vibrant Villages Programme.

Background:-

• Vibrant Villages Programme was first announced in the 2022 Budget. The programme’s targets are to provide comprehensive development of villages on the border with China and improvement in the quality of life of people living in identified border villages.

About Vibrant Villages Programme

• Government approved Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in February 2023, with  financial outlay of ₹4800 crore for the FY 2022-23 to 2025-26.
• It aims for comprehensive development of the select villages in 46 blocks in 19 districts abutting northern border in the States of  Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and UT of Ladakh.
• The objective of the programme is comprehensive development of these villages to improve the quality of life of people & thereby reversing outmigration.
• The programme envisages focused areas of interventions in the select villages for creation of opportunities for livelihood generation through promotion of tourism & cultural heritage, skill development & entrepreneurship and development of cooperative societies including agriculture/horticulture, cultivation of medicinal plants/herbs etc. the interventions also include providing road connectivity to unconnected villages, housing & village infrastructures, energy including renewable energy, television & telecom connectivity.
• VVP has been conceived as an outcome oriented programme with outcome indicators at three levels- village, household & individual beneficiary.

Source: Business Standard

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 3

Context: On July 8, militants ambushed two Army vehicles in Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir, killing five soldiers and injuring five others. This was the fifth terror attack in the Jammu division since June 9, resulting in the deaths of eight security personnel and 10 civilians.

Background:

• The recent attacks suggest a renewed effort to revive militancy in Jammu over the past three years, particularly in the Chenab Valley (Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi) and south of the Pir Panjal (Rajouri, Poonch).
• While Kashmir Valley has long seen terror incidents, the resurgence in Jammu, a region largely free of such violence for two decades, has alarmed the security establishment. This area was a militant hotspot in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

What does the data show?

• Since 2021, the Jammu region has witnessed 31 terror incidents in which 47 security forces and 19 civilians have been killed. 48 terrorists were also killed in various encounters.
• The Kashmir Valley, meanwhile, reported 263 terror incidents in which 68 security forces and 75 civilians were killed. As many as 417 terrorists have also been killed in the Valley since 2021.
• Even though the incidents in Jammu remain far fewer than in the Valley, it is the frequency and the nature of attacks, targeting pilgrims and security forces that is worrying.

What could be the possible reasons?

• After the 2020 Galwan clashes in eastern Ladakh, a large contingent of the Army was pulled out of Jammu and deployed along the China border. This led to the thinning of the security grid, making the area vulnerable.
• Inimical elements in the neighbourhood want to engage and exhaust India at both the fronts — the western (Pakistan) and northern (China) borders as part of a design, according to experts.
• As there is a heightened state of alert in the Kashmir Valley and little leg room for state-sponsored terrorists, it is convenient to launch terror attacks in Jammu where the guard is relatively down.
• Post-reading down of Article 370 in J&K in 2019, and based on indicators such as zero stone-throwing events, no strikes, and a boom in tourism, the government has claimed huge success in the Kashmir Valley in terms of the overall security scenario. Reviving terrorism in Jammu upsets this narrative.
• The demography of the area is such that the attacks could flare up communal tensions too, leading to social unrest.

How is the infiltration happening?

• The 192-km international border (IB) along Jammu is secured by the Border Security Force (BSF) while the 740-km Line of Control (LoC), the effective border in the Kashmir Valley and parts of Jammu, is under the operational control of the Army.
• Though measures are in place, tough terrain and forested areas along the LoC and vulnerable patches along the IB may have been used for fresh infiltration.

Source: Hindu

Syllabus

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Indian Air Force (IAF) is all set to  participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2024.

Background:

• This edition is slated to be the largest in the 43 year long history of Ex Pitch Black, which includes participation by 20 countries, with over 140 aircraft and 4400 military personnel of various air forces.

About Exercise Pitch Black

• Exercise Pitch Black is a biennial warfare exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
• The exercise is normally held in Northern Australia, primarily at RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal.
• The aim of the exercise is to practice Offensive Counter Air (OCA) and Defensive Counter Air (DCA) combat, in a simulated war environment.
• The name ‘Pitch Black’ was derived from the emphasis on night time flying over large un-populated areas.
• The exercise provides an excellent opportunity for strengthening the ability of the participating nations to deploy over large distances, support integrated operations in the Indo-Pacific region and building strong aviation associations in a highly challenging environment.
• The IAF has previously participated in the 2018 and 2022 editions of this exercise.

Source: PIB

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – ENVIRONMENT

Context: An exotic beetle released into a vast reservoir in Betul district (Madhya Pradesh) has successfully eradicated an invasive weed species, Salvinia molesta, within 18 months.

Background:

• Cyrtobagus salvinia, the exotic beetle , was imported to India after thorough research and with the necessary governmental approvals. Within 15 to 18 months, its population multiplied significantly, effectively consuming and destroying the weed.

SALVINIA MOLESTA :

• Salvinia molesta, commonly known as giant salvinia, or as kariba weed after it infested a large portion of Lake Kariba between Zimbabwe and Zambia, is an aquatic fern, native to south-eastern Brazil.
• It is a free-floating plant that does not attach to the soil, but instead remains buoyant on the surface of a body of water.
• It thrives in slow-moving, nutrient-rich, warm, freshwater. A rapidly growing competitive plant, it is dispersed long distances within a waterbody (via water currents) and between waterbodies (via animals and contaminated equipment, boats or vehicles).
• Salvinia molesta may form dense vegetation mats that reduce water-flow and lower the light and oxygen levels in the water. This stagnant dark environment negatively affects the biodiversity and abundance of freshwater species, including fish and submerged aquatic plants.
• Salvinia molesta can alter wetland ecosystems and cause wetland loss and also poses a severe threat to socio-economic activities dependent on open, flowing and/or high quality waterbodies.
• It is on the list of the World’s 100 Most Invasive Species.

Source: Down To Earth

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: NITI Aayog recently released the SDG India Index 2023-24, which evaluates India’s progress on the 16 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Background:

• India’s commitment to the SDGs since adopting the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development is reflected in concerted efforts on SDG localisation spearheaded by NITI Aayog, which works closely with States and UTs.

About SDG India Index :

• The SDG India Index provides a holistic view of the social, economic, and environmental status of the country and its states and union territories.
• The NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the United Nations in India, releases the SDG India Index.
• It helps in monitoring and evaluating the progress towards the 16 SDGs adopted by the United Nations in 2015.
• The Index uses a set of 113 indicators to assess performance across various parameters such as health, education, gender equality, climate action, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
• SDG India Index 2023-24 measures and tracks national progress of all States and UTs on 113 indicators aligned to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation’s (MoSPI) National Indicator Framework (NIF).

SDG India Index 2023-24 Highlights:

• Overall Score: India’s overall SDG score improved to 71 in 2023-24, up from 66 in 2020-21 and 57 in 2018.
• Top Performing States: Kerala and Uttarakhand achieved the highest scores of 79 each.
• Significant Progress: Notable advancements in Goals 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 13 (Climate Action), and 15 (Life on Land).
• Fastest Moving States: Uttar Pradesh (increase by 25 points), followed by J&K (21), Uttarakhand (19), Sikkim (18), Haryana (17), Assam, Tripura, and Punjab (16 each), Madhya Pradesh and Odisha (15 each).
• New Entrants in Front-Runner Category: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

Key Initiatives Contributing to Progress:

• Government Programs: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ujjwala, Swachh Bharat, Jan Dhan, Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY, Ayushman Arogya Mandir, PM-Mudra Yojana, Saubhgaya, Start-up India.
• SDG Localisation: Efforts spearheaded by NITI Aayog, working closely with States and UTs to promote competitive and cooperative federalism.

Source: PIB

Syllabus

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Recently, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has found an Indian partner to manufacture the breakthrough vaccine for shigella infection.

Background:

• This development is a crucial step towards combating shigellosis, especially in low- and middle-income countries where the disease burden is highest.

About  shigella infection:

• It is an intestinal infection caused by a family of bacteria known as shigella.
• The four species of Shigella are Shigella sonnei, Shigella flexneri, Shigella boydii and Shigella dysenteriae.

Key Points:

• Symptoms: Diarrhea, Stomach pain or cramps, Fever, Nausea or vomiting.
• Transmission:
  • It is very contagious. Shigella is transmitted via the fecal–oral route, through direct person-to-person contact, or indirectly through contaminated food, water, or fomites.
  • Spread of Shigella through both direct and indirect sexual contact has been widely reported, primarily among men who have sex with men (MSM).
  • Humans are the primary natural reservoir, although nonhuman primates also can be infected.
• Vulnerable Groups: Children under age 5 are most likely to get shigella infection, but it can occur at any age.
• Vaccine: Currently, no vaccines are available for shigella.

Precautions:

• Wash hands thoroughly before and after meals.
• Wash hands properly after bowel movements.
• Ensure drinking water is clean.
• Consume fresh fruits and vegetables.

Source: The Print

Q1.) Consider the following statements about Salvinia molesta, recently seen in news

1. It is on the list of the World’s 100 Most Invasive Species.
2. Cyrtobagus salvinia, a bioagent is effective in the control of Salvinia molesta.

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.) With reference to the shigella infection, consider the following statements:

1. It is an intestinal infection caused by a family of viruses known as shigella.
2. Children under age 5 are most likely to get shigella infection.
3. Currently, there are no vaccines available for shigella.

Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

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

Q3.) The SDG India Index, recently seen in news released by the

1. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
2. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
3. NITI Aayog
4. Ministry of Labour and Employment

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  15th July 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) –  a

Q.2) – c

Q.3) – c