DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 25th July 2024

Syllabus

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: The Central government has revised the financial assistance rates for Biomass Pellet manufacturing under the National Bioenergy Programme.

Background:

• This strategic funding revision is designed to accelerate the adoption of biomass pellets, particularly in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, where the burning of paddy straw and other agricultural residues has been a persistent challenge.

About National Bioenergy Programme

• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) notified the National Bioenergy Programme in 2022.
• This programme has a provision of Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for various components related to Power generation, Biogas/BioCNG generation and Briquette/Pellet manufacturing, wherein Biomass is one of the major feedstock material, which primarily shall be sourced from rural areas.
• The Programme will not only promote the utilization of surplus biomass but also provide an additional source of income for rural households.
• The National Bioenergy Energy Programme supports setting up of Bioenergy projects in the country under the following components:
  • Waste to Energy Programme: The objective of this programme is to support setting up of waste to energy projects for generation of Biogas/BioCNG/Power/producer or syngas from urban, industrial and agricultural wastes/residues. The programme provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to project developers and service charges to implementing/inspection agencies in respect of successful commissioning of Waste to Energy plants.
  • Biomass Programme: The objective of this programme is to support setting up of Biomass Briquette/Pellet manufacturing plants and Biomass (non-bagasse) based cogeneration projects in the country. This programme provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to project developers and service charges to implementing/inspection agencies for setting up of Biomass projects.
  • Biogas Programme: The objective of this programme is to support setting up of biogas plants for clean cooking fuel, lighting, meeting thermal and small power needs of users which ultimately results in GHG reduction, improved sanitation, women empowerment and creation of rural employment.

Source: Economic Times

Syllabus

• Prelims – ART & CULTURE

Context: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Recognizes Kalarippayattu Federation of India for Promotion of Kalarippayattu in Country.

Background:-

• As sports is a State subject, it is the responsibility of State Governments to develop sports infrastructure for various disciplines, including Kalaripayattu.

About Kalarippayattu

• Kalaripayattu also known simply as Kalari, is an Indian martial art that originated in Kerala.
• It is considered as one of the most ancient martial arts in the world.
• The word Kalaripayattu is a combination of two Malayalam words – kalari (training ground or battleground) and payattu (training of martial arts), which is roughly translated as “practice in the arts of the battlefield”.
• Kalaripayattu training includes exercises to develop sharp reflexes for unarmed combat and skillful fight using sticks, dagger, knife, spear, sword and shield etc.
• It is noted for its high-flying acrobatics, graceful movements and employs the deadly weapons at ease.
• There are mainly two main styles of Kalarippayattu: –
  • Vadakkan or Nothern style – The Vadakkan Kalarippayattu is predominantly practiced in the Malabar region of Kerala. The Vadakkan style emphasizes more on graceful body movement and the weaponry.
  • Thekken or Southern Style- The Thekken Kalarippayattu or Adi Murai is practiced mainly in the Travancore region, this style involves more free armed techniques & powerful movements.

Source: PIB

Syllabus

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has asserted that the Union government was committed to financing and early completion of the Polavaram Irrigation Project in Andhra Pradesh.

Background:

Context: State-run Coal India has secured a graphite block, a critical mineral asset, in Madhya Pradesh. It would be the company’s first ever non-coal mineral mining venture.

Background:

• The announcement has given fresh hopes for the people of Andhra Pradesh as the future of the project hangs in balance due to the damages it suffered in 2019-20 due to floods.

About Polavaram Irrigation Project

• The Polavaram Irrigation Project is on the river Godavari near Ramayyapeta village of Polavaram Mandal, where river emerges out of the last range of the Eastern Ghats and enters the plains.
• This multi-purpose major irrigation project is intended for development of a gross irrigation potential of 4,36,825 ha.
• The project also envisages generation of 960MW of hydro power, drinking water supply to a population of 28.50 lakh in 611 villages and diversion of 80 TMC of water to Krishna river basin.
• The project has been accorded National project status by the Central Government of India.

Source: Hindu

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2

Context: The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN’s principal judicial body, recently declared that Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem violates international law and should end as soon as possible.

Background:

• Israel has occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem since the Six-Day War in 1967.

What is an ‘occupation’ in international law?

• The widely accepted definition of occupation comes from Article 42 of the 1907 Hague Convention. It says that a territory is considered occupied when it is actually placed under the authority of the hostile army.
• Occupation must be temporary and  cannot involve any transfer of sovereignty to the occupying power.
• The 1907 Hague Regulations and the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention outline the occupying power’s obligations, including providing food and medical care, prohibiting civilian transfers, and forbidding the use or threat of force.

Why did ICJ give its opinion on Israel’s occupation?

• In December 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution, presented by Nicaragua, requesting an advisory opinion from the ICJ on the legal consequences of Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.

What did the ICJ opine?

• The ICJ examined the legality of Israel’s prolonged occupation, settlement policy, annexation of the Palestinian territories, and adoption of allegedly discriminatory measures to apprise whether they affect the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.

On prolonged occupation

• The ICJ noted that international law does not set a time limit for occupations. Instead, the legality of an occupation depends on the occupying power’s policies, practices, and their implementation on the ground.

On settlement policy

• The first Israeli practice that the court examined was its policy of settlement in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 1967. This, the court said, violated international law. According to the ICJ:
  • The settlement policy and Israeli military actions have forced Palestinians to leave parts of the occupied territories against their will, violating Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. This article states, “The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.”
  • The policy breaches Articles 46 (protection of private property), 52 (general protection of civilian objects), and 55 (protection of the natural environment) of the Hague regulations, as Israel expanded its settlements in the occupied territories by “confiscation or requisitioning of large areas of land”;
  • The policy’s implementation violates Article 43 of the Hague Regulations, which requires occupying powers to respect existing laws in occupied territories unless absolutely prevented. The court found that Israel treats its settlements and occupied East Jerusalem as its own territory, applying Israeli law exclusively and ignoring other legal systems.
  • The court also held that the settlement policy led to violence by Israeli settlers and security forces against Palestinians, which Israel failed to prevent and effectively punish.

On annexation of palestinian territories

• The ICJ defined annexation as permanent control over occupied territory. It found that Israel’s policies and practices in the West Bank and East Jerusalem aim to create irreversible effects and remain indefinitely. These include settlement expansion, resource exploitation, proclaiming Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and applying Israeli law in these areas.
• The ICJ stated that such actions violate the prohibition of the use of force in international relations, impacting the legality of Israel’s occupation.

On discriminatory legislation and measures

• The court found that legislations implemented by Israel in occupied territories treat Palestinians differently. This, the court said, “constitutes systemic discrimination” based on, “race, religion or ethnic origin” of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1954 and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1954, and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, 1965 (ICERD).
• Israel’s policies maintain near-complete separation between settlers and Palestinians, clearly violating Article 3 of ICERD, which obligates the eradication of apartheid and racial segregation.

On self-determination

• In light of all the above, the ICJ determined that Israel’s occupation has violated Palestinians’ right to self-determination.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: The finance minister recently made the announcement of a new pension scheme under the National Pension Scheme (NPS), called NPS Vatsalya.

Background:

• In addition to NPS Vatsalya, the Budget 2024 also brought significant changes to NPS contribution limits, aimed at increasing tax benefits for both employees and employers.

About NPS Vatsalya Scheme :

• The NPS Vatsalya Scheme proposed in Budget 2024 enables parents and guardians to start a National Pension Scheme (NPS) for their children.
• It is designed to help parents and guardians plan for their children’s future financial needs.
• Under the scheme, parents or guardians can open an account for their minor children and make contributions towards their retirement savings.
• The funds will accumulate until the child turns 18.
• Once the child reaches adulthood, the accumulated amount will be transferred to the standard NPS account.
• This plan could be seamlessly converted into a non-NPS plan when the child becomes an adult.
• The scheme operates similarly to the existing NPS.
• The NPS scheme introduced by the Central Government provides pension income to individuals to support their retirement needs. Thus, the NPS Vatsalya scheme is one of the finest retirement options, guaranteeing the child’s financial security.

Source: Hindu

Syllabus

• Prelims – GEOGRAPHY

Context: India will apply for licences from International Seabed Authority (ISA) to explore  deep-sea minerals in the Pacific Ocean. India plans to focus on the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, known to hold large volumes of polymetallic nodules containing minerals used in electric vehicles and solar panels including manganese, nickel, copper, and cobalt.

Background:

• The 36-member ISA council is meeting in Jamaica this month to negotiate the latest draft of a mining code.

About Clarion-Clipperton Zone :

• Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) lies in the North Pacific Ocean, stretching between Hawaii and Mexico.
• Administered by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), it encompasses the Clarion Fracture Zone and the Clipperton Fracture Zone—geological submarine fracture zone.
• It is known to hold large volumes of polymetallic nodules containing minerals used in electric vehicles and solar panels including manganese, nickel, copper, and cobalt. First discovered by British sailors in 1873, the potato-shaped nodules take millions of years to form.
• Up to 30 cetacean populations, including globally endangered species like blue whales, can be found in the CCZ, where 17 exploratory deep-sea mining licenses have been granted.

International Seabed Authority (ISA):

• Established in 1994, the ISA plays a critical role in regulating activities beyond national jurisdiction. This includes the international seabed, which covers most of the world’s oceans.
• The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provided the legal framework for the ISA’s existence.
• With 169 members (including 168 Member States and the European Union), the ISA ensures responsible exploration and exploitation of mineral resources.
• Their headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica, serves as a hub for coordinating efforts to protect the marine environment while promoting equitable resource utilization.

Source: Economic Times

Q1.) The Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), recently seen in news is located in

1. Caspian Sea
2. Indian Ocean
3. Black Sea
4. Pacific Ocean

Q2.)Polavaram irrigation project, recently seen in news, is located on the

1. Godavari river
2. Kavery river
3. Periyar river
4. Teesta river

Q3.) With reference to the NPS Vatsalya, consider the following statements:

1. The NPS Vatsalya Scheme proposed in Budget 2024 enables parents and guardians to start a National Pension Scheme for their children.
2. The accrued contribution amount in the NPS Vatsalya amount will be transferred to the standard NPS account when the child reaches the age of 16 years.

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 ’  25th July 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs

Q.1) –  c

Q.2) – a

Q.3) – c