DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 3rd August 2024

 Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2

Context: In a landmark judgement, a seven-judge Bench of the Supreme Court on August 1 reframed how the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) quota may operate. The Bench headed by Chief Justice of India permitted states to create sub-classifications within the SC and ST categories for the purpose of according wider protections — through sub-quotas — to the most backward communities within these categories.

Background:-

• This overturns the apex court’s 2004 decision in E V Chinnaiah v State of Andhra Pradesh, in which it had held that the SC/ST list is a “homogenous group” that cannot be divided or sub-classified further.

Key takeaways

• Article 341 of the Constitution allows the President, through a notification, to list as SC “castes, races or tribes” that suffered from untouchability. SC groups are jointly accorded 15% reservation in education and public employment.
• Over time, some groups within the SC list have been underrepresented compared to others, prompting states to try extending more protections to these groups. These attempts have faced judicial scrutiny.
• In 1975, Punjab issued a notification giving first preference in SC reservations to the Balmiki and Mazhabi Sikh communities. This was challenged following the Supreme Court’s 2004 decision in E V Chinnaiah, which struck down a similar law in Andhra Pradesh.
• V Chinnaiah judgement: The court held that any attempts to create a differentiation within the SC list would essentially amount to tinkering with it, for which the Constitution did not empower states. Article 341 only empowers the President to issue such a notification, and Parliament to make additions or deletions to the list. The court also said that sub-classifying SCs violates the right to equality under Article 14.
• In 2006, the Punjab & Haryana High Court struck down Punjab’s 1975 notification in Dr. Kishan Pal v State of Punjab.
• Despite this, Punjab reintroduced the first preference in the Punjab Scheduled Caste and Backward Classes (Reservation in Services) Act, 2006. This Act was challenged, leading to the High Court striking it down in 2010, and an appeal to the Supreme Court. In 2014, the case was referred to a five-judge Constitution Bench to determine if the E V Chinnaiah decision had to be reconsidered.
• In 2020, Constitution Bench in Davinder Singh v State of Punjab held that the 2004 E V Chinnaiah decision required reconsideration, noting that SCs are not a homogeneous group and that there are unequals within SC’s, ST’s, and socially and educationally backward classes. But since this Bench, like in E V Chinnaiah, comprised five judges, a seven-judge Bench heard the issue in February 2024.

Key issues before the Bench included:

• Are all castes in the SC list to be treated similarly?: Article 341(1) allows the President to specify SCs in a state. Article 341(2) states that only Parliament can modify this list. E V Chinnaiah decision held that SCs must be treated identically. However, CJI Chandrachud rejected this, stating that the Presidential list is a “legal fiction” and does not imply uniformity within the SCs.
• Can states ‘tinker’ with or sub-classify the Presidential list?: The court, in E V Chinnaiah, had held that the power under articles 15(4) & 16 (4) was limited to providing quotas in education and public employment and once reservations have been provided to SCs as a whole, it is not open to the State to sub-classify. The majority opinion in the present case held that states in exercise of its power under Articles 15 & 16 can identify varying degrees of social backwardness and provide special provisions, including sub-quotas.
• What is the yardstick for sub-classification?: States must demonstrate the need for wider protections, provide empirical evidence, and have a reasonable rationale for classifying sub-groups. This reasoning can be tested in court. Representation must be “effective” rather than merely “numerical,” and states must prove the disadvantaged status of sub-groups based on quantifiable data.
• Does the creamy layer principle apply to Scheduled Castes?: Justice Gavai supported introducing the ‘creamy layer’ principle for SCs, as applied to OBCs, to ensure that only the most disadvantaged benefit from reservations. Four of the seven judges agreed with this opinion.
• In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s decision reflects a nuanced approach to SC reservations, recognizing internal disparities within SCs and allowing states to address them with appropriate measures backed by evidence.

Source: Indian Express

 Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – GEOGRAPHY

Context: Several cloudbursts occurred in Himachal Pradesh recently. Five people have died and around 50 are missing.

Background:

• The cloudbursts also triggered flash floods that washed away several buildings, bridges, and roads cutting off several areas.

About cloudbursts

• A cloudburst is a localised but intense rainfall activity.
• Not all instances of very heavy rainfall, however, are cloudbursts. A cloudburst has a very specific definition: Rainfall of 10 cm or more in an hour over a roughly 10 km x 10-km area is classified as a cloudburst event. By this definition, 5 cm of rainfall in a half- hour period over the same area would also be categorized as a cloudburst.

Causes

• Orographic Lift: Cloudbursts frequently occur in mountainous regions where moist air is forced to rise over a mountain, cooling and condensing rapidly.
• Convective Clouds: They can also result from convective clouds, such as cumulonimbus clouds, which can extend up to 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) above the ground.
• Sudden Condensation: When warm air mixes with cooler air, it can lead to rapid condensation and precipitation.

Effects

• Flooding: The intense rainfall can lead to flash floods, causing significant damage to infrastructure and posing risks to life.
• Disasters: Cloudbursts can result in landslides, especially in hilly areas, further exacerbating the damage.

Detection and Forecasting

• Challenges: Detecting cloudbursts is challenging due to their small scale. Satellite precipitation radars often miss them, and weather models struggle to simulate them accurately.
• Forecasting: Predicting cloudbursts remains difficult, particularly in hilly regions where the interaction between moisture and terrain is complex.

Source: Down To Earth

 Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Under the Nirbhaya Fund, upto the financial year 2023-24, a total amount of Rs.7212.85 Crore has been allocated.

Background:

• Since the inception of the Nirbhaya Fund, approximately ₹5,000 crore has been released and utilized by various Ministries and Departments. This amount represents nearly 76% of the total allocation.

About Nirbhaya Fund

• TheNirbhaya Fund was established by the Government of India in 2013, following the tragic 2012 Delhi gang rape incident.
• It is a non-lapsable corpus fund.

Purpose and Establishment

• Objective: The fund aims to support initiatives that enhance the safety and security of women in India.
• Initial Corpus: It was announced with an initial corpus of ₹1,000 crore in the 2013 Union Budget.

Administration

• Managing Body: The fund is administered by the Department of Economic Affairs under the Ministry of Finance.
• Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) is the nodal Ministry to appraise/recommend proposals and schemes to be funded under Nirbhaya Fund. An empowered committee was set up for appraising and recommending proposals.
• MWCD further has the responsibility to review and monitor the progress of sanctioned schemes in conjunction with the line Ministries/Departments.

Key Initiatives and Projects

• One Stop Centres (OSCs): Also known as “Sakhi Centres,” these provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence, including medical aid, police assistance, legal aid, and counseling.
• Safe City Projects: Implemented in various cities to enhance women’s safety through better infrastructure, increased police presence, and technology-based solutions like CCTV surveillance.
• Emergency Response Support System (ERSS): A pan-India single emergency number (112) for all kinds of emergencies, including those related to women’s safety

Source: News On Air

 Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Budget 2024-25 promised that a policy for promoting pumped storage projects will be brought out for electricity storage and facilitating smooth integration of the growing share of renewable energy with its variable and intermittent nature.

Background:

• As the world focused on renewable energy and the challenge of variable power generation, many solutions for energy storage were proposed. The most widely adopted method globally is pumped storage.These are like super large batteries but natural and use water.

About Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) :

• Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) is a type of hydroelectric energy storage that plays a crucial role in balancing electricity supply and demand.

How It Works

• PSH involves two water reservoirs at different elevations:
  • Upper Reservoir: Positioned at a higher elevation.
  • Lower Reservoir: Positioned at a lower elevation.
• During periods of low electricity demand, excess energy from the grid is used to pump water from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir. This process stores energy in the form of gravitational potential energy. When electricity demand is high, the stored water is released back into the lower reservoir through turbines, generating electricity in the process.

Types of PSH

• Open-Loop PSH: This system has a continuous connection to a natural water source, such as a river.
• Closed-Loop PSH: This system operates independently of natural water bodies, using only the two reservoirs.

Advantages

• Energy Storage: PSH acts like a giant battery, storing energy for later use.
• Grid Stability: It helps balance supply and demand, ensuring a stable electricity grid.
• Renewable Integration: PSH supports the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar by storing excess energy.

India’s experience

• India has 3.3 GW of pumped storage. Main ones are Nagarjunasagar, Kadana, Kadamparai, Panchet and Bhira. Some four are under construction and two in advanced levels of planning.

How the Kadamparai Plant Operates :

• In Tamil Nadu, wind and solar power can generate half of the state’s electricity at noon, particularly in July. On a typical summer day, solar plants generate around 5,000 MW at noon, but this drops to zero by sunset. Wind power varies seasonally, with its peak from May to September.
• Tamil Nadu has peaks of around 17,000 MW to 20,000 MW on a daily basis. This year in July, maximum wind power generated reached 5,499 MW and maximum solar reached 5,512 MW. Wind and solar have Must Run Status in the State which means whatever they produce must be taken.
• The Kadamparai plant in Tamil Nadu helps balance the grid. It features an upper and lower reservoir, with a height difference of around 380 meters. The plant’s turbine generator can produce electricity when water flows from the upper to the lower reservoir and can also function as a pump, consuming electricity to move water back up.
• Power managers in Tamil Nadu plan daily operations based on expected demand and weather forecasts. Excess solar power during the day is used to pump water to the upper reservoir at Kadamparai. When solar power generation ceases in the evening, the Kadamparai plant switches to generating mode, providing 400 MW of power for three to four hours to support evening peak loads.
• The upper reservoir holds around 1 TMC feet of water, with minimal leakage, often replenished by rainfall. During peak solar generation, hydro power (approximately 1,000 MW) is conserved for peak demand times or emergencies. Hydro power can be quickly activated if there’s a sudden drop in other power sources.

Source: Hindu

 Syllabus

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Recently, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) unveiled the Women Entrepreneurship Program to empower women entrepreneurs and spurring economic growth.

Background:

• WEP aims to create a supportive ecosystem for women entrepreneurs, enabling them to thrive and contribute significantly to India’s economic growth.

About Women Entrepreneurship Program

• The program is designed to address the distinct challenges that women face when starting and growing businesses.
• It aims to empower approximately 25 lakh women across India by providing them with essential skills, knowledge, and resources.
• The initiative is in partnership with Britannia Industries Limited, reflecting a commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for women entrepreneurs.
• Divided into two phases, NSDC, with support from the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), will offer free online self-learning entrepreneurship courses through the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH). These courses, available in multiple languages, will cover crucial topics such as entrepreneurial skills, enterprise setup, finance basics, digital skills, and market analysis.
• In the next phase, NSDC extends robust incubation support to 10,000 shortlisted contestants across 100 business models.
• Additionally, participants’ products and services will be highlighted on SIDH’s e-commerce platform, UdhyamKart and Britannia’s digital ecosystem for women entrepreneurship.
• NSDC will conduct periodic impact assessments to evaluate the success and sustainability of the supported businesses, ensuring the program’s long-term effectiveness.

About National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC):

• Establishment: The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) was established on July 31, 2008, as a not-for-profit public limited company under section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956.
• Unique Model: NSDC operates as a unique Public Private Partnership (PPP) model under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE)

Source: PIB

 Syllabus

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: India has been elected as the Vice-Chair of the Supply Chain Council under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).

Background:

• Alongside the USA, which serves as the Chair, India will play a crucial role in enhancing supply chain resilience across the Indo-Pacific region.

About Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)

• The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) is a strategic blueprint aimed at promoting economic integration, connectivity, and cooperation among countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
• It envisions a comprehensive and inclusive approach to harness the region’s economic potential while fostering stability, development, and shared prosperity.
• It was launched by U.S. President Joe Biden on May 23, 2022.

The IPEF has four pillars:

• Trade: Enhancing trade relations and facilitating economic exchanges.
• Supply Chains: Strengthening supply chain resilience and coordination.
• Clean Economy: Promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
• Fair Economy: Fostering fairness, competitiveness, and inclusiveness among member economies.

Source: News On Air

Q1.) With reference to the Women Entrepreneurship Program (WEP), consider the following statements:

1. It aims to empower approximately 25 lakh women across India by providing them with essential skills, knowledge, and resources.
2. WEP is designed to address the unique challenges faced by women when starting and growing businesses.
3. WEP offers financial grants to women entrepreneurs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Q2.) With reference to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), consider the following statements:

1. The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework is a multilateral initiative aimed at enhancing economic cooperation and connectivity in the Indo-Pacific region.
2. It was launched by India during the G20 summit.

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.) Consider the following statements about cloudbursts

1. All instances of very heavy rainfall are considered cloudbursts.
2. Cloudbursts frequently occur in mountainous regions

Which of the statements given above is/are not 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 ’  3rd August 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs

Q.1) –  b

Q.2) – d

Q.3) – b