DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 19th September 2024

 Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2 & GS 3

Context: While countries are still struggling to come to an agreement over the quantum of finance that developed nations must mobilise in the coming years to fight climate change, Azerbaijan, the host of this year’s climate conference, has decided to launch a new fund to finance climate action.

Background: –

• Climate finance refers to the investments that are needed to tackle climate change by way of either preventive steps to reduce emissions, known as mitigation or preparatory steps to tackle its impacts, known as adaptation.

Key takeaways

• The Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF) would seek “voluntary” contributions from fossil-fuel producing countries and companies, with Azerbaijan, itself a petroleum economy, making the initial contribution.
• The CFAF is part of a large package of proposals that Azerbaijan has prepared for inclusion in the final outcome of COP29 (29th edition of the Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change), which is to be held in the country’s capital, Baku, in November.
• The main agenda of COP29 is to finalise an agreement on climate finance, including the amount of money that developed countries must raise in the post-2025 period to help the developing world fight climate change.
• The rich and industrialised countries have been under an obligation to mobilise at least $100 billion every year from 2020. The 2015 Paris Agreement, however, mandates that this sum must be scaled up after 2025 and every five years thereafter.
• Negotiations on the contours of this finance agreement have been going on throughout this year, but little progress has been made.
• The plan for the CFAF was revealed a few months ago by Azerbaijan, the president of COP29, and now it has been formally included in the COP29 Action Agenda.
• Other proposals include a pledge to increase the global energy storage capacity by six times by 2030, a declaration on working towards a global market on green hydrogen, and an agreement to ensure the emissions footprint from the growth of digitisation and data centres is kept to a minimum.
• The CFAF would be the latest addition to the long list of existing climate funds, almost all of which are short on money.

Source: Indian Express

 Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2 & GS 3

Context: The Centre’s decision, last week, to extend the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) with a Rs 5 lakh top-up for all older adults aged above 70 years, not covered by other public health insurance schemes, is a step in the right direction.

Background: –

• The demographic transition will change India’s age structure, disease profile, and social security needs.
• Promoting healthy and active ageing is essential to leverage the “silver dividend,” the economic contributions of an ageing population.

Key takeaways

• Increasing Ageing Population & Low Health Insurance Coverage:
  • India, now the world’s most populous country, is also among the fastest ageing nations. Life expectancy is 70 years, but the healthy life years are only 63.5.
  • Rising burden of non-communicable diseases, disabilities, and bedridden elderly, particularly in the 70–80 and 80+ age groups.
  • Only 1 in 5 people above 60 is covered by health insurance.
• High Out-of-Pocket (OOP) Expenditure & Inadequate Social Security:
  • 92% of India’s workforce is in informal labour, making them vulnerable to financial shocks from healthcare costs.
  • Elderly face double the OOP expenses for inpatient care compared to younger populations.
  • Nearly half of households seeking hospitalisation or outpatient care encounter catastrophic health expenditure (CHE), leading to impoverishment for 15% of these households.
  • India’s social security system for older adults is weak, leaving them financially vulnerable.
  • The government’s extension of AB-PMJAY health insurance aims to support the elderly, especially in times of rising economic dependency and care poverty.

Challenges with the AB-PMJAY Extension:

• Insufficient Budget:The government has allocated ₹3,437 crore for the extension of AB-PMJAY. Estimates show ₹14,282 crore is required to cover all eligible beneficiaries, meaning current funding is four times less than needed.
• Limited Coverage of Healthcare Needs:
  • AB-PMJAY and most private schemes only cover secondary and tertiary care, excluding outpatient services (which account for 46% of health spending).
  • Exclusion of outpatient care impacts preventive healthcare and does not address long-term care needs like palliative care for the elderly.

Structural Issues in India’s Healthcare System:

• Low Public Health Spending:
  • Public healthcare spending has stagnated at 0.9 to 1.35% of GDP for over seven decades.
  • Expanding insurance coverage without increasing public health infrastructure will not solve the healthcare crisis.
• Need for Comprehensive Reforms:
  • India’s healthcare system needs more integrated reforms, combining primary, secondary, and tertiary care to address the continuous needs of the ageing population.
  • Public health spending, infrastructure, and healthcare workforce must expand in tandem with insurance schemes.
• International Models and Warnings:
  • Less Effective Models: India seems to be following a US-style insurance-based system, which can inflate healthcare costs.
  • Effective Models: Countries like Canada, Europe, and Australia view healthcare as a public service and treat health as a form of human capital.

Source: Indian Express

 Syllabus

• Prelims – SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Context: After conducting the first-ever commercial spacewalk and traveling farther from Earth than anyone in more than half a century, the astronauts of the Polaris Dawn mission returned to Earth safely early Sunday.

Background:

• Launched on September 10 aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, Polaris Dawn ascended to an impressive altitude of 870 miles, surpassing previous records and venturing farther from Earth than any humans have traveled on a non-lunar mission.

Key takeaways

• The Polaris Dawn mission is a groundbreaking private spaceflight initiative led by Jared Isaacman in collaboration with Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
• This mission is part of the Polaris Program, which aims to push the boundaries of human spaceflight and pave the way for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

Objectives & Achievements

• First Commercial Spacewalk
  • In a historic moment, mission commander Jared Isaacman and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis conducted the first-ever commercial spacewalk on September 12.
  • The pair spent approximately 12 minutes each outside the Crew Dragon capsule, testing SpaceX’s newly developed extravehicular activity (EVA) suits. This demonstrates the potential for private companies to perform complex space operations.
• Record-Breaking Orbital Altitude
  • The Polaris Dawn crew reached an orbital altitude of 1,400 kilometers above Earth.
  • This achievement made Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon the first women to travel so far from Earth, and marked the highest Earth orbit reached by humans since the Apollo missions.
• Radiation Belt Research
  • By venturing into the lower Van Allen radiation belt, the crew conducted valuable research on the effects of space radiation on human health.
  • This data will be crucial for planning future long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars, as astronauts will need to pass through these radiation belts.
• Science Experiments
  • Throughout their mission, the four-person crew performed approximately 40 scientific experiments.
  • These studies focused on the effects of microgravity and space radiation on the human body, contributing to our understanding of long-term space travel’s impact on astronaut health.
  • The mission also tested new technologies, including laser-based communications between the Crew Dragon capsule and SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation.

Source: India Today

 Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – ENVIRONMENT

Context: In a significant step, Abhay Karandikar, Secretary to the Department of Science and Technology (DST), laid the foundation stone for India’s first CO2-to-methanol pilot plant at Thermax Limited in Pune, Maharashtra.

Background: –

• With a capacity of 1.4 tons per day (TPD), the plant marks a pioneering effort in carbon reduction and conversion technology.

Key takeaways

• The project is being implemented under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, and Thermax Limited.
• The pilot plant will serve as a pioneering platform for the demonstration and advancement of indigenous Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) cutting-edge technologies.

About Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU)

• Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technologies are crucial in the fight against climate change. They involve capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from sources like power plants and industrial processes, and then either storing it or using it to create valuable products.Following are the steps involved:
• Capture
  • The first step is to capture CO₂ from emission sources. There are three main methods:
    • Post-combustion capture: CO₂ is captured after fossil fuels are burned. This is the most common method and involves using solvents to absorb CO₂ from flue gases.
    • Pre-combustion capture: This involve converting the fuel into a gas mixture consisting of hydrogen and CO2 before it is burnt. Once the CO2 is separated, the remaining hydrogen-rich mixture can be used as fuel.
    • Oxy-fuel combustion: Fossil fuels are burned in oxygen instead of air, producing a flue gas that is mainly water vapor and CO₂, which can be easily separated.
  • Transport
    • Once captured, CO₂ needs to be transported to a storage or utilization site. This is typically done via pipelines, but it can also be transported by ship, truck, or rail.
  • Utilization
    • Captured CO₂ can be used in various ways:
      • Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR): CO₂ is injected into oil fields to increase oil recovery.
      • Chemical production: CO₂ can be used to produce chemicals like methanol and urea.
      • Building materials: CO₂ can be used to cure concrete, making it stronger and reducing the carbon footprint of construction.
    • Storage
      • If not utilized, CO₂ can be stored underground in geological formations such as depleted oil and gas fields or deep saline aquifers. This is known as Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).

Benefits and Challenges

• Benefits: CCU technologies can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, help meet climate targets, and create economic opportunities through the production of valuable products.
• Challenges: High costs, energy requirements, and the need for extensive infrastructure are major barriers. Additionally, the long-term storage of CO₂ needs to be carefully managed to prevent leaks.

Source: Hindu Businessline

 Syllabus

• Prelims – GEOGRAPHY

Context: Jute production is expected to drop by 20% this financial year according to National Jute Board.

Background: –

• Cultivation was affected in West Bengal and Assam because of natural calamities this year. Jute exports had the potential for ₹4,500 crore annually.

About Jute

• Jute is a natural fiber known for its strength, durability, and eco-friendliness. It is often referred to as the golden fiber.
• It is primarily derived from two plant species: Corchorus capsularis (white jute) and Corchorus olitorius (tossa jute).

Cultivation Conditions

• Jute thrives in warm, humid climates with temperatures ranging from 24°C to 35°C and requires a significant amount of water. It is typically grown in alluvial soil, which is rich in nutrients and well-drained.

Production in India

• India is the largest producer of jute globally, accounting for about 56% of the world’s jute production. The major jute-producing states in India are:
  • West Bengal: The leading producer, contributing around 81% of India’s jute production.
  • Other producers are : Assam, Bihar, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh
• Jute is typically sown in the months of March to May and harvested from July to September.
• The process involves sowing seeds, growing the plant, cutting and bundling the stalks, retting (soaking the plant to extract fibers), and then stripping and drying the fiber.

Economic Importance

• The jute industry is a significant part of India’s economy, employing around 4 lakh workers directly and many more indirectly through its forward and backward linkages.
• The industry is export-oriented, with jute goods being shipped to countries in Europe, the United States, and Africa.
• The Jute Packaging Materials Act of 1987 mandates the use of jute in packaging for commodities like sugar and grains, ensuring demand for jute-based products.

Source: The Hindu

 Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2

Context: Iran’s Supreme Leader listed India along with Gaza and Myanmar as one of the places where Muslims are suffering. Reacting to this, India “strongly deplored” the comments and called them “misinformed” and “unacceptable”.

Background: –

• Although this is not the first time Iran’s spiritual leader has named India as a place where Muslims are suffering, it is unclear what provoked him to make the latest comment. In March 2020, after the north-east Delhi riots sparked criticism, Khamenei had called the riots a “massacre of Muslims” .

India and Iran Relations:

• India-Iran relations span centuries marked by meaningful interactions as the two countries shared a border till 1947 and share several common features in their language, culture, and traditions.
• Diplomatic relations between the two countries were formalized in 1950, with embassies established in Tehran and New Delhi.
• Bilateral trade has witnessed steady growth, with both countries exploring avenues to enhance economic collaboration. India-Iran bilateral trade during the FY 2022-23 was $2.33 billion, registering a growth of 21.76% YOY.
• The India-Iran-Afghanistan Trilateral Agreement facilitates easier trade and connectivity.
• India’s development of the Chabahar Port in Iran aims to create a strategic transit route, bypassing Pakistan, and enhancing connectivity to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
• Both countries share concerns regarding regional security, leading to collaborative efforts in countering terrorism and extremism.
• India and Iran are key stakeholders in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a major transportation network connecting India and Iran to Europe.
• Efforts have been made to establish a special purpose vehicle (INSTEX-like mechanism) for facilitating trade despite international sanctions to demonstrate the resilience of economic cooperation.

Issues/Concerns in India-Iran Relations:

• Iran has been subject to various international sanctions, particularly those related to its nuclear program. These sanctions have limited the scope of economic cooperation between India and Iran, hindering trade and investment opportunities.
• India’s close relations with Israel and Iran’s ties with China are also bones of contention in the bilateral relations.
• India’s dependency on Iranian oil has been a point of contention, especially considering the fluctuating geopolitical dynamics in the region. Balancing energy needs with geopolitical pressures, such as those from the United States, poses a challenge to India’s relationship with Iran.
• Iran’s tough statement on the Indian government’s abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution giving special status to Kashmir is another cause of tension. Iran’s previous regime had on a couple of occasions made statements instigating the Muslims of Kashmir against the governance which was reprimanded by India severely.
• The security situation in the Middle East, including conflicts in Syria, and Yemen, and the rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia, can indirectly impact India-Iran relations.
• Both India and Iran face threats from terrorism and extremism. The activities of terrorist groups in the region can strain the security cooperation between the two nations.
• India’s relationship with the United States, particularly in the context of the U.S.-Iran relationship, can impact its interactions with Iran. Striking a balance between maintaining ties with both countries amid their geopolitical differences poses a diplomatic challenge for India.

Source: Indian Express

Q1.) Consider the following statements regarding jute production in India:

1. Jute requires warm, humid climates and thrives best in alluvial soil, which is rich in nutrients and well-drained.
2. West Bengal is the largest producer of jute in India, contributing more than 80% of the country’s jute production.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q2.) Consider the following statements regarding Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technologies:

1. Pre-combustion capture involves capturing CO₂ after fossil fuels are burned using solvents.
2. Captured CO₂ can be used in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) and in the production of chemicals like methanol and urea.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q3.) Consider the following statements regarding the Polaris Dawn mission:

1. The Polaris Dawn mission included the first-ever commercial spacewalk, which was conducted by Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis.
2. The mission reached an orbital altitude of 1,400 kilometers, marking the highest Earth orbit achieved by humans since the Apollo missions.
3. By venturing into theVan Allen radiation belt, the mission conducted research on the effects of space radiation on human health.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  19th September 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs

Q.1) –  b

Q.2) – c

Q.3) – b