DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 21st October 2024

 Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Context: It has been 94 years since an Indian won a Nobel Prize in the sciences — Physics, Chemistry or Medicine — while working in India. CV Raman’s Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 remains the only such honour.

Background: –

• Three more Indian-origin scientists have won — Hargovind Khorana in Medicine in 1968, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar in Physics in 1983, and Venkatraman Ramakrishnan in Chemistry 2009 — but they did their work outside India and were not Indian citizens when they were honoured.

Key takeaways

• Inadequate attention on basic research, low levels of public funding, excessive bureaucracy, lack of incentives and opportunities for private research, and decay of research capabilities in universities are cited as some of the reasons suffocating India’s potential.
• Few institutions are engaged in cutting edge research, and the number of researchers as a proportion of population is five times lower than the global average. The pool from which a potential Nobel winner can emerge, thus, is quite small.

Nominations For Nobel

• Not anyone can get nominated for a Nobel Prize. Every year, a select group of people — university professors, scientists, past Nobel laureates, and others — are invited to nominate potential candidates. A nomination for a Prize, therefore, means that the nominated scientist has produced Nobel-worthy work at least in the eyes of some respected peers.
• Names of nominated candidates are not made public until at least 50 years later. And even this data is updated only periodically, not regularly.
• A notable candidate among the 35 Indians figuring on the nomination list is Jagadish Chandra Bose, the first person to have demonstrated wireless communication, way back in 1895. The 1909 Nobel Prize in Physics to Guglielmo Marconi and Ferdinand Braun was in recognition of the exact work that Bose had accomplished earlier than either of them.
• Though the nominations after 1970 have not yet been revealed, at least one Indian scientist is very likely to have been considered for the Prize. CNR Rao’s work in solid state chemistry has long been considered worthy of a Nobel, but the honour has eluded him so far.

• While there have been complaints of regional or racial bias, there is no denying the fact that the research ecosystem in the United States or Europe has remained unmatched.
• China, which has been investing heavily in creating an ecosystem focused on research in new technologies, like clean energy, quantum and artificial intelligence, might see its fortunes turning soon.
• In the absence of a strong ecosystem and support for scientific research, India’s chances of winning more Nobel Prizes in science would remain dependent on the individual brilliance of its scientists.

Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

• Established under the ANRF Act, 2023, the foundation aims to fund, coordinate, and promote research across India’s universities and colleges, which have long suffered from a lack of infrastructure, particularly in state-run institutions. This initiative is a crucial step in pushing India towards becoming a knowledge-driven society, following the model of research powerhouses like the US, Germany, South Korea, and Israel.
• One of the primary goals of ANRF is to address the infrastructure gap in state and central universities, where 95 per cent of students are enrolled but research capabilities are often non-existent.

Source: Indian Express

 Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Relations between India and Canada strained recently when India ordered the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats while also announcing its decision to withdraw the Indian High Commissioner to Canada and “other targeted diplomats,” citing security concerns after Canada identified them as “persons of interest” in its investigation into the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Background: –

• Even as the Khalistan movement finds little resonance in the Sikh population within India, it survives in parts of the Sikh diaspora in countries like Canada, the US, and the UK.

What is the Khalistan movement?

• The Khalistan movement is a fight for a separate, sovereign Sikh state in present day Punjab (both India and Pakistan).
• The Khalistan movement was crushed in India following Operation Blue Star (1984) and Operation Black Thunder (1986 and 1988), but it continues to evoke sympathy and support among sections of the Sikh, especially in the Sikh diaspora in countries such as Canada, the UK, and Australia.

When did the movement start and why?

• The origins of the khalistan movement have been traced back to India’s independence and subsequent Partition along religious lines.
• The Punjab province, which was divided between India and Pakistan, saw some of the worst communal violence and generated millions of refugees: Sikhs and Hindus stranded on the west (in Pakistan) rushed to the east, whereas Muslims in the east fled westward.
• Lahore, the capital of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Sikh Empire, went to Pakistan, as did holy Sikh sites including Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.
• While most Sikhs found themselves in India, they were a small minority in the country, making up around 2 per cent of the population. It led to a sense of loss among Indian Sikhs, with culturally and religiously important cities going to Pakistan.
• The political struggle for greater autonomy began around the time of Independence, with the Punjabi Suba Movement for the creation of a Punjabi-speaking state.
• The States Reorganisation Commission, in its 1955 report, rejected this demand, but in 1966, after years of protest, the state of Punjab was reorganised to reflect the Punjabi Suba demand.
• The erstwhile Punjab state was trifurcated into the Hindi-speaking, Hindu-majority states of Himachal Pradesh and Haryana, and the Punjabi-speaking, Sikh-majority Punjab.

What was the Anandpur Sahib Resolution?

• The Punjabi Suba movement had galvanised the Akali Dal which became a major force in the new Sikh-majority Punjab, and gave the Congress hard fights in the Assembly elections of 1967 and 1969. But in 1972, in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s resounding victory in the 1971 Lok Sabha elections, the Akali Dal’s performance in the state was underwhelming.
• The party met at the sacred town of Anandpur Sahib in 1973, and released a list of demands. Among other things, the Anandpur Sahib Resolution demanded autonomy for the state of Punjab, identified regions that would be part of a separate state, and sought the right to frame its own internal constitution.
• The Akali Dal was trying to cash in on the growing demand for an autonomous state which had emerged alongside the Punjabi Suba movement.
• While the Akalis themselves repeatedly made it clear that they were not demanding secession from India, for the Indian state, the Anandpur Sahib Resolution was of grave concern.

Source: Indian Express

 Syllabus

• Prelims – ENVIRONMENT

Context: A female cheetah is pregnant and expected to deliver cubs soon at the Kuno National Park (KNP).

Background: –

• On September 17, 2022, Prime Minister Modi released eight cheetahs — five females and three males – brought from Namibia into enclosures at the KNP as part of the world’s first intercontinental translocation of the big cats.
• In February 2023, another 12 cheetahs were translocated to the national park in MP from South Africa.

Kuno National Park – Key Facts

• Location: Madhya Pradesh.
• Area: Approximately 748 sq km.
• Established: Initially designated as a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1981, it was upgraded to a National Park in 2018.
• It is part of the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.

Biodiversity and Ecosystems

• Flora: Predominantly dry deciduous forest, with significant presence of grasslands and scrub.
• Fauna: Flagship Species: Asiatic Cheetah (reintroduced in 2022 as part of India’s Cheetah reintroduction program).
• Other species: Leopards, Indian Wolves, Jackals, Nilgai, Chinkara, Sambar, and various species of birds and reptiles.

Cheetah Reintroduction Project:

• Kuno National Park was chosen for the reintroduction of Cheetahs in India, after being declared extinct in the country in 1952.
• The first batch of African Cheetahs from Namibia was released into the park in 2022 as part of a historic translocation project to restore the species in India.
• The park was originally identified in the 1990s as a potential site for the relocation of Asiatic Lions from Gir National Park (Gujarat), but this plan faced delays.
• However, the focus shifted to cheetah reintroduction due to suitable habitat conditions.

Geographical Features:

• The park is part of the larger Vindhyan hill ranges and lies within the semi-arid region of central India.
• Rivers: The Kuno River, a tributary of the Chambal River, flows through the park, providing an important water source for the wildlife.

Source: NDTV

 Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: The Union Health Ministry is considering an “opt-out” method of cornea donation, whereby anyone who dies at a hospital will be presumed to be a cornea donor unless they register their dissent.

Background:

• At present, India follows an opt-in system for harvesting any organ — including tissue like cornea — from deceased donors, meaning the patient and their family members have to provide their consent to the donation.

Key takeaways

• Opt-out method — where everyone who dies in a hospital is presumed to be a donor — is likely to increase the number of corneal donation. The suggestion for an opt out method has been accepted in-principle.
• Proposal is being considered by legal teams as this would require changing the current law governing organ and tissue transplantation in the country.
• The move is aimed towards increasing the availability of corneas. Patients with damaged cornea — bulging outward, thinning, tearing, swelling, ulcers, and complications from previous surgeries — require a cornea transplant to relieve symptoms and restore vision.
• An estimated 2 lakh corneas are needed each year in India with only 50% of the demand being met.
• There are several reasons why the government is considering a separate policy for cornea donation as compared to the opt-in method followed for donation of other organs.
  • Cornea is a tissue that does not need blood supply unlike other organs and can be harvested up to six hours after death.
  • Cornea can be easily harvested by technicians even at home, meaning most hospitals will be able to do it.
  • Harvesting cornea does not change any facial features of the deceased.
  • Corneas are not necessary for collecting evidence in a medico-legal case.

Additional Information:

• Organ donation in India is regulated by the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act of 1994, allowing everyone to donate organs, regardless of age, caste, religion, or community, though preferably people over 18 years of age are considered.
• However, the eligibility for donation is primarily determined by the donor’s physical condition, not age, encompassing contributions from both living and deceased donors, with specific guidelines for each type of donation.

About Cornea

• The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped front part of the eye. It plays a crucial role in vision by allowing light to enter the eye and focusing it onto the retina.
• Location: The cornea is located at the front of the eye, covering the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber.
• Layers: The cornea consists of five main layers: the epithelium, Bowman’s layer,  stroma, Descemet’s membrane, and endothelium.
• Transparency: The cornea is transparent, allowing light to pass through it. It is  avascular, meaning it lacks blood vessels, which helps maintain its clarity.
• Function
  • Light Refraction: The cornea is responsible for refracting (bending) light as it  enters the eye, contributing to about 65-75% of the eye’s total focusing  power.
  • Protection: It acts as a barrier, protecting the eye from dust, germs, and other harmful matter.
  • UV Filtration: The cornea helps filter out some of the sun’s damaging  ultraviolet (UV) light.

Source: Indian Express

 Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Context: The European Space Agency (ESA) at the International Astronautical Congress, launched its Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS) programme.

Background: –

• The initial services of the programme will begin by the end of 2028, and the system is said to be fully operational by 2030.

About Moonlight programme

• The Moonlight programme is an ambitious initiative by the European Space Agency(ESA) aimed at establishing a dedicated satellite constellation for lunar  communications and navigation services.

Key Features:

• Launch Date: The programme was officially launched on October 15, 2024.
• Satellite Constellation: The Moonlight programme will consist of a constellation of five lunar satellites. Four of these satellites will be dedicated to communication, while one will handle navigation. These satellites will reportedly enable data transfer over 4,00,000 kilometres between the Earth and the Moon.
• The satellites will be strategically positioned to prioritise coverage of the lunar south pole, an area of particular interest for future missions due to its “peaks of eternal light” suitable for solar power and “craters of eternal darkness” containing polar ice which can be a source of water, oxygen and rocket fuel.

Significance:

• High-Speed Communication: The programme aims to enable high-speed, low-latency communication and data transfer between Earth and the Moon.
• Autonomous Landings: The infrastructure will facilitate precise, autonomous  landings and surface mobility on the Moon.
• Sustainable Lunar Exploration: By providing robust communication and navigation services, the Moonlight programme is a significant step towards sustainable lunar  exploration and the development of a lunar economy.
• The program will support lunar missions by  various space agencies and private companies over the next two decades.

Source: Indian Express

 Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – ECONOMY

Context: The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment is drafting a national law to incorporate gig workers into social security schemes, offering benefits such as health insurance and retirement savings.

Background: –

• The gig economy is expected to expand at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12%, reaching 23-25 million workers by 2030. This would mean that gig workers would make up 4.1% of India’s total workforce by that time.

Gig Workers:

• The new Labour Codes of 2019 defines a gig worker as “A person who performs work or participates in a work arrangement and earns from such activities outside of a traditional employer-employee relationship”. It includes freelancers, workers who are employed on a contractual and project-based basis, and short-term work.

• As per NITI Aayog, Gig workers are those engaged in livelihoods outside the traditional employer-employee arrangement. It classifies gig workers into platform and non-platform-based workers.
• Platform workers are those whose work is based on online software apps or digital platforms.
• Non-platform gig workers are generally casual wage workers in the conventional sectors, working part-time or full-time.

Factors behind the rapid growth of the gig economy in India:

• Many traditional jobs were disrupted during the lockdowns imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic which pushed people to seek alternative employment opportunities.
• India’s rapid digitalization increased access to smartphones and affordable internet, and the rise of platforms like Zomato, Uber, Swiggy, and Ola have provided gig workers with more opportunities.
• The current workforce prefers flexible arrangements over traditional full-time employment which in turn promotes the gig economy as it offers autonomy to workers, allowing them to manage their schedules and choose tasks or projects based on their interests or needs.
• Many especially those in lower-income groups, are facing financial crunch due to the increasing cost of living and inflation. So they are turning to gig work to supplement their earnings.
• Companies, particularly startups and small businesses, are leveraging gig workers instead of hiring full-time employees to save costs.

Issues/Challenges Faced by Gig Workers in India:

• Gig workers are classified as informal workers, which places them outside the traditional employer-employee relationship.
• Employment relations in the gig economy are camouflaged, with gig workers being labelled as independent contractors.
• This categorization leads to gig workers missing out on institutional social security benefits enjoyed by formal workers.
• Institutional protection such as minimum wage protection is missing for gig workers. Occupational safety and health regulations do not apply to gig workers.
• Gig workers can be easily disconnected from the platform, leading to a loss of income and livelihood. Moreover, their earnings are often unpredictable and fluctuate based on demand, making it difficult to plan financially.
• Gig workers are not included under the Industrial Relations Code 2020 and are not covered under the dispute resolution mechanism.
• Due to a lack of legal protection and the power imbalance between workers and platforms gig workers face exploitation.
• Gig workers are typically isolated and cannot unionize or collectively bargain for better working conditions and remuneration which makes it difficult for them to advocate for their rights or negotiate better terms with the platforms they work for.

Government Initiatives to Protect Gig Workers in India:

• The Code on Social Security of 2020 recognizes gig workers as a separate category and envisages the extension of social security benefits to them.
• e-Shram Portal is a national database for unorganized sector workers, including gig and platform workers.
• Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PMSYM) is a pension scheme for workers in the unorganized sector, including gig workers.
• Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) is a life insurance scheme for unorganized workers.

Source: The Hindu

Q1.) Consider the following statements regarding the Anandpur Sahib Resolution and the Khalistan Movement:

1. The Khalistan movement was crushed in India following Operation Blue Star (1984) and Operation Black Thunder.
2. The Khalistan movement calls for creation of a separate, sovereign Sikh state in the Punjab region.
3. The Anandpur Sahib Resolution was accepted by the Indian government, leading to constitutional changes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. 1 and 2
4. 1 and 3

Q2.) Which of the following is NOT correct regarding Kuno National Park?

1. It is located in Madhya Pradesh and is part of the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests.
2. It was originally selected for the reintroduction of Asiatic Lions but later became the site for reintroducing Cheetahs.
3. Cheetahs were reintroduced in 2022 as part of an intercontinental translocation project.
4. The park’s main water source is the Yamuna River, which flows through it.

Q3.) The Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS) programme, recently launched by the European Space Agency (ESA), aims to:

1. Establish a satellite constellation for Mars exploration.
2. Enable communication and navigation services for lunar missions.
3. Create a permanent human settlement on the Moon.
4. Provide navigation services for interplanetary travel.

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  21st October 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs

Q.1) –  b

Q.2) – b

Q.3) – a