DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 10th December 2024

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Gujarat became the first State in the country to generate Farmer IDs for 25% of the targeted number of farmers in the State. The Farmer ID is part of  Digital Agriculture Mission.

Background: –

• A Farmer ID is a unique digital identity of farmers based on Aadhaar, linked dynamically to the State’s land records system, which means the Farmer ID gets automatically updated with the changes in the land record details of an individual farmer.

Key provisions of the Copyright Act

• The Digital Agriculture Mission is designed as an umbrella scheme to support various digital agriculture initiatives. These include creating Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), implementing the Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES), and supporting IT initiatives by the Central Government, State Governments, and Academic and Research Institutions.
• The scheme is built on two foundational pillars:
  • Agri Stack
  • Krishi Decision Support System.
• Additionally, the mission includes ‘Soil Profile Mapping’ and aims to enable farmer-centric digital services to provide timely and reliable information for the agriculture sector.

AgriStack: Kisan ki Pehchaan

• AgriStack is designed as a farmer-centric Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to streamline services and scheme delivery to farmers. It comprises three key components:
  • 1. Farmers’ Registry
  • 2. Geo-referenced village maps
  • 3. Crop Sown Registry
• A crucial feature of AgriStack is the introduction of a ‘Farmer ID’, similar to Aadhaar card, serving as a trusted digital identity for farmers.

 Krishi Decision Support System

• The Krishi Decision Support System (DSS) will integrate remote sensing data on crops, soil, weather, and water resources into a comprehensive geospatial system.

 Soil Profile Mapping

• Under the mission, detailed soil profile maps on a 1:10,000 scale for approximately 142 million hectares of agricultural land have been envisaged, with 29 million hectares of soil profile inventory already being mapped.
• The Digital Agriculture Mission focuses on grassroots implementation, targeting farmers as the primary beneficiaries.

Some of the key benefits of the mission include:

• Digital authentication for accessing services and benefits, reducing paperwork and the need for physical visits.
• Enhanced efficiency and transparency in government schemes, crop insurance, and loan systems through accurate data on crop area and yield.
• Crop map generation and monitoring for better disaster response and insurance claims.
• Development of digital infrastructure to optimize value chains and provide tailored advisory services for crop planning, health, pest management, and irrigation.

Source: PIB

Syllabus:

• Prelims – ENVIRONMENT

Context: A male markhor, one of the most elusive large mammals in India, was rescued by wildlife authorities after straying into Noorkhah village near Baramulla in north Kashmir. 

Background: –

• The village, located close to the Kazinag National Park and the Line of Control, forms part of the species.

Key takeaways

• The Markhor (Capra falconeri) is a large wild goat species native to the mountainous regions of South Asia and Central Asia, particularly in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and parts of India (Jammu and Kashmir).
• Conservation Status: Listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List since 2015.
• CITES: Listed under Appendix I, prohibiting international trade of the species.
• National Animal: The national animal of Pakistan, where it is also known as the “screw-horned goat” due to its distinctive corkscrew-shaped horns.
• Etymology: The name “Markhor” comes from the Pashto and Persian words meaning “snake-eater,” referencing an ancient belief that the Markhor would consume snakes.

Physical Characteristics:

• Horns: Both males and females have tightly curled, corkscrew-like horns, with males’ horns growing up to 160 cm (63 in) long.
• Coat: The coat is grizzled, light brown to black in color, and varies in length and thickness with the seasons.

Habitat:

• Elevation: They inhabit mountainous terrain between 600 and 3,600 meters (2,000 and 11,800 feet) in elevation.
• Environment: They are typically found in shrub forests with oaks, pines, and junipers.

Behavior:

• Activity: Diurnal, with peak activity in the early morning and late afternoon.
• Diet: Herbivorous, grazing on grasses in spring and summer, and browsing on leaves and shoots in winter.
• Reproduction: Mating season occurs in winter, with males engaging in horn-locking fights to establish dominance.

Threats:

• Habitat Loss: Deforestation and land conversion for agriculture.
• Illegal Wildlife Trade: Poaching for meat and prized horns.
• Predation: Natural predators include snow leopards, brown bears, lynxes, jackals, and golden eagle.

Source: Times of India

Syllabus:

• Prelims – GEOGRAPHY

Context: The Maharashtra government plans to submit a proposal to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to include the famous Lonar Lake in Buldhana district in the Unesco World Heritage Sites list.

Background:

• After reaching ASI, the proposal will undergo a detailed review before being submitted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. If accepted, Lonar Lake will become India’s 41st Unesco World Heritage Site, alongside iconic places like the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Elephanta Caves, and Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.

Key takeaways

• Lonar Lake is a geological and ecological marvel located in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra.
• Formation: Lonar Lake is a meteor crater lake formed approximately 50,000 years ago by a high-velocity meteor impact.
• Geological Significance: It is one of only four known hyper-velocity impact craters in basaltic rock on Earth. The other three basaltic impact structures are in southern Brazil.
• It is a notified National Geo-heritage Monument. National Geological Monuments are geographical areas of national importance and heritage, as notified by Geological Survey of India (GSI), for their maintenance, protection, promotion and enhancement of geotourism.
• Dimensions: The lake has a diameter of 1.2 kilometers (3,900 feet) and a depth of 150 meters (490 feet).

Physical Characteristics:

• Water Composition: The lake’s water is both saline and alkaline, making it unique. It is seven times saltier than seawater.
• Color Variations: The lake’s color changes from green to pink depending on the season and water conditions, caused by microorganisms thriving in its saline and alkaline environment.
• Ramsar Site: Declared a Ramsar Wetland in November 2020, highlighting its ecological importance.

Cultural Significance:

• Temples: The lake is surrounded by over 15 ancient temples, some dating back 1,200 years. The most significant temple is the Daitya Sudan temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
• Local Legends: A popular local legend attributes the lake’s formation to the mythical demon Lonasura, who was vanquished by Lord Vishnu.

Source: Business Standard

Syllabus:

• Mains  – GS 2, GS 3 & GS 4

Context: Warren Buffet has given away an amount of almost 52 billion dollars to charities. While such a move is commendable, one must also question the processes generating the concentration of such wealth in the first place, regardless of whether it is to be used for philanthropy or not

Background: –

• Mr. Buffet believes that wealth should be used to equalise opportunities, that the luck that favoured certain individuals and helped them get rich should be extended after one’s death in order to help those less fortunate.
• Critics argue that distribution of private wealth through charity may help to equalise well-being between individuals, but the process by which this wealth was generated and concentrated has led to the differences in opportunities in the first place.

Key takeaways

• Mr. Buffet’s ideas can be seen in the context of a philosophical idea called “luck egalitarianism”, which states that no-one should have to suffer the consequences of inequality owing to bad luck or adverse situations. 
• Mr. Buffet credits much of his fortune to fortuitous circumstances, such as being born as a white male in the U.S.
• Some might accuse Mr. Buffet of false modesty, claiming that his fortune has been generated through his own efforts and his understanding of markets. But there is truth in what he says. A significant factor driving global inequality is the differences in income between countries. Where one is born determines how wealthy one might be relative to the global population.
• In the developed world, wealth distribution was largely equal during the post World War II. Widespread deregulation and a turn towards neo-liberal economics saw an explosion of inequality from the 1980s onwards, with the ‘trickle-down’ economics of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher leading to the concentration of gains for few.
• In India as well, the liberalisation of the economy may have led to faster growth, but has dramatically increased inequality and skewed the distribution of opportunities.
• Differences in opportunities are not merely a question of luck, but of specific policy choices and interventions. Examples:
  • Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos benefited from monopolistic markets.
  • Amazon workers faced stagnant wages despite the company’s profits.

The Role of Philanthropy:

• While philanthropy can be a powerful tool for social change, it is essential to critically examine its limitations and potential drawbacks:
  • Band-Aid Solution: Philanthropy often addresses the symptoms of inequality rather than the root causes. It may alleviate suffering in the short term but fails to challenge the underlying systemic issues that perpetuate poverty and injustice.
  • Dependency Culture: Excessive reliance on philanthropy can weaken the role of the state in providing essential social services and can create a dependency culture.
  • Elite Capture: Philanthropic efforts can be influenced by the values and priorities of wealthy donors, potentially leading to a narrow focus on specific issues or causes.

The Need for Systemic Change:

• To address the root causes of inequality, a more comprehensive approach is required:
  • Progressive Taxation: Implementing progressive tax policies can help redistribute wealth and fund public services.
  • Strong Labor Unions: Empowering workers through strong labor unions can help ensure fair wages and working conditions.
  • Regulation of Financial Markets: Stricter regulation of financial markets can prevent excessive wealth accumulation and reduce systemic risk.
  • Investment in Public Goods: Investing in public education, healthcare, and infrastructure can create opportunities for all and reduce inequality.
• In conclusion, while philanthropy can be a valuable tool, it should not be seen as a substitute for systemic change. To truly address the challenges of inequality, a combination of public policy, social activism, and individual responsibility is necessary.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus:

• Mains – ECONOMY

Context: Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das said recently that India is not pursuing “de-dollarisation”, and that recent measures promoting transactions in domestic currencies are intended to de-risk Indian trade.

Background: –

• The clarification came days after Donald Trump threatened “100 per cent tariffs” against BRICS countries if they sought to reduce reliance on the US dollar in international trade.

Key takeaways

• A key reason India is not backing de-dollarisation is the rise of the Chinese yuan as a challenger to the US dollar. India has resisted using the yuan for Russian oil imports, even as the acceptance of the currency is growing in Russia.
• At the same time, India is wary of over-dependence on the dollar. The RBI has increased gold purchases in recent times.

Why are central banks on a gold-buying spree?

• Central banks have increased their gold holdings sharply so as to diversify away from a dollar-dominated financial system.
• The Currency Composition of Official Foreign Exchange Reserves (COFER) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) shows a gradual decline in the share of the dollar in central bank and government foreign reserves. The gains of the yuan, especially, “match a quarter of the decline in the dollar’s share”, the IMF said.

How does the high cost of holding dollars play out in this scenario?

• Depleting dollar reserves amid surging oil prices has recently caused considerable social and political unrest in India’s neighbourhood. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan witnessed sharp declines in their dollar reserves following the Ukraine war, which upset their trade relations with India. 
• While India has managed to keep a robust reserve, the surging value of the dollar has become a concern.
• India is pushing for trade with Russia and the UAE in domestic currencies that could help cut reliance on the US dollar. However, the domestic currency trade has not yet picked up as expected because of India’s low foothold in goods and services trade internationally.
• India’s efforts toward internationalising the rupee could get a boost if oil exporters begin accepting rupee payments. But they have remained hesitant due to the high transaction costs.
• A reason for the rise of the yuan has been its use in purchasing Russian oil. As China and Russia have a bilateral trade balance, both countries have been able to reduce reliance on the US dollar by successfully trading in domestic currency. India has a bilateral trade deficit with most countries except the US.

Source: Indian Express

Q1.) Which of the following statements regarding the Digital Agriculture Mission is/are correct?

1. The Digital Agriculture Mission is designed as an umbrella scheme to support various digital agriculture initiatives.
2. It includes the creation of a Farmer ID linked to Aadhaar and the land records system of the state.
3. The Krishi Decision Support System integrates data on crops, soil, weather, and water resources.

Options:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q2.) Consider the following statements regarding Lonar Lake:

1. It is a meteor impact crater formed in basaltic rock.
2. The lake has saline and alkaline water and is listed as a Ramsar Wetland.
3. Lonar Lake is already included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.

Options:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q3.) Which of the following statements about Markhor is/are correct?

1. It is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
2. It is native to the mountainous regions of South Asia, including India’s Jammu and Kashmir.
3. They are strictly nocturnal.

Options:
(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 ’  Today’s – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs

Q.1) – b

Q.2) – c

Q.3) – d