DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 11th December 2024

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – POLITY

Context: In an unprecedented move, about 60 Opposition MPs belonging to the INDIA bloc submitted a notice in New Delhi on Tuesday at the Rajya Sabha Secretary General P.C. Mody’s office, seeking the removal of the Chairperson of the Upper House, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. 

Background: –

• Alleging that Mr. Dhankhar, since assuming the office of Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, had conducted the proceedings in an “extremely biased” manner, the Opposition members also presented a six-point “charge-sheet” against him in the notice.

Key takeaways

• The Vice President of India can be removed from office through a resolution passed by Parliament under Article 67(b) of the Constitution. While often referred to as “impeachment,” the process for the Vice President’s removal is distinct from the impeachment process for the President.

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 63: Establishes the office of the Vice President.
• Article 64: States that the Vice President is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
• Article 67(b): Outlines the removal procedure of the Vice President.

Procedure for Removal

• Initiation:
  • The removal resolution must be moved in the Rajya Sabha.
  • The motion must be signed by at least one-fourth of the total members of the Rajya Sabha.
• Notice Period: A 14-day prior notice is required before the motion is taken up for consideration.

Special Majority:

• The resolution must be passed by a majority of all members of the Rajya Sabha  whose seats are not vacant and agreed to by the Lok Sabha through a simple majority (majority of members present and voting).

Grounds for Removal

• The Constitution does not specify the grounds for the removal of the Vice President. It is left to the discretion of Parliament, making the process political rather than judicial.

Comparison with Presidential Impeachment

• Impeachment of the President (Article 61) involves:
  • Judicial Inquiry: Charges of violation of the Constitution.
  • Special Procedure: A more stringent process requiring two-thirds majority in both Houses.
  • In contrast, the removal of the Vice President is simpler and purely a parliamentary procedure.

Key Point to Note

• The process has never been invoked in Indian history, reflecting the stability of the office and its largely ceremonial nature.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus:

• Mains – ENVIRONMENT

Context: The World Solar Report 2024 by the International Solar Alliance (ISA) was released recently.

Background: –

• From 1.22 GW in 2000, the world’s solar capacity has surged to 1,419 GW in 2023, charting a CAGR of about 36%. Today, solar capacity represents three-quarters of all renewable capacity additions worldwide.

What are new solar technologies?

• Quantum dot solar cells have achieved a record-breaking efficiency of 18.1%. Researchers are creating self-healing solar panels to extend the lifespan and reduce the maintenance of existing solar cell technologies. 
• Solar-powered phyto-mining uses solar energy to power the extraction of valuable metals from soil-using plants, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional mining practices. 
• Solar paver blocks integrated with building infrastructure and BIPV (Building Integrated PV), like transparent solar panels, allow light transmission and visibility. The development of these alternative technologies will reduce reliance on critical materials like lithium and rare earth elements. 
• The solar sector is also prioritising recycling panels and implementing circular economy practices to minimise environmental impact.

Have reducing costs helped?

• The 2024 World Solar Report shows that the average auction prices for utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects have consistently decreased across all regions. Utility-scale solar PV costs averaged $40/MWh in 2024. 
• India topped the global charts in solar PV capacity granted through auctions, securing a notable auction price of $34/MWh.
• As of 2023, China dominates solar PV as 43% (609 GW) of the cumulative capacity of solar panels installed globally is from China. The U.S. contributes 10% (137.73 GW). Japan, Germany, and India each captured a 5-6% share. 

Has solar impacted other industries?

• Employment in the solar PV sector rose to 7.1 million jobs in 2023, up from 4.9 million in 2022 worldwide, underscoring the sector’s role in job creation and economic development. 
• Solar-powered irrigation systems are transforming agriculture. Agrivoltaics systems are being used in livestock management, with solar panels installed in pastures to provide shade for animals while simultaneously generating electricity. 
• One of the key factors driving the adoption of solar systems has been the introduction of pay-as-you-go business models, allowing users to pay for their systems in small, regular instalments.
• Technological advancements have made solar energy more affordable, while new applications are further driving adoption.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – ENVIRONMENT

Context: Indigenous peoples of the world have a very important role to play in combating desertification, the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) recognised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background:

• Other COPs which resulted from the 1992 Earth Summit – United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Convention on Biodiversity – have already recognised indigenous communities’ traditional wisdom.

Key takeaways

• The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is a global agreement aimed at addressing desertification, land degradation, and drought (DLDD), with a focus on sustainable land management and ecosystem restoration.
• Established: Adopted in 1994 and came into force in 1996.
• Objective: To combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought through national action programs (NAPs) that incorporate a bottom-up approach.
• Secretariat Headquarters: Bonn, Germany.
• It is one of the Rio Conventions, alongside the UNFCCC (Climate Change) and CBD (Biodiversity), adopted during the Earth Summit in 1992.
• Focus Areas:
  • Prevention of desertification in drylands (arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas).
  • Land degradation neutrality (LDN).
  • Community participation and sustainable land management practices.
• Binding Treaty: It is the only legally binding international agreement linking environment, development, and land management.
• Strategic Framework: Current framework (2018–2030) aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 15.3, which targets achieving a land degradation-neutral world.

India and UNCCD

• India ratified the convention in 1996.
• Hosted the 14th Conference of Parties (COP 14) in September 2019 in New Delhi.
• Indian Initiatives aligned with UNCCD:
• Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas (2021): Maps degradation across states.
• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and National Afforestation Programme.

Source: Down To Earth

Syllabus:

• Prelims – HISTORY

Context: A complete and annotated version of the works of C. Subramania Bharati will be released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Background: –

• The release will be the first time that the writings of Mr. Bharati, a prominent leader of the Independence movement and a prolific writer and poet, are compiled in one place. Mr. Bharati’s writings were nationalised by the Madras government in 1949, a rare honour.

Key takeaways

• Subramania Bharati, also known as Bharathiyar, was a renowned Indian writer, poet, journalist, teacher, Indian independence activist, social reformer, and polyglot.

Early Life:

• Birth: Born on December 11, 1882, in Ettayapuram, Tirunelveli district, Madras Presidency (present-day Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu).
• Education: Bharati had his early education in Tirunelveli and later lived in Varanasi, where he was exposed to Hindu theology and new languages.
• He considered Sister Nivedita, a disciple of Swami Vivekananda, as his guru.

Career and Contributions:

• Journalism: Bharati worked as a journalist with several newspapers, including Swadesamitran, The Hindu, Bala Bharata, Vijaya, Chakravarthini, and India.
• He belonged to the Extremist wing of the Indian National Congress. 
• Exile: In 1908, the British Government issued an arrest warrant for Bharati, leading him to live in exile in the French-controlled Pondicherry for about ten years until 1918.
• Literary Works: Bharati was a pioneer of modern Tamil poetry and wrote extensively on political, social, and spiritual themes. 
• Some of his notable works include Panjali Sabatham, Kannan Paatu, Kuyil Paatu, Paapa Paatu, Chinnanchriu Kiliye, Vinayagar Nanmanimalai, and Tamil translations of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra and Bhagavat Gita.

Social Reforms:

• Women’s Emancipation: Bharati fought for the emancipation of women and opposed child marriage.
• Caste System: He opposed the caste system and advocated for social reforms.
• Religious Reforms: Bharati promoted reforms in society and religion, emphasizing the importance of unity and equality.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus:

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched “Amrit Gyaan Kosh” Portal to strengthen governance training.

Background: –

• The Minister underscored the importance of Amrit Gyaan Kosh as more than a repository—it is a platform to promote self-reliance in governance training. 

Key takeaways

• The Amrit Gyaan Kosh portal is a comprehensive repository designed to strengthen governance training and capacity building for public administrators in India.
• Development: It is jointly developed by the Capacity Building Commission and Karmayogi Bharat.
• Platform: The portal is hosted on the iGOT (Integrated Government Online Training) platform.

Purpose:

• Governance Training: The primary aim is to enhance governance training by providing a repository of best practices and case studies.
• Self-Reliance: It promotes self-reliance in governance training by offering indigenous resources.
• Global Standards: The resources align with global standards while addressing India’s unique administrative challenges.

Content:

• Case Studies: The portal features case studies that bridge the gap between theory and practice in governance training.
• Teaching Notes: It includes teaching notes to help educators develop structured case studies and enhance their teaching methods.
• Policy Themes: The repository covers diverse policy themes such as health, education, agriculture, and digital governance.

Significance:

• Sustainable Development Goals: The portal aligns with 15 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Collaboration: It fosters collaboration and innovation across academies and sectors.
• Transformative Outcomes: The initiative aims to empower educators and public administrators with advanced skills in case writing and teaching methodologies.

Source: PIB

Q1.) Which of the following statements about the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is correct?

1. It is a legally binding international agreement addressing desertification and land degradation.
2. The secretariat of UNCCD is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
3. India hosted the 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) of the UNCCD.
4. UNCCD was adopted during the Stockholm Conference in 1972.

Options:
(a) 1, 3, and 4 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3 only

Q2.) Subramania Bharati is known for which of the following contributions to India’s freedom struggle and social reform?

1. Advocating for the abolition of untouchability and caste discrimination.
2. Leading the Moderates in the Indian National Congress.
3. Writing nationalist poetry in Tamil to inspire the masses.
4. Opposing child marriage and advocating women’s rights.

Options:
(a) 1, 2, and 4 only
(b) 1, 3, and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 and 4 only

Q3.) What is the primary objective of the Amrit Gyaan Kosh Portal recently launched by the Government of India?

(a) To document case studies for governance training.

(b) To provide employment opportunities to rural youth.

(c) To facilitate research on space technology in India.

(d) To promote sustainable agricultural practices.

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) – d

Q.2) – a

Q.3) – a