DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 7th January 2025

Syllabus:

• Prelims – GEOGRAPHY

Context: Russia officials in Crimea announced a regional emergency on Saturday, as oil was detected on the shores of Sevastopol, the peninsula’s largest city.

Background: –

• Fuel oil spilled out of two storm-stricken tankers nearly three weeks ago in the Kerch Strait, close to eastern Crimea — about 250 kilometers from Sevastopol, which lies on the southwest of the peninsula.

Key takeaways

• Crimea is a peninsula in Eastern Europe, located on the northern coast of the Black Sea and almost entirely surrounded by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
• The peninsula is divided into three main zones: mountains, steppe, and the southern coast. The Crimean Mountains rise to 1,545 meters at their highest point, Roman-Kosh.
• Water Bodies: Crimea has numerous rivers, including the Salhyr, Alma, Kacha, and Belbek. It also has several salt pans and salty lakes, with Lake Sasyk being the largest.
• Crimea was part of Ukraine until 2014, when Russia annexed the peninsula, a move that was widely condemned by the international community.
• Economy
  • Agriculture: The steppe region of Crimea is under intensive agricultural cultivation, with crops like winter wheat, corn, potatoes, and sunflowers.
  • Industry: Crimea has a spa industry due to its mud volcanoes and mineral springs, and large-scale iron ore mining in the Kerch Peninsula.
• Crimea Bridge: Constructed in 2018, this bridge spans the Strait of Kerch, linking Crimea with Russia.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Prelims – HISTORY

Context: Every year, Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti is observed on January 6 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru. 

Background: –

• It is one of the most significant festivals for the Sikh community. This day also commemorates Guru Gobind Singh’s leadership and influence in developing Sikh identity and principles such as equality, justice, and community service.

Key takeaways

• Guru Gobind Singh was named the tenth and last Guru of the Sikhs at the age of nine, following the death of his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Guru. 
• Guru Tegh Bahadur was martyred by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb for refusing to convert to Islam.
• Guru Gobind Singh is known to have introduced the five ‘K’s, the Five Articles of Faith that the Sikhs abide by: Kesh: uncut hair, Kangha: a wooden comb, Kara: an iron or steel bracelet worn on the wrist, Kirpan: a sword, Kacchera: short breeches.
• Guru Gobind Singh is credited with the Dasam Granth whose hymns are a sacred part of Sikh prayers and Khalsa rituals.
• Guru Gobind Singh declared the Holy Scriptures of Guru Granth Sahib as the permanent Guru of Sikhs. He passed away in 1708.
• Guru Gobind Singh established the institution of Panj Piare while founding the Khalsa on the day of Baisakhi in 1699. Addressing a large gathering, he asked for five heads for sacrifice. Five men responded to his call and the Guru baptised them and called them Panj Piare.
• The inaugural group of Panj Piare formed the nucleus of the Khalsa. However, the term is not limited only to this inaugural group. After them, any group of five baptised Sikhs are also referred to as the Panj Pyare.
• Guru Gobind Singh’s four sons, were killed during his lifetime – the elder two in a battle with Mughals, and the younger two executed by the Mughal governor of Sirhind.
• Guru Gobind Singh led several battles against the Mughal Empire and hill rajas.
• Aurangzeb died in 1707, and immediately a succession struggle began between his sons who attacked each other. Guru Gobind Singh supported Bahadur Shah I in the Battle of Jajau.
• In 1708 the Guru was assassinated after being stabbed by a Pashtun in Nanded, Maharashtra, on the orders of Mughal ruler Nawab Wazir Khan of Sirhind, who was driven by insecurity over the Guru’s cordial relations with Emperor Bahadur Shah. 
• When Bahadur Shah learned that the Guru had been stabbed, he dispatched surgeons, to tend to his injuries. Despite their efforts, the wounds reopened after being stitched, leading to the Guru’s death on October 7, 1708. 

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Mains – GS 2

Context: In recent years, India has embarked on an ambitious journey toward digital governance. Despite the strides made, more needs to be done to fully realise the potential of digital governance.

Background:

• At its core, governance is a complex web of decision-making processes that involves stakeholders, from government bodies and non-governmental organisations to local community leaders and influential citizens.

Key takeaways

• India’s transition to digital governance aims to improve citizen services and enhance government workforce capabilities.
• Digital governance represents a paradigm shift in how government employees and associated service providers or intermediaries such as contractors should engage with their work. 
• The adoption of technology in governance facilitates more effective communication, informed decision-making, and streamlined workflows. 

Capacity Building in Digital Governance

• The pressing need for government employees to become adept at navigating digital platforms is paramount in a world that is increasingly technology-driven.
• Initiatives such as the iGOT Karmayogi platform have taken centre-stage. The online training portal aims to equip officials with essential skills in data analytics, public administration, and digital technologies.
• Equally transformative is the e-Office initiative, which digitises government workflows, drastically reducing reliance on paperwork and enhancing operational efficiency. By automating file management, workflows, and grievance redress, the initiative promotes real-time communication and transparency. 
• Another initiative is the transition of procurement processes to the online sphere, with platforms like the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) playing a crucial role.

Challenges in Digital Governance

• Resistance to Change: Government workforce segments exhibit varying levels of readiness and enthusiasm for adopting new technologies.
• Lack of Incentives: The lack of incentives raises concerns that initiatives such as the iGOT Karmayogi platform could become merely attendance trackers. It is worth considering whether trainings lead to meaningful outcomes — such as opportunities to apply new skills through relevant job postings.
• Digital Divide: Limited access to high-speed Internet and digital tools, especially in rural areas.
• Cybersecurity Concerns: Increased risks of data breaches and cyberattacks with online operations.
• Continuous Learning Needs: Rapid technological evolution demands ongoing training and upskilling opportunities for government employees.

The Way Forward for Digital Governance

• Robust Infrastructure: Address the digital divide through improved connectivity and access to tools in rural areas.
• Targeted Training: Ensure training programs are outcome-driven and adaptable to emerging technologies.
• Cybersecurity Frameworks: Develop and implement strong cybersecurity protocols.
• Incentives for Innovation: Recognise and reward employees who excel in adopting and applying digital tools.
• Inclusivity: Equip every employee, regardless of rank, background, or location, with skills to thrive in the digital age.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus:

• Prelims – INTERNATIONAL

Context: Within the span of a month, Wall Street’s biggest banks have quit what had been one of the most popular clubs inside global finance – The Net-Zero Banking Alliance. 

Background: –

• The Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) was founded on 21 April 2021 by leading global financial institutions under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI).

Key takeaways

• Bank-led and UN-convened, the Net Zero Banking Alliance is a group of leading global banks committed to aligning their lending, investment, and capital markets activities with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
• The Net-Zero Banking Alliance has in quick succession been abandoned by Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Wells Fargo & Co., Citigroup Inc., Bank of America Corp. and Morgan Stanley. JPMorgan Chase & Co., the largest US bank, looks to be next in line. 
• By joining the alliance, banks commit to:
  • Aligning their lending and investment portfolios with net zero emissions by 2050
  • Setting interim targets for 2030 or sooner
  • Focusing on the most carbon-intensive sectors
  • Annually reporting on progress and emissions
• Since its inception, the NZBA has grown significantly, now representing nearly half of global banking assets and, despite the departure of the large US banks, it still has 142 members from 44 countries. 
• US banks leaving the group reflects banks’ desire to shield themselves from increasing political pressure as Donald Trump returns to the White House.

Source: Business Standard

Syllabus:

• Mains – GS 2

Context: The Arunachal Pradesh government is working to bring a 1978 Act against “forceful” conversion out of cold storage by framing rules for its implementation, 46 years after it was enacted.

Background: –

• The Act was enacted by the then Union Territory of Arunachal Pradesh’s first Legislative Assembly. Since it was enacted in 1978, successive governments have not framed the rules for its implementation, because of which it has laid dormant.

Key takeaways 

• The Act prohibits religious conversion by use of force or inducement or by fraudulent means and entails punishment of imprisonment for up to two years, and a fine of up to Rs. 10,000 for the offence of converting or attempting to convert forcefully from one religious faith to another faith.
• The Act also requires that every act of conversion be reported to the Deputy Commissioner of the district concerned.
• The Act specifies that “religious faiths” in this context include “indigenous” faiths. Included in this definition is Buddhism as practised among the Monpas, Membas, Sherdukpens, Khambas, Khamptis and Singphos; nature worship including the worship of Donyi-Polo among communities in the state; and Vaishnavism in practised by Noctes and Akas.

Why had it been introduced?

• Arunachal Pradesh is home to a number of different small ethnic communities with an array of different beliefs and practices.
• Unlike other hilly North Eastern states, Christianity did not become common among Arunachal tribes till the 1950s. This was not just due to the difficult terrain, but also the colonial policy of isolating the “frontier regions” which included restrictions on the entry of missionaries. These restrictions continued even after Independence with the Inner Line system.
• Missionary efforts in the foothill areas of Assam led to inroads into what was then the North East Frontier Agency in the 1950s. In the coming decades, census data indicated growth in the number of people identifying as Christians.
• The number of Christians in the state has grown rapidly over the years, and in the last census of 2011, they were enumerated as 30.26% of the population, making Christianity the largest religion in the state.

Why is the Act back now?

• In 2022, Tambo Tamin, associated with Indigenous Faiths and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP), filed a PIL in the Gauhati High Court appealing for the court to intervene over the failure of the government to frame rules for the Act. 
• On September 30 this year, after the Advocate General of Arunachal Pradesh told the court that draft rules had been framed and their finalisation would take another six months, the court closed the petition stating “we expect the concerned authorities to be mindful of their obligations and the draft rules would be finalised within a period of six months from today.”

Source: Indian Express

Q1.) Which of the following statements about the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) is/are correct?

1. NZBA is an initiative under the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI).
2. Banks that join NZBA commit to aligning their lending and investment portfolios with net-zero emissions by 2050.
3. The alliance includes all major U.S. banks, such as Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, and Citigroup.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q2.) Which of the following is/are correct regarding Crimea?

1. Crimea is located on the northern coast of the Black Sea and is surrounded by the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.
2. The region is known for its mud volcanoes and mineral springs, contributing to its spa industry.
3. Crimea became part of Russia in 2014 after the construction of the Crimea Bridge.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q3.) Which of the following statements about Guru Gobind Singh is/are correct?

1. He introduced the five ‘K’s, also known as the Five Articles of Faith, followed by Sikhs.
2. Guru Gobind Singh declared the Guru Granth Sahib as the permanent Guru of Sikhs.
3. He founded the Khalsa and established the concept of Panj Piare in 1599.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 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) – a