DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 16th February 2024

Syllabus

• Prelims and Mains – Polity

Context: The Supreme Court used the test of proportionality to strike down Electoral Bonds scheme

Background:-

• It was used in the demonetisation case, aadhar case and also the puttuswamy case among many others.

About Test of proportionality

• Proportionality test is “ the judicial standard for resolving disputes that involve either a conflict between two rights claims or between a right and a legitimate government interest.”
• The test is deemed necessary to guard against arbitrary action, so that the state cannot extinguish the right entirely even in pursuance of a legitimate state interest.
• In Modern Dental College & Research Centre v. State of Madhya Pradesh & Ors, a five-judge Bench of the Supreme Court listed four components to be looked at in order to determine proportionality.
• The same was agreed to in essence by a nine-judge Bench of the Supreme Court in Justice KS Puttaswamy v. Union of India, in which the Court upheld privacy as a fundamental right.
• In the judgment authored by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul in Justice KS Puttaswamy v. Union of India, proportionality can be ascertained on the basis of the following: (a) the action must be sanctioned by law;(b) the proposed action must be necessary in a democratic society for a legitimate aim;(c) the extent of such interference must be proportionate to the need for such interference; (d) There must be procedural guarantees against abuse of such interference.

Must Read: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/electoral-bonds-verdict-how-the-proportionality-test-was-applied-in-the-case-9164082/

Source: Deccan Herald

Syllabus

• Prelims – Environment

Context: First-ever State of the World’s Migratory Species report, launched recently by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).

Background:

• The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), CMS is an intergovernmental treaty under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

About Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS):

• The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), also known as the Bonn Convention, is an international agreement that aims to conserve migratory species throughout their ranges.
• CMS was signed in Bonn, Germany, on 23 June 1979, and entered into force on 1 November 1983.
• It provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory animals and their habitats.
• CMS currently has 133 Parties and covers 583 migratory species.
• India is a party to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) since 1983.
• India hosted the 13th Conference of the Parties (COP) to CMS in February 2020 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• The latest CMS convention, also known as the 14th Conference of the Parties (COP14) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan from February 10 to 15, 2024.

Key findings of the World’s Migratory Species report:

• Nearly half (44 per cent) of CMS-listed species are showing population declines, and more than one-in-five (22 per cent) are threatened with extinction.
• The extinction risk is growing for migratory species globally, including those not listed under CMS.
• The two greatest threats to both CMS-listed and all migratory species are overexploitation and habitat loss due to human activity.
• Half (51 per cent) of Key Biodiversity Areas identified as important for CMS-listed migratory animals do not have protected status, and 58 per cent of the monitored sites recognized as being important for CMS-listed species are experiencing unsustainable levels of human-caused pressure.
• Globally, 399 migratory species that are threatened or near threatened with extinction are not currently listed under CMS.
• The report also provides information on the main drivers of these declines, such as climate change, pollution and invasive species, and the successful actions that have been taken to conserve some migratory species.
• The report calls for urgent action to protect these species and their habitats, and to ensure their sustainable use for the benefit of people and nature.

Source: Forbes India

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 1 & GS 2

Context: West Bengal’s Chief Minister made headlines for advocating classical language status for Bangla, which is the world’s 7th most spoken language.

Background:

• Multiple state governments and regional political parties has been demanding classical language status for their respective regional languages.

About Classical language

• In 2006, the Government of India laid down the criteria for conferring classical language status.
• TheMinistry of Culture provides guidelines regarding Classical languages. They are:

1. High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years;
2. A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers;
3. The literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community;
4. The classical language and literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots.

• Currently, six languages enjoy the‘Classical’ status in India. They are Tamil (declared in 2004), Sanskrit (2005), Kannada (2008), Telugu (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014).

Benefits of declaring a language as a classical language:

• Once a language is declared classical, it getsfinancial assistance for setting up a center of excellence for the study of that language and also opens up an avenue for two major awards for scholars of eminence.
• Besides, theUniversity Grants Commission can be requested to create – to begin with at least in Central Universities, a certain number of professional chairs for classical languages for scholars of eminence in the language.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims : History

Context: On February 14, 2024, a team of researchers unveiled a magnificent Kotravai sculpture in Pilrampattu village, Kallakurichi district. This awe-inspiring discovery transports us to the Pallava period, offering an invaluable glimpse into the ancient craftsmanship and spirituality of our forebears.

Background:

• Kotṟavai also spelled Kotravai or Korravai, is the goddess of war and victory in the Tamil tradition. She is also the mother goddess and the goddess of fertility, agriculture, and hunters.She is among the earliest documented goddesses in the Tamil Sangam literature.She is depicted as a deity with several arms holding different weapons. She is said to be mother of the Tamil god Murugan.

About Pallavas:

• The Pallava dynasty existed from 275 CE to 897 CE, ruling a significant portion of the Deccan, also known as Tondaimandalam.
• The dynasty rose to prominence after the downfall of the Satavahana Empire, whom they had formerly served as feudatories.
• The Pallavas became a major southern Indian power during the reign of Mahendravarman I (600–630 CE) and Narasimhavarman I (630–668 CE), and dominated the southern Telugu region and the northern parts of the Tamil region for about 600 years, until the end of the 9th century.
• Kancheepuram served as the capital of the Pallava kingdom.
• The Pallavas are most noted for their patronage of Hindu temple architecture, the finest example being the Shore Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mamallapuram.
• The Kailasanatha temple in Kanchipuram and rock cut temple in Mahendravadi are other examples of the Pallava style temples.
• The Chinese traveller Xuanzang visited Kanchipuram during Pallava rule and extolled their benign rule.

Source: The New Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims – Economy

Context:The 16th Finance Commission (XVI-FC) held its first meeting under the chairmanship of Arvind Panagariya in New Delhi.

Background:

• The XVI-FC will make its recommendations available by October 31, 2025, covering an award period of five years commencing April 1, 2026. The 15th Finance Commission was constituted by the President of India in November 2017, under the chairmanship of NK Singh. Its recommendations covered a period of five years from April 2020 to March 2025.

About Finance Commission:

• The Finance Commission is a constitutional body that is established under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution.
• It is appointed by the President of India every five years or earlier.

Terms of reference for the 16th Finance Commission

• Recommending the division of tax proceeds between the Union and the States, and the allocation of shares among the States.
• Establishing the principles for grants-in-aid to the States from the Consolidated Fund of India, especially for purposes other than those specified in Article 275 of the Constitution.
• Identifying measures to enhance the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement the resources of the Panchayats and Municipalities, based on the recommendations of the State Finance Commissions.
• Reviewing the current financing structures for Disaster Management initiatives, and suggesting improvements or changes.

Source: Hindustan times

Syllabus

• Prelims: Current Event

Context: India plans to acquire critical mineral assets overseas by leveraging the US-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) or Critical Minerals Club.

Background:

• The future global economy will be powered by technologies that depend on minerals such as lithium, graphite, cobalt, titanium and rare earth elements. These are essential for the advancement of many sectors, including high- tech electronics, telecommunications, transport, and defence.

About MINERALS SECURITY PARTNERSHIP:

• The Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) is a US-led collaboration of 14 countries and the EU that aims to catalyze public and private investment in responsible critical minerals supply chains globally.
• Critical minerals are essential for the production of clean energy technologies, such as batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles.
• The MSP was established in 2022.
• India joined the MSP in June 2023, as part of its efforts to secure its energy transition and reduce its dependence on China for critical minerals.

Critical Minerals

• Critical minerals are those minerals that are essential for economic development and national security, the lack of availability of these minerals or concentration of extraction or processing in a few geographical locations may lead to supply chain vulnerabilities and even disruption of supplies.
• In July 2023, the Government India has identified 30 minerals as Critical Minerals by amending the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, through the MMDR Amendment Act, 2023, empowering the Central Government to auction blocks of these minerals.
• The 30 critical minerals are Antimony, Beryllium, Bismuth, Cobalt, Copper, Gallium, Germanium, Graphite, Hafnium, Indium, Lithium, Molybdenum, Niobium, Nickel, PGE, Phosphorous, Potash, REE, Rhenium, Silicon, Strontium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Zirconium, Selenium and Cadmium.
• India plans to acquire critical mineral assets overseas by leveraging the MSP’s financial and diplomatic support, as well as its commitment to high environmental, social, and governance standards.
• India is particularly interested in exploring opportunities in Africa, Australia, and Canada for minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, graphite, and rare earth elements.
• India has signed bilateral agreements with Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia (Lithium Triangle) to enhance its position in critical mineral exploration, development, processing, and trade

Source: News18

Previous Year Question

Q). About three-fourths of world’s cobalt, a metal required for the manufacture of batteries for electric motor vehicles, is produced by

1. Argentina
2. Botswana
3. The Democratic Republic of the Congo
4. Kazakhstan

Q1. Consider the following statements:

Statement-I:

India joined the MSP in June 2023, as part of its efforts to secure its energy transition and reduce its dependence on China for critical minerals.

Statement-II:

In July 2023, the Government India has identified 30 minerals as Critical Minerals by amending the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Q2.)With reference to 16th Finance Commission (XVI-FC), Consider the following statements:

1. Recommending the division of tax proceeds between the Union and the States.
2. Establishing the principles for grants-in-aid to the States from the Consolidated Fund of India.
3. Reviewing the current financing structures for Disaster Management initiatives.

How many of the above are the terms of reference for the 16th Finance Commission?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. None

Q3.) With reference to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), consider the following statements:

1. It provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory animals and their habitats.
2. India hosted the 14th Conference of the Parties (COP) to CMS in 2024.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  16th February  2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – c

Q.2) – d

Q.3) – d