DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 20th August 2024

 Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Every year on August 20, Akshay Urja Day is celebrated to underscore the significance of renewable energy sources and to highlight the strides India has made in advancing the same.

Background:-

• Launched in 2004 by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, this observance highlights India’s commitment to renewable energy, aiming for 500 GW of non-fossil fuel electricity capacity by 2030. It also commemorates the birth anniversary of former PM Rajiv Gandhi.

Key takeaways

• “Akshay” means “eternal” or “indestructible” in Sanskrit. Hence Akshay Urja stands for “eternal energy”,symbolizing the endless and sustainable nature of renewable energy.
• Rapid industrialization and population growth have increased energy demand, leading to heavy reliance on finite fossil fuels, which harm the environment.
• Solar, hydro, and wind power are vital for sustainable development, reducing fossil fuel dependence, and combating climate change. Transitioning to renewable energy will create sustainable jobs and reduce long-term energy costs.

Akshay Urja Day Objectives:

• Highlight the importance of renewable energy in India’s energy planning.
• Raise awareness of renewable energy’s benefits in reducing fossil fuel dependency.
• Promote renewable energy as a solution to combat climate change.

Types of Renewable Energy:

• Solar Energy: Harnessed from the sun’s radiation. China, the US, India and Japan are among the world’s leading producers.
• Wind Energy: Generated by converting the kinetic energy of wind into electricity using wind turbines, significant in countries like China and the US.
• Hydropower: Derived from flowing water, extensively used worldwide.China, Brazil, and Canada are the largest consumers of hydropower across the globe.
• Biomass Energy: Produced from organic materials such as plant residues, animal waste, and wood. It can be heated or converted to liquid or gaseous fuels for consumption. It is considered renewable because the materials used can be regrown or replenished.
• Geothermal Energy: Sourced from Earth’s internal heat, with leading producers being the US, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
• Tidal and Wave Energy: Harnesses ocean movement, prominent in South Korea, France, and the UK.

Progress of India in Akshay Urja

• On October 2, 2015, India submitted its first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the UNFCCC as part of the Paris Agreement. The initial goals were to reduce GDP emissions intensity by 33-35% from 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve 40% of total installed electric power from non-fossil fuels by 2030. In August 2022, India updated these targets, aiming to reduce emissions intensity by 45% and increase non-fossil fuel energy capacity to 50% by 2030.
• In addition, India targets 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and 1 TW by 2035 and aims for net-zero emissions by 2070. As of May 2024, India has installed 191 GW of renewable energy. This capacity includes solar power (around 85 GW), wind power (around 46 GW), large hydropower (around 45 GW), Biomass (around 10 GW), small hydropower (around 4.5 GW), and Waste-to-Energy (0.5 GW).

Key Schemes to Achieve Renewable Energy Targets:

• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan scheme (PM-KUSUM) : Promotes the installation of small grid-connected solar power plants, standalone solar pumps, and solarisation of existing grid-connected pumps.
• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Solar PV Modules: Aims to boost domestic production of high-efficiency solar panels.
• Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Program (Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana) : Facilitates rooftop solar installations, allowing surplus power to be exported to the grid.
• Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects: Provides infrastructure for rapid solar project development.
• Green Energy Corridor Scheme: Series of infrastructure projects under the scheme is aimed at synchronising the power generated from renewable energy sources with the national grid of India.
• National Green Hydrogen Mission: Targets 5 million tonnes of Green Hydrogen production by 2030. This in turn will support an addition of about 125 GW of renewable energy capacity in our country.
• National Bioenergy Programme: Use of bioenergy is promoted. It aims to enhance the energy security through the Waste to Energy Programme, Biomass Programme, and Biogas Programme.
• FDI in Renewable Energy: Allows up to 100% Foreign Direct Investment under the automatic route, encouraging foreign investments.

Source: Indian Express

 Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2

Context: Reuters reported that India amended its power export rules recently, allowing exporters to reroute electricity to Indian grids if partner countries delay payments. The change is intended to mitigate risks especially in the context of Bangladesh.

Background:

• Adani Power’s plant in Godda (Jharkhand) supplies its entire generated power to Bangladesh.

The Godda Project Overview:

• The Godda project, operated by Adani Power’s Jharkhand subsidiary, supplies 1,496 MW of power to Bangladesh from an ultra super-critical thermal power plant. This is under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed with the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) in November 2017.
• This project is India’s first transnational power project, where all generated power is exported to another country.
• The electricity from Godda is expected to positively impact Bangladesh by replacing expensive liquid fuel power, thereby lowering the average cost of electricity.
• The total installed generation capacity of Babladesh was 24,911 MW in June 2023. Of this, 2,656 MW was imported from India (more than 10% of overall) with the Godda plant contributing 1,496 MW (about 6% of overall).

Criticisms:

• The project has faced criticism due to the use of imported coal from Australia’s Carmichael mine, which raises costs. The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) argued that the PPA allows Adani Power to pass on  high cost of importing and transporting coal into India, plus the cost of transmitting the electricity across the border onto Bangladesh.
• Critics expressed concerns over the quoted coal price of $400/MT, which they considers excessive compared to other thermal plants, where coal costs less than $250/MT.
• Additional concerns include high capacity and maintenance charges, which apply even when no electricity is generated.

Bangladesh’s Need for Power Imports:

• Bangladesh has expanded electricity access, especially in rural areas, but still faces fuel and gas supply constraints, leading to underutilization of its power plants.
• The country has experienced significant blackouts due to difficulties in sourcing sufficient diesel and gas, exacerbated by global energy price volatility following Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

Regulatory Changes and Current Status:

• A recent regulatory change in India allows power exporters to reroute electricity to the domestic market if there are payment delays from partner countries. This provides greater flexibility and reduces dependency on external markets.
• Payment delays are common, as Bangladesh has a vetting process for bills, including evaluating coal prices and other expenditures before approval.

Source: Hindu

 Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2

Context: Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh has made a political comeback in Bangladesh after the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government was toppled on August 5

Background:

• During 15-year prime ministerial tenure of Sheikh Hasina, one of the most dramatic moments came in 2016 when Motiur Rahman Nizami, the leader of JeI Bangladesh, was hanged to death.

Sheikh Hasina and Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh (JeI): A Political History

• The slogan “We asked for our rights but became razakars” emerged as a powerful critique of Sheikh Hasina’s government, summarizing the political discontent in Bangladesh.
• Hasina labeled the protesters as ‘razakars,’ a term for those who opposed Bangladesh’s liberation in 1971. Ironically, her efforts to suppress anti-liberation forces, particularly the Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh (JeI), were only partially successful.
• The execution of Motiur Rahman Nizami, JeI’s leader, in 2016 marked a significant blow to the group and revealed the JeI’s diminished power, as their supporters failed to mobilize in protest.
• In 1971, as the Pakistani military’s ‘Operation Searchlight’ rolled on, a contingent of the Pakistan Army reached Demra and with the help of local collaborators, killed civilians. A War Crimes Tribunal set up by the Hasina government conducted an inquiry and found that it was the Al Badr militia, led by Nizami, that supported the Pakistan military in carrying out the Demra massacre.

JeI’s Historical Context:

• The JeI Bangladesh is an offshoot of the Jamaat-e-Islami, which was established in 1941, Lahore. Soon after its emergence, the JeI opposed the Pakistan movement of Mohammed Ali Jinnah. However, after the formation of the state of Pakistan, it reinvented itself by demanding an Islamic Constitution and Islamic regime.
• In East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), Ghulam Azam led the movement, which grew strong under his leadership. However, the JeI faced crackdowns, including a ban but it revived itself in the 1960s, aligning with conservative causes.
• In the 1970 elections, the JeI opposed Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who advocated for greater autonomy for East Pakistan. As the movement for Bangladesh’s independence grew, the JeI aligned with Pakistani forces to resist the split.
• After Pakistan’s defeat in 1971, Azam fled Bangladesh. After a period of uncertainty, the JeI Bangladesh was launched in 1979.The group participated in elections and became a significant political force, aligning with various parties over the years.
• The demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 further bolstered the JeI’s position as the outfit took advantage of public sentiment and established itself as a voice of the religious majority in Bangladesh. It continued to play role in the country’s politics, despite public backlash for its stance about 1971 liberation war.
• Recent Developments: After Nizami’s execution, the JeI, under new leadership, shifted tactics by enhancing its presence on social media and in educational institutions, particularly where Hasina’s heavy-handed policies had sparked discontent.
• Although Hasina eventually banned the JeI, it was too late to prevent the group from playing a key role in the pro-democracy movement that contributed to her government’s downfall in 2024. Just as the JeI had joined forces with the Awami League and the BNP to overthrow the Ershad regime in 1990, it again allied with student movements to challenge Hasina’s rule.

Source: Hindu

 Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Context: Scientists have found that prokaryotes are remarkably resilient to climate change – and as a result, could increasingly dominate marine environments

Background:

• Prokaryotes are thought to be the oldest cell-based lifeforms on Earth. They thrive across the entire planet – on land and in water, from the tropics to the poles.

Key takeaways :

• A prokaryote is a single-cell organism whose cell lacks a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.They are classified into two domains: Bacteria and Archaea.

What the research says

• Prokaryotes make up 30% of oceanic life. These tiny creatures, including bacteria and archaea, play a vital role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems.
• Prokaryotes are remarkably resilient to climate change. As a result, they could increasingly dominate marine environments, potentially disrupting food chains and reducing the availability of fish that humans rely on for food. Additionally, this shift could hinder the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon emissions, exacerbating global warming.
• Prokaryotes, which have existed on Earth for billions of years, are incredibly abundant.
• They play a crucial role in the food chain by supporting the nutrient needs of fish, but their rapid growth also produces a significant amount of carbon—about 20 billion tonnes annually in the upper 200 meters of the ocean, which is double the carbon output of humans.
• This carbon output is typically balanced by phytoplankton, which use photosynthesis to convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into energy. Phytoplankton and other ocean processes also absorb up to one-third of the carbon humans release into the atmosphere each year. This helps limit the pace of global warming.
• Present research shows that for every degree of ocean warming, there will be 1.5% decline in prokaryote biomass, which is significantly less than the 3-5% decline projected for larger plankton, fish, and mammals. This could lead to marine ecosystems increasingly dominated by prokaryotes, diverting nutrients and energy away from fish and reducing the supply of seafood for human consumption.
• We also discovered that for each degree of warming, prokaryotes in the upper 200 meters of the ocean could produce an additional 800 million tonnes of carbon annually.
• This increase in carbon production could reduce the ocean’s capacity to absorb human-generated emissions, making it even harder to achieve global net-zero targets.
• Moreover, current projections of declining global fish stocks may underestimate the impact of climate change, as they often don’t account for how warming could reshape marine food webs in favor of prokaryotes. These declines in fish populations pose a significant threat to global food security, as the oceans are a primary source of protein for about 3 billion people.

Source: Hindu

 Syllabus

• Prelims – POLITY

Context: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a ₹3 lakh penalty on Sriram’s IAS for publishing a misleading advertisement.

Background:

• The ad falsely claimed that the institute had over 200 selections in the UPSC Civil Service Exam 2022, but the actual number of successful candidates was lower, and many had not attended the paid courses. This action was taken to protect consumer rights and ensure transparency in advertising.

Key takeaways

• The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) is a regulatory body established under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 in India.
• The CCPA was formed in 2019 and became active in 2020.
• Its primary goal is to protect, promote, and enforce the rights of consumers. This includes addressing issues related to unfair trade practices, misleading advertisements, and violations of consumer rights.

Composition

• Central Consumer Protection Authority shall consist of following members appointed by Central Government.
  • Chief Commissioner
  • Two Commissioners. One commissioner each will represent for goods and services.

Powers and Functions

• Investigations: The CCPA can conduct inquiries and investigations into violations of consumer rights or unfair trade practices.
• Complaints: It can file complaints before the Consumer Commission and review matters related to consumer rights.
• Guidelines and Notices: The authority can issue guidelines to prevent unfair trade practices and safety notices to alert consumers against hazardous goods or services.
• Advisory Role: It advises the Central and State Governments on consumer welfare measures.
• Enforcement: The CCPA has the power to recall unsafe goods, order refunds, and stop unfair practices.

Source: Economic Times

 Syllabus

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: The Union Government recently launched the AI-based National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS).

Background:

• This initiative is expected to benefit around 14 crore farmers across India, helping to increase productivity and reduce the excessive use of pesticides.

About National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS)

• The National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) is a digital initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
• It leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to provide timely pest management advisories to farmers across India.
• This system aims to reshape pest management practices and empower farmers by reducing their reliance on pesticide retailers and fostering a scientific approach to pest control.

Key Features of NPSS:

• User-Friendly Access: Comprises a mobile app and a web portal, ensuring accessibility for all farmers.
• Real-Time Data and Analytics: Utilizes real-time data and advanced analytics for accurate pest identification, monitoring, and management.
• Quick Solutions: Provides quick solutions to pest attacks and crop diseases, reducing crop losses and improving productivity.
• Actionable Insights: Offers comprehensive pest incidence data and automated advisories, empowering farmers with actionable insights for informed decision-making and proactive crop protection measures.

Source: Hindu

Q1.) Consider the following statements

1. Akshay Urja Day is celebrated on August 20th every year.
2. It was launched in 2004 by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy.

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

Q2.) With reference to the National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS), consider the following statements:

1. The National Pest Surveillance System is a digital initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
2. It leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to provide timely pest management advisories to farmers across India.
3. The primary goal of NPSS is to reduce farmers’ reliance on pesticide retailers and foster a scientific approach to pest control.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Q3.) With reference to the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), consider the following statements:

1. The Central Consumer Protection Authority is a regulatory body established under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
2. Its primary goal is to protect, promote, and enforce the rights of consumers.
3. The head of the Central Consumer Protection Authority is appointed by Central Government.

How many of the above given statements are correct?

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

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  20th August 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs

Q.1) –  d

Q.2) – c

Q.3) – a