DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 24th August 2024

 Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Mahrashtra government launched the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana recently. The scheme offer ₹1,500 per month to women with an annual family income of less than ₹2.5 lakh.

Background:-

• Maharashtra is one of seven States where direct benefit transfer (DBT) schemes aimed at women have been launched. West Bengal, Delhi, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh have all rolled out similar schemes while Telangana and Punjab are yet to fulfill their pre-poll promise of monthly cash transfers to women.

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes for women

• Maharashtra: Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana (Launched on August 17, 2024)
  • Targets 1 crore eligible women (ages 21-65) with an annual family income below ₹2.5 lakh.
  • Monthly cash transfer of ₹1,500, starting from July 2024; Expected annual cost: ₹46,000 crore;
• Delhi: Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana (Announced on March 5, 2024)
  • Targets 50 lakh women (ages 18+) with ₹1,000 monthly cash transfer.
  • Outlay: ₹2,000 crore; Implementation delayed due to CM Kejriwal’s arrest.
• Madhya Pradesh: Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana (Launched before March 2023 elections)
  • Targets married women (ages 21-60) with an annual family income below ₹2.5 lakh.
  • Monthly cash transfer started at ₹1,000, increased to ₹1,250, with plans to reach ₹3,000; 1.29 crore women enrolled; Budget: ₹18,984 crore for 2024-25.
• West Bengal: Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme (Launched in 2021)
  • Targets women (ages 25-60): Monthly cash transfer: ₹1,200 for SC/ST, ₹1,000 for others.
  • 2023-24 expenditure: ₹10,101.87 crore; 2024-25 budget: ₹12,000 crore.
  • 55% of beneficiaries report increased financial decision-making power.
• Jharkhand: Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana (August 18, 2024)
  • Targets women (ages 21-50) with an annual family income below ₹3 lakh.
  • Monthly cash transfer of ₹1,000 via DBT; 48 lakh women targeted; budget not disclosed.
• Karnataka: Gruha Lakshmi Scheme (Launched after Congress election victory in 2023)
  • Targets women heads of families (BPL, APL, AAY cardholders); Monthly cash transfer: ₹2,000.
  • 33 crore enrolled; 2023-24 expenditure: ₹11,726 crore; 2024-25 budget: ₹28,608 crore.
• Tamil Nadu: Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam (Launched on September 15, 2023)
  • Targets women heads of families (annual income below ₹2.5 lakh).
  • Monthly cash transfer: ₹1,200; 1.06 crore eligible women; budget: ₹12,000 crore annually.

Effectiveness of Cash Transfer Schemes

• As per a study by Observer Research Foundation (ORF), the DBT facility, which was first launched in 2013 for women bank account holders, has seen ₹16.8 lakh crores transfered from inception till 2022. Of this, 33% was transferred during during COVID-19 lockdown. DBT has benefited women’s decision-making within households and helped boost their education and job opportunities.
• The PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), which is the Centre’s financial inclusion scheme to open a savings bank account, has allowed the Centre to easily identify female beneficiaries for DBT. This has helped the Centre to transfer ₹500 for three months to women during the COVID-19 national lockdown.
• Despite such DBT schemes, more than 32% of women-owned bank accounts in India are inactive, according to the Findex survey 2021.A large number merely use the account for withdrawal, availing government benefits and emergencies.
• Digital literacy is also an issue which hampers women – 60% of those between ages 15 and 49 own a mobile phone but only 30% can read texts or use the internet, as per the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5).
• These schemes have boosted women’s decision-making in financial matters, but issues such as low digital and financial literacy, restrictive social norms, and insufficient assets for collateral are hindering India’s attempts to close the gender gap.

Source: Hindu

 Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is holding talks with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.

Background:

• Modi will be the first Indian prime minister to visit Ukraine after diplomatic relations were established in 1992. On July 6, Modi met Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in Moscow — a visit that both Zelenskyy and the United States had criticised.

Shift in India’s Policy Toward Ukraine

• Prime Minister Modi’s visit signals a significant change in India’s traditional foreign policy regarding Ukraine.
• Historically, India maintained close ties with the Soviet Union during the Cold War, but this affinity didn’t extend to Ukraine post-independence in 1991.
• India’s relationship with Ukraine has been lukewarm, similar to its approach to Poland after the Cold War.

Poland’s case

• During the Cold War, three Indian Prime Ministers visited Poland when it was a Warsaw Pact member.
• After the Warsaw Pact’s dissolution and Poland’s shift towards the West, India’s engagement with the country diminished.
• Both Poland and Ukraine are important countries in Europe, but India’s bias towards Russia, in retrospect, likely prevented New Delhi from full engagement with central and eastern Europe.
• Modi’s visits to Poland and then to Kyiv mark a significant departure from past policies and indicate a broader engagement with Central and Eastern Europe.

Impact of the Russia-Ukraine War

• The Russia-Ukraine war, which began in February 2022, strained India-Ukraine relations, with bilateral trade dropping from $3.39 billion in 2021-22 to around $0.7 billion in subsequent years.
• Despite maintaining a balanced stance on the conflict, India has used this period to re-engage with Ukraine at the highest levels.

Strengthening Bilateral Relations

• Over the past year, Modi has met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy at various forums, including the G-7 summit.
• Indian leaders, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, have maintained regular contact with their Ukrainian counterparts.
• Modi’s visit is a part of a broader effort to strengthen ties with Ukraine, with potential opportunities in post-war reconstruction, defence cooperation, and agriculture.

Impact on India-Russia Relations

• Modi’s visit is unlikely to negatively impact India-Russia relations, as India’s engagement with Ukraine is independent of its ties with Russia.
• India remains a key partner for Russia, helping it navigate Western sanctions and continuing defence cooperation.
• Just as Russia’s relationship with China does not undermine its ties with India, India’s engagement with Ukraine will not alter its relationship with Russia.

Evolving Foreign Policy

• If India aims to play a peacemaking role, it must engage with all parties involved.
• Modi’s visit underscores India’s evolving foreign policy, which now focuses on building close ties with multiple countries, moving beyond its traditional Non-Alignment stance.
• The visit is part of India’s broader push to enhance its influence in Europe, reflecting a shift in foreign policy priorities under Modi’s leadership.

Source: Indian Express

 Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Recently, Russia’s Shiveluch volcano, one of the most active in the country, erupted, sending massive plumes of ash into the sky over the Kamchatka Peninsula in the far east.

Background:

• The Shiveluch volcano began sputtering shortly after a powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck off Kamchatka’s east coast.

Kamchatka Peninsula

• The Kamchatka Peninsula is located in the Russian Far East.

Geography

• Location: The peninsula is situated between the Sea of Okhotsk to the west and the Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea to the east.
• Size: It stretches about 1,250 kilometers in length and covers an area of approximately 270,000 square kilometers.
• Topography: The peninsula is characterized by two major mountain ranges, the Sredinny (Central) Range and the Vostochny (Eastern) Range, with the Kamchatka River running through the central valley.

Natural Features

• Volcanoes: Kamchatka is home to 127 volcanoes, 22 of which are still active. The most notable is Klyuchevskaya Sopka, which is the highest at 4,750 meters.
• Geysers and Hot Springs: The peninsula features numerous geysers and hot springs, particularly in the Valley of Geysers, which is part of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve.
• The climate is severe, with long, cold, and snowy winters and cool, wet summers. The region supports tundra vegetation, with mosses, lichens, and thickets of Kamchatka alder.

Additional Information

• Population: The population is around 289,033 as of 2023, with the majority being ethnic Russians. The main urban center is Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
• UNESCO World Heritage Site: The volcanoes of Kamchatka are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to their outstanding natural beauty and geological significance.

Source: Al- Jazeera

 Syllabus

• Prelims – ECONOMY

Context:  Recently, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal accused large e-commerce players, such as Amazon, of indulging in predatory pricing.

Background:

• The role of e-commerce in the Indian economy needs to be carefully evaluated and made citizen-centric to ensure there is no social disruption that may affect about 100 million small retailers across the country, the Minister said.

About Predatory pricing :

• Predatory pricing is a strategy where a company sets its prices extremely low with the intention of driving competitors out of the market. Once the competition is eliminated, the company can then raise prices to recoup its losses and potentially establish a monopoly.

Mechanism

• Initial Phase: The company lowers its prices significantly, often below the cost of production. This makes it difficult for competitors to sustain their businesses.
• Elimination of Competitors: Competitors, unable to match the low prices, may be forced to exit the market.
• Monopoly and Price Increase: Once the competition is reduced or eliminated, the company can raise prices to recoup losses and maximize profits.

Legal and Economic Implications

• Illegality: Predatory pricing is illegal in many jurisdictions because it can lead to monopolistic practices and harm consumer welfare in the long run.
• Challenges in Prosecution: It can be difficult to prove predatory pricing in court, as companies may argue that their low prices are part of normal competitive behavior.
• Economic Impact: While consumers may benefit from lower prices in the short term, they suffer in the long term due to reduced competition and higher prices.

Source: Hindu Businessline

 Syllabus

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: India’s second home-built 700 MW nuclear power reactor at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat began operating at full capacity.

Background:

• India is constructing 14 more 700 MW nuclear power reactors of the same design, expected to begin operations progressively by 2031-32.

Key takeaways

• An atomic power station, also known as a nuclear power plant, is a facility that generates electricity using nuclear energy.
• India has 23 nuclear reactors in operation in 8 nuclear power plants, with a total installed capacity of 7,380 MW.
• These reactors are located in different states and use both Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and Light Water Reactors (LWRs).
• Some of the nuclear power stations in India include:
  • Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS), Maharashtra
  • Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS), Rajasthan
  • Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP), Tamil Nadu
  • Kaiga Generating Station (KGS), Karnataka
  • Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS), Uttar Pradesh
  • Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS), Gujarat
  • Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS), Tamil Nadu
  • Kalpakkam (Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research), Tamil Nadu
• Key Components of atomic power station:
  • Nuclear Reactor: The core component where nuclear fission occurs. In fission, the nuclei of atoms (usually uranium or plutonium) split, releasing a significant amount of heat.
  • Heat Exchanger/Steam Generator: The heat produced in the reactor is used to convert water into steam.
  • Turbine: The steam drives a turbine, which is connected to a generator.
  • Generator: Converts the mechanical energy from the turbine into electrical energy.
  • Cooling System: Cools down the steam back into water to be reused in the system.
• Advantages:
  • Low Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Compared to fossil fuels, nuclear power plants emit very low amounts of greenhouse gases.
  • High Energy Density: A small amount of nuclear fuel can produce a large amount of energy.
• India’s nuclear energy goals
  • Short to Mid-Term Goals (by 2031-32)
    • Triple the current nuclear power capacity from 7,480 MW to 22,480 MW.
    • New Reactors: Commission 20 new nuclear power plants, adding nearly 15,000 MW to the power grid.
    • Ongoing Projects: Complete the construction and commissioning of 10 reactors totalling 8,000 MW in states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh.
  • Long-Term Goals (by 2047):
    • 100 GW Target: Achieve a nuclear power capacity of 100 GW.
    • Private Sector Involvement: Encourage private sector participation to meet investment requirements for this expansion

Source: Hindu

 Syllabus

• Prelims – ECONOMY

Context: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently chaired a review meeting of the Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) in New Delhi.

Background:

• The meeting, with all 43 present RRBs, focused on business performance, upgrading digital technology services, and fostering business growth in MSME clusters.

About Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)

• RRBs were established on October 2, 1975, following the recommendations of the Narasimham Committee on Rural Credit.
• Regulation: RRBs are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and are governed by the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976.
• Ownership: The ownership structure of RRBs is shared among the Government of India (50%), the concerned State Government (15%), and the sponsoring bank (35%).

Features of RRBs:

• Regional Focus: RRBs operate within specified regions, typically covering one or more districts in a state.
• Target Audience: They primarily serve rural and semi-urban areas, focusing on the agricultural sector and rural development.
• Products and Services: RRBs offer a range of banking services including savings and current accounts, fixed deposits, loans, and digital banking services like mobile banking and internet banking.

Functions of RRBs:

• Credit Provision: Providing credit to small and marginal farmers, agricultural labourers, and rural artisans to support agricultural and rural development.
• Government Schemes: Implementing various government schemes such as the disbursement of wages under MGNREGA and distribution of pensions.
• Financial Inclusion: Promoting financial inclusion by extending banking services to underserved rural areas.
• Support to MSMEs: Offering credit and financial services to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in rural areas.

Source: PIB

Q1.) Kamchatka peninsula, recently seen in news, is located in

1. Russian far east
2. North western Africa
3. South western Chile
4. None of the above

Q2.) With reference to the Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), consider the following statements:

1. Regional Rural Banks are government-owned scheduled commercial banks in India.
2. They are established as per the recommendations of the Narasimham Committee on Rural Credit.
3. They primarily serve rural and semi-urban areas, focusing on the agricultural sector and rural development.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Q3.) Which among the following atomic power stations in India, located in Gujarat?

1. Tarapur Atomic Power Station
2. Narora Atomic Power Station
3. Kakrapar Atomic Power Station
4. Kaiga Atomic Power Station

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  24th August 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs

Q.1) –  c

Q.2) – c

Q.3) – c