Red snow has been noticed around Ukraine’s Vernadsky Research Base, off the coast of Antarctica’s northernmost peninsula.
Reason: It is the algae that give the snow its red tinge
This alga species, Chlamydomonas Chlamydomonas nivalis, exists in snow in the polar and glacial regions, and carries a red pigment to keep itself warm.
Impact: These algae change the snow’s albedo. Darker the tinge, the more the heat absorbed by the snow. Therefore, the red snow causes the surrounding ice to melt faster
Cause of Concern: While the melt is good for the microbes that need the liquid water to survive and thrive, it’s bad for glaciers that are already melting from a myriad of other causes
“Second Moon”
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-I- Geography
In news:
Astronomers have observed a small object orbiting Earth- named 2020 CD3 – which they have dubbed a “mini-moon” or the planet’s “second moon”.
However, it is actually an asteroid, about the size of a car with diameter about 1.9-3.5 m. Such an asteroid is called a Temporarily Captured Object (TCO)
Unlike Earth’s permanent Moon, the mini-moon is temporary whichwill eventually break free of Earth’s orbit and go off on its own way.
Explanation: When an asteroid’s orbit crosses Earth’s orbit, it can sometimes be captured into the latter orbit. This is what happened with 2020 CD3. The orbits of such objects is unstable
Did You know? The previously discovered 2006 RH120 orbited Earth for some time in 2006 before it escaped in 2007
Once caught in Earth’s orbit, such objects usually remain for a few years before they break free and go into independent orbit around the Sun.
IMD: Summer to be hotter than usual
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III- Environment
In news:
The forecast from IMD indicates that the MAM (March-May) season averaged temperatures are likely to be at least half a degree hotter than normal
About Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)
IMD was established in 1875.
It is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India.
It is the principal agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology
NIA makes first arrest in Pulwama case
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III- Security
In news:
Pulwama case: Forty CRPF jawans travelling in convoy were killed by a vehicle-borne suicide attack on February 14, 2019 in Pulwana City of Jammu & Kashmir
Prelims Value Addition
NIA was created after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks with the enactment of the National Investigation Agency Act 2008.
NIA is the Central Counter Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency of India and it works under overall guidance of Ministry of Home Affairs
Census 2021
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II- Governance, Federalism
In news:
Maharashtra and Bihar assembly have passed resolution seeking caste-based census for the enumeration of the OBCs in Census 2021
As of now, Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India has not accepted the request, based on following reasons:
The collection of data of OBCs, SEBCs, other castes etc. will adversely affect integrity of census exercise and therefore the enumeration of OBCs, SEBCs, other castes has not been taken up in 2021 Census
No Standardisation: In case, a question on OBCs is canvassed, it will return names of thousands of castes, sub-castes as the people use their clan/gotra, sub-caste, caste interchangeably thus making the caste enumeration exercise practically difficult
Unlike SC & ST, there is no such constitutional mandate to provide census numbers of OBCs.
The 2011 caste data, collected as part of the Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC), is yet to be released by the Centre.
The last caste-based census was conducted by the British in 1931.
Prelims Value addition about Census
The census provides information on size, distribution and socio-economic, demographic and other characteristics of the country’s population.
Thefirst synchronous census in India was held in 1881. Since then, censuses have been undertaken uninterruptedly once every ten years.
The Census 2021 will be conducted in 18 languages out of the 22 scheduled languages (under 8th schedule) and English, while Census 2011 was in 16 of the 22 scheduled languages declared at that time.
For the first time in the 140 year history of census in India, data is proposed to be collected through a mobile app by enumerators
The Census data would be available by the year 2024-25 as the entire process would be conducted digitally and data crunching would be quicker.
33 Turkish soldiers killed in Syria strikes
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II- International Affairs
In news:
Syrian Civil War: Syrian government forces, backed by Russian air power, have launched an assault to capture the northwest Syria, the last remaining territory held by Syrian rebels backed by Turkey
As a result, UN Security Council called an emergency meeting to avert open conflict between Russia and NATO member Turkey
Prelims Value Addition
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a military alliance established by the Washington Treaty of April 4, 1949, by US, Canada, and several Western European nations to provide collective security against then USSR
A key provision of the treaty, the so-called Article 5, states that if one member of the alliance is attacked then it is to be considered an attack on all members.
NATO effectively put Western Europe under the “nuclear umbrella” of the US.
As of 2019, there are 29 member states, with Montenegro becoming the latest member to join the alliance in 2017
Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 29th February 2020
(MAINS FOCUS)
International Affairs
Topic: General Studies 2:
Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
India’s Need for Regional bonding
Context
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s participation in The Hindu’s Huddle Conclave, where he discussed on the India’s foreign policy & the need for greater regional integration.
India’s recent steps
India has more or less shut down all conversations on SAARC (Summit not being held since 2014)
India has walked away from the ASEAN-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Failure of BIMSTEC and SAARC to engender more intra-regional trade in comparison to other groupings such as ASEAN & EU.
Indian government has taken a protectionist attitude on multilateral trade pacts and is relying more on direct bilateral deals with countries rather than overarching ones that might expose Indian markets to flooding by Chinese goods
About South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
It was established on 8 December 1985.
Its member countries are—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan (2005)
The Headquarters and Secretariat of the Association are at Kathmandu, Nepal.
SAARC comprises 3% of the world’s area, 21% of the world’s population and 3.8% (2018) of the global economy.
About Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)
Established in 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration
Its member countries are – Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal & Bhutan
With Pakistan not being a member of organisation it was envisaged as a platform for India to speed up its regional integration process.
It acts as a bridge between South and South East Asia
Important Connectivity Projects are:
Kaladan Multimodal Project – links India and Myanmar.
Asian Trilateral Highway – connecting India and Thailand through Myanmar.
Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement – for seamless flow of passenger and cargo traffic.
Significance of SAARC and BIMSTEC
Neighbourhood first: Primacy to the country’s immediate neighbours.
Geostrategic significance: Can counter China (OBOR initiative) through engaging our neighbours in development process and economic cooperation.
Regional stability: These regional organisations can help in creation of mutual trust and ensure that regional interest over ride bilateral disputes
Global leadership role: It offers India a platform to showcase its leadership in the region by taking up extra responsibilities.
Game changer for India’s Act East Policy: Linking of South Asian economies with South East Asian region will bring further economic integration and prosperity to India particularly in its under-developed Eastern region
Potential for India’s export: With closer economic integration of economies in the region, India’s domestic companies will get access to much bigger market thus boosting their revenues
Challenges for SAARC & BIMSTEC
Broad area of cooperation leads to diversion of energy and resources.
Inadequate Political Will: India’s inclination towards Big powers which leads to neglecting its relationship with its neighbours
Bilateral tensions, especially between India and Pakistan, spilling over into SAARC meetings.
Perception of India being a Big Brother vis-à-vis its neighbours whereby India enforces its own agenda on small neighbouring countries through these groupings
Slow implementation of the projects announced by India – declines India’s credibility to deliver on its promises thus pushing Nations to seek help from China or West.
Rising China in the region with its overarching Belt & Road initiative (Cheque book Diplomacy of China)
Suggestion made by Mr. Wickremesinghe at the conclave
An even smaller sub-grouping of four countries with complementary economies: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Thailand, to begin the process of reducing tariffs and demolishing non-tariff barrier regimes
Proactive India’s leadership and more integrated South Asian region would enable India & others to negotiate for better terms with RCEP so as not to be cut out of the “productivity network” in Asia
Also there is need to come up with concrete Economic Integration Road Map to speed up the process of greater cooperation & integration in regional arena
Conclusion
For any regional sub-grouping in South Asia to flourish, it is India that will have to make the most concessions given the vast trade deficits India’s neighbours have at present, which it may not wish to do.India needs to be more accommodative for the realisation of its ambitions.
Connecting the dots
ASEAN and EU – difference in structure & functioning of these regional organisation
Economy
Topic: General Studies 3:
Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
India’s Economic Slowdown
Context
The economy grew at 4.7 per cent in the October-December quarter, down from the revised estimate of 5.1 per cent in the second quarter
However, the situation is much worse than what the headline numbers suggest.
At the aggregate level, gross value added grew by 4.5% in the third quarter, down from 4.8% in the previous quarter.
But excluding public administration, defence and other services, which largely connote government spending, value added by the rest of the economy grew by a mere 3.7% in the third quarter, down from 5.2% in the same quarter last year
Growth thus continues to be propped up by higher government spending.
Manufacturing sector has seen contraction (negative growth) for two consecutive quarters
For the full year, manufacturing sector is expected to grow barely at 1%, down from 5.7% in the last year.
Construction activity also slowed down reflecting the continued dismal performance of the real estate sector.
Gross fixed capital formation, which represents investment in the economy, has now contracted for two straight quarters
NSO now expects investments to contract by 0.6% in 2019-20, after growing by 9.8 per cent in the previous year,
Future Bright Prospects
Gross value added is expected to pick up to 5 per cent in the fourth quarter, up from 4.5 per cent in the third quarte
Data of the eight core sectors have grown for two consecutive months.
National statistics office thus believes that the economy has bottomed out and an upward trend is likely in coming quarters
Capital investments announced by government (National Infrastructure Pipeline) will kickstart private sector and start yielding results in medium to long term
The structural changes brought in economy through Insolvency & Bankruptcy code, GST and JAM trinity (Financial Inclusion) will enable formalisation of the economy in the long run.
Downside risks
The Centre’s revenues may well fall short of the revised estimates. This may impinge on its ability to maintain its spending at current levels in the fourth quarter.
The full impact of the coronavirus is yet to play out. Economic activity in February and March is likely to be impacted directly and indirectly, depending on the duration and intensity of its spread.
Disruptions in supply chains and lower external demand due to trade tensions of USA with China & others, may further add to domestic issues.
Conclusion
One of the reasons for current slowdown has been the weak demand in the country especially from rural sector. Thus, government should try to increase disposable incomes (through schemes like MGNREGA) in the hands of people which will revive the growth in economy.
