Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Ukraine attacked Moscow on Sunday with at least 34 drones, the biggest drone strike on the Russian capital since the start of the war in 2022, forcing flights to be diverted from three of the city’s major airports and injuring at least five people.

Background: –

• The barrages come amid expectations that US president-elect Donald Trump may put pressure on both sides to end the conflict.

Key takeaways

• Moscow and its surrounding region, with a population of at least 21 million, is one of the biggest metropolitan areas in Europe, alongside Istanbul.
• The 2-1/2-year-old war in Ukraine is entering what some officials say could be its final act after Moscow’s forces advanced at the fastest pace since the early days of the war and Donald Trump was elected 47th president of the United States.
• Kyiv, itself the target of repeated mass drone strikes from Russian forces, has tried to strike back against its neighbour with repeated drone strikes against oil refineries, airfields and even Russian strategic early-warning radar stations.
• Moscow and Kyiv have both sought to buy and develop new drones, deploy them in innovative ways, and seek new ways to destroy them – from using farmers’ shotguns to advanced electronic jamming systems.
• Russia has developed a series of electronic “umbrellas” over Moscow, with additional advanced internal layers over strategic buildings, and a complex web of air defences to shoot down the drones before they reach the Kremlin in the heart of the capital.

Additional Information:

• As the Russia-Ukraine war continues to rage, newer weapons of destruction have come into play. Recently, both sides have posted visuals of drones appearing to rain down fire — earning this weapon the moniker of “dragon drone”.
• Dragon drones essentially release a substance called thermite — a mixture of aluminium and iron oxide — developed a century ago to weld railroad tracks.
• When ignited (usually with the help of an electrical fuse), thermite triggers a self-sustaining reaction that is quite difficult to extinguish. It can burn through almost anything, from clothes to trees to military-grade vehicles, and can even burn underwater.

Source: BBC

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: India should be a part of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, Niti Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam said recently.

Background: –

• Subrahmanyam emphasised that India will have to get into the global value supply chain as 70 per cent of the world’s trade happens through the global supply chain.

Key takeaways

• The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a significant free trade agreement among 15 Asia-Pacific nations: Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. 
• Collectively, these countries account for approximately 30% of the world’s GDP, trade, and population, making RCEP the largest trading bloc globally.

Key Features of RCEP:

• Trade Liberalization: RCEP aims to reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers, facilitating smoother trade flows among member countries. 
• Market Access: The agreement enhances market access for goods and services, promoting increased economic integration in the region. 
• Investment Opportunities: By creating a more predictable and transparent investment environment, RCEP encourages cross-border investments among member states. 
• Economic Cooperation: The partnership fosters collaboration in areas such as intellectual property, e-commerce, and competition policy, aiming to harmonize standards and regulations. 

India’s Position on RCEP:

• Initially, India participated in RCEP negotiations but decided to withdraw in 2019, citing concerns over trade deficits and the potential impact on domestic industries. Despite its absence, RCEP remains open to India’s future participation, should it choose to reconsider its position.

Source: Business Standard

Syllabus:

• Prelims –  GEOGRPAHY

Context: Local residents of Sri Ganganagar district,Rajasthan held protests against alleged pollution in the river Sutlej, which they blame on factories in the neighbouring Punjab.

Background:

• The National Green Tribunal had imposed a fine of Rs 50 crore on the Punjab government in 2018 for “uncontrolled industrial discharge” into Sutlej and Beas. The tribunal once again pulled up the state in 2021, ordering it, as well as Rajasthan, to submit quarterly compliance reports to the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti (water resources) about the measures taken to curb the inflow of effluent discharge into the two rivers.

About Sutlej River

• The Sutlej River is the longest river among the five rivers of the Punjab region. The other four rivers that flow through the Punjab region are the Beas, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum. 
• It originates from the Rakshastal Lake near Mount Kailash in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
• From Tibet, it flows through Himachal Pradesh, enters the Punjab plains in India, and then moves into Pakistan, where it merges with the Chenab River to form the Panjnad River, which ultimately joins the Indus River.
• Tributaries: Major tributaries include the Baspa and Spiti rivers.
• Hydroelectric and Irrigation Projects:
  • Bhakra Nangal Dam: One of India’s largest dams, providing hydroelectric power and irrigation.
  • Nathpa Jhakri Dam: A major hydroelectric project in Himachal Pradesh.
  • Indira Gandhi Canal: One of the longest irrigation canals in the world, transporting Sutlej water to Rajasthan for agricultural purposes.
• Indus Waters Treaty (1960): The Sutlej River is allocated to India under the Indus Waters Treaty, signed between India and Pakistan. The treaty divides the waters of the Indus River and its tributaries, ensuring the Sutlej, along with the Ravi and Beas rivers, are under India’s control for usage.

Important Places Along the River:

• Ropar Wetland: A recognized Ramsar site in Punjab that is ecologically important.
• Harike Wetland: Another Ramsar site where the Sutlej meets the Beas River.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Prelims – ENVIRONMENT

Context: Lack of water due to excess deficit rainfall at the Hokersar wetland in the Kashmir Valley in recent years has impacted the arrival of migratory bird populations in the region.

Background: –

• According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Kashmir is facing a rainfall deficit of 81 per cent.

About Hokersar Wetland

• Hokersar Wetland is located near Srinagar in the Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
• It lies to the north of the famous Dal Lake and is situated at an elevation of about 1,585 meters (5,200 feet) above sea level.
• Ecological Importance: The wetland is a bird sanctuary, hosting a variety of migratory species, especially during the winter months. It is an important stopover for birds migrating along the Central Asian Flyway.
• Protection and Conservation: Hokersar Wetland was designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in 2005 due to its global ecological significance.

Source: Down To Earth

Syllabus:

• Prelims – POLITY

Context: Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), Ministry of Women and Child Development celebrates November as National Adoption Awareness Month to promote legal adoptions in the country

Background: –

• The theme for Adoption Awareness Month 2024 is “Rehabilitation of Older Children through Foster Care and Foster Adoption”.

Key takeaways

• The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India. 
• Established in 1990, it serves as the nodal agency for the adoption of Indian children, overseeing and regulating both in-country and inter-country adoptions.

Key Functions of CARA:

• Regulation of Adoption Procedures: CARA monitors and regulates the adoption process for orphaned, abandoned, and surrendered children, ensuring adherence to standardized protocols. 
• Implementation of the Hague Convention: Designated as the Central Authority under the Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption (1993), CARA manages international adoption cases in compliance with international standards. 
• Accreditation of Agencies: CARA accredits and supervises Specialised Adoption Agencies (SAAs) across India, ensuring they meet required standards for child care and adoption services. 
• Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System (CARINGS): CARA operates CARINGS, an online platform that facilitates transparency and efficiency in the adoption process by connecting prospective adoptive parents with available children.

Source: PIB

Syllabus:

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT 

Context: Ten wild elephants died in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve recently after consuming a “large quantity” of kodo millet plants, which had been infected with a fungus, a toxicology report released last week by ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, said.

Background: –

• The toxicological examination report also rejected suspicions that the elephants may have been poisoned intentionally. This was after the samples tested negative for several other toxic substances.

Key takeaways

• Kodo millet is a nutritious cereal grain grown in parts of India, particularly in central and eastern India, as well as in parts of Africa.
• It is known for its resilience to drought and harsh growing conditions, making it an important crop in rain-fed regions.
• Kodo millet has recently gained attention as a nutrient-dense alternative to rice and wheat, especially under the Indian Government’s initiative to promote millets for better nutrition and sustainable farming.
• Growing Season: Kodo millet is a short-duration crop, typically grown during the kharif season.
• It thrives in poor, dry soils with low water requirements, making it suitable for regions with limited irrigation.
• The plant height is typically around 1.5 to 2 meters, and it requires less water and fertilizers compared to traditional cereal crops like rice or wheat.
• Kodo millet is rich in proteins, fiber, and minerals such as iron, magnesium, and calcium.
• It has a low glycemic index, making it a healthy food choice for diabetics.
• It is a good source of antioxidants and vitamins, including B vitamins.

Challenges

• Mycotoxin Contamination: Kodo millet can be contaminated with mycotoxins, particularly cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), which can cause poisoning in both humans and animals.
• Anti-Nutritional Factors: Contains phytic acid, which can interfere with nutrient absorption

Source: Indian Express

Q1.) Which of the following statements about Kodo Millet are correct?

1. Kodo millet is a drought-resistant crop grown primarily in the Kharif season in India.
2. It is rich in fiber, iron, and calcium, and is also beneficial for diabetic patients due to its low glycemic index.
3. Kodo millet is primarily grown in highly irrigated areas and requires large amounts of fertilizers.

Select the correct answer using the code below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q2.) Consider the following statements about the Hokersar Wetland:

1. Hokersar Wetland is located in Punjab, India, and is recognized as a Ramsar site.
2. It is an important habitat for migratory birds and supports species such as the Northern Pintail and Bar-headed Goose.
3. The wetland faces threats from encroachment, pollution, and climate change.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q3.) Which of the following statements regarding the Sutlej River is/are correct?

1. It originates from the Rakshastal Lake near Mount Kailash.
2. The river plays a critical role in irrigation and hydropower generation in India, with significant projects like the Bhakra Nangal Dam.
3. Under the Indus Waters Treaty, the Sutlej is allocated to Pakistan for its use.

Select the correct answer using the code below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 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) – a

Q.3) – d