Daily Current Affairs UPSC 30 August 2024

She-Box Portal

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development introduced the She-Box Portal to enhance safety for women in workplaces.
• The She-Box Portal serves as a centralized platform for women to register and track complaints of sexual harassment in the workplace.
• The main goal of the portal is to offer a single point of access for all women, regardless of their sector, to report incidents of sexual harassment.
• Additionally, the portal contains a collection of resources related to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act of 2013.

Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training (RESET) Programme

• The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has introduced the RESET Programme.
• The program is designed to provide retired athletes with the necessary knowledge and skills for career advancement and improved job prospects.
• It is open to retired athletes between the ages of 20-50 who have competed in international or national events and received medals.
• The program offers two levels based on educational qualifications: Class 12th and above, and Class 11th and below.
• It includes a hybrid mode of learning, combining self-paced online learning with on-site training and internships.
• Participants will also receive assistance with job placements and guidance for starting their own entrepreneurial ventures.

Securities Contracts Regulation Rules (SCRR), 1956

• The Department of Economic Affairs made changes to the SCRR, 1956 to allow Indian companies to list securities directly on International Exchanges in IFSCs.
• This change is important because it makes it easier for Indian start-ups and companies in emerging sectors like technology to access global capital.
• Indian companies can now benefit from increased opportunities to expand their presence in international markets.
• The Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 was created to regulate securities business and prevent undesirable transactions.

Monsoon Currents

• RK Beach visitors saw the sea recede by 150 meters recently.
• Experts think the shift in ocean currents from north to south in the Indian Ocean may have caused it.
• The Monsoon influences the Ocean Currents in the area.
• Monsoon currents are seasonal, reversing, open-ocean currents that flow between the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
• Other factors for the sea receding could include changes in tidal patterns and fluctuations in sea temperatures.

World Gold Council (WGC)

• WGC has increased its projection for India's gold consumption to 850 tonnes by 2024.
• The World Gold Council (WGC) was established in 1987 by mining companies and is a leading authority on gold, conducting research and exploring unique gold markets.
• Switzerland, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates are the top exporters of gold in 2022.
• Switzerland, China, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and India are the leading importers of gold in 2022.
• China, Australia, and Russia are the top producers of gold.
• In India, the largest gold resources are found in Bihar (44%), followed by Rajasthan (25%) and Karnataka (21%).
• India is the second largest consumer of gold after China.

Dhaincha

• Distribution of Dhaincha green manure has recently started in Tamilnadu.
• Dhaincha is commonly grown in India as a green manuring crop.
• It is a tall annual herb that thrives in wet areas and heavy soils.
• Dhaincha is used for livestock feed and soil improvement.
• Green manuring involves growing leguminous plants and incorporating them into the soil after they have grown sufficiently.
• This practice improves soil structure, increases water holding capacity, and reduces soil erosion.
• It also helps in reducing weed growth and reclaiming alkaline soils.
• Adding organic matter to the soil through green manuring stimulates soil microorganism activity.

Payment Passkey Service

• Mastercard has selected India as the location to introduce its Payment Passkey Service.
• The Payment Passkey Service offers customers a non-OTP-based solution for transactions.
• The service utilizes passkeys and tokenization to enhance security during online checkout.
• Biometric authentication options like fingerprint, face scan, or PIN are used to confirm payments.
• Benefits of the service include simplifying online shopping by eliminating the need to remember or share passwords or OTPs, as well as faster and more secure transactions due to financial account data not being shared with third parties.

Samudra Pratap

• The first Pollution Control Vessel developed by the Indian Coast Guard, named 'Samudra Pratap', has been launched.
• 'Samudra Pratap' was built by Goa Shipyard Limited for the Indian Coast Guard to help prevent oil spills along the country's coastline.
• The Indian Coast Guard was established in 1977 under the Ministry of Defence and has jurisdiction over the entire maritime zone up to 200 nautical miles, including 12 nautical miles of territorial waters.
• The role of the Indian Coast Guard includes ensuring the safety and protection of artificial islands, offshore terminals, providing protection to fishermen, and assisting in anti-smuggling operations with customs and other authorities.

Srimanta Sankaradeva

Assam Government Signs MoUs with Visva Bharati University for Srimanta Sankardeva Chair.

Srimanta Sankardeva: A Brief Overview

• Born in Aali-pukhuri in Nagaon district of Assam.
• 16th-century saint, scholar, polymath, and social-religious reformer.

Key Contributions of Srimanta Sankardeva

• Propagated Ek-Sarana-Hari-NaamDharma, a form of Vaisnavism.
• Founded monotheistic religious system.
• Established Vaishnavite monasteries called Sattras.
• Created new forms of music, theatrical performances, dance, and literary. language.
• Notable literary works include Bhakti Pradipa, Bhakti Ratnakara, and Kirtanna Ghosh.

Values of Srimanta Sankardeva

• Emphasized spiritualism, syncretism, and humanism in his teachings.

"INS Arighaat Joins Indian Navy Fleet"

• Arihant-class submarines are being developed domestically as part of the ATV Project.
• The first indigenous nuclear submarine, INS Arihant, was commissioned in 2016.
• INS Arihant successfully launched a Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) in 2022.
• It has the capacity to carry either four K-4 SLBMs with a range exceeding 3,500 km or twelve K-15 SLBMs with a range of around 750 km.
• In 2019, India signed a $3 billion deal with Russia to lease an Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine for 10 years.

Significance

• Enhancing the nuclear triad by strengthening land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and strategic bombers.
• Developing a credible second-strike capability in alignment with India's 'no first-use policy'.
• The strategic significance of SSBN in maintaining stability in South Asia, especially with nuclear-armed neighbors like China and Pakistan.
• Boosting India's naval strength by working towards a blue water naval capability.
• Contributing to the self-reliant India initiative by enabling essential defense and attack capabilities.

Challenges with India's Submarine Capabilities:

• China's superior SSBN fleet poses a challenge, with longer-range missiles compared to India's K-15 missiles.
• Issues like lack of sustained investment and continuous technological advancements need to be addressed for enhancing submarine capabilities.

"Pan-India Groundwater Fluoride Analysis by NRSC"

• National drinking water limit for fluoride is 1.50 milligrams/litre
• Excessive fluoride can lead to skeletal fluorosis, dental decay, and health risks, especially for children

Key Findings on Fluoride Contamination:

• States with above-permissible levels include Rajasthan, Telangana, western Andhra Pradesh, and eastern Karnataka
• Fluoride contamination is highest during dry summer pre-monsoon months
• Arid regions, particularly in western India, show higher contamination than humid areas

Status of Other Groundwater Contaminants in India:

• Arsenic contamination is prevalent in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh
• Uranium contamination is found in around 12 states, such as Punjab
• Iron contamination is present in states like Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Assam
• Other contaminants like antimony, cadmium, copper, and barium have adverse health impacts like toxicity, hypertension, and organ damage

Steps Taken to Address Contamination:

• Legislative provisions include the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974, Environment Protection Act 1986, and Water Cess Act 1977
• Groundwater recharge initiatives through rainwater harvesting programs like Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayee Yojna and Atal Bhujal Yojana

NITI Aayog Report on Edible Oils: Pathways to Atmanirbharta

The report emphasizes the need to close the gap between supply and demand in order to achieve self-sufficiency in various edible oils such as olive oil, palm oil, soybean oil, and canola oil.

Need for Achieving Self-Sufficiency in Edible Oils

• Minimizing Import Dependency: Currently, India imports around 57% of its edible oil, leaving it vulnerable to global price fluctuations and supply disruptions.
• Achieving Nutritional Security: Self-sufficiency in edible oils contributes to the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, essential for overall health.
• Enhancing Economic Development: Becoming self-sufficient in edible oils can have a positive impact on the balance of payments and foster growth in the processing industry.

Strategies to Attain Self-Sufficiency

• Area Retention and Diversification: Focus on retaining and diversifying areas for oilseed cultivation to increase domestic production.
• Development of Customized Cluster Technology: Implement technology tailored for specific regions to improve yield.
• Utilization of Wasteland and Fallow Land: Prioritize the use of unused land for oilseed cultivation to increase production.
• Seed Traceability and Quality Assurance: Establish systems to trace seeds and ensure quality for better yields.
• Promotion of Improved Production Technologies: Implement advanced technologies like heterosis breeding to increase crop yield.

Key Initiatives for Self-Sufficiency

• National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil Palm: A national initiative to promote the cultivation of oil palm for self-sufficiency in edible oils.
• Integrated Scheme on Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm, and Maize: A comprehensive scheme to support the cultivation of various oilseeds and crops for self-sufficiency.

"University of Southampton to Open Campus in Gurugram"

The University is recognized as one of the top 100 universities in the QS World University Rankings.

Provisions under National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and UGC guidelines

• NEP aims to encourage global universities to establish campuses in India.
• Internationalization at home involves offering courses in Indian culture, sciences, and traditions to attract global interest.
• UGC guidelines for 2023 focus on eligibility criteria, admissions, fee structure, and other aspects for foreign universities in India.

Significance of NEP and UGC Guidelines

• Helps in reducing brain drain and financial strain.
• Attracts reputable institutions to India.
• Encourages emerging private universities to improve their quality and capacity.

Implementational Challenges of NEP and UGC Guidelines

• Integrating Indian culture and multilingualism into the curriculum for Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) in India.
• FHEIs may focus more on India-specific research rather than general research, potentially limiting the effectiveness of UGC guidelines.
• Elite world-class institutions tend to remain domestic, leading to fewer FHEIs operating globally.

Future Roadmap for NEP and UGC Guidelines

• Promoting partnerships between FHEIs and local institutions for deeper research based on global experiences.
• Reforming governance models of local universities by involving global academics with autonomy.
• Encouraging studying in India for international students to attract more foreign students.

Government permits FCI rice sale for ethanol production

• The Food Ministry has allowed ethanol producers to participate in the Open Market Sale Scheme of rice between August and October 2024.
• The Ministry has also permitted the use of sugarcane juice, sugar syrup, B heavy molasses, and C heavy molasses for ethanol production in 2024-2025, reversing last year's ban.
• The earlier ban was implemented to ensure sugar availability for domestic consumption and price stability.

Rationale behind Latest Orders

• Managing Excess Stock: India currently has surplus rice stocks exceeding 540 lakh tonnes.
• Contributing to India's energy security and self-reliance: By boosting renewable energy use through ethanol blending.

Ethanol Blending Program

• Objective: The objective of the ethanol blending program is to blend ethanol in petrol with multiple objectives, including reducing import dependence and saving foreign exchange.
• Target: The target is to achieve 20% ethanol blending by 2025-2026.
• Status: The amount of ethanol blended with petrol has surged to over 500 crore liters in 2022-23, with the current blending rate exceeding 15%.

Challenges Faced in Ethanol Blending

• Producers: Challenges include availability of feedstock and weather-related issues.
• Oil Marketing Companies: Challenges include the need for additional storage tanks, logistics costs, and emissions.
• Vehicle Manufacturers: Challenges include optimizing engines for higher blends, conducting durability studies on engines, and field trials.

Way Forward for Ethanol Blending

• Encouraging the use of water-saving crops to produce ethanol, such as maize.
• Production from non-food feedstock to prevent tradeoff with food security.
• Clustering of ethanol distilleries and transferring from surplus to deficit states.

Initiatives Taken

• National Policy on Biofuels (2018).
• Reduced GST on ethanol for the Ethanol Blending Program from 18% to 5%.
• Amendment to the Industries (Development & Regulation) Act, 1951 for the smooth movement of ethanol across the country.