Daily Current Affairs UPSC 04 April 2024

S.A.R.A.H.

•    Prototype named S.A.R.A.H. uses generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) for public health.
•    About S.A.R.A.H:
o    Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health with new language models and cutting-edge technology.
o    Provides information on major health topics, healthy habits, and mental health.
o    Aims to be an additional tool for people to understand their rights to health.
o    Supports better understanding of risk factors for leading causes of death like cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes.

PRATUSH Radio Telescope

•    Researchers working on PRATUSH (Probing ReionizATion of the Universe using Signal from Hydrogen).
•    Currently funded for pre-project studies by ISRO.
•    About Pratush:
o    Future space radio telescope to be placed in lunar orbit.
o    Objectives include revealing the transformation of the Universe after the Big Bang and determining when the first stars formed.
o    Advantage over ground-based experiments like SARAS due to mitigation of radio-frequency interference and atmospheric contaminants through a space-based telescope.

Article 293 (Borrowing of States)

•    Supreme Court has referred questions on Article 293 to a constitution Bench.
•    Article 293:
o    Article 293(1) allows states to borrow within India with security of Consolidated Fund.
o    Article 293(2) allows central government to make loans to states and give guarantees.
o    Article 293(3) restricts states from borrowing without consent if they have outstanding loans from central government.

Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR)

•    India plans to build first privately managed SPR by 2029-30.
•    Aim is to enhance stockpiles against supply disruptions.
•    Project overseen by Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd (ISPRL).
•    Location: Padur (Karnataka) with second site planned in Odisha.
•    Current SPRs in Visakhapatnam, Mangalore, and Padur in India.

Dornier 228

•    India has delivered two advanced Dornier 228 aircraft to Guyana.
•    About Dornier 228 Aircraft:
o    The Dornier 228 is a twin-engine turboprop, multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft.
o    Manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
o    Can be used for surveillance, information gathering, medical rescue, and transportation of goods.
•    Other countries like Maldives and Sri Lanka have also received these aircraft from India.

Paira cropping system

•    Paira cropping system is a conservation agricultural practice in Odisha that has been dwindling in recent years.
•    About Paira cropping system: 
o    It involves a relay method of sowing short-duration pulses/oilseeds in standing rice crops about two weeks before harvest.
o    Does not require interventions like tillage, weeding, irrigation, and fertilizer application.
o    Benefits include maximizing land use efficiency and boosting farmers' income.
o    Practiced in areas like Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Chattisgarh, and Odisha.

Commonwealth Games

•    Singapore rules out hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games
•    About CWG:
o    The Commonwealth Games take place every four years.
o    Members of Commonwealth Nations, overseas territories, and island states participate.
o    Managed by the Commonwealth Games Federation in London, England.
o    Formerly known as the British Empire Games, first held in Canada in 1930.
•    Commonwealth Nations were originally British territories, but other countries can now join.
o    India is a member of the Commonwealth.

Indian Ocean Geoid Low

•    The Indian Ocean has a phenomenon called the 'gravity hole' or 'Indian Ocean Geoid Low (IOGL)'.
•    Earth's gravitational pull is weaker in this area, causing the sea level to dip by around 100 meters.
o    This creates a gravitational/geoid anomaly with a depression in the ocean and a lowest point in the geoid.
•    Earth is not a perfect sphere but a geoid, with a bulging middle and uneven surface.
o    The uneven surface is due to non-uniform gravity caused by the unequal distribution of matter within the planet's interior.

Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay (1903 – 1988)

•    Remembering Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay on her birth anniversary.
•    Born in Mangalore, she was a freedom fighter, social reformer, art enthusiast, and politician.
•    Key Contributions:
o    Played a key role in the All India Women’s Conference (AIWC).
o    First woman to run for a legislative seat in India, in the Madras provincial elections.
o    Convinced Mahatma Gandhi to give women equal opportunity in the Salt Satyagraha of 1930.
o    Joined Seva Dal and trained women activists.
o    Became President of Congress Socialist Party in 1936.
•    Values upheld by Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay:
o    Courage.
o    Patriotism.
o    Leadership.
o    Justice.

"Measuring the Emissions and Energy Footprint of the ICT Sector: Implications for Climate Action" Report released

•    Report on Emissions and Energy Footprint of ICT Sector Released.
•    Jointly by ITU and World Bank.
•    Key Highlights:
o    Digitalization growth leading to increased energy use and emissions.
o    ICT sector responsible for at least 1.7% of global emissions.
o    2.6 billion people unconnected to internet, connecting them will increase emissions.
o    ICT sector accounted for 60% of renewable power purchases in 2021.
o    Lack of comprehensive data on country-based ICT emissions.
•    Key Recommendations:
o    Data-driven approach for policy decisions and emission reduction targets.
o    Technology transitions in ICT sector can reduce emissions with careful planning.
o    Regulatory modifications, incentives, and collaboration can promote sustainable energy access.

Sources of ICT sector emissions:

Taiwan rocked by earthquake of magnitude 7.4, biggest in 25 years

•    Earthquake in Taiwan:
o    Magnitude 7.4 earthquake hits Taiwan, largest in 25 years.
o    Caused by reverse faulting near boundary of Eurasia and Philippine Sea plates.
o    Taiwan is prone to earthquakes due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
•    Ring of Fire:
o    Horseshoe-shaped string of volcanoes and seismic activity around Pacific Ocean.
o    90% of earthquakes and 75% of active volcanoes occur along Ring of Fire.
o    Result of plate tectonics, meeting points of various tectonic plates.
o    Volcanic activity along subduction zones at convergent plate boundaries.
o    Transform boundary between Pacific and North American Plates generates earthquakes due to tension buildup and release.

Delhi High Court has declared ‘Haldiram’ as well-known trademark:

•    The Delhi High Court has officially recognized the brand 'Haldiram' and its red oval-shaped mark as a well-known trademark in the food industry.
•    This designation means that the use of the 'Haldiram' mark indicates a strong connection to the brand for a significant portion of the public.
India’s Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) Policy Management (IPRPM) framework covers following types of IPRs:
•    Patents: Governed by the Patent Act, 1970, patents protect novel, inventive, and industrially useful inventions for a period of 20 years.
•    Trademarks: Covered under the Trademark Act, 1999, trademarks protect brand names, logos, and designs for businesses or commercial enterprises for 10 years, with the option to renew for another 10 years.
•    Designs: Governed by the Designs Act, 2000, designs protect new or original designs for a period of 10 years, with the option to renew for an additional 5 years.
•    Copyrights: Regulated by the Copyrights Act, 1957, copyrights protect creative, artistic, and literary works for the lifetime of the author plus 60 years, or 60 years for producers and 50 years for performers.
•    Geographical Indications (GI): Covered under the GI Act, 1999, GI protection is granted to products with unique characteristics due to their geographical origin for 10 years, with the option to renew for another 10 years.
•    Trade Secrets: Protected under Common Law, trade secrets safeguard confidential information with commercial value for as long as the confidentiality is maintained.

IMD warns of more tornadoes in northern Bengal

•    Tornadoes have been increasing in India due to warming Bay of Bengal, heated land, and strange wind patterns
•    Tornadoes are violent rotating air columns extending from thunderstorms to the ground with wind speeds of 105-322 Km/hr
•    They develop from severe thunderstorms in warm, moist, unstable air along cold fronts
•    Tornadoes are most common in the United States, Argentina, and Bangladesh
•    In India, they are reported in eastern states like West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand during the pre-monsoon period

Comparison between Tropical Cyclones and Tornadoes:

Integration of technology into criminal justice system (CJS) requires careful consideration: CJI

•    Importance of Technology in Criminal Justice System (CJS)
o    Speedy and fair trials: Technology can help avoid delays in the justice system.
o    Crime detection: AI has helped in reducing investigation time in cases like sex trafficking.
o    Predictive policing: Algorithms can forecast criminal activity.
o    Improved accuracy: Forensic solutions and biometric systems like Iris recognition enhance accuracy.
•    Concerns with Technology Integration in CJS
o    Privacy issues: Questions of accountability and transparency arise.
o    Digital divide: Those without Internet access or technological proficiency may be excluded.
o    Bias in AI: Artificial intelligence is not free of prejudice and biases.
•    Steps taken:
o    NETRA Lab: Established to enhance CBI's digital investigative processes.
o    NATGRID: Integrated intelligence database for counter-terrorism efforts.
•    Way Ahead:
o    Clear guidelines and safeguards to prevent misuse of advanced technologies and protect privacy rights.
o    Multidisciplinary teams with law enforcement officers, domain experts, and data analysts to address global crime.
o    Digitalization of foundational processes like filing FIRs for efficiency and effectiveness.

South Asia, India risk squandering demographic dividend: World Bank

•    World Bank report states that South Asia, including India, is not benefiting from its demographic dividend
•    Demographic dividend refers to the economic growth potential that arises when the working-age population is larger than the non-working-age population
•    India is projected to have this demographic dividend for 37 years from 2018 to 2055
•    Challenges in Harnessing Demographic Dividends
o    Jobless growth: Employment ratio in South Asian countries is only 59%, lower than other emerging economies
o    Exceptionally low shares of women in employment
o    Weak employment trends in non-agricultural sectors
o    Slow private investment and reliance on public investment
o    Slowing global growth and heightened risks
•    Recommendations for Harnessing Demographic Dividends
o    Greater openness to international trade by reducing barriers
o    Development of flexible labor laws and efficient land markets
o    Investment in infrastructure, particularly in transportation and agricultural sectors
o    Improving female labor force participation through wage subsidies and tax benefits
o    Improved human capital for easy switching of employment from agriculture to non-agriculture.