Daily Current Affairs UPSC 14 February 2024

Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR)

• Ministry of Education has created approximately 25 crore APAAR IDs.

About APAAR:

• APAAR is introduced in alignment with NEP 2020 and NCrF.
• It is part of the 'One nation, One Student ID' initiative.
• APAAR assigns a unique and permanent 12-digit ID to every student, consolidating their academic achievements in one place.
• It helps reduce fraud and duplicate educational certificates by providing a trusted reference for educational institutions.

High Powered Microwave (HPM) Weapons

• Chinese scientists have developed a new HPM weapon powered by Stirling engines.
• Stirling engines use compression and expansion to convert thermal energy into mechanical energy.
• HPM weapons are a type of Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system.
• DEWs can convert chemical or electrical energy into radiated energy and focus it on a target, causing physical damage.
• HPM weapons generate beams of electromagnetic energy across a wide range of radio and microwave frequencies.
• These beams can potentially damage or disrupt electronics in targeted systems.

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

• Centre launched PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, a rooftop solar scheme for free electricity.
• Aim: To provide free electricity to 1 crore households by lighting up their homes with rooftop solar systems.
• Cost burden removal: Subsidies will be directly deposited into people's bank accounts and concessional bank loans will be provided.
• Enhanced convenience: All stakeholders will be connected through a National Online Portal for easy access and management.
• Awareness generation: Urban Local Bodies and Panchayats will be encouraged to promote rooftop solar systems in their areas.
• Additional benefits: Increased income, reduced power bills, and employment opportunities.

Nor'easter:

• A strong Nor’easter storm hit Northeast of USA.
• Definition: A storm that occurs along the East Coast of North America, characterized by winds typically coming from the northeast.
• Winter conditions: Cold Arctic air moves southward across North America, while warm air from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic tries to move northward.
• Temperature difference: The contrast between the cold air over land and the warm air over the ocean fuels Nor'easters.
• Impact: Heavy rain or snow, strong gale force winds, rough seas, and coastal flooding.

Hori Habba:

• Casualties during Hori Habba raise concerns about animal and human safety.
• Hori Habba is a bull-taming rural sport held in Karnataka.

Animal Sports in India:

• Jallikattu: A bull-taming sport that takes place during the Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu.
• Kambala: A traditional buffalo race that is held in coastal Karnataka.
• Rooster fight (Cockfight): A sport associated with gambling that is popular in states like Andhra Pradesh.
• Bulbul fights: Fights involving bulbuls that are held in Assam during the Magh Bihu festival.
• Bullock Cart Race: Races involving bullock carts that are held in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.

Kaji Nemu (Citrus limon):

• Assam government declares Kaji Nemu as 'State Fruit'.
• Kaji Nemu is known for its unique aroma and health benefits.
• It has a high nutrient content, especially vitamin C.
• It carries a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, which identifies goods with special characteristics from a specific geographical territory.
• It is provided under Grographical Indications of goods (Registration and 

The Weimar Triangle:

• Foreign Ministers of Germany, Poland, and France meet to revive the Weimar Triangle.
• The Weimar Triangle was created in 1991 to develop a shared vision for Europe and strengthen ties between the three countries.
• It initially focused on supporting German-Polish reconciliation after World War II.
• The group is named after the city of Weimar, Germany, where the first meeting took place.

China's Maglev Train Breaks Speed Record

• China's maglev train has achieved a new speed record, surpassing its previous record of 623 km/h.
• Maglev trains use magnetic levitation to run above the guideway, eliminating the need for traditional rail tracks.
• Superconducting magnets suspend the train above a U-shaped concrete guideway, with matching poles repelling each other.

Advantages of Maglev Trains

• Maglev trains produce no emissions as they lack an engine, making them environmentally friendly.
• The absence of friction between wheels and rail allows for higher speeds to be achieved.
• The design of maglev trains prevents two trains traveling the same route from catching up and crashing into each other.
    

Rwanda (Capital: Kigali)

Rwandan Army's use of advanced weaponry in eastern DR Congo:

• According to a UN document, the Rwandan Army is utilizing sophisticated weapons such as surface-to-air missiles in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• This suggests that Rwanda is involved in military activities in the neighboring country.

Political boundaries of Rwanda:

• Rwanda is a landlocked country located in east-central Africa.
• It is bordered by Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west.
• These boundaries define the territorial limits of Rwanda and its neighbouring countries.

Geographical features of Rwanda:

• The highest point in Rwanda is Mount Karisimbi, which is part of the Virunga Range.
• Rwanda is home to several major lakes, including Lake Kivu and Muhazi Lake.
• The country is also traversed by significant rivers such as Akagera, Akanyaru, and Mukungwa in the Nile Basin, as well as Rubyiro, Ruhwa, and Rusizi in the Congo Basin.
    

Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) launches 'Smart Gram Panchayat' pilot project

• Aims to extend PM-WANI service in all gram panchayats in Begusarai district, Bihar.
• Funded under Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, implemented by MoPR.

Need to digitize gram panchayats:

• Enhance connectivity and bridge rural-urban divide.
• Foster accountability and efficiency in local self-governance.
• Improve access to online services in sectors like health, education, and skilling.
• Create employment, enhance incomes, and boost GDP.

PM-WANI Scheme launched by Department of Telecommunication in 2020:

• Aims to enhance proliferation of public WiFi hotspots.
• robust digital communications infrastructure, especially in rural areas.

PM-WANI consists of four elements:

• Public Data Office (PDO): Establish and operate WiFi hotspots.
• Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA): Provide aggregation services.
• App Provider: Develop an app for users to access WiFi hotspots.
• Central Registry: Maintain details of app providers, PDOAs, and PDOs.

Concerns with PM-WANI:

• Security threats with extensive network of public WiFi hotspots.
• Potential increase in internet prices for users due to private sector innovation.
• Slowdown in connection speed.

Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution submits report on 'Transforming Fair Price Shops (FPSs)':

• Report submitted on transforming Fair Price Shops (FPSs).
• FPSs distribute essential commodities to ration card holders under TPDS.
• License for FPSs issued under Essential Commodities Act (ECA), 1955.
• ECA regulates production, supply, distribution, and trade of certain commodities.
• TPDS launched in 1997 for providing lower subsidised food prices for BPL families than APL beneficiaries.

Key issues with FPS:

• Leakages and diversion of food-grains.
• Financial non-viability of FPS.

Efforts for transforming Fair Price Shops:

Increasing sales of non-PDS commodities:

• Encourage the sales of products like Khadi and Ayush from Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Fair Price Shops (FPS).
• This will help diversify the products available at FPS and increase their sales.

Establishing a monitoring cell:

• Create a monitoring cell to track the progress of model FPS in all states.
• This will ensure that the FPS are functioning effectively and meeting the required standards.

Improving the working of Vigilance Committees (VCs):

• VCs are established under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) by State Governments at different levels (State, District, Block, and FPS).
• Enhance the functioning of VCs to ensure transparency and accountability of the personnel involved in Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).

Connecting ePoS machines with weighing machines:

• Ensure that all electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) machines used in FPS are connected to and synchronized with weighing machines.
• This will enable accurate measurement and delivery of ration, improving the efficiency of the system.

Common Services Centers (CSC):

• Enable 43,000 FPSs to function as Common Services Centers (CSCs).
• CSCs serve as access points for the delivery of various Business-to-Consumer (B2C) and Government-to-Consumer (G2C) services.

MUDRA loans through the Department of Financial Services:

• Provide MUDRA loans to Fair Price Shops through the Department of Financial Services.
• These loans will help in capital augmentation and business diversification.

Sale of non-PDS commodities

• The TPDS Control Order 2015 allows the sale of non-PDS items at Fair Price Shops.
• General store items like oil, pulses, salt, spices, etc., can be sold at FPS.
• India Post Payments Bank (IPPB)/ Department of Posts (DOP)
• Enable 3,200 FPSs to function as Banking Correspondents (BCs) for India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) or Department of Posts (DOP).
• This will provide banking and financial services as well as postal services at FPS.

Other efforts

• Automation of FPS, End-to-End Computerization of TPDS Operation, and One Nation One Ration Card initiatives are launched.
• These efforts aim to ensure smooth and transparent functioning of FPS.

Odisha's Fourth Bio-Diversity Heritage Site (BHS) - Gupteswar Forest:

• After Mandasaru (Kandhamala district), Mahendragiri (Gajpati district), and Gandhamardan (Bargarh & Bolangir districts), Gupteswar is also declared as BHS.
• Location: Adjacent to Gupteswar Shiva temple, a natural limestone cave shrine.
• Significance: Holds sacred groves revered by the local community and has rich biodiversity.
• Key faunal species: Includes mugger crocodile, kanger valley rock gecko, and various avifauna species.
• Key floral species: Contains threatened medicinal plants such as the Indian trumpet tree, Indian snakeroot, Cumbi gum tree, Garlic pear tree, etc.

About Bio-Diversity Heritage Sites (BHS):

• BHS are unique ecosystems with rich biodiversity.
• Designated under Section 37 of Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
• State Government in consultation with local bodies can notify areas of biodiversity importance as BHS.
• State Government in consultation with Central Government can frame rules for management and conservation of BHS.
• BHS do not restrict prevailing practices and usages by local communities, except those decided by them.
• BHS can include richness of species, high endemism, presence of rare and threatened species, wild ancestors of domestic/cultivated species, and past pre-eminence of biological components with cultural, ethical, or aesthetic values.

BHS Components:

• Richness of wild and domesticated species or intra-specific categories.
• High endemism (restricted geographical distribution).
• Presence of rare and threatened species, keystone species, species of evolutionary significance.
• Wild ancestors of domestic/cultivated species or their varieties.
• Past pre-eminence of biological components represented by fossil beds with cultural, ethical, or aesthetic values.

India and UAE sign Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT):

• Aims to promote and protect foreign private investments in each other's territories.
• UAE becomes the country with which India has signed both Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and BIT.
• India has previously signed CEPA with Japan and South Korea, and BIT with Belarus.
• CEPA encompasses discussions and agreements related to trade in services and investment.

Other key agreements signed between India and UAE:

• Inter-governmental Framework Agreement concerning Cooperation for Empowerment and Operation of India-Middle East-Europe (IMEC) Economic Corridor.
• Calls for a sea-land connectivity project linking India with West Asia and Europe.
• MoU on Development of National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC).
• Aims to build Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat.
• Agreement on interlinking of instant payment platforms and domestic debit/credit cards.
• Facilitates seamless cross-border transactions and enhances universal acceptance of RuPay across UAE.
• Cooperation Protocol between National Library and Archives of UAE and National Archives of India.

India-UAE relations:

• Economic: UAE is India's second-largest export destination and third-largest trading partner with total trade at $85 billion
• Energy: Recently signed long-term contract for supply of LNG
• Defense: Conduct joint military exercise Desert Cyclone

Land Records Management Initiatives in Assam

• Roll out of National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS) throughout Assam
• Common application developed for registration departments across the country.

Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN)

• 14-digit alpha-numeric identification number assigned for a land parcel based on Geo-coordinates
• Blockchain in Land Records (LR) launched on a pilot basis in Darrang district, Assam.
• Aims to bring transformation in LR management.

Issues in Land Record (LR) Management in India:

• Presumptive land titling: Registered sale deeds provide evidence of transfer of title but are not a government guaranteed title to property.
• Property frauds: Duplication and tampering of original land documents.
• Large number of land related litigations.
• Double selling of landed property.
• Non-existence of unique record.

Use of Blockchain in LR Management:

• Tamper-proof solution: Blockchain allows transactions to be recorded and distributed but not edited, providing a secure method for managing LRs.
• Centralized database: A centralized database of LR accessible to all departments enables faster disposal of requests for subsidy, approval of loans, etc.
• Reduction of dependency: Publicly available blockchain data of property registrations reduces the need for non-reliable personnel/agencies to verify authenticity of LRs.

Blockchain:

• Distributed ledger technology: Data and transactions are stored in blocks.
• Secured against tampering: Blockchain uses cryptographic hash algorithms to ensure the integrity of the data.

Parliamentary committee submits Report on “Scheme for Creation/Expansion of Food Processing and Preservation Capacities (CEFPPC)"

• CEFPPC scheme as a component of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY)
• PMKSY as an Umbrella Scheme for the growth of Food Processing Sector

Key features of CEFPPC scheme:

• Ministry: Ministry of Food Processing Industries
• Objective of CEFPPC scheme is to create, expand, and modernize food processing units, increase processing levels, value addition, and reduce wastage.
• Assistance provided in the form of grants-in-aid, up to Rs. 5 crores.
• Assistance is 35% of project cost in general areas and 50% in difficult areas and for projects of SC/ST, FPOs, and SHGs
• Fund utilization is 60% for units inside Mega Food Parks (MFPs)/Agro-processing Clusters (APCs) and 40% for units outside MFPs/APCs
• Implementation through organizations like Central & State PSUs, Farmer Producers Organization (FPOs), SHGs, Cooperatives, etc.

Issues with CEFPPC Scheme:

• Delay in obtaining clearances from State Governments
• Receipt of ineligible proposals due to lack of knowledge about the scheme
• Pending eligible proposals due to lack of funds
• Under-utilization of funds allocated for Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP), Tribal Sub Plan (TSP), and Northeastern Region.

Recommendations of the committee:

• Engagement of Experts/Resource Persons for assistance to applicants.
• Improve planning process and execution mechanism with additional budgetary allocation.
• Implement the scheme in states/UTs without MFPs/APCs.
• Maintain balance in implementation.