Daily Current Affairs UPSC 14 March 2024

Dibang Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project (DMHP)

• Prime Minister inaugurates the project
• Capacity: 2,880 MW of electricity
• Location: Lower Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh
• Developed under National Hydroelectric Power Corporation
• Construction using Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) technique
  • Highest RCC dam in the world
• 278 meters high, highest Concrete-Gravity dam in India.

Levels & Trends in Child Mortality Report 2023

• The United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation  (UN IGME) released report on child mortality
  • Global under-five child deaths at historic low in 2022
  • 59 countries may miss SDG under-five mortality target
• 4.9 million children died before fifth birthday in 2022
• UN IGME:
  • Formed in 2004
  • Aims to share data on child mortality and improve estimation methods
  • Led by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

Prasar Bharti - Shared Audio Visuals for Broadcast and Dissemination (PB-SHABD)

• Ministry of Information & Broadcasting launched PB-SHABD
• Includes websites of DD News and Akashvani News, updated News on Air mobile app
• News sharing service from Prasar Bharati
• Provides news feeds in video, audio, text, photo formats
• Free service for first year, news stories in major Indian languages across fifty categories.

Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS) 2024

• Launched by the Ministry of Heavy Industries to promote EV adoption
• Fund-limited scheme with Rs. 500 crore outlay for 4 months
• Eligible categories: Two Wheelers, Three-wheelers (including E-Rickshaws and Carts)
• Over its duration, the Scheme hopes to support almost 3.7 lakh EVs.
• It only applies to cars that have upgraded batteries installed.

World Monuments Fund (WMF)

• Eri (tank) network in Kazhuveli watershed region in Tamil Nadu proposed for WMF Watch 2025 program
  • WMF connects local heritage preservation to global awareness and action
• Leading independent organization safeguarding world's treasured places
• Headquarters in New York, with an office in India
• Preserved over 700 sites in 112 countries.

Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan (PM-SURAJ) Portal Overview

• The prime minister unveiled the PM-SURAJ webpage, a one-stop shop for financing programs for underprivileged groups.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE).
• Objective: To uplift marginalized sections of society and provide credit assistance to one lakh entrepreneurs from disadvantaged communities.
• Credit support facilitated through banks, NBFC-MFIs, and other organizations.

Devin AI software engineer

• US-based applied AI lab introduced world's first autonomous AI software engineer.
• Capable of building and deploying apps end-to-end, training AI models, and executing complex engineering tasks.
• Can recall context, learn over time, and correct mistakes.

Heritage 2.0 Initiative

• MoUs for the adoption of monuments under Adopt a Heritage 2.0 have been signed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and a number of other entities.
• Under the initiative, several business stakeholders might adopt a monument or particular features of a monument.
• In accordance with the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1958, it precisely outlines the facilities required for various monuments.
• Aim: to use corporate shareholder CSR funds to improve the monuments' amenities.

Tribute to Bhima Nayak

• Recently, the Government paid tribute to the great tribal leader Bhima Nayak.
  • Bhima Nayak, sometimes spelled as Bhima Naik, was a resident of Dhaba Bawdi in Badwani district of Madhya Pradesh.
  • He was a prominent leader of the Bhils of Nimar and was the first revolutionary to receive punishment of Kalapani, dying in 1876.

• Contributions of Bhima Nayak:
  • Bhima Nayak took part in the Uprising of 1857 against the British Raj, raising an anti-British force by bringing in men from Bhil, Bhilala, Mandoi, and Naik tribes, and collaborating with Tantia Tope.
  • He was known as the Robinhood of Nimar as he looted the British treasury and distributed the wealth among the poor people.
• Bhima Nayak played an important role in the 1857 Ambagani War, showcasing values such as courage, valour, and leadership.

EU Parliament passes groundbreaking AI regulation

• In addition to encouraging innovation, the EU Act seeks to safeguard high-risk AI from endangering democracy, the rule of law, environmental sustainability, and fundamental rights.
• EU AI Act Overview:
  • The AI Act defines 4 levels of risk for AI systems:
  • Unacceptable risk: Violation of EU Fundamental Rights, prohibited
  • High-risk: Requires conformity assessment and monitoring, impacts health, safety, Fundamental Rights, etc.
  • Specific Transparency risk: Requires information and transparency obligations, addresses risks like manipulation, impersonation, etc.
  • Minimal risk: No specific regulations, applies to common AI systems like spam filters.
• All-purpose AI models that pose systemic concerns must evaluate and reduce risks, disclose significant events, run cutting-edge testing, and so on.
• Few exceptions, it is forbidden to use real-time remote biometric identification in areas that are open to the public (such as CCTV facial recognition).
• Taking on gender and racial bias: To reduce the likelihood of biases, high-risk systems must be trained using appropriately representative datasets.
• India's Actions to Advance AI
  • The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology released an advisory mandating that all platforms identify any AI models that are under trial or unreliable and obtain express prior consent from the government before to implementing them.
  • The goal of India AI is to promote AI development in India.
  • 2018, National AI Strategy.

Other Steps taken to promote AI Globally:

• Bletchley Declaration: 29 countries, including India and the EU, signed a declaration to promote AI globally.
• Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) New Delhi Declaration: GPAI members agreed on advancing safe, secure, and trustworthy AI.
• Hiroshima AI Process (HAP): G7 countries are working on regulations for AI to ensure its responsible use.

International Energy Agency (IEA) released annual Global Methane Tracker 2024 report

• Key Findings:
  • Methane emissions from the energy sector in 2023 were close to a record high.
  • Fossil fuels and bioenergy were the main sources of methane emissions.
  • The top 10 emitting countries accounted for 70% of methane emissions from fossil fuels.
  • The United States, Russia, and China were the largest emitters in the oil, gas, and coal sectors respectively.
  • An estimated $170 billion is needed by 2030 to achieve a 75% reduction in methane emissions.
• Methane is an odorless, colorless, and flammable gas that is a greenhouse gas.
  • Methane is the second largest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide and a primary contributor to ground-level ozone formation.
• Initiatives to control Methane emission:
  • Global:
  • UNEP's International Methane Emissions Observatory aims to provide reliable data to reduce methane emissions.
  • The Global Methane Pledge, launched at COP26 in 2021, aims to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030.
  • The Global Methane Initiative focuses on using methane as a valuable energy source.
  • India:
  • The GobarDhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) scheme aims to control methane emissions.
  • The National Biogas and Organic Manure Programme in India also works towards reducing methane emissions.

International Energy Agency (IEA):

• Established in 1974 to coordinate a collective response to major disruptions in oil supply.
• Consists of 31 member countries, 13 Association countries, and 5 accession countries.
• India is one of the associate members of the IEA.
• To become a member, a country must be an OECD member and have the capacity to hold a crude reserve for 90 days of the previous year's import.

Boosting MSME Exports: NITI Aayog Report

• NITI Aayog report emphasizes export opportunities for MSMEs
  • Wood products and handloom textiles identified as having high export potential due to their unique cultural appeal
  • Increasing global demand for natural and sustainable products presents opportunities for MSMEs to export
• Challenges to MSMEs' export growth:
  • Limited financial access: Just 16% of MSMEs' credit needs are now being met by the credit available through commercial banks. Other financial barriers include a lack of working capital financing.
  • Restricted Market Access: Restrictions pertaining to international quality standards, limited exposure to the global export market, etc.
  • Business environment-related issues include a lack of reliable, globally approved testing facilities, lengthy customs clearance procedures, and numerous regulatory compliances.
  • The process of exporting goods is taxing: a lot of paperwork, several authorities' approval needed, etc.
• Recommendations from report:
  • Establish a centralized information channel for exporters to access export procedures and product-specific regulations
  • Develop a National Trade Network Portal to streamline the export process and lower costs
  • Encourage e-commerce exports and support first-time exporters to facilitate merchandise exports
  • Improve tracking and measurement of exports from MSMEs to identify areas for improvement and evaluate policy interventions.

Definition of Micro, small, and medium enterprises:

• These categories are based on parameters such as investment in plant and machinery and annual turnover.
• Parameters:
  • Investment in Plant and Machinery
  • Micro: Less than 1 Crore INR
  • Small: Less than 10 Crore INR
  • Medium: Less than 50 Crore INR
• Annual Turnover:
  • Micro: Less than 5 Crore INR
  • Small: Less than 50 Crore INR
  • Medium: Less than 250 Crore INR.

Cabinet Approves Agreement with UAE on IMEC

• IGFA's goal is to improve relationships and cooperation in Ports, Maritime, and Logistics sectors between two countries
  • Exploring potential for joint investment and collaboration for the development of IMEC
• IMEC is a proposed transit network integrating Asia, Europe, and the Middle East
  • Includes railroad, ship-to-rail networks, and road transport routes
• MoU signed at New Delhi G20 summit by India, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and the US to establish IMEC.
• Importance of IMEC:
  • Enhancing Prosperity: IMEC can lead to increased flow of energy and digital communications, boosting economic growth.
  • Significant GDP: The combined GDP of IMEC nations accounts for about 40 percent of the world's total GDP.
  • Alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative: IMEC offers a different approach to infrastructure development and connectivity.
  • Resilient Supply Chain: IMEC can make the global supply chain more resilient and lessdependent on a single country or region.
  • Trade and Engagement: IMEC can speed up trade between India and Europe and help India increase strategic engagement with the Arab world.

• Challenges of IMEC: Obstacles include the region's complicated geopolitics (the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict), a lack of commitment about the financial implications, etc.

Cabinet approves signing of various MoUs between India and Bhutan

• Signed MoUs and their Significance
  • General Supply of Petroleum and Related Products: - Promotes trade in hydrocarbons and ensures a secured supply of petroleum to Bhutan.
  • Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation: - Assists Bhutan in enhancing energy efficiency in the household sector through a star labeling program.
  • Food Safety: - Promotes ease of doing business by reducing compliance costs.
• India and Bhutan's Relationship:
  • Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 and renewed in 2007 forms the basic framework of the relationship.
  • Bilateral trade reached $1.42 Billion in 2021-22, accounting for 80% of Bhutan’s overall trade, with India being Bhutan’s top import and export destination.
  • Trade, Commerce, and Transit Agreement (2016) establishes a free trade regime and allows Bhutan duty-free transit of goods to/from third countries.
  • Developmental Initiatives: Providing scholarships to Bhutanese students and supporting skill development in sectors like health and agriculture.
  • Hydropower Projects: India has constructed four major hydroelectric projects in Bhutan to enhance energy production.
  • New Areas of Cooperation: Launching RuPay and BHIM app in Bhutan, joint development of India-Bhutan SAT, and other collaborative efforts.
• Challenges: Border discussions with China on the Doklam plateau and delays in project completion by India.

Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand gets the President's assent, becomes law

• Uttarakhand is the first state in India post-independence to implement Uniform Civil Code (UCC)
  • Goa has had a common civil code since 1867 when the Portuguese Civil Code was adopted
• UCC covers personal matters like marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance, and succession for all citizens irrespective of religion
• Article 44 of the Indian constitution aims to ensure UCC for all citizens across the country.
• Key features of the act:
  • Applicability: The act applies to all residents of Uttarakhand, except tribal communities.
  • Regulation of live-in relationships: The act requires the registration of live-in relationships.
  • Prohibition of bigamy: The act prohibits individuals from being married to more than one person.
  • Inheritance rights: The act grants equal property rights to sons and daughters across all classes.
• Need for Uniform Civil Code (UCC):
  • Ensuring Equality: Different communities are currently governed by different personal laws, leading to inequality.
  • Gender Justice: Implementing a UCC will help promote gender justice by eliminating discriminatory provisions in personal laws.
  • National Integration: Separating religion from social relations and personal laws through a UCC will ensure equality and harmony in society, as highlighted in the Supreme Court case of Mohd. Ahmed Khan v Shah Bano Begum (1985).

Challenges in the Adoption of Uniform Civil Code (UCC):

• Plurality and Diversity: The wide range of diverse customary practices in India makes it challenging to reach a consensus on implementing a Uniform Civil Code.
  • Law Commission's Opinion: In 2018, the Law Commission of India stated that a UCC is not necessary or desirable at the current stage in the country.
• Indian Secularism: India's secularism is based on the diversity of religions and people, which can complicate the implementation of a UCC.
• Concerns of Minorities: Minorities in India may fear losing their cultural identity and being marginalized if a UCC is enforced.
• Contradictory Provisions of the Constitution: The Constitution of India safeguards the local customs of many tribes, which can conflict with the idea of a Uniform Civil Code.