Daily Current Affairs UPSC 9 March 2024

Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme

•  Advance Authorisation Holders- Refers to manufacturer exporters or merchant exporters tied to supporting manufacturer
•  Special Economic Zones Units - Designated duty-free enclave to promote export
•  Export Oriented Units - Units undertaking to export their entire production of goods and services
• Significance of the Sectors - Above 3 sectors constitute approximately 25% of India’s exports
• RoDTEP Scheme Overview:
  • Launched by Ministry of Commerce and Industry in 2021
  • Aimed at refunding various embedded taxes and duties on exported products

National Cooperative Database

• Inauguration of NCD by Ministry of Cooperation
• NCD provides information on cooperative sector including number of cooperatives in states/UTs and different sectors
• Over 8 lakh registered cooperatives in India with over 30 crore citizens connected to them
• Benefits include:
  • Comprehensive, authentic, and updated data repository, identifying gaps in geographical spread of cooperative societies.
  • Facilitating planning, policymaking, and implementation for stakeholders.

Nomination to Rajya Sabha

• Sudha Murty, former chairperson of Infosys Foundation, nominated to Rajya Sabha
• Allocation of Business Rules, 1961 assigns "Nominations to the Rajya Sabha" to Ministry of Home Affairs
• Article 80(3) of Constitution allows President to nominate 12 members with special knowledge or experience
• Delhi High Court upheld Sachin Tendulkar's nomination under Article 80(3)

Measles and Rubella (MR)

• India awarded 'Measles and Rubella Champion Award' by MR Partnership
• MR Partnership includes agencies like American Red Cross and WHO
• Measles is highly contagious virus spread through contact with infected person
• Rubella is acute viral infection transmitted through airborne droplets when infected people sneeze or cough
• Humans are the only known host for MR
• MR are vaccine preventable diseases included in India's Universal Immunization Programme since 2017.

Indelible Ink (Voter’s Ink)

• Mysore Paints and Varnish Ltd received a large order from the Election Commission for 26.55 lakh vials of indelible ink.
• Rule 49K of Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 requires every elector to have their left forefinger marked with indelible ink by the Presiding officer or Polling Officer.
• The purple-coloured ink cannot be removed by any chemical, detergent, soap, or oil for several months.
• The ink contains silver nitrate, which reacts with the nail and darkens when exposed to light.

Anthropocene Epoch (Human Epoch)

• The International Commission on Stratigraphy rejected a proposal to declare the start of the Anthropocene Epoch in geologic time.
• The Anthropocene Epoch is an unofficial unit of geologic time that describes the period when human activity began to significantly impact Earth's climate and ecosystems.
• The current epoch is called the Holocene, which began 11,700 years ago after the last major ice age.
• Currently, on the geological time scale, we are living in the Phanerozoic Eon, Cenozoic Era, Quaternary Period, Holocene Epoch, and the Meghalayan Age.

Taiwan's Concerns about Kinmen Islands

• Taiwan has urged China to maintain the status quo around the waters near Kinmen islands.
• Kinmen is the main island in a group of 12 islands under Taiwan's jurisdiction.
• Located in the Taiwan Strait at the mouth of mainland China, Kinmen has a hilly terrain with a monsoonal subtropical climate.
• The island was a battleground between Communist and Nationalist parties in 1949.

Exercise 'Dharma Guardian' Concludes

• The 5th edition of the annual Indo-Japan military exercise "Dharma Guardian" concluded in Rajasthan.
• The exercise alternates between being held in Japan and India each year.

Tribute to Janjatiya Nayak Sambhudhan Phonglo (1850-1883)

• The government paid tribute to Sambhudhan Phonglo, a Janjatiya Nayak from Longkhor in North Cachar Hills of Assam.
• Sambhudhan Phonglo was an Indian freedom fighter from Longkhor in North Cachar Hills of Assam's present-day Dima Hasao District.

• Contribution of Sambhudhan Phonglo:
  • He revolted against the British annexation of Cachar in 1832.
  • He organized the Damasi youth to counter the British 'divide and rule' policy.
  • He led his army to attack and kill Major Boyad of the British army.
• Values demonstrated by Sambhudhan Phonglo:
  • Courage, leadership, altruism, and patriotism were some of the values exemplified by Sambhudhan Phonglo in his fight against British rule.

Internet's Impact on Drug Trafficking and Use: INCB Annual Report 2023

• According to a survey, the illicit market now has more access to psychotropic substances, narcotic drugs, and associated chemicals because of the Internet.
• Role of Internet in Drug Trafficking:
  • Cryptomarkets on the Deep Web provide anonymity for wholesale drug trade.
  • Social media platforms are used for local drug marketplaces, exposing inappropriate content to minors.
  • Internet pharmacies and telemedicine pose risks to patient safety by selling drugs without prescriptions.
  • Global trade in illicit pharmaceuticals is estimated at $4.4 billion.
• Challenges posed by Internet to Drug Control:
  • Encrypted communication methods make prosecuting online trafficking offenses difficult.
  • Offenders use regions with lax law enforcement to evade extradition due to the global reach of the Internet.
  • Presence of fentanyl and synthetic opioids online adds to the challenge.
• Recommendations:
  • Use online platforms to prevent non-medical drug use and educate about the harms of drug use.
  • Implement legislation and policies to prosecute illegal marketplaces on social media.
  • Utilize real-time counter-trafficking tools to gather intelligence against traffickers exploiting e-commerce services.

International Narcotics Control Board (INCB):

• Secretariat based in Vienna, Austria
• Established in 1968 in accordance with Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961
• Independent and quasi-judicial monitoring body for UN international drug control conventions
• 13 members elected by Economic and Social Council for five-year terms
• INCB Initiatives
• Preventing Internet exploitation for drug trafficking:
  • Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme
  • Project International Operations on New psychoactive substances (ION).

Disruptions at Critical Shipping Routes Impact Global Trade: IMF

• As per the PortWatch platform, an IMF and University of Oxford collaborative initiative:
• Suez Canal Disruption:
  • Attacks on vessels in the Red Sea led to a 50% drop in trade volume through the Suez Canal in the first two months of 2024.
  • The Suez Canal is a crucial maritime route between Asia and Europe, typically accounting for 15% of global maritime trade.
• Cape of Good Hope Route:
  • Shipping companies diverted their ships around the Cape of Good Hope due to disruptions at the Suez Canal.
• Panama Canal Disruption:
  • Severe drought in the Panama Canal caused a 32% decrease in trade volume from the previous year.
  • The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and usually accounts for about 5% of global maritime trade.
• Impact of trade disruption:
  • Supply chain disruption can lead to inflationary pressure and threats to food and energy security.
  • Increased delivery time due to diversions can negatively impact companies with limited inventories.
  • Ship re-routing can affect customs records on imports and exports, potentially causing delays and discrepancies in trade data.
  • Difficulty in gauging the underlying momentum of global trade and economic activity due to disrupted trade routes.

Initiatives for stability in the Red Sea:

• Operations Prosperity Guardian: A multinational security initiative led by the US under the Combined Maritime Forces, focusing on security in the Red Sea with members including the UK, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain.
• Operation Aspides: Launched by the EU to restore regional stability around the Red Sea.

India's Flexible UNSC Reform Proposal

• India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan (all G4 countries) presented the reform concept during intergovernmental negotiations on UNSC reform.
• India proposes a detailed model for UNSC reform with flexibility in veto
• Enlarged Membership: 11 Permanent members, and 14/15 non-permanent members with a 2 years term
• Equitable Regional representation: 6 new permanent members from different regions
• Working methods of Council: Decision requires an affirmative vote of 14/15 members
• Veto: New permanent members will not have veto-right until a review after fifteen years
• Relationship between UNSC and UNGA: Council should hold regular consultations with President of UNGA, submit reports, etc.
• About the UNSC :
  • One of the six main UN bodies, the UNSC, is primarily in charge of preserving world peace and security.
  • Reform of it is being pursued as:
  • The UNSC does not accurately reflect modern reality.
  • Insufficient emphasis on certain regions.
  • Permanent members abusing their veto power.

Great Barrier Reef hit by 5th Mass Bleaching Event in 8 Years

• Mass bleaching events have occurred on the Great Barrier Reef in 1998, 2002, 2016, 2017, 2020, and 2022.
• Bleaching happens when corals are stressed by high ocean temperatures, leading them to expel algae and lose their vibrant colors.
• Causes of Mass Bleaching evernts:
  • Climate change induced warming: The current underwater heatwave is most intense in the southern Great Barrier Reef, which is most affescted by bleaching.
  • Rising frequency of El Nino: El Nino events increase the frequency and severity of mass-bleaching events.
  • Lack of wind and currents: Less mixing of water layers, clearer seas, and deeper penetration of solar irradiance can intensify bleaching.
  • Other causes: Extremely low tides, pollution, overexposure to sunlight, etc.
• Great Barrier Reef (GBR) spans over 2,300 kilometers along Australia's northeast coast
  • GBR is the largest coral reef system in the world, situated in the Pacific Ocean
  • Designated as a World Heritage Site in 1981
  • The reef is formed by coral polyps, which are small organisms that build the reef structure.

Coral Reefs:

• Coral reefs are structures made up of colonies of tiny individual corals called polyps
• These marine invertebrate animals have hard exoskeletons made of calcium carbonate
• In India, coral reefs can be found in the Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Mannar, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands, and Malvan in Maharashtra.

Prime Minister presented first-ever National Creators Award (NCA)

• NCA celebrates diverse voices and talents shaping India's growth and cultural narrative
  • Spearheaded by MyGov India, award features categories recognizing excellence in storytelling, social change advocacy, education, etc.
• Creator Economy refers to businesses, platforms, and individuals creating, distributing, and monetizing online content
  • Initiatives like Digital India campaign led to formation of content creators
• Status of Indian Creator Economy:
  • 80 million creators, 150,000 professional content creators, projected to double by 2027
  • Factors influencing growth: Rise in internet usage, adoption of remote work, popularity of short-form video content
• Significance of Creator Economy:
  • Promotion of India's cultural ethos.
  • Exceptional content with entertainment and social messaging.
  • Increase in job roles like video editors and graphic designers etc.

India to resume Penicillin G production after 30 years

• Penicillin G as an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) - Penicillin G is used in manufacturing antibacterial drugs to treat various infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
  • Penicillin G is also referred to as benzylpenicillin or benzylpenicillinic acid.
  • Scottish biologist Alexander Fleming isolated the first specific form of penicillin from Penicillium fungi in 1928.
  • He shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine for this discovery in 1945.
  • Penicillin G is typically administered intravenously or intramuscularly due to poor oral absorption.
  • The manufacturing of Penicillin G in India was phased out due to cheaper imports from China after globalization.
• About API:
  • API, or active pharmaceutical ingredient, is a crucial component of a drug that gives it its therapeutic effect.
  • India is the third largest pharmaceutical industry in the world by volume, but heavily relies on importing bulk drugs, especially from China.
  • Challenges in API manufacturing include high initial costs and tough global competition.
• The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has introduced initiatives to promote self-reliance in API production.
• These initiatives include the Scheme for Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Pharmaceuticals, which covers APIs and key starting materials/drug intermediates.