UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 15 January 2024

GS Paper 2

 Syllabus: Government Policies and Intervention

Source: TH

 Context: The article emphasizes the need for robust regulation in India’s online gaming industry due to emerging market failures, including concerns about addiction, mental health, financial fraud, and national security issues.

What is Online gaming?

It refers to video games/mobile games that are played over the internet through various devices. E.g., multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games, first-person shooter (FPS) games, massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), and many others.

Types of online gaming:

1. e-sports(well-organized electronic sports which include professional players),
2. Fantasy sports
3. Casual games:these can be either skill-based (mental skill) or chance-based (based on a random activity like a roll of a dice) online games.

Issues with Online Gaming:

Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has released the Draft Rules for Online Gaming (as an amendment to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021)

Other regulations:

1. State subject:Online gaming so far has been a state subject, but state governments are finding it extremely difficult to enforce certain rules like geo-blocking certain apps or websites within the territory of their state.
2. Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Bill, 2022 prohibits all forms of online gambling and allows for the regulation of online games that are not considered gambling.
   1. The bill prohibits minors from participating in online games and prohibits the promotion of online gambling and gaming through advertising or other means.
3. Karnataka governmenthad previously banned all forms of online gaming where the transfer of money is involved
4. GST:A proposed 28% Goods and Services Tax that may soon be imposed on deposits

Case study: UK Model for Regulation

The UK model for online gaming regulation involves a centralized government regulator that enforces strict measures to ensure player protection. Quarterly reports on regulatory effects are published, imposing significant fines on operators violating player protection requirements. This strict enforcement, coupled with harm reduction efforts, has led to a decline in disordered gaming and risky behaviour

For: Voluntary Code of Ethics by the Online Gaming Industry: Click here

Way forward:

Clear and consistent regulations, responsible gaming measures, industry self-regulation, public awareness campaigns, and collaboration between industry and government can all help to create a sustainable and responsible online gaming industry in India.

Conclusion:

The online gaming industry in India can continue to grow and provide entertainment and employment opportunities while also protecting players and promoting responsible gaming practices

Insta Links

Online gaming

Mains Links:

“Internet gaming has turned worse than drugs”. Do you agree? Critically examine the statement in light of the announcement made by the World Health Organization (WHO) to include “gaming disorder” as a mental health condition. (250 words)

  How does gaming addiction, impact children? Do you think China’s recent imposition of a three-hour limit on gaming, is a good way to tackle it? (150 words)

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Source: TH

Context: In the Dandakaranya forest near Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra, 11 women officers from the Maharashtra police, informally called commandos, stand ready at an outpost near the Maoist frontier. Trained in jungle warfare and weaponry, they are part of a 200-strong security force facing the Maoist headquarters in the ‘unknown hills.’

Passionate about their role, these women commandos are safeguarding a ballistic-proof outpost established within 24 hours in November. This groundbreaking move aims to transform the region, previously labelled a ‘Liberated Zone,’ bringing development and security to the people in surrounding villages.

Values: The article shows the values of Dedication and Service, Courage and Determination, and Community Impact

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE

Context: January 14 marks the significance and celebration of festivals such as Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Lohri, which are observed across India.

• The festivals mark the transition of seasons, symbolizing the end of winter and the onset of warmer months.
• Makar Sankranti and Pongal are associated with the northward journey of the sun (Uttarayan), signifying longer days and the shift towards the Capricorn zodiac sign.

Features:

• The festivals follow the solar cycle and are celebrated on almost the same day each year.
• Rituals include bathing in sacred rivers, offering Naivedhya to the Sun god, charity, Shraddha rituals, and breaking fast during Punya Kaal, with variations across regions.
• In Tamil Nadu, the four-day Pongal festival involves cleaning houses, decorating entrances, and celebrating the toil of bulls on the third day.
• Special dishes like Pongal (rice mixed with boiled milk and sugar), lemon and tamarind rice, vadas, and Payasam are prepared.
• Various regional customs include door-to-door exchanges of plates containing sugarcane, sesame seeds, and jaggery, symbolizing sharing and spreading happiness.
• Kite-flying occurs in Rajasthan and Gujarat, and sky lanterns are flown in the evening.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

Context: The Indian Science, Technology, and Engineering Facilities Map (I-STEM) is launching the Samavesha project at IISc., Bengaluru.

• The project aims to enhance research collaboration in India by improving accessibility to facilities and labs.
• The platform allows researchers and industries to connect with institutions that have the required equipment, enabling them to rent it for experiments.

The initiative aims to save capital expenditure for researchers, industries, and startups and prevent duplication of resources at the national level.

The Indian Science, Technology, and Engineering Facilities Map (I-STEM) is a national web portal that helps researchers find the facilities they need for their R&D work. The portal also aims to connect resources to researchers.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

 Context: The article discusses Humboldt’s enigma, a concept proposed by Alexander von Humboldt in the 19th century that suggests a relationship between temperature, altitude, humidity, and biodiversity.

• Humboldt’s enigma is the idea that the Earth’s tropical areas are not the only biodiverse regions. According to this idea, many areas outside the tropics, such as mountains, are also highly biodiverse.
• The eastern Himalayas are cited as an example where climate dissimilarity and diverse geological composition contribute to high biodiversity.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: DTE

 Context: The Himalayan Wolf (Canis lupus chanco) has been assessed for the first time on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

• The assessment estimates a population size of 2,275-3,792 mature individuals across the Himalayan range of Nepal, India, and the Tibetan Plateau.

Conservation Status

• IUCN’s Red List: Vulnerable
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
• CITES: Appendix I

Threats:

• Depredation conflicts, habitat modification, encroachment, depletion of prey populations, hybridization with dogs, and illegal hunting for trade.

 Measures recommended:

• Securing healthy prey populations, improving livestock guarding methods, managing feral dog populations, transboundary conservation efforts, and incorporating the Himalayan Wolf into conservation programs to enhance protection.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Live Mint

 Context: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted a flight test of the New Generation AKASH (AKASH-NG) missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.

• The test involved intercepting a high-speed unmanned aerial target at a very low altitude.

About AKASH NG Missile:

The AKASH-NG is a medium-range, mobile surface-to-air missile defense system. It’s a state-of-the-art missile system that can intercept high-speed, agile aerial threats with a range of around 80 km.

The AKASH-NG has advanced technologies and features, such as improved missiles, seekers, and radars. It also includes an indigenously developed Radio Frequency Seeker, Launcher, and Multi-Function Radar. 

Mapping:

Source: TH

 Context: The Forest Department is removing invasive species in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve’s core areas, focusing on the Ulandy range.

Native tree saplings are being planted on 90 hectares, part of the Restoration of Degraded Forests Landscape Project supported by NABARD. Tribal communities from ATR are involved in removing invasive plants and planting native trees, including Aegle marmelos, Syzygium cumini, and Pterocarpus marsupium.

About Anamalai Tiger Reserve: