UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 28 June 2024

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 28 June 2024 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles

InstaLinks :  Insta Links help you think beyond the  current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.

Table of Contents 

GS Paper 1: (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 28 June 2024)

1. India’s Geological-Heritage Sites

GS Paper 4:

2. Ethics of Whistleblowing

3. Regulations on Financial Influencers

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

1. Threats to Flamingos at Lake Natron, Tanzania

2. Prohibition of Insider Trading (PIT)

3. ‘Mini RATNA’ status (Category-1) for Central Electronics Limited (CEL)

4. Hydrogen gas from a mixture of methanol and paraformaldehyde

5. Space MAITRI

6. Medium Range-Microwave Obscurant Chaff Rocket (MR-MOCR)

7. Mainland serow

Mapping: 

1. Denmark to Introduce World’s First CO2 Tax on Farms

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 28 June 2024

GS Paper 1:

India’s Geological-Heritage Sites

Syllabus: Geography/ Arts and Culture

 Source:

Context: India’s extensive geo-heritage, ranging from towering peaks to coastal plains, reveals a rich geological history. Despite this, the country’s regard for its geo-heritage is poor.

About Geo-heritage Sites: 

Geo-heritage refers to the geological features which are inherently or culturally significant offering insight into earth’s evolution or history to earth science or that can be utilized for education. Sites are designated as Geo-heritage Sites (GHS) by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). India, as a member of the UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, safeguards such sites through appropriate legislation, as done by other countries worldwide.

What are Geo-Relics?

Geo-relics are geological formations, rocks, minerals, and fossils that provide significant scientific, educational, and historical insights into the Earth’s history and processes. They include unique and rare geological features that help us understand the evolution of our planet, climate changes, and the development of life. Preserving geo-relics is crucial for studying natural history and educating future generations.

Examples:

These sites and relics contribute to the scientific understanding of Earth’s history and processes in several ways:

• Geological Evolution: Geo-heritage sites and relics provide a window into the Earth’s past, allowing scientists to reconstruct the geological history of a region.
  • Fossils, rock layers, and mineral deposits found in these sites offer insights into ancient ecosystems, climate changes, and geological events.
  • E.g. The Siwalik Fossil Park in Himachal Pradesh
• Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift: Certain geological formations and features found at geo-heritage sites provide evidence for plate tectonics and the movement of continents over time. These sites help scientists understand the dynamic processes that have shaped the Earth’s surface.
  • For instance, Deccan Traps.
• Volcanic and Tectonic Activity: Volcanic landscapes, fault lines, and igneous formations found at geo-heritage sites offer insights into the processes of volcanic and tectonic activity, shedding light on the Earth’s internal forces and their effects on the surface.
  • E.g. Lonar Lake in Maharashtra.
• Paleoenvironmental Studies: Fossilized plants, animals, and other organic materials preserved in geological formations provide clues about past environments, ecosystems, and biodiversity. These records contribute to our understanding of how life on Earth has evolved.
  • E.g. fossil-rich sedimentary rock formations of Jaisalmer.
• Climate Change and Earth’s History: The study of sedimentary rock layers and glacial features in geo-heritage sites helps scientists reconstruct past climates and understand the Earth’s history of climatic changes.
  • The Lignite Fossil Park in Gujarat contains well-preserved fossilized wood and leaves.
• Mineralogical and Geological Processes: Geo-heritage sites often host unique mineral deposits, crystals, and rock formations that offer insights into geological processes such as mineral formation, erosion, and metamorphism.
  • For example, The mineral-rich caves of Meghalaya, like the Mawsmai Cave

Difficulties in Preserving Geological Sites in India

1. Limited Traction and Awareness: Geo-conservation lags global efforts and lacks public awareness. Examples: Dhala meteoritic impact crater, Lonar crater.
2. Impact of Development and Mining: Many fossil sites are destroyed by development and mining activities.
3. Lack of Specific Legislation: No specific laws for geo-heritage conservation, unlike Canada and China.
4. Lack of Adequate Power The Geological Survey of India (GSI) identified sites but can’t enforce preservation. Example: Varkala Cliff was partially demolished despite being a heritage site.
5. Half-hearted Government Measures: Withdrawal of National Commission for Heritage Sites proposal. No progress on the 2022 geo-heritage preservation bill.

Way Forward and Conclusion

India should recognize its geological history as non-cultural heritage and compile a comprehensive list of potential geo-sites beyond those identified by the Geological Survey of India. Legislation for geo-conservation, modelled after the Biological Diversity Act of 2002, is essential. Additionally, a National Geo-Conservation Authority should be established to ensure independent oversight, avoid bureaucratic delays, and protect the autonomy of researchers and private collectors.

Mains Link:

Q.1 Safeguarding the Indian Art Heritage is the need of the moment. Discuss. (UPSC 2018)

Prelims Link:

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 28 June 2024 GS Paper 4:

Ethics of Whistleblowing

Syllabus: Applications of Ethics

Source: Th

 Context: Julian Assange, WikiLeaks founder, pleaded guilty to obtaining and publishing U.S. military secrets in a deal with the U.S. Justice Department, allowing him to avoid American prison and return to Australia.

The agreement required Assange to admit guilt to a single felony but considered his five years spent in a UK prison. Assange expressed mixed feelings about the outcome, while his lawyer highlighted concerns for press freedom. The case involved publishing classified documents and raising issues about national security and journalism.

Ethical issues in the WikiLeaks case: 

1. Public right to information vs. government need for confidentiality: Balancing citizens’ right to know about government actions and the government’s necessity to uphold confidentiality in matters of national security.
2. Protection of whistle-blowers vs. national security: Safeguarding individuals who expose wrongdoing while considering threats to national security.
3. Media responsibility in handling classified information: The media’s moral duty is to inform the public about government actions while handling dangerous or sensitive information responsibly.

Ethical values demonstrated by Julian Assange:

Julian Assange demonstrated ethical values of transparency and accountability by exposing government secrets and military misconduct, emphasizing the public’s right to know. He also highlighted the importance of press freedom and challenged the boundaries of journalistic responsibility in the digital age.

About Whistle-blowers: 

Whistleblowing refers to calling attention to wrongdoing happening in an organization. Whistleblowing has to do with ethics because it represents a person’s understanding, at a deep level, that an action his or her organization is taking is harmful—that it interferes with people’s rights or is unfair or detracts from the common good.

Ethical issues with Whistleblowing:

Being disloyal towards an organization v/s sharing knowledge of wrongdoing for the benefit of others and moral commitment towards society. He may also gain mistrust of his fellow workers.

The values that are shown by whistle-blowers:

1. Courage– It takes moral courage to stand against your organization and be ready to lose out on stability in one’s life.
2. Self-sacrifice– They work for the public interest at the cost of themselves.
3. Duty bound and respecting the law– However, there is a dilemma of breaching ethics by breaching the contract with the organization as well.

How can the government encourage whistle-blowing?

1. Create a policy about reporting illegal or unethical practices
   1. Formal mechanisms for reporting violations, such as hotlines and mailboxes.
   2. Clear communications about the process of voicing concerns, such as a specific chain of command, or the identification of a specific person to handle complaints.
2. Get endorsement of the policy from top officialsand publicize the organization’s commitment to the process.
3. Elected and administrative leadership must encourage ethical behaviour and hold everyone within the organization to the highest standards, including the disclosure of activities that would have a negative impact on the public’s business.
4. Investigate and follow up promptly on all allegations of misconduct. Report on these investigations to the council or board.

Indian Examples: 

One well-known Indian whistle-blower was Satyendra Dubey, an IIT graduate working on a segment of the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) Golden Quadrilateral in Bihar, who wrote directly to the Prime Minister’s Office exposing corruption in the project. He paid with his life for doing so.

Legislations in India regarding Whistleblowing:

1. The government introduced the Public Interest Disclosure and Protection Of Informers (PIDPI) Resolution for the logging of complaints against alleged corruption or misuse of office by a government officer or department.
2. Whistle-blowers Protection Actis aimed at providing a legislative route for people to file complaints on alleged corruption and misuse of office by public servants. The act has not come into force, and the Rules for it have not been finalised.

Regulations on Financial Influencers

Syllabus: Applications of Ethics

 Source: TOI

Context: SEBI has barred regulated entities from making claims about investment returns, aiming to protect investors from misleading information. The regulator has also tightened criteria for stocks in the F&O market, requiring them to meet specific market value and trading volume thresholds.

What are Fin-fluencers?

They are individuals who use public social media platforms to share advice and personal experiences about money, investments, stocks, budgeting, property buying, cryptocurrency, and financial trends.

Need for Regulation:

The need for regulations arises due to the surge in unregistered investment advisors providing unsolicited stock tips on social media, alongside companies using influencers to manipulate share prices. This trend poses risks of fraud, digital data theft, and financial crises, impacting shareholder wealth, ethics, and corporate reputations.

Ethical issues with finfluencers revolve around several key concerns: 

1. Conflicts of Interest: Finfluencers may promote certain stocks or financial products without disclosing financial relationships or incentives from companies. This lack of transparency can mislead followers about the impartiality of the advice given.
2. Misleading Advice: Some finfluencers may offer financial advice based on personal gain rather than the best interests of their followers. For instance, promoting speculative investments without adequate risk disclosure can lead to financial losses for followers.
3. Market Manipulation: Influencers with large followings can potentially manipulate stock prices by promoting or disparaging certain investments. This was evident during the GameStop saga, where social media influencers contributed to volatile trading conditions.
4. Lack of Qualifications: Many finfluencers lack formal financial training or qualifications, yet their advice can carry significant influence. This raises concerns about the credibility and reliability of the information they provide.
5. Regulatory Compliance: Compliance with financial regulations, such as disclosure requirements and investment advice licensing, may be overlooked by some finfluencers. This can expose followers to risks associated with unregulated financial advice.

To address ethical issues with finfluencers:

1. Implement stricter regulations and disclosure requirements.
2. Promote transparency in financial advice and conflicts of interest.
3. Educate the public on financial risks and promote literacy.
4. Enforce accountability through penalties for misconduct.
5. Establish industry standards for ethical conduct.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 28 June 2024 Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Threats to Flamingos at Lake Natron, Tanzania

 Source: DTE

Context: Millions of flamingos at Lake Natron in Tanzania face threats from climate change and human activities, which disrupt their habitat and food sources.

About Flamingos: 

They are wading birds in the family Phoenicopteridae, the only family in the order Phoenicopteriformes. There are four species in the Americas, including the Caribbean, and two species native to Afro-Eurasia.

There are six extant species of flamingos:

1. Greater flamingo (Africa, southern Europe, southern and southwest Asia)
2. Lesser flamingo (Africa’s Great Rift Valley, northwest India)
3. Chilean flamingo (temperate South America),
4. James’s or Puna flamingo (high Andes in Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Argentina),
5. Andean flamingo (high Andes in Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Argentina)
6. American or Caribbean flamingo (Caribbean islands and Latin America)

Lake Natron

Lake Natron, a salt or alkaline lake in northern Tanzania’s Ngorongoro District, is part of the East African Rift and a Ramsar Site of international significance. It is the only regular breeding area for Africa’s lesser flamingoes, though this habitat faces threats from planned development projects.

Prohibition of Insider Trading (PIT)

 Source: Business Standard

 Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has amended its Prohibition of Insider Trading (PIT) regulations, offering more flexibility to senior executives of listed companies who need to submit a “trading plan” for dealing with their shares.

• These insiders, who typically have access to unpublished price-sensitive information (UPSI), must now specify share price, amount, and transaction date in advance.
• Key changes include reducing the minimum cool-off period from six to four months and allowing a 20% price range for share transactions.

‘Mini RATNA’ status (Category-1) for Central Electronics Limited (CEL)

 Source: PIB

Context: Recently Central Electronics Limited (CEL) has been granted “Mini RATNA” status (Category-1).

Hydrogen gas from a mixture of methanol and paraformaldehyde

 Source: The print

Context: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati have developed an efficient method for generating hydrogen gas from a mixture of methanol and paraformaldehyde.

• This innovative process, which operates under mild conditions using commercially available nickel catalysts, offers significant potential for advancing the “Hydrogen economy.”
• This method does not require bases or activators and has shown exceptional performance, producing hydrogen effectively used in chemical synthesis.

Supported by ANRF and published in Catalysis Science & Technology, this research highlights the potential of methanol and paraformaldehyde as viable hydrogen carriers, contributing to sustainable and renewable energy solutions.

Space MAITRI

 Source: TOI

 Context:  ISRO is set to launch the 450kg Optimus spacecraft, Australia’s largest designed and built spacecraft, on its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).

• This mission, named Space MAITRI (Mission for Australia-India’s Technology, Research, and Innovation), marks a significant collaboration between NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and Australia’s Space Machines Company.
• The mission underscores the strategic partnership between India and Australia, focusing on sustainable space exploration and debris management.

About Space MAITRI:

• It aims to foster closer ties among commercial, institutional, and governmental space organizations from both countries in the space domain.

Medium Range-Microwave Obscurant Chaff Rocket (MR-MOCR)

 Source: NewsOnAir

Context: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) handed over the Medium Range-Microwave Obscurant Chaff Rocket (MR-MOCR) to the Indian Navy.

• It obscures radar signals and creates a microwave shield, reducing radar detection of platforms and assets.
• The rocket uses special fibres to form a microwave obscurant cloud in space when fired, effectively covering a wide area.
• Chaff is a passive electronic countermeasure consisting of electrically conducting fine fibre of resonant length to act as a microwave dipole

Mainland serow

 Source: TH

Context: A mainland serow, a vulnerable antelope-like mammal, has been recorded at the lowest elevation in Assam’s Raimona National Park.

• This discovery is significant as the mainland serow typically inhabits altitudes between 200 and 3,000 meters, primarily in Bhutan.
• Species of serow native to the Himalayas, Southeast Asia and China.
• IUCN Status– Vulnerable
  CITES– Appendix I

Tags: GS3, Environment, Species In news, Mainland serow

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 28 June 2024 Mapping

Denmark to Introduce World’s First CO2 Tax on Farms

 Source: ET

Context: Denmark will impose a tax on livestock CO2 emissions from 2030, the first country to do so, aiming to meet its 2030 goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 70% from 1990 levels.

The government reached a compromise with farmers, industry, labour unions, and environmental groups. The tax will start at 300 Danish crowns per tonne of CO2, rising to 750 crowns by 2035, with income tax deductions and subsidies to support farmers. This initiative is expected to inspire similar actions in other countries.

Denmark is a Nordic country, part of the Jutland Peninsula, shares a territorial boundary with Germany to the south and is bordered by the North Sea on the west coast and Kattegat Bay on the east coast. Geographically, Denmark is an archipelago of around 400 islands, with Zealand being the largest.

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 28 June 2024 [PDF]

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