UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 13 July 2024

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 13 July 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 – 13 July 2024)

1. Centralized hiring leads to language, and cultural barriers in Eklavya schools.

GS Paper 2:

1. Centre Amends Rules to Broaden the Administrative Role of J&K L-G

2. Release of SDG India Index 2023-24: NITI Aayog

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

1. e-Office

2. Vizhinjam International Seaport

3. Mineral nanoparticles with water

4. Time crystal

5. NASA’s CHAPEA project

Mapping

6. Siang River

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 13 July 2024

GS Paper 1:

Centralized hiring leads to language, and cultural barriers in Eklavya schools.

Syllabus: Indian Society/ Social Justice

Source: The Hindu

Context: The recent centralization of recruitment for tribal residential schools across the country, which introduced Hindi competency as a mandatory requirement, has resulted in a flood of requests for transfers.

Background and features:

1. EMRS started in the year 1997-98 to impart quality education to ST children in remote areas.
2. Co-educational Residential Schools: EMRS cater to students from Class VI to XII. Eklavya schools aim to match the standards of Navodaya Vidyalayas.
3. Capacity: Each school can accommodate 480 students. An equal number of seats for boys and girls.
4. Admission of Non-ST Students: Non-ST students can be admitted, up to 10% of the total seats.
5. CBSE Curriculum: The schools follow the CBSE curriculum. Special facilities are provided to preserve local art and culture.
6. The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) has been established to set up and manage EMRS across the country.
   • NESTS is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

What’s the issue now?

1. Compared to the 11,340 teaching strength that NESTS recommends, as of July 2022, all operational EMRS had a teaching strength of slightly under 4,000.
2. Hence in the 2023 Budget Session of Parliament, the Finance Minister announced that the staffing responsibility shifted to the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS).
   • It was supposed to staffing 38,000 positions in over 400 Eklavya schools across the country.
3. The recent centralization of recruitment also introduced Hindi competency as a mandatory requirement for the selection of teachers.
   • Earlier states used to have varying criteria and applied reservation quotas as per their State legislation.

Challenges to EMRS schools:

1. Diverse Languages and Cultures: Tribal communities have unique customs, traditions, and lifestyles. They rely heavily on natural resources and communicate in various languages.
   • Eg: Centre guideline makes Hindi compulsory in schools
2. Psychological Challenges: Native tribes face severe financial difficulties, often living in poverty without monetary resources, and relying on bartering for survival.
   • Eg: Forceful imposition of Hindi goes against tribal development.
3. Reluctance to Learn: Most tribal people are not literate and are disconnected from contemporary education systems. New guidelines restrict the selection of local and culturally adopted teachers.
   • Eg: several staff recruited from the Hindi-speaking States are protesting postings to the Eklavya Schools located in southern States.
4. Lack of Proper Guidance: Children in tribal communities often do not receive sufficient guidance for formal education beyond what is provided in school.
5. Issue with NTA: The recruitment process for the 2023 EMRS Staff Selection Examination was entrusted with the National Testing Agency which is marred with corruption and paper leaks.
   • g.: the 2024 NEET exam paper leak issue.

Way ahead:

1. Decentralised recruitment: Hiring local teachers and teachers who are familiar with tribal culture helps in effective education.
2. Prioritisation of vernacular education: Emphasis and education in the local language is much more effective compared to the imposition of Hindi.
3. Incentivise teachers for relocation: To counter the hesitancy of north Indian teachers to relocate to south India, the government could provide incentives to nudge them.
4. Interlinking teacher: Since Navodaya Vidyalaya is on par with EMRS, the government can interlink two organization teachers to provide effective education.

Conclusion:

Accommodation and empowerment of tribal communities should be prioritized with local traditions and languages rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach. The government should reconsider its centralized recruitment policy for EMRS schools to better align with these needs.

Insta Link:

Insights on India

Prelims link:

Consider the following statement regarding Eklavya Model Residential Schools:

1. 1. It was started in the year 1997-98 to impart quality education to SC and ST children.
   2. Non-ST students can be admitted, to up to 10% of the total seats.

Choose the correct statement:

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer:               B

2. Eklavya Model Residential Schools is the initiative of which of the following ministry?

A. Ministry of Education

B. Ministry of Tribal Affairs

C. Ministry of Rural Development

D. PMO Office

Answer:               B

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 13 July 2024 GS Paper 2:

Centre Amends Rules to Broaden the Administrative Role of J&K L-G

Syllabus GS Paper II: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure.

 Source: The Hindu 

Context: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has amended rules to expand the administrative role of the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), aiming to streamline governance and enhance efficiency.

Key Amendments recently:

1. Enhanced Administrative Powers: The L-G now has greater authority in administrative matters, including appointments, transfers, and postings of senior officials.
2. Increased Control Over Departments: The L-G will have more direct oversight over key departments such as Public Works, Education, and Health.
3. Financial Decisions: The L-G has been granted expanded powers in financial matters, including sanctioning of funds and approval of development projects.

Implications:

• Centralisation of Power: The amendments centralise more administrative power with the L-G, undermining federal principles and reducing the role of the elected government that will be formed through upcoming elections.
• Efficiency in Governance: Proponents argue that these changes will lead to more efficient and streamlined governance, improving service delivery and development outcomes.

Conclusion: The amendments reflect the Centre’s intent to ensure more direct control over J&K’s administration, which is seen as a measure to enhance governance and development. However, the balance between centralised authority and democratic governance remains a critical area of concern.

Insta Link:

Rules for administration in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir

Prelim link:

Mains Link:

With the new rules, the CM of J&K has been reduced to an ornamental figure. Discuss.

Release of SDG India Index 2023-24: NITI Aayog

Source: PIB, The Hindu

Syllabus GS Paper II: Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, and Human Resources.

Context:  The recently released SDG India Index 2023-24 demonstrates significant advancements in multiple areas, despite global challenges.

What is the SDG India index?

1. First launched in December 2018, the index has become the primary tool for monitoring progress on the SDGs in India.
2. It has also fostered competition among the states and UTs by ranking them on the global goals.
3. The index is developed in collaboration with the United Nations in India.
4. It tracks the progress of all states and UTs on 113 indicators aligned with the National Indicator Framework (NIF) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

How are states and UTs ranked?

1. The SDG India Index scores range between 0–100, higher the score of a State/UT, the greater the distance to target achieved.
2. States and UTs are classified into four categories based on Index score:
   1. Aspirant: 0–49.
   2. Performer: 50–64.
   3. Front-runner: 65–99.
   4. Achiever: 100.

Currently, there are no states in the aspirant and achiever category.

Latest finding of the report:

1. India’s composite SDG score has improved from 57 in 2018 to 71 in 2023-24, reflecting substantial strides towards achieving the SDGs.
2. All states and Union Territories (UTs) have shown improvement, with scores ranging from 57 to 79.
3. 32 States and UTs in the front-runner category with 10 new entrants.
4. Between 2018 and 2023-24, the fastest moving States are Uttar Pradesh (increase in score by 25), followed by J&K (21), and Uttarakhand (19).
5. New front-runners include states like Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Key SDG achievements:

1. Goal 1: No Poverty
   1. The score increased from 60 in 2020-21 to 72 in 2023-24.
   2. Significant reduction in multidimensional poverty, dropping from 24.8% in 2015-16 to an estimated 11.28% in 2022-23.
2. Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
   1. The score improved from 52 in 2018 to 77 in 2023-24.
   2. Key health indicators, such as maternal mortality rate (97) and under-five mortality rate (32), have shown significant improvements.
   3. High immunization coverage (93.2%) and institutional deliveries (97.8%) have been crucial contributors.
3. Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   1. Improvement in score from 63 in 2018 to 89 in 2023-24.
   2. Achievement of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in all districts and high access to improved drinking water sources.
4. Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   1. The score increased dramatically from 51 in 2018 to 96 in 2023-24.
   2. Universal access to electricity and significant coverage of clean cooking fuels (96% households).
5. Goal 13: Climate Action
   1. The highest increase in score, from 54 in 2020-21 to 67 in 2023-24.
   2. Increase in renewable energy capacity and compliance with environmental standards.

Conclusion:

India’s success in adopting, implementing, and monitoring SDGs stands as a testament to the principle of cooperative federalism, envisioned by the government of India and promoted by NITI Aayog.

The index represents the articulation of the comprehensive nature of the Global Goals under the 2030 Agenda while being attuned to the national priorities.

Insta Links:

SDGs vs MDGs- similarities, differences and time period.

SDGs National Indicator Framework (NIF) Progress Report 2023

UN Sustainable development goals

What is the SDG India Index?

Prelims link

Mains Links:

Critically analyse India’s efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. What course corrections are required to meet the targets?

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 13 July 2024 Facts for Prelims (FFP):

e-Office

Source: PIB
Context: The Indian government is set to implement the e-office system in 133 attached and subordinate offices, as well as autonomous bodies.

• The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) will lead this initiative with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) serving as the knowledge partner.

About e-Office:

• A mission mode project under the National e-Governance Program, developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), provides a digital workplace solution.
• Built on open architecture, it is a reusable product for replication across governments.

Its key components include:

• eFile: File Management System
• KMS: Knowledge Management System
• WAW: Work from Anywhere portal
• SPARROW: Smart Performance Appraisal Report Recording Online Window

Vizhinjam International Seaport

Source: Business Line

Context: Kerala Chief Minister officially welcomed the first cargo ship, the Chinese vessel ‘San Fernando,’ at the Vizhinjam International Sea Port.

• Developed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), this marks the beginning of operations for India’s largest deep-water trans-shipment port.
• The port is constructed under a public-private partnership.

Mineral nanoparticles with water

Source: TH

Context: Researchers at IIT Madras have discovered that water microdroplets can break down minerals into nanoparticles.

• This study, published in the journal Science, involved creating nanoparticles from minerals such as silica and alumina by applying high voltage to mineral microparticles suspended in water.
• The electric fields and surface tension within the microdroplets facilitate this rapid transformation, which is not possible with bulk water.

This innovative method holds potential for significant applications in agriculture by infusing soil with silica nanoparticles to enhance plant growth and transform unproductive lands into fertile areas.

Time crystal

Source: LiveScience

Context: Physicists have created a new type of “time crystal” by inflating rubidium atoms to hundreds of times their normal size using lasers.

• This innovative method results in atoms oscillating between two states without losing energy.
• Unlike traditional matter, time crystals break time symmetry, existing in the lowest energy state allowed by quantum mechanics and oscillating perpetually.

NASA’s CHAPEA project

Source: IE
Context: NASA’s CHAPEA project involved four volunteers living in a simulated Mars habitat for a year to study the challenges of long-duration missions to Mars.

• The mission, part of NASA’s Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA), was the first of three planned simulations.
• The habitat, called “Mars Dune Alpha,” was a 1,700 sq ft 3D-printed structure at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, designed to replicate Martian conditions, including a backdrop of red, rocky cliffs and simulated Martian soil.
• The crew experienced conditions similar to those on Mars, including spacewalks in “Marswalks” suits, growing vegetables, and dealing with communication delays, limited resources, and prolonged isolation.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 13 July 2024 Mapping:

Siang River

Source: IE
Context: Locals are protesting against the proposed Upper Siang hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh due to environmental and social concerns.

• The project, a massive 11,000 MW dam on the Siang River, is seen as a strategic counter to China’s hydropower projects.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 13 July 2024 [PDF]

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