UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 2 October 2024

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 2 October 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 2: (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 2 October 2024)

1. 10 Years of SBM

2. Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response Framework

GS Paper 3:

3. Diamond Industry

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

1. State Chapter of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform

2. Diploma program in Temple Management

Facts for Prelims (FFP):

1. Venus Orbiter Mission

2. Swallowtail butterflies

3. Bharat-Gen

4. Isostatic Rebound

5. Cruise Bharat Mission

Mapping:

1. Mount Erebus

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 2 October 2024

GS Paper 2:

10 Years of SBM

Syllabus: Governance and sanitation

Source: BS

Context:  The Swachh Bharat Mission was launched with great fanfare exactly a decade ago. A little earlier, on August 15, 2014, the Prime Minister had lent his voice to this neglected cause from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

 Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)

The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) was launched on October 2, 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aiming to eliminate open defecation and improve overall sanitation. The campaign is handled by two ministries:

1. Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation: Responsible for SBM-Gramin (rural areas).
2. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs: Handles SBM-Urban (urban areas).

Components of SBM:

1. Open defecation free (ODF) India: Focus on eliminating open defecation.
2. Toilet construction: Building household, community, and public toilets.
3. Solid and liquid waste management: Managing both organic/inorganic waste and wastewater.
4. Behavioral change campaigns: Educating citizens on the importance of cleanliness and sanitation.
5. ODF+ and ODF++: Focus on sustaining ODF status with proper liquid waste management (ODF+) and sludge management (ODF++).

10-Year Analysis:

Positive outcomes:

1. Open defecation decline: As of 2019, India was declared ODF with over 10 crore toilets built. [Source: WHO, 2019 Report]
2. Improvement in health: The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 3 lakh deaths due to diarrheal diseases were prevented from 2014-19 due to improved sanitation. [Source: WHO Report]
3. Infant mortality impact: A Nature study found 60,000 to 70,000 fewer infant deaths annually from 2015-2020 due to SBM’s impact. [Source: Nature, 2023 Study]
4. Waste management: About 78% of solid waste is now processed, with 97% of urban municipal wards having door-to-door waste collection. [Source: SBM-U Dashboard]
5. Toilet access: The percentage of households with access to toilets rose from 45% in 2004 to 82.5% in 2019-21. [Source: NFHS 5]

 Challenges:

1. Persistent open defecation: Despite being declared ODF, 11% of the population still practices open defecation, mostly in rural areas. [Source: World Bank, 2022 Data]
2. Rural-urban disparity: Urban areas have 95.6% toilet access, while rural regions lag at 76%. [Source: NFHS-5]
3. Landfill clearance issues: Only 30% of the target to clear legacy landfills has been achieved, with 41% of the waste remediation completed. [Source: SBM-U Dashboard]
4. Behavioral challenges: Deep-rooted behavioral changes are still a challenge, as toilet usage in certain rural areas remains inconsistent.
5. Waste processing targets: The goal for processing all waste by 2025-2026 has yet to be fully met, with only partial progress.

Way ahead:

1. Strengthen behavior change: Intensive campaigns to sustain toilet usage, particularly in rural areas, are essential.
2. Complete waste processing: Fast-track efforts to clear legacy landfills and improve waste processing systems.
3. Focus on rural areas: Further investment in rural sanitation infrastructure and behavior change interventions is critical.
4. Sustained health impact: Continue to link sanitation improvements to health outcomes like reduced infant mortality and general disease reduction.
5. Community engagement: Encouraging community involvement for better maintenance and sustainability of sanitation initiatives.

Conclusion:

The Swachh Bharat Mission has significantly improved sanitation across India, reducing open defecation and improving health outcomes. A continued focus on behavior change, infrastructure improvements, and health linkages will be key to achieving a cleaner and healthier India.

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PYQ:

Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response Framework

Syllabus: Governance

Source: IE

 Context:  Four years after the outbreak of Covid, an expert group constituted by NITI Aayog has recommended setting up a comprehensive framework to effectively manage future public health emergencies or pandemics.

Summary of report:

Challenges and Learnings from COVID-19 Pandemic:

1. Governance: Lack of clear risk communication systems and rapid response SOPs for delegation of power.
2. Legislation: NDMA and EDA were insufficient for modern pandemic management; need for a specific Public Health Act.
3. Surveillance and data management: Challenges in data integration, forecasting, and early warning systems; lacked comprehensive pandemic surveillance integration.
4. Research and development: Public-private collaborations were effective, but structured mechanisms linking research institutions with industries are required.
5. Regulatory reforms: Delays in emergency authorization due to unclear and unharmonized global regulatory norms.

Future Pandemic Threats and Preparedness:

1. Global preparedness: Align country preparedness with global core capacities to prevent cross-border spread.
2. Cross-sectoral collaboration: Enhance coordination between public health authorities and disaster management agencies for effective pandemic management.
3. Risk assessment and community engagement: Focus on accurate information dissemination and proactive engagement with communities to counter misinformation.
4. Resource availability: Ensure availability of necessary funds and resources to support pandemic response efforts.
5. One Health Approach: Develop coordinated surveillance and response systems for zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases.

NITI Aayog’s Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response Framework:

1. PHEMA (Public Health Emergency Management Act):
   • Recommended to replace the outdated Epidemic Diseases Act (1897) and National Disaster Management Act (2005) for better management of health emergencies.
   • The new law would empower governments to respond to pandemics, non-communicable diseases, disasters, and bioterrorism.
   • Establishes public health cadres for national and state levels.
2. Empowered group of secretaries (EGoS):
   • Proposed panel headed by the Cabinet Secretary for pandemic preparation and response.
   • EGoS will develop SOPs for pandemics and guide governance, finance, R&D, and surveillance during health crises.
3. Strengthening surveillance:
   • Focus on monitoring human-bat interfaces, considering viruses linked to bats (e.g., Covid-19).
   • Creation of a national biosecurity and biosafety network for disease surveillance.
   • Establishment of an emergency vaccine bank for rapid response.
4. Early warning and forecasting:
   • Build an epidemiology forecasting network for predicting transmission and monitoring countermeasures.
   • Establish Centres of Excellence (CoE) to develop diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics for priority pathogens as identified by WHO.

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 2 October 2024 GS Paper 3:

Diamond Industry

Syllabus: Economics & Diamond industry

Source: TH

Context:  The Indian diamond industry, particularly in Surat, is facing a significant downturn due to global geopolitical tensions, especially the Russia-Ukraine war and the Gaza conflict. This has severely affected raw diamond supply and global demand, leading to widespread job losses and economic challenges in India’s diamond sector.

About Indian diamond industry:

• Global leader: India processes over 90% of the world’s diamonds.
• Employment: Provides jobs to around 5 million people.
• Exports: In 2022, diamond exports were valued at $23 billion, dropping to $16 billion in 2023, with further decline expected.
• Global share: India contributes 19% of total global diamond exports.

Issues faced by the diamond industry:

1. Supply chain disruptions: Sanctions on Russia, a major diamond supplier, have limited raw material availability.
2. Global demand slump: Key markets like the U.S., Europe, and China have reduced demand.
3. Suicides and job losses: Over 50,000 job losses in Surat, with more than 70 suicides in a year due to economic hardship.
4. Oversupply and price drop: Despite limited demand, production continued, causing a 5-27% decline in polished diamond prices.
5. Rise of lab-grown diamonds: Cheaper alternatives are gaining market share, impacting the natural diamond industry.

Way ahead

1. Diversify export markets: Focus on emerging markets to reduce dependency on traditional buyers.
2. Support for workers: Implement government relief measures for displaced workers, including financial aid and retraining programs.
3. Boost lab-grown diamond industry: Leverage India’s expertise in diamond cutting to expand in the growing lab-grown sector.
4. Global cooperation: Collaborate with international players to find alternate sources of rough diamonds.
5. Technological upgradation: Invest in innovation and technology to improve productivity and maintain global competitiveness.

Conclusion:

The diamond industry’s recovery will hinge on proactive government intervention and the sector’s ability to adapt to changing global dynamics. While challenges remain, a collaborative approach involving workers, policymakers, and industry leaders can ensure resilience and sustained growth.

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 2 October 2024 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

State Chapter of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform

Context: NITI Aayog has launched its first State Chapter of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) in Telangana, in collaboration with WE Hub and the state government.

Key Points:

• Launch of Telangana chapter: The maiden chapter of WEP aims to promote women entrepreneurs by addressing challenges like lack of access to financing and mentorship.
• Focus areas: The platform will offer digital skills, financial services, and market linkages. It has over 30,000 women entrepreneurs registered and 400 mentors across various sectors.
• Role of WE hub: WE Hub will act as the nodal agency for all WEP-related activities in the state.

Usage in UPSC exams:

• GS Paper 2 (Governance): Role of NITI Aayog and state collaboration for inclusive development, government initiatives for women empowerment.
• GS Paper 3 (Economy): Encouraging entrepreneurship, challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, promoting MSMEs.
• Essay and Ethics Papers: Topics on gender equality, the role of women in economic growth, and empowerment initiatives.

Diploma program in Temple Management

Context: Mumbai has introduced India’s first Postgraduate Diploma program in Temple Management, focusing on the management, preservation, and administration of temples.

• Aim: The course aims to enhance efficiency in handling religious institutions and their resources.

Relevance for UPSC:

• Can be used in GS Paper 2 (Governance): As an example of improving management of public and religious institutions.
• Also relevant in GS Paper 1 (Indian Culture): To showcase initiatives for preserving cultural heritage.
• Linked to Ethics Paper: Demonstrates efforts to maintain transparency and accountability in managing religious assets. (Use as way ahead in Thirumala Laddu Issue)

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 2 October 2024 Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Venus Orbiter Mission

Source: TH

Context: India’s maiden mission to Venus, which is scheduled for launch in March 2028, will embark on a 112-day journey to reach the planet.

About Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM):

• Launch year: Scheduled for March 2028.
• Aim: The mission aims to study Venus’ atmosphere, surface, and solar interactions. Key objectives include mapping Venus’ topography, analyzing atmospheric composition, studying solar X-rays, and examining subsurface characteristics.
• Sanctioned budget: ₹1,236-crore
• Launch vehicle: Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3)
• Targeted window: Earth departure date is scheduled on March 29, 2028, and the arrival date on Venus is July 19, 2028
• Features:

• • 19 payloads (16 Indian, 2 Indian-international, 1 international).
  • Aerobraking technique to achieve a low-altitude science orbit (200×600 km).
  • Five-year scientific exploration period post-orbit insertion.

Other Missions Related to Venus

• Past missions:

• • Venera Series (1961-1984): Soviet Union’s series of successful Venus missions including flybys, orbiters, landers, and balloons.
  • Pioneer Venus (1978): NASA mission studying Venus’ atmosphere, cloud structure, and surface using radar.
  • Magellan (1989): NASA mission mapping Venus’ surface using radar imaging.
  • Akatsuki (2010): JAXA mission studying Venus’ atmospheric circulation.

• Future missions:

• • VERITAS (2026): NASA radar mission to map Venus’ geology.
  • DAVINCI (2026): NASA mission to study Venus’ atmosphere.
  • EnVision (2030s): ESA radar mission mapping Venus’ surface.

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Swallowtail butterflies

Source: TH

Context: A new study has revealed that the overexploitation of 25 medicinally valuable host plant species is endangering the swallowtail butterflies in the forest habitats of a region in Assam, commonly known as the “citrus belt of the world.”

About Swallowtail butterflies:

• Scientific name: Family Papilionidae (e.g., Papilio machaon, Papilio slateri).
• Types: Includes species like the Blue-striped mime (Papilio slateri), Bhutan glory (Bhutanitis lidderdalii), and Kaiser-i-Hind (Teinopalpus imperialis).
• Distribution: Found globally, with 69 species in India’s Northeast.
• IUCN Status: Some species are globally endangered.
• Features: Large, colorful butterflies with forked hindwings resembling a swallow’s tail.
• Threats

• Overexploitation of host plants including citrus plant (medicinal use).
• Illegal tree felling and deforestation.
• Illegal cattle farming in protected areas.
• Tea cultivation and pesticide use near habitats.
• Habitat destruction due to shrinking forest cover.
• Swallowtail Conservation Action Plan

• • The IUCN has designated India’s Northeast as a “Swallowtail-rich zone,” focusing on conservation efforts in this region to protect 69 species through habitat preservation and sustainable plant use.

• Citrus Plant

• • Scientific Name: Rutaceae family.
  • Distribution: Found in Assam’s “citrus belt” with 52 varieties.
  • Reason for decline: Overharvesting for medicinal purposes and loss of natural habitats.

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Bharat-Gen

Source: PIB

Context: India has launched “Bharat-Gen,” a generative AI initiative designed to enhance public service delivery, with a strong focus on promoting inclusivity in Indian languages.

Bharat-Gen Overview:

• Developed by: Led by IIT Bombay under National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS).
• Aim: To create generative AI models supporting India’s linguistic diversity and cultural context.
  • This initiative marks the world’s first government-funded Multimodal Large Language Model project.

Features of Bharat-Gen:

• Multilingual & Multimodal: Bharat-Gen models cater to both text and speech, covering a wide range of Indian languages.
• India-Centric Data: Uses curated datasets focused on India’s linguistic diversity and cultural contexts.
• Open-Source Platform: Democratizes AI access, enabling startups, researchers, and innovators to build on foundational AI models.
• Data-Efficient Learning: Effective in training AI for languages with limited digital presence, making it suitable for low-resource languages.

Significance:

• Cultural Preservation: Ensures representation of India’s diverse languages and cultural heritage in AI systems.
• Digital Sovereignty: Reduces reliance on foreign technologies by developing indigenous AI solutions.
• Inclusive Development: Aims to make AI accessible to all citizens, particularly in underserved regions.
• Strengthening AI Ecosystem: Encourages innovation in India’s AI research community, fostering global collaborations and boosting AI startups.

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Isostatic Rebound

Source: IE

Context: A recent study suggests that Mount Everest has grown 15-50 meters taller than expected over 89,000 years due to the erosion caused by the Arun River, which helps push the peak upwards by up to 2mm annually.

More about study:

• Isostatic Rebound: The reduction of landmass in the Arun River basin leads to isostatic rebound, where the Earth’s crust rises due to diminished surface weight, akin to a floating object adjusting when weight is removed.
• Impact on Neighboring Peaks: The isostatic rebound affects other Himalayan peaks like Lhotse and Makalu, contributing to their elevation increase.
• Himalayan Uplift: Everest has been rising due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates for 50 million years. The Arun River’s erosion adds an extra boost to this process.

About Isostatic rebound:

Isostatic Rebound:

Isostatic rebound, also called post-glacial rebound or glacial isostasy, is the gradual rise of Earth’s crust after the removal of heavy weight, such as ice sheets or eroded landmasses.

• This phenomenon occurs due to the Earth’s lithosphere (crust and upper mantle) behaving elastically over time.
• When heavy loads, like glaciers, depress the Earth’s surface, their melting or erosion leads to the land rebounding or rising as the weight is removed.
• This process takes thousands of years and continues even after the glaciers have disappeared.

Process and Importance:

1. Force: The Earth’s crust behaves much like a floating object in a fluid. When a heavy load like an ice sheet or eroded rock is removed, the crust “rebounds” upward in response to the decrease in pressure.
2. Geography: Isostatic rebound is particularly significant in areas once covered by massive ice sheets, like Scandinavia and Canada. The process can also occur due to erosion in mountainous regions, as in the case of Mount Everest.
3. Importance: It helps maintain the height of mountains and other elevated landforms, compensating for erosion by lifting the land. It also influences sea levels and can impact tectonic activity in certain regions.

Arun River:

1. Origin: The Arun River originates from the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
2. Flow: It flows through Tibet and Nepal before joining the Saptakoshi River in Nepal, which later merges with the Ganges in India.
3. Tributaries: The Barun River and the Sankhuwa River in Nepal.
4. India: Although the Arun River does not directly flow through India, it indirectly influences the flow of rivers that contribute to the Ganges Basin in northern India​

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Cruise Bharat Mission

Source: BS

Context: The central government has launched the five-year Cruise Bharat Mission, aiming to boost cruise tourism in India to 1 million passengers and create 400,000 jobs by 2029.

About Cruise Bharat Mission

• Aim: The mission aims to boost cruise tourism by doubling cruise passenger traffic by 2029. It also seeks to create an ecosystem that fosters employment, strengthens maritime trade, and enhances India’s standing as a global cruise destination.
• Target:
  • Increase cruise passenger traffic to 1 million.
  • Create 400,000 jobs by 2029.
  • Grow river cruise passengers from 0.5 million to 1.5 million.
  • Expand the number of international cruise terminals from 2 to 10 and river cruise terminals from 50 to 100 by Phase-3.
• Nodal ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
• Features of the Cruise Bharat Mission:

• • Phased implementation:
    • Phase 1 (2024-2025): Conduct market studies, form cruise alliances, and modernize cruise terminals.
    • Phase 2 (2025-2027): Develop new cruise terminals and activate high-potential locations.
    • Phase 3 (2027-2029): Integrate cruise circuits across the Indian Subcontinent.
  • Sustainable infrastructure development:
    • Develop terminals, marinas, water aerodromes, and heliports.
    • Emphasize digitalization (e.g., facial recognition) and decarbonization (e.g., shore power).
    • Create a National Cruise Infrastructure Masterplan 2047.
  • Operational efficiency:
    • Streamline operations with digital solutions like e-clearance systems and e-visa facilities.
  • Cruise promotion & circuit integration:
    • Promote international marketing and investment.
    • Host the “Cruise India Summit” and form alliances with neighboring countries like UAE, Maldives, and Singapore.
  • Regulatory and financial policies:
    • Establish fiscal incentives and tailored cruise regulations.
    • Launch a National Cruise Tourism Policy.
  • Capacity building & employment:
    • Create a Centre of Excellence for cruise-related research.
    • Develop cruise-specific National Occupational Standards to promote youth employment.

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 2 October 2024 Mapping:

Mount Erebus

Source: TOI

 Context: Mount Erebus in Antarctica, the southernmost active volcano, stands out by not only being active in the extreme cold but also emitting micro-crystals of gold.

About Mount Erebus:

• Location: Ross Island, Antarctica; southernmost active volcano on Earth.
• Volcano type: Stratovolcano, characterized by a conical shape formed from layers of lava and ash.
• Discovery: Discovered in 1841 by British explorer Sir James Clark Ross, named after his ship HMS Erebus.
• Elevation: Stands at 3,792 meters (12,441 feet), the second-highest volcano in Antarctica.
• Lava lake: Known for its persistent lava lake, active since at least 1972, one of the few long-lived lava lakes globally.
• Eruptions: Features Strombolian eruptions, with occasional ejection of molten lava bombs.
• Proximity to research stations: Monitored closely due to its proximity (40 km) to McMurdo Station (U.S.) and Scott Base (New Zealand).

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