UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 3 October 2024

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 3 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 – 3 October 2024)

1. Ladak and Sixth Schedule

GS Paper 3:

1. Fluorescent Nanodiamonds

2. SEBI rules to curb F&O

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

1. Judge’s Asset Disclosure

2. Railway accident data (2019-2024)

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

1. PM E-DRIVE

2. World Green Economy Forum, 2024

3. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India 

4. Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan

Mapping:

1. Vuhledar

2. Little Prespa Lake

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 3 October 2024

GS Paper 2:

Ladak and Sixth Schedule

Syllabus: Sixth schedule

Source: TH

 Context:  Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was detained on the Delhi border on Monday night as he led a group of protesters to petition the Central government for the inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution among other demands for autonomy to the region. 

Asymmetrical Federalism

• Definition: Asymmetrical federalism refers to a system where different states or regions within a federation have varying degrees of autonomy and powers.
• India’s case: In India, certain states and areas enjoy more autonomy under constitutional provisions, particularly through the Fifth and Sixth Schedules. This differs from symmetrical federations like the U.S., where all states enjoy equal powers.

Fifth and Sixth Schedule Origin & Current Application:

• Historical background: The Fifth and Sixth Schedules derive from the provisions of the Government of India Act, 1935, which classified areas into ‘excluded’ and ‘partially excluded’ regions. These were meant to protect tribal populations from external interventions.
• Fifth Schedule (Article 244): It applies to ‘Scheduled Areas’ declared by the President, focusing on tribal welfare, land rights, and advisory councils. States covered include Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and others.
• Sixth Schedule (Article 244A): It covers ‘Tribal Areas’ in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura. Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) manage legislative and administrative tasks in these regions, providing more autonomy than the Fifth Schedule.

Why Ladakh Needs the Sixth Schedule?

• Cultural and ethnic protection: Ladakh’s indigenous population, including the Buddhist and Shia Muslim communities, seeks cultural preservation and governance autonomy.
• Demands for autonomy: Activists, including Sonam Wangchuk, argue that inclusion under the Sixth Schedule will provide constitutional safeguards, ensuring economic and social development while protecting their cultural heritage.
• Tribal representation: Ladakh has a significant tribal population, and the Sixth Schedule would empower Autonomous District Councils to govern with greater local autonomy, much like northeastern tribal areas.

Positives of being under the Sixth Schedule:

1. Increased autonomy: States and regions under the Sixth Schedule enjoy legislative, executive, and judicial autonomy, helping preserve tribal culture. E.g. The Autonomous District Councils in Meghalaya regulate land and forests, ensuring local control over resources.
2. Self-governance: Tribal communities can manage their affairs, including laws on land inheritance, social customs, and marriage. E.g. Mizoram’s ADCs regulate shifting cultivation, a traditional tribal practice.
3. Development & representation: The Sixth Schedule provides for tailored developmental programs, creating more opportunities for regional growth. E.g. Meghalaya’s ADCs have autonomy over primary education and local roads.
4. Economic upliftment: The Sixth Schedule areas benefit from government schemes that focus on education, infrastructure, and healthcare, improving the overall socio-economic status.

Limitations of the Sixth Schedule:

1. Limited fiscal powers: ADCs often lack sufficient financial autonomy, relying heavily on state and central funding. E.g. Some ADCs struggle to collect taxes and generate their own revenue.
2. Political interference: Although ADCs have autonomy, the laws they create must receive the Governor’s approval, reducing actual independence. E.g. ADC decisions in Assam sometimes face delays due to state interventions.
3. Bureaucratic delays: Approval from central or state authorities can delay the implementation of laws or policies. E.g. Central regulations can overshadow local rules in Tripura’s tribal areas.
4. Exclusion of non-tribal population: The Sixth Schedule’s protections can sometimes lead to conflicts between tribal and non-tribal communities over resource allocation.

 Conclusion & Way Forward

To safeguard Ladakh’s unique culture and foster balanced development, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule could be a strategic step. By enhancing local governance and integrating tribal interests, Ladakh can better manage its social, cultural, and economic needs.

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 3 October 2024 GS Paper 3:

Fluorescent Nanodiamonds

 Syllabus: Nano Technology

 Source: TH

 Context:  Fluorescent Nanodiamonds (FNDs) are becoming increasingly important across various industries due to their unique chemical and physical properties. A recent study demonstrated spinning FNDs at ultra-high speeds to test their limits in physics, highlighting potential applications in both theoretical and practical fields.

About FNDs (Chemical and Physical properties):

• Composition: FNDs are nanometre-sized diamonds composed of carbon nanoparticles.
• Stability: They are stable under light, non-toxic, and capable of maintaining fluorescence for long periods.
• Fluorescence: FNDs emit light of a lower frequency when irradiated with higher-frequency light. Unlike other fluorescent materials, FNDs have a longer fluorescence lifespan, making them superior for certain applications.
• Non-blinking: FNDs do not exhibit the blinking effect, unlike many other nanoscale fluorescent materials.

Technology process in formation:

• Production: FNDs are created under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions.
• Doping: They can be doped with nitrogen atoms to form nitrogen vacancy (NV) centres, which host electron spin qubits.
• Vacuum levitation: In a recent experiment, researchers levitated FNDs in a high vacuum and spun them at ultra-high speeds (up to 20 million times per second), marking an advancement in understanding their quantum properties.

Limitations:

• Technical challenges: In earlier experiments, researchers faced difficulty preventing the loss of nanodiamonds in a vacuum and controlling the spin qubits effectively.
• Complexity: The technology to manipulate spin qubits inside levitated FNDs requires intricate setups, including the use of electric and magnetic fields.

Applications:

• High-resolution imaging: FNDs are used in biological imaging to track cells over time due to their stability.
• Temperature sensing: They are employed in microscale temperature sensing due to their sensitivity.
• Sensors: Their ability to detect acceleration and electric fields makes them valuable in strategic industries.
• Quantum physics: FNDs doped with NV− centres can aid in exploring quantum superposition and other quantum mechanical properties.
• Gyroscopes: The Berry phase generated by rotating FNDs could lead to their use in rotation-sensing gyroscopes.

Conclusion:

FNDs, with their stable fluorescence, quantum properties, and potential industrial applications, offer promising avenues in both theoretical research and applied fields like imaging, sensing, and quantum computing. Their recent advancements in vacuum levitation showcase their growing relevance in cutting-edge technology.

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SEBI rules to curb F&O

 Syllabus: Economics

 Source: IE

Context:  The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) recently introduced significant reforms in the equity index derivatives (futures and options, F&O) framework to curb speculative trading, protect retail investors, and improve market stability.

Recent SEBI Reforms and Their Implications:

1. Recalibration of Contract Size for Index Derivatives:
   • Reform: The minimum contract size for index derivatives has been increased to ₹15 lakh (from the earlier ₹5-10 lakh), effective November 20, 2024.
   • Implication: This raises the entry barrier, ensuring that participants have sufficient risk tolerance, reducing speculative trading by small retail investors.
   • Impact: It will discourage small traders from taking excessive risks, encouraging more responsible trading.
2. Upfront Collection of Options Premium:
   • Reform: From February 1, 2025, trading members must collect the options premium upfront from buyers.
   • Implication: It reduces the misuse of leverage in options trading, enforcing financial discipline and reducing the risk of defaults.
   • Impact: This measure protects investors from over-leveraged positions, preventing potential market volatility.
3. Rationalization of Weekly Expiring Derivatives Products:
   • Reform: Only one benchmark index per exchange will offer weekly expiring derivatives, starting November 20, 2024.
   • Implication: Limits frequent speculative trades that create short-term volatility, especially on expiry days.
   • Impact: Reduces speculative pressure, promoting market stability.
4. Intra-Day Monitoring of Position Limits:
   • Reform: From April 1, 2025, SEBI will monitor position limits intra-day, not just end-of-day.
   • Implication: Prevents excessive speculative positions from being built up during the day.
   • Impact: Real-time compliance ensures smoother and more stable market functioning.
5. Removal of ‘Calendar Spread’ Treatment on Expiry Day:
   • Reform: Effective February 1, 2025, calendar spread benefits will not be available on the day of contract expiry.
   • Implication: Forces traders to execute rollovers earlier, reducing speculation on the day of expiry.
   • Impact: Eases volatility and stabilizes derivative prices during expiration.
6. Increase in ‘Tail Risk’ Coverage on Expiry Day:
   • Reform: An additional ‘Extreme Loss Margin’ of 2% will be levied on short options contracts on expiry day.
   • Implication: Provides greater protection against extreme market movements.
   • Impact: Reduces the risk of significant losses due to rare market events, improving market resilience.
7. How these reforms impact India:
   • Curbing speculation: Larger contract sizes and upfront premium collection reduce excessive speculation, particularly by small traders.
   • Market stability: Limiting speculative positions and lowering intra-day volatility enhances market stability, attracting long-term investors.
   • Protecting retail investors: The reforms safeguard retail investors from significant losses due to aggressive short-term trading.
   • Promoting capital growth: A focus on disciplined investment strategies supports capital formation and sustainable economic growth.

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 3 October 2024 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Judge’s Asset Disclosure

Context: The Kerala High Court topped the list with the asset declarations of 37 out of 39 judges available on its website while those of only two of 50 judges in the Karnataka High Court and five of 62 judges in the Madras High Court have been provided.

1. Only 13% of High Court judges’ assets are publicly available, with Kerala, Punjab and Haryana, and Delhi High Courts contributing over 80% of the total asset declarations (Source: The Indian Express).
2. Several High Courts, like Bombay, Gujarat, and Telangana, have not disclosed asset declarations, citing reasons like personal privacy and the confidential// nature of such information.
3. Parliament’s Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, and Law and Justice recommended mandatory asset disclosure for judges in August 2023, but many courts have not complied, labeling the information as outside the scope of the RTI Act.
4. The Supreme Court adopted a resolution for voluntary asset disclosure in 1997, and several High Courts followed in 2009, but updates have been sparse since 2018. 

Relevance in UPSC GS2:

• This can be used in the Judicial Accountability section of GS2, highlighting issues of transparency and accountability in the Indian judiciary.
• It serves as an example when discussing RTI Act limitations, and the balance between personal privacy and public interest.

Railway accident data (2019-2024)

Context: Over the past five years, 351 persons were killed and 970 injured in 200 consequential railway accidents, data shared by the Indian Railways from 17 railway zones reveal.

Key data points: [Source: Indian Railways]

1. 351 persons killed and 970 injured in 200 consequential railway accidents.
2. Compensation of ₹32 crore distributed (₹26.83 crore to next of kin and ₹7 crore to injured).
3. Accidents reduced from 171 per year (10 years ago) to 40 per year now.
4. Worst affected zones: South Eastern Railway (297 deaths, 637 injuries) and East Coast Railway (20 deaths, 79 injuries).
5. Safest zones (no casualties): North Eastern Railway, Konkan Railway, South Western Railway, Southern Railway.

Relevance to UPSC Syllabus:

• General Studies Paper 3: Relevant to Infrastructure and Disaster Management sections, examining railway safety can help with case studies on transportation systems and emergency response protocols.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 3 October 2024 Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan

Source: PIB

 Context: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, from Hazaribagh, Jharkhand.

Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA):

1. Ministry: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
2. Funds allocated: The total outlay for the scheme is Rs. 79,156 crores, with Rs. 56,333 crores as the Central share and Rs. 22,823 crores as the State share.
3. Aim: The Abhiyan aims to cover 63,843 villages in tribal areas, focusing on saturating gaps in social infrastructure, health, education, and livelihood through 25 interventions.

Features of the scheme:

1. Comprehensive coverage: Encompasses 549 districts and 2,911 blocks across 30 States/UTs, targeting tribal-majority villages.
2. Multi-ministerial convergence: 17-line ministries will collaborate to implement 25 interventions.
3. Holistic approach: The scheme builds upon the success of PM-JANMAN and focuses on critical gaps in tribal development.
4. Saturation of services: Ensures saturation of education, healthcare, and livelihood services in tribal communities.
5. Infrastructure development: Inauguration of 40 Eklavya schools and laying of foundations for 25 more, with a target to make 728 schools functional by March 2026, serving 3.5 lakh tribal students.

 Insta links:

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India 

Source: PIB

Context: The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) celebrated its Eighth Annual Day on 1^st October, 2024.

About Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI):

• Established: 1st October 2016, under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016.
• Aim: The IBBI is tasked with the efficient implementation of the IBC, focusing on the resolution of insolvency cases for individuals, partnership firms, and corporate entities in a time-bound manner.
• Functions:

1. Regulation of professionals: It regulates insolvency professionals, insolvency professional agencies, entities, and information utilities.
2. Oversight of processes: It oversees corporate and individual insolvency resolution, liquidation, and bankruptcy processes under the IBC.
3. Eligibility and examination: IBBI sets the minimum eligibility criteria for insolvency professionals and regulates their qualifying exams.
4. Information management: It collects, maintains, and disseminates information on insolvency and bankruptcy cases.

• Powers:

1. IBBI can enforce rules related to corporate and individual insolvency resolutions, ensuring compliance with time-bound processes.
2. It can establish regulatory frameworks for insolvency professionals and related entities, setting standards for efficient operations.

• Composition:

1. Chairperson: Appointed by the Central Government.
2. Government representatives: Three members from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, and Ministry of Law (ex-officio).
3. RBI Representative: One member nominated by the Reserve Bank of India (ex-officio).
4. Additional members: Five other members appointed by the Central Government, of which at least three must be full-time members.

• Tenure:
  1. Chairperson and non-ex-officio members serve for five years or until they reach the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier, and are eligible for re-appointment.

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World Green Economy Forum, 2024

 Source: News on Air

 Context: The World Green Economy Forum 2024, held in Dubai, brings together global leaders to address pressing environmental issues under the theme “Empowering Global Action: Unlocking Opportunities and Advancing Progress”.

Key Points:

• Summit held in: Dubai, UAE, on October 2nd and 3rd, 2024.
• Theme: “Empowering Global Action: Unlocking Opportunities and Advancing Progress”
• Aim: To promote global cooperation, innovation, and sustainable practices across energy, decarbonization, climate finance, and more. The forum’s goal is to drive positive transformation towards a net-zero future.
• Features:
  • Sessions on decarbonization in heavy industries, use of AI for sustainability, and the role of youth in climate action.
  • A focus on the future of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), aiming for 300 million tonnes production by 2050.
  • Emphasis on public-private partnerships and philanthropy to drive climate solutions.
  • Panels on renewable energy, power grid challenges, and carbon footprint management.

This forum aligns with global climate goals, such as the Paris Agreement, and encourages collaboration between governments, industries, and civil society for sustainable development​

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PM E-DRIVE

Source: News on Air

 Context: The government yesterday launched the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme that has a financial outlay of Rs 10,900 crore over a period of two years.

About PM E-DRIVE SCHEME:

• Ministry: Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI).
• Scheme replaces:
  • It replaces the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India Phase II (FAME India Phase II).
• Aim:
  • The scheme aims to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles by offering incentives and building a robust EV charging ecosystem.
• Financial Outlay: Rs. 10,900 crores for a period of two years.
• Subsidies and Incentives:
  • Subsidies will promote electric two-wheelers (e-2Ws), three-wheelers (e-3Ws), e-ambulances, e-trucks, and other emerging EVs.
• Features:
  • E-buses: Rs. 4,391 crores allocated for the procurement of 14,028 e-buses by state transport units.
  • E-vouchers: Aadhaar-authenticated e-vouchers for EV buyers will be introduced, signed by both the buyer and dealer, and uploaded on the PM E-DRIVE portal for facilitating demand incentives.
  • E-ambulances: Rs. 500 crores allocated for e-ambulances, with safety standards set in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
  • Demand aggregation: Managed by Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) in cities with populations exceeding 40 lakhs (e.g., Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata).

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 3 October 2024 Mapping:

Vuhledar

 Source: DH

Context: In Ukraine, Russian troops have taken complete control of the eastern city of Vuhledar.

About Vuhledar:

1. Location: Vuhledar is situated in Volnovakha Raion, Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine, about 57 km southwest of Donetsk.
2. Geographical context: Positioned on an elevated plain, Vuhledar is the highest point in the region, providing it with strategic importance.
   • Russia has been trying to take this city to advance further north and reach regional transportation hubs such as Kurakhove and Pokrovsk.
3. Economic background: Developed during the 1960s, the city was intended to become a major economic center tied to the coal industry of the Donbas region but has remained a smaller economic node.
4. Geological importance: Located in the Donbas region, a historically coal-rich area, Vuhledar’s economy is linked to coal mining, making it part of one of Ukraine’s major coal-producing regions.

Little Prespa Lake

 Source: TH

Context: Plants and reeds have sprouted up as the waters of Little Prespa Lake on the Albanian-Greek border recede, their beauty overshadowing a painful truth: the lake is slowly dying.

About Little Prespa Lake:

• Location:
  • Situated on the border between Albania and Greece in southeastern Europe.
  • The majority lies in Greek territory, with a small part in Albania.
  • Smaller than its northern counterpart, Great Prespa Lake.
• Geographical features:
  • Part of a transboundary ecosystem rich in biodiversity.
  • Home to species like the Dalmatian pelican.
  • Large portions have transformed into swamps due to environmental degradation.
• Ecological importance:
  • Crucial for local biodiversity, supporting various species of birds, fish, and plants.
  • Surrounding wetlands act as a key habitat for migratory birds.
• Environmental threats:
  • Climate change: Rising temperatures, reduced snowfall, and less precipitation leading to water loss.
  • Human interference: The diversion of the Devoll River in the 1970s for irrigation has contributed to the lake’s drying up.
  • Current condition: Of the 450 hectares of the lake in Albania, 430 hectares have dried up or turned into swamps.
• Cultural & economic impact:
  • Fishing was historically a primary livelihood.
  • Now, locals rely on cattle grazing due to the lake’s deterioration.

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