UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 16 October 2024

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 16 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 – 16 October 2024)

1. Exit Poll

2. United Nations Women Report

GS Paper 3:

3. Greenwashing Guideline

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

1. iFOREST Study

2. Shetkari Samruddhi Special Train

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

1. BEML

2. India Mobile Congress

3. Ossification Test

4. Haber-Bosch Process

5. Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide Nanoparticles

Mapping:

1. Mount Adams

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 16 October 2024

GS Paper 2:

Exit Poll

 Syllabus: Elections, Representation of People Act.

 Source:  TH

 Context: Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar stated that exit polls were causing distractions and asked media houses to self-introspect before publishing the verdict. 

What is an Exit Poll?

• Exit Polls are surveys conducted immediately after voters exit polling stations. These polls aim to predict the election outcome based on voters’ preferences as they leave after voting.
• Legal backing: In India, exit polls are regulated under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Section 126A of the Act prohibits the publication of exit poll results from the beginning of voting until the conclusion of polling across all phases.

Methodology used for exit polls:

1. Sample size: A significant, representative sample of voters is selected. Larger samples aren’t necessarily more accurate; it’s about a stratified and random selection.
2. Stratified sampling: Ensures representation of various demographics, such as gender, caste, religion, rural/urban voters, etc.
3. Data collection: Face-to-face interviews with voters as they leave polling stations, sometimes anonymized for honest responses.
4. Weighting: Data is weighted to match demographic profiles of the population, ensuring fair representation.
5. Analysis: Pollsters convert vote share estimates to seat projections using swing analysis and historical voting data.

Difference between Exit poll and Opinion poll:

Challenges in Exit polls:

1. Sampling bias: Incorrect sampling or under-representation of marginalized groups may skew results.

Example: Axis MyIndia overrepresented male respondents in their 2024 survey.

1. Non-disclosure by voters: Some voters, especially from marginalized groups, may not disclose their true voting preferences, leading to inaccurate predictions.
2. Swing calculation errors: Converting vote share to seat share involves complex calculations based on regional swings, which can be misleading.

Example: Today’s Chanakya overestimated NDA’s seat tally in the 2024 election.

1. Social desirability bias: Voters may give socially acceptable answers rather than their true choices, distorting the poll results.

Way ahead:

1. Improved sampling techniques: Ensure more robust sampling, including better representation of rural, marginalized, and minority voters.
2. Transparency: Pollsters should disclose their sampling methods, error margins, and assumptions, enhancing trust in results.
3. Mixed-method approach: Combine face-to-face interviews with anonymized responses for greater honesty from voters.
4. Technology integration: Use of AI and data analytics to process large datasets and identify patterns more accurately.

Conclusion:

Exit polls play a critical role in gauging public sentiment, but their accuracy depends on methodology, representation, and proper weighting of data. Enhancing transparency and refining sampling methods can ensure more reliable predictions and a better understanding of voter behavior in future elections.

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United Nations Women Report

Syllabus: Multilateral institution and Women

Source:   Down to Earth

Context: A new report from United Nations Women has unveiled a significant gender gap in social protection worldwide, leaving billions of women and girls vulnerable to poverty.

Data points and status:

• 2 billion women and girls worldwide lack access to social protection (e.g., cash benefits, healthcare, pensions).
• 18% of nearly 1,000 social protection measures introduced by governments across 171 countries focus on women’s economic security.
• 63% of women globally give birth without maternity benefits, with the figure rising to 94% in sub-Saharan Africa.
• 25% more likely: Women aged 25-34 are more likely to live in extreme poverty compared to men of the same age.
• 7.7 times more likely: Women in fragile settings face a much higher likelihood of extreme poverty due to factors like conflict and climate change.

Examples from the Report:

• Mongolia: Extended maternity leave to informal workers like herders and self-employed individuals; also introduced paternity leave to promote caregiving gender equality.
• Mexico and Tunisia: Included domestic workers in social security systems, ensuring better protection.
• Senegal: Expanded the National Health Insurance scheme to meet rural women’s needs, with support from UN Women.

Challenges:

• Gender-specific vulnerabilities: Women face compounded risks due to conflict, economic shocks, and climate change, which are not adequately addressed in existing social protection schemes.
• Inflation: Rising food and energy costs since 2022 have disproportionately impacted women, worsening their financial situation.
• Gaps in maternity benefits: Lack of maternity leave and financial support leaves women vulnerable during childbearing years, contributing to gender inequality in economic stability.
• Extreme poverty: Women, especially in fragile settings, are far more likely to experience poverty, making gender-responsive policies essential.
• Funding gap: Low-income countries need $77.9 billion (or 15.9% of GDP) to implement basic social protection systems, but lack the fiscal capacity to do so.

Way ahead:

• Gender-responsive social protection: Governments must design systems addressing the unique challenges faced by women and girls to ensure inclusivity.
• International support: Financial aid from global bodies may be needed to help low-income countries close funding gaps for comprehensive social protection.
• Innovative policies: Targeted policies in countries like Mongolia, Mexico, and Senegal show the effectiveness of extending benefits to informal workers.
• Prioritizing economic security: Governments should focus more on measures that improve women’s access to resources and benefits, enhancing their economic security.

Conclusion:

The UN Women report highlights the urgent need for gender-responsive social protection policies to bridge the gap in economic security for women and girls globally. Countries should prioritize inclusive social protection measures and collaborate internationally to ensure sustainable development that addresses gender inequality.

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 16 October 2024 GS Paper 3:

Greenwashing Guideline

 Syllabus: Sustainable development  

 Source: Live Mint

 Context: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has introduced guidelines to regulate misleading environmental claims and greenwashing in India.

What is Greenwashing?

• Definition: Greenwashing refers to the deceptive practice where companies mislead consumers by making unsubstantiated or exaggerated claims about the environmental benefits of their products or services.
• Purpose: Companies often use terms like “eco-friendly,” “organic,” or “sustainable” without proper substantiation to enhance brand image and attract environmentally conscious consumers.

Greenwashing guidelines (2024):

• Whom do the guidelines apply to?
  • Manufacturers, Service Providers, and Traders: Any individual or company promoting products or services using environmental claims.
  • Advertisements in all forms: Applies to advertisements across various media platforms, including digital, print, and television.
  • Companies making environmental claims: Entities promoting products or services as “eco-friendly,” “organic,” or “sustainable,” among other terms, are required to substantiate such claims with verifiable evidence.

• Principles:
  • Transparency and accuracy in environmental claims.
  • Substantiation with credible evidence.
  • Prohibition of vague terms like “green” or “eco-friendly” without proof.
• Features:
  • Clear definitions: Greenwashing and environmental claims are defined clearly for both consumers and businesses.
  • Substantiation requirements: Companies must back their claims with reliable scientific evidence and credible certifications.
  • Disclosure requirements: Full disclosure of relevant details like the aspect of the product being claimed as environmentally beneficial (e.g., manufacturing process or packaging).
  • Third-party certification: Acceptance of third-party certifications to support claims.
  • Prohibition of misleading terms: Bans vague terms unless clearly substantiated.
• Need:
  • To protect consumers from misleading environmental claims.
  • To promote transparency and integrity in the marketplace.
  • To encourage businesses to adopt genuine sustainable practices.
• Significance:
  • Enhances consumer trust in environmental claims.
  • Prevents deceptive advertising practices.
  • Encourages businesses to make honest and meaningful contributions to environmental sustainability.
  • Strengthens accountability in the green marketplace.

• Limitations of the Guidelines

• • Ambiguity in terms: While the guidelines require substantiation for terms like “sustainable” or “eco-friendly,” there might still be ambiguity in defining these terms across various industries.
  • Limited scope for informal sectors: Small businesses or informal sectors may face challenges in adhering to the stringent requirements of evidence and third-party certification.
  • Enforcement and monitoring challenges: Monitoring compliance across diverse sectors and ensuring that all companies adhere to these guidelines may present significant logistical challenges.
  • Data verification: While third-party verification is required, the availability of independent certification bodies may be limited, posing difficulties in enforcement.
  • Consumer awareness: Consumers may not always fully understand the technical terms or have the tools to verify environmental claims, which may limit the guidelines’ effectiveness in practice.

Conclusion:

India’s regulations on green claims and greenwashing are similar to those in the United Kingdom and the European Union. All three focus on transparency and accountability in environmental claims made by companies.

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 16 October 2024 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

iFOREST Study

Context: A report by environmental think-tank iForest highlights the multifaceted costs involved in this energy transition, focusing not only on replacing coal with green energy but also addressing non-energy costs such as worker support and land rehabilitation.

Key points from the study:

1. Total cost estimate:
   • India will require more than ₹84 lakh crore ($1 trillion) to phase out coal mining and thermal power plants.
2. Coal dependency:
   • Currently, coal accounts for about 55% of India’s commercial energy needs.
   • Coal-based thermal power plants produce over 70% of India’s electricity.
3. Coal mining and Thermal power plants:
   • India will need to close coal mines producing 1,315 million tonnes per annum and phase out thermal power plants with a capacity of 237.2 gigawatts.
4. Green energy costs:
   • Account for 52% of the transition costs, which include building green energy plants and upgrading the electricity grid.
5. Non-energy costs:
   • Comprise 48% of total costs, including “just transition costs” to support the livelihoods of around 60 lakh workers dependent on the coal economy, land rehabilitation, and repurposing.
6. Land rehabilitation:
   • The study mentions the rehabilitation of 343,504 hectares of coal mining land and 124,789 hectares of land at thermal power plant sites for green repowering.

Relevance in the UPSC Exam:

• Environment and Ecology (GS Paper III):
  • Provides essential data on climate change, sustainable development, and India’s shift from coal dependency.
• Economics (GS Paper III):
  • Highlights financial challenges in moving from fossil fuels to clean energy, focusing on job loss, economic diversification, and budgeting.
• Governance and Social Justice (GS Paper II):
  • Social impacts like worker rehabilitation and community support are central for inclusive growth and social justice.
• Essay and Ethics (GS Paper IV):
  • Examines ethical dimensions of balancing development with environmental sustainability through the “just transition” framework.

Shetkari Samruddhi Special Train

Context: Union Railways Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, flagged off the Shetkari Samruddhi Special Train via video conferencing, connecting Maharashtra’s Devlali and Bihar’s Danapur.

Key information:

• Purpose: Facilitate the transport of perishable goods and produce from farmers to new markets at minimal cost.
• Features: The train is equipped with small parcel vans for easy and safe transport of perishable goods.

Relevance in UPSC exam:

• Economics (GS Paper III): Highlights agricultural logistics and infrastructure improvement, crucial for market access and rural development.
• Governance and Development (GS Paper II): Demonstrates government initiatives promoting inclusive growth, farmer empowerment, and ease of business in rural economies through enhanced infrastructure.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 16 October 2024 Facts for Prelims (FFP)

BEML

Source: TH

 Context: State-owned BEML will manufacture the country’s first indigenous high-speed train that can travel at a peak speed of 280 kmph.

About BEML:

• Incorporation: Founded on 11 May 1964, with Soviet Union assistance.
• Ownership: Initially wholly owned by the Indian government under the Ministry of Defence.
• Headquarters: Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
• Industry: Manufactures heavy equipment for earthmoving, railways, transport, and mining sectors.
• Disinvestment: In 1992, the government divested 25% of its holdings. Further strategic disinvestment (26%) with management control transfer was approved by the Indian government.
• Significance: Asia’s second-largest manufacturer of earthmoving equipment.

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India Mobile Congress

Source: News on Air

 Context: Industry leaders have lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for Digital India at the 8th India Mobile Congress during the International Telecommunication Union-World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (ITU-WTSA) 2024 in New Delhi.

 About India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024:

• Edition: 8th edition of Asia’s premier digital technology exhibition.
• Co-hosted by: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).
• Theme: “The Future is Now” – focusing on integrating advanced technologies into daily life.
• Focus areas: 6G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductors, satellite communication (Satcom), quantum technology, broadcasting, electronics manufacturing, and security.
• Significance:
  • Technological advancement: Showcases innovations in AI, 6G, quantum tech, etc., fostering collaboration and progress.
  • Economic impact: Expected to attract investments, boosting the tech sector and contributing to India’s economy.
  • Global collaboration: Connects 120+ countries, enabling exchange of ideas and best practices.
  • Startup support: The Aspire program provides startups with investor access, accelerating growth.

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Ossification Test

Source: IE

Context: The Mumbai police have confirmed that Dharmaraj Kashyap, one of the three accused in the murder case of NCP leader and former Maharashtra Minister Baba Siddique, is not a minor. ANI reported that the confirmation came after an ossification test was conducted on him.

Key methods for estimating age:

1. Ossification test:

• Purpose: Determines age by assessing bone development and the union of epiphyses in long bones.
• Bones used: Radius, ulna, humerus, tibia, fibula, femur.
• Accuracy: Provides an estimate within a margin of two years (e.g., 16-18 years), allowing for a 6-month error on either side.
• Limitations: Factors such as climate, diet, and heredity can affect ossification rates.

2. Wisdom teeth:

• Purpose: The eruption of wisdom teeth (third molars) is used to estimate age.
• Age range: Typically erupts in late teens to early adulthood.
• Limitations: Genetics, oral hygiene, and health can influence the pattern, making this method less accurate if used alone.

3. Epigenetic clock technique:

• Purpose: Measures DNA methylation to estimate chronological age.
• Mechanism: Methyl groups are added to DNA, particularly at CpG sites (cytosine preceding guanine).
• Use in forensics: Still under exploration in Indian forensic science.

4. Radiographic techniques:

• Purpose: X-rays and CT scans assess bone maturity and degeneration.
• Use: Helpful in identifying bone age and diseases that can indicate age progression.

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Haber-Bosch Process

Source:  TH

Context:

About Haber-Bosch Process:

• Purpose: Fixes nitrogen (N2) from the air with hydrogen (H2) to produce ammonia (NH3), essential for manufacturing fertilizers.
• Development: Invented by Fritz Haber in the early 1900s and industrialized by Carl Bosch.
• Significance: Considered one of the most important technological advancements of the 20th century, enabling mass production of fertilizers.
• Industrial breakthrough: First large-scale chemical process using high pressure for a chemical reaction.

How it works:

1. Nitrogen + Hydrogen reaction: Combines nitrogen from the air with hydrogen under high pressure (150–200 atmospheres) and moderate temperature (~400–500°C).
2. Catalyst: Mostly iron-based catalysts are used to lower the reaction temperature.
3. Pressure & Temperature: Higher pressure increases ammonia yield, while lower temperatures favor the reaction but slow down the rate.
4. Continuous process: Ammonia is removed from the reaction batch to maintain an equilibrium that promotes product formation.

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Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide Nanoparticles

Source:  PIB

Context: Scientists from the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, have developed a new photocatalyst that can effectively break down sulfamethoxazole into less harmful byproducts, marking a significant step toward solving this environmental issue.

Need:

• Antibiotic contamination in the environment has become a pressing concern due to the increasing levels of broad-spectrum antibiotics like sulfamethoxazole (SMX) being released, leading to antibiotic resistance, ecological damage, and health risks.
• Finding efficient ways to degrade such antibiotics into less hazardous chemicals is essential for mitigating these effects.

About Copper zinc tin sulfide nanoparticles:

• Photocatalyst developed: The team synthesized copper zinc tin sulfide (Cu2ZnSnS4 – CZTS) nanoparticles and CZTS-tungsten disulfide (CZTS-WS2) composite.
• Composition: The composite is made from earth-abundant, inexpensive, and non-toxic components using a hydrothermal reaction involving zinc chloride, copper chloride, tin chloride, and tungsten disulfide.
• Function: The composite acts as an efficient photocatalyst, which degrades sulfamethoxazole under light exposure.

Significance:

• Environmental impact: This photocatalyst helps reduce the harmful effects of antibiotics like sulfamethoxazole in the environment.
• Efficiency: The CZTS-WS2 composite exhibited over 80% radical scavenging efficiency and antibacterial capabilities.
• Reusability: The catalyst can be recovered and reused multiple times without losing its effectiveness, making it economically viable.
• Photostability: The composite demonstrates excellent photostability, which makes it valuable for long-term applications in light-harvesting and photocatalysis.

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 16 October 2024 Mapping:

Mount Adams

Source: News18

Context: Mount Adams, the largest volcano in Washington, has shown an increase in seismic activity after lying dormant for thousands of years, recent reports suggest.

About Mount Adams:

• Location: Washington State, USA.
• Height: 12,277 feet (3,742 meters), making it the largest active volcano in Washington by volume.
• Width: 18 miles (29 kilometers).
• Volcanic field: Lies within the Mount Adams volcanic field, a 1,250 sq.km area with over 120 basaltic volcanoes.
• Glaciers: Supports over 10 active glaciers, providing vital water to surrounding ecosystems.
• Last eruption: Occurred between 3,800 and 7,600 years ago.

Stratovolcano characteristics:

• Definition: Tall, steep, cone-shaped volcanoes.
• Composition: Built from layers of ash and lava.
• Eruption style: Magma is viscous and gas-rich, causing explosive eruptions.
• Formation: Occur at tectonic plate margins where continental plates override oceanic plates.
• Prevalence: Comprise ~60% of Earth’s volcanoes, with 85% around the Pacific’s “Ring of Fire.”

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Daily Current Affairs + PIB Summary 16 Oct 2024

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