Tag: Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) Observatory

UPSC DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS (9TH OCTOBER, 2024) The 2024 Forest Declaration Assessment Report Syllabus: GS3/Biodiversity and Conservation Context The 2024 Forest Declaration Assessment report, “Forests under fire: Tracking progress on 2030 forest goals,” was released. About Most countries backed the 2030 zero deforestation pledge at the UN Cop26 climate summit in 2021. The 2024 forest declaration assessment, produced by a coalition of research and civil society organisations, assessed progress towards the goal using a baseline of the average deforestation between 2018 and 2020. It found progress was significantly off track, with the level of deforestation in 2023 almost 50% higher than steady progress towards zero would require. Major Findings Shortcomings in Meeting Target: The target for last year was to bring global deforestation down to a maximum of 4.4 million hectares (10.9 million acres). The global deforestation remains 45 percent above the levels needed to meet international goals Nearly 96 percent of all deforestation occurred in tropical regions, and almost all these areas failed to meet their annual targets Tropical deforestation resulted in the emission of nearly 3.7 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent in 2023. Loss of Forest: In 2023, the world lost 6.37 million hectares of forest, this loss was 45 percent higher than the goal to eliminate deforestation by 2030. Primary tropical forests, essential for storing carbon and protecting biodiversity, lost 3.7 million hectares in 2023. It indicated serious problems in global efforts to stop deforestation and forest damage. Forest Damage: Forest damage without complete destruction is 10 times worse than deforestation itself, affecting 62.6 million hectares in 2022. Main Drivers: Agriculture, road construction, fires and commercial logging were the main drivers of deforestation across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Positive Progress: Brazil has reduced its deforestation by 9 percent below previous levels, showing that significant progress is possible. Other countries that made progress towards the 2030 deforestation target included Australia, Colombia, Paraguay, Venezuela and Vietnam. The report also emphasizes the loss of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), where more than 1.4 million hectares of forest were lost in 2023. Protecting these areas is critical for wildlife and Indigenous communities that depend on them. Forest fires are a significant threat, mainly due to intentional land clearing for agriculture. Since 2001, 138 million hectares of tree cover have been lost to fires, with about a third of that occurring between 2019 and 2023. The report outlined steps for global actors to achieve forest protection goals, which includes: Ensuring adequate funding for forest conservation efforts. Reducing the demand for products that cause deforestation. Recognising the important role of Indigenous and local communities in forest protection. Way Ahead Ultimately, the challenges outlined in the 2024 Forest Declaration Assessment underscore that achieving forest conservation goals and advancing sustainable economic development are not mutually exclusive. But success depends on the willingness of governments, industry, and civil society to prioritize forests and integrate sustainable practices at every level. With just a few years remaining before 2030, the time to act is now. Fair Work India Ratings 2024 Syllabus: GS3/Economy Context The report titled ‘Fairwork India Ratings 2024: Labour Standards in the Platform Economy’ was released recently. About It is the sixth consecutive annual study of this nature conducted by the Fairwork India Team in association with Oxford University. It analyses the work conditions of platform workers on digital labour platforms in India. Platform workers are those whose work is based on online software apps or digital platforms. Major Highlights Fair Work assessed platforms against five principles: Fair Pay, Fair Conditions, Fair Contracts, Fair Management, and Fair Representation. The study evaluates 11 platforms offering location-based services in sectors such as domestic and personal care, logistics, food delivery, and transportation, in India. These include Amazon Flex, Bigbasket, BluSmart, Flipkart, Ola, Porter, Swiggy, Uber, Urban Company, Zepto and Zomato. Only Bigbasket and Urban Company were awarded the first point under Fair Pay for instituting a minimum wage policy. No platform earned the second point under Fair Pay, which requires platforms to commit to and ensure a local living wage after work-related costs. Representation through a collective body or trade union is a vital dimension of fairness at work. Despite the rise in platform worker collectivisation across the country over the past six years, there was insufficient evidence from any platform to show a willingness to recognise a collective body of workers. Who are Gig Workers? Non-standard or gig work consists of income-earning activities outside of standard, long-term employer-employee relationships. It relies heavily on temporary and part-time positions filled by independent contractors and freelancers rather than full-time permanent employees. The term is borrowed from the music world, where performers book “gigs” that are single or short-term engagements at various venues. The gig economy uses digital platforms to connect freelancers with customers to provide short-term services or asset-sharing. Examples include ride-hailing apps, food delivery apps, and holiday rental apps. India and Gig Economy In 2020, 7.7 million workers were engaged in the gig economy. The gig workforce is expected to expand to 23.5 million workers by 2029-30. At present about 47% of the gig work is in medium skilled jobs, about 22% in high skilled, and about 31% in low skilled jobs. Reasons for a rise in Gig Workers Post Pandemic: The trend accelerated during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, as gig workers delivered necessities to home-bound consumers, and those whose jobs had been eliminated turned to part-time and contract work for income. Freedom to work from anywhere: These types of positions facilitate independent contracting work, with many of them not requiring a freelancer to come into an office. Rise of Technology and Internet: Rise of fast internet and smartphones have made it easier to work from anywhere easily. Convenient for Small Organisations: Employers who cannot afford to hire full-time employees to do all the work will often hire part-time or temporary employees to take care of busier times or specific projects. Benefits Employers: Employers do not need to provide related benefits, such as medical insurance, Provident Fund, and year-end bonuses which make it a better option for them to pay only for work on a unit basis. Challenges Work-life balance: For some workers, the flexibility of working gigs can actually disrupt the work-life balance, sleep patterns, and activities of daily life. Can replace Full time employees: The number of full-time employees required by the company can be reduced as freelance workers take over the work. No regular job benefits: Many employers save money by avoiding paying benefits such as health coverage and paid vacation time. There is no formal employment relationship with the platform company and there are usually no employee benefits in short-term contracts. Steps Taken by Government of India for Gig Workers Code of Social Security, 2020: The Government has formulated the Code on Social Security, 2020 which envisages framing of suitable social security schemes for gig workers and platform workers on matters relating to life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, old age protection, etc. However, these provisions under the Code have not come into force. e-Shram Portal: The Government has also launched e-Shram portal in 2021 for registration and creation of a Comprehensive National Database of Unorganized Workers including gig workers and platform workers. It allows a person to register himself or herself on the portal on a self-declaration basis, which is spread across around 400 occupations. 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics Syllabus : GS 3/Science and Tech In News John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton were awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics for their foundational contributions to machine learning using artificial neural networks (ANNs). Artificial neural networks (ANNs), which process data through interconnected nodes, have become well-known due to the popularity of AI apps like ChatGPT. Nobel Prize in Physics– Alfred Nobel mentioned physics first in his 1895 will, reflecting its high status at the time.– In the late 19th century, physics was considered the foremost science, a view Nobel likely shared given his own research ties to physics.– The Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm, Sweden. John Hopfield’s Contribution: John Hopfield, a professor at Princeton University, developed the Hopfield network, a type of recurrent neural network that processes information based on Hebbian learning. It enables the storage and reconstruction of images and patterns. The Hopfield network is inspired by the physics of magnetic atoms, with neurons mimicking atoms’ energy-minimizing behavior to complete patterns or denoise images. His 1982 paper laid the foundation for using statistical physics in modeling neural circuits. The Hopfield network finds patterns by lowering its overall energy, comparing distorted or incomplete input to saved patterns. Geoffrey Hinton’s Contribution: Geoffrey Hinton, a professor at the University of Toronto, adapted the Boltzmann machine for cognitive tasks and created the restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM). It uses statistical physics to recognize features in data and learns by recognizing patterns and generating new examples of the data on which it was trained, playing a significant role in machine learning’s current growth His work led to the development of deep learning ANNs, with layers of neurons capable of complex tasks. Applications The work of Hopfield and Hinton have significantly advanced the field of machine learning, with widespread applications, including material development. Their innovations have enabled advancements in various fields including physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, finance, and health. Concerns Around AI Hinton raised concerns about AI, particularly how tools like ChatGPT could flood the internet with false information, making it difficult for people to discern truth. He also highlighted worries about AI taking human jobs. Do you know ?– In 2023, the prize went to Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz, and Anne L’Huillier for their contributions to attophysics.– The 2024 Physiology/Medicine prize was awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNA. Why is India’s Textile Industry Struggling to Perform Better? Syllabus: GS3/ Economy Context India’s textile industry faced a challenging period, raising doubts about achieving the target of $350 billion annually by 2030. Textile Industry of India Share in Domestic Trade: The domestic apparel & textile industry in India contributes approx. 2.3 % to the country’s GDP, 13% to industrial production and 12% to exports. Share in Global Trade: India has a 4% share of the global trade in textiles and apparel. Export: In FY22, India was the third largest textile exporter globally, enjoying a 5.4% share. Production of Raw Material: India is one of the largest producers of cotton and jute in the world. India is also the 2nd largest producer of silk in the world and 95% of the world’s hand-woven fabric comes from India. Employment Generation: The industry is the 2nd largest employer in the country providing direct employment to 45 million people and 100 million people in the allied sector. Regions: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Gujarat are the top textile and clothing manufacturing states in India. Challenges Faced by the Textile Industry Expensive Raw Material: Recent Quality Control Orders issued for fabric imports have complicated the process of bringing in essential raw material. This scenario forces exporters to use expensive domestic supplies, making Indian garments overpriced and unappealing to global buyers who prefer specific fabric sources. Cotton Price Fluctuations: India is a major producer and consumer of cotton. Fluctuations in cotton prices impact the cost of production for textile manufacturers. Imports from Bangladesh: With Bangladesh having duty-free access to the Indian market, those garments are available at 15-20% less cost in India. When fabric is imported, jobs are lost in cotton, spinning, knitting, compacting, and processing segments in India. Competition in the International Market: The overall cost difference between Indian and Bangladesh garments should be about 2-3%, but the labor costs are lesser in Bangladesh by almost 30%. Between 2013 and 2023, garment exports from Vietnam have grown nearly 82% to hit $33.4 billion while that of Bangladesh has grown nearly 70% to hit $43.8 billion. Infrastructure Constraints: Infrastructure challenges, including inadequate transportation systems, power shortages, and outdated technology, hinder the efficiency of the textile manufacturing process. Technology Upgradation: Many textile units in India still use outdated machinery and technology. Initiatives by Government of India for the Growth of the Textile Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS): To achieve the vision of generating employment and promoting exports through “Make in India’’ with “Zero effect and Zero defect” in manufacturing, ATUFS was launched in 2016 to provide credit linked Capital Investment Subsidy (CIS). Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector (SAMARTH): To address the skilled manpower requirement across the textile sector, the scheme was formulated, under the broad policy guidelines of “Skill India” initiative. National Technical Textile Mission: The Mission for a period of 4 years (2020-21 to 2023-24) was approved for developing usage of technical textiles in various flagship missions, programmes of the country including strategic sectors. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme – The PLI Scheme for Textiles to promote production of Manmade Fibre (MMF) apparel, MMF Fabrics and Products of Technical Textiles in the country. PM-MITRA: To boost employment generation through setting up of 7 PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks in Greenfield /Brownfield sites with world class infrastructure. Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP): SITP is designed to promote textile industry clusters by providing infrastructure support, including common facilities, utilities, and services. The goal is to encourage a more organized and efficient approach to textile manufacturing. Integrated Skill Development Scheme (ISDS): ISDS focuses on skill development in the textile sector to address the industry’s labor challenges. It aims to provide training to workers and enhance their employability, contributing to the overall growth of the sector. Way Ahead The industry continues to hope for a revival in demand but, what the industry needs urgently is policy intervention at the Centre and State-levels and holistic measures to improve competitiveness. So, on the lines of the ‘Make in India’ campaign, the government should encourage purchase of Indian garments. While the current volume of imports are not much compared with the overall size of the domestic market, diversion of these orders to local manufacturers will bolster production. FACTS IN NEWS Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana Syllabus: GS2/ Health Context Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is likely to cover the treatment of Alzheimer’s, dementia and other illnesses that mainly affect the elderly. Ayushman Bharat Scheme It was launched in 2018, by the Government of India with the aim of achieving universal health coverage. It has two key components; Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri- Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) Ayushman Arogya Mandir Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri- Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) AB PM-JAY is the largest publicly funded health assurance scheme in the world which provides health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. Coverage: It covers up to 3 days of pre-hospitalization and 15 days of post – hospitalization expenses such as diagnostics and medicines. The beneficiary can visit any empanelled public or private hospital in India to avail cashless treatment. There is no restriction on the family size, age or gender. Eligibility: The inclusion of households is based on the deprivation and occupational criteria of the Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011 (SECC 2011) for rural and urban areas, respectively. This number also includes families that were covered in the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) but were not present in the SECC 2011 database. Funding: The funding for the scheme is shared by the Centre and the state in a 60:40 ratio. However, for North-Eastern states, Himalayan states (such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh), and Union Territories, the ratio is 90:10. Ayushman Arogya Mandir– The component led to creation of 1,50,000 Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs), renamed as Ayushman Arogya Mandir.– They are created by upgrading the Sub Health Centres (SHCs) and rural and urban Primary Health Centres (PHCs), to bring health care closer to the community. – The aim is to provide Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) along with the provision of follow-up care to the patients in the community. – The essential health services along with the provisioning of essential medicines and diagnostics are provided closer to the community through these centers. India Eliminated Trachoma: WHO Syllabus : GS 2/Health Context The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared that India has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem becoming the third country in the South-East Asia Region to achieve this milestone. About: Trachoma It is a disease of the eye caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It is contagious, spreading through contact with the eyes, eyelids, nose or throat secretions of infected people, if left untreated it causes irreversible blindness. WHO has termed Trachoma as a neglected tropical disease and according to its estimates around 150 million people worldwide are affected by Trachoma and 6 million of them are blind or at risk of visually disabling complications. India’s effort Trachoma was amongst the leading causes of blindness in the country during 1950-60. The Government of India launched the National Trachoma Control Program (1963) and later on Trachoma control efforts were integrated into India’s National Program for Control of Blindness (NPCB). WHO–SAFE strategy was implemented throughout the country wherein SAFE stands for Surgery adoption, Antibiotics, Facial hygiene, Environmental cleanliness etc. As a result, in 2017, India was declared free from infective Trachoma. However, surveillance continued for trachoma cases in all the districts of India from 2019 onwards till 2024. India – Nepal Agreement for Petroleum Infrastructure Syllabus: GS2/IR Context Nepal and India have reached the Business to Business (B2B) Framework Agreement regarding the development of petroleum infrastructure in Nepal. About A 50-kilometre petroleum pipeline from Siliguri of India to Charali in Nepal will be built. Similarly, a Smart Greenfield Terminal will be constructed at Charali. The government of India will provide a grant to build a 62-kilometre petroleum pipeline in Nepal. Likewise, a Smart Greenfield Terminal with 91,900 kiloliters capacity will be built in Nepal with the technical assistance of the Indian government. Significance: This Agreement is supposed to be a key milestone in the India-Nepal energy partnership. Transportation of petroleum products will be convenient from India to land-linked Nepal, which will significantly reduce costs for Nepal Oil Corporation. The infrastructure will mitigate handling losses & environmental risks, prevent road congestion and support Nepal’s energy security during natural disasters such as floods and landslides. Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) Syllabus :GS 2/Health Context The Union Health Ministry has doubled the monthly nutrition support under Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) for tuberculosis (TB) patients from existing Rs. 500 per month/patient to Rs. 1,000/month/patient for the entire duration of the treatment. What is Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY)? It is a centrally sponsored scheme under National Health Mission (NHM), and all notified TB patients are beneficiaries of the scheme. It was launched in 2018 and is implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The monetary assistance scheme is expected to aid nutritional recovery, improve response to treatment and outcomes and reduce mortality due to TB in India. Do you know? India has the highest burden of TB and it kills an estimated 4,80,000 Indians every year. Although elimination of tuberculosis is one of the sustainable development targets to be achieved by 2030 by the world, India has set the target of 2025. Atal Pension Yojana (APY) Syllabus :GS 2/Governance In News Total enrolments under Atal Pension Yojana (APY) have crossed 7 crore, with over 56 lakh enrolments in FY 2024-25. About Atal Pension Yojana (APY) It was launched on 9th May 2015 and aims to offer universal social security, targeting the poor, underprivileged, and unorganised sector workers. It is administered by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) under the overall administrative and institutional architecture of the National Pension System (NPS). It provides a guaranteed pension for life to the subscriber, extends the same pension to the spouse after their demise, and returns the accumulated corpus to the nominee after both pass away. Eligibility: Open to bank account holders aged 18 to 40 who are not income taxpayers, with contributions varying based on the chosen pension amount. Subscribers receive a guaranteed minimum monthly pension of Rs. 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, or 5000 after the age of 60, depending on their contributions. Progress : The scheme, now in its 10th year, focuses on bringing vulnerable sections of society under pension coverage, supported by efforts from Banks and SLBCs/UTLBCs. USCIRF Report on India Syllabus :GS 2/Governance/IR In News The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a country update on India USCIRF: It is an independent U.S. federal agency created under the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA). It monitors global religious freedom based on international standards like Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is distinct from the Office of International Religious Freedom (IRF) of the U.S. State Department, which releases more formal reports impacting U.S. foreign policy. Functions: It publishes annual reports listing countries for potential designation by the U.S. State Department as “Countries of Particular Concern (CPC)” or Special Watch List (SWL). Countries designated as CPCs are subject to policy actions, including potential sanctions. USCIRF’s 2024 Update on India: It highlighted deteriorating religious freedom conditions, including killings, lynchings, arrests of minority individuals, and demolition of places of worship. It claims a “deteriorating trajectory” for religious freedom in India, citing discriminatory laws like the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, anti-conversion laws, and cow slaughter laws. It recommends India be designated as a CPC. India’s Response: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected the report, labeling the USCIRF as a “biased organisation” with a “political agenda”. It criticized the report as misrepresenting facts and promoting a motivated narrative about India. Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) Observatory Syllabus: GS 3/Space In News The Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) Observatory has been inaugurated at Hanle, Ladakh. MACE Observatory It is the largest imaging Cherenkov telescope in Asia. It is the highest Cherenkov telescope in the world, situated at an altitude of ~4,300 m. It is an indigenous project built by BARC with support from ECIL and other Indian industry partners. Significance: The telescope will advance India’s role in cosmic-ray research and study high-energy gamma rays to better understand the universe’s energetic events like supernovae, black holes, and gamma-ray bursts. It promotes scientific research while contributing to the socio-economic development of Ladakh. It will complement global observatories, furthering India’s contributions to multi-messenger astronomy and strengthening international collaborations in space research. The project is part of India’s pioneering efforts in cosmic-ray research, following the legacy of Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, and will serve as a beacon for future astrophysical explorations. Humsafar Policy Syllabus: GS3/ Infrastructure Context The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways launched the ‘Humsafar Policy’. About The policy offers highway users a convenient, safe, and enjoyable experience while empowering entrepreneurs, generating jobs, and enhancing livelihoods for service providers. Key features: The following essential facilities will be introduced across national highways; Hygienic and well-maintained toilets; Dedicated rooms for baby care and wheelchair provisions, EV charging stations at strategic points, Restaurants and food courts at regular intervals, Dormitories at fuel stations to provide short-term accommodation. Plankton Bloom Syllabus: GS3/Environment Context As per a study, the Unusual plankton bloom off Madagascar coast in 2020 was driven by drought in southern Africa. About Dust emitted from southern Africa was transported and deposited into the nutrient-limited surface waters southeast of Madagascar, which stimulated the strongest phytoplankton bloom of the last two decades A plankton bloom refers to a sudden increase in the population of plankton—both phytoplankton (microscopic plants) and zooplankton (microscopic animals)—in aquatic ecosystems. Physical conditions and nutrient levels can lead to high abundances of particular plankton types. These plankton “blooms” are common throughout the world’s oceans. Blooms can be quick events that begin and end within a few days or they may last several weeks. They can occur on a relatively small scale or cover hundreds of square kilometers of the ocean’s surface. Silicosis Syllabus: GS2/Health Context There is a pattern emerging in Panna’s mining communities, where silicosis often goes undiagnosed and mistaken for TB. Silicosis Silicosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling fine silica dust, often found in industries such as mining, construction, and stone cutting. It leads to inflammation and scarring of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. Symptoms can include coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain, which may develop years after exposure. Chronic Silicosis: Develops after long-term exposure to low levels of silica dust. Accelerated Silicosis: Occurs with higher levels of exposure over a shorter period. Acute Silicosis: Results from extremely high exposures over a brief period, leading to severe lung damage. Silicosis isn’t contagious as it is not caused by a virus or bacteria. There’s no cure for silicosis because the lung damage can’t be reversed. 70th National Film Awards Syllabus: Miscellaneous Context President Droupadi Murmu gave away the 70th National Film Awards to the winners in various categories. About National Film Awards are the most prestigious awards, which are announced annually to honor the best filmmaking talent across the country. It aims at encouraging the production of films of aesthetic and technical excellence and social relevance. The awards are given in three sections – Features, Non-Features and Best Writing on Cinema. History The awards were first presented in 1954 and were known as the ‘State Awards’. At the time, only best films in different regional languages were recognised and awarded. Separate awards for artists and technicians were instituted in 1968 for the films of 1967. Nargis Dutt and Uttam Kumar being the first actress and actor to get the Best Actress and Best Actor Awards respectively. Key Recipient of the Awards Best Feature Film: Aattam (The Play) Best Non-feature film: Ayena (Mirror) Best Actor: Rishab Shetty (Kantara) Best Actress: Nithya Menen (Thiruchitrambalam) and Manasi Parekh (Kutch Express) Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty was honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for the year 2022.

Tag: Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) Observatory

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