UPSC DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS (14TH SEPTEMBER, 2023)

European Honeybees 

Syllabus :GS 3/Species in news

In News

 European honeybees can be an effective biomonitor for determining the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in urban neighbourhoods. 

About  European honeybees (Western Honey Bee)

• Scientific Name : Apis mellifera
  • Apis is Latin for ‘bee’ and Mellifera is Latin for ‘honey-bearing’
• It is considered to be one of the most important pollinators of crops and other plant species
• Distribution : It is native to Europe, Africa, the Middle East and western Asia.
• Protection status : Data Deficient” on the IUCN Red List.

Mithun 

Syllabus :GS 3/Species in news

In News

The Mithun bovine has been classified as a food animal by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.

About Mithun 

• Scientific Name : Bos frontalis
• It is a semi-domesticated bovine species and plays an important role in the socio economic and cultural fabric of the tribal population.
• Habitat and Distribution : It prefers a cool climate and avoids bright sunlight.
  • The highest concentration of mithuns in the world is spread over the North Eastern (NE) region of India .
    • It is the state animal of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland and is primarily reared for meat in community farms. 
  • It is also found in parts of Southeast Asia viz. Bangladesh, Myanmar and Bhutan

C-295 Transport Aircraft

Syllabus: GS3/Defence

Context:

• The C295 is expected to replace India’s ageing Avro-748 transport fleet, which was first flown in 1961.

About:

• India formalised the acquisition of 56 Airbus C-295 aircraft to replace the legacy Avro fleet of the IAF at a cost of Rs 21,935 crore in
  September 2021.
  
• Under the deal, Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft in ‘fly-away’ condition from its final assembly line in Seville, in Spainby 2025 and the subsequent 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) in India as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies.
  • The 56th and final aircraft is expected to be delivered to the IAF by August 2031.
• All the C-295 aircraft will be handed over in transport configuration and equipped with an indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite.
  • Indigenous Radar warning receiver and Missile Approach warning systems made by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and countermeasure dispensing system made by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) have been certified and installed on the first aircraft.

Capabilities of C-295:

• The C-295 is a transport aircraft that has a capacity of 5-10 tonnes, used for tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers, and for conducting logistic operations to locations that are not accessible for heavier aircraft.
• It is capable of cruising at 260 kts with a ‘short take-off and land’ capability from semi-prepared surfaces in hilly terrain.
• It has the capability of being equipped for air-to-air refuelling of fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.
• C-295’s engines provide excellent manoeuvrability, and outstanding hot-and-high performance, with fuel consumption for a very long endurance of up to 13 hours aloft at altitudes up to 30,000 feets.

Significance:

• The acquisition of 56 C-295 aircraft will boost the Make in India initiatives and pave the way for the development of the industrial ecosystem in the aviation sector.
• As the process will involve manufacturing, assembly, testing, qualification, delivery, and maintenance of the complete lifecycle of the aircraft, it will attract huge investment and create several skilled and indirect jobs. 

National e-Vidhan Application’ (NeVA)

Syllabus: GS3/Science and Technology

In News

• The President of India, inaugurated ‘National e-Vidhan Application’ (NeVA) and addressed the Gujarat Legislative Assembly at Gandhinagar.

About

• NeVA is a work-flow system deployed on NIC Cloud, MeghRaj which helps the Chair of the House to conduct the proceedings of the House smoothly.
• NeVA is a device neutral and member centric application created to equip them to handle diverse House Business smartly by putting entire information regarding member contact details, rules of procedure, list of business, notices, bulletins, bills, starred/unstarred questions and answers, papers laid, committee reports etc. in their hand held devices/ tablets and equip all Legislatures/ Departments to handle it efficiently. 
• NeVA will completely eliminate the process of sending out a notice/request for collection of data.
• The application hosts a secure page for each Member of the House for submitting questions & other notices.
• The aim of the project is to bring all the legislatures of the country together, in one platform thereby creating a massive data depository without having the complexity of multiple applications.
• mNeVA is a user-friendly Mobile App of NeVA which is available on Android as well as on iOS. 
• mNeVA has made information on the conduct of business in Legislatures accessible anytime, anywhere to everyone.

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

Syllabus: GS3/Environment, Conservation

Context:

• India aims to protect domestic industry from EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

About:

• The government aims to take all necessary steps, including by setting up auto component parks using a combination of green energies, to protect Indian industry from any adverse impact of the European Union’s CBAM.

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM):

• It is a tool to put a fair price on the carbon emitted during the production of carbon intensive goods and at most significant risk of carbon leakage like cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen that are entering the EU.
  
  
  1. It will enter into force in its transitional phase as of 1 October 2023.
• The idea here is to avert the possibility of carbon leakage alongside encouraging producers in non-EU countries to green their manufacturing processes.
• The gradual introduction of the CBAM is aligned with the phase-out of the allocation of free allowances under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to support the decarbonisation of EU industry.
  
  Why are other countries worried?
• According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD):
  • Russia, China and Turkey were most exposed to the CBAM.
  • India, Brazil and South Africa would be most affected among the developing countries.
    • India exported steel and aluminium, contributing nearly 14% of its export mix for all products.
  • Mozambique would be the most exposed least-developing country.
• Impact on India:
  
  1. The EU is India’s third largest trade partner and the size of exports from India will invariably rise.
  2. Scope of CBAM would expand beyond its current ambit to include other sectors as well.
• India’s products have a higher carbon intensity than its European counterparts, the carbon tariffs imposed will be proportionally higher making Indian exports substantially uncompetitive.
  1. International climate policies (including CBAM) will compel other countries to impose similar regulation eventually translating to ‘a significant impact’ on India’s trading relationships and balance of payments.
  
  Way Forward:
• The high carbon emitting activities like manufacturing have been outsourced and low carbon emitting activities like branding and financing have been retained, affecting the global value and supply chains.
• Carbon emissions in traded goods and services comprise only 27% of global carbon emissions which indicates that the scope of international trade policy in achieving global green growth is limited.
• So, it is the domestic or the national policies which are going to be more effective than international rules.

India-Russia Maritime Cooperation

Syllabus; GS2/ International Relations

In Context

• India and Russia discussed ways to widen maritime cooperation in the recently held  meet for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic.
  • During the meeting, both the leaders discussed wide range of items of maritime communication between India and Russia to widen maritime cooperation

Key Highlights of the meet

• Both sides agreed on the usage of new transport corridors like the Northern Sea Route (NSR) as well as the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC) between Vladivostok and Chennai. 
  • The Eastern Maritime Corridor is a proposed sea route between Chennai, India, and Vladivostok, Russia, passing through the Sea of Japan, the South China Sea, and the Malacca Strait.
  • The potential cargo base for the alternate routes will be coking coal, oil, LNG and fertilizers which are present in sufficient quantities in the Far East.
• Establishment of India Russia Joint Maritime Commission to facilitate constructive discussion on various issues regarding development of the NSR.
• India and Russia agreed to train Indian seafarers in Polar and Arctic waters at the Russian Maritime Training Institute, named after GI Admiral Nevelsky, which is equipped with simulator training facilities, in Vladivostok, Russia.

Benefits of Northern Sea Route (NSR)

• The NSR is a global transport project. Its development can provide economic benefits to both Russia and non-regional states. For India, this is an opportunity to increase sales of shipbuilding products and gain income from participation in the general logistics business in northern latitudes.

Benefits of Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC)

• EMC is estimated to reduce the time required to transport cargo between Indian and Russian Ports of the Far-East Region by up to 16 days.
• This will further open trade opportunities with Southeast Asian nations like Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

India-Russia Relations

• India and Russia have a history of strong strategic, military, economic, and diplomatic relationships.
• Political Relations:
  • The Annual Summit meeting between the Prime Minister of India and the President of the Russian Federation is the highest institutionalized dialogue mechanism in the strategic partnership between India and Russia. 
  • So far 20 Annual Summit meetings have taken place alternatively in India and Russia. 
• Intergovernmental Commissions: 
  • There is regular high-level interaction between the two countries.
  • The IRIGC (India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission): 
    • It is the main body that conducts affairs at the governmental level between both countries. Both countries are members of international bodies including the UN, BRICS, G20 and SCO.
  • Two Inter-Governmental Commissions: 
    • One on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC), co-chaired by EAM and the Russian DPM, and 
    • Another on Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC- MTC) co-chaired by Russian and Indian Defence Ministers, meet annually.

Eastern Economic Forum

• About: An international forum, organised each year in Vladivostok, Russia. 
• Establishment: In 2015, by the decree of the President of the Russian Federation.
• Purpose: Platform for the discussion of key issues in the world economy, regional integration, Industrial & technological sectors. 
• Far East: Resource-rich easternmost part of Russia; covers more than a third of the country’s territory (1/3rd of all coal reserves).

India & Far East

• In 2019 India announced a commitment to an “Act Far-East” policy.
  • This policy is an important part of a special and privileged strategic partnership with Russia.
• India has also made significant investments in the Russian far east in the fields of pharmaceuticals and diamonds.
• India can also have cooperation in the mobility of talent. Indian talent has contributed to the development of many resource-rich regions of the world.
  • The talent and professionalism of Indians can bring about rapid development in the Russian Far East.

India’s Stand on Russia’s War with Ukraine & way ahead

• India’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine has been distinctive among the major democracies and among U.S. strategic partners. 
• Despite its discomfort with Moscow’s war, New Delhi has adopted studied public neutrality toward Russia. 
• It has abstained from successive votes in the UN Security Council, General Assembly, and Human Rights Council that condemned Russian aggression in Ukraine and thus far has refused to openly call out Russia as the instigator of the crisis. 
• India has been under immense indirect pressure from Western nations that have openly condemned Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine. 
• India has been pressing for the resolution of the crisis through diplomacy and dialogue.

Russia’s Support to North Korea’s Satellite Plan

Syllabus: GS3/ India & Foreign Relations, Effect of Policies & Politics of Developed & Developing Countries on India’s Interests

In News

• Russia & North Korea’s leaders met recently for the summit at the Vostochny Cosmodrome space station in Russia’s Far East.

About the meeting highlights

• As stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia would help North Korea launch satellites.
• North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said that Russia had his full backing in its “sacred fight” with the West.
• The leaders would discuss issues about getting supplies from North Korea to replenish Moscow’s dwindling stock of weapons and ammunition.
• Issues & challenges: U.S. and South Korean officials have expressed concern that North Korean leader could provide weapons and ammunition to Russia, which has expended vast stocks in more than 18 months of war in Ukraine.
  • Moscow and Pyongyang have denied such intentions.

Significance 

• Location of meet: The decision to meet at Vostochny Cosmodrome, a major satellite launch facility, may communicate what Kim Jong-un sees as the crucial next steps in his efforts to build a viable nuclear arsenal that could threaten the United States and its allies in Asia.
• Violation of UN resolutions: If Russia does buy weapons from North Korea, it would be in violation of UN resolutions that ban all arms trade with the isolated country.
• Ending isolation: North Korea’s economy has been crippled by the pandemic-era border closures and Kim may ask for supplies of food and energy to address shortfalls.
  • The meeting is a move on Kim’s part to deepen relations with Moscow and end his country’s years of isolation. 
• North Korea’s failures in launching military spy satellite: Kim’s visit to Russia came after North Korea experienced repeated failures in recent months to put its first military spy satellite into orbit.
• Increased threats of DPRK missiles: Kim has punctuated his testing activity with an escalatory nuclear doctrine that authorises his military to conduct preemptive nuclear attacks against enemies if it perceives Pyongyang’s leadership as under threat.
  • The UN Security Council imposed economic sanctions on North Korea over its previous satellite launches, seeing them as covers for long-range ballistic missile tests. 
  • Space-based reconnaissance capabilities would potentially enhance the threat posed by Kim’s missiles.

India-Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Relations

• Relations between India and DPR Korea have been generally characterised by friendship, cooperation and understanding. 
• As members of the Non-Aligned Movement, there is a commonality of views between the two on many international issues, e.g. Disarmament, South-South Cooperation, etc. 
• Both sides continue to work closely in international fora and support each other on various issues of bilateral and international interests. 
• India and DPRK have been cooperating in the UN and other international organizations. 

India’s Stand on issues of Korean peninsula

• India had welcomed the North-South Joint Declaration of 15 June 2000 and favored reduction of tension on the Korean peninsula and reunification of the two Koreas through peaceful means and direct dialogue between them.

Operation Polo

Syllabus: GS1/History

In News

• September 13 marks the 75th anniversary of Operation Polo.

History of Hyderabad

• The city was founded in the year 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth sultan of Qutb Shahi dynasty.
• Quli Qutb Shah seized the reins of power from the Bahamani kingdom in 1512 and established the fortress city of Golconda. 
• Hyderabad’s fame, strategic location and Golconda’s legendary wealth attracted Aurangazeb who captured Golconda in 1687.
• As the Mughal empire decayed and began to disintegrate, the viceroy, Asaf Jah I proclaimed himself the Nizam and established the independence rule of the Deccan.
  • Hyderabad once again became a major capital city, ruled by successive Nizams of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. 
  • Eighty five percent of the Nizam’s subjects were Hindus.
• In 1798, a subsidiary alliance for military and political cooperation was signed between the Nizam and the British East India company.

Background

• In 1947, when the British left India, they gave the princely states the choice to either join India or Pakistan or remain independent. Being one state not under British rule, it opposed the idea of a merger with India after Independence.
• In 1947, Home Minister Sardar Patel asked Mir Osman Ali Khan Asaf Jah VII, the last Nizam of the princely state of Hyderabad, to join India, but he refused. Instead, he declared Hyderabad as an independent nation on August 15, 1947.
• The Nizam signed a standstill agreement with India in November 1947. This essentially meant that a status quo would be maintained between the Indian dominion and the Hyderabad state till a solution was found to the imbroglio.
  • The agreement was signed for a period of one year during which the Indian government would not exercise any authority over Hyderabad and all conditions prevalent at the time of signing the agreement would continue.
• It was in June 1948 that Lord Mountbatten proposed the Heads of Agreement deal which gave Hyderabad the status of an autonomous dominion nation under India. 
• India was ready to sign the deal and did so but the Nizam refused on the grounds that he wanted complete independence or the status of dominion under the British Commonwealth of Nations.

Reasons for Operation Polo?

• There was no common border with Pakistan but the Nizam had every intention to have friendly relations with the country.
• The Nizam’s administration in Hyderabad had taken advantage of the standstill agreement signed with India which followed to increase the number of its irregular force called Razakars.
• The excesses of the Razakars on the predominantly Hindu population of the state, their belligerence along the state borders through cross-border raids, the overtures being made to Pakistan and the intention to establish an independent country in the heart of India were the reasons why the Indian government decided to act against Hyderabad and remove the threat of secession.

Operation Polo

• It was the police action launched by the Indian Army on September 13, 1948, to integrate the princely state of Hyderabad.
• This operation was named “Operation Polo” and it is also referred to as “Operation Caterpillar” at times.
• The Nizam’s forces surrendered to the Indian Army by September 18.
• The Indian forces were led by Maj Gen Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri, the General Officer Commanding of 1 Armoured Division, who later went on to become the Chief of Army Staff.
• Havildar Bachhitar Singh was among the recipients of the first Ashoka Chakra of Independent India awarded posthumously for his role in Operation Polo.

Ian Wilmut: Cloning Pioneer

Syllabus: GS3/Science and Technology

Context:

• Ian Wilmut, the cloning pioneer of Dolly the Sheep, the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell, has died.

About

• Dolly the Sheep, initially referred to as ‘6LL3’, was part of a series of experiments that were trying to develop a better method for producing genetically modified livestock.
• These experiments were carried out by a team led by Professor Sir Ian Wilmut and were successful in cloning the first mammal from an adult cell at Edinburgh in 1996.
• It was considered as one of the greatest scientific breakthroughs in the 20th century.

How Ian Wilmut and team cloned a sheep?

• The researchers used a cell from the mammary gland of a dead adult sheep to create a new living animal.
• They stimulated the cell with electricity and added chemicals, which changed the adult DNA into an embryo.
• They then put this into an empty sheep’s egg before implanting it into a surrogate sheep.

Way Forward:

• Dolly was the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell, and proved that specialised cells could be used to create an exact copy of the animal they came from.
  • It prompted other scientists to clone animals including dogs, cats, horses and bulls.
• It opened up a lot of possibilities in biology and medicine, including the development of personalised stem cells known as iPS cells.