UPSC DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS (1ST OCTOBER, 2024)

International Day of Older Persons, 2024

Syllabus: GS1/ Society, GS3/ Economy

Context

• The International Day of Older Persons, is commemorated on 1 October each year.

About

• Origin: The idea was initiated by the United Nations. It stems from the Vienna International Plan of Action on Aging, which was adopted in 1982 by the World Assembly on Ageing.
  • UN General Assembly Resolution: In 1990, the UN General Assembly formally established October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons through Resolution 45/106.
• Objectives: To raise public awareness about the opportunities and challenges with ageing populations and to mobilize the families, community groups and stakeholders to address the difficulties faced by older people.
• Theme for 2024: ‘Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide’.

Current Demographics of India

• As of 2021, India had around 138 million elderly persons (aged 60 years and above), accounting for roughly 10% of the total population. 
• According to projections, by 2050, the elderly population in India is expected to reach around 319 million, making up approximately 19.5% of the total population.

Reasons for Elderly Population Growth

• Increasing Life Expectancy: The life expectancy in India has increased from around 50 years in 1970 to approximately 70 years in 2023 due to better healthcare and living conditions.
• Declining Fertility Rate: India’s fertility rate has declined over the years, leading to a shrinking younger population and a rising proportion of older persons.

Challenges Faced by the Elderly population

• Health Issues: Older persons in India commonly face non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and arthritis. 
• Economic Dependency: Many elderly individuals in India are financially dependent on their children or families due to limited pension coverage and savings.
  • Only about 30% of the elderly are covered by some form of a pension scheme.
• Elder Abuse, especially emotional and financial neglect, is an issue in many families. 
• Social Isolation: Changing family structures, with nuclear families becoming more common, resulted in increased social isolation for the elderly, particularly in urban areas.

Government initiatives

• Senior Able Citizens for Re-Employment in Dignity (SACRED) portal to connect senior citizens with job providers in the private sector. 
• Senior care Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE), by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, to promote and incentivise senior care products.
• National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP): It was formulated in 1999 to guide the development of policies and programs aimed at promoting the well-being of senior citizens. 
• Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY): Provides physical aids and assisted-living devices to elderly persons belonging to BPL categories and suffering from age-related disabilities.
• Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana: It includes awareness generation/sensitization programmes with school/college students for strengthening Inter-generational bonding.
• Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS): It is a government-backed savings scheme designed specifically for senior citizens to provide them with a steady source of income.
• The Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) initiative is providing comprehensive healthcare through Health and Wellness Centres.
  • It focuses on preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative care, using multiple traditional health systems like Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH). 

What are the opportunities?

• Silver Economy: It refers to economic activities, goods, and services designed for the growing elderly population.
  • This demographic, particularly those aged 45-64 years, is considered the wealthiest, creating a lucrative market for products and services catering to their specific needs.
• Health and Wellness Industry Growth: Healthcare accounts for one-third of the consumption by older adults and there is a significant opportunity for businesses in senior care, health services, and wellness sectors. 
• Elder Care Services: The rising elderly population will increase the demand for elder care services such as home care assistance, nursing homes, retirement communities, and assisted living facilities.
• Senior-Friendly Tourism: With more disposable income and time, the elderly population is likely to drive demand for senior-friendly travel and tourism.

Concluding remarks

• As India’s aging population increases, there is a critical need for solutions that promote healthy aging, financial security, and social inclusion. 
• Leveraging advancements in health technology, infrastructure, and senior care services, the silver economy can transform aging into a dynamic opportunity for both economic growth and societal well-being. 

Annular Solar Eclipse

Syllabus :GS1/ Geography

In News

• On October 2, an annular solar eclipse will be visible in parts of South America, while a partial solar eclipse can be seen in regions including South America, Antarctica, North America, and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, including Hawaii. 

About Solar eclipses

• Solar eclipses occur when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align, causing the Moon to pass between the Sun and Earth. 
• This alignment casts a shadow on Earth, partially or fully blocking the Sun’s light in certain areas. 
• Eclipses are infrequent because the Moon’s orbit is not in the same plane as that of the Sun and Earth. 
• These alignments occur during “eclipse season,” which happens twice a year.

Types

• Total Solar Eclipse: This occurs when the Moon completely blocks the Sun as it passes between the Sun and Earth. Observers in the center of the Moon’s shadow will experience a total eclipse, where the sky darkens, and they can briefly remove their eclipse glasses to view the Sun’s corona.

• Annular Solar Eclipse: This happens when the Moon is at its farthest point from Earth, appearing smaller than the Sun and creating a “ring of fire” effect as it covers the center of the Sun. 
• Partial Solar Eclipse: In this type, the Sun, Moon, and Earth are not perfectly aligned, so only part of the Sun is obscured, giving it a crescent shape. Observers outside the path of totality or annularity will see a partial eclipse.
• Hybrid Solar Eclipse: This occurs when the eclipse shifts between total and annular due to the curvature of the Earth’s surface as the Moon’s shadow moves across the globe.

Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)

Syllabus: GS2/ Polity and Governance

Context

• The Consulate General of India in New York has clarified that rumours circulating on social media regarding OCIs becoming reclassified as “foreigners” are false.

Overseas Citizen of India

• OCI was introduced by the Indian government in 2005. 
• A registered OCI is granted multiple entry, multi-purpose life-long visa for visiting India.
• They are exempted from registration with Foreign Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreign Registration Officer (FRO) for any length of stay in India.
• OCI cardholders can open special bank accounts in India, they can buy non-farm property and exercise ownership rights and can also apply for a driver’s licence and PAN card.
  • However they are required to seek permission or a permit to visit protected areas in India. 

Eligibility Criteria

• It provides for registration as an OCI of all Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) who were citizens of India on 26th January, 1950, or thereafter, or were eligible to become citizens of India on the said date.
• A foreign national who;
  • Belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15th August, 1947; or
  • A child or a grandchild or a great grandchild of such a citizen; or
  • A minor child of such persons mentioned above; or
  • A minor child whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India is eligible for registration as OCI cardholder.

Who cannot be an OCI? 

• An applicant is not eligible to get an OCI card if his/her parents or grandparents have ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh. 
• Foreign military personnel either in service or retired are also not entitled for grant of OCI.

What are OCIs not allowed to do?

• The OCI card holder is not entitled to vote; to be a member of a Legislative Assembly or of a Legislative Council or of Parliament; to hold Indian constitutional posts such as that of the President, Vice President, Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court. 
• He or she cannot normally hold employment in the government.

Bail Provisions under PMLA

Syllabus: GS2/Polity and Governance

Context

• The Supreme Court recently held that constitutional courts cannot allow provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act to become instruments in the hands of the Enforcement Directorate to continue incarceration for a long time.

The Prevention of Money-Laundering Act (PMLA)

• It was enacted by Parliament of India under Article 253 of Constitution in 2002 to prevent money laundering and provide for the confiscation of property derived from or involved in money laundering.
• PMLA and the Rules notified there under came into force with effect from 2005, and it was further amended in 2009 and in 2012.
• Director, FIU-IND and Director (Enforcement) have been conferred with exclusive and concurrent powers under relevant sections of the Act to implement the provisions of the Act.
• The offence under the PMLA mainly involves money laundering obtained through criminal activities (e.g., drug trafficking, terrorism, corruption).

Bail Provisions under the Law

• Section 45 of the PMLA, which deals with bail, first states that no court can grant bail for offences under this law, and then proceeds to mention a few exceptions. 
  • The negative language in the provision itself shows that bail is not the rule but the exception under PMLA.
• The provision makes it mandatory to hear the public prosecutor in all bail applications, and when the prosecutor opposes bail, the court is required to apply a twin test.
  • These two conditions are: (i) that there are “reasonable grounds for believing that [the accused] is not guilty of such offence”; and (ii) that “he is not likely to commit any offence while on bail”.
• There are similar provisions in several other laws that deal with serious offences — for example, Section 36AC of The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, Section 37 of The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and Section 43D(5) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967.

Supreme Court’s Take on the Law

• To address concerns raised by ED regarding possible tampering with witnesses or evidence, the court imposed strict conditions on bail, including:
  • regular appearance before the deputy director of ED; 
  • appearance before the investigating officer of the scheduled offences; 
  • restraint against contacting any prosecution witnesses or victims related to the scheduled offences; 
  • full cooperation with the trial and a refrain from asking for adjournments.

Conclusion

• While the PMLA provisions have faced scrutiny, the Supreme Court has consistently upheld their validity, emphasising the need to combat money laundering effectively. 
• The balance between law enforcement powers and individual rights remains a critical aspect of this legal framework.

Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) 2024

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

Context

• The Union Government is set to unveil the Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) 2024.

Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP)

• It was launched by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in 2014-2015, aims to improve the ease of doing business and enhance the overall business environment in the country.
• Key Objectives:
  • Simplification of Regulatory Processes: Streamlining business regulations to reduce compliance burdens.
  • Digitization: Encouraging digital platforms for business registration, licensing, and other regulatory requirements.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Involving businesses in the reform process to ensure their needs are met.
  • Benchmarking: Comparing India’s business environment with other countries to identify areas for improvement.
• Major Areas of Focus:
  • Starting a Business: Reducing the time and cost involved in starting a business.
  • Construction Permits: Streamlining processes for obtaining construction permits.
  • Labor Regulation: Simplifying labor laws and improving compliance mechanisms.
  • Trade and Customs: Enhancing the efficiency of trade processes and customs clearance.
• Implementation:The BRAP consists of a series of annual action plans, where states are evaluated on their reform efforts.
  • States that perform well are recognized and rewarded, creating a competitive environment for reforms.

BRAP 2024

• It is set to establish a seamless business regulatory framework across the country, enhancing the ease of doing business.
• Led by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), BRAP 2024 introduces next-generation reforms that address the needs of both businesses and citizens. 
• BRAP 2024 continues to streamline processes, reduce compliance burdens, and implement digital solutions to make India a preferred global investment hub.
  • BRAP has expanded beyond its initial scope, covering critical sectors such as Labour, Environment, Taxes, Land Administration, Utility Permits, Inspection and Construction.

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade

• It was established in 1995, and in the year 2000 the Department of Industrial Development was merged with it. 
• It is working under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• This department is responsible for formulation and implementation of promotional and developmental measures for growth of the industrial sector, keeping in view the national priorities and socio-economic objectives.

BharatGen: World’s First Government-funded Multimodal Large Language Model

Syllabus: GS3/ Science & Technology

In News

• “BharatGen” world’s first government-funded multimodal LLM initiative launched by the Ministry of Science & Technology.

About BharatGen

• Aim: To revolutionize public service delivery and enhance citizen engagement by developing foundational models in language, speech, and computer vision. 
• Implementation: By IIT Bombay under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS)
• Key Features of BharatGen:
  • Multilingual and multimodal foundation models.
  • Building and training based on India-centric datasets.
  • Open-source platform for fostering AI research and innovation.
• The project is expected to be completed by 2026, with ongoing research, development, and scaling of AI applications.

Significance

• BharatGen will address both text and speech, ensuring representation across India’s diverse linguistic landscape. By using multilingual datasets, it will capture the nuances of Indian languages, which are often underrepresented in global AI models.
  • This emphasis on data sovereignty gives India greater control over its digital resources and narrative.
• BharatGen will democratize AI access across government, education, and private sectors, ensuring AI benefits all segments of society, particularly underserved Indian languages. 
• BharatGen aligns with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by developing AI models specifically for India. By building these technologies domestically

What are Large Language Models?

• Large language models, also known as LLMs, are very large deep learning models that are pre-trained on vast amounts of data. 
• Large Language Models (LLMs) use machine learning techniques to recognize, interpret, and generate human languages or other complex data. 
• Their capabilities also extend to handling structured and unstructured data, including speech, images, and other multimodal inputs, which enhances their utility in fields like customer service, healthcare, and education. 

FACTS IN NEWS

Permafrost 

Syllabus: GS1/Physical Geography

Context

• Glaciologists currently based at Himadri research station in Norway are digging deep to identify the probability of disasters due to permafrost collapse.

About

• Permafrost is any ground that remains completely frozen—32°F (0°C) or colder—for at least two years straight.
  • These permanently frozen grounds are most common in regions with high mountains and in Earth’s higher latitudes—near the North and South Poles.
  • Almost a quarter of the land area in the Northern Hemisphere has permafrost underneath. 

• Permafrost is made of a combination of soil, rocks and sand that are held together by ice. 
  • The soil and ice in permafrost stay frozen all year long.
• As Earth’s climate warms, the permafrost is thawing. That means the ice inside the permafrost melts, leaving behind water and soil.
  • Because of the dangers, scientists are closely monitoring Earth’s permafrost.

Poumai Naga Tribe

Syllabus: GS1/ Human Geography, Tribes

Context

• The Poumai Naga tribe of Purul village in Manipur has banned hunting, trapping, and killing of wild animals and birds within their territory.

About

• The Poumai people or Poumai Naga, are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group that inhabit the Northeast Indian states of Manipur and Nagaland. 
• The Poumai mainly live in 100 villages that have been broadly divided into three blocks: Paomata, Lepaona and Chilivai. 
• Culture: The tribe speaks the Poula language. They follow both Christianity and indigenous beliefs.
• Laonii festival is celebrated on completion of paddy transplantation.

Jal Hi AMRIT Program

Syllabus: GS2/ Government policies & initiatives

In News

• ‘Jal hi Amrit’ initiative is being launched under AMRUT 2.0 reforms.

About Jal Hi Amrit Program

• The initiative envisaged to incentivise State & UTs to manage the used water (sewage) treatment plants (UWTPs/ STPs) efficiently for ensuring recyclable good quality treated water, meeting environmental standards, on a sustained basis.
• The purpose of the exercise is to build the competition among the cities, develop capacities
• and incentivise them to attain the best quality of used treated water at the treatment facilities. 
• Clean Water Credits will be awarded to Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) based on their performance in treating water. The credits are rated between 3 to 5 stars, with the rating valid for six months.
• STPs will be rated on their ability to produce high-quality treated water. The rating serves as an official recognition of their performance.

AMRUT 2.0 

• It was launched on 01 October, 2021 for the period of 05 years i.e. from the financial year 2021-22 to the financial year 2025-26.
• AMRUT 2.0 is designed to provide universal coverage of water supply through functional taps to all households in all the statutory towns in the country and coverage of sewage/septage management in 500 cities covered in the first phase of the AMRUT scheme.
  • AMRUT 1.0 (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) was launched in 2015 with the primary aim of ensuring that every household in selected cities and towns has access to basic civic amenities to improve their quality of life.

NAMASTE Scheme

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

Context

• The profiling of sewer and septic tank workers (SSWs) is being carried out by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment as part of its NAMASTE programme.

About

• According to government data tabled in Parliament:
  • Of the profiled workers, 68.9% were SC, 14.7% were OBC, 8.3% were ST, and 8% were from the general category.
  • Between 2019 and 2023, at least 377 people across the country have died from hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.  

NAMASTE Programme

• In 2023-24, the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE), was brought in to replace the Self-Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS). 
• It is a joint initiative of the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. 
• It is to be implemented in all 4800+ Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of the country, during the next three years i.e. upto 2025-26. 
• NAMASTE aims to achieve the following outcomes:
  • Zero fatalities in sanitation work in India;
  • All sanitation work is performed by skilled workers;
  • No sanitation workers come in direct contact with human faecal matter;
  • Sanitation workers are collectivized into SHGs and are empowered to run sanitation enterprises;
  • All Sewer and Septic tank  sanitation workers (SSWs) have access to alternative livelihoods;

Anna Darpan

Syllabus: GS2/ Governance

Context

• The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has selected Coforge Limited as the system integrator (SI) for its digital transformation project, Anna Darpan.

About

• The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has embarked on a digital transformation initiative to modernize its existing supply chain management system, known as the ‘Depot Online System’. 
• The system is being designed to streamline and enhance the entire supply chain operations and services at various levels including Mandis, Mills, Depots (both owned and hired), as well as divisional, regional, zonal, and headquarters operations.

RoDTEP scheme

Syllabus: GS3/ Economy

In News

• The RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) scheme has been extended for domestic tariff area (DTA) units until September 30, 2025.

About 

• The scheme was launched by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in January 2021 to refund un-reimbursed taxes, duties, and levies incurred by exporters during the production and distribution of goods.
• The was introduced to replace the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS), which was challenged at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
  • MEIS was deemed non-compliant with global trade rules.

Bidkin Industrial Area (BIA)

Syllabus :GS 3/Economy 

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the Bidkin Industrial Area in Maharashtra to the nation.

In News

About Bidkin Industrial Area (BIA)

• The Bidkin Industrial Area spans 7,855 acres and is part of the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor.
• It is situated 20 km south of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra, with excellent connectivity via NH-752E, proximity to Aurangabad railway station (20 km), Aurangabad Airport (30 km), and Jalna Dry Port (65 km).
• Total project cost is Rs. 6,414 crore, developed in three phases.
• It will be equipped with wide roads, quality water and power supply, and advanced sewage and common effluent treatment plants, ready for industrial allotments.

Objectives  

• The Bidkin Industrial Area aims to foster industrial growth and economic prosperity, aligning with the “Make in India, Make for the World” initiative.
• It is poised to become a beacon of industrial excellence, contributing to employment generation, boosting exports, and enhancing regional development.

Stem Cell

Syllabus :GS 3/Science and Tech

In News

• Chinese scientists have achieved a groundbreaking success in treating chronic type-1 diabetes through a pioneering cell transplant procedure.

About 

• Unlike traditional islet transplants that require donor organs, this new method utilized “chemically induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived islets” (CiPSC islets).

About Stem Cells

• Stem cells possess the unique ability to self-renew and differentiate into various cell types during early development and growth. 
• Researchers categorize stem cells into two main types:
  • Pluripotent stem cells (including embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells), which can develop into any cell type in the adult body, and
  • Adult stem cells (or somatic stem cells), which are located in specific tissues or organs and can differentiate into specialized cell types of those tissues or organs.
• Unique properties of all stem cells:  Self-Renewal,Tissue Regeneration, and  Different stem cells have varying degrees of potency, influencing the number of cell types they can form.

Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)

Syllabus: GS3/Defence

Context

• The Indian Army has signed the eighth procurement contract through the government’s flagship initiative Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX).

About Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)

• It was launched in 2018, during the Defence Expo India.
• iDEX aimed to create an ecosystem to foster innovations and encourage technological development in Defence and Aerospace by engaging Research and Development Institutes, Academia, and Industries including MSMEs, Start-Ups, and individual innovators.

Exercise KAZIND

Syllabus :GS 3/Defense

In News

• The 8th edition of the India-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise, KAZIND-2024, commenced at the Surya Foreign Training Node in Auli, Uttarakhand.

About Exercise KAZIND

• It is an annual exercise, which began in 2016, aims to enhance joint military capabilities for counter-terrorism operations in sub-conventional scenarios, particularly in semi-urban and mountainous terrains.