UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 October 2024
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 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
Facts for Prelims (FFP) : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 October 2024)
• 2024 Nobel Peace Prize
2024 Nobel Peace Prize
• Aurora Borealis
Aurora Borealis
• UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon)
UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon)
• LSAM 12 (Missile Cum Ammunition Barge)
LSAM 12 (Missile Cum Ammunition Barge)
• T-90 Bhishma Tank
T-90 Bhishma Tank
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 October 2024
#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)
2024 Nobel Peace Prize
Source: IE
Context: The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization representing the survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings, known as “Hibakusha.” The award recognized their tireless efforts to promote nuclear disarmament and highlight the catastrophic effects of nuclear weapons.
About Nihon Hidankyo:
• Origin: Founded on August 10, 1956, as a national organization for Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb survivors. Created to unify Hibakusha voices, promote their welfare, and advocate against nuclear weapons.
• Founded on August 10, 1956, as a national organization for Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb survivors.
• Created to unify Hibakusha voices, promote their welfare, and advocate against nuclear weapons.
• Leadership: Led by Hibakusha themselves, sharing firsthand experiences to influence global policy and promote peace.
• Led by Hibakusha themselves, sharing firsthand experiences to influence global policy and promote peace.
• Role and contributions: Advocacy: Pushing for nuclear disarmament through global platforms like the United Nations. Awareness: Educating on the human and environmental impacts of nuclear warfare. Collaboration: Working with groups like ICAN to support a treaty-based prohibition of nuclear weapons. Nuclear Taboo: Contributed to the global norm against the use of nuclear weapons since 1945.
• Advocacy: Pushing for nuclear disarmament through global platforms like the United Nations.
• Awareness: Educating on the human and environmental impacts of nuclear warfare.
• Collaboration: Working with groups like ICAN to support a treaty-based prohibition of nuclear weapons.
• Nuclear Taboo: Contributed to the global norm against the use of nuclear weapons since 1945.
• Significance: Raised global awareness about nuclear dangers. Supported international disarmament efforts despite challenges from countries expanding nuclear capabilities.
• Raised global awareness about nuclear dangers.
• Supported international disarmament efforts despite challenges from countries expanding nuclear capabilities.
Insta links:
• 2023-Nobel-prize-for-peace
Aurora Borealis
- •Source: India Today*
Context: On October 10, 2024, Leh, Ladakh experienced a rare display of aurora borealis, or northern lights, due to a severe geomagnetic storm triggered by a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun.
About auroras:
Auroras are natural light displays that appear as bright, swirling curtains in the night sky, with colors ranging from green, red, and blue to yellow and purple. These lights primarily occur near the poles, known as the aurora borealis in the northern hemisphere and aurora australis in the southern hemisphere, but can sometimes extend to lower latitudes.
Why auroras occur:
• Caused by solar activity: Auroras occur due to the interaction of charged particles from the Sun, known as the solar wind, with Earth’s magnetic field.
• Solar wind and earth’s magnetic field: As the solar wind reaches Earth, most particles are deflected by the planet’s magnetic field. However, some particles get trapped and travel toward the poles.
• Interaction with atmospheric gases: These charged particles collide with gases like oxygen and nitrogen in the upper atmosphere, producing light. Oxygen emits green hues, while nitrogen produces blue and purple tones.
• Influence of solar flares and CMEs: During strong solar activity, like solar flares or coronal mass ejections (CMEs), the solar wind intensifies, leading to geomagnetic storms. These storms can cause auroras to expand to mid-latitudes, making them visible in regions farther from the poles.
Insta links:
• Northern-lights-in-India
UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon)
- •Source: IE*
Context: India expressed concern over the worsening security situation in West Asia following the injury of two United Nations peacekeeping personnel by an Israeli tank attack along the Lebanon-Israel border.
About UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon)
• Establishment: Created by the UN Security Council in March 1978 through resolutions 425 and 426 following Israel’s invasion of Lebanon.
• Mandate: Confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. Restore international peace and security in the region. Assist the Government of Lebanon in re-establishing its authority in the area. Expanded in 2006 to prevent hostile activities and monitor the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
• Confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.
• Restore international peace and security in the region.
• Assist the Government of Lebanon in re-establishing its authority in the area.
• Expanded in 2006 to prevent hostile activities and monitor the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
• Personnel: Comprises over 10,500 peacekeepers from 48 countries, performing approximately 14,500 operations monthly, including joint activities with the Lebanese Armed Forces.
• Operations: Primarily observational, with peacekeepers allowed to use force only in self-defense or to protect civilians.
• Maritime task force: Includes a five-vessel unit to support coastal security and prevent arms smuggling.
• Funding: Financed through a dedicated budget approved annually by the UN General Assembly as part of the UN Peacekeeping force.
Insta links:
• UN-Peacekeeping-Forces
LSAM 12 (Missile Cum Ammunition Barge)
- •Source: PIB*
Context: The Indian Navy marked a significant milestone with the launch of the ‘Missile Cum Ammunition Barge, LSAM 12 (Yard 80)’, the sixth vessel in the series of eight barges designed to transport ammunition and supplies.
About LSAM 12 (Missile Cum Ammunition Barge)
• Project details: Sixth barge of the 08 x Missile Cum Ammunition Barge project, aimed at enhancing the operational logistics of the Indian Navy.
• Manufacturer: Built by M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd, Visakhapatnam, an MSME shipyard.
• Contract: Agreement for building the barges was signed between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and SECON on 19 Feb 2021.
• Purpose: Facilitates the transportation, embarkation, and disembarkation of ammunition and supplies to naval platforms at jetties and outer harbours.
• Design and testing: Indigenously designed under the regulations of the Indian Register of Shipping with model testing conducted at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, Visakhapatnam.
• Make in India initiative: Symbolizes India’s push for self-reliance in defense manufacturing and aligns with the Government’s Make in India policy.
Insta Links:
• LSAM 12
Source: News on Air
Context: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), along with the National Regulatory Authority of India, has successfully met the international standards for vaccine regulations set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
About Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
• Role: CDSCO serves as the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) of India for the medical devices and pharmaceutical industry under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act.
• Functionality: It operates under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, with the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) as its head.
• Headquarters: Based in New Delhi, India.
Key Responsibilities of CDSCO:
• Approval of new drugs: Evaluates and approves new drugs before they are released into the Indian market.
• Clinical trials oversight: Regulates the conduct of clinical trials to ensure safety and compliance with national standards.
• Drug standards: Establishes and maintains standards for drugs to ensure quality and consistency.
• Import control: Monitors and controls the quality of imported drugs to maintain safety standards within the country.
• Coordination with state authorities: Works in coordination with State Drug Control Organizations for the regulation and licensing of drugs.
• Specialized drug categories: Oversees the approval and regulation of critical drugs like blood products, I.V. Fluids, vaccines, and sera in collaboration with state regulators.
Significance of CDSCO’s achievement:
• Global compliance: India retains Maturity Level 3, indicating a high level of compliance with WHO’s vaccine regulatory standards.
• Pharmaceutical leadership: Reinforces India’s reputation as a leading global producer of affordable vaccines and generic medicines.
• Commitment to quality: Demonstrates India’s dedication to maintaining high standards in vaccine safety, efficacy, and quality, supporting global health initiatives.
Insta links:
T-90 Bhishma Tank
- •Source: PIB*
Context: In a significant stride towards self-reliance, the Indian Army has successfully overhauled its first T-90 Bhishma tank, marking a critical step in enhancing its operational readiness.
About T-90 Bhishma Tank:
• Origin: The T-90 Bhishma is a main battle tank of the Indian Army, procured from Russia in 2001, with deliveries starting in 2004.
• Specifications: Weighs approximately 47 tonnes. Measures 9.6 meters in length and 2.8 meters in width. Can reach speeds up to 60 km/h, making it highly maneuverable in various terrains like forests and marshes.
• Weighs approximately 47 tonnes.
• Measures 9.6 meters in length and 2.8 meters in width.
• Can reach speeds up to 60 km/h, making it highly maneuverable in various terrains like forests and marshes.
• Firepower: Equipped with a 125 mm smoothbore gun, capable of firing different types of shells. Features an anti-aircraft gun that can target within a range of 2 kilometers and fire up to 800 shells per minute.
• Equipped with a 125 mm smoothbore gun, capable of firing different types of shells.
• Features an anti-aircraft gun that can target within a range of 2 kilometers and fire up to 800 shells per minute.
• Advanced Features: Sports a new turret weapon station with an upgraded 125 mm gun. Integrated with a highly automated digital fire control system (FCS) to effectively target enemy tanks, self-propelled guns, and other armored targets. Includes a guided missile system capable of destroying armored targets, even those with explosive reactive armor (ERA), with a range of up to 5 kilometers.
• Sports a new turret weapon station with an upgraded 125 mm gun.
• Integrated with a highly automated digital fire control system (FCS) to effectively target enemy tanks, self-propelled guns, and other armored targets.
• Includes a guided missile system capable of destroying armored targets, even those with explosive reactive armor (ERA), with a range of up to 5 kilometers.
• Crew: Operated by a crew of three: commander, gunner, and driver.
• Operated by a crew of three: commander, gunner, and driver.
• Protection: Equipped with a Nuclear-Biological-Chemical (NBC) protection system to safeguard the crew in hazardous environments.
• Equipped with a Nuclear-Biological-Chemical (NBC) protection system to safeguard the crew in hazardous environments.
Insta links:
• Ladakh-security
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