UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18 April 2024

InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. 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. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically.

InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. 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. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically.

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 4:

• Voluntary Code of Ethics for social media platforms

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

• Giant rogue waves

• Fourth global mass coral bleaching event

• Soil Acidification

• Organ Donation to Foreigners in India

• Reports in News

• Pink bollworm

• Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC)

• Space weather

• Nitroplast

• Gray Slender Loris

• Bumblebees

• Three new fish species were spotted using tools

Mapping

• Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba

Voluntary Code of Ethics for social media platforms

#### GS Paper 4

Syllabus: Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct

Source: IE

Context: The Election Commission of India (EC) requested X (formerly Twitter) to take down four election-related posts, citing violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). X complied with the requests but disagreed with the orders, citing freedom of expression. The EC reminded X of the Voluntary Code of Ethics for social media platforms, established in 2019, which includes rules for spreading awareness about elections and timely action on legal requests.

The Internet & Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and its members agreed to adhere to the “Voluntary Code of Ethics” during all future elections.

Aim: The code, aimed at addressing paid advertisements that breach Election Commission norms, was implemented during the last Lok Sabha polls in 2019.

Social media platforms took action on 909 reported violations during the last Lok Sabha polls, marking the first voluntary adoption of such norms by internet-based companies for online poll campaigns.

Features of the Code of Ethics:

Feature | Description

No political campaign in the last 48 hours before polling | Social media platforms will not allow any political campaigns to run during this period to enable voters to make informed decisions without campaign influence.

Information, education, and communication campaigns | Platforms will conduct campaigns to raise awareness about electoral laws and related instructions.

Dedicated grievance redressal channel | Platforms have established a channel to address complaints reported by the Election Commission of India (ECI) with high priority.

Notification mechanism for potential violations | ECI can notify platforms of potential violations of electoral laws, including Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, through a dedicated mechanism.

Pre-certification of political advertisements | All political advertisements must be pre-certified by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committees, following the Supreme Court’s directions.

Transparency in paid political advertisements | Platforms will ensure transparency in paid political advertisements, utilizing their existing labels/disclosure technology for such ads.

Challenges in enforcing the Code of Ethics:

Enforcing the code of ethics on social media presents significant challenges due to its extensive penetration and the ability of anyone to upload content, making regulation by the Election Commission of India (ECI) or social media platforms nearly impossible. The ECI can only address content brought to its attention, leaving much unregulated. Fake news proliferates despite government efforts and political proxy advertisements via fan pages complicate matters. Social media platforms express concerns about encroachment on their freedoms, including privacy and freedom of speech. Establishing and staffing a monitoring mechanism for social media content is daunting, and the effectiveness of such monitoring remains uncertain.

Suggestions:

The way forward involves social media platforms promptly adhering to the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) directives regarding content and taking swift action accordingly. Users must be educated to differentiate between fake and accurate news. Social media platforms are urged to operate within moral frameworks during elections, fostering constructive engagement. They should also ensure content alignment with global peace and harmony. Political parties should commit to fair social media usage. Monitoring public content is essential for fair elections. Like candidate expenditure limits, political parties should have similar restrictions. ECI should enforce a 48-hour ban on political advertisements on social platforms. Additionally, dedicated ECI machinery is necessary to manage political content on social media during elections.

Giant rogue waves

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PHYS.ORG

Context: A University of Melbourne expedition to the Southern Ocean has uncovered that wind is a significant factor in the creation of massive rogue waves.

• The team utilized advanced technology to capture three-dimensional images of ocean waves, revealing insights into their behaviour.

• They found that rogue waves arise from strong winds and unpredictable waveform patterns, with the wind playing a crucial role in their formation during the ‘young’ stage of waves.

About Rogue Waves:

Rogue waves are large, unpredictable, and dangerous ocean waves that are at least twice the height of the surrounding waves.

They can be formed when multiple wave crests pass through a single point, or from a combination of waves and currents.

Rogue waves are rare, but they can be a threat to ocean liners, capital ships, and land structures.

Fourth global mass coral bleaching event

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: DTE**

Context: NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch (CRW) and the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) have confirmed the occurrence of the fourth global mass coral bleaching event in 2023-2024.

• This event, the second in the last decade, coincides with unprecedented ocean heat recorded in 2023 and 2024.

Soil Acidification

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: DTE**

Context: The study highlights the potential loss of soil inorganic carbon (SIC) in Indian soils due to acidification, impacting soil health, crop growth, and carbon sequestration.

• Soil acidification, driven by industrial activities and intense farming, could lead to the depletion of 3.3 billion tonnes of SIC from the top 0.3 meters of soil over the next 30 years.

• Acidic soils affect approximately 30% of cultivable land in India, with the northeastern region being particularly affected.

Soil acidification is a natural process that occurs when the concentration of hydrogen ions in the soil increases.

This reduces the soil’s pH.

Soil acidification can be accelerated by some agricultural practices, such as:

Removing plant and animal products, Leaching excess nitrate, Adding some nitrogen-based fertilizers, Building up mostly plant-based organic matter, and Using ammonium-based fertilizers.

Organ Donation to Foreigners in India

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

Context: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has initiated an investigation into organ transplants involving foreign nationals following concerns about potential commercial dealings.

National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) data shows a significant rise in foreign nationals receiving organ transplants from private hospitals, with reports suggesting unauthorized “commercial dealings.”

What is Organ transplantation?

Organ transplantation is the surgical procedure of removing an organ from one person and implanting it into another person’s body.

Laws regarding Organ Transplantation in India:

The primary law governing organ transplants in India is the Transplantation of Human Organs Act (THOA), 1994. India ranks third globally in the number of transplants conducted. Overall, organ transplants, including both deceased and living donors, increased from 4,990 in 2013 to 15,561 in 2022.

Eligibility:

• Organ donation eligibility is primarily based on the donor’s physical condition (and not age), with both living (above 18 years) and deceased individuals being eligible.

• Consent from the family is required for deceased organ donation.

• According to the latest guidelines, individuals above 65 years can receive organs for transplantation from deceased donors, and the requirement of state domicile for patient registration was removed.

Measures to be taken:

• Compliance with THOTA: Authorities should ensure compliance with the Transplantation of Human Organs & Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994, investigating any breaches and taking appropriate action.

• Unique ID: Health authorities must ensure the generation of a unique NOTTO-ID for both organ donors and recipients in all transplant cases to enhance transparency and traceability.

• Data Sharing: Ensure regular collection and sharing of transplant data, including cases involving foreigners, with NOTTO to enhance transparency and accountability.

NOTTO (National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization) is a national-level organization under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It coordinates and networks for organ and tissue procurement and distribution nationwide. Additionally, it maintains a registry of organ and tissue donation and transplantation activities.

Reports in News

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Reports | Description

Land Conflict Watch database on FRA | A recent analysis by Land Conflict Watch (LCW) highlights a strong connection between land conflicts and the enforcement of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) in India

Key findings: Conflict Causes: About 44% of conflicts in FRA constituencies stem from conservation and forestry projects, while over 88% result from non-implementation or violation of FRA provisions, including evictions and lack of prior consent for land use.

States Most Affected: Maharashtra, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh have the highest number of core FRA constituencies. Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jammu and Kashmir face significant forest rights issues.

Conflict Nature: Reserved constituencies witness disputes over common land, while unreserved ones experience conflicts over private land. Infrastructure projects, particularly in the mining and power sectors, often trigger conflicts.

Economic Activities Involved: Infrastructure development, including mining and power projects, is a major cause of conflict. Additionally, disputes arise from issues related to the collection of minor forest produce.

About FRA: The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition Of Forest Rights) Act, commonly known as FRA, was enacted in 2006, placing the responsibility of implementation on state governments and UT administrations. As per the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, around 23.43 lakh land titles have been distributed across states, encompassing individual and community rights.

Trade and Development Report Update (April 2024) | Published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

Key Findings: Global merchandise trade decline: In 2023, global merchandise trade decreased by approximately 1% in real terms due to trade tensions among major economies, subdued global demand, and disruptions in key shipping routes.

Impact of developed economies’ monetary policy on developing countries: Rapid and simultaneous tightening of monetary policy by major developed economies has led to higher debt servicing costs and challenges in securing new financing options for developing countries. Additionally, increased interest rates in developed countries have depreciated currencies in developing nations, and double-digit interest rates set by central banks in many developing countries have negatively affected domestic demand, employment, and household incomes.

Global debt crisis: Developing countries’ governments are struggling with increasing debt payment obligations. This year marked the first instance of a net negative resource transfer from developing to developed countries since 2008. By 2023, nine low-income countries had fallen into debt distress, with an additional 25 on the brink.

| UNCTAD (founded 1964; HQ: Geneva) is an intergovernmental organization within the United Nations Secretariat that promotes the interests of developing countries in world trade.

BiasWatchIndia study on Women in STEM | Key findings: Gender Gap in Indian STEM Faculties: A study by BiasWatchIndia revealed that only 13.5% of faculty members across 98 universities and institutes in India are women. This underrepresentation extends to prestigious institutions like IITs, IISc, and TIFR, and is more pronounced compared to countries like the US and UK.

The factors responsible are: Social biases within certain STEM fields discourage women from pursuing higher education and research, while the challenges of balancing family planning with career aspirations during the postdoc to faculty transition limit their progression. Additionally, toxic work environments, characterized by disrespect and limited advancement opportunities, often prompt senior women to leave STEM academia. Moreover, the absence of a centralized database tracking women faculty in STEM hampers efforts to address the gender gap, alongside the lack of dedicated resources and leadership commitment needed to achieve gender equity.

India has the highest percentage of women STEM graduates globally, at about 40%. However, their representation in STEM jobs within the country is low, standing at only 14%. The gradual dropout of women from the STEM workforce is termed the ‘Leaky Pipeline Syndrome’.

Strengthening the Bretton Woods Institutions (BWIs) to Meet 21st-Century Global Challenges Report | By Bretton Woods Committee (BWC) (it was created in 1983, and is a non-profit organization). This is the first report from BWC’s Multilateral Reform Working Group (MRWG)

Multilateralism spearheaded by International Financial Institutions has propelled significant growth and globalization, benefiting the global populace. However, the report underscores two challenges to this progress: crises in the global commons and slow progress in addressing them.

The Bretton Woods Institutions (BWIs) were established in 1944 by 43 countries to aid in post-war economic reconstruction and foster international economic cooperation. They comprise the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Conflict Causes: About 44% of conflicts in FRA constituencies stem from conservation and forestry projects, while over 88% result from non-implementation or violation of FRA provisions, including evictions and lack of prior consent for land use.

The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition Of Forest Rights) Act, commonly known as FRA, was enacted in 2006, placing the responsibility of implementation on state governments and UT administrations. As per the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, around 23.43 lakh land titles have been distributed across states, encompassing individual and community rights.

Global merchandise trade decline: In 2023, global merchandise trade decreased by approximately 1% in real terms due to trade tensions among major economies, subdued global demand, and disruptions in key shipping routes.

Gender Gap in Indian STEM Faculties: A study by BiasWatchIndia revealed that only 13.5% of faculty members across 98 universities and institutes in India are women. This underrepresentation extends to prestigious institutions like IITs, IISc, and TIFR, and is more pronounced compared to countries like the US and UK.

Social biases within certain STEM fields discourage women from pursuing higher education and research, while the challenges of balancing family planning with career aspirations during the postdoc to faculty transition limit their progression. Additionally, toxic work environments, characterized by disrespect and limited advancement opportunities, often prompt senior women to leave STEM academia. Moreover, the absence of a centralized database tracking women faculty in STEM hampers efforts to address the gender gap, alongside the lack of dedicated resources and leadership commitment needed to achieve gender equity.

Pink bollworm

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Business Line

Context: Cotton farmers in North India are considering shifting to crops like paddy, maize, and guar for the upcoming 2024-25 kharif season due to various challenges.

• These challenges include weak prices for cotton, severe infestation of pink bollworm (PBW) during the previous season, and increasing labour costs.

• In Punjab, the cotton area for the 2023-24 kharif season decreased by 32% compared to the previous year.

About Pink Bollworm:

The pink bollworm (PBW), or Pectinophora gossypiella, is a moth that is a major pest to cotton in many regions of the world.

It is known as “Pinky” because the larvae develop pink bands as they mature.

The larvae are small white caterpillars with eight pairs of legs and pink bands along their backs.

The PBW lays eggs on cotton bolls, which hatch into larvae that burrow into the bolls and squares, destroying the seeds and staining the lint. The larvae take on pinkish bands as they mature.

Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC)

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

Context: India, through ISRO, aims to achieve debris-free space missions by 2030, as declared at the 42nd Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) annual meet.

• This initiative seeks the participation of all Indian space actors, governmental and non-governmental, to ensure long-term sustainability in outer space.

• ISRO has a comprehensive plan for space exploration and utilization, with a focus on disposing of non-functional spacecraft and preventing the creation of debris.

The Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) is an international intergovernmental forum that coordinates activities related to man-made and natural debris in space.

The IADC was founded on October 25, 1993, to coordinate efforts to deal with debris in orbit around the Earth.

The IADC is recognized as the internationally recognized technical authority on space debris.

Space weather

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE

Context: A study has found that the loss of 38 out of 49 Starlink satellites launched by SpaceX was influenced by multiple factors, including poor space weather conditions.

• The study reveals that moderate geomagnetic storms, which persisted for several days before and during the launch, caused persistent currents in the near-Earth atmosphere.

• These currents heated the upper atmosphere, leading to higher atmospheric density at Low Earth Orbit (LEO), resulting in increased atmospheric drag and subsequent de-orbiting of the newly launched satellites.

Space weather refers to the environmental conditions in space, primarily influenced by the Sun’s activity, that can have various effects on technological systems and infrastructures both in space and on Earth.

These conditions include solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), geomagnetic storms, and solar wind.

Space weather phenomena can interfere with satellite operations, disrupt radio communications, impact power grids, and even pose risks to astronauts.

Nitroplast

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Nature

Context: Scientists have discovered a new organelle, termed a nitroplast, within algae that can convert nitrogen gas into a form usable for cell growth.

• This ground-breaking finding challenges the conventional belief that only bacteria and archaea can perform nitrogen fixation.

• The nitroplast, found in the algae Braarudosphaera bigelowii, is considered the first nitrogen-fixing organelle in eukaryotes.

• It evolved from a symbiotic relationship between the algae and a bacterium called UCYN-A around 100 million years ago.

The study, published in Science, demonstrates that the nitroplast meets the criteria for an organelle, as it is inherited through generations and relies on host-provided proteins for its function.

Gray Slender Loris

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: The Print

Context: A Gray Slender Loris was rescued by forest officials in North Goa.

About Gray Slender Loris:

The gray slender loris (Loris lydekkerianus) is a small primate native to India and Sri Lanka that lives in subtropical and tropical forests.

Gray slender lorises are nocturnal hunters and foragers that use their large, forward-facing eyes to detect prey.

They are insectivores that eat mostly ants and termites, but also eat beetles, spiders, mollusks, and other small vertebrates.

The Gray Slender Loris is listed on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

Bumblebees

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PHYS.ORG

Context: According to a new study, bumblebees demonstrate resilience to common pesticides.

• Researchers exposed bumblebee colonies to individual and combined insecticides and fungicides, finding no negative effects on learning ability or flight activity.

About Bumblebees:

Bumblebees are social insects known for their important role as pollinators in ecosystems.

They belong to the genus Bombus and are characterized by their robust bodies, dense fur, and distinctive black and yellow colouration.

Bumblebees are vital for the pollination of a wide variety of flowering plants, including many crops such as tomatoes, peppers, and berries.

Unlike honeybees, which have perennial colonies, bumblebee colonies are annual, with a single queen establishing a nest each year.

Three new fish species were spotted using tools

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

Context: Three fish species in the Laccadive Sea have been observed using tools, a rare occurrence in aquatic animals.

• The Jansen’s wrasse, checkerboard wrasse, and moon wrasse were seen using live or dead coral structures as anvils to crack open sea urchin shells for food.

This discovery challenges the perception that fish are less intelligent and highlights the need for further exploration of tool-use behaviours in marine species.

The Laccadive Sea, also known as the Lakshadweep Sea, is a body of water that borders India, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka.

Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba

#### Mapping

Source: DTE

Context: The recent El Nino drought has drastically reduced water levels in Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba, prompting Zimbabwe to declare a national disaster.

Lake Kariba, situated between Zambia and Zimbabwe, has seen its water levels plummet to just 13% of its capacity due to an El Nino-induced drought. It was formed by damming the Zambezi River in 1955 (Kariba Dam). Lake Kariba serves as a crucial source of hydroelectric power for both Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is the world’s largest artificial lake and reservoir by volume.

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered by South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, and Mozambique.