UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27 August 2024
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 26 August 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
GS Paper 2: (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27 August 2024)
• US-India Relations: Continuity Amid Political Change
US-India Relations: Continuity Amid Political Change
• Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)
Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)
GS Paper 3:
• 10 years of PM Jhan Dhan Yojana
10 years of PM Jhan Dhan Yojana
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
• Anticipatory Bail under SC/ST act
Anticipatory Bail under SC/ST act
• Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha AbhiyaN (PM-JANMAN)
Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha AbhiyaN (PM-JANMAN)
• Great Nicobar project
Great Nicobar project
• Sonoluminescence
Sonoluminescence
Mapping:
• Chile’s Atacama salt flat
Chile’s Atacama salt flat
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 26 August 2024
#### GS Paper 2:
US-India Relations: Continuity Amid Political Change
Syllabus: International Relations
Source: TH
Context: India’s relationship with the US has thrived under both Republican and Democratic administrations. As the US faces potential leadership changes with either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris, India’s ties with Washington are expected to remain strong due to their well-established foundation.
Key Points from the article:
• Consistent Growth: India’s relationship with the US has strengthened over the years, from President Bill Clinton to Joe Biden. Both the Trump and Biden administrations have advanced this partnership, and India’s leaders across party lines have supported deepening these ties.
• Geopolitical Position: The US is India’s most significant global partner, surpassing China and Russia in economic and technological engagement. Despite internal and external challenges, the US-India relationship remains a priority.
• Policy Continuity: Both Trump and Harris are likely to continue supporting strong US-India relations. Harris’s stances on immigration, trade, technology, and Eurasian security suggest alignment with key Indian interests. Her focus on legal immigration, trade relief, and technology collaboration could benefit India.
• Strategic Cooperation: The shared interest in countering Chinese influence and building a multipolar Asia will likely persist. Harris’s previous engagement with Asia and commitment to NATO and Ukraine align with India’s strategic goals.
Evolution of India-US relations over time:
Era/Period | Key Developments
From Estrangement to Engagement – The Cold War Thaw | – Cold War Era: India and the US were on opposite sides; India pursued non-alignment while Pakistan aligned with the US. – 1990s Thaw: Relations began to warm with India’s economic liberalization and the end of the Cold War. – 2000 Visit: President Bill Clinton’s visit marked the first presidential visit in over 20 years. – 2004 NSSP: The signing of the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP) strengthened ties. – Increased Dialogue: Strategic dialogues and economic cooperation began to grow.
Nuclear Breakthrough – A New Era of Trust | – 2008 Civil Nuclear Agreement: Ended India’s nuclear isolation and recognized it as a responsible nuclear power. – Global Integration: Paved the way for India’s integration into the global nuclear order. – Defense and High-Tech Cooperation: Increased cooperation in defence and high-technology sectors. – US Commitment: Demonstrated the US’s commitment to elevating India’s global stature.
Defense Ties – From Buyer to Partner | – Early 2000s Growth: Defense cooperation grew significantly. – 2016 Major Defense Partner: The US designated India as a Major Defense Partner. – 2018 STA Tier 1: India received license-free access to a wide range of military and dual-use technologies. – Foundational Agreements: LEMOA (2016), COMCASA (2018), and BECA (2020) enabled deeper military cooperation. – Joint Exercises & 2+2 Dialogue: Strengthened strategic ties through joint exercises like Malabar and the establishment of the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.
Economic Synergy – Beyond Trade to Strategic Cooperation | – 2023-24 Trade: Bilateral trade reached USD 118.28 billion; US is India’s largest trading partner and significant source of FDI. – Expanded Cooperation: Beyond trade, areas like clean energy, digital economy, and healthcare are key. – SCEP 2021: US-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership. – Covid-19 Vaccine Collaboration: Demonstrates evolving economic ties.
Collaborating in the Digital Age | – Technology Cooperation: Focus on emerging technologies like AI, quantum computing, and 5G. – 2009 Endowment Fund: US-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund fostered innovation. – Recent Initiatives: US-India Artificial Intelligence Initiative and Critical and Emerging Technology Initiative (iCET) launched in 2022.
Geopolitical Alignment – Partners in the Indo-Pacific | – China’s Rise: Brought India and the US closer strategically. – Quad Revival: Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) with Japan and Australia. – Indo-Pacific Strategy: India’s inclusion in the US Indo-Pacific strategy. – Joint Statements & Initiatives: Emphasis on a “free and open Indo-Pacific” and initiatives like the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative.
Other areas of India-US Partnership
Highlights | Description
High-Tech Partnership | Semiconductor supply chain agreements; Introduced Indo-U.S. Quantum Coordination Mechanism to facilitate better collaboration among academia and industries;
Defence Cooperation | · Strategic Defence partnership; India – US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X); · MoU between GE and HAL for manufacturing GE-F414 jet engines in India (with 80% technology transfer) to be used in Tejas Mk2 · Purchase of 16 armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAVs; · Defence acceleration ecosystems; · Ship repair agreements; · Placement of Indian liaison officers at US commands
Space Cooperation | · India signing the Artemis Accords for lunar and space exploration; · NASA provides advanced training to Indian astronauts; · Strategic Framework for human spaceflight cooperation by 2023 end · NASA and ISRO have agreed to launch a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024
Trade and Consular Issues | Resolution of WTO disputes and market access; Establishment of new consulates in India (Bengaluru and Ahmedabad) and the US (India’s consulate in Seattle); Relaxation in H1B visa norms
Clean Energy | · US-India New and Emerging Renewable Energy Technologies Action Platform to accelerate cooperation in green hydrogen and other emerging technologies. · The U.S. Agency for International Development is to support Indian Railways’ to become a “net-zero” carbon emitter by 2030. · India joins the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP) to advance critical energy minerals supply chains globally, adhering to environmental and social standards.
Innovation partnership | Created a new Joint Task Force of the Association of American Universities and leading Indian educational institutions to expand research and university partnerships.
· MoU between GE and HAL for manufacturing GE-F414 jet engines in India (with 80% technology transfer) to be used in Tejas Mk2
· Purchase of 16 armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAVs;
· Defence acceleration ecosystems;
· Ship repair agreements;
· Placement of Indian liaison officers at US commands
· NASA provides advanced training to Indian astronauts;
· Strategic Framework for human spaceflight cooperation by 2023 end
· NASA and ISRO have agreed to launch a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024
· The U.S. Agency for International Development is to support Indian Railways’ to become a “net-zero” carbon emitter by 2030.
· India joins the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP) to advance critical energy minerals supply chains globally, adhering to environmental and social standards.
Insta Links:
India-US Economic Relations
Mains Links:
• What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India’s National self-esteem and ambitions’. Explain with suitable examples. ( UPSC 2019)
Prelim Links:
India Government Bond Yields are influenced by which of the following? (UPSC 2021)
• Actions of the United States Federal Reserve.
• Actions of the Reserve Bank of India.
• Inflation and short-term interest rates.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 Only
(c) 3 Only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer:D
Tags: India-USA Relations, GS2, International Relations
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27 August 2024 – GS Paper 2:
Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)
Syllabus: Government Policies and Interventions
Source: IE
Context: The Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) approved by the Union Cabinet promises assured pensions for government employees after retirement, starting April 2025.
The Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), based on the T.V. Somanathan Committee’s recommendations (2023), aims to combine the benefits of both the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and the New Pension Scheme (NPS).
Key Features of UPS:
• Assured Pension: 50% of the average basic pay from the last 12 months for a minimum of 25 years of service. Proportionate for service periods between 10 and 25 years.
• Assured Family Pension: 60% of the retiree’s pension to their family after their demise.
• Assured Minimum Pension: ₹10,000/month (higher than ₹9,000 under OPS and NPS).
• Inflation Indexation: Dearness relief linked to the All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW), similar to OPS.
• Lump Sum Payment: An additional payment equal to 1/10th of the monthly salary + dearness allowance for every six months of service, alongside gratuity, without affecting the pension amount.
Differences between the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), National Pension Scheme (NPS), and Old Pension Scheme (OPS):
Feature | Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) | National Pension Scheme (NPS) | Old Pension Scheme (OPS)
Effective Date | April 1, 2025 | January 1, 2004 | Pre-2004 (replaced by NPS)
Pension Type | Assured Pension | Market-linked returns | Assured Pension
Pension Calculation | 50% of average basic pay of last 12 months (min. 25 years service); proportionate for lesser service (min. 10 years) | Based on market performance of funds, no assured amount | 50% of last drawn basic pay
Minimum Pension | ₹10,000/month (min. 10 years service) | No minimum assured pension | ₹9,000/month (adjusted for inflation)
Family Pension | 60% of the retiree’s pension | No family pension guarantee | 50% of retiree’s pension
Inflation Indexation | Dearness Relief based on AICPI-IW | Not applicable (market-based returns) | Dearness Relief based on AICPI-IW
Lumpsum Payment | 1/10th of monthly salary + Dearness Allowance for every 6 months of service (in addition to gratuity) | No lumpsum payment | No lumpsum payment
Fiscally Funded | Yes (contributory funded scheme) | Yes (contributory funded scheme) | No (unfunded scheme)
Concerns with the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and the issues with the National Pension Scheme (NPS):
Concerns/Issues | Old Pension Scheme (OPS) | National Pension Scheme (NPS)
Funding | Unfunded Pension Liability: No dedicated corpus for pensions. The government provided annual budgets without a clear future plan. | Funded by employee contributions (10% of basic pay + dearness allowance) and government contributions.
Sustainability | Unsustainable: Pension liabilities increased with salary hikes and indexation. Extended life expectancy added to the burden. | Market-linked and return-based: Payouts are uncertain due to dependence on market performance.
Payout Stability | Fixed pension amount, but with increasing financial strain due to rising liabilities. | Variable pension amount, subject to market fluctuations and investment returns.
Pension Calculation | 50% of last drawn basic pay, with benefits adjusted for inflation. | No guaranteed pension amount; depends on market performance and contributions.
Impact on Government Finances | Massive pension burden due to increasing liabilities and longer lifespans. | More controlled fiscal impact due to contributory nature, but with uncertain returns for employees.
Insta Links:
• Old Pension Scheme (OPS): A Caution by RBI
Prelims Link:
• Who among the following can join the National Pension System (NPS)? (UPSC 2017)
(a) Resident Indian citizens only (b) Persons of age from 21 to 55 only (c) All State Government employees joining the services after the date of notification by the respective State Governments (d) All Central Government employees including those of Armed Forces joining the services on or after 1st April, 2004
Ans: (c)
Tags: Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), Pension, GS2, GS3
Key Phrases: Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27 August 2024 – GS Paper 3:
10 years of PM Jhan Dhan Yojana
Syllabus: Government policies and intervention
Context: The government is celebrating 9 years of completion of Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) in revolutionizing financial inclusion in India.
What is financial inclusion?
It is ensuring access to financial services and credit for vulnerable groups at an affordable cost. In India, it’s vital for development and progress. Access to a transaction account is a key step, allowing storage, payments, and transfers, acting as a gateway to broader financial services.
What is PMJDY?
The PMJDY, the world’s largest financial inclusion mission, reached a significant milestone by surpassing 500 million accounts after nine years since its launch.
About the scheme:
Key Successes of PMJDY:
Aspects: | Examples
Achievement | By July 2024, over 52 crore Jan Dhan accounts were opened. Nearly 100% of villages have banking outlets within 5 km as per the Jan Dhan Darshak App. The average deposit in PMJDY accounts grew 4.12 times from 2015 to 2024, and zero balance accounts decreased to 4.26 crores from 8.52 crores in March 2015.
Women Empowerment | Increased financial inclusion for women; over 55% of accounts belong to women
Rural & Semi-Urban Focus | Extending banking facilities to underserved regions; 67% of accounts opened in these areas
RuPay Cards | Offering insurance benefits to account holders; About 340 million were issued with ₹2 lakh accident insurance cover
Inclusion | Empowering financially vulnerable sections; Brought marginalized sections into the formal banking system
Financial Benefits | Enabling individuals to save and transfer funds securely; Savings brought into the formal financial system, remittance opportunities, freedom from usurious money lenders
Role in Welfare | Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) using PMJDY accounts; Used to distribute welfare packages without pilferage, including COVID-19 financial assistance, PM-Kisan, MGNREGA, and insurance covers
Digital Platform | Providing easy access to banking services; the Jan Dhan Darshak app locates banking touchpoints
JAM Architecture | Facilitating direct transfer of government benefits; Part of JAM (Jan-Dhan, Aadhaar, mobile) system for subsidy delivery and benefits transfer
Formalisation of Financial System | It provides an avenue for the poor to bring their savings into the formal financial system, an avenue to remit money to their families in villages besides taking them out of the clutches of the usurious money lenders
Conclusion:
Efforts are being made to provide micro-insurance coverage to PMJDY account holders, with eligible individuals being targeted for inclusion in schemes like PMJJBY and PMSBY. To facilitate this, acceptance infrastructure is being established across the country. Moreover, steps are being taken to enhance the access of PMJDY account holders to micro-credit and micro-investment options such as flexi-recurring deposits.
Insta Links:
• Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
Mains Links:
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is necessary for bringing the unbanked to the institutional finance fold. Do you agree with this for the financial inclusion of the poorer section of Indian society? Give arguments to justify your opinion. ( UPSC 2016)
Prelims Links:
‘Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana’ has been launched for (UPSC 2015)
(a) providing housing loans to poor people at cheaper interest rates (b) promoting women’s Self-Help Groups in backward areas (c) promoting financial inclusion in the country (d) providing financial help to the marginalized communities
Ans: (c)
Tags: PM Jan Dhan Yojana, Schemes, Inclusive growth, GS2, GS3
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27 August 2024 Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Anticipatory Bail under SC/ST act
Source: Th
Context: The Supreme Court ruled that insults or intimidation of SC/ST members are offences under the SC/ST Act (under Section 18 of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989) only if based on caste. It emphasized that not every intentional insult results in caste-based humiliation.
The court also noted that courts can conduct preliminary inquiries to determine if complaints disclose caste-related offences under the Act.
Background:
This ruling came while granting anticipatory bail to Shajan Skaria, a YouTube editor, accused of derogatory remarks against an MLA. The court clarified that anticipatory bail can be granted if prima facie evidence of a caste-based offence is lacking.
About Anticipatory bail:
It is a court order directing release on bail for someone fearing arrest for a non-bailable offence. It is governed by Section 438 of CrPC, now reformed under Section 482 of Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (2023).
About SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989:
It aims to prevent crimes against SC/ST members, establishes Special Courts, and provides victim relief. Key features include punishing offences like manual scavenging, devadasi dedication, and denial of public access, as well as penalizing public servants neglecting their duties under the Act.
Tags: Anticipatory Bail under SC/ST act, GS2, Polity
Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha AbhiyaN (PM-JANMAN)
Source: PIB
Context: The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched an IEC campaign, targeting the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha AbhiyaN (PM-JANMAN). The campaign aims to ensure 100% saturation of government schemes in Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) areas, covering over 44 lakh individuals in 194 districts across the country.
Key activities include the distribution of entitlements, health camps, and awareness campaigns in tribal languages, reaching villages, Gram Panchayats, and Talukas. Officers will supervise the campaign to ensure the effective implementation of schemes.
Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN)
Key Points | Details
Initiative Name | Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan
Objectives | Address socio-economic challenges faced by Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India.
Ministries Involved | 9 Ministries, including the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Focus Areas | 11 critical interventions, encompassing various sectors such as housing, infrastructure, healthcare, education, and connectivity.
Key Components | Provision of pucca houses – Connecting roads – Water supply projects – Mobile medical units – Hostels – Vocational education – Anganwadi Centers – Multipurpose centres – Electrification – Solar off-grid systems – Solar lighting – Setting up Village Development Knowledge Centers (VDVKs) – Installation of mobile towers
Target Duration | The mission will operate over the next three years.
Beneficiary Scope | 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) communities in 18 states and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Overall Goal | Improve the overall well-being of PVTG households by targeting basic facilities, including housing, water, sanitation, education, health, connectivity, and livelihood opportunities.
Contribution of Other Ministries | Ayush and Skill Development ministries will establish wellness centres. Ayush facilities will be provided through mobile medical units. Skill and vocational training will be offered in PVTG habitations.
Tags: Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha AbhiyaN, PM-JANMAN, GS2, Schemes, PVTGs
Key Words: Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha AbhiyaN, PM-JANMAN
#### Great Nicobar project
Source: Th
Context: The ₹72,000-crore Nicobar project, including a port and airport, will not displace indigenous Shompen tribes, said Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav.
The project aims to counter Chinese expansion and Myanmarese poaching. Despite concerns regarding forest land diversion, tribal consent, and earthquake risks, the government assured that the development follows legal protocols and adheres to safety standards. The project, of national strategic importance, will be developed over 30 years, with fewer trees expected to be felled than previously estimated.
The GNI Project:
• It is a ₹72,000-crore mega project piloted by NITI Aayog for the “holistic development” of the Great Nicobar Island (GNI), situated at the southern end of the A&N group of Islands in the Bay of Bengal.
• It is being implemented by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO).
• The plan has four components – A ₹35,000 crore transhipment port at Galathea Bay, A dual-use military-civil international airport, A power plant, and A township
• A ₹35,000 crore transhipment port at Galathea Bay,
• A dual-use military-civil international airport,
• A power plant, and
• A township
Concerns:
• The project intends to use about 114 sq. km of tribal reserve forest land, where the Shompen (a PVTG) and the Nicobarese reside.
• The northern end of the project falls in the biosphere reserve.
Tags: Great Nicobar project, FFP
Key Words: Great Nicobar project
Sonoluminescence
Source: TH
Context: Pistol shrimp (family Alpheidae) exhibit Sonoluminescence by rapidly snapping their claws.
What is Sonoluminescence?
It is the phenomenon where a small bubble in a liquid, hit by powerful sound waves, emits a flash of light. This happens because the sound waves cause the bubble to expand and collapse rapidly, heating it to thousands of kelvin and releasing light energy.
While the exact process remains unclear, this effect is not limited to labs. Pistol shrimp use a similar mechanism, snapping their claws to create a collapsing bubble that generates a loud sound, heat, and sometimes a flash of light.
Tags: Sonoluminescence, Pistol shrimp, GS3, S&T
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27 August 2024 Mapping:
Chile’s Atacama salt flat
Source: IE
Context: A study by the University of Chile, published in IEEE, reveals that lithium mining is causing the Atacama salt flat to sink by 1-2 cm annually.
This is due to brine extraction outpacing aquifer recharge. The mining also exacerbates water scarcity in the desert, contaminates ecosystems, and threatens biodiversity, including flamingo populations. Lithium extraction, vital for electric vehicle batteries, poses serious environmental risks, especially in the fragile Atacama Desert, which already suffers from extreme dryness and limited freshwater.
About Atacama Desert:
It is located in northern Chile along the Pacific coast, and is the driest desert on Earth, with some areas receiving less than 1 mm of rainfall annually. Its high altitude ranges from 2,400 to over 4,500 meters. The desert is also home to the Salar de Atacama, one of the largest salt flats and a key source of lithium.
Tags: Chile’s Atacama salt flat, Mapping
Key Phrases: Chile’s Atacama salt flat
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27 August 2024 [PDF]
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