UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 June 2024

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 June 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 – 29 June 2024)

• Antenatal healthcare

Antenatal healthcare

GS Paper 3:

• Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and Mutual Evaluation Report

Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and Mutual Evaluation Report

GS Paper 4:

• NET-NEET Crisis: Ethical aspects

NET-NEET Crisis: Ethical aspects

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

• India’s Forex reserve

India’s Forex reserve

• Rhisotope project

Rhisotope project

Note: Other topics of Today’s Current Affairs will be taken along with Monday’s Current Affairs

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 June 2024

#### GS Paper 1:

Antenatal healthcare

Syllabus: Social Justice-Health

Source: Th

Context:

Researchers have recommended that oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) used to determine if a pregnant woman has developed gestational diabetes should be replaced by an HbA1c test that can also be used at the point of care .

About Antenatal / Prenatal healthcare:

Antenatal healthcare refers to the medical and healthcare services provided to a pregnant woman throughout her pregnancy. The primary goals of antenatal care are to ensure the health and well-being of both the mother and the developing foetus.

Key components of antenatal healthcare:

• Regular Check-ups and Screening tests

• Nutritional Guidance

• Health Education

• Management of Pregnancy Symptoms

• Monitoring for Complications like gestational diabetes

• Emotional Support

Government initiatives for pregnant women:

• Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), a demand promotion and conditional cash transfer scheme for promoting institutional delivery.

• Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) entitles every pregnant woman to free delivery, including for c-section, in public health institutions along with the provision of free transport, diagnostics, medicines, other consumables, diet and blood.

• Over 25,000 ‘Delivery Points’ across the country have been strengthened in terms of infrastructure, equipment, and trained manpower for provision of comprehensive Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) services.

• Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) provides pregnant women a fixed day, free of cost assured and quality Antenatal Care on the 9th day of every month.

• LaQshya (Labour room Quality improvement Initiative) to improve the quality of care in Labour room and Maternity operation theatres to ensure that pregnant women receive respectful and quality care during delivery and immediate postpartum.

Challenges with maternal Healthcare in India:

• Maternal mortality rate: A United Nations report highlighted that India was among the top 10 countries responsible for 60% of global maternal deaths, stillbirths, and new-born deaths. In 2020, India accounted for over 17% of such deaths, making it the second-highest contributor after Nigeria.

• Antenatal care (ANC): Only 34.1% of mothers attended one, two, or three visits, falling short of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommendation of four visits.

• Postnatal care: 16% of women in India did not receive any postnatal health check-ups, while 22.8% experienced delayed check-ups occurring two days after childbirth.

• Lack of skilled health providers: 8% of Indian women did not receive tetanus shots, which are crucial for preventing infections during and after surgery. In about 11% of cases, no skilled health providers were present at the time of delivery, posing risks in detecting and managing complications.

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 June 2024 GS Paper 3:

Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and Mutual Evaluation Report

Syllabus: Important International Institutions, agencies and fora – their Structure, Mandate

Source: Th

Context: The Mutual Evaluation Report of India, adopted at the FATF plenary in Singapore from June 26 to 28, places India in the “regular follow-up” category, a status shared by only four other G-20 countries. This distinction highlights India’s significant progress in combating money laundering (ML) and terrorist financing (TF).

About Financial Action Task Force (FATF):

• FATF is an inter-governmental policy-making and standard-setting body dedicated to combatingmoney laundering and terrorist financing.

• Objective: To establish international standards, and to develop and promote policies, both at national and international levels, to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

• Origin: It was established in 1989 during the G7 Summit in Paris to develop policies against money laundering. In 2001 its mandate expanded to include terrorism financing.

• Headquarters: Paris,France.

• FATF members include 39 countries, including the United States, India, China, Saudi Arabia, Britain, Germany, France, and the EU as such. India became a member of FATF in 2010.

Mutual Evaluation Report of FATF:

• The mutual evaluation report is an assessment of a country’s measures to combat money laundering, financing of terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

• The reports are peer reviews, where members from different countries assess another country.

• During a mutual evaluation, the assessed country must demonstrate that it has an effective framework to protect the financial system from abuse.

• The FATF conducts peer reviews of each member on an ongoing basis to assess levels of implementation of the FATF Recommendations, providing an in-depth description and analysis of each country’s system for preventing criminal abuse of the financial system.

Mutual Evaluations have two main components:

• Effectiveness: The most important part of a mutual evaluation is a country’s effectiveness ratings. During this visit, the assessment team will require evidence that demonstrates that the assessed country’s measures are working and delivering the right results.

• Compliance:. The assessed country must provide information on the laws, regulations and any other legal instruments it has in place to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism and proliferation.

FATF has 2 types of lists:

• Black List: Countries known as Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs) are put on the blacklist. These countries support terror funding and money laundering activities. The FATF revises the blacklist regularly, adding or deleting entries. Three countries North Korea, Iran, and Myanmar are currently in FATF’s blacklist.

• Grey List: Countries that are considered a safe haven for supporting terror funding and money laundering are put on the FATF grey list. This inclusion serves as a warning to the country that it may enter the blacklist.

Consequences of being on the FATF blacklist:

• No financial aid is given to them by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the European Union (EU).

• They also face a number of international economic and financial restrictions and sanctions..

• In addition to economic consequences, Black- and Grey-Listing damages a country’s reputation and reduces its international standing.

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 June 2024 GS Paper 4:

NET-NEET Crisis: Ethical aspects

Syllabus: Normative Ethics

• •*Source: Th

Context: The NET (National Eligibility Test) and NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) controversy highlights systemic failures and poor policy implementation over the years. Recurrent paper leaks, exam cancellations, incorrect results, and unexplained grace marks have eroded trust in the National Testing Agency (NTA). The recurrent paper leaks and recruitment scams point to the lack of fairness in the governance which is one of the 4 principles of virtue ethics.

About Virtue ethics theory:

• Aristotle is one of the founders of the Virtue Ethics.

• Virtue Ethics focuses on the development of good character traits (virtues) rather than on rules or consequences.

• He says that the human is a rational animal. Human has got the ability to reason. This essential characteristic of being rational leads to achieve a particular goal or end which Aristotle calls virtue.

• There are 4 important principles of virtue ethics: Fairness, Courage, Temperance, Wisdom.

• Doctrine of Mean: Aristotle also says that virtue is a golden mean, that which lies in the middle of the two extremes. For example, courage as a moral virtue lies between the two extremes namely cowardice and fool-hardiness.

Virtues are of two types:

• Intellectual virtues are that which can be taught and learnt. Prudence is one such virtue. We can easily learn from others as to how to be prudent.

• Moral virtues can be achieved by repeatedly doing an action that becomes a habit. These cultivated habits lead to achieving ultimate happiness.

Application to Paper Leaks and Recruitment Scams in India:

• Fairness: Paper leaks and recruitment scams represent a significant breach of honesty and integrity. Upholding honesty in academic and recruitment processes ensures fairness and trustworthiness, which are essential for societal flourishing.

• Justice: These scams create an unjust advantage for some individuals, undermining the principle of fairness. Ensuring just and fair practices in examinations and recruitments promotes equality and meritocracy, contributing to societal well-being.

Impact on Individuals and Society:

• Individual Character Development: Engaging in or benefiting from such scams hampers the development of virtuous character traits, promoting greed and dishonesty.

• Social Trust and Cohesion: Scams erode public trust in educational and recruitment institutions, leading to cynicism and societal fragmentation.

Insta Links:

NET-NEET Crisis: The Reasons Behind India’s Failing Exam System

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 June 2024 Facts for Prelims (FFP)

India’s Forex reserve

• •Source : The Print*

Context: India’s forex kitty jumps by USD 816 mln to USD 653.71 bln

• India’s forex reserves witnessed an increase of USD 816 million, reaching USD 653.711 billion for the week ending June 21, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

• Components of Forex Reserves Foreign Currency Assets (FCA): it is the major component of India’s forex reserves. It has decreased by USD 106 million to USD 574.134 billion. FCA expressed in dollar terms reflects the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US currencies like the euro, pound, and yen. Gold Reserves: it has increased by USD 988 million. Total gold reserves stood at USD 956 billion during the week. Special Drawing Rights (SDRs): it decreased by USD 57 million. SDRs totaled USD049 billion. India’s Reserve Position with the IMF: Decreased by USD 9 million. The reserve position was USD 4.572 billion.

• Foreign Currency Assets (FCA): it is the major component of India’s forex reserves. It has decreased by USD 106 million to USD 574.134 billion. FCA expressed in dollar terms reflects the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US currencies like the euro, pound, and yen.

• It has decreased by USD 106 million to USD 574.134 billion.

• FCA expressed in dollar terms reflects the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US currencies like the euro, pound, and yen.

• Gold Reserves: it has increased by USD 988 million. Total gold reserves stood at USD 956 billion during the week.

• Special Drawing Rights (SDRs): it decreased by USD 57 million. SDRs totaled USD049 billion.

• India’s Reserve Position with the IMF: Decreased by USD 9 million. The reserve position was USD 4.572 billion.

Rhisotope project

• •Source : TH*

Context: South African scientists make rhino horns radioactive to curb poaching

About the Rhisotope Project:

• The Rhisotope Project, initiated in 2021 by Prof. James Larkin, involves inserting measured quantities of radioisotopes into the horns of live rhinos.

• Aim : By embedding “two tiny little radioactive chips” into the horn, the project aims to render the horn “useless” and “poisonous for human consumption.”

• The final phase includes follow-up care and blood samples to ensure animal protection. The radioactive material lasts five years, proving more cost-effective than dehorning every 18 months.

• Benefits: The procedure, conducted on sedated rhinos, is safe, with radiation doses low enough not to harm their health or the environment. Additionally, radioactively treated horns are more likely to be detected at international borders, increasing the chances of exposing and prosecuting smuggling syndicates under anti-terrorism laws.

• Additionally, radioactively treated horns are more likely to be detected at international borders, increasing the chances of exposing and prosecuting smuggling syndicates under anti-terrorism laws.

• Need: Rhinoceros horns are highly sought after on black markets, where their price by weight rivals that of gold and cocaine. Previous anti-poaching strategies like dehorning and poisoning horns have failed to deter poachers.

• Rhinoceros horns are highly sought after on black markets, where their price by weight rivals that of gold and cocaine.

• Previous anti-poaching strategies like dehorning and poisoning horns have failed to deter poachers.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 June 2024 [PDF]

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