UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 November 2024

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 November 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 November 2024)

• India – Bangladesh

India – Bangladesh

GS Paper 3:

• Biomedical waste

Biomedical waste

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

• Story of Falguni Nayar

Story of Falguni Nayar

Facts for Prelims (FFP):

• Eklavya Platform

Eklavya Platform

• Baltic Sea

Baltic Sea

• ISKCON

ISKCON

• SAREX-24

SAREX-24

• Commissioner of Railway Safety

Commissioner of Railway Safety

• Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Campaign

Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Campaign

• Animal Quarantine and Certification Services

Animal Quarantine and Certification Services

Mapping:

• Lothal

Lothal

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 November 2024

#### GS Paper 2:

India – Bangladesh

Syllabus: International Relations

Source: IE

Context: A day after Bangladesh police arrested Hindu monk on sedition charges and a court on Tuesday denied him bail, India expressed “deep concern” and urged authorities “to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities” in the neighbouring country.

History Between India and Bangladesh:

• Pre-Partition Bond: Cultural and linguistic ties were disrupted by the Partition of 1947, leading to large-scale family separations and migration.

• 1971 Liberation War: India’s military and moral support were instrumental in Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan, marking the foundation of strong bilateral relations.

• Post-Independence Cooperation: India was the first country to recognize Bangladesh and continues to share deep people-to-people connections.

• Shared Sacrifices: Historical and cultural links have been reinforced through mutual respect for shared histories, such as the commemoration of Vijay Diwas.

Areas of Cooperation:

• Economic Partnership: Bangladesh is India’s largest trade partner in South Asia, with bilateral trade reaching $18.2 billion in 2021-22.

• Connectivity: Restoration of rail links, inland waterways like the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT), and Agartala-Akhaura rail link.

• Development Assistance: India extended $8 billion in Lines of Credit (LoCs) to Bangladesh for infrastructure development.

• Cultural Exchange: Institutions like the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) foster shared cultural heritage.

• Defence Collaboration: Joint exercises like CORPAT and the Bangosagar naval drills enhance security ties.

Challenges:

• Water Sharing: Disputes over rivers like Teesta and Brahmaputra remain unresolved, impacting livelihoods and trust.

• Illegal Immigration: Cross-border migration creates socio-economic and political strain in bordering Indian states.

• China’s Influence: Bangladesh’s growing ties with China, including investments in infrastructure under the Belt and Road Initiative, pose strategic challenges for India.

• Terrorism and Insurgency: Cross-border movements of insurgent groups and alleged support for extremist elements affect security.

• Non-Tariff Barriers: Trade growth is hindered by lengthy customs procedures and regulatory obstacles.

Way Ahead:

• Resolve Water Disputes: Prioritize agreements on Teesta and other rivers through mutual dialogue and time-bound solutions.

• Enhance Connectivity: Develop coastal, road, and rail networks to boost economic and cultural ties.

• Energy Collaboration: Strengthen cooperation in clean energy and finalize initiatives like the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline.

• Counter China’s Influence: Provide technological, financial, and strategic support to Bangladesh to balance regional geopolitics.

• Address Refugee Issues: Collaborate on a regional framework for managing refugee crises through SAARC initiatives.

Conclusion:

India and Bangladesh’s relationship is marked by shared histories and future potential. By addressing challenges and fostering cooperation, both nations can strengthen their partnership, benefiting not just themselves but the region as a whole.

Insta Links:

• India-Bangladesh-Relations

• Analyze internal security threats and transborder crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan borders including Line of Control (LoC). Also discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard. (UPSC-2018)

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 November 2024 GS Paper 3

Biomedical Waste

Syllabus: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation.

Source: TH

Context: HIV epidemic and incidents like the “Syringe Tide” highlighted the hazards of improper biomedical waste disposal, prompting global and national reforms to safeguard public health and the environment.

Historical Background

• HIV Epidemic (1983): Identification of HIV by Luc Montagnier and Robert Gallo triggered global fear and stigma, emphasizing the risks of medical waste.

• Syringe Tide (1987): Beaches in the U.S. were polluted with medical waste, sparking public outrage and highlighting the need for regulatory action.

• India’s Scenario: The first HIV case in India (1986) and lack of biomedical waste legislation exposed gaps in waste management.

Outcomes of Global and National Responses:

United States:

• Medical Waste Tracking Act (1988): Categorized hospital waste as hazardous, enforcing systematic handling and disposal protocols.

• Transparency and Accountability: Benchmarked regulatory frameworks for other nations.

India:

• Judicial Interventions: Supreme Court in Dr. B.L. Wadehra vs. Union of India (1996) criticized Delhi’s waste mismanagement, prompting nationwide action.

• Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules (1998): First regulation recognizing biomedical waste as hazardous, empowering pollution control boards.

• Amendments and Updates: Strengthened protocols in 2016 and integrated technology advancements in 2020.

Key Features of India’s Biomedical Waste Management:

• Waste Segregation and Color-Coding: Mandated segregation of waste at the source into distinct categories. Use of color-coded containers (yellow, red, blue, white) for easy identification and handling.

• Mandated segregation of waste at the source into distinct categories.

• Use of color-coded containers (yellow, red, blue, white) for easy identification and handling.

• Treatment and Disposal Technologies: Implementation of advanced waste treatment methods: Incineration: For infectious and pathological waste. Autoclaving and Microwaving: For disinfection of sharps and other categories. Chemical Disinfection: For liquid waste like blood and contaminated fluids. Adoption of deep burial in rural and resource-limited areas where incineration is not feasible.

• Implementation of advanced waste treatment methods: Incineration: For infectious and pathological waste. Autoclaving and Microwaving: For disinfection of sharps and other categories. Chemical Disinfection: For liquid waste like blood and contaminated fluids.

• Incineration: For infectious and pathological waste.

• Autoclaving and Microwaving: For disinfection of sharps and other categories.

• Chemical Disinfection: For liquid waste like blood and contaminated fluids.

• Adoption of deep burial in rural and resource-limited areas where incineration is not feasible.

• Occupational Safety for Healthcare Workers: Provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) for handling hazardous waste. Regular training programs to ensure adherence to safety protocols. Immunization against diseases like Hepatitis B for workers handling infectious waste.

• Provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) for handling hazardous waste.

• Regular training programs to ensure adherence to safety protocols.

• Immunization against diseases like Hepatitis B for workers handling infectious waste.

• Monitoring and Compliance Mechanisms: Empowerment of Central and State Pollution Control Boards to monitor waste generation and disposal. Requirement for healthcare facilities to obtain authorization and submit annual reports on waste management practices. Surprise inspections and audits to ensure compliance with the rules.

• Empowerment of Central and State Pollution Control Boards to monitor waste generation and disposal.

• Requirement for healthcare facilities to obtain authorization and submit annual reports on waste management practices.

• Surprise inspections and audits to ensure compliance with the rules.

• Mandatory Reporting and Record-Keeping: Healthcare facilities must maintain records of waste generated, treated, and disposed of. Use of barcode tracking systems in some states to enhance accountability.

• Healthcare facilities must maintain records of waste generated, treated, and disposed of.

• Use of barcode tracking systems in some states to enhance accountability.

• Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facilities (CBWTFs): Establishment of shared facilities to treat biomedical waste from smaller healthcare units, reducing individual facility costs.

• Establishment of shared facilities to treat biomedical waste from smaller healthcare units, reducing individual facility costs.

Limitations in Biomedical Waste Management in India:

• Inadequate Infrastructure: Limited number of biomedical waste treatment facilities, especially in rural and remote areas, leading to unsafe disposal practices.

• Weak Enforcement and Compliance: Poor adherence to segregation and disposal protocols, coupled with lax monitoring and enforcement by authorities.

• Occupational Hazards: Insufficient training and lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) expose healthcare workers and waste handlers to health risks.

• Low Public Awareness: Limited knowledge among the public and informal waste handlers about the dangers of biomedical waste leads to unsafe handling practices.

• Inefficiency in Common Treatment Facilities: Uneven distribution and overburdening of CBWTFs hinder effective waste management in certain regions.

Way Ahead:

• Strengthen Infrastructure in Rural Areas: Establish additional Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facilities (CBWTFs) in underserved regions to reduce unsafe disposal practices.

Eg: Tamil Nadu’s model of CBWTFs catering to multiple smaller healthcare units can be replicated nationwide.

• Enhance Monitoring and Accountability: Implement real-time tracking systems using barcoding and GPS to ensure compliance.

Eg: Kerala’s Integrated Biomedical Waste Management Monitoring System (IBMWMS) effectively tracks waste from generation to disposal.

• Improve Capacity Building and Occupational Safety: Regular training for healthcare workers, mandatory use of PPE, and immunization for waste handlers to reduce exposure risks.

Eg: Mumbai’s municipal hospitals incorporate safety training and PPE provision into their biomedical waste protocols.

• Promote Technological Innovations: Encourage eco-friendly technologies like plasma pyrolysis and waste-to-energy plants for treating non-recyclable waste.

Eg: AIIMS, New Delhi, employs advanced autoclaving and disinfection methods to minimize environmental impact.

• Raise Public Awareness and Community Participation: Conduct campaigns to educate the public and informal waste handlers on biomedical waste risks and proper disposal.

Eg: Expand the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to include biomedical waste awareness drives, building on its sanitation success.

Conclusion:

The HIV epidemic and incidents like the Syringe Tide marked a turning point in biomedical waste management globally. India’s legislative and policy reforms since the 1990s highlight the potential to address challenges through sustained effort. While gaps persist, the progress reflects the criticality of leveraging crises for long-term solutions.

Quote: “A crisis often serves as the foundation for transformative reform.”

Insta Links:

• Bio-medical waste

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 November 2024 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Story of Falguni Nayar

Anecdote: In 2012, Falguni Nayar left her successful investment banking career at 50 to start Nykaa with $2 million and a vision to make quality beauty products accessible to Indian women. From her father’s small office, she meticulously studied consumer behavior, onboarded trusted brands, and built a seamless online platform despite skepticism. Her efforts paid off when Nykaa became India’s first woman-led unicorn in 2020, valued at $2.3 billion. Today, as one of India’s two self-made female billionaires, Nayar’s journey exemplifies resilience, proving that success has no age limit and dreams are worth pursuing.

Relevance in UPSC Exams:

• General Studies Paper I: Role of Women in Society: Example of women breaking barriers in entrepreneurship.

• Role of Women in Society: Example of women breaking barriers in entrepreneurship.

• General Studies Paper III: Economic Growth and Startups: Case study on Nykaa as a successful Indian unicorn.

• Economic Growth and Startups: Case study on Nykaa as a successful Indian unicorn.

• Ethics Paper (GS IV): Case Study on Leadership and Vision: Highlighting values like perseverance, innovation, and social responsibility.

• Case Study on Leadership and Vision: Highlighting values like perseverance, innovation, and social responsibility.

• Essay Writing: Topics such as “Women Entrepreneurs as Agents of Change” or “The Role of Startups in India’s Economic Transformation.”

• Topics such as “Women Entrepreneurs as Agents of Change” or “The Role of Startups in India’s Economic Transformation.”

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

Eklavya Platform

• •*Context: General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), launched the Eklavya online learning platform for the Indian Army.

• This initiative aligns with the Army’s vision of a “Decade of Transformation” and the 2024 theme, “Year of Technology Absorption.”

About Eklavya Platform:

• Developed by: Bhaskaracharya National Institute of Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N), with support from the Directorate General of Information Systems.

• Launched in: 2024 by the Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi.

• Aim: To facilitate continuous professional military education, decongest physical courses, and encourage domain specialization.

• Features:

• Hosted on the Army Data Network with scalable architecture.

• Includes a “Knowledge Highway” for accessing journals, research papers, and articles.

• Registration delinked from physical nominations; accessible throughout an officer’s career.

• Focuses on contemporary content and emerging concepts aligned with modern warfare.

Insta links:

• Honorary-Army-General

Baltic Sea

Source: CNBC

Context: The cutting of undersea cables in the Baltic Sea has escalated geopolitical tensions, particularly in the context of the ongoing Ukraine war.

About Baltic Sea:

• Location: Part of the North Atlantic Ocean, situated in Northern Europe, separating the Scandinavian Peninsula from continental Europe.

• Surrounding Countries: Denmark, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Finland, and Sweden.

• Connections: Links to the Atlantic Ocean through the Danish Straits, facilitating global trade and connectivity.

• Depth and Area: Average depth is 55 meters; deepest point is 459 meters.

• Gulfs: Contains the Gulf of Bothnia (north), Gulf of Finland (east), and Gulf of Riga (south).

• Rivers: Over 250 rivers drain into it, with the Neva River being the largest contributor.

• Islands: Hosts over 20 islands and archipelagos, with Gotland (off Sweden’s coast) as the largest.

Insta links:

• Baltic-sea

ISKCON

Source: HT

Context: The Dhaka High Court declined a suo motu order to ban ISKCON in Bangladesh, citing government action already taken.

About ISKCON:

• Full form: International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

• Founder:C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

• Founded In: New York City, USA.

• Aim: To promote Krishna Consciousness and devotional service to Krishna as the Supreme Godhead.

• Features:

• Largest branch of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, rooted in 16th-century India. Emphasizes chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. Engages in public bhakti practices like Sankirtan, yoga seminars, and festivals. Runs social initiatives, including free food distribution, schools, eco-villages, and hospitals.

• Largest branch of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, rooted in 16th-century India.

• Emphasizes chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

• Engages in public bhakti practices like Sankirtan, yoga seminars, and festivals.

• Runs social initiatives, including free food distribution, schools, eco-villages, and hospitals.

Insta links:

• ISKCON

SAREX-24

Source: TH

Context: The 11th edition of the Indian Coast Guard’s National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX-24) is being held in Kochi, Kerala.

About SAREX-24:

• Location: Kochi, Kerala.

• Theme: “Enhancing Search and Rescue Capabilities through Regional Collaboration.”

• Activities:

• Sea exercise involving contingencies with participation from Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, Cochin Port Authority, and Customs.

• Objectives:

• Evaluate operational efficiency and coordination.

• Strengthen collaborative efforts among regional and international maritime agencies.

• Significance: Largest-ever simulations, enhancing cooperative engagement with littoral states and friendly nations.

Insta Links:

• Military Exercises-in-News

Commissioner of Railway Safety

Source: TOI

Context: India’s first vertical-lift Pamban Bridge aims to boost connectivity between Rameswaram and Tamil Nadu. However, safety concerns and planning lapses raised by the CRS have drawn scrutiny.

About Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS):

• Role: Ensures the safety of rail travel and operations as outlined in the Railways Act, 1989.

• Responsibilities: Investigates train accidents and makes safety recommendations to the government.

• Reporting Structure: Under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to remain insulated from the Railway Ministry’s influence.

• Leadership: Headed by the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety, with headquarters in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

• Independence: Structured to avoid conflicts of interest within the railway establishment.

New Pamban Bridge:

• Unique Feature: India’s first vertical-lift railway sea bridge with a span that moves vertically for navigational clearance.

• Location: Connects Rameswaram Island to Mandapam on Tamil Nadu’s mainland.

• Specifications:

• Total Length: 2.078 km with 99 spans.

• Technology: Features electromechanical control interlocked with the train control system for vertical lifting.

• Design Innovations: Designed for double railway lines and future electrification, replacing the old Pamban Bridge built in 1914.

Insta Links:

• Commission-of-railway-safety-CRS

Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Campaign

Source: PIB

Context: The Union Minister for Women and Child Development recently launched the “Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Campaign”, a national initiative aimed at eradicating child marriage in India by engaging multiple stakeholders and leveraging technology.

• The campaign focuses on reducing child marriage rates to below 5% by 2029.

About Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Campaign:

• Objective: To eliminate child marriage through collective efforts and focus on high-burden states and districts.

• Target States: West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Tripura, Assam, and Andhra Pradesh, along with nearly 300 high-burden districts.

• Child Marriage Free Bharat Portal: A platform to raise awareness, report cases, and monitor progress with real-time tracking by Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs).

• Monitoring Mechanism: Central nodal officers and state-level CMPOs will ensure accountability and support for affected individuals.

• Goal: Reduce child marriage rates to below 5% by 2029; rates have already dropped from 47.4% (2006) to 23.3% (2019-21).

• Awareness Drive: Public access to information and complaint registration via the portal.

Insta Links:

• Child-marriage

Animal Quarantine and Certification Services

Source: PIB

Context: Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) recently facilitated its first successful import of a pet under the Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS) certification.

About Animal Quarantine and Certification Services:

• Established: Initiated during the Fourth Five-Year Plan (1969-70) under a central sector scheme by the Government of India.

• AQCS certification under central animal husbandry department.

• Objectives of AQCS:

• Disease Prevention: Prevent the entry of exotic livestock diseases into India via imports, as per the Livestock Importation Act.

• Defense Against Veterinary Diseases: Implement policies on import regulation, restriction, and prohibition of livestock, products, and microorganisms.

• Export Certification: Provide internationally accepted certifications to boost exports and increase national income.

• Inspection and Registration: Inspect and register plants/mills exporting animal by-products to meet international standards.

• Primary Functions:

• Implementation of the Livestock Importation Act.

• Detention, testing, and observation of imported/exported livestock and products.

• Destruction of infected imports posing health threats.

• Certification for livestock exports to meet international standards.

Insta Links:

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 November 2024 Mapping:

Lothal

Source: TOI

Context: The tragic incident at Lothal highlights the risks researchers face while uncovering historical knowledge. Lothal, a prominent Harappan-era port city, represents a critical chapter in India’s ancient maritime and trade history.

About Lothal:

• Historical Significance: Southernmost Indus Valley Civilization site, built around 2200 BCE, known for its advanced trade and bead-making industry.

• Unique Features: Home to the world’s earliest known dockyard, linking it to ancient trade routes.

• Discovery: Excavated between 1955-1960 by SR Rao; marine microfossils confirmed its dockyard purpose.

• Heritage Status: Nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014; remains on the tentative list.

• Modern Development: The National Maritime Heritage Complex (Rs. 3,500 crore project) recreates Harappan architecture and showcases India’s maritime legacy.

Insta Links:

• Harappan-Indus-Valley-Civilization

Daily Current Affairs + PIB Summary 29 Nov 2024

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