UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 7 December 2024
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 7 December 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 3 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 7 December 2024)
• Viksit Bharat 2047
Viksit Bharat 2047
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• Love vs Law Debate
Love vs Law Debate
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• Supreme Court Case Scheduling
Supreme Court Case Scheduling
• PM e-Vidya
PM e-Vidya
• Laysan albatross
Laysan albatross
• De-dollarisation
De-dollarisation
• Indira Gandhi Peace Prize, 2024
Indira Gandhi Peace Prize, 2024
Mapping:
• Democratic Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo
• Tourist Destination in JK
Tourist Destination in JK
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 7 December 2024
#### GS Paper 3:
Viksit Bharat 2047
Syllabus: Economics
Source: IE
Context: India aims for developed nation status by 2047 under the Viksit Bharat vision. However, challenges like slower growth, high taxes, and declining foreign investments risk hindering progress.
Targets of India for Viksit Bharat 2047:
• Economic Growth: Achieve a sustained GDP growth rate of 7-8% annually.
• Social Equity: Eradicate poverty, ensure universal healthcare, and provide quality education.
• Global Competitiveness: Position India among the top three global economies.
• Environmental Sustainability: Attain net-zero emissions by 2070 while enhancing renewable energy adoption.
• Industrial Modernization: Boost manufacturing to contribute 25% to GDP under Make in India.
India’s Economic Performance 2024:
Sector/Indicator | Key Highlights
GDP Growth | GDP growth slowed to 5.4% (July-September 2024), below the RBI’s 7% projection.
Services Sector | Contributed 54.72% of GVA, valued at ₹146.44 lakh crore in 2023-24, making it the largest economic driver.
Industry Sector | Accounted for 27.62% of GVA; notable challenges include record-high steel imports from China affecting domestic producers.
Agriculture Sector | Contributed 17.66% of GVA; displayed resilience with strong agricultural output.
Inflation | Retail inflation increased to 6.21% in October, breaching RBI’s tolerance band.
Monetary Policy | RBI retained interest rate at 6.5%, cut cash reserve ratio by 50 basis points, injecting ₹1.16 trillion into the economy.
Government Initiatives for Viksit Bharat
• Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Promote domestic manufacturing and reduce import dependency.
• PLI Schemes: Financial incentives for key sectors like electronics, pharma, and textiles.
• PM Gati Shakti Master Plan: Integrates infrastructure projects across sectors for faster development.
• Digital India: Expands internet access, boosts fintech adoption, and supports e-governance.
• National Education Policy (NEP 2020): Reforms in education to create a skilled workforce.
• Green India Mission: Focus on renewable energy and sustainable urban development.
Challenges India Faces:
• Economic Inequalities: Regional and income disparities hinder inclusive growth.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Delayed implementation of key projects affects connectivity.
• Policy Uncertainty: Retrospective tax policies and weak enforcement of reforms deter investors.
• Global Risks: Economic slowdown and geopolitical tensions impact trade and investments.
• Environmental Concerns: Balancing industrial growth with ecological sustainability remains critical.
Way Ahead:
• Policy Reforms: Ensure consistency in fiscal and monetary policies to attract investments.
• Skill Development: Bridge the education-employment gap by focusing on industry-relevant skills.
• Boost Exports: Enhance global trade partnerships and competitiveness in manufacturing.
• Rural Development: Strengthen healthcare, education, and infrastructure in rural areas.
• Green Transition: Scale up renewable energy capacity and adopt sustainable practices across industries.
Conclusion:
India’s vision for Viksit Bharat 2047 is ambitious but achievable with sustained efforts in policy, innovation, and social inclusion. By addressing challenges strategically, India can emerge as a global leader in economy and sustainability, ensuring equitable growth for all.
Insta Links:
• Reforms-needed-for-India-to-become-a-developed-country
• Increase in absolute and per capita real GNP do not connote a higher level of economic development, if: (UPSC-2018) Industrial output fails to keep pace with agricultural output. Agricultural output fails to keep pace with industrial output. Poverty and unemployment increase. Imports grow faster than exports.
• Industrial output fails to keep pace with agricultural output.
• Agricultural output fails to keep pace with industrial output.
• Poverty and unemployment increase.
• Imports grow faster than exports.
Answer: c)
• In a given year in India, official poverty lines are higher in some States than in others because: (UPSC-2019)
• Poverty rates vary from State to State
• Price levels vary from State to State
• Gross State Product varies from State to State
• Quality of public distribution varies from State to State
Answer: b)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 7 December 2024 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
Love vs Law Debate
Context: In Hyderabad, a controversial “bonding” session was organized by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to evaluate emotional connections between rescued children and couples accused of illegal adoptions.
About Love vs Law Debate:
• Love (Humanitarian Perspective):
• The children have formed bonds with the adoptive parents, having lived with them for extended periods (up to three years). Emotional trauma from separation could adversely impact the children’s development and well-being. Advocates argue for prioritizing the best interests of the child in a family environment.
• The children have formed bonds with the adoptive parents, having lived with them for extended periods (up to three years).
• Emotional trauma from separation could adversely impact the children’s development and well-being.
• Advocates argue for prioritizing the best interests of the child in a family environment.
• Law (Legal and Ethical Concerns):
• Allowing custody to accused adoptive parents’ risks setting a precedent that could normalize illegal adoption practices. Traffickers and adoptive parents may misuse such leniency in future cases. Courts must uphold the rule of law to deter similar violations while addressing the children’s welfare responsibly.
• Allowing custody to accused adoptive parents’ risks setting a precedent that could normalize illegal adoption practices.
• Traffickers and adoptive parents may misuse such leniency in future cases.
• Courts must uphold the rule of law to deter similar violations while addressing the children’s welfare responsibly.
Relevance in UPSC Syllabus:
• Child Welfare: Balancing emotional attachment with legal integrity is crucial for the children’s holistic development.
• Ethical Governance: Ensures that humanitarian concerns do not undermine justice, preventing future misuse of adoption laws.
• Legal Clarity: Highlights the need for clear guidelines to handle similar cases, safeguarding children’s rights while upholding the law.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 7 December 2024 Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Supreme Court Case Scheduling
Source: IE
Context: The Supreme Court is prioritizing special leave petitions (SLPs) to address its backlog, dedicating three workdays to these cases while reserving Mondays and Fridays for fresh matters.
About Scheduling of Cases in the Supreme Court:
• Who is in Charge?
• Chief Justice of India (CJI): Acts as the master of the roster, deciding the allocation and scheduling of cases. Supreme Court Registry: Administers filing, scrutiny, listing, and scheduling of cases.
• Chief Justice of India (CJI): Acts as the master of the roster, deciding the allocation and scheduling of cases.
• Supreme Court Registry: Administers filing, scrutiny, listing, and scheduling of cases.
• Law Governing Case Scheduling:
• Governed by Supreme Court Rules, 2013, outlining procedural aspects like filing, listing, and hearing.
• Governed by Supreme Court Rules, 2013, outlining procedural aspects like filing, listing, and hearing.
• Procedure for Case Scheduling:
• Filing Process: Cases are filed through the court’s e-portal or physical counter by Advocates-on-Record (AoR). Scrutiny: Cases are verified for defects by the Registry and allotted a diary number. Listing: After verification, cases are listed for hearing based on their type: Miscellaneous Days (Mondays and Fridays): Fresh matters for issuing notices. Non-Miscellaneous Days (Tuesdays to Thursdays): After-notice or regular hearing matters. Admission: Cases requiring full hearings are admitted after preliminary consideration. Hearing and Judgment: Admitted cases are scheduled for detailed hearings, leading to verdicts.
• Filing Process: Cases are filed through the court’s e-portal or physical counter by Advocates-on-Record (AoR).
• Scrutiny: Cases are verified for defects by the Registry and allotted a diary number.
• Listing: After verification, cases are listed for hearing based on their type: Miscellaneous Days (Mondays and Fridays): Fresh matters for issuing notices. Non-Miscellaneous Days (Tuesdays to Thursdays): After-notice or regular hearing matters.
• Miscellaneous Days (Mondays and Fridays): Fresh matters for issuing notices.
• Non-Miscellaneous Days (Tuesdays to Thursdays): After-notice or regular hearing matters.
• Admission: Cases requiring full hearings are admitted after preliminary consideration.
• Hearing and Judgment: Admitted cases are scheduled for detailed hearings, leading to verdicts.
Insta Links:
• 75-years-of-the-supreme-court-of-India
PM e-Vidya
Source: NIE
Context: In a historic move, the Indian government launched Channel 31 under the PM e-Vidya initiative to promote Indian Sign Language (ISL), fostering inclusivity and accessibility.
About PM e-Vidya:
• Launched in: May 2020, under the Ministry of Education as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan.
• Aim: Ensure equitable, accessible, and quality education through digital, online, and on-air platforms, addressing learning gaps exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Key Features:
• DIKSHA Platform: National digital platform offering QR-coded Energized Textbooks, interactive content, and over 5.58 crore learning sessions.
• DTH TV Channels: Expanded from 12 to 200 channels, delivering content in multiple languages for Classes 1–12.
• SWAYAM Platform: MOOC-based platform offering over 10,000 higher education and school-level courses with credit transfer provisions.
• Virtual Labs: 750 science and mathematics labs (Classes 6–12) and 75 skilling e-labs for simulated learning environments.
• Community Outreach: Education content broadcast through radio and podcasts like Shiksha Vani for areas with limited internet access.
• ISL Promotion: Channel 31 delivers ISL-based content 24×7, facilitating education for hearing-impaired students and supporting ISL as a subject.
• Recognitions:
• PM e-Vidya, an ICT-based education initiative, was recognized by UNESCO in 2022 for its impact during COVID-19.
• The Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET), part of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), received the UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of ICT in Education for 2021
Insta links:
• PM-e Vidya-Program
Laysan albatross
Source: TH
Context: Wisdom, a 74-year-old Laysan albatross, has set a world record as the oldest wild bird, continuing to contribute to her species’ survival.
About Laysan Albatross:
• Name: Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) It is a pelagic bird found predominantly in the North Pacific Ocean.
• It is a pelagic bird found predominantly in the North Pacific Ocean.
• Region found in: Primarily the North Pacific Ocean, with 99.7% of its population nesting in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, particularly at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.
• Key Characteristics:
• Medium-sized seabird resembling a gull, with long, slender wings for sustained flight. Feeds on squid, fish eggs, and crustaceans far from land. Mates for life, laying a single egg per year with shared incubation duties. Notable lifespan, often exceeding 60 years, with some individuals like Wisdom reaching 74 years.
• Medium-sized seabird resembling a gull, with long, slender wings for sustained flight.
• Feeds on squid, fish eggs, and crustaceans far from land.
• Mates for life, laying a single egg per year with shared incubation duties.
• Notable lifespan, often exceeding 60 years, with some individuals like Wisdom reaching 74 years.
• IUCN Status: Near Threatened
Insta links:
• Albatross
De-dollarisation
Source: TH
Context: RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das clarified that India is not taking steps toward de-dollarisation despite discussions within BRICS about a common currency to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar.
About De-dollarisation:
• What is De-dollarisation?
• Definition: The process of reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar in international trade and reserves to mitigate risks associated with currency volatility. Global Context: Countries like China and Russia have initiated measures such as bilateral trade in local currencies and increasing gold reserves.
• Definition: The process of reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar in international trade and reserves to mitigate risks associated with currency volatility.
• Global Context: Countries like China and Russia have initiated measures such as bilateral trade in local currencies and increasing gold reserves.
• India’s Initiatives: Local Currency Trade Agreements: India has signed agreements with select nations for bilateral trade in local currencies, reducing transaction costs and exchange rate volatility. Diversification of Forex Reserves: Increased focus on gold and other currencies in reserves. Promoting INR Trade: Steps to internationalize the Indian rupee for global trade settlements.
• Local Currency Trade Agreements: India has signed agreements with select nations for bilateral trade in local currencies, reducing transaction costs and exchange rate volatility.
• Diversification of Forex Reserves: Increased focus on gold and other currencies in reserves.
• Promoting INR Trade: Steps to internationalize the Indian rupee for global trade settlements.
• Impact of De-dollarisation:
• On the Global Economy: Reduced Dollar Dominance: Weakens the U.S. dollar’s role as a global reserve currency. Geopolitical Tensions: May lead to trade blocs and financial realignments. Alternative Currencies: Promotes regional currencies or gold as trade and reserve assets. On India’s Economy: Trade Diversification: Enhances resilience against dollar volatility. Risk Mitigation: Shields the economy from sudden dollar-driven shocks.
• On the Global Economy: Reduced Dollar Dominance: Weakens the U.S. dollar’s role as a global reserve currency. Geopolitical Tensions: May lead to trade blocs and financial realignments. Alternative Currencies: Promotes regional currencies or gold as trade and reserve assets.
• Reduced Dollar Dominance: Weakens the U.S. dollar’s role as a global reserve currency.
• Geopolitical Tensions: May lead to trade blocs and financial realignments.
• Alternative Currencies: Promotes regional currencies or gold as trade and reserve assets.
• On India’s Economy: Trade Diversification: Enhances resilience against dollar volatility. Risk Mitigation: Shields the economy from sudden dollar-driven shocks.
• Trade Diversification: Enhances resilience against dollar volatility.
• Risk Mitigation: Shields the economy from sudden dollar-driven shocks.
Insta links:
• Pros-and-cons-De dollarisation
Indira Gandhi Peace Prize, 2024
Source: TH
Context: The Indira Gandhi Peace Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development for 2024 will be awarded to Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile and global advocate for human rights, gender equality, and democracy.
About Indira Gandhi Peace Prize:
• Origin: Instituted in 1986 by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust in memory of India’s former Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi.
• Honors contributions to peace, disarmament, and development, fostering global harmony, scientific progress, and human betterment.
• Honors contributions to peace, disarmament, and development, fostering global harmony, scientific progress, and human betterment.
• Award Components:
• Monetary Prize: ₹25 lakh Citation: Recognizing exemplary achievements.
• Monetary Prize: ₹25 lakh
• Citation: Recognizing exemplary achievements.
• Award Given By:
• Selected by an international jury, chaired this year by Shivshankar Menon, former National Security Adviser.
• Selected by an international jury, chaired this year by Shivshankar Menon, former National Security Adviser.
• Recipient for 2024:
• Michelle Bachelet: Former Chilean President and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, for championing gender equality, democracy, and human rights globally.
• Michelle Bachelet: Former Chilean President and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, for championing gender equality, democracy, and human rights globally.
• Notable Past Recipients:
• Mikhail Gorbachev (1987) UNICEF (1989) Jimmy Carter (1997) Angela Merkel (2013) ISRO (2014) Sir David Attenborough (2019) Pratham NGO (2021) Indian Medical Association and the Trained Nurses Association of India (2022)
• Mikhail Gorbachev (1987)
• UNICEF (1989)
• Jimmy Carter (1997)
• Angela Merkel (2013)
• ISRO (2014)
• Sir David Attenborough (2019)
• Pratham NGO (2021)
• Indian Medical Association and the Trained Nurses Association of India (2022)
Insta Links:
• Indira-gandhi-prize-for-peace-disarmament-and-development-2023
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 7 December 2024 Mapping:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Source: DD News
Context: In November 2024, an unidentified disease with flu-like symptoms claimed 143 lives in the Kwango province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
About the Democratic Republic of Congo:
• Location: Central sub-Saharan Africa, within the Congo Basin.
• Capital: Kinshasa
• Neighbouring Countries:
• Borders Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola.
• Borders Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola.
• Rivers: Home to the Congo River, Africa’s second-longest river, and the Congo Basin, the second-largest tropical rainforest globally.
• Mountains:
• Features mountain terraces and plateaus, along with diverse ecosystems like the Miombo woodlands and cloud forests.
• Features mountain terraces and plateaus, along with diverse ecosystems like the Miombo woodlands and cloud forests.
• Climate:
• Predominantly equatorial, with hot and humid conditions in the north and west, and cooler, drier climates in the south and east.
• Predominantly equatorial, with hot and humid conditions in the north and west, and cooler, drier climates in the south and east.
Insta Links:
Tourist Destination in JK
Source: TH
Context: The Government of India, in collaboration with the World Bank and the Jammu and Kashmir administration, plans to develop four new tourist destinations in the Union Territory.
About Places in News:
• Kokernag
• Location: Anantnag district Speciality: Famous for its freshwater springs and lush gardens, it is known as the “Botanical Garden of Kashmir.”
• Location: Anantnag district
• Speciality: Famous for its freshwater springs and lush gardens, it is known as the “Botanical Garden of Kashmir.”
• Baradari
• Location: Reasi district Speciality: An architectural marvel near the Chenab River, known for its historical significance and picturesque surroundings.
• Location: Reasi district
• Speciality: An architectural marvel near the Chenab River, known for its historical significance and picturesque surroundings.
• Bhadarwah
• Location: Doda district Speciality: Often called “Mini Kashmir,” it is renowned for its scenic beauty, forests, and adventure tourism.
• Location: Doda district
• Speciality: Often called “Mini Kashmir,” it is renowned for its scenic beauty, forests, and adventure tourism.
• Doodhpathri
• Location: Budgam district Speciality: A pristine meadow surrounded by coniferous forests, it is popular for its serene ambiance and the Shaliganga River.
• Location: Budgam district
• Speciality: A pristine meadow surrounded by coniferous forests, it is popular for its serene ambiance and the Shaliganga River.
Insta links:
• T-50-JK
Daily Current Affairs + PIB Summary 7 Dec 2024
Please subscribe to Our podcast channel HERE
Official Facebook Page HERE
Twitter Account HERE
Instagram Account HERE
LinkedIn: HERE