23 April 2024 : Daily Current Affairs
Daily Current Affairs
23-April -2024- Top News of the Day3
1. ‘No data available on President returning files for reconsideration’
| Topic: GS2 – Indian polity – Executive
GS2 – Governance – Important aspects of governance – Transparency and accountability Crucial for understanding the transparency and accountability of the President’s decision-making process and related constitutional provisions. |
| Context |
| ● The news is about a Right to Information (RTI) request seeking information on the number of times the President returned decisions for reconsideration. |
Additional information on this news:
- Raj Kapil from Tamil Nadu filed an RTI seeking information on President Droupadi Murmu returning decisions by the Prime Minister and others such as the Council of Ministers, the Cabinet, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), the Parliament, Union Ministries, and Union agencies.
- The Rashtrapati Bhavan responded stating no such information was available regarding decisions returned for reconsideration.
- Regarding state and UT decisions, the RTI application was transferred to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Kapil expressed surprise at the response, questioning the lack of confirmation or denial by the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
- He criticised the incomplete reply, emphasising the importance of such data for constitutional functioning, accountability, and transparency.
- A similar response was given to a student from Chennai querying about former President Ram Nath Kovind’s decisions returned to the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
| President’s power to return a decision taken by the Prime Minister, the Council of Ministers, the Cabinet etc. |
| ● The President holds the power to return decisions taken by the Prime Minister, Council of Ministers, or Cabinet for reconsideration.
● This power is enshrined in Article 74(1) of the Indian Constitution, which allows the President to exercise his discretion. ● Article 74(1) of the Constitution of India states that the President will be aided and advised by a Council of Ministers, led by the Prime Minister. The President will then act in accordance with the advice of the Council of Ministers. However, the President can ask the Council of Ministers to reconsider their advice. ● The President can return decisions for reconsideration if he believes they are not in accordance with the Constitution or require further deliberation. ● The President may ask for clarification or seek additional information before making a decision on whether to return a decision. ● Returning decisions allows the President to act as a check on the executive, ensuring that decisions are made in accordance with constitutional principles. ● However, the President’s power to return decisions is not absolute and must be exercised judiciously to maintain the balance of powers between the executive and the President’s office. ● Ultimately, the decision to return a decision rests with the President, based on constitutional considerations and the advice of the Council of Ministers. |
| PYQ: Instances of President’s delay in commuting death sentences has come under public debate as denial of justice. Should there be a time limit specified for the President to accept/reject such petitions? Analyse. (200 words/12.5m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2014) |
| Practice Question: Discuss the constitutional provisions governing the President’s power to return decisions taken by the Prime Minister, Council of Ministers, or Cabinet, and its significance in the Indian parliamentary system.(150 Words /10 marks) |
2. 2 women Navy officers return after historic transoceanic expedition
| Topic: GS2 – Social Justice
GS3 – Internal Security This topic underscores gender equality in maritime operations, aligning with UPSC’s focus on contemporary societal and military issues. |
| Context |
| ● The news highlights the successful return of INSV Tarini, with two women officers, after a historic transoceanic expedition, showcasing Indian Navy’s commitment to gender equality. |
Additional information on this news:
- The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini returned to its base port in Goa after a historic transoceanic expedition of nearly two months.
- Two women officers of the Indian Navy, Lieutenant Commander Dilna K. and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A., accomplished this feat, the first from India to do so.
- The expedition was flagged off from Goa by renowned circumnavigator and mentor Commander Abhilash Tomy (Retd) on February 28.
- After 22 days of navigating through the Indian Ocean, INSV Tarini arrived at Port Louis, Mauritius, on March 21, fostering goodwill between India and Mauritius.
- The officers departed from Port Louis on March 30, facing challenges like heavy winds and rough seas during their return trip.
- Their achievements highlight the Indian Navy’s commitment to gender equality and empowering women in the maritime domain.
- The officers are preparing for their next expedition, a circumnavigation of the globe, the Sagar Parikrama-IV expedition, scheduled to commence in September.
- INSV Tarini was welcomed back by naval personnel and families at INS Mandovi in Goa on Sunday.
| Other steps taken by Indian armed forces for gender equality | |
| ● Permanent Commission: The armed forces are offering permanent commission (PC) to women officers in more areas, allowing them to serve full careers.
● New Entry Avenues: Women can now enter the National Defence Academy (NDA) after high school and join the military police (Army). The Air Force allows women in all branches. ● Combat Roles: While some restrictions remain, the path is opening for women in fighter pilot roles (Air Force) and some combat positions. ● Supportive Policies: Initiatives like ‘DISHA’ cell (Air Force) encourage women to join, and policies like spouse co-location postings (Navy) help with work-life balance. ● Infrastructure Upgrades: Facilities are being modernised to create a more inclusive environment for the growing number of women in the forces. ● Anti-Sexual Harassment Policies: Stringent measures are in place to address sexual harassment and misconduct within the armed forces, with policies and mechanisms for reporting and redressal. |
|
| PYQ: Explain the constitutional perspectives of Gender Justice with the help of relevant constitutional Provisions and case laws. (250 words/15m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2023) | |
| Practice Question: Discuss the significance of the historic transoceanic expedition by INSV Tarini, emphasising gender equality and maritime prowess. (150 Words /10 marks) | |
3. Europe is ‘warming faster than any other continent’
| Topic: GS3 – Environment – Environmental pollution and degradation
This topic is crucial for UPSC as it addresses climate change impacts on health, glaciers, economies, and renewable energy transitions. |
| Context |
| ● This news highlights Europe’s alarming warming trend, with temperatures rising at twice the global average, posing threats to health, glaciers, and economies. |
Additional information on this news:
- Europe is experiencing rapid warming, with temperatures rising at twice the global average, posing risks to human health, glaciers, and economic activities.
- The continent has the opportunity to transition to renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power to combat climate change effects.
- In 2022, Europe generated 43% of its electricity from renewables, surpassing fossil fuels for the second consecutive year.
- Temperatures in Europe are now 2.3 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, compared to 1.3 degrees Celsius globally.
- Climate extremes such as heatwaves, wildfires, and glacier ice loss are intensifying, leading to health issues and economic losses.
- March 2023 marked the 10th consecutive month of record monthly temperatures in Europe.
- The report highlights the rising death toll from heat-related incidents and estimates weather- and climate-related economic losses at over 13.4 billion euros in 2023.
- Glacier ice loss in the Alps has reached about 10% over the last two years due to high temperatures and extreme weather events.
| PYQ: Discuss global warming and mention its effects on the global climate. Explain the control measures to bring down the level of greenhouse gases which cause global warming, in the light of the Kyoto Protocol, 1997. (250 Words /15 marks) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2022) |
| Practice Question: Discuss the implications of rapidly warming temperatures on human health, glaciers, and renewable energy transitions. (250 Words /15 marks) |
4. ‘Mauritius yet to ratify tax treaty protocol’
| Topic: GS2 – International Relations – Bilateral Relations
Understanding international tax agreements and their amendments is crucial for UPSC aspirants studying economics, international relations, and governance. |
| Context |
| ● This news pertains to the delay in ratifying the protocol amending the Mauritius-India Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) to comply with international standards. |
Additional information on this news:
- The Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) clarified that the protocol amending the Mauritius-India Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) is yet to be ratified.
- This statement follows recent assertions by Indian Income-Tax authorities on social media that the protocol is pending ratification.
- Once ratified and notified by both countries, the protocol will amend the DTAA, with its implementation commencing upon the later of these notifications.
- Prior to ratification, stakeholders will receive clarificatory information on the amendments to the Mauritius-India DTAA.
- The amended DTAA, signed on March 7, includes a principal purpose test (PPT) to ensure treaty benefits only apply to transactions with genuine purposes.
- However, there is ambiguity regarding the application of the PPT to grandfathered investments, necessitating clarification from tax authorities.
| About Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) |
| ● Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) is an agreement between two countries to prevent taxpayers from being taxed on the same income in both jurisdictions.
● It aims to promote international trade and investment by eliminating double taxation, thereby encouraging cross-border economic activities. ● DTAA specifies rules for allocating taxing rights between countries on various types of income, including dividends, interest, royalties, and capital gains. ● It typically includes provisions for determining residency status, defining permanent establishments, and resolving disputes between tax authorities. ● DTAA may prescribe reduced tax rates or exemptions for certain types of income to promote investment and prevent fiscal evasion. ● Countries negotiate DTAA bilaterally or multilaterally based on model conventions provided by organizations like the OECD or the UN. ● DTAA benefits taxpayers, especially businesses and individuals engaged in cross-border transactions, by providing clarity and certainty on their tax liabilities. ● DTAA contributes to fostering economic cooperation and maintaining good relations between countries by addressing tax-related issues and promoting fair and equitable tax treatment of taxpayers. |
| PYQ: (UPSC civil services prelims 2018)
Q. With reference to India’s decision to levy an equalisation tax of 6% on online advertisement services offered by non-resident entities, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is introduced as a part of the Income Tax Act. 2. Non-resident entities that offer advertisement services in India can claim a tax credit in their home country under the “Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements”. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only Ans: Option D |
| Practice Question: Discuss the significance of amending the Mauritius-India Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) in light of international tax compliance standards. (150 Words /10 marks) |
5. ‘Staggering’ number of workers face climate hazards, says UN
| Topic: GS3 – Environment – Environmental pollution and degradation
Understanding climate change-related health hazards is crucial for policymaking and ensuring worker safety and welfare. |
| Context |
| ● The news highlights the United Nations’ International Labour Organization’s warning about climate change-related health hazards faced by workers worldwide. |
Additional information on this news:
- The United Nations’ International Labour Organization (ILO) warned of health hazards for workers due to climate change.
- Workers, particularly in hot climates, face hazards like excessive heat, UV radiation, air pollution, vector-borne diseases, and agrochemicals.
- In 2020, over 2.4 billion workers, representing more than 70% of the global workforce, were exposed to excessive heat.
- The number of exposed workers has increased by 35% over two decades, with a notable rise since 2000.
- Approximately 23 million occupational injuries related to excessive heat are reported annually, leading to about 19,000 deaths.
- Over 26 million people suffer from chronic kidney disease linked to workplace heat stress.
- Climate change also contributes to cancer, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, kidney dysfunction, and mental health issues among workers.
- Workers are exposed to ultraviolet radiation, workplace pollution, pesticides, and vector-borne diseases, resulting in thousands of deaths annually.
- The ILO emphasises the need to include occupational safety and health considerations in climate change responses and calls for new laws or revisions to existing legislation to protect workers.
- An expert meeting planned by the ILO aims to generate fresh policy recommendations on this issue.
| About International Labour Organization (ILO) |
| ● The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations that deals with labour issues.
● It was founded in 1919 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. ● The ILO aims to promote social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights. ● It sets international labour standards through conventions and recommendations that member states are encouraged to adopt. ● These standards cover a wide range of issues including child labour, forced labour, discrimination, wages, working hours, and occupational safety and health. ● The organisation also provides technical assistance and expertise to member states to help them implement these standards. ● The ILO operates through a tripartite structure involving governments, employers, and workers’ representatives. ● It conducts research and provides analysis on global labour market trends and developments. ● The ILO plays a key role in shaping labour policies at both national and international levels. ● It collaborates with other international organisations, NGOs, and civil society groups to promote decent work and social justice worldwide. |
| PYQ: (UPSC civil services prelims 2018)
Q. International Labour Organization’s Conventions 138 and 182 are related to (a) Child Labour Ans: Option A |
| Practice Question: Discuss the impact of climate change on occupational health hazards and the significance of addressing these issues for worker welfare. (250 Words /15 marks) |
6. Taiwan Urges India to Address Administrative, Infrastructure Challenges to Attract Semiconductor Investments
| Topic: GS2 – International Relations – Bilateral Relations
This topic is relevant for both Prelims and Mains as the analysis sheds light on India’s efforts to enhance economic ties with Taiwan and attract investments from Taiwanese chip companies. It underscores the importance of bilateral cooperation, free trade agreements, and diplomatic initiatives in fostering economic partnerships between nations. |
| Context: |
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More about the news:
Administrative Complexity and Regulatory Hurdles:
- Wu highlighted India’s cumbersome administrative structure and the need for streamlining laws and regulations to facilitate semiconductor investments.
- He emphasized the importance of creating a conducive business environment through regulatory reforms to attract semiconductor investors.
- Simplifying administrative procedures and regulatory frameworks is imperative to mitigate investment barriers and enhance investor confidence.
The Importance of Supply Chain Integration:
- Wu emphasized the significance of integrating the entire semiconductor supply chain, including IC design, testing, packaging, and material supply, to attract major semiconductor production to India.
- He stressed the need for creating a comprehensive ecosystem rather than relying solely on individual companies.
- This holistic approach ensures the sustainability and competitiveness of India’s semiconductor industry.
Infrastructure Limitations and Investment Reservations:
- Infrastructure inadequacies, including unreliable water and electricity supply and transportation constraints, pose significant challenges for semiconductor companies considering investments in India.
- Wu highlighted the critical role of robust infrastructure in supporting semiconductor manufacturing activities and underscored the need for improvement in this area to attract investments.
The Role of Free Trade Agreement (FTA):
- Wu advocated for the signing of a long-negotiated free trade agreement (FTA) between India and Taiwan to facilitate easier import of components, equipment, and materials essential for semiconductor manufacturing.
- He emphasized that reducing tariffs and trade barriers through an FTA would enhance India’s attractiveness as an investment destination for semiconductor companies.
Collaboration on Talent Development:
- Addressing the shortage of semiconductor engineering talent in India, Wu proposed collaboration between Taiwan and India to bridge the skills gap.
- He suggested inviting Indian engineers to work in Taiwan’s semiconductor industry and leveraging Taiwan’s expertise in talent development to enhance India’s semiconductor workforce.
- Collaboration in talent development can contribute to building a skilled workforce capable of supporting semiconductor manufacturing operations in India.
Conclusion:
- The insights provided by Joseph Wu shed light on the multifaceted challenges hindering Taiwanese chip investments in India’s semiconductor sector.
- Addressing administrative complexities, improving infrastructure, reducing trade barriers through FTAs, and enhancing talent development are crucial steps towards creating a conducive environment for semiconductor investments in India.
- Collaboration between Taiwan and India in these areas can accelerate the growth of India’s semiconductor industry and strengthen bilateral economic ties.
| Semiconductor Industry Landscape in India |
Current Status and Growth Potential:
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| Practice Question: What are the key challenges hindering investments in India’s semiconductor industry, as highlighted by Taiwanese government representatives? Discuss the implications of these challenges and suggest measures to address them. (250 words/15 m) |
7. Rising Temperatures Pose Heightened Risks to Global Workers, ILO Report Warns
| Topic: GS3 – Environment – Environmental pollution and degradation
GS1 – Geography – Effects of Climate change This topic is relevant for both Prelims and Mains as the analysis sheds light on the impact of climate change on occupational health, specifically regarding excessive heat exposure in the workplace. |
| Context: |
|
More about the news:
Government Advisory and Safety Measures:
- In response to the rising heatwave risks, the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment issued an advisory to all states and union territories to safeguard workers at factories, mines, and construction sites.
- The advisory emphasizes the importance of ensuring the availability of drinking water, rescheduling working hours, and implementing suitable measures to protect laborers from the scorching heat.
- This proactive approach aims to mitigate heat-related health hazards and ensure the safety and well-being of workers.
Impact of Excessive Heat on Occupational Health:
- The ILO report underscores the significant health consequences of excessive heat exposure in the workplace.
- It estimates that every year, over 22.85 million occupational injuries, 18,970 deaths, and 2.09 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) are attributable to excessive heat alone.
- Out of the global workforce of 3.4 billion workers, approximately 2.41 billion are exposed to excessive heat annually, indicating the widespread nature of this occupational hazard.
Call for Legislative Action and Worker Protections:
- The ILO emphasizes the need for re-evaluating existing legislation or creating new regulations and guidance to address climate change hazards affecting workers.
- It stresses that as climate change hazards evolve and intensify, additional protections may be necessary for vulnerable worker populations.
- Legislative measures and workplace policies should be designed to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on occupational health and safety.
Impact of Climate Change on Employment:
- Beyond health risks, the report highlights the broader socioeconomic implications of climate change on employment.
- Climate change can lead to job losses, damage to business assets, decreased labor productivity, and forced migration.
- Sectors dependent on ecosystems, such as farming, forestry, and fishing, are particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change, threatening the livelihoods of millions of workers worldwide.
Conclusion:
- The ILO report underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to address the escalating risks posed by excessive heat and other climate change-related hazards in the workplace.
- Effective regulatory frameworks, enhanced safety protocols, and investments in adaptation strategies are essential to ensure the well-being of workers and safeguard global labor productivity in the face of climate change.
| About International Labour Organization |
|
| Practice Question: What are the key challenges faced by workers due to excessive heat exposure in the workplace, as highlighted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) report? Discuss the implications of these challenges and suggest measures to address them. (250 words/15 m) |
8. Meta Unveils Llama 3: Advanced AI Language Model Promises Breakthroughs in Virtual Assistance
| Topic: GS3 – Science & Technology – Development & their applications
This topic is relevant for both Prelims and Mains in the context of analyzing Llama 3 and its capabilities which provides insights into the latest advancements in AI, which is a crucial component of modern technology. |
| Context: |
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More about the news:
Features and Capabilities:
- Llama 3 builds upon the architecture of its predecessor, Llama 2, with enhancements in both pre-training and post-training processes.
- The models come in base and instruction-tuned versions, with the latter optimized for specific tasks, particularly in powering AI chatbots capable of engaging in conversations with users.
- Notably, Llama 3 supports context lengths of up to 8,000 tokens, enabling more interactions and complex input handling compared to previous versions.
- This expanded capacity allows for a broader range of content input and prompts from users, as well as more comprehensive responses from the model.
Performance and Benchmarking:
- According to Meta, Llama 3 represents a significant improvement over Llama 2, with enhanced capabilities in reasoning, code generation, and instruction making.
- The company asserts that its 8 billion and 70 billion-parameter models outperform other open-source AIs in benchmark evaluations.
- In comparative assessments, Llama 3 surpassed competitors like Google’s Gemma 7B and Mistral’s Mistral 7B across various benchmarks, including language understanding, question answering, multilingual ability evaluation, mathematical problem-solving, and code generation tasks.
Potential Use Cases:
- While Meta has not explicitly defined the specific use cases of Llama 3, its functionality suggests a broad range of applications.
- Similar to existing AI chatbots, Llama 3 can generate various forms of text, including poems, code, scripts, and musical pieces.
- Additionally, it demonstrates capabilities in summarizing factual topics and translating languages, indicating its versatility in diverse domains such as content creation, language processing, and information retrieval.
Conclusion:
- Llama 3 represents a significant advancement in AI technology, offering enhanced performance and capabilities compared to previous iterations.
- With its versatility and potential applications across multiple domains, it stands poised to further revolutionize the landscape of virtual assistants and natural language processing systems.
| About Large Language Model (LLMs) |
|
| PYQ: With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? (2020)
1) Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units 2) Create meaningful short stories and songs 3) Disease diagnosis 4) Text-to-Speech Conversion 5) Wireless transmission of electrical energy Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2, 4 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Ans: (b) |
| Practice Question: What are the key features and potential applications of Meta’s latest AI language model, Llama 3, and how does it represent a significant advancement in artificial intelligence technology? (250 words/15 m) |
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