24 April 2024 : Daily Current Affairs

The topic is crucial for UPSC as it reflects India’s strategy to promote EV manufacturing and address domestic market dynamics.

● Environmental Concerns: Transitioning to electric mobility is essential to reduce air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate climate change, addressing environmental challenges and improving public health.

● Energy Security: Electric vehicles (EVs) reduce dependence on fossil fuels, promote energy independence, and enhance energy security by utilizing renewable energy sources for transportation.

● Resource Conservation: Electric mobility reduces resource depletion and reliance on finite resources like oil and gas, conserving natural resources and promoting sustainability.

●  Technological Innovation: Adoption of electric vehicles fosters technological innovation, research, and development in clean energy technologies, driving economic growth and competitiveness.

● Global Trends: Aligning with global trends towards clean energy and sustainable transportation systems enhances India’s international reputation, competitiveness, and participation in the global green economy.

Challenges:

● Infrastructure: Lack of adequate charging infrastructure, including charging stations and battery swapping facilities, poses a challenge for widespread adoption of electric vehicles, requiring substantial investment and development.

●  Cost and Affordability: Higher upfront costs of electric vehicles compared to conventional vehicles, along with limited availability of affordable EV models, hinder mass adoption, requiring policy interventions and incentives.

● Range Anxiety: Concerns about limited driving range, battery range anxiety, and charging time for electric vehicles deter consumers from switching to EVs, necessitating advancements in battery technology and infrastructure.

●  Manufacturing Capacity: Scaling up manufacturing capacity for electric vehicles, batteries, and components requires investment, technology transfer, and skill development to meet growing demand and achieve economies of scale.

●  Consumer Awareness: Lack of awareness about the benefits of electric mobility, misconceptions about EV performance, and limited consumer education hinder market acceptance and adoption of electric vehicles.

● Policy and Regulatory Framework: Inconsistent policies, regulatory barriers, and taxation issues related to electric vehicles, including GST rates and import duties, create uncertainty and deter investment in the electric vehicle ecosystem.

Understanding the successes and failures of PMAY is crucial for analyzing housing policies and social welfare initiatives for UPSC.

● Duration: Originally aimed for completion by 2022, the scheme has been extended until December 2024 to ensure all sanctioned houses are completed without altering funding or implementation methods.

● Beneficiaries: Targets Economically Weaker Section (EWS), Low Income Group (LIG), and Middle Income Group (MIG) households, including slum dwellers, based on income criteria.

● Components:

•  In-situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR)Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS)
• Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP)
• Beneficiary-led Individual House Construction/Enhancement (BLC-N/BLC-E)

● Subsidies: CLSS offers interest subsidies on housing loans based on income and loan amounts.

● Central Nodal Agencies: HUDCO, NHB, and SBI oversee subsidy distribution and monitor progress.

●Woman Empowerment: PMAY-U promotes female ownership of houses.

Q. Discuss the various social problems which originated out of the speedy process of urbanisation in India. (200 words/10m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-1 2013)

Q. With a brief background of quality of urban life in India, introduce the objectives and strategy of the ‘Smart City Programme.” (200 words/12.5m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-1 2016)

The topic is crucial for UPSC as it assesses India’s human rights record and diplomatic implications in international relations.

● Trust Deficit: India may perceive the report as an intrusion into its internal affairs, leading to a trust deficit between the two nations.

● Policy Adjustments: India might adjust its foreign policy to counter the negative portrayal, possibly distancing itself from certain U.S. initiatives or seeking closer ties with other nations.

● Public Perception: The report could influence public opinion in both countries, affecting sentiments towards each other and shaping domestic political discourse.

● Trade and Investment: There could be implications for trade and investment, as investors and businesses may reconsider their engagement with India based on human rights considerations.

● Multilateral Cooperation: India might seek to strengthen its partnerships with other countries or international organizations to mitigate the impact of the report.

● Dialogue and Engagement: Both countries may engage in diplomatic dialogue to address the concerns raised in the report and find common ground for cooperation.

●Long-term Relations: The handling of human rights issues could impact the long-term trajectory of the India-U.S. relationship, shaping the dynamics of their strategic partnership.

The Nilgiri tahr census is vital for UPSC due to its relevance to environment, conservation, and biodiversity in India.

● IUCN Status: Endangered

● Habitat: Native to the Nilgiri Hills of the Western Ghats in southern India, inhabiting montane grasslands and shola forests.

● Description: A medium-sized ungulate, resembling a small antelope, with a slender body, short legs, and a distinctive dark brown coat.

● Diet: Primarily herbivorous, feeding on grasses, herbs, and shrubs found in its habitat.

● Status: Classified as Endangered by the IUCN due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and hunting pressure.

● Population: Estimated to be fewer than 3000 mature individuals, with a declining trend.

● Conservation: Protected under Indian law, efforts include habitat restoration, anti-poaching measures, and community involvement.

● Challenges: Fragmentation of its habitat due to human activities such as agriculture, infrastructure development, and illegal hunting.

● Ecological Importance: Plays a role in maintaining the biodiversity and ecological balance of its habitat through grazing and browsing activities.

●  Research: Ongoing studies focus on population dynamics, habitat requirements, and conservation strategies to ensure the survival of this unique species.

GS3 – Environment and Ecology – Environmental pollution and degradation

Critical for UPSC due to relevance in environmental studies, disaster management, and understanding climate change impacts on Himalayan ecosystems.

Critical for UPSC due to its relevance in consumer protection, public health, and governance in regulating advertising practices.

●  Consumer Trust: Misleading advertisements erode consumer trust in FMCG brands, leading to loss of credibility and loyalty among consumers.

●  Public Health Concerns: False claims about product benefits or efficacy can mislead consumers into making unhealthy choices or relying on ineffective products, posing risks to public health.

● Market Distortion: Misleading advertisements distort market competition by unfairly promoting certain products over others, undermining fair trade practices and market integrity.

● Legal Repercussions: FMCG companies engaging in misleading advertising practices may face legal consequences, including fines, penalties, and litigation, for violating consumer protection laws and regulations.

●  Brand Reputation: Misleading advertisements tarnish the reputation and credibility of FMCG brands, damaging long-term brand equity and goodwill.

●  Consumer Discontent: Misleading advertisements lead to consumer dissatisfaction and distrust, resulting in negative word-of-mouth publicity and potential loss of sales for FMCG companies.

Way Forward:

● Regulatory Oversight: Strengthen enforcement of advertising standards and regulations to prevent misleading advertisements, with stricter penalties for violations.

●  Transparency and Accountability: FMCG companies should ensure transparency and accountability in their advertising practices, providing accurate and truthful information to consumers.

●  Consumer Education: Promote consumer education and awareness about deceptive advertising tactics, empowering consumers to identify and avoid misleading advertisements.

●  Industry Self-Regulation: FMCG industry associations can establish self-regulatory mechanisms and codes of conduct to monitor advertising practices and address complaints from consumers.

● Ethical Marketing: FMCG companies should prioritise ethical marketing practices, avoiding misleading claims and focusing on genuine product benefits and value propositions.

● Corporate Social Responsibility: Demonstrate commitment to corporate social responsibility by promoting honest and transparent advertising, contributing to consumer welfare and trust-building efforts.

This topic is relevant for both Prelims and Mains in the context of knowing facts about inflation dynamics, economic growth trajectory, and the impact of external factors like adverse weather conditions and geopolitical conflicts.

• The article from the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) monthly bulletin highlights potential threats to inflation in the near term.
• Adverse weather conditions and extended geopolitical conflicts can lead to volatility in crude oil prices, posing risks to inflation dynamics.
• The Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation has recently gravitated to 4.9 percent in March, after averaging 5.1 percent in the preceding two months.
• The article underscores concerns about food inflation remaining elevated, despite some signs of moderation, indicating a potential source of risk to the disinflation trajectory.

• Inflation erodes the purchasing power of money, meaning that with the same amount of money, individuals can buy fewer goods and services.
• For example, if inflation is 5%, a product that cost Rs 100 last year would cost Rs 105 this year.
• This decrease in purchasing power can impact the standard of living for individuals and reduce the real value of savings.
• Interest Rates and Investment:
• Central banks often respond to inflation by raising interest rates. Higher interest rates can increase the cost of borrowing for businesses and individuals, potentially slowing down investment and economic growth.
• For example, if interest rates rise, the cost of mortgage loans increases, affecting the housing market and construction industry. This leads to the Twin Balance Sheet Problem.
• Uncertainty and Planning Challenges:
•  High or unpredictable inflation can create uncertainty in the economy. Businesses may find it challenging to plan for the future when prices are constantly changing.
• Long-term planning becomes difficult, and uncertainty can lead to hesitancy in making investment decisions. This forces the government to spur the investments and leads to crowding-out effects.
• Speculative Behavior and Asset Prices:
• Inflation can sometimes lead to speculative behavior in financial markets as investors seek assets that can provide returns exceeding the inflation rate. This can contribute to asset price bubbles.
• For example, during periods of high inflation, real estate prices may surge as investors view real assets as a hedge against inflation as witnessed during the 2008 financial crisis in the US in SubPrime Lending.
• Social and Political Consequences:
• Persistent and high inflation can have social and political consequences. It may lead to public dissatisfaction, protests, and demands for wage increases.
• Governments facing high inflation may implement policies to address these concerns, but the effectiveness of such measures can vary and may have broader economic implications.
• For example, in countries like Sri Lanka, Venezuela, Zimbabwe etc.

1) Cut and optimize the Statutory Liquidity Ratio

2) Increase the Marginal Standing Facility Rate

3) Cut the Bank Rate and Repo Rate

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(A) 1 and 2 only

(B) 2 only

(C) 1 and 3 only

(D) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: B

GS3 – Environment- Environment Pollution and Degradation

This topic is relevant for both Prelims and Mains in the context of understanding the impact of extreme weather events, such as floods, storms, and heatwaves, on different regions of Asia which provides valuable insights into environmental challenges faced by countries in the region.

• The recent report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) sheds light on Asia’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, with 79 such events affecting over nine million people and claiming over 2,000 lives in 2023.
• Floods and storms accounted for over 80 percent of the reported hydrometeorological hazards, with storms causing the most economic damage and affecting the largest number of people.
• Notably, although the number of disasters was only slightly lower than in 2022, the impact on affected populations was significantly reduced compared to the devastating Pakistan floods of the previous year.

• Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, such as through variations in the solar cycle.
• But since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.
• Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket wrapped around the Earth, trapping the sun’s heat and raising temperatures.
• Increasing temperatures caused by climate change are accelerating the melting of ice, which raises sea levels and leads to flooding and erosion.

This topic is relevant for both Prelims and Mains in the context of knowing facts about the issue of ethylene oxide contamination which involves understanding scientific concepts related to pesticide classification, chemical properties, and their impact on human health.

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced plans to conduct checks on products of spice brands MDH and Everest Group following reports from authorities in Hong Kong and Singapore regarding high levels of ethylene oxide in four of their spice mixes.
• An FSSAI official emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of products consumed by the Indian population and stated the need to verify whether this contaminant is present in products available in the Indian market.

• Ethylene oxide (EO) is an important organic compound widely used in various industrial processes.
• Chemical Structure and Properties:
• Chemical Formula: C2H4O
•  Molecular Weight:05 g/mol
• Physical State: Ethylene oxide is a colorless gas at room temperature and pressure.
• Boiling Point:7°C
• Melting Point: -111.3°C
• Density:52 g/cm³ (at 0°C)
• Production Methods:
• Ethylene oxide is primarily produced by the catalytic oxidation of ethylene. Two main methods are commonly used:
• Direct Oxidation: Ethylene and oxygen are reacted over a silver catalyst at high temperatures (around 250-300°C) and pressures (around 1-2 MPa).
• Chlorohydrin Process: Ethylene reacts with hypochlorous acid or its salts to form ethylene chlorohydrin, which is then treated with a base to produce ethylene oxide.
• Uses:
• Ethylene oxide finds extensive application in various industries due to its versatility:
• Sterilization: It is widely used for sterilizing medical equipment and supplies due to its ability to penetrate packaging and kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi.Chemical Intermediates: Ethylene oxide is a precursor to many other chemicals, including ethylene glycol, which is used in antifreeze and polyester production.
• Surfactants: It is used in the production of surfactants for detergents, cosmetics, and personal care products.
• Textiles: Ethylene oxide is used for treating textiles to impart wrinkle resistance and shrink resistance.
• Pesticides: It serves as a raw material for manufacturing certain pesticides.
• Challenges:
• Flammability: Ethylene oxide is highly flammable and can form explosive mixtures with air.
• Toxicity: It is highly toxic and a known carcinogen. Prolonged exposure to ethylene oxide vapor can cause respiratory irritation, headaches, nausea, and, in severe cases, central nervous system depression and damage.
• ·Reactivity: Ethylene oxide is reactive with many materials, including metals, leading to corrosion and degradation.
• Handling: Proper ventilation, personal protective equipment (PPE), and engineering controls are necessary when handling ethylene oxide to minimize exposure risks.
• Environmental Impact:
•  Air Pollution: Emissions of ethylene oxide contribute to air pollution and can form smog.
• Water Pollution: Discharges of ethylene oxide into water bodies can harm aquatic life.
• Global Warming Potential: Ethylene oxide is a greenhouse gas with a high global warming potential.