Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 7th November 2024

International Energy Agency : Study

The global market for clean energy technologies is set to rise from $700 billion in 2023 to more than $2 trillion by 2035 – close to the value of the world’s crude oil market in recent years, says a first-of-its-kind study by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

• International Energy Agency (IEA) is an autonomous intergovernmental organisation within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) framework.
• It works with governments and industry to shape a secure and sustainable energy future for all.
• It was created in response to the 1973-1974 oil crisis when an oil embargo by major producers pushed prices to historic levels and exposed the vulnerability of industrialised countries to dependency on oil imports.
• It was founded in 1974 to ensure the security of oil supplies.
• IEA’s mandate has expanded over time to include tracking and analyzing global key energy trends, promoting sound energy policy, and fostering multinational energy technology cooperation.
• It is the global energy authority, providing data, analysis, and solutions on all fuels and all technologies.
• In recent years, the IEA has also focused on renewable energy and initiatives focused on environmental protection and stopping climate change.
• It is made up of 31 member countries, 13 association countries, and 5 accession countries.

Common Cat Snake : Discovered

The elusive common cat snake was recently discovered in the Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Bihar.

• Common Cat Snake, also known as Indian gamma snake, is a species of rear-fanged snake endemic to South Asia.
• Scientific Name: Boiga trigonata
• In India, it is found all over the country, excluding north-east states after Sikkim; it is also, not found in Indian islands.
• It can be found in almost all kinds of forests and wide ranges of elevations.
• While venomous, the Common Cat Snake’s venom is not considered highly dangerous to humans. It primarily uses its venom to subdue prey.
• It is a medium-sized snake that is usually found in the 70-100 cm range.
• Its body is slender, thin, and bears a thin tail.
• Its upper body colour is grey-brown, with cream-coloured irregular markings, margined with black colour.
• Its underside is yellow-white or yellow-brown.
• Its head is large, triangular-shaped, and distinctly broader than the neck.
• Unlike other cat snakes of its range, this species bears characteristic “gamma” or “Y”-shaped marking that helps in its quick identification on the field.
• Lifespan: 12-20 years
• Diet: It primarily consists of small vertebrates.
• IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Minuteman III Missile:

The US army would be carrying out a test launch of a Minuteman III hypersonic nuclear missile hours after voting close on Election Day.

• The LGM-30G Minuteman III is an American Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
• “L” in LGM is the US Department of Defense designation for silo-launched; “G” means surface attack; and “M” stands for guided missile.
• It first became operational in the early 1970s.
• It is the sole land-based component of the U.S. nuclear triad.
• It was designed and manufactured by the Boeing Corporation.
• Originally, it was only supposed to be kept in service for about ten years, but instead, it has been modernized as its replacement, the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), is due to become available for use in 2029.
• It was the first U.S. missile fitted withmultiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs).
• The United States currently has an estimated 440 Minuteman III missiles in its arsenal.
• It is a three-stage, solid-fuel missile.
• The missile is 18.2 m long with a diameter of 1.85 m and a launch weight of 34,467 kg.
• Speed: Approximately 15,000 mph (Mach 23 or 24,000 kph) at burnout (Hypersonic).
• It has a maximum range of 13,000 km and is capable of carrying a payload of three re-entry vehicles.
• It now carries a single nuclear warheadpursuant to arms control agreements between the United States and Russia.
• The Minuteman missiles are dispersed in hardened silos and connected to an underground launch control center through a system of hardened cables.
• It has a fast launch time, nearly 100 percent testing reliability, and backup airborne launch controllers to preserve retaliatory capabilities.

IL-35 Protein:

Scientists at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) in Guwahati, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, have discovered a specific protein IL-35 that can aid in new treatments for type I and autoimmune diabetes mellitus.

• IL-35 Protein is a specific protein of IL-12α and IL-27β chains.
• It helps protect against type 1 and autoimmune diabetes.
• It regulates macrophage activation, T-cell proteins and regulatory B cells.
• It inhibited pancreatic beta cell-attacking immune cells. Additionally, IL-35 lowered particular immune cells that produce inflammatory chemicals, reducing pancreatic cell infiltration, a key contributor in type 1 diabetes and autoimmune diabetes mellitus.
• Autoimmune diabetes mellitus or T1DM is an organ-specific autoimmune disease.\
• It affects the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells after an inflammatory process, leading to a chronic deficiency of insulin in genetically susceptible individuals.
• It ultimately results in lifelong dependence on exogenous insulin.
• It is a complex multifactorial diseasein which both genetic susceptibility and environmental factors promote the autoimmune responses against beta cells.
• Several environmental risk factors have been suggested as candidate triggers of islet autoimmunity, including certain viruses higher birthweight, infant weight gain, dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and various dietary factors (e.g., vitamin D deficiency, omega-3 fatty acid deficiency, high milk consumption)
• There are no preventive or immunosuppressive therapies that can prevent damage or disease manifestations.

PM Vishwakarma Yojana:

More than two million applications have been successfully registered under the PM Vishwakarma scheme which was launched in 2023.

• PM Vishwakarma Yojana is a central sector scheme launched by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.
• It offers services like market linkage support, skill training, and incentives for digital transactions to artisans and craftspeople engaged in specified trades.
• Time period: Five years (FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28).
• Aim is to strengthen and nurture the Guru-Shishya parampara, or family-based practice of traditional skills by artisans and craftspeople working with their hands and tools.
• The scheme also aims at improving the quality as well as the reach of the products and services of artisans and craftspeople and to ensure that the Vishwakarmas are integrated with the domestic and global value chains.
• It is available for rural and urban artisans and craftsmen across India.
• It covers 18 traditional crafts such as Boat Maker; Armourer; Blacksmith; Hammer and Tool Kit Maker; etc.
• Five lakh families will be covered in the first year and 30 lakh families over five years.

Exercise VINBAX 2024:

The Exercise “VINBAX 2024” is scheduled to be conducted from 04 to 23 November 2024 at Ambala and Chandimandir.

• Exercise VINBAX 2024 is a bilateral army exercise conducted between India and Vietnam.
• This edition marks a significant increase in the scope with Bi Service level participation for the first time by personnel of Army and Air Force from both the countries.
• The Indian Army contingent comprising 47 personnel is being represented by a Regiment of the Corps of Engineers along with personnel from other arms and services.
• VINBAX-2024 aims to enhance the joint military capability of both sides in the employment and deployment of Engineer Companies and Medical Teams to undertake engineering tasks as part of the United Nations Contingent in Peace peacekeeping operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
• The conduct of VINBAX-2024 as a field training exercise with enhanced scope from previous editions of bilateral exercise will strengthen mutual confidence, interoperability and enable sharing of best practices between the Indian Army and Vietnam People’s Army.
• A 48 hours Validation Exercise with Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief demonstration and equipment display is also part of the schedule to assess the standards achieved by both contingents
• The joint exercise will also provide an opportunity to the troops of both the Contingents to learn about the social and cultural heritages of each other.

Russian Soyuz rocket successfully launched two Iranian satellites:

A Russian Soyuz rocket successfully launched two Iranian satellites, Kowsar and Hodhod, into orbit from the Vostochny Cosmodrome.

• Moscow and Tehran have been deepening their ties in defense, technology, and energy, planning to establish a “comprehensive strategic partnership” during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s upcoming visit to Russia.
• Both countries have faced Western accusations that Iran is supplying Russia with explosive drones for use in Ukraine, although both have denied this.
• Iranian Satellites:
  • Kowsar: Developed for Earth observation to support environmental monitoring and agriculture.
  • Hodhod: Aimed at gathering data for research and development to strengthen Iran’s private space sector.
• Khayyam and Pars-1, launched in 2022 and 2023, were part of Iran’s national space expansion for civilian purposes.

Maha Kumbh Mela 2025:

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj will be held from January 13 to February 26, drawing millions of pilgrims to perform sacred rituals and seek spiritual liberation

• Maha Kumbh Mela rooted in Hindu mythology, the Maha Kumbh Mela began as a pilgrimage tradition thousands of years ago, with early references in Maurya and Gupta periods (4th century BCE to 6th century CE).
• Occurs every 12 years, rotating between four locations — Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik — each with its sacred rivers: Ganges, Yamuna, Shipra, and Godavari.
• Prayagraj hosts the Mela at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati, considered highly auspicious for spiritual cleansing.
• Recognized as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, it represents a quest for spiritual purity, unity, and self-realization, attracting diverse pilgrims, sadhus, and international seekers.

Cia-Cia Tribe : In News

The Cia-Cia tribe on Buton Island, Indonesia, is using Hangul, the Korean alphabet, to document and preserve their indigenous language, which has survived orally for centuries but lacks its own script.

• Cia-Cia tribe is Indigenous community in Buton Island, Indonesia, with a population of around 93,000.
• The Cia-Cia language has existed orally for centuries without a formal script, making it vulnerable to extinction.
• Preservation efforts: To prevent language loss, Cia-Cia is being transcribed using Hangul, which aligns closely with its phonetic structure.

Hangul Script:

• Known for its unique phonetic system of circles and lines, representing sounds clearly.
• Adoption for Cia-Cia: Introduced in 2009 for Cia-Cia as Arabic script did not suit the language’s sounds.
• Implementation: Used in schools, textbooks, and public signs in Cia-Cia areas.
• Cultural concerns: While some fear cultural influence, others believe the adaptation helps preserve Cia-Cia’s uniqueness.

Ranthambore National Park : Many Tigers Disappeared

As many as 25 tigers, out of a population of around 75 in the tiger reserve in Ranthambore National Park (RNP) in Rajasthan, have “disappeared” within the last year.

• Ranthambore Tiger Reserve currently holds around 75 tigers in a space suitable for about 40, leading to intense competition.
• Due to overcrowding, many tigers engage in territorial disputes, sometimes resulting in fatal conflicts.
• The proximity of villages in the buffer zone exacerbates human-tiger conflicts, creating challenges for coexistence.
• Monitoring gaps, as revealed by missing tigers in camera traps, have underscored the need for consistent surveillance.
• Slow relocation efforts of villages around RNP have hampered mitigation of human-animal conflicts.

Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR):

• At the junction of the Aravallis and Vindhyas in eastern Rajasthan, near Sawai Madhopur.
• Area: Spans 1,411 sq. km, one of northern India’s largest tiger reserves.
• History: Former royal hunting grounds for Jaipur’s Maharajas.
• Geography: Features steep rocky hills, lakes (Padam Talab, Raj Bagh Talab), and rivers Chambal and Banas, with the Great Boundary Fault.
• Flora: Tropical dry deciduous and thorn forests; dominated by Dhok trees and grasslands.
• Fauna: Hosts tigers, leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, and over 250 bird species.

Four elephants were found dead : Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR)

India has the largest number of wild Asian Elephants, estimated at 29,964 according to the 2017 census by Project Elephant.
Karnataka has the highest number of elephants, followed by Assam and Kerala.
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve:It is located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh and is spread over the Vindhya hills.
It holds significant historical importance, evidenced by the presence of the renowned Bandhavgarh Fort, along with numerous caves, rock paintings, and carvings throughout the protected area.

Increase in rural wages:

The Indian economy and farm sector have grown at an average annual rate of 4.6% and 4.2% respectively from 2019-20 to 2023-24 but it has not led to an increase in rural wages. Nominal Wages: From April 2019 to August 2024, rural wages grew at an average annual rate of 5.2% nominally (actual amount without adjusting for inflation). For agricultural wages specifically, nominal growth was slightly higher at 5.8%, reflecting stronger demand or labour dynamics in agriculture. Real Wages: From April 2019 to August 2024, real wage growth (wage adjusted for inflation) for rural workers overall was negative at -0.4%, while agricultural wages posted a modest 0.2% increase.

Minimum Dietary Diversity:

According to a recent study, 77% of children in India aged 6-23 months do not meet the dietary diversity standards recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), with the country’s central region having the highest rates of minimum dietary diversity failure. Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD) refers to a recommended standard set by the WHO for children aged 6-23 months.
It suggests that within 24 hours, children should consume foods and beverages from at least five of the eight defined food groups.

Balfour Declaration:

The Balfour Declaration completed 107 years which was issued on 2nd November, 1917.The Balfour Declaration (named after Arthur James Balfour, British Foreign Secretary) was a public statement issued by the British government during World War I.
It supported the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine which was then an Ottoman region with a small Jewish minority population. This declaration was issued to ensure Jewish safety amid rising persecution in Europe.

Moldova as pro-Western President Maia Sandu won:

Moldova as pro-Western President Maia Sandu won a second term in a highly contested presidential runoff. With the country divided over its future alignment—whether closer to the European Union or maintaining ties with Russia—the election was marred by allegations of interference, vote-buying, and intimidation.

PM-Vidyalaxmi scheme:

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the PM-Vidyalaxmi scheme on November 6, 2024, aimed at providing financial support to meritorious students seeking higher education. The scheme ensures collateral-free, guarantor-free loans for students enrolling in top 860 Quality Higher Education Institutions (QHEIs) across India, covering tuition fees and other educational expenses

Equity infusion of ₹10,700 crore:

The Union Cabinet approved an equity infusion of ₹10,700 crore for the Food Corporation of India (FCI) on Wednesday. This move is expected to reduce FCI’s dependency on high-interest debt for funding its large-scale food distribution efforts. It aligns with the government’s ongoing strategy to enhance food security and minimize subsidy burdens.

Max Verstappen’s phenomenal win at the Brazil Grand Prix:

Max Verstappen’s phenomenal win at the Brazil Grand Prix has left the Formula 1 world in awe. Despite starting in 17th place, Verstappen stormed to victory under challenging rain-soaked conditions at Sao Paulo’s Interlagos circuit.

Donald Trump Set to Back in the White House as 47th President of USA:

Donald Trump has clinched a critical victory in Wisconsin, securing 276 electoral votes—well above the 270 needed—to reclaim the White House as America’s 47th president. Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd in West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump expressed gratitude for the “extraordinary honor” bestowed upon him by the American people, acknowledging his unique role as both the 45th and now the 47th president.