Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 13th September 2024

Mithun : Spotted

Bovine animal Mithun has been spotted in Assam for the first time, the Chief Minister said recently.

• Mithun or gayal (Bos frontalis) is a heavily built, semi-domesticated bovine species.
• Mithun is believed to have originated more than 8000 years ago and is considered to be a descendant of wild Indian gauror bison.
• It is known as the ‘cattle of the mountain’.
• The highest concentration of mithuns in the world is spread over the North Eastern (NE) region of India, with Arunachal Pradesh having the highest population.
• It is also found in parts of Southeast Asia, viz., Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Bhutan.
• The geographic zone is covered with tropical evergreen rainforests.
• It is the state animal of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
• The ‘Soulung’ festival is observed annually by the Adi tribes of Arunachal Pradesh to commensurate the birth and arrival of Mithun on this earth.

Gram Nyayalayas:

The Supreme Court recently said the establishment of Gram Nyayalayas across the country would help improve access to justice.

• Gram Nyayalayas, or village courts, are established under the Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008, for speedy and easy access to the justice system in the rural areas of India.
• The Act extends to the whole of India, except to the States of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim and the tribal areas specified in the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India.
• Gram Nyayalayas is aimed at providing inexpensive justice to people in rural areas at their doorsteps.
• The State governments have been vested with the authority of setting up one or more nyayalayas, after proper consultation with the respective High Court, in every Panchayat at the intermediate level or group of adjacent Panchayats at the intermediate level of a district.
• However, the Act does not make setting up of Gram Nyayalayas mandatory.
• Section 4 of the Act provides for the headquarters of the gram nyayalaya to be situated in the respective Panchayat or some other place notified by the state government.

Soyuz Spacecraft:

A Soyuz spacecraft carrying two Russians and an American docked at the International Space Station (ISS) recently, a little more than three hours after its launch.

• The Soyuz (saw-yooz) is a Russian spacecraft.
• The Soyuz programme is the longest operational human spacecraft programme in the history of space exploration.
• Russian crew members are called cosmonauts. NASA crew members from the United States are called astronauts. Crew members from Europe, Canada, and Japan are also called astronauts.
• The Soyuz takes cosmonauts and astronauts to and from the ISS.
• The Soyuz spacecraft weighs 7 tonnes; they measure 7.2 m in length and 2.7 m in diameter. A Soyuz has room for three people to ride in it.
• The spacecraft also brings food, water, and other essential supplies to the ISS.
• The Soyuz serves a dual purpose, acting as a transportation vehicle and a safety measure.
• At least one Soyuz remains docked to the space station at all times, ready to serve as an emergency escape pod should the need arise, allowing the crew to quickly evacuate and return to Earth.
• The Soyuz spacecraft consists of three distinct modules, each serving a specific purpose.
• The Orbital Module, comparable in size to a large van, provides living quarters for the crew during their time in orbit and can connect directly to the space station.
• The Descent Module, as its name suggests, is utilized by the crew during the launch phase and the return journey to Earth.
• It is specifically designed to withstand the rigors of re-entry and ensure a safe landing.
• The third module houses the spacecraft’s critical life support systems, including batteries, solar panels, and steering engines, all of which are essential for the Soyuz’s operation and the crew’s well-being.
• The Soyuz capsule is propelled into space by a Soyuz rocket, with the two components separating once the spacecraft reaches orbit.
• While the rocket returns to Earth, the capsule continues its journey, remarkably reaching space in a mere nine minutes.

Ahaetulla Longirostris : New Snake Species

A new snake species with an unusually long snout, Ahaetulla Longirostris, has been discovered in India.

• Ahaetulla Longirostris is a new snake species with a remarkably long snout.
• The species, named the long-snouted vine snake (Ahaetulla Longirostris), was identified after two specimens were found in vastly different regions, Bihar in the eastern part of the country and Meghalaya in the northeastern region.
• It is notable for its slender, elongated body and striking colouration.
• These snakes can grow up to 4 feet in length and are typically bright green or orange-brown, with an orange belly.
• Their unique physical features, especially the long snout, distinguish them from other vine snakes.
• The head of this snake is triangular, and the snout is extended from the head and measures about 18% of the length of the head.
• The species has been observed inhabiting not only forests but also human-dominated areas, such as cities and urban landscapes, showcasing their adaptability to various environments.

National Florence Nightingale Award:

The President of India presented the National Florence Nightingale Awards for the year 2024.

• National Florence Nightingale Award was instituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India in the year 1973.
• The award is given to outstanding nursing personnel employed in Central, State/UTs and Voluntary Organizations.
• It was awarded as a mark of recognition for the meritorious services rendered by the nurses and nursing professionals to the society.
• The nurse in her/his regular job in the hospital or community settings, educational or administrative setting is eligible for the national award.
• Each award consists of a Certificate of Merit, a Cash Award of 1,00,000/- and a medal.
• Florence Nightingale was an English social reformer, statistician and the founder of modern nursing.

Trade Connect e-Platform:

The Union Minister for Commerce and Industry launched the Trade Connect e-platform.

• Trade Connect e-Platform is a new digital initiative aimed at transforming the landscape of international trade for Indian exporters, especially MSMEs (Medium, Small and Medium Enterprises).
• It will connect Indian Exporters, MSMEs and Entrepreneurs with various stakeholders including Indian Missions Abroad, Export Promotion Councils, and other Partner Government Agencies.
• The platform will provide information on trade events taking place in different parts of the world, benefits available due to India’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and other international trade-related information and data.
• The platform, developed in collaboration with key partners including the Ministry of MSME, EXIM Bank, Department of Financial Services (DFS) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
• This initiative aligns with the government’s broader vision of promoting a Digital India, fostering greater transparency, and empowering businesses by providing them with seamless access to crucial trade information.
• It will reduce the costs, lead times and complexities associated with global trade, ultimately ensuring that Indian businesses can thrive in the international marketplace.

PM Surya Ghar—Muft Bijli Yojana:

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has come up with draft guidelines for the central financial assistance and payment security mechanism for the PM Surya Ghar—Muft Bijli Yojana.

• The union cabinet approved the Rs 75,000 crore PM Surya Ghar—Muft Bijli Yojana to benefit 1 crore families in February 2024.
• The draft guidelines have been issued under the renewable energy services company (RESCO) model and utility led asset (ULA) model of the rooftop solar scheme—‘PM Surya Ghar—Muft Bijli Yojana’.
• Renewable Energy Services Company (RESCO) Model: RESCO develops and owns the rooftop solar system installed on the consumer’s rooftop for at least five years.
• The RESCO also makes all the operational expenditures required for the maintenance of the plant, as needed.
• Customers pay the RESCO for the electricity generated and receive net metering benefits on their electricity bill.
• The RESCO may enter into an arrangement with a distribution company (discom) for the sale of generated power to the grid under a power purchase agreement.
• Utility led Asset (ULA) Model: Under it, a state discom owns the rooftop solar systems for the project period of at least of five years, after which the ownership is transferred to the household.

PM Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana:

• It is a central scheme to promote the adoption of solar rooftop systems by providing substantial financial subsidies and ensuring ease of installation.
• It aims to provide free electricity to one crore households in India, who opt to install roof top solar electricity units.
• The households will be able to get 300 units of electricity free every month.

PM E-DRIVE Scheme:

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister of India has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) for the implementation of a scheme titled PM E-DRIVE Scheme’.

• PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme has an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore over a period of two years for the promotion of electric mobility in the country.
• Components of the scheme
• The scheme allocates Rs 3,679 crore to incentivise the purchase of electric two-wheelers (e-2Ws), three-wheelers (e-3Ws), electric ambulances, trucks, and other emerging EV categories.
• Buyers of electric vehicles will be issued an e-voucher under the scheme to avail demand incentives. The e-voucher will be Aadhaar-authenticated and sent to the buyer’s registered mobile number after the purchase.
• A budget of Rs 500 crore has been allocated to deploy electric ambulances. This new initiative aims to provide comfortable and environmentally friendly patient transport.
• Under this component Rs 500 crore has been allocated to promote the deployment of e-trucks, a major contributor to air pollution.
• Those who hold a scrapping certificate from authorised MoRTH Vehicle Scrapping Centres (RVSFs) will be eligible for the incentives.
• To address range anxiety and support the growth of electric vehicles, Rs 2,000 crore will be used to install public charging stations (EVPCS) in cities with high EV penetration and along selected highways.

Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India Pipeline:

Afghanistan is set to begin work on the long-awaited Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline, a landmark USD 10 billion project that promises to enhance regional energy connectivity and drive economic development.

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month:

The American Association for Cancer Research, the world’s oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to cancer research, has recognized September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.This month is dedicated to raising awareness about this deadly gynecological cancer.

Exercise Varuna : 22nd edition

The 22nd edition of the India-France bilateral naval exercise VARUNA took place in the Mediterranean Sea. INS Tabar, a frontline stealth frigate, ship borne Helicopter and LRMR Aircraft P8I participated from the Indian side, while French side was represented by FS Provence, Submarine Suffren, Aircraft F20; Atlantique2, fighters MB339 and NH90 Dauphin helicopters.
These joint-exercises are conducted either in the Indian Ocean or the Mediterranean Sea.

Cabinet Approves PM-eBus Sewa-Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) Scheme:

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the PM-eBus Sewa-Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) scheme with a budget of INR 3,435.33 crore. This initiative is designed to promote the deployment and operation of electric buses (e-buses) by Public Transport Authorities (PTAs) from FY 2024-25 to FY 2028-29

Maharashtra to establish Tribal University in Nashik:

The governor of Maharashtra Shri. C. P. Radhakrishnan has announced in the event that Maharashtra state will establish the tribal university for the development of tribal students and for their better future.

Singapore literature prize for English fiction:

Prasanthi Ram (32), who was an Indian origin lecturer from the University of Nanyang technological University won the Singapore literature prize for English fiction for her short story -’Nine Yard Sarees’ and it was her debut work which was published at the end of year 2023.

2nd Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference:

Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, inaugurated the 2nd Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation (APMC) at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 11th September. Along with him, the Union Minister for State also attended the event.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Inaugurates SEMICON India 2024:

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated SEMICON India 2024 at India Expo Mart in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, on September 11, 2024. The three-day conference, running from September 11 to 13, showcases India’s semiconductor strategy and policy with the aim of positioning the country as a global semiconductor hub.