Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 17th August 2024

Prerana Programme:

The Union Minister of Education interacted with students, teachers, parents of PM SHRI Schools and alumni of Prerana Programmes.

• Prerana Programme was launched in January 2024 by the Union Education Ministry.
• It is driven by a strong commitment to integrate principles of the Indian education system and the philosophy of value-based education which is a cornerstone of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Prerana is a week-long residential program for selected students of class IX to XII.
• It is an experiential and inspirational learning program for students with the best-in-class technology where heritage meets innovation.
• A batch of 20 selected students (10 boys and 10 girls) attend the program every week from various parts of the country.
• Prerana program is running from a Vernacular School, established in 1888 in Vadnagar, Mehsana District, Gujarat.
• The curriculum of Prerana School prepared by IIT Gandhi Nagar is rooted in 9 value based themes:
• Swabhiman and Vinay, Shaurya and Sahas, Parishram and Samarpan, Karuna and Sewa, Vividhta and Ekta, Satyanishtha and Shuchita, Navachar and Jigyasa, Shraddha aur Vishwas, Swatantrata and Kartavya.
• The program based on above themes will inspire the youth and foster respect for Bharat’s unity in diversity, embodying the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

Gastrodia indica : Discovery

A unique orchid species- Gastrodia indica was recently discovered in Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary, Sikkim.

• Gastrodia indica is the first orchid from India that never opens its flower.
• The orchid was found at an elevation of 1,950–2,100 metres above sea level.
• This is the first cleistogamous species of the genus Gastrodia discovered from India.
• The Gastrodia genus is known for terrestrial, herbaceous, and holomycotrophic orchids.
• Cleistogamous plants are highly specialized, as they do not depend on external pollinators like insects or wind for reproduction.
• Holomycotrophic species like Gastrodia indica rely entirely on a fungal host for sustenance, lacking chlorophyll and drawing carbon from underground fungi.
• It is morphologically allied to G. exilis & G.dyeriana but critical examination revealed considerable differences in floral morphological characters.
• This new species thrives in dense, rotten leaf litter and is associated with trees such as Magnolia doltsopa, Acer campbelli, and Quercus lamellose.
• The discovery adds to India’s botanical diversity, bringing the total number of Gastrodia species in the country to 10.
• Threats: Gastrodia indica faces potential threats due to its limited population and specific habitat requirements.

Geneva Conventions : 75 years

August 12 marked 75 years since the adoption of the Geneva Conventions in 1949.

• Geneva Conventions are a set of four treaties which include more than 400 articles, setting out detailed rules for the treatment of prisoners, protecting hospitals and medical staff, allowing humanitarian aid and prohibiting torture, rape and sexual violence.
• It was formalised in 1949 by the United Nations.
• There are three additional protocols, the first two of which were formalised in 1977 and the third in 2005.
• The focus of the Conventions is the treatment of non-combatants and prisoners of war and not the use of conventional or biological and chemical weapons, the use of which is governed respectively by The Hague Conventions and the Geneva Protocol.

AIM-174B Missile:

The US Navy has introduced the AIM-174B aiming to counter China’s aerial dominance.

• AIM-174B Missile is an air-launched variant of the versatile SM-6 missile of the US Navy.
• It became operational in July, 2024 and is derived by Raytheon, an Aerospace and defense company.
• It is an extremely long-range air-to-air missile.
• It is capable of striking targets up to 400 km (250 miles) away and it surpasses the range of China’s PL-15 missile.
• It has been deployed in the Indo-Pacific region. This deployment is part of a broader strategy to enhance US power projection as tensions in the region escalate.
• It is an engaging high-priority ground targets, such as air defence sites and warships, functioning in a quasi-ballistic manner.
• One of the significant advantages of the AIM-174B is its ability to fly several times farther than the AIM-120 AMRAAM, the previous long-range US missile.
• The AIM-174B retains the surface strike capability of the SM-6, making it useful for targeting large maritime vessels.
• The AIM-174B allows the US to keep PLA carrier-hunting aircraft out of firing range and even threaten Chinese planes attacking Taiwan.

Californium : Seized By Bihar Police

Bihar police have seized approximately 50 grams of californium, a highly radioactive element.

• Californium is a silvery-white synthetic radioactive metal with the atomic number 98 on the periodic table.
• It was first synthesised in 1950 by a team at the University of California, Berkeley.
• The element is named after the American state of California and the university where it was discovered.
• It is not found naturally and is produced through nuclear reactions, specifically by bombarding curium with helium ions.
• It is known for its intense radioactivity and is considered both valuable and hazardous.
• Californium is a member of the actinide series in the periodic table.
• The element’s most notable isotopes include Cf-251, which has a half-life of 898 years and is the most stable, and Cf-249 and Cf-250, which have shorter half-lives.
• It is a very strong neutron emitter and is used in portable metal detectors for identifying gold and silver ores, to help identify water and oil layers in oil wells, and detect metal fatigue and stress in aeroplanes.
• Its primary applications include starting nuclear reactors, optimising coal power plants, and treating certain cancers.
• It is also used in radiography, gold prospecting, and as a neutron source in various industrial applications.

Captagon:

The trial of four men accused of being behind a record-breaking Captagon drug bust worth €58 million has begun in Germany.

• Captagon is a highly addictive amphetamine-type drug, which is produced mainly in Syria.
• The original Captagon contained fenethylline, a synthetic drug of the phenethylamine family to which amphetamine also belongs.
• It was commercially sold in several countries until the 1980s and was banned due to fears of its highly addictive nature.
• It is commonly known as “poor man’s cocaine,” has emerged as the drug of choice among young adults throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
• It is a synthetic drug which was originally manufactured in Germany in the 1960s and 1970s where it was intended to treat attention deficit disorders.
• The pill contains fenethylline, a synthetic amphetamine, caffeine, and other stimulants.
• Fenethylline is metabolized by the body into two molecules: amphetamine and theophylline, both of which are stimulants.
• It was made illegal in 1986 in most countries and discontinued in medical markets.
• It has become a major concern for countries in the Middle East like Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

New Ramsar Sites:

The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change informed that three more wetlands from India have been added to the list of Ramsar sites.

New Ramsar sites:

Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary

• It is situated along the north-eastern region of Uthukuli Taluk of Tiruppur District in Tamil Nadu.
• The lake falls under two villages (Sarkar Periyapalayam and Neruperichal).
• The lake got its name from the fact that it was repaired and restored by King Nanjarayan who ruled the region many centuries ago.

Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary

• It was declared as the 16th bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu in the year 2021.
• It is a brackish shallow lake located on the Coromandel Coast in Villupuram district, North of
• The lake is connected to the Bay of Bengal by the brackish Uppukalli creek and the Edayanthittu Estuary. Kazhuveli is one of the significant and biodiversity rich wetlands.
• The lake is one of the largest wetlands in peninsular India.
• The lake can be divided into three parts based on the water features viz., the estuarine part with brackish water, the Uppukali creek feeding the sea water and the Kazuveli basin with fresh water.
• This Bird Sanctuary lies in the Central Asian Flyway and is an important stopover site for migratory species of birds.

Tawa Reservoir

• It is the largest protected area in the state of Madhya
• It was constructed at the confluence of the Tawa and Denwa rivers.
• It is located inside the Satpura Tiger Reserve and forms the western boundary of the Satpura National Park and Bori Wildlife Sanctuary.

Watermarking On AI Generated Content:

ChatGPT-maker OpenAI developed a tool to detect whether its AI (Artificial Intelligence) chatbot has been used to write essays, research papers, or generate photos.

• To address issues concerning the authenticity and ownership of such content, leading technology companies like OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, Google, and Adobe are developing and implementing watermarking techniques.
• The AI watermarking technique is used to identify what’s AI-generated and what is an original work.
• It is a digital signature that serves as a unique identifier, akin to a fingerprint, allowing for the tracing of the AI model used to create the content back to its origin.
• It provides a reliable method for verifying the authenticity of digital files, crucial in combating deepfake videos, manipulated images, and deceptive media in a digitally-driven world.
• Integrating AI watermarking with blockchain and public key infrastructure ensures that any attempts to alter or manipulate content are detectable, preserving the integrity of digital records.
• By assuring the authenticity of media, AI watermarking helps content creators, distributors, and consumers combat misinformation and counterfeiting, bolstering trust and understanding of content provenance.

PM-PRANAM Initiative:

The Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers in reply to a question in the Lok Sabha provided information regarding the PM-PRANAM initiative of the government.

• PM-PRANAM stands for PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother-Earth.
• It was announced in the 2023-24 Budget by the Union government.
• Aim is To complement state/UT efforts to promote:
  • Sustainable and balanced use of fertilisers.
  • Encourage the adoption of alternative fertilisers.
  • Promote organic and natural farming practices.\
• Financial Mechanism: States and UTs that reduce their chemical fertiliser consumption compared to the past 3 years’ average will receive 50% of the savings from the fertiliser subsidy.
• This grant can be used for the benefit of the local population, including farmers.
• Fertiliser Types Covered: Urea, DAP (Diammonium Phosphate), NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium), and MOP (Muriate of Potash).
• Scope: All States and UTs in India.

Civil Registration System (CRS) Portal:

The centralised Civil Registration System (CRS) portal, responsible for registering births and deaths across India, has been facing significant technical issues, leading to widespread disruptions in the issuance of certificates.

• According to the 2023 Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, all births and deaths in India from 1st October 2023 will be digitally registered through the CRS portal.
• The digital birth certificates will serve as proof of date of birth for various services.
• The centralised database will update the National Population Register (NPR), ration cards, property registration and electoral rolls.
• The NPR, collected in 2010 and updated in 2015, has a database of 119 crore residents.
• So far, 23 States and six union territories have migrated to the new portal. States such as Tamil Nadu which have their own portals send the data compulsorily to the Centre in a real-time basis as mandated by the 2023 amendment.
• States have flagged issues in the CRS portal, such as slow performance, frequent error messages, and data syncing problems.
• These issues have caused delays in issuing certificates.

Lunisolar calendar : New Study

At the ancient site of Gobekli Tepe in southern Turkey, a researcher has identified what might be the world’s oldest lunisolar calendar, believed to track the movements of the moon and sun.

• The V-shaped markings on a stone pillar are thought to document a significant comet strike around 10,850 B.C., which had catastrophic effects on Earth, including triggering a 1,200-year ice age.0
• The carvings suggest that ancient people were sophisticated enough to record astronomical events, indicating the event’s profound importance to them.

Stonehenge’s Centre Stone:

Recent geochemical analysis reveals that Stonehenge’s central Altar Stone, a six-tonne sandstone slab, originated from the Orcadian Basin in northern Scotland, over 800 km from its current location in southern England.

• This discovery challenges previous beliefs that the stone came from southwest Wales, suggesting that the construction of Stonehenge involved a much broader geographical collaboration than previously thought.
• The journey of the Altar Stone, whether by land or sea, underscores the significant effort and purpose behind its transport, indicating a highly integrated Neolithic Britain.
• The exact reasons for and methods of this transportation remain unclear, but the findings suggest that Stonehenge was known and valued across a much wider area than previously understood, highlighting the complexity and ingenuity of prehistoric societies.

70th National Film Awards 2024:

The winners of the 70th National Film Awards are announced at the National Media Center in New Delhi on August 16, with the Malayalam film Aattam emerging as the Best Feature Film.

70th National Film Awards 2024 winners:

• Rishab Shetty won the Best Actor award for Kantara, the Best Actress honour was shared by Nithya Menen for Thiruchitrambalam and Manasi Parekh for The Kutch Express, respectively.
• The Best Director honour went to Sooraj Barjatya for his film, Uunchai. Ponniyin Selvan I, KGF 2, Brahmastra and Aparajito were among the other films which won awards at the ceremony.\
• The awards were announced by the chairperson of the Feature Film Jury, Rahul Rawail; Nila Madhab Panda,chairperson of the Non-Feature Film Jury; and Gangadhar Mudalair, chairperson of the Best Writing on Cinema Jury.

Galathea Bay – Great Nicobar Island:

A wildlife sanctuary in Galathea Bay, Great Nicobar Island, was denotified to clear the way for a transhipment port project.The area, a significant nesting site for endangered species like the giant leatherback turtle, was originally classified as a CRZ-1A zone, where large construction projects are prohibited.

UN Human Rights Team To Visit Bangladesh To Investigate Human Rights Violations:

A human rights team from the United Nations will visit Dhaka next week to discuss with the Bangladesh interim government, investigations into the human rights violations during the recent unrest in Bangladesh.

Thailand’s Youngest Prime Minister:

Thailand’s Parliament on August 16, elected Paetongtarn Shinawatra as their youngest Prime Minister, days after her father Thaksin Shinawatra was removed by a court order. On the campaign trail in rural Thailand last year, Paetongtarn Shinawatra reminded voters of her influential billionaire family’s legacy of populism in what was her electoral debut.

Urban Unemployment Rate Declines to 6.6% in Q1 FY25:

India’s urban unemployment rate slightly decreased to 6.6% in Q1 FY25 from 6.7% in Q4 FY24, as per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO).

“Haryana, Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir Election Dates Announced for 2024”:

Assembly elections for Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir will be held from September 18 to October 1, the Election Commission announced on August 16. While polling in Jammu and Kashmir will be held across three phases, Haryana will have one phase.

First Case Of The mpox Clade I Variant:

Sweden has confirmed its first case of the mpox Clade I variant, marking the first occurrence of this more dangerous strain outside Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for enhanced surveillance, data sharing, and international cooperation to manage and control the outbreak

Germany Joins United Nations Command in South Korea as 18th Member State:

Germany’s recent inclusion in the U.S.-led United Nations Command (UNC) in South Korea marks a significant expansion of the command’s member states, now totaling 18 nations. This move underscores Berlin’s commitment to global security, linking European stability to the broader Indo-Pacific region.

L&T Finance Achieves NBFC-ICC Status from RBI:

L&T Finance Ltd. has transitioned from an NBFC-Core Investment Company (NBFC-CIC) to a Non-Banking Financial Company (Investment and Credit Company) (NBFC-ICC) following the merger of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including L&T Finance, L&T Infra Credit Ltd., and L&T Mutual Fund Trustee Ltd.

New AI-Based Surveillance System To Manage Pests:

The Union Government on August 15, launched the AI-based National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) that will help farmers to connect with agriculture scientists and experts on controlling pests using their phone.

Kisan Ki Baat:

The government is set to launch ‘Kisan Ki Baat’, a monthly radio programme aimed at bringing scientific knowledge to farmers, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced on August 15.

RBL Bank Announces Vijay Fixed Deposits to Honor 78th Independence Day:

RBL Bank has introduced a special “Vijay Fixed Deposits” scheme to commemorate India’s 78th Independence Day. The bank offers a 500-day fixed deposit tenor with highly competitive interest rates, providing an opportunity for customers to grow their savings while paying tribute to the nation’s brave soldiers.

P.M Calls for Secular Civil Code in Independence Day Speech:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15th August, stressed on the need to bring a ‘Secular Civil Code’ instead of using the term ‘Universal Civil Code’, hinting at the government’s intention to broad-base the policy and avoid friction on the contentious issue, both within the ruling NDA and outside.

Father of Agni Missiles, Dr. Ram Narain Agarwal Passes Away:

Dr. Ram Narain Agarwal, a renowned Indian scientist and the driving force behind India’s missile program, passed away on Thursday in Hyderabad at the age of 84. Known affectionately as the ‘Father of Agni Missiles‘, Dr. Agarwal’s contributions to India’s defence capabilities have been nothing short of revolutionary