Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 17th July 2024

Yellow-Legged Buttonquail : Spotted

An elusive and an uncommon breeding migrant bird Yellow legged Buttonquail bird was recently spotted in urban areas of Bopal-Ghuma in Ahmedabad city.

• Yellow-Legged Buttonquail is a small bird species that belongs to the family Turnicidae.
• Scientific Name: Turnix Tanki
• This species is native to a variety of habitats across the Indian subcontinent, East Asia, and Southeast Asia, adapting well to the local environments.
• It has two subspecies: T. t. tanki in Pakistan, India, Nepal, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands; and T. t. blanfordii in Myanmar, Indochina, and eastern China.
• It also migrates to the Korean peninsula and parts of southeast Russia.
• It measures approximately 16 to 18 centimeters in length and weighs around 50 to 60 grams. The female birds are larger than the males.
• This species has a plump and rounded shape, giving it a somewhat compact and stocky appearance.
• IUCN Red List: Least Concern

APSTAR-6E Satellite:

China’s APSTAR-6E satellite has officially begun operating after successfully passing technical reviews both in orbit and on the ground in Hong Kong.

• APSTAR-6E Satellite is China’s first all-electric propulsion communication satellite.
• Developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), this satellite operates in geostationary orbit.
• Launched via a Long March-2C rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center on January 13, 2023, APSTAR-6E completed its journey to geostationary orbit after separating from its independent propulsion module.
• As the first in its series, APSTAR-6E holds the distinction of being the world’s initial telecommunication satellite to autonomously transfer from low Earth orbit to geostationary orbit using electric propulsion, marking a significant technological achievement.
• It is designed to last 15 years.
• Its primary mission is to deliver efficient and high-capacity broadband communication services across Southeast Asia, aiming to provide reliable connectivity at a competitive cost.
• It carries 25 Ku-band transponders and three Ka-band gateway transponders that can provide a combined communication throughput of 30 gigabytes per second.

International Civil Aviation Organization:

India is set to host the second Asia Pacific (APAC) ministerial conference on civil aviation, which will be jointly organised by the Indian government and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

• ICAO is an intergovernmental specialized agency of the United Nations (UN).
• It was established in 1947 by the Convention on International Civil Aviation (1944), known as the Chicago Convention.
• Headquarters: Montreal, Canada
• ICAO was created to promote the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation throughout the world.
• It sets standards and regulations necessary for aviation safety, security, efficiency, and regularity, as well as for aviation environmental protection.
• It serves as the forum for cooperation in all fields of civil aviation among its 193 member states.
• The organization also promotes regional and international agreements aimed at liberalizing aviation markets and helps establish legal standards.
• It has several component bodies:
  • an Assembly of delegatesfrom all member countries that meets every three years
  • a Council of representatives from 36 member states, elected by and responsible to the Assembly, that sits in continuous session at ICAO headquarters
    an Air Navigation Commission appointed by the Council to address technical matters, and
    various standing committees, including a Committee on Joint Support of Air Navigation Services and a Finance Committee.
• The ICAO’s Secretariat is headed by a secretary-general selected by the Council for a three-year term.

Vishalgad Fort : Anti Enchroachment Drive

The anti-encroachment drive at Vishalgad Fort took an ugly turn recently after miscreants resorted to violence, roughed up the local shopkeepers, and pelted stones at policemen on duty at the fort premises.

• Vishalgad Fort is an ancient fort situated at Vishalgad village in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra.
• Also called Khelna or Khilna by the locals, Vishalgad Fort was one of the important forts of the Maratha Empire.
• It was built in the year 1058 by Shilahara king Marsinh and was initially known as Khilgil.
• In 1209, the then king of Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri defeated Shilaharas and captured the fort.
• In 1309, Allauddin Khilji defeated King Ramchandra of the Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri, and soon the fort was attached to the Khilji dynasty.
• Later, the fort was under the rule of the Vijayanagar Empire, and then the Adil Shahi dynasty.
• The structure covers an area of 1130 m and was built on a hilltop in the Sahyadri mountain ranges at a height of 3500 feet above sea level.
• The famous Dargah of Hazrat Sayed Malik Rehan Meera Saheb, which is visited by thousands of tourists, is located in the fort.

World Heritage Young Professionals Forum:

As an integral part of the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee and in the framework of the UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme, the Ministry of Culture is hosting the 2024 World Heritage Young Professionals Forum.

• It serves as a platform by bringing young people and heritage experts together to foster intercultural learning and exchange.
• It also provides an opportunity for the youth to meet and learn about each other’s heritage, discuss common concerns in preservation and discover new roles for themselves in heritage conservation.
• Each Forum is focused on a specific topic linked to World Heritage and aligned with the context of the World Heritage properties of the Host Country.
• It is joined by both local and international experts, young professionals will engage in a diverse range of activities such as presentations, roundtable discussions, and site visits.
• This collaborative approach aims to tackle various sub-themes, including:
  • Understanding the achievements and challenges of the World Heritage Convention
  • Climate change and its impact on World Heritage sites
  • Integrating innovative technologies for the promotion of World Heritage
  • Strengthening sustainable tourism and development through young entrepreneurship
  • Through discussions, they’ll acquire deep insights into global principles of World Heritage and Sustainable Development, alongside getting acquainted with the management of India’s local heritage.
• Concluding the Forum, will deliver their “Declaration to the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee”.

U-WIN Portal:

The U-WIN portal, a replication of the Covid-19 vaccine management system Co-WIN, is set for a pan-India launch likely by the end of August.

• U-WIN Portal is aiming to maintain an electronic registry of routine immunizations.
• Currently, U-WIN is in pilot mode across all states and Union Territories, except for West Bengal.
• It captures every vaccination event for pregnant women and children under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).
• It will ensure timely administration of vaccine doses by digitally recording every vaccination event under the Universal Immunisation Programme among all pregnant women and children aged 0-5 years.
• The platform generates a uniform QR-based, digitally verifiable e-vaccination certificate, similar to Covid vaccination certificate, which can be accessed anytime by the citizens through a single click.
• The U-WIN is going to be the single source of information for immunisation services which will record pregnancy details and outcome, newborn registration and immunisation at birth.
• It will update vaccination status and delivery outcome, among others, on real time.
• Citizens can self-register for vaccinations via the U-WIN web portal or its Android mobile application, select preferred vaccination centres, and schedule appointments.
• Automated SMS alerts inform citizens about registration confirmations, administered doses and upcoming dose reminders, ensuring timely and age-appropriate vaccinations.
• It also facilitates the creation of Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) IDs for comprehensive health record maintenance.
• It also supports the frontline workers to digitally record all vaccination events for children and pregnant women for complete, accurate and easy record maintenance.

FishMIP Initiative:

The report produced by the Ecosystem Model Intercomparison Project (FishMIP) projects that exploitable fish biomass declined more than 10 per cent, particularly under the high-emissions scenario, by mid-century for many regions of the world.

• Fisheries and Marine Ecosystem Model Intercomparison Project (FishMIP) was officially launched in 2013.
• It provides knowledge to industry and governments to support effective planning for adaptive and resilient seafood sectors under climate change.
• It has a network of more than 100 marine ecosystem modellers and researchers from around the world.
• The FishMIP and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) collaborated to understand the long-term impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems and fisheries through a set of state-of-the-art numerical models.
• In 2024, FishMIP 2.0 was established to increase the reliability of modelling projections and to answer a broader set of policy-related questions relevant to food security and marine resource management, with climate change remaining the overarching theme.

Kashmir Willow : Global Attention

Over the last few years, bats made of Kashmiri willow have been attracting global attention after making appearance in international games.

• Kashmir willow is mainly grown in Kashmir region of India.
• It is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 30 meters (98 feet). It has slender trunks and a narrow, conical canopy and it takes 20 to 25 years to mature.
• These trees do well in the region’s moist and temperate climate, especially along riverbanks and in places with sufficient soil moisture.
• Willows exhibit superior growth and productivity due to their highest capacity to convert solar radiation into chemical energy.
• The species exhibits high rates of evapotranspiration during the growing season.
• Willows are tolerant to flooding and flourish in saturated soils with oxygen shortage in the root zone.
• Willows exhibit efficient ability to accumulate high levels of toxic metals, especially Cadmium (Cd).\
• Uses: Cricket bat industry, Packing case industry, Basketry and furniture industry etc.

Report Of India’s G20 Task Force On DPI:

India’s increasing influence in the digital sphere has been globally acknowledged, particularly through its advancements in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

• The recent Report of India’s G20 Task Force on DPI highlighted India’s leadership in this domain and urged the country to proactively extend its digital solutions to the Global South.

Highlights of the Report:

• The report recommends establishing a global-standard organisation to harness the DPI ecosystem across various regions.
• This entity should have a multinational presence and the expertise necessary to formulate policies and implement strategies effectively.
• Its goal would be to facilitate collaboration among nations, especially in the Global South.
• Explore the integration of Artificial Intelligence to enhance DPI capabilities while ensuring ethical use and data privacy safeguards.
• The report suggests using open-source software and AI models to promote innovation and scalability in DPI, making it more accessible for private players.
• Implementing measures to protect user data is crucial for building trust in AI-enabled services.
• Addressing biases in AI algorithms ensures fair treatment for all users, Ensuring transparency in AI processes helps in gaining public confidence in digital services.

Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas:

The declaration of 25th June as Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas serves as a poignant reminder of the period when the Constitution of India was undermined, particularly during the Emergency imposed in 1975.

• The Prime Minister of India emphasised that this day will pay homage to all those who suffered from the excesses of the Emergency.
• It serves as a tool for educating citizens about their rights and the significance of the Constitution in protecting democracy.
• The Emergency was a period from 25th June 1975 to 21st March 1977, when then PM Indira Gandhi’s government used special provisions in the Constitution to impose significant executive and legislative changes in the country.
• The declaration of Emergency centralises power, allowing the Union to direct state governments, bringing them under the complete control of the Centre, effectively creating a unitary system.
• India has declared a National Emergency three times.
• The first was from 1962 to 1968 during the India-China war, the second was in 1971 during the Indo-Pakistan war, and the third was from 1975 to 1977 due to political instability.

Consumer Price Index For Industrial Workers (CPI-IW):

The Labour Bureau under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, has been compiling the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) every month.

Inflation for the month of May, 2024 moderated to 3.86% as compared to 4.42% in May, 2023.

• The CPI-IW is mainly used for determining dearness allowance (DA) paid to central/state government employees and workers in the industrial sectors besides measuring inflation in retail prices, fixation and revision of minimum wages in scheduled employment.
• The CPI has several sub-groups including food and beverages, fuel and light, housing and clothing, bedding and footwear.

Exercise Pitch Black 2024:

Indian Air Force (IAF) is all set to participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2024.

• This edition is slated to be the largest in the 43 year long history of Ex Pitch Black, which includes participation by 20 countries, with over 140 aircraft and 4400 military personnel of various air forces.
• Exercise Pitch Black is a biennial warfare exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
• The exercise is normally held in Northern Australia, primarily at RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal.
• The aim of the exercise is to practice Offensive Counter Air (OCA) and Defensive Counter Air (DCA) combat, in a simulated war environment.
• The name ‘Pitch Black’ was derived from the emphasis on night time flying over large un-populated areas.
• The exercise provides an excellent opportunity for strengthening the ability of the participating nations to deploy over large distances, support integrated operations in the Indo-Pacific region and building strong aviation associations in a highly challenging environment.
• The IAF has previously participated in the 2018 and 2022 editions of this exercise.

SDG India Index 2023-24:

NITI Aayog recently released the SDG India Index 2023-24, which evaluates India’s progress on the 16 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SDG India Index 2023-24 Highlights:

• Overall Score: India’s overall SDG score improved to 71 in 2023-24, up from 66 in 2020-21 and 57 in 2018.
• Top Performing States: Kerala and Uttarakhand achieved the highest scores of 79 each.
• Notable advancements in Goals 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 13 (Climate Action), and 15 (Life on Land).
• Fastest Moving States: Uttar Pradesh (increase by 25 points), followed by J&K (21), Uttarakhand (19), Sikkim (18), Haryana (17), Assam, Tripura, and Punjab (16 each), Madhya Pradesh and Odisha (15 each).
• New Entrants in Front-Runner Category: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.