Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 21st June 2023

INS Kirpan:

India gifted the Corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam to enhance that country’s naval capabilities.

• INS Kirpan is an indigenously-built in-service missile.
• It is a Khukri class missile corvette commissioned into the Navy on January 12, 1991.
• It has a displacement displacing capacity of close to 1,400 tonnes.
• It is capable of a speed of more than 25 knots.
• The Khukri class are equipped with Diesel Engines assembled in India.
• The ship is fitted with a medium-range gun, 30 mm close-range guns, chaff launchers, and surface-to-surface missiles.
• It performs a wide variety of roles, including coastal and offshore patrol, coastal security, surface warfare, anti-piracy, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.

Hindu Kush Himalayas : Loss Of Glacier Mass

According to a new report from International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH) have seen a 65 per cent faster loss of glacier mass

• Hindu Kush Himalayas region encompasses Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
• It is considered the Third Pole (after the North and South Poles) and has significant implications for climate.
• It contains the largest volume of ice and snow outside of the Arctic and Antarctica.
• The ice and snow from this region are an important source of water for 12 rivers that flow through 16 countries in Asia.

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD):

• It is an intergovernmental knowledge and learning centre working on behalf of the people of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH).
• It is based in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• It works for eight regional member countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.

Y chromosome : Genes Linked To Ageing And Lifespan Regulation

Researchers have discovered that the Y chromosome possesses genes linked to ageing and lifespan regulation.

Key findings:

• Researchers have discovered that the Y chromosome possesses genes that are vital to biological functions, including those linked to ageing and lifespan regulation.
• Genome sequences of the Neanderthals, an ancient relative of the modern human, harbour telltale signs of the replacement of the Y chromosome beginning from modern humans.
• The Y chromosome may have to relinquish its title of “master of maleness” to another chromosome in the times to come.
• In humans, in addition to the 22 pairs of chromosomes in each, we have a pair of sex chromosomes called X and Y.

Exercise Khaan Quest 2023:

The multinational Peacekeeping Joint Exercise “Ex Khaan Quest 2023” commenced in Mongolia.

• Exercise Khaan Quest 2023features participation from military contingents and observers from over 20 countries.
• The exercise is co-sponsored by Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF) and the United States Army Pacific Command (USARPAC).
• The Indian Army is represented by a contingent from the GARHWAL RIFLES.
• The 14-day exercise is aimed at enhancing the interoperability of the participating nations, sharing experience and training uniformed personnel for the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO).
• The exercise will prepare participants for future UN Peacekeeping missions, develop peace operations capabilities and enhance military readiness.
• The exercise includes Command Post Exercise (CPX), Field Training Exercises (FTX), combat discussions, lectures and demonstrations.
• UN peacekeepers provide security and political peace-building support to help countries make the difficult, early transition from conflict to peace.
• UN Peacekeeping is guided by three basic principles:
  • Consent of the parties
  • Impartiality
  • Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate.

Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attack:

Microsoft recently acknowledged that the series of service disruptions experienced by users of Microsoft Azure, OneDrive and Outlook were the result of a major distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack.

• Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attack is a malicious attempt to disrupt the normal traffic of a targeted server, service or network by overwhelming the target or its surrounding infrastructure with a flood of Internet traffic.
• DDoS attacks achieve effectiveness by utilizing multiple compromised computer systems as sources of attack traffic.
• Exploited machines can include computers and other networked resources such as IoT devices.
• Unlike other kinds of cyberattacks, DDoS assaults don’t attempt to breach your security perimeter. Rather, a DDoS attack aims to make your website and servers unavailable to legitimate users.
• DDoS can also be used as a smokescreen for other malicious activities and to take down security appliances, breaching the target’s security perimeter.
• DDoS attacks are carried out with networks of Internet-connected machines.
• These networks consist of computers and other devices (such as IoT devices) which have been infected with malware, allowing them to be controlled remotely by an attacker.
• These individual devices are referred to as bots(or zombies), and a group of bots is called a botnet.
• Once a botnet has been established, the attacker is able to direct an attack by sending remote instructions to each bot.
• When a victim’s server or network is targeted by the botnet, each bot sends requests to the target’s IP address, potentially causing the server or network to become overwhelmed, resulting in a denial of service to normal traffic.

Ground Water Extraction On Earth’s Spin: Findings

A recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters has shed light on the significant impact of Groundwater Extraction on Earth’s Rotational Axis and its contribution to global sea-level rise.

• Researchers analyzed changes in the drift of Earth’s rotational pole and water movement first, by accounting for just ice sheets and Glaciers and then by adding different groundwater redistribution scenarios.

Key Findings of the Study:

• Groundwater pumping has tilted Earth nearly 80 centimeters east between 1993 and 2010 alone.
• The water circulated across the planet determines how mass is distributed.
• Between 1993 and 2010, people pumped 2,150 gigatons of groundwater, or more than 6 millimeters of sea level increase.
• Excessive groundwater pumping has caused the Earth’s pole to drift at a rate of 4.36 centimeters per year between 1993 and 2010, making it the climate-related factor with the greatest impact on polar motion.
• Redistributing water from the mid-latitudes significantly influences polar drift; therefore, the location of redistribution determines polar drift.
• During the study period, most redistribution occurred in western North America and northwestern India — both located at mid-latitudes.
• Groundwater pumping contributed to a sea-level rise of 6.24 mm during the mentioned period.
• Pumping from mid latitude areas, such as northwest India and western North America, has the most substantial influence on Earth’s axis drift.
• The rotational pole normally changes by several metres within about a year, so changes due to groundwater pumping don’t run the risk of shifting seasons.
• But on geologic time scales, polar drift can have an impact on climate.

Women 20 Summit 2023:

As a part of India’s G20 Presidency, the Women 20 (W20) Summit with the theme ‘Women-Led Development- Transform, Thrive and Transcend’ held in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu.

The summit aimed to celebrate the power of women empowerment and address key issues related to economic empowerment, trade and investment, and care economy.

Highlights of the W20 Summit:

• Discussions on breaking the invisible barriers and biases that prevent women from reaching higher positions and leadership roles in various fields were held.
• Government initiatives such as Self Help Groups(SHGs), PM Mudra Scheme and GeM portal which allow women access to market and finance are highlighted.
• Gender disparities in economic participation are highlighted as women often face inequalities in accessing economic opportunities, including financial resources, markets, and trade networks.
• Participants have discussed systemic barriers, such as lack of access to credit, limited property rights, and discriminatory practices, which hinder women’s economic empowerment.
• Celebration of strength, resilience, and progress in women’s empowerment was witnessed .

W20:

• W20 is an official engagement group under the G20.
• It was established in 2015 with the aim of focusing on gender equity and women’s empowerment.
• First W20 Summit was held during Turkey’s G20 Presidency in 2015.
• The group seeks to mainstream gender considerations into G20 discussions and translate them into policies and commitments.
• It influences the G20 agenda and promotes gender-sensitive approaches to various global challenges.

National Internet Exchange Of India : 20th Foundation Day

The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) celebrated its 20th Foundation Day, reaffirming its unwavering dedication towards building India’s internet infrastructure.

• National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) was established in 2003 as a not-for-profit organization under the Companies Act 2013.
• It is tasked to increase Internet penetration and adoption in India by facilitating the various infrastructure aspects to enable the Internet ecosystem to be managed and used by the masses.
• Services which come under the NIXI:
  • Setting IXPs, towards Building Internet Exchange Points
  • IN Registry towards building the .in domain digital identity
  • Indian Registry for Internet Names and Numbers (IRINN) towards Internet Protocol (IPv4 and IPv6) addresses adoption.
  • Data Centre services under NIXI-CSC towards data storage services.

Alligator Gar Fish : IUCN Status

A non-native alligator gar fish, known for its crocodile-like head and razor-sharp teeth, was found in one of Kashmir’s idyllic lakes, raising apprehensions about its impact on the native fish species.

• Alligator Gar Fish is a ray-finned euryhaline fish and is one of the biggest freshwater fish in North America and the largest species in the ‘gar’ family.
• This predator fish has an alligator-like head and razor-sharp teeth.
• It was also found in some parts of India like Bhopal, Kerala and from waterbodies of Maharashtra and Kolkata.
• IUCN status is the least concerned.

Wild Orchids Of North Bengal : Dying

Recent reports suggest, that wild orchids of North Bengal are dying at an alarming rate.

• Wild Orchids of North Bengal are attractively flowered and colorful plants.
• They are known for their vibrant and intricate flowers.
• They are found in various habitats around the world, including tropical rainforests, mountains, and even deserts.
• India has over 1200 species of Orchids 388 are endemic to India, out of which 128 are endemic to the Western Ghats
• Endemic: a plant or animal native and restricted to a certain place.
• Protection Status of Wild Orchids of North Bengal:-
  • CITES: Appendix II
• Distribution:–
  • Himalayan Zone: Richest in orchid species.
  • Northeast India: Highest species concentration.
  • Western Ghats: High endemism of orchids.
  • Highest Number of Orchid Species: Arunachal Pradesh> Sikkim> West Bengal.
• Uses:–
  • For aesthetic purposes.
  • In herbal medicine.
  • Vanilla is produced from Vanilla planifolia orchid.

First Indian Fencer To Win Medal : Asian Championships

Indian fencer C.A. Bhavani Devi achieved a historic milestone by securing India’s first-ever medal at the Asian fencing championships.

• Bhavani’s exceptional performance earned her a well-deserved bronze medal.
• Bhavani faced off against Zaynab Dayibekova from Uzbekistan.
• Despite a hard-fought battle, Bhavani narrowly lost the match by a score of 14-15. Nevertheless, her performance throughout the tournament showcased her exceptional abilities and resilience.
• The 29-year-old settled for a bronze after losing in the semi-final of women’s sabre event at the Asian Fencing Championships in Wuxi, China.

Prof. Kothapalli Jayashankar Award:

Acharya N. Gopi, a renowned poet, literary critic, and recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award, has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious Prof. Kothapalli Jayashankar Award.

• The award, instituted by Bharat Jagruthi, a cultural organization affiliated with Bharat Rashtra Samithi, aims to honor accomplished literary figures.
• The felicitation ceremony will take place on June 21 at the Telangana Saraswatha Parishath in Abids.
• Acharya Gopi has written a remarkable total of 56 books.
• His diverse repertoire includes 26 collections of poems, 7 compilations of essays, 5 translations, and 3 research books.
• His literary works have garnered widespread acclaim, leading to translations into several Indian languages and even foreign languages such as German, Persian, and Russian.

Kothapalli Jayashankar :

• Popularly known as Professor Jayashankar, was an Indian academic and social activist.
• He was a leading ideologue of the Telangana Movement
• He fought for a separate state beginning in 1952
• He often stated that unequal distribution of river water was the root cause of the separate Telangana movement.
• He was the former Vice-Chancellor of Kakatiya University and an activist in the Separate Telangana Movement.

German Peace Prize 2023:

Renowned author Salman Rushdie has been awarded the prestigious Peace Prize of the German Book Trade for his literary work and his unwavering spirit in the face of constant danger.

• The prize organizers commended Rushdie’s narrative vision, literary innovation, humour, and wisdom.
• Despite the physical and psychological consequences he has faced, including a stabbing incident in 2022, Rushdie continues to write imaginatively and with a deeply human approach.
• The jury recognized his resolve, positive attitude, and the enriching impact he has on the world through his storytelling.
• Since 1950, the Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels, the professional organisation of publishers and booksellers in the Federal Republic of Germany, has awarded the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade.
• Every year since 1950, the Foundation Board of the Peace Prize has selected a personality who has made an important contribution to peace, humanity and understanding between peoples.