Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 27th December 2024

Governor : Reshuffling And Appointment

The President has appointed two new Governors and reshuffled three others.

Recent Appointments:

• Ajay Bhalla, former Union Home Secretary, has been appointed as the Governor of Manipur.
• General V.K. Singh (Retd.), a former Union Minister, has been appointed as the Governor of Mizoram.
• Arif Mohammed Khan has been transferred from Kerala to Bihar, with Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, the incumbent Bihar Governor, appointed as the new Kerala Governor.
• Hari Babu Kambhampati, the Governor of Mizoram, has been appointed as the Governor of Odisha.

Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar:

The President of India will present the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar to 17 children on December 26.

• Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar is organized to celebrate the energy, determination, ability, zeal and enthusiasm of our children.
• It is the highest civilian honor for children in India.
• The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar organized by the Ministry of Women and Child Development Government of India
• It is awarded annually to children for exceptional achievements in seven categories:
  • Art & Culture, Bravery, Innovation, Science & Technology, Social Service, Sports, and Environment.
• Eligibility:
  • A child should be an Indian Citizen.
  • A child above the age of 5 years and not exceeding 18 years (as of 31st July of respective year).
  • The act/incident/achievement should have been within 2 years of the last date of receipt of application/nomination for the year of consideration.
  • Number of Award will be 25, however, any relaxation to this maximum number may be permitted at the discretion of the National Selection Committee.
  • Each awardee will receive a medal, certificate and citation booklet.

Kilauea Volcano: Erupting Again

One of the world’s most active volcanoes Hawaii’s Kilauea is erupting again

• Kilauea Volcano is located in the southern part of Hawaii’s Big Island, within Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, U.S.A.
• It is the youngest and most active Hawaiian shield volcano, renowned for frequent eruptions.
• It erupts from vents at its summit caldera or along rift zones.
• The central crater, Halemaumau, is believed to be the home of the Hawaiian fire goddess Pele.

Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises:

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the results of Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) for 2023-24.

• The ASUSE 2023-24 results highlight significant growth in establishments, employment, and productivity in the unincorporated non-agricultural sector.
• The total number of establishments in the sector increased substantially from 6.50 crore in 2022-23 to 7.34 crore in 2023-24, representing a healthy12.84% growth.
• Among the broad sectors covered, the number of establishments in the “Other Services” sector recorded a growth of 23.55% followed by a 13% increase witnessed by the manufacturing sector.
• During the same period, the Gross Value Added (GVA) which is a key indicator of economic performance rose by16.52% driven by a 26.17% growth in other services sector.
• The percentage of female-owned proprietary establishments has increased from 22.9% in 2022-23 to 26.2%
• The average emolument per hired worker also increased by 13% in 2023-24 compared to the previous year, 2022-23, signaling improvements in wage levels.
• Percentage of establishments using internet has also grown significantly from 21.1% in 2022-23 to 26.7% in ASUSE 2023-24.

Welfare Scheme Debate:

Welfare schemes and direct cash transfers now define India’s socio-political landscape but raise concerns about fiscal sustainability and development impact. Welfare Schemes are Direct cash transfers such as pensions, unemployment benefits, and aid for women (e.g., PM-KISAN).

Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya:

Prime Minister paid tribute to educationist and social reformer Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya on his birth anniversary.Born on December 25, 1861, in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.Education: Studied at Muir Central College, Allahabad, graduating in 1884.
He Began as a teacher, later practiced law at Allahabad High Court, and transitioned to politics and social reform.

Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER):

The real effective exchange rate (REER) index of the rupee touched a record 108.14 in November, strengthening by 4.5 per cent during this calendar year, according to the latest RBI data.REER is a weighted average of a nation’s currency value against the currencies of its trading partners, adjusted for inflation.

Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant:

The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh, a landmark project built with Russian collaboration under Rosatom, has recently faced allegations of irregularities.Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant situated in Rooppur, Ishwardi Upazila, Pabna District.
Built by: Constructed by Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear corporation. River bank: Located along the Padma River.

Employees Provident Fund Organisation:

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) achieved a significant milestone with a net addition of 13.41 lakh members in October 2024.Established in: 1952 under the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.
Administering Ministry: Ministry of Labour and Employment. Aim: To ensure social security for the organized sector workforce through provident fund, pension, and insurance schemes

Global Warming: Study

The year 2024 marked a grim milestone as global temperatures breached the 1.5°C threshold for the first time.Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth’s average temperature due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) in the atmosphere, primarily caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation.

Dodo:

Kashmiri artisans are reviving the memory of the extinct dodo (Raphus cucullatus) through papier mache art, with over 50,000 colourful models exported to markets in Europe.Scientific Name: Raphus cucullatus.IUCN Status: Extinct (1681).