Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 5th May 2023

Internet In India Report 2022: IAMAI KANTAR

According to IAMAI KANTAR Report Out of 759 million ‘active’ internet users in India for 2022, 399 million are from rural India.

• The report also estimates that 56% of all new internet users in India will be from Rural India by 2025.
• 52% percent of Indians, i.e. 759 Millions, are ‘active’ internet users, accessing the internet at least once a month.
• By 2025 the number is expected to grow to 900 Millions.
• This is for the first time that the majority of Indians have become active internet users.
• The ‘Internet in India Report 2022’, jointly prepared by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and KANTAR, the world’s leading marketing data and analytics company, reflects these data.
• Urban India, with approximately 71% internet penetration witnessed only 6% growth, with much of the overall gain in numbers coming from Rural India which witnessed 14% growth rate over the past one year.
• Digital Divide, however, continues to plague the positive narrative with a huge disparity in internet penetrations across states, with Bihar (32%) having less than half the level of internet penetration than the leading state Goa (70%).
• Even though the gender divide persists till date with 54% Male users, it is heartening to note that 57% of all new users in 2022 were females.
• It is estimated that by 2025, 65% of all new users will be women, which will help correct the gender divide.
• The report suggests that digital penetration has improved not only in terms of spread but also in terms of depth.
• For instance, while 100% of users access the internet via mobile, the use of Other Devices (tablets, streaming devices, ‘smart’ devices) has witnessed a considerable rise over 1 year (from 8% in 2021 to 13% in 2022) as Indians proactively adopt new technologies and services.
• In terms of usage, Digital Entertainment, Digital Communications and Social Media continue to be the most popular services in India. In fact, Indians are fast adapting social media platforms as the next e-commerce destination, with a staggering 51% YoY growth in Social Commerce.
• Digital Payments has witnessed 13% growth over 2021 to reach an estimated 338 million users, of which 36% are from Rural India. 99% of all digital payment users are UPI users.

IAMAI Kantar:

• Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) is a not-for-profit industry body registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• Its mandate is to expand and enhance the online and mobile value-added services sectors.
• Founded in  2004
• Headquarters is in Mumbai, India

Penumbral Lunar Eclipse : 5th May 2023

On May 5, 2023, as a penumbral lunar eclipse is set to occur, is the first of two lunar eclipses that are expected to occur that year.

• There are three types of lunar eclipses – total lunar eclipses, partial lunar eclipses, and penumbral lunar eclipses.
• A penumbral lunar eclipse happens when the moon moves through the outermost region of the Earth’s shadow known as the penumbra. During this event, the moon appears slightly darker than usual.
• This results in the shadow of our planet falling on the Moon’s face as Earth blocks the light from the Sun.
• A Penumbral Lunar Eclipse is difficult to observe due to the subtle dimming effect.
• Regions that will witness the Penumbral Eclipse are Asia, Australia, Africa, the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Antarctica, and most of Europe. All the cities in India will be able to witness the celestial phenomenon,

King Charles III Coronation:

The coronation of King Charles III and his wife, Camilla, will take place on May 6, which coincides with the anniversary of the 1910 death of his great-great-grandfather, King Edward VII.

• King Charles III will wear St. Edward’s Crown during his coronation, as is customary.
• St. Edward’s Crown is the oldest of the British royal crowns and is a part of the Crown Jewels collection.
• King Charles II was the first monarch to wear the crown, which was created in 1661.
• The crown is made entirely of gold and is adorned with rubies, amethysts, and sapphires.
• It weighs around two kilograms and is estimated to be worth $40 million (€36 million).
• The crown’s name is derived from St. Edward, who was the final Anglo-Saxon king of England and ruled from 1042 until his passing in 1066.
• Camilla, currently Queen Consort, will wear the crown made for the 1911 coronation ceremony of Queen Mary, consort of King George V, during the coronation.
• For the first time since the 1700s, a queen consort’s crown will be reused in a coronation.

Currency And Finance Report : RBI

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released a report on currency and finance for the financial year (FY) 2022-23.

• The theme of the report is ‘Towards a Greener Cleaner India,’ which reflects India’s focus on reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable
• The report highlights that India has embarked on a targeted and time-bound climate action plan, and currently ranks the best amongst G-20 countries as per the Climate Change Performance Index, 2023.
• India’s net-zero target year is 2070,
• The report addresses four key aspects of climate change, encompassing its exceptional size and rapidity, macroeconomic impacts, financial stability implications, and strategies to reduce climate risks.
• For India to further achieve its net zero target by 2070, the RBI said, the country would require an accelerated reduction in the energy intensity of GDP by around 5 percent annually and a significant improvement in its energy mix in favour of renewables to around 80 percent by 2070-71.

CU-Chayan Portal : UGC

UGC launched the ‘CU-Chayan’ portal for faculty recruitment in Central varsities.

• CU-Chayan portal is a new platform to hire faculty members in central universities.
• The portal will provide a consolidated list of job openings across all 46 central universities under the Union Ministry of Education.
• Central universities will still be responsible for advertising job openings, accepting applications, screening applicants, conducting interviews, and hiring faculty members, just as they did before.
• However, all of these tasks will be managed through the admin dashboard for each university on the portal.
• Applicants will find a consolidated list of openings across the central universities, personalized dashboards to help manage the application process, and filters such as location, designation, subject, experience, and education level to view openings that suit them.

Innovative Finance Facility For Climate In Asia And The Pacific (IF-CAP) Program:

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced the Innovative Finance Facility for Climate in Asia and the Pacific (IF-CAP) program to accelerate climate change financing in the region.

• IF-CAP is the first-of-its-kind multi-donor financing partnership facility with the goal of scaling-up finance for accelerated action against climate change in Asia and the Pacific.
• Launched on 2 May 2023 ,Owner Asian Development Bank (ADB)
• Initial Partners are  Denmark, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States
• Benefits:
  • The multiplier effect of up to $5 in much-needed climate finance for every $1 of guarantees (model of ‘$1 in, $5 out’)
  •  Financing will help vulnerable countries in Asia and the Pacific region meet their mitigation and adaptation goals.
  • Support ADB’s raised ambition for $100 billion in climate finance from 2019-2030.
• Financing Mechanisms are Global Environment Facility (GEF), Green Climate Fund (GCF), Adaptation Fund, and Loss and Damage Fun
• Funding Sources are  Bilateral and multilateral sources, the private sector, and philanthropies including the Global Energy Alliance for People and Plane
• The initial ambition of $3 billion in guarantees could create up to $15 billion in new loans for much-needed climate projects across Asia and the Pacific.

International Leopard Day 2023:

International Leopard Day is a new annual event that was officialized on May 3, 2023, with the launch of a dedicated portal, “internationalleopardday.org” by the Cape Leopard Trust (CLT).

Leopard:

• Scientific Name Panthera pardus
• The leopard is the smallest of the Big Cats (Of genus Panthera namely the Tiger, Lion, Jaguar, Leopard, and Snow Leopard), and known for its ability to adapt in a variety of habitats
• It is a nocturnal animal (hunts by night).
• Melanism is a common occurrence in leopards, wherein the entire skin of the animal is black in colour, including its spots.
• A melanistic leopard is often called black panther or jaguar, and mistakenly thought to be a different species.
• It occurs in a wide range in sub-Saharan Africa, in small parts of Western and Central Asia, on the Indian subcontinent to Southeast and East Asia.
• In India As per a recent report ‘Status of leopards in India, 2018’ (by MoEFCC), there has been a “60% increase in the population count of leopards in India from 2014 estimates’’.
• It numbers nearly 13000 currently with the highest population in Madhya Pradesh> Karnataka> Maharashtr
• Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Vulnerable. CITES: Appendix-I. Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule-I.

Startup India Seed Fund Scheme : Third-Party Impact Assessment

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is conducting a third-party impact assessment of the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme to evaluate its performance in benefiting the startup community.

• Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) was created by DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry in 2021.
• It aims to provide financial assistance to start-ups for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry, and commercialization.
• Eligibility Startups recognized by DPIIT incorporated not more than 2 years ago at the time of application, have not received more than Rs. 10 lakhs of monetary support under any other Central or State Government scheme.
• Preference Startups create innovative solutions in sectors such as social impact, waste management, water management, etc.
• Grants of up to Rs. 5 crores are provided to eligible incubators, which in turn provide grants of up to Rs. 20 lakhs to startups for validation of proof of concept, prototype development, or product trials.
• Estimated Beneficiaries is about 3,600 entrepreneurs through 300 incubators in the next 4 years
• Seed Funding is an early stage of investment in a start-up or a new business idea to help the company reach a point where it can secure additional rounds of funding or generate revenue to become self-sustaining.

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited : Navratna Status

RVNL , a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Railways, has been granted Navratna status.

• The company, incorporated in 2003, was established to implement railway infrastructure projects and raise extra-budgetary resources for Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs).
• RVNL began operations in 2005 and was granted Mini-Ratna status in 2013.
• RVNL is responsible for undertaking Rail project development and execution of works, creating project specific SPVs, and handing over completed railway projects to the relevant Zonal Railway for operation and maintenance.
• The grant of Navratna status to RVNL provides it with more operational freedom, financial autonomy, and enhanced delegation of powers.

Navratna status:

• It is a recognition given by the Indian government to select public sector enterprises (PSEs) that have financial and operational autonomy.
• This status enables PSEs to invest up to Rs. 1000 crore without any approval from the central government, giving them more flexibility in decision making, personnel management, and joint ventures.

World Press Freedom Index 2023:

India’s ranking in the recently released 2023 World Press Freedom Index has slipped to 161 out of 180 countries.

Highlights of the 2023 Report:

• India is ranked 161 out of 180 countries. Press freedom in India has gone from “problematic” to “very bad”, with the country slipping 11 ranks since the 2022 report.
• Except for Bangladesh (163), Myanmar (173) and China (179), all other neighbours have a better rank than India — Bhutan (90), Nepal (95), Sri Lanka (135), Pakistan (150), Afghanistan (152).
• India was positioned 169 in political indicators while it was 144 in legislative, 155 in economic, 143 in social indicators and 172 in the safety of journalists.
• Norway is ranked first for the seventh consecutive year.

World Press Freedom Index:

• It is an annual report published by the global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
• Purpose is Compare the level of freedom enjoyed by journalists and media in 180 countries and territories.
• The ranking is based on five categories — political, legislative, economic, sociocultural and safety of journalists.

Death Of a Rare Black Tiger : Similipal Tiger Reserve

The death of a Rare Black Tiger was reported in the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha.

• Simlipal has the world’s highest rate of black tiger sightings in the world.
• Black Tigers are a rare colour variant of the Bengal tiger and are not a distinct species or geographic subspecies.
• The abnormally dark or black coat in such tigers is termed pseudo melanistic or false coloured.
• Melanistic refers to having very dark skin/hair due to higher-than-normal level of the pigment
• There is a high probability (about 60%) that the tiger will have the mutant gene, if randomly selected from Similipal.

Similipal Tiger Reserve:

• It was formally designated a tiger reserve in 1956 and brought under Project Tiger in the year 1973. It was declared a biosphere reserve by the Government of India in June, 1994.
• It has been part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserve since 2009.
• It is part of the Similipal-Kuldiha-Hadagarh Elephant Reserve popularly known as Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve, which includes 3 protected areas i.e., Similipal Tiger Reserve, Hadagarh Wildlife sanctuary and Kuldiha wildlife sanctuary.
• It is situated in the northern part of Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district. Geographically, it lies in the eastern end of the eastern ghat.
• Similipal is home to a wide range of wild animals including tigers and elephants, besides 304 species of birds, 20 species of amphibians and 62 species of reptiles.

Next President Of World Bank:

Indian origin Ajay Banga was confirmed as the next President of World Bank.

• Ajaypal Singh Banga is an Indian-born American business executive.
• He is currently vice chairman at General Atlantic.[
• He was executive chairman of Mastercard, after having previously served as president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the company from July 2010 until December 31, 2020.
• He retired from this position on December 31, 2021, to join General Atlantic.
• He is also the chairman of Netherlands-based investment holding company Exor and chairman of the public-private Partnership for Central America with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.
• The WB is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of low and middle-income/developing countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects.
• It was established along with the IMF at the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference.
• The World Bank is the collective name for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and International Development Association (IDA), two of five international organisations owned by the WB Group.
• The President of the WB, who is the President of the entire WB Group, is responsible for chairing meetings of the boards of directors and for overall management of the Bank.
• The boards of directors consist of the WB Group President and 25 executive directors. The President is the presiding officer and ordinarily has no vote except to break a tie.
• The executive directors as individuals cannot exercise any power or commit or represent the Bank unless the boards specifically authorised them to do so.

India To Launch Its Own Heat Index:

India to launch its own heat index next year to quantify heat hazard, generate impact-based heat wave alerts for specific locations.

• Heat index is a measure of how hot it feels when humidity is factored in along with the air temperature, and the figures were calculated using data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
• It is also known as the apparent temperature.
• When the body gets too hot, it begins to perspire or sweat to cool itself off.
• If the perspiration is not able to evaporate, the body cannot regulate its temperature.
• Evaporation is a cooling process.
• When perspiration is evaporated off the body, it effectively reduces the body’s temperature.
• When the atmospheric moisture content is high, the rate of evaporation from the body decreases.
  In other words, the human body feels warmer in humid conditions.
• The opposite is true when the relative humidity decreases because the rate of perspiration increases.
• The body actually feels cooler in arid conditions.
• There is direct relationship between the air temperature and relative humidity and the heat index, meaning as the air temperature and relative humidity increase (decrease), the heat index increases (decreases).