Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 6th Dec 2023

India Internet Governance Forum 2023:

The India Internet Governance Forum 2023 took place.

• India Internet Governance Forum 2023 date: 05, December,2023.
• Venue: New Delhi .( India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF))
• The forum is a multi-stakeholder platform bringing together representatives from various groups to discuss public policy issues related to the Internet.
• Theme: Moving Forward – Calibrating Bharat’s Digital Agenda.
• The event is an effort to discuss issues such as building a secure, trusted and resilient cyberspace for Bharat, Enabling Innovation for India’s Developmental Goals, Bridging Divides and Calibrating Bharat’s Digital Agenda.
• The India Internet Governance Forum is an initiative associated with the UN Internet Governance Forum.
• The session will be graced by the presence of Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.
• A special address will be delivered by Shri S Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), and the welcome address is slated to be given by Shri Sushil Pal, Joint Secretary, MeitY.
• The India Internet Governance Forum is aligned with the UN Internet Governance Forum (UN IGF).
• It was established in 2021.

International Emmy Directorate Award:

Ektaa Kapoor was honoured with the International Emmy Directorate Award.

• She became the First Indian Woman Producer to receive the International Emmy Directorate Award.
• Additionally, Vir Das, along with Derry Girls season 3, was honoured with the International Emmy for Comedy.
• The Emmy Awards are a set of prestigious honours specifically for television and emerging media.
• The Emmy Awards, initially conceptualized in 1948, made their debut on January 25, 1949.
• Awards are presented by three distinct organizations:-
  • The Television Academy administers the Primetime Emmy Awards.( Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA))
  • The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences oversees daytime, sports, news, and documentary categories.
  • The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is responsible for the International Emmys

IBA Junior World Boxing Championship 2023:

India bagged 3 gold, 5 silver and 1 bronze medals in IBA Junior World Boxing Championship 2023.

• IBA Junior World Boxing Championship 2023 date : 23 November – 4 December
• Venue: MIKA Sports Arena, Yerevan
• Akansha won gold in the 70 kg category, Pari clinched the gold medal in the 48 kg weight category.
• Nisha won gold in the 52 kg category. (Sports Code)
• In the 52 kg weight category, Vini won the silver medal.
• Srishti Sathe won a silver medal in the 63 kg weight category.
• In the boys’ category, Jatin won the silver medal in the 54 kg category.
• While Hardik Panwar in the 80 kg category, Ameesha Kereta in the 54 kg category and Prachi Tokas in the 80 kg weight category had to settle for silver medals only.

Inaugural Meeting Of The Biotechnology Research And Innovation Council:

The inaugural meeting of the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) Society, emphasized the need to define a “Bio-vision” for India.

• BRIC brings together 14 top science autonomous institutions under a unified platform to maximize the impact of biotech
• The BRIC Society aims to engage in public-private research partnerships, receive endowments from non-governmental resources, and maintain distinct research mandates for each of the 14 subsumed institutions under a common governing body.
• The “Zero Waste Life on Campus” program was also launched, promoting sustainability through waste management on BRIC campuses.
• This initiative aligns with Mission LiFE movement and is expected to strengthen collaborations among institutions while serving as a model for integrated waste management in the community.
• The Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) is an apex autonomous society operating under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, in India.
• It was established with the aim of centralizing and unifying biotech governance across the country.
• The formation of BRIC involved the subsuming of 14 Autonomous Institutions (AIs) under its umbrella.

Fourth Phase Of The Global Initiative Of Academic Networks:

After an eight-year journey, including a brief pause during COVID, the Ministry of Education is preparing to resume the fourth phase of the Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN).

• This initiative aims to bring in distinguished scholars worldwide to teach at Indian universities.
• The National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), after evaluating the scheme, recommended its continuation.
• Global Initiative for Academic Networks (GIAN) Scheme is a flagship initiative by theMinistry of Education (MoE), Government of India designed to foster collaboration and enhance the quality of education and research in Indian academic institutions.
• Launched in 2015, the primary objective of the GIAN scheme is to provide an opportunity for students and faculty to interact with the best academic and industry experts from all over the world.
• The eligibility criteria for joining the GIAN scheme are as follows:
  • Faculty members of Indian institutions of higher education.
  • Scientists and entrepreneurs from abroad.
  • The courses offered under the GIAN scheme should be relevant to the Indian context.
  • The courses should be designed to provide exposure to the latest developments in the field.
  • The courses should be designed to provide hands-on training to the participants.

Pilatus PC-7 Mk II : Crashed

Two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots were killed after their Pilatus PC-7 Mk II trainer aircraft crashed during a routine training sortie from the Air Force Academy at Dundigal, Telangana.

• Pilatus PC-7 Mk II is a trainer aircraft.
• It is a low-wing, turbo-prop aircraft with tandem seating (the cadet sits in the front, the instructor behind him).
• While the original aircraft has been in service since the 1970s, the Mk II version was introduced in the 1990s, with newer airframe and more advanced avionics.
• It is Powered by a Pratt & Whitney turbo-prop engine, it has a maximum speed of 412 km/h and can fly to a height of slightly more than 10,000 m.
• It has a range of 1,200 km without external tanks, which translates to slightly more than 4 hours of flying time.
• There are 75 Pilatus PC-7 Mk II aircraft in service with the IAF.

Trainer aircraft:

• A trainer is a class of aircraft designed specifically to facilitate flight training of pilots and aircrews.
• Modern military aircraft are notoriously difficult to master for rookie pilots. Hence, they must first be trained on other, more basic aircraft.

Methane Alert And Response System:

The Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) notified governments of 127 plumes spanning four continents and identified 1,500 plumes in its pilot stage.

• Methane Alert and Response System is a data-to-action initiative with the mission to put open, reliable, and actionable data into the hands of individuals who can reduce methane emissions. ​
• It was announced at the Conference of Parties (COP 27) in November 2022 and began its initial pilot phase in January 2023.
• The pilot phase presented an opportunity for UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO)to engage with partners, countries, and operators to refine MARS processes and procedures before making data public.​
• It uses satellites to scan the globe for major emission sources and alerts countries and companies so that they can take methane action and accelerate progress supporting the Paris Agreement and Global Methane Pledge.​
• This initiative works in partnership with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Global Drought Snapshot : COP28

According to the report, ‘Global Drought Snapshot,’ launched by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) at the outset of COP28 climate talks in the UAE, mentioned that drought causes more economic loss and affects more sectors of societies.

Report:

• 70% cereal crops were damaged by drought in the Mediterranean, 2016–2018.
• 33% loss of grazing land in South Africa due to drought
• Five consecutive rainfall season failures in the Horn of Africa, caused the region’s worst drought in 40 years, contributing to reduced agricultural productivity, food insecurity and high food prices.
• Africa’s drought-related economic losses in the past 50 years at $70 billion.
• 75% reduction of cargo capacity of some vessels on the Rhine due to low river levels in 2022, leading to severe delays in shipping arrivals and departures
• 5 million people in southern China affected by record-low water levels in the Yangtze River due to drought and prolonged heat
• 85% of people affected by droughts live in low-or middle-income countries.
• 2 million people in the Central American Dry Corridor needing food aid after five years of drought, heatwaves and unpredictable rainfall.

 UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD):

• It is one of three Conventions originated at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
• It is the only legally binding framework set up to address desertification and the effects of drought.

International Social Security Association’s ISSA Vision Zero 2023 Award:

The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) bagged the “International Social Security Association’s ISSA Vision Zero 2023” Award in the recently held 23rd World Congress on Safety and Health at Work in Sydney, Australia.

• International Social Security Association is the principal international institution bringing together social security agencies and organisations of the world.
• Aim is to promote dynamic social security as the social dimension in a globalising world by supporting excellence in social security administration.
• It was founded in 1927 under the auspices of the International Labour Organization
• It has over 320 member institutions from over 160 countries.
• Headquarters: Geneva (at the International Labour Office)
• It provides access to information, expert advice, business standards, practical guidelines and platforms for members to build and promote dynamic social security systems worldwide.
• The vision of dynamic social security provides a framework for the ISSA’s actions.

Employees’ State Insurance Corporation:

• It is a statutory corporate body set up under the ESI Act 1948.
• It is responsible for the administration of the ESI Scheme.
• Headquarter: New Delhi

Climate Club : COP28

The Climate Club was formally launched at the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

• Climate Club is led by Germany and Chile, the Club has garnered support from 36 member countries including Kenya, the European Union, Switzerland and others.
• It aims to make decarbonisation of industries successful for climate and businesses, through ambitious policies, alignment of methodologies and standards and improving finance and assistance for emerging and developed economies.
• The activities of the club are divided into three key pillars: –
  • Pillar 1: Advancing ambitious and transparent climate change mitigation policies.
  • Pillar 2: Transforming industries
  • Pillar 3: Boosting international cooperation and partnership
• Two co-chairs will be elected for two-year terms for the Club. Currently, Germany and Chile serve as the co-chairs.
• A body of members will determine the scope and approve the work programme, budget and amendments.
• Furthermore, a steering group will be formed to support the body of members when the Club reaches 40 members.
• A secretariat will be formed to implement the work program.
• Currently, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and International Energy Agency are the joint interim heads of secretariat.

INS Sandhayak : Delivered To Indian Navy

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) delivered INS Sandhayak to the Indian Navy on the occasion of Navy Day.

• INS Sandhayak is the largest survey vessel ever built in India.
• It is fully designed and built by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE),
• It is the first in the series of four Survey Vessels (Large), or SVLs, being built by GRSE.
• It is the reincarnation of another ship by that name.
• The previous warship, also a survey vessel, was commissioned into the Navy in 1981 and decommissioned in 2021.
• The new INS Sandhayak and the remaining ships in the series are far more advanced than their predecessors.

National Crime Records Bureau : Data

Delhi logged the highest rate of FIRs linked to crimes against women in the country in 2022, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data revealed.

• National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) was established in 1986 to act as a repository of information on crime and criminals.
• It comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA), Government of India.
• It was set up based on the recommendations of the Tandon Committee, the National Police Commission (1977-1981) and the Task Force of the Home Ministry.
• It is responsible for collecting and analysing crime data as well as serving as a repository of such information to aid investigators in tracing crimes and criminals.
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• In 2009, the NCRB was entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring, coordination, and implementing the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and System (CCTNS) project. This project connects about 15,000 police stations and 6,000 high offices in the country.
• In 2017, the NCRB launched the National Digital Police Portal, which allows police officers to look for a criminal or suspect on the CCTNS database and gives citizens with services such as online complaint filing, etc.
• The Bureau has also been entrusted to maintain the National Database of Sexual Offenders (NDSO) and share it with the States/UTs on a regular basis.
• NCRB has also been designated as the Central Nodal Agency to manage the technical and operational functions of the ‘Online Cyber-Crime Reporting Portal’ through which any citizen can lodge a complaint or upload a video clip as evidence of crime related to child pornography, rape/gang rape.
• The NCRB has also launched CyTrain, a portal for online training of different stakeholders in cybercrime investigations and prosecution.
• The Central Finger Print Bureau under the NCRB is a national repository of all fingerprints in the country.
• NCRB also compiles and publishes National Crime Statistics i.e. Crime in India, Accidental Deaths & Suicides, and also Prison Statistics.
• NCRB also assists various States in capacity building in the areas of Information Technology, CCTNS, Finger Prints, Network security, and Digital Forensics through its training centres in Delhi and Kolkata.

UN Commission For Social Development:

India’s permanent representative to the UN recently chaired an insightful member-state briefing in preparation for the 62nd UN Commission for Social Development.

• UN Commission for Social Development (CSocD) formerly known as the Social Commission, is a functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.
• It has been in existence since the very inception of the United Nations, advising ECOSOC and governments on a wide range of social policy issues and from the social perspective of development.
• Its primary purpose is to advance social development and formulate policies and recommendations to address global social issues.
• It focuses on topics such as poverty eradication, social inclusion, and the promotion of equitable and sustainable development.
• Since the 1995 World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen, the CSocD has been the key UN body in charge of the follow-up and implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action.
• Originally 18, membership has been increased several times, most recently in 1996, and now stands at 46.
• Members are elected by ECOSOC based on equitable geographical distribution for four-year terms.
• The CSocD meets every year at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, typically in February.
• During its meetings, member states, international organisations, and civil society representatives come together to discuss and address various social development issues.

Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC):

• It is one of the six principal organsof the UN, which was established by the UN Charter (1945).
• It is responsible for the direction and coordination of the economic, social, humanitarian, and cultural activities carried out by the UN.
• Decisions are taken by a simple majority vote. The presidency of ECOSOC changes annually.