UPSC Daily Current Affairs- 10th November 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Horn of Africa

Subject: Geography

Why in News?

Recently, Horn of Africa faced deadly floods due to El Nino-linked ‘above average’ rains.

Background:-

• Several people in the Greater Horn of Africa are feared dead, property worth millions destroyed and populations displaced due to heavy rainfall in the region, according to officials.

About Horn of Africa:-

• Countries: Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti.
• Location: northeast of the African
• It lies along the southern boundary of the Red Sea.
• It extends hundreds of kilometers into the Guardafui Channel, the Gulf of Aden, and the Indian Ocean.
• It is equidistant from the equator and the Tropic of Cancer.
• It extends out into the Arabian Sea for hundreds of kilometres.
• It is located along the south of the Gulf of Aden.
• The Horn of Africa is a UNESCO Biodiversity Hotspot and one of the two entirely arid ones.
  • Biodiversity Hotspot: To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, an area must meet two strict criteria:-
  • Contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants found nowhere else on Earth (known as “endemic” species).
  • Have lost at least 70 per cent of its primary native vegetation.
• The Greater Horn of Africa region includes Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

 About the El Nino:-

• El Nino is the warming of seawater in the central-east Equatorial Pacific that occurs every few years.
• During El Niño, surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific rise, and trade winds ,east-west winds that blow near the Equator weaken.
• Normally, easterly trade winds blow from the Americas towards Asia.
• Due to El Niño, they falter and change direction to turn into westerlies, bringing warm water from the western Pacific towards the Americas.
• It occurs every 3-6 years.
• It lasts for about 9-12 months.
• It can cause droughts, flooding, and changes in temperature.
• It can lead to below-normal rainfall, which affects India’s agricultural sector.

Impacts of El Nino:-

• Disruptions in the food chain
• Disruptions in the overall ecosystem
• Warm waters also carry tropical species towards colder areas, disrupting multiple ecosystems.
• Alterations in wind and weather patterns

Source: Down To Earth 

Bhima River

Subject: Geography

Why in News?

The Bhima River has run dry, leaving 100 villages that relied on it in a difficult situation.

About Bhima River:

• The Bhima River (also known as the Chandrabagha River) is a major river in southwest India.
• It is a major tributary of the Krishna River.
• Course:
• It originates in the Bhimashankar hills near Karjat on the western side of the Western Ghats, in the Pune District of Maharashtra.
• Bhima flows southeast through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana.
• The Bhima River merges into the Krishna River at Kadlur (Raichur) in Karnataka.
• This 861 km-long river has the Western Ghats on the west, the Balaghat Range in the north, and the Mahadeo Hills in the south.
• It runs in a well-entrenched valley, and its banks are heavily populated.
• The total basin area of the river is 48,631 sq. km, out of which 75 percent lie in the state of Maharashtra.
• The river is rain-fed, and the volume of the river varies based on the monsoonal changes.
• Major tributaries are the Sina and Nira rivers.
• Pandharpur is an important pilgrimage centre located on the right bank of Bhima River.

Source: The Hindu

GS-II

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

Subject: Polity

Why in News?

Recently, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairperson Justice Arun Mishra addressed the 14th International Conference of the National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs).

About the 14th International Conference of the National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs):-

• Date: 6-8 November 2023.
• Venue: Copenhagen, Denmark.
• Theme:‘Torture and other ill-treatment, The role of NHRIs’.
• Justice Mishra stressed Cooperation to make societies more humane and civil to eradicate the menace of torture where often victims are poor and hapless individuals.
• He added that to effectively address the practice of torture, prosecution of perpetrators and disciplinary action is non-negotiable with transparency in police actions and places of detention.
• Justice Mishra also said that Public Interest Litigation in courts and suo motu cognizance by the NHRC are unique instruments to ensure justice for the victims.
• He added that NHRIs owe not only to present but also future generations to take effective steps to prevent torture.

About the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC):-

• Established: 1993.
• HQ: New Delhi.
• NHRC is a statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993.
• The Act also provides for the creation of the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) as well.
  • State Human Rights Commission: It is charged with the protection of Human Rights or investigating any violations that occur within their respective state.

Historical Background:-

• NHRC was established in conformity with the Paris Principles.
• Paris Principles: adopted for the promotion and protection of human rights in Paris in 1991. It was endorsed by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1993.

Composition of NHRC:-

• It is a multi-member body.
• It consists of a chairperson, five full-time Members, and seven deemed Members.
• Chairperson: a retired chief justice of India or a judge of the Supreme Court.

Appointments:-

• The chairman and members are appointed by the President on the recommendations of a six-member committee consisting of:-
  • Prime Minister (head)
  • Speaker of the Lok Sabha
  • Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
  • Leaders of the Opposition in both Houses of Parliament
  • Union Home Minister.
• Term: three years or until they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
• Removal: The president can remove them from office under specific circumstances.
  • They can be removed only on the charges of proven misbehaviour or incapacity if proved by an inquiry conducted by a Supreme Court Judge.

Functions of NHRC:-

• To investigate the violation of human rights.
• To prevent a human rights violation.
• To conduct research about human rights.
• To create awareness campaigns through various mediums, and encourage the work of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
  • NGO: a group that functions independently of any government.
• It is the watchdog of human rights in the country.

Source: AIR

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

Subject: Polity

Why in News?

The Central Government recently told the Supreme Court that the CBI is an “independent body” and the Centre has “no superintendence or control over it.

About Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI):

• It is the premier investigative agency in India, with a dual responsibility to investigate grievous cases and provide leadership and direction in fighting corruption to the police force across the country.
• The establishment of the CBI was recommended by the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption (1962–1964).
• It is not a statutory body, as it was set up by a resolution (1963) of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• It derives its powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
• It is also the nodal police agency in India that coordinates investigations on behalf of Interpol member countries.
• Motto: Industry, Impartiality, and Integrity
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions
• Though, for issues under the Prevention of Corruption Act, its superintendence lies with the Central Vigilance Commission.
• Following are the types of cases that CBI deals with:
• Anti-Corruption Crimes: CBI manages the investigation of cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act against public officials and central government employees, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Corporations, or bodies owned or controlled by the central government of India.
• Economic Crimes: It probes the cases of huge financial scams and serious economic frauds, comprising crimes relating to fake Indian currency notes, bank fraud and cybercrime, import-export and foreign exchange violations, cultural property, mega smuggling racket of narcotics, antiques, and smuggling of other contraband items.
• Suo Moto Cases:
• CBI accelerates the investigation of offences only in the Union Territories by taking them up on a priority basis.
• The central government can ask the CBI to probe a crime in a state, but only with due permission from the respective State
• The Supreme Court and High Court can also direct the CBI to investigate crimes anywhere in the country without the state’s approval.
• Special Crimes:
• CBI manages the investigation of serious and pre-planned crimes under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and other laws on the requests of the state governments or the direction of the Supreme Court and High Courts.
• For instance, cases like bomb blasts, terrorism, abduction for ransom, and crimes committed by the mafia or the underworld at a particular place in the country.

Source: Hindustan Times

G-7

Subject: International Relations

Why in News?

Recently held G-7 meeting appealed for humanitarian pauses in Gaza.

Background:-

• Foreign Ministers who met in Tokyo seek the release of hostages and a return to a ‘broader peace process’, and offer to draw up long-term solutions.

About G-7:-

• G7 stands for “Group of Seven” industrialized nations.
• This intergovernmental organization was formed in 1997.
• Headquarters: The G-7 does not have a formal constitution or a fixed headquarters.
• Membership: United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom.

Origin:-

• The G7 draws its roots from a meeting between the current G7 members, excluding Canada that took place in
• At the time, the global economy was in a state of recession due to the OPEC oil embargo.
• As the energy crisis was escalating, the US decided that it would be beneficial for the large players on the world stage to coordinate with each other on macroeconomic initiatives.
• The bloc meets annually to discuss issues of common interest like global economic governance, international security and energy policy.
• The decisions taken by leaders during annual summits are non-binding.
• Members share common values like democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, free markets, and respect for international law.
• The G7 is an intergovernmental association made up of countries that have the world’s biggest, most developed economies.
• The G7 was previously called the G8 until Russia was expelled from the group.
• The G7 does not include some of the world’s biggest economies, such as China, Brazil, and India.

Significance:-

• Economic Significance: The G7 nations account for close to 60 per cent of global net wealth.

Source: The Hindu

GS-III

Stable Auroral Arc

Subject: Science and Technology

Why in News?

Recently, the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) in Ladakh has astounded the world with mesmerizing images of a rare red-colored aurora, known as a Stable Auroral Arc (SAR).

What is Stable Auroral Arc (SAR)?

• Rare Phenomenon: SAR is a unique atmospheric occurrence witnessed during a potent G3-class geomagnetic storm.
• Unconventional Origins: Unlike typical auroras resulting from space borne charged particles colliding with the atmosphere, SAR arcs have a distinct genesis.
• Sign of Energy Flow: SAR arcs signify the transfer of heat energy into the upper atmosphere from Earth’s ring current system, a circular pathway carrying massive electrical currents encircling our planet.
• Geomagnetic Storm Influence: During the recent geomagnetic storm, the ring current was dynamically charged due to prolonged intense geomagnetic activity, leading to the manifestation of SAR arcs.
• Global Impact: This celestial event left its celestial mark across several regions worldwide.

How is it formed?

• Solar Wind Interaction: Aurora formation begins when the sun emits charged particles from its corona, creating solar wind. Upon colliding with Earth’s ionosphere, the mesmerizing aurora takes shape.
• Northern and Southern Counterparts: In the Northern Hemisphere, it’s recognized as the northern lights (aurora borealis), while in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s referred to as the southern lights (aurora australis).
• Magnetic Dance: The varying appearance of auroras in different hemispheres is attributed, in part, to the intricate interplay between the sun’s magnetic field and Earth’s magnetic field.

Source: The Hindu

National Coal Index (NCI) surges this Month

Subject: Economy

Why in News?

In a recent development, the National Coal Index (NCI) saw a substantial rise in September, marking its first increase since April 2023.

• This surge in the NCI is linked to global coal price fluctuations and holds significant implications for India’s coal sector.

• What is it? The NCI is a price index which reflects the change in the price level of coal on a particular month relative to the fixed base year.
• Release: It is released every month by the Ministry of Coal.
• Launch: The NCI was introduced on June 4, 2020, as a tool to monitor coal price fluctuations relative to a fixed base year FY 2017-18.
• Price Indicator: The NCI serves as a crucial price indicator that combines coal prices from various sources, including notified prices, auction prices, and import prices.
• Basis for Premiums: It plays a vital role in determining premium rates, either on a per-tonne basis or through revenue sharing, using a market-based approach.

• Sub-Indices: NCI comprises five distinct sub-indices, encompassing three for Non-Coking Coal and two for Coking Coal. These sub-indices are amalgamated to derive the final Index for Non-Coking and Coking Coal, making them distinctly separate.
• Customized Revenue Shares: Based on the coal grade associated with a mine, the relevant sub-index is employed to determine the revenue share.

• Global Price Impact: The recent uptick in the NCI is primarily influenced by a temporary rise in global coal prices, which has reverberated in the Indian coal market.
• Seasonal Demand: With the festive season and winter approaching in India, the demand for coal has risen, prompting coal producers to boost domestic production to meet the growing energy needs.
• Power Sector Growth: India has experienced a surge in coal demand, particularly from the power sector, driven by increased electricity requirements.
• Continued Coal Imports: Power plants have continued to import coal as part of the coal blending mandate set by the power ministry.

Source: Indian Express