UPSC Daily Current Affairs- 29th March 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Mohiniyattam

Subject: Art and Culture

Why in News?

In a groundbreaking development, Kerala Kalamandalam, a deemed university for arts and culture, has removed gender restrictions for learning Mohiniyattam.

About Mohiniyattam:

• Mohiniyattam is a traditional Indian dance form originating from Kerala.
• Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Sanskrit Hindu text 'Natya Shastra'.
• During the reign of the Chera kings from 9 to 12 C.E., it was primarily performed by Devadasis (temple dancers) in temples.
• Mohiniyattam is typically a solo dance performed by female artists, characterized by grace and femininity.
• It falls under the Lasya type, emphasizing grace, gentleness, and feminine expressions.
• The dance form revolves around themes of love and devotion to deities, often depicting Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna as the central characters.
• Performances involve storytelling through dance and song, with Manipravala (a mix of Sanskrit and Malayalam) lyrics.
• Music accompanying Mohiniyattam is typically Carnatic.
• Emphasis is placed on fluid body movements, subtle facial expressions, and intricate hand gestures.
• The dance incorporates 24 hand gestures, largely derived from 'Hastha Lakshana Deepika', a text associated with Kathakali.
• Artists wear plain white or ivory cream saris adorned with gold-laced brocade.
• Various instruments are used in Mohiniyattam performances, including Mridangam, Madhalam, Idakka, flute, Veena, and Kuzhitalam (cymbals).

Source: The Hindu

World Wastes 1 billion Meals a Day: UN Report

Subject: Social Issues

Why in News?

The Food Waste Index Report 2024 revealed that households globally wasted more than one billion meals daily in 2022.

About Food Waste Index Report

• Initiation: Commenced in 2021, the Food Waste Index evaluates food wastage at both retail and consumer levels encompassing households and food service sectors.
• Collaborators: This report is a joint effort of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and WRAP, a non-profit organization based in the UK.
• Objective: It aims to stimulate crucial actions towards reducing food wastage, aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 12.3) focusing on sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Key Highlights of the Food Waste Index Report 2024

• Global Wastage: In 2022, the world squandered 1.05 billion tonnes of food, with approximately 19% of available food for consumers wasted across retail, food service, and households.
• Household Contribution: Households accounted for the majority of global food wastage, with 60% of the total wasted food attributed to households, totaling 631 million tonnes.
• Individual Impact: On average, each person discards 79kg of food annually, resulting in at least one billion meals of edible food being wasted daily worldwide.

Factors Influencing Food Waste

• Temperature Influence: Warmer regions exhibit higher food wastage per capita in households, potentially due to increased consumption of fresh foods with significant inedible parts and inadequate cold chain infrastructure.
• Urban-Rural Disparities: Middle-income countries demonstrate differences in food wastage between urban and rural areas, with rural regions generally wasting less. Probable reasons include greater diversion of food scraps to pets, animal feed, and home composting in rural settings.

Recommendations and Global Efforts

• City Focus: The report suggests concentrating efforts on enhancing food waste reduction and circular practices in urban areas.
• G20 Involvement: Only a few G20 nations have appropriate food waste estimates for monitoring progress towards 2030. Collaboration at individual and systemic levels is crucial for effective food waste reduction across urban areas and international supply chains.

UN Environment Programme

• Establishment: Formed in 1972 during the Stockholm Conference, the UNEP is dedicated to promoting environmental stewardship globally.
• Mission: It leads and encourages environmental care by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and individuals to enhance their quality of life while safeguarding future generations.

Six Areas of Concentration:

• Climate Change
• Post-Conflict and Disaster Management
• Ecosystem Management
• Environmental Governance
• Resource Efficiency/Sustainable Consumption and Production

Governing Body

• UN Environment Assembly: Established in 2012 to replace the governing council, it comprises 193 members convening biennially to address environmental concerns.
• Headquarters: Located in Nairobi, Kenya.

Source: The Hindu

Afanasy Nikitin Seamount

Subject: Geography

Why in News? 

India recently requested permission from the International Seabed Authority (ISBA) to explore two extensive areas in the Indian Ocean seabed, including the Afanasy Nikitin Seamount (AN Seamount), known for its cobalt-rich crust.

About Afanasy Nikitin Seamount

• The AN Seamount is a geological feature situated in the Central Indian Basin, approximately 3,000 km away from the Indian coast.
• It consists of a primary plateau that rises 1200 meters above the surrounding ocean floor, which is at a depth of 4800 meters.
• This seamount is abundant in cobalt, nickel, manganese, and copper deposits.

Seamounts

• Definition: Seamounts are underwater mountains that form due to volcanic activity. They are known as hotspots for marine biodiversity.
• Formation: Similar to terrestrial volcanoes, seamounts can be active, extinct, or dormant. They typically develop near mid-ocean ridges, where tectonic plates separate, enabling molten rock to ascend to the seafloor.
• Locations: Seamounts are found near mid-ocean ridges such as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the East Pacific Rise. Some are also located near intraplate hotspots and oceanic island chains called island arcs, characterized by volcanic and seismic activity.

Significance of Seamounts

• Insight into Mantle Composition: Seamounts offer valuable data about the mantle's composition and the evolution of tectonic plates.
• Impact on Water Circulation: Understanding seamounts helps in studying their role in water circulation patterns and their capacity to absorb heat and carbon dioxide.
• Biodiversity Hotspots: Seamounts support diverse marine life due to localized ocean upwelling, a process where nutrient-rich water rises from the deep ocean to the surface.

Source: The Print

GS-II

Lalita Kala Academy

Subject: Polity and Governance

Why in News?

In a recent development, the Ministry of Culture has restricted the authority of V Nagdas, the Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi (LKA), preventing him from making independent decisions on administrative matters such as appointments, recruitment, transfers, disciplinary actions, and financial choices without prior consultation with the ministry.

Background

• The Lalit Kala Akademi, also known as the National Academy of Art, is recognized as India's primary national institute for the promotion of fine arts.

About Lalita Kala Academy

• The Lalit Kala Akademi, situated in New Delhi, was officially inaugurated on August 5, 1954, by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, who was the Minister for Education at that time.
• It was formally registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 on March 11, 1957.
• Among the three academies established by the Government of India, Lalit Kala Akademi, being the youngest, concentrates on activities related to Visual Arts.

Powers and Functions of LKA

• To stimulate and endorse research and study in creative arts fields like painting, sculpture, and graphics.
• To promote and synchronize the efforts of regional art groups and State Lalit Kala Akademis.
• To encourage collaboration among artists and art organizations and foster their development.
• To support the creation of Regional Art Centers when necessary.
• To facilitate the exchange of ideas among diverse art schools by arranging nationwide conferences, seminars, and exhibitions involving scholars, educators, State Academies, Zonal Cultural Centers, and other art bodies.
• To facilitate cultural connections within India and internationally through art exhibitions, personnel exchanges, and art objects interchange.
• To grant scholarships and awards to deserving artists and acknowledge exceptional artistic accomplishments.
• To advance research, study, and documentation of folk, tribal, and traditional arts and crafts techniques, safeguard their art forms, conduct regional surveys, and support indigenous craftsmen, painters, and sculptors.

Source: Indian Express

EC Rules on Cash Carrying Limit during Elections

Subject: Polity and Governance

Why in News?

A recent incident involving the seizure of Rs 69,400 from tourists in Tamil Nadu has highlighted the strict cash-carrying rules set by the Election Commission (EC) during elections.

Measures to Control Money Power

The EC enforces stringent measures to monitor the movement of cash, liquor, and other items before elections.

• Clear directives are issued to authorities like police, railways, airports, and the Income Tax department to closely watch over cash, liquor, jewelry, drugs, and gifts that could influence the electoral process.
• Expenditure observers, static surveillance teams, and flying squads are appointed to oversee election spending.
• Surveillance teams establish checkpoints, constantly changing locations to maintain surprise elements, especially in the final 72 hours leading up to polling.

Regulating Campaign Expenditure

The EC aims to monitor campaign spending by candidates to ensure fair competition.

• Campaign expenditure limits are set at Rs 95 lakh per constituency in larger states and Rs 75 lakh per constituency in smaller states for parliamentary elections.
• For assembly constituencies, the limits are Rs 40 lakh and Rs 28 lakh for bigger and smaller states, respectively.

Guidelines for Carrying Cash and Items

• Airport Rules: At airports, authorities must notify the Income Tax Department if individuals carry cash exceeding Rs 10 lakh or more than 1 kg of bullion. Cash or bullion can be seized until verification is completed to prevent misuse for political purposes.
• Check-Post Regulations: If over Rs 10 lakh cash is found in a vehicle without suspicion at check-posts, it will be reported to the Income Tax authorities for further action.
• Vehicle Search Protocol: Vehicles with candidates, agents, or party workers carrying excess cash or prohibited items are subject to confiscation.Any suspicions of criminal activities lead to the application of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) with FIRs lodged within 24 hours.

Post-Seizure Procedures

Seized cash or items unrelated to candidates or crimes are returned, following specific protocols.

• Authorities ensure the safe return of seized items and money not linked to electoral malpractice.
• A grievance redressal committee at the district level handles complaints to prevent inconvenience to the public or genuine individuals.
• The committee reviews cases of seizure without associated complaints and takes prompt action to return the seized cash when necessary.

Source: Hindustan Times

GS-III

ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FUNDS (AIF)

Subject: Economy

Why in News?

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently made changes to the norms governing investments in Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) by regulated entities (REs).

Background:

Recent changes have been introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to ensure consistency in the implementation of investment norms among regulated entities (REs). These changes aim to address concerns raised by various stakeholders.

About Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)

• Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) are private investment funds that pool resources and invest based on a specific investment strategy.
• They offer investors exposure to unconventional asset classes beyond traditional stocks and bonds.
• These funds gather capital from sophisticated investors, both domestic and foreign, and allocate it based on a defined investment strategy.

Categories of AIFs

• Category I AIFs: These funds can invest in start-ups, early-stage ventures, social enterprises, SMEs, and sectors endorsed by the government or regulators.
• Category II AIFs: This category includes private equity funds, real estate funds, debt funds, and funds focusing on distressed assets. They avoid excessive leverage.
• Category III AIFs: Category III AIFs engage in sophisticated trading strategies, including leverage through derivatives. Hedge funds are classified under this category.

Tenure and Liquidity

• Category I and II AIFs are typically closed-end with a minimum tenure of three years.
• Category III AIFs can be either open-end or closed-end.

Regulation

• AIFs operate under the guidelines of the SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012.
• These funds can be structured as companies, Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), trusts, etc.

Investor Base

• AIFs attract high-net-worth individuals, both from India and abroad.
• Institutions and affluent individuals often invest in AIFs due to the significant capital requirements.

Risk and Returns

• AIFs offer the potential for higher returns but carry increased risks due to their focus on non-traditional assets.
• Investors should evaluate their risk tolerance carefully before investing in AIFs.

Source: The Hindu

Quantum Cryptography

Subject: Science

Why in News? 

Scientists are proposing a new technology known as quantum cryptography to protect sensitive communications.

Background

Quantum cryptography utilizes the inherent uncertainty of quantum physics to develop encryption keys that are essentially unbreakable. It is a pivotal field in cybersecurity, offering a promising avenue for securing sensitive information.

About Quantum Cryptography

• Quantum cryptography, also referred to as Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), is a technique employed to establish secure communication.
• It utilizes the principles of quantum mechanics to encrypt data, creating communication channels that are virtually impervious to hacking.
• Unlike traditional encryption methods that rely on complex mathematical algorithms, quantum communication is based on the laws of physics.

How Does Quantum Cryptography Work?

• Encryption Keys: Quantum cryptography facilitates the sharing and distribution of secret keys necessary for cryptographic protocols. In contrast to classical cryptosystems that depend on intricate mathematical algorithms, quantum communication is grounded in the principles of physics.
• Qubits: In Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), encryption keys are transmitted as "qubits" (quantum bits) through optical fibers. These qubits are akin to bits in a binary system, and optical fibers allow swift data transfer over long distances.
• Wave Function Collapse: The qubits, encoded on photons, are structured in a way that any unauthorized attempt to intercept the transmission disrupts them. Legitimate users are promptly notified of any interference.

Main Categories of QKD

• Prepare-and-Measure Protocols: These protocols concentrate on detecting unobserved quantum states, aiding in identifying espionage (eavesdropping) and evaluating the extent of intercepted data.
• Entanglement-based Protocols: These protocols involve interconnected quantum states that are established when two objects are linked. They enhance the security of communication channels.

Significance of Quantum Cryptography

• Enhanced Security: Quantum cryptography furnishes solutions that are secure from an information-theoretical perspective, making it arduous for hackers or governments to intercept communication.
• Longer Encryption Durability: Unlike conventional methods, quantum encryption remains robust and secure over extended periods.
• Applications: Quantum cryptography holds implications for sectors such as healthcare, where secure data transmission is paramount.

Source: Live Science

Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA)

Subject: Environment 

Why in News? 

From an Indian perspective, energy security is very important. India is the 3rd largest consumer of crude oil and is heavily dependent on energy imports, which accounts for more than 85% of its energy needs. Biofuels have emerged as an important strategic tool for India, potentially leveraging massive biomass resources as an agricultural powerhouse. Although a still nascent source of energy in the Indian market, both Bioethanol and biodiesel are expected to grow at a CAGR of 5%.

Importance of Energy Security for India

• India's heavy dependency on energy imports due to being the 3rd largest consumer of crude oil.
• Biofuels, such as Bioethanol and biodiesel, are crucial for India's energy security.
• India aims to leverage its significant biomass resources for energy production.
• Expected growth of Bioethanol and biodiesel at a CAGR of 5% in the Indian market.

Formation and Objectives of GBA

• GBA launched by India and other global leaders to promote collaboration in biofuel advancement.
• Acts as a central repository of knowledge and an expert hub for biofuel technologies.
• Members include various countries and international organizations.

Significance of GBA

• Ensures stable supply of eco-fuels and connects industries through a virtual marketplace.
• Facilitates the development and adoption of international standards for biofuels.
• Raises awareness about the role of biofuels in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Challenges Faced by GBA

• Lack of consensus on sustainable fuels, hindering biofuel acceptance.
• Resistance from developed nations towards technology sharing with developing countries.
• Slow deployment of biofuels compared to other renewable sources like solar and wind.
• Challenges include feedstock availability, impact on food production, and lack of cost-effective technologies.

Source: Live Science