Weekly Current Affairs (15th July to 21st July 2023) | Current Affairs: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - CLAT PDF Download

India-France Collaboration: Joint Jet Engine Development and Shared Global Vision

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Official Visit to France Highlights Milestone Agreements and Bilateral Roadmap

Key Highlights:

• French President confers the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France's highest honor, to Prime Minister Modi during his visit to France as the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade.
• India and France issue a joint statement titled "25th Anniversary of the Strategic Partnership between France and India: towards a Century of Indo-French Relations," setting the course for comprehensive bilateral collaboration till 2047, which marks significant milestones for both countries.
• The bilateral roadmap is built on three pillars: partnership for security and sovereignty, partnership for the planet, and partnership for the people.
• Notable agreements signed between the two nations include India's acquisition of 26 Rafale-M fighters for the Indian Navy, the co-production of three Scorpene class submarines at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, and a strategic partnership to jointly develop a combat aircraft engine.
• India and France jointly release the India-France Indo-Pacific Roadmap, which emphasizes the establishment of an Indo-French development fund for third countries to finance sustainable development projects in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Plans to set up the Indo-French Health Campus for the Indo-Pacific are also underway, aiming to become a regional center for research and academia in the healthcare sector.
• India and France's commitment to cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region was solidified with the adoption of the 'Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region' in 2018.

A shared commitment to combat single-use plastic pollution is evident as the two countries agree to ban such products with low utility and high littering potential, while also collaborating with like-minded nations to strengthen negotiations for a binding international instrument to tackle plastic pollution.

India Launches MISHTI Scheme to Restore Mangroves and Boost Coastal Livelihoods

Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu witnesses a Mangrove Plantation drive as part of the recently announced Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) scheme.

Key Highlights:

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change organized a mangrove plantation program in Kovalam Panchayat, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, under the newly launched MISHTI scheme.
• The MISHTI Scheme was unveiled in the Budget 2023-24, with the primary objective of restoring and expanding mangrove forests along India's coastal districts, drawing inspiration from successful practices in India and other countries, including Indonesia.
• The scheme aims to promote mangrove-associated ecotourism initiatives and generate sustainable livelihood opportunities in coastal states.
• Presently, approximately 5000 sq km of land is under mangrove cover, and the MISHTI program aims to extend this area by 540 sq km across 9 States and 4 Union Territories.
• The implementation of MISHTI is planned for a five-year period from 2023-2024 to 2027-2028.
• To finance the scheme, a convergence of funds from CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority), MGNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme), and other sources will be utilized.

The MISHTI scheme reflects India's commitment to restoring vital mangrove ecosystems, which play a crucial role in preserving shoreline habitats and fostering tangible economic benefits for coastal communities. By adopting innovative approaches and drawing from successful models worldwide, the program seeks to create a sustainable balance between conservation and livelihood generation in coastal regions.

NITI Aayog Releases Export Preparedness Index 2022: Tamil Nadu Tops the Chart

NITI Aayog's third edition of the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) for States/UTs of India for 2022 is out.

Key Highlights:

• The Export Preparedness Index (EPI) is a comprehensive tool designed to measure the export readiness of States and UTs in India.
• Its primary goal is to conduct a thorough analysis of states and UTs based on export-related parameters to identify their strengths and weaknesses in the export sector.
• The index evaluates the performance of each state and UT across four key pillars:
  • Policy Pillar: Assesses the adoption of export-related policies at the state and district level and evaluates the institutional framework supporting the export ecosystem.
  • Business Ecosystem: Examines the overall business environment, the extent of business-supportive infrastructure, and the state/UT's transport connectivity.
  • Export Ecosystem: Focuses on export-related infrastructure, trade support provided to exporters, and the prevalence of Research and Development to foster innovation.
  • Export Performance: Measures the growth of a state's exports over the previous year, analyzes export concentration, and evaluates its presence in global markets.
• Tamil Nadu emerges as the leader in the EPI 2022, followed closely by Maharashtra and Karnataka.
• Gujarat, which held the top position in EPI 2021, has now been pushed to the fourth rank in EPI 2022.
• Among hilly/Himalayan states, Uttarakhand secures the top position in export preparedness.
• Haryana leads the chart among landlocked regions, with Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan following closely.
• Among Union Territories and small states, Goa takes the top spot, with Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Ladakh ranking high.
• Out of the 680 districts engaged in exports, the top 100 districts contribute approximately 87% of India's total exports.
• Jamnagar in Gujarat tops the list of export districts, with Surat, Mumbai Suburban, Mumbai, Pune, Bharuch, and Kanchipuram following suit.
• Despite the global slowdown, India's exports in 2021-22 reached an unprecedented USD 675 billion, with trade in goods accounting for USD 420 billion.
• The value of merchandise exports surpassed the ambitious goal set by the government, reaching USD 422 billion by March 2022.

India's Bharat NCAP: New Crash Safety Rating Programme to Boost Vehicle Safety

India is set to introduce its own crash safety star rating, known as Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP), for four-wheelers starting from October 1, 2023.

Key Highlights:

• Bharat NCAP is a pioneering safety assessment programme designed for passenger vehicles with a seating capacity of up to eight people and weighing less than 3.5 tonnes.
• Under this programme, cars will undergo comprehensive crash tests and be awarded points, which will determine their star rating. The highest safety rating will be five stars.
• The crash tests will encompass three types: frontal, side, and pole-side impact tests. The evaluation will include scoring for both adult safety (front passengers) and child safety (rear passengers).
• To achieve a 5-star rating, a car must score a minimum of 27 points out of a maximum of 32 for adult safety and 41 points out of 49 for child safety.
• The rollout of Bharat NCAP will commence from October 1, but it will be voluntary, with cars tested at the request of manufacturers.
• Similar to developed countries, most NCAPs worldwide are voluntary initiatives. They encourage companies to offer advanced safety features by fostering healthy competition in the automobile industry.
• With Bharat NCAP, India will align itself with other global regions like the US, Europe, Japan, Australia, and Latin America, which already have their own NCAPs in place.
• This new safety rating programme aims to enhance transparency, raise consumer awareness about vehicle safety, and enable buyers to make more informed decisions by considering a car's safety credentials.

The introduction of Bharat NCAP is a significant step towards elevating vehicle safety standards in India and empowering consumers with valuable information to prioritize safety when purchasing vehicles.

Indian Scientists Pave the Way for Stable and Affordable Carbon-based Perovskite Solar Cells

Indigenous development of stable and cost-effective Carbon-based perovskite solar cells by Indian scientists opens new possibilities for efficient solar energy harnessing.

Key Highlights:

• Perovskite refers to a material with a crystal structure similar to calcium titanium oxide, initially discovered in the Ural Mountains and named after Lev Perovski, the founder of the Russian Geographical Society.
• Perovskite exhibits fascinating properties such as superconductivity, giant magnetoresistance, and ferroelectricity due to its unique crystal composition.
• Perovskite Solar Cells (PSC) are a type of solar cell that employs a light-harvesting active layer consisting of perovskite-structured compounds, typically hybrid organic-inorganic lead or tin halide-based materials.
• PSCs offer a promising alternative to traditional silicon solar cells, boasting higher efficiencies and significantly reduced production costs.
• However, the major challenge faced by Perovskite solar cells lies in their degradation during operation, caused by exposure to heat, moisture, light, and other environmental factors. This long-term stability issue hampers large-scale commercialization of the technology.
• Indian scientists have achieved a significant breakthrough by developing highly stable and affordable Carbon-based perovskite solar cells with enhanced thermal and moisture resistance. This development holds the potential to address the degradation challenges during the operation of solar cells.

The indigenous innovation of stable and low-cost Carbon-based perovskite solar cells by Indian scientists marks a noteworthy advancement in solar energy technology, paving the way for more efficient and economical solar power solutions.

India and Indonesia Initiate "Economic and Financial Dialogue" to Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

India and Indonesia announce the launch of the "India-Indonesia Economic and Financial Dialogue" during the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting.

Key Highlights:

• The "India-Indonesia Economic and Financial Dialogue" serves as a platform to foster collaboration on bilateral and international economic and financial matters, bringing together economic policymakers and financial regulators from both countries.
• The areas of cooperation include addressing macroeconomic challenges, assessing global economic prospects, enhancing bilateral investment relations, and promoting joint engagement on G20 and ASEAN matters.
• The dialogue is expected to deepen the bilateral relationship between India and Indonesia while also contributing to the broader economic and financial stability of Southeast Asia and the world.
• Indonesia has emerged as India's largest trading partner in the ASEAN region, and the trade volume between the two nations has witnessed an impressive eightfold increase since 2005, reaching $38 billion in FY 2022-23.

The "India-Indonesia Economic and Financial Dialogue" marks a significant step in strengthening economic ties and enhancing cooperation between the two countries, aiming to foster growth and stability in the region and beyond.

Aspartame: The Artificial Sweetener in the Spotlight

Aspartame, an artificial sweetener 200 times sweeter than sugar, has been classified as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" by the WHO. However, experts emphasize moderation in its use.

Key Highlights:

• Aspartame is a widely used artificial sweetener, commonly found in powder form and added to various beverages like tea, coffee, colas, as well as chewing gums and packaged desserts. It is preferred due to its non-caloric nature.
• In 1965, chemist James M. Schlatter discovered aspartame, leading to its use as a sugar substitute.
• The Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) conducted an assessment and concluded that there is insufficient evidence to definitively link aspartame to human cancer. However, to mitigate potential health risks, they recommended limiting its consumption.
• The JECFA established a daily intake limit of 0–40 mg/kg body weight for aspartame, emphasizing the importance of moderation in its usage.

Aspartame, despite its widespread use as a sugar alternative, has garnered attention due to its classification as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" by the WHO. While the scientific community suggests the need for caution and moderation, it remains essential for individuals to be mindful of their overall consumption of this artificial sweetener.

India's Breakthrough: World's Latest Steel Slag Road Technology

India has achieved a significant milestone by developing the world's latest Steel Slag Road technology, providing an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution for road construction.

Key Highlights:

• Slag is the residue left after extracting impurities during the steel-making process in most Steel Plants.
• The CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) in New Delhi has pioneered the use of Steel slag in road construction.
• In 2022, Surat in Gujarat became the first city in India to have a processed steel slag (industrial waste) road, demonstrating the technology's successful implementation.
• The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has utilized steel slag to construct a durable and heavy-duty road along the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh.
• The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), the country's largest road building agency, successfully tested the Steel Slag Road technology on NH-66 (Mumbai-Goa).
• India is the world's second-largest steel producer, generating around 200 kg of steel slag per ton of steel production, resulting in approximately 19 million tons of steel slag per annum. This quantity is expected to reach 60 million tons by 2030.
• Steel slag is currently being piled up as solid waste near steel plants, leading to air, water, and land pollution.
• Utilizing steel slag in road construction offers an eco-friendly and cost-effective approach to manage this waste.
• The cost of constructing steel slag roads is approximately 30% lower than conventional road construction methods.
• Steel slag roads have a significantly longer lifespan, lasting up to ten years compared to the three to four years for bitumen roads, which reduces maintenance costs considerably.
• Additionally, steel slag roads are more durable and resistant to unpredictable weather conditions.

India's breakthrough in developing the world's latest Steel Slag Road technology not only addresses the challenge of waste management but also brings sustainable and long-lasting road infrastructure to the country, benefitting both the environment and the economy.

Climate Change Linked to Spread of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF)

The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that Climate Change is contributing to the spread of deadly viruses such as Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF).

Key Highlights:

• Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a viral haemorrhagic fever, primarily transmitted by ticks.
• The virus is commonly found in ticks and can also infect animals such as cattle, goats, sheep, and hares, acting as amplifying hosts.
• Transmission to humans occurs through contact with infected ticks or animal blood. CCHF can also spread from one infected human to another through contact with infectious blood or body fluids like sweat and saliva.
• The disease was initially identified in the Crimean Peninsula in 1944 and was named Crimean haemorrhagic fever. Later, in 1969, it was connected to a similar illness in the Congo Basin, resulting in the current name and virus association.
• CCHF is endemic in various regions, including all of Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East, and Asia.
• Outbreaks of CCHF pose a significant threat to public health as the virus can lead to epidemics with a high case fatality ratio ranging from 10% to 40%.
• The first fatality from the disease in Europe was reported in Spain, while India recently witnessed one death from CCHF in Gujarat.
• Currently, there is no vaccine available for the virus in either humans or animals, and treatment primarily focuses on managing symptoms.

The link between Climate Change and the spread of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever emphasizes the need for vigilance in monitoring infectious diseases and implementing measures to mitigate their impact on human and animal populations.

India Achieves Record High DPT3 Immunization Coverage in 2022

According to the recent WHO and UNICEF estimates for national immunization coverage in 2022, India has reached an all-time high of 93% coverage rate for DPT3 vaccine, surpassing the pre-pandemic best of 91% recorded in 2019.

Key Highlights:

• The WHO South-East Asia Region witnessed a remarkable recovery in DPT3 vaccine coverage, reaching 91%, a significant increase from the 82% recorded in 2021.
• India, in particular, achieved an impressive milestone, with a record high of 93% coverage rate for the DPT3 vaccine in 2022.
• The DPT vaccine, also known as the DTP vaccine, is a combination vaccine that protects against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus in humans.
• The vaccine components include diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, along with either killed whole cells of the bacterium causing pertussis or pertussis antigens.
• Notably, the number of zero-dose children, who had not received even the first dose of the DPT vaccine, decreased to 2.3 million in 2022 from 4.6 million in 2021.
• Similarly, the number of partially vaccinated children, who received at least one dose but did not complete the full series of three doses, reduced to 6.5 lakh in 2022 from 1.3 million in 2021.
• The WHO South-East Asia Region exhibited the most robust immunization recoveries across all WHO regions, largely attributable to the efforts made by India and Indonesia.

India's achievement of a record-high DPT3 immunization coverage reflects the country's dedication to public health and underscores the importance of vaccination in safeguarding communities from preventable infectious diseases. The significant progress made in immunization is a positive step towards ensuring the health and well-being of its population.

NITI Aayog Introduces TCRM Matrix Framework to Boost Innovation and Entrepreneurship in India

NITI Aayog has launched the Techno-Commercial Readiness and Market Maturity Matrix (TCRM Matrix) Framework, aimed at transforming technology assessment and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in India.

Key Highlights:

• The TCRM Matrix Framework aims to revolutionize technology assessment in India, driving innovation and entrepreneurship across the country.
• The Working Paper provides insights into the historical development of technology assessment frameworks, including the Technology Readiness Level (TRL), Commercialization Readiness Level (CRL), and Market Readiness Level (MRL) scales.
• By leveraging the core principles of these existing frameworks, the TCRM Matrix offers an integrated assessment model that delivers detailed insights and actionable intelligence at every stage of technology development.
• The paper outlines clear guidelines for integrating the TCRM Matrix Framework within the broader innovation ecosystem, enabling policymakers, strategists, academicians, and investors to harness its full potential and drive meaningful change.
• Policymakers, strategists, academicians, and investors are provided with a roadmap for seamless integration of the framework within the innovation and entrepreneurship landscape.
• The paper assesses the key requirements and rationales for adopting the framework, exploring the potential positive implications and any constraints that may arise during its implementation.
• Notably, the adoption of the TCRM Matrix Framework requires a comprehensive exercise to tailor it to specific environments effectively.
• The framework's adoption is envisioned to take place within the national and sectoral innovation domains, fostering a conducive environment for growth and development.

The introduction of the TCRM Matrix Framework by NITI Aayog holds great promise for accelerating technology advancement, commercialization, and market entry in India. By leveraging this integrated assessment model, the country can bolster its innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, ultimately driving progress and prosperity across various sectors.

Election Commission Introduces Digital Time Voucher System for Political Party Campaigns

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has implemented a digital time voucher system to enable political parties to access government-owned electronic media, such as Doordarshan and All India Radio, for campaigning during elections.

Key Highlights:

• The digital time voucher system involves providing online vouchers that can be redeemed by political parties at a later date.
• The ECI will issue digital time vouchers to National & State political parties for campaigning on Doordarshan & All India Radio during elections.
• These vouchers can be exchanged at designated Doordarshan or AIR centres for the total allotted time.
• Political parties will receive vouchers of different denominations, such as 5 minutes and 10 minutes, corresponding to the total time allocated for telecasts on Doordarshan and broadcasts on AIR.
• The political parties can choose representatives to utilize these time vouchers, with each representative allowed a maximum of 20 minutes of the total allotted time on either Doordarshan or AIR.
• This initiative reflects the Election Commission's commitment to leveraging technology for enhancing the electoral process and streamlining engagement for all stakeholders.

The introduction of the digital time voucher system marks a significant step towards facilitating fair and efficient campaigning for political parties during elections. By embracing technology, the Election Commission aims to enhance transparency and accessibility, promoting a level playing field for all parties participating in the democratic process.