Weekly Current Affairs (16th October to 22nd October 2023) | Current Affairs: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - CLAT PDF Download

India Approves New Royalty Rates for Lithium, Niobium, and Rare Earth Elements

1. India's Union Cabinet approves updated royalty rates for minerals such as lithium, niobium, and rare earth elements, aligning them with global standards to facilitate commercial mining through auctions.
2. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023, delists lithium and niobium from the list of atomic minerals, enabling private sector concessions and auctioning for these minerals, along with 24 other critical and strategic minerals.
3. These minerals, including lithium crucial for batteries and niobium used in alloys and superconductors, hold the key to advancements in mobile technology, electric vehicles, and various industrial applications.

Second Global Amphibian Assessment Reveals Alarming Extinction Risks

• The Second Global Amphibian Assessment report, led by Re:wild, Synchronicity Earth, and the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, highlights that approximately 41% of amphibian species worldwide are at risk of extinction due to major threats like climate change, habitat loss, disease, and more.
• In India, 139 out of 426 assessed amphibian species are classified as threatened, with the Western Ghats region, known for its biodiversity, facing the challenge of protecting 64 endangered amphibian species, including the unique dancing frogs of the Micrixalus genus.
• The Wildlife Trust of India's Amphibian Recovery Project, focused on five species, is actively addressing the factors contributing to the risk of extinction among these amphibians, striving to conserve these vital members of the ecosystem.

Tiny Watermeal Plant Investigated for Astronaut Nutrition and Oxygen

1. Scientists in Thailand are pioneering research on Watermeal, Earth's smallest flowering plant, to explore its potential as a nutritious food source and oxygen generator for astronauts.
2. Watermeal, characterized by its minute size and aquatic habitat, flourishes in nutrient-rich freshwater settings, such as ponds, lakes, and marshes, and serves as both an oxygen producer through photosynthesis and a protein-rich dietary component.
3. With a history of being a traditional part of the local diet in Thailand, this research offers exciting possibilities for space exploration and sustainability.

Demand for Nationwide Caste Census in India Sparks Debate

1. Recent findings from a caste survey in Bihar, where 63% of the state's population belongs to the Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) and Other Backward Classes (OBC), have prompted calls for a nationwide caste census in India.

2. However, the Prime Minister has openly criticized and rejected the demand for a nationwide caste census, leading to a polarized debate on the matter.

3. Bihar initiated a two-phase caste survey in January 2023, with the goal of collecting detailed socio-economic data to formulate more effective government policies for disadvantaged groups, particularly the OBCs and EBCs that make up over 63% of Bihar's population.

4. The survey data also reveals significant disparities, with so-called "forward" or "General" caste populations accounting for just 15.5% of Bihar's residents. Scheduled Castes (SCs) represent about 20%, and Scheduled Tribes (STs) only 1.6%.

5. These statistics underscore the intersection of class and caste-based inequalities in India, as evidenced by varying socio-economic indicators, including disparities in monthly per capita consumption expenditures between different caste groups.

India Ranks 111th in Global Hunger Index 2023: Key Insights

• India has been ranked 111th out of 125 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2023, indicating significant challenges in addressing hunger and malnutrition.
• The GHI assesses hunger using four indicators: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and child mortality. India faces the highest child wasting rate in the world, at 18.7%, reflecting acute undernutrition.
• Globally, progress in reducing hunger has largely stagnated, with the share of undernourished people increasing from 7.5% in 2017 to 9.2% in 2022.
• South Asia and Africa South of the Sahara exhibit serious hunger, with GHI scores of 27.0. In contrast, Europe and Central Asia have a low GHI score of 6.0.
• India's neighboring countries like Sri Lanka (60th), Nepal (69th), Bangladesh (81st), and Pakistan (102nd) have more favorable rankings in the index, emphasizing the need for increased efforts to combat hunger and malnutrition in India.

India's Health Minister Addresses World Health Summit 2023, Emphasizes NCD Initiatives

Key Points from the World Health Summit 2023:

1. India's Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare highlighted the nation's efforts to combat Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), with a focus on reducing their prevalence and impact.
2. The National Programme for Prevention and Control of NCDs (NP-NCD), initiated in 2010 under the National Health Mission (NHM), aims to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, develop human resources, promote health, facilitate early diagnosis, and improve NCD management and referral systems.
3. The 75/25 initiative has been launched with the goal of screening and providing standard care to 75 million individuals with hypertension and diabetes by 2025.
4. The Union Budget for 2023-2024 includes hypertension and diabetes treatment as output indicators for the first time, underscoring the government's commitment to addressing NCDs.
5. The Population-Based Screening (PBS) program, part of the Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) under Ayushman Bharat, targets individuals aged 30 and above for risk assessment and screening of common NCDs like hypertension, diabetes, oral cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer.
6. The National NCD portal plays a crucial role in the prevention, control, screening, and management of common NCDs. It collects primary-level information at public health facilities to monitor individual-wise screening and treatment compliance for NCDs.

Theme for 2023: “A Defining Year for Global Health Action.”

Prime Minister Inaugurates 9th P20 Summit, Focusing on Global Governance and Sustainability

Key Highlights from the 9th G20 Parliamentary Speakers' Summit (P20):

1. The P20 Engagement Group, established during Canada's G20 Presidency in 2010, is led by Speakers from the Parliaments of G20 countries with the goal of bringing a parliamentary dimension to global governance.
2. The summit, hosted by the Parliament of India in collaboration with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), seeks to raise awareness, garner political support for international commitments, and ensure their effective implementation at the national level.
3. The theme for the 9th P20 Summit is 'Parliaments for One Earth, One Family, One Future,' reflecting the focus on sustainability and global cooperation.
4. The summit featured discussions on four critical subjects, including accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting sustainable energy transition, advancing women-led development initiatives, and exploring the transformation of people's lives through public digital platforms.

India Amends Aircraft Rules, Enhancing Aviation Business and Safety

1. The validity of Airline Transport Pilot Licenses (ATPL) and Commercial Pilot Licenses (CPL) has been extended from five to ten years, reducing the frequency of license renewals for pilots.
2. Rules have been updated to address concerns related to the display of lights near aerodromes, now encompassing lantern lights, wish kites, and laser lights within the definition of 'light.'
3. The government's jurisdiction over those displaying such lights has been expanded from a 5-kilometer radius to 5 nautical miles around an aerodrome, with the power to take action against lights that could disrupt aircraft safety or harm the crew.
4. Legal actions can be taken under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in cases where such lights are left unattended for 24 hours, and the government can enter the location to turn them off.
5. The requirement to validate foreign pilot licenses has been removed, streamlining processes for foreign pilots.
6. Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) license holders now enjoy increased flexibility in their working hours, with a minimum of ten hours of simulated exercises, including emergency scenarios, and a mandatory skill assessment for their rating within ten days of commencing these exercises.

Supreme Court Rejects Legal Status for Same-Sex Marriages: Key Points from the Judgment

1. A five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, in a 3-2 majority decision, declined to grant legal status to same-sex marriages, based on the argument that the Constitution guarantees a fundamental right to marry a person of one's choice.
2. The majority view concurred with the minority opinion that marriage is not inherently a fundamental right as it has been shaped by state regulations, and personal importance does not automatically make something a fundamental right.
3. The Special Marriage Act (SMA), enacted in 1954 to facilitate interfaith or inter-caste marriages without the need to give up religious identity or convert, was central to the case.
4. The petitioners had requested the Supreme Court to interpret the word "marriage" as between "spouses" instead of "man and woman."
5. The petitioners also sought the removal of gender-restrictive provisions in the SMA, with the majority view stating that the SMA's objective does not encompass the inclusion of same-sex couples within the realm of marriage.
6. The petitioners argued that Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) guidelines, which do not permit unmarried couples to jointly adopt children, discriminate against queer couples unable to legally marry.
7. While the minority view struck down certain CARA regulations, the majority view suggested that only the legislature could change the adoption criteria, highlighting the need for legal reform.
8. During the hearing, the judges discussed the possibility of recognizing civil unions for queer couples as a compromise, with the majority view recommending that this option could be facilitated by the state if the community desires it.
9. The majority view disagreed with the idea of the court prescribing a "choice" of civil unions for queer couples, suggesting that the state should consider this option based on community preferences.

Prime Minister Inaugurates Global Maritime India Summit 2023: Key Highlights

1. The Prime Minister inaugurated the third edition of the Global Maritime India Summit 2023.
2. The Prime Minister unveiled 'Amrit Kaal Vision 2047,' a comprehensive blueprint for India's maritime blue economy, featuring strategic initiatives to enhance port facilities, promote sustainability, and foster international collaboration.
3. The foundation stone for projects valued at over Rs 23,000 crores, aligning with the goals of 'Amrit Kaal Vision 2047,' was laid during the event.
4. The Tuna Tekra all-weather deep draft terminal, situated at the Deendayal Port Authority in Gujarat, had its foundation stone laid. This terminal is expected to become an international trade hub, capable of handling next-gen vessels exceeding 18,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), and it will serve as a gateway for Indian trade via the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.
5. The Global Maritime India Summit 2023 serves as a significant platform for attracting investment in India's maritime sector.
6. This is the third edition of the Maritime India Summit, with the first held in 2016 in Mumbai and the second conducted virtually in 2021.
7. The 2023 summit witnesses participation from Ministers representing countries across Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia, including central Asia, the Middle East, and the BIMSTEC region.
8. Over the course of three days, the summit will address key issues in the maritime sector, including discussions on ports of the future, decarbonization, coastal shipping, shipbuilding, finance, maritime safety and security, and maritime tourism, among others.

Launch of IndiaSkills 2023-24 Program and Felicitation of WorldSkills 2022 Winners

1. The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship introduced the IndiaSkills 2023-24 program and honored the winners of WorldSkills 2022.

2. In the previous year, India achieved the 11th position in the global competition, making it one of the biggest skill competitions in the country, showcasing exceptional talent with the support of State Governments and Industry.

3. IndiaSkills serves as a pathway to the WorldSkills Competition, providing participants who excel at the national level an opportunity to compete on the global stage.

4. The upcoming WorldSkills Competition is set to take place in Paris.

5. These competitions not only establish a benchmark for high performance but also assess vocational excellence within the workforce.

About the WorldSkills Competition:

1. The WorldSkills Competition is the largest international skill competition, occurring biennially and organized by WorldSkills International, encompassing 86 member countries.
2. WorldSkills is an international charity that conducts global and national championships for vocational skills, with events held every two years in various parts of the world. Additionally, it hosts conferences on vocational skills.
3. WorldSkills India is an initiative under the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), operating within the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, to promote and develop vocational skills in India.

India's First Regional Train Service, Delhi-Meerut RRTS Corridor, Set to Commence

1. The maiden voyage of India's first regional train service, the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), also known as RapidX, is ready to begin, covering a 17-kilometer stretch.
2. The RRTS project is developed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), a joint venture involving the Government of India and the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
3. Construction of the RRTS corridor commenced in 2019, with the entire corridor stretching over 82 kilometers and expected to be completed by 2025. It comprises 24 stations.
4. The project was executed at a cost of ₹30,274 crore, with financial support from institutions such as the Asian Development Bank, New Development Bank, and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
5. The RRTS offers a higher operational speed of 160 kilometers per hour, compared to the metro's speed of 80 kph.
6. Commuter-centric features of RRTS trains include overhead luggage racks, Wi-Fi, mobile and laptop charging at every seat, one premium class car with wider seats and more legroom, coat hangers, and vending machine facilities.
7. The first phase, covering 17 kilometers, will include five stations: Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, and the Duhai Depot. These RRTS stations will be integrated with various metro lines, airports, and bus stands where possible.

Parents Seek Inclusion of Niemann-Pick Disease in India's Rare Diseases Policy

1. Parents of children suffering from Niemann-Pick disease are advocating for the inclusion of this rare and inherited metabolic disorder in India's National Policy for Rare Diseases.
2. The proposed inclusion would make eligible patients eligible for financial support from the government and provide access to Xenpozyme, an expensive enzyme replacement therapy used for treatment.
3. Niemann-Pick disease is a group of rare disorders that impact the body's ability to metabolize lipids or fats correctly.
4. The accumulation of lipids can result in various symptoms, including liver and spleen enlargement, lung complications, neurological issues, and other health complications.
5. Niemann-Pick disease is caused by mutations in specific genes related to lipid and cholesterol metabolism, and it follows an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, meaning both parents must pass on the defective gene for a child to be affected.
6. Currently, there is no known cure for Niemann-Pick disease, making early diagnosis and access to appropriate therapies crucial for managing the condition.

Supreme Court Directs Immediate Appointment of District Officers under POSH Act

1. The Supreme Court has issued a directive to the Central government, all states, and Union territories to promptly appoint district officers under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act (POSH Act).
2. The POSH Act, enacted in 2013, mandates the appointment of District Officers in every district.
3. These District Officers are responsible for forming Local Complaints Committees (LCCs) to receive complaints from women employed in small establishments with fewer than 10 workers or cases involving the employer as the accused.

1. District Officers will also appoint nodal officers in rural, tribal, and urban areas. Nodal officers receive complaints and forward them to the relevant Local Complaints Committees (LCCs).
2. Following an inquiry, LCCs must submit a report to the District Officer and the employer, along with recommendations for necessary actions.
3. District Officers will submit a brief statement on the annual reports submitted by every employer in their jurisdiction to the government.
4. If an organization has ten or more employees, it must establish an Internal Committee (IC) under the POSH Act.