UPSC Daily Current Affairs- February 26, 2022 PDF Download

GS-I

Context

Temple has always been an integral part of the Indian life and its ecosystem in its own ways. Temple construction was practised as a pious act not only in the subcontinent but the idea also travelled to the nearest neighbourhood such as south-east and East Asia; therefore, it becomes an interesting study as to how the art and technique of temple architecture spread from India to other regions and how this art was modified.

The architectural principles of temples in India are described in Shilpa Shastra

• Nagara style: The style of temple architecture that became popular in northern India is known as Nagara. Nagara style was developed regionally each region manifesting its own particular qualities.
• Dravida Style: Dravida style of temple architecture became popular in South India. Dravida style of temples was developed dynastically, however the major features of these temples remained common across the dynasties. 
• Vesara Style: In the mid-seventh century, a distinct style of temple architecture grew in Karnataka region under the patronage of Chalukya rulers. The temples in this region follow a hybridised style which combines the features of both Nagara and Dravida styles.

Similarities and differences of three styles

Nocte tribes: Arunachal Pradesh
National War Memorial (NWM): Stands testimony to the sacrifices made by the gallant soldiers since Independence. The monument houses the eternal flame which exemplifies the supreme sacrifice made by a soldier in the line of duty thus making him immortal.

System for Pension Administration (Raksha) {SPARSH} initiative

• Aims at providing a comprehensive solution to the administration of pension to the defence pensioners in line with the Government’s vision of ‘Digital India’, ‘Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)’ and ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’.
• Designed keeping defence pensioners at the centre, who will be given a completely transparent view of their pension account, through an online portal.
• It captures and maintains a complete history of events and entitlements of the pensioner – right from the date of commencement of pension to the date of cessation of pension due to the last eligible beneficiary.
• SPARSH has fundamentally re-engineered the process of pension disbursement – from generation of the Pension Payment Orders (PPOs) to Direct Benefit Transfer of pensions, with the motto of right pension delivered at the right time.

Climate change likely to favour soil-borne plant pathogens for diseases

• Indian Scientists have identified that high-temperature drought conditions and low soil moisture content are favourable conditions for dry root rot (DRR).
• DRR is a disease that damages the roots or girdles the trunk in chickpea. This work will be useful for the development of resistant lines and better management strategies.
• Dry root rot disease causes reduced vigour, dull green leaf colour, poor new growth, and twig dieback. If extensive root damage occurs, the leaves suddenly wilt and dry on the tree.

Significance of the study

• The increasing global average temperature is leading to appearance of many new plant disease-causing pathogens at a rate hitherto unheard of, one of them being Macrophomina phaseolina, a soil-borne necrotrophic that causes root rot in chickpea. 
• Currently, the central and southern states of India have been identified as the prime chickpea DRR hotspots with an overall 5 – 35% disease incidence.

GS-II

Context

To create an enabling environment for cities to generate decarbonization solutions across the energy, transport, and the built environment sectors.

Aim

• The ‘Sustainable Cities India program’ intends to enable cities to decarbonize in a systematic and sustainable way that will reduce emissions and deliver resilient and equitable urban ecosystems. 
• The Forum and NIUA will adapt the Forum’s City Sprint process and Toolbox of Solutions for decarbonization in the context of five to seven Indian cities across two years. 
• The City Sprint process is a series of multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholder workshops involving business, government, and civil society leaders to enable decarbonization, especially through clean electrification and circularity. 
  • The outcome of the workshop series will be a shortlist of relevant policies and business models, which not only reduce emissions but also maximize System Value, such as improved air quality or job creation. 
  • Will help to jumpstart and/or accelerate net zero planning and action.
  • Uses the Toolbox of Solutions – a digital platform containing over 200 examples of clean electrification, efficiency and smart infrastructure best practices and case studies across buildings, energy systems and mobility from over 110 cities around the world. 
  • Enable cities to run pilot solutions and, based on findings, India will be able contribute 10 to 40 best practice case studies which will be integrated into the Toolbox of Solutions and showcased across the world.

Significance

• India is rapidly urbanizing; its scale and pace is unprecedented. It is imperative for institutions to prioritize and embed climate resilience in the urban development process.
• As per the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2022, densely populated countries that are highly dependent on agriculture, such as India, are especially vulnerable to climate insecurity. Decarbonization in cities is a real opportunity to keep global warming well below 2°C and cities in India can make an enormous contribution in reaching this goal. 
• India is committed to become Net-Zero by 2070, aligning with its vision for a ‘future ready’ India set during the COP26 summit in Glasgow. New models of public and private collaboration are needed to make progress towards net zero goals. 
• In realizing this vision to accelerate the clean energy transition, conversation and more importantly, action amongst all actors of the quadruple helix is critical. Cross-sector and inter-organizational partnerships are crucial to foster an exchange of knowledge and identify best practices which can be applied effectively in the Indian context.
• This partnership between NIUA and WEF is an important step towards that direction. This collaboration will help cities in India and cities globally to learn from one another and drive action towards sustainable development and climate resilience.

About Net Zero Carbon Cities

• The World Economic Forum’s Net Zero Carbon Cities’ mission is to create an enabling environment for clean electrification and circularity, resulting in urban decarbonization and resilience. 
• The program aims to do this by fostering public-private collaboration to bridge the gap across the energy, built environment and transport sectors.

About NIUA

• Established in 1976, the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) is India’s leading national think tank on urban planning and development.
• As a hub for the generation and dissemination of cutting-edge research in the urban sector, NIUA seeks to provide innovative solutions to address the challenges of a fast urbanizing India, and pave the way for more inclusive and sustainable cities of the future.

Context

The commencement of Russian military action in Ukraine is having huge implication on the global security order. At the heart of it is the instability in the post-Cold War security order.

What events led to emboldening of Russia?

• Reengagement between US & Russia: A meeting between U.S. President Biden and Russia’s President Vladmir Putin in June 2021 wanted to reverse seven years of relentless U.S.-Russia acrimony. 
• Growing US-China tensions: US was seeking a modus vivendi with Russia and disengagement from conflicts in Europe and West Asia, to enable a sharper U.S. focus on domestic challenges and the external challenge from its principal strategic adversary, China. 
• Space for Russia: Mr. Putin saw this reengagement as an opportunity to revive Russia’s flagging economy and expand its freedom of political action globally. However, he wanted this engagement on equal terms where Russia’s concerns are met, so that it does not constantly worry about strategic posture of NATO.

What were Russia’s concerns with West?

• Russia has repeatedly articulated its grievances: NATO’s expansion violated promises made prior to the breakup of the Soviet Union Ukraine’s accession to NATO would cross Russia’s red lines NATO’s strategic posture poses a continuing security threat to Russia NATO’s expansion as a politico-military alliance, even after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact, was at the U.S.’s initiative.
  • It was intended to temper European ambitions for strategic autonomy from the sole superpower and to counter Russia’s resurgence.

How has the nature of NATO changed in the post Cold-war era?

• NATO countries today span a geography of uneven economic development and a diversity of political traditions and historical consciousness. 
• Moreover, the original glue that held NATO together — ideological solidarity (free world against communist expansion) and an existential military threat — dissolved with the collapse of communism and the Warsaw Pact. There is no ideology to oppose now. 
• Threat perceptions for NATO varies, depending on geographical location and historical experience. This heterogeneity means a diversity of interests. 
• American leadership has normally succeeded in papering over differences, but the growing ambitions of countries is making this increasingly difficult.

Did US actions eventually led to the present crisis?

• US pressure on NATO in 2008 to recognise Ukraine’s membership aspirations and its encouragement for a change of government in Ukraine in 2014, provoked the Russian annexation of Crimea. 
• The subsequent armed separatist movement in eastern Ukraine (Donbas) led to the Minsk accords of 2014-15, which provided for a special status for this region within Ukraine. 
• Ukraine considers this an unfair outcome, and the U.S. has supported its efforts to reinterpret the accords to its advantage. 
• In recent months, the U.S. signalled that it would support the full implementation of the Minsk accords, but apparently found it difficult to shake the entrenched interests sufficiently to make it happen. 
• This may have finally convinced Mr. Putin that his concerns would not be met through negotiations. 
• U.S. interests have also divided NATO on energy security. 
  • For Germany, the Nord Stream 2 (NS2) Russia-Germany gas pipeline is the cheapest source of gas for its industry. 
  • US deem it a geopolitical project, increasing European dependence on Russian energy. US also has commercial interest in exporting LNG to Europe. 
  • Ukraine fears the diminution of gas transit revenues, and also that if its importance for gas transit declines, so will Europe’s support in its disputes with Russia. 
  • European countries that oppose NS2 are ramping up their LNG import infrastructure to increase imports from the U.S.
    

What does the future hold?

• The manner in which NATO countries implement the promised harsh sanctions against Russia will demonstrate whether, how much and for how long, this crisis will keep them united. 
• European order that does not accommodate Russia’s concerns through genuine negotiation cannot be stable in the long term. 
  • France’s President Emmanuel Macron has been making this point forcefully, arguing for Europe to regain its strategic autonomy. 
  • He has called NATO “brain-dead” and said that Europe, as a “geopolitical power” should control its own destiny, regaining “military sovereignty” and re-opening a dialogue with Russia.

What is the outlook for India?

• India will have to balance the pressure from one strategic partner to condemn the violation of international law, with that from another to understand its legitimate concerns.(Just like what India did in 2014).
• As Russia-West confrontation sharpens further, the U.S. Administration’s intensified engagement in Europe will inevitably dilute its focus on the Indo-Pacific, causing India to make some tactical calibration of actions in its neighbourhood.

Conclusions
Geopolitics, however, is a long game, and the larger context of the U.S.-China rivalry could, at some point in the not too distant future, reopen the question of how Russia fits into the European security order.

Context

The Ministry of Education launched a campaign ‘Bhasha Certificate Selfie under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB). 

• In 2021, the Ministry of Education launched the Bhasha Sangam initiative under EBSB.

What are the Key Points?

• It was launched to encourage cultural diversity and promote multilingualism and to foster the spirit EBSB.
• It aims to promote the Bhasha Sangam mobile app, developed by the Ministry of Education and MyGov India. 
  • Bhasha Sangam mobile app was launched on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2021 (31st October). 
• It aims to ensure that people acquire basic conversational skills in Indian languages. To achieve this, a target of 75 lakh people acquiring basic conversational skills has been set.
• The ‘Bhasha Certificate Selfie’ initiative is encouraging people to upload their selfie with the certificate from their social media accounts.

What is Bhasha Sangam Initiative?

• It is an initiative to teach basic sentences of everyday usage in 22 Indian languages (Eighth Schedule languages). 
• It is developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). 
• The idea is that people should acquire basic conversational skills in an Indian language other than their mother tongue. 
  • It is available on DIKSHA, ePathshala and through 22 booklets.

What is Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Initiative?

• It was launched in 2015 to promote engagement amongst the people of different States/UTs so as to enhance mutual understanding and bonding between people of diverse cultures, thereby securing stronger unity and integrity of India. 
• It is an initiative of the Ministry of Education. 
• Every State and UT in the country would be paired with another State/UT for a time period, during which they would carry out a structured engagement with one another in the spheres of language, literature, cuisine, festivals, cultural events, tourism etc.

Context

Recently, the Prime Minister has inaugurated “Gobar-Dhan (Bio-CNG) Plant'' in Indore with the aim of removing lakhs of tonnes of garbage that is occupying thousand acres of land and causing air and water pollution leading to many diseases. 

• It has been established under the second phase of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM-U 2.0). 
• The plant is based on zero-landfill models, whereby no rejects would be generated. Additionally, the project is expected to yield multiple environmental benefits, viz. reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, providing green energy along with organic compost as fertilizer.

What are the Key Points of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0?

• About
  • SBM-U 2.0 was announced in Budget 2021-22, as the continuation of SBM-U first phase. 
  • The government is trying to tap safe containment, transportation, disposal of faecal sludge, and septage from toilets. 
    • SBM-U first phase was launched on 2nd October 2014 aiming at making urban India Open Defecation Free (ODF) and achieving 100% scientific management of municipal solid waste. It lasted till October 2019.
  • It will be implemented over five years from 2021 to 2026 with an outlay of Rs.1.41 lakh crore. 
  • The Mission is being implemented under the overarching principles of “waste to wealth”, and “circular economy”. 
• Aim
  • It focuses on source segregation of garbage, reduction in single-use plastic and air pollution, by effectively managing waste from construction and demolition activities and bioremediation of all legacy dump sites.
  • Under this mission, all wastewater will be treated properly before it is discharged into water bodies, and the government is trying to make maximum reuse a priority.
• Mission outcomes
  • All statutory towns will become ODF+ certified (focuses on toilets with water, maintenance and hygiene).
  • All statutory towns with less than 1 lakh population will become ODF++ certified (focuses on toilets with sludge and septage management).
  • 50% of all statutory towns with less than 1 lakh population will become Water+ certified (aims to sustain toilets by treating and reuse of water).
  • All statutory towns will be at least 3-star Garbage Free rated as per MoHUA’s Star Rating Protocol for Garbage Free cities.
  • Bioremediation of all legacy dumpsites.

GS-III

Context

The convenience of wireless charging is rapidly making this tech a popular trend.

Working

• Modern smartphones use electromagnetic induction to transfer electric energy from the charger to the smartphone while wirelessly charging it. 
• You need your smartphone to support wireless charging and a compatible wireless charger to use this tech. Both the phone and the charger need copper coils as well.
• A fast changing magnetic field interacts with the copper coil present inside the smartphone when you put a compatible smartphone on a wireless charger.
• The magnetic field then produces electric energy in an enclosed loop that interacts with that magnetic field using electromagnetic induction. The battery gets charged by the electric current that is produced.
• This form of wireless charging is called tightly-coupled electromagnetic inductive charging. 
• Two copper coils need to be placed in close proximity for this technology to function. The copper coils need to align for this type of wireless charging to work.
• There are other forms of wireless charging technologies that aim to solve this proximity issue.
• Radio Frequency (RF)-based charging can charge gadgets wirelessly at a few feet distance, whereas loosely-coupled resonance charging can deliver a charge up to a few centimetres away.
• Users will be able to charge their phones without going near a charger in the near future using RF charging.

Context

Bloatware apps are being criticized for taking up the storage of the device unnecessarily and affecting the system’s battery life and overall performance.

Key takeaways

• Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUP), more popularly known as bloatware apps are needless programs that take a toll on your device’s performance.
• Device manufacturers introduced these bloatware apps to provide users with additional programs that they might want to use, while making money on the way. 
• Gradually, these apps, rather than being helpful, end up being a headache for users. 
• Generally, these apps that run in the background are hidden and locating them becomes a tough job for the users. 
• It could be any software on your computer, phone or tablet that consumes a lot of resources like — memory, storage and battery life.

Different types of bloatwares found on devices

• There are three most common types of bloatwares that can be found on any device.
• Utilities: These types of bloatwares come from manufacturers and third-party developers and are usually pre-loaded on your device. 
  • These offer added functionality to your device. 
• Trialware: Users can experience the app as most of them offer free trial modes in new devices. 
  • However, these programs keep on consuming your device’s resources, even after the trial period is over. 
• Adware: These types of bloatware typically gets downloaded while downloading softwares from the internet.

Context

Recently, Maharashtra Government issued a government resolution which will allow sugar mills to pay the basic Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) in two tranches.

What are the changes in the government resolution?

• The first installment would have to be paid within 14 days of delivery of cane, and would be as per the average recovery of the district. 
• Farmers would get the second installment within 15 days of the closure of the mill after calculation of the final recovery, which would take into account the sugar produced, and the ethanol produced from ‘B heavy’ or ‘C’ molasses. 
• Thus, instead of relying on last season’s FRP, farmers would be paid as per the current season’s recovery.

Why are farmers in Maharashtra protesting?

• Farmers argue that this method would impact their incomes. They point out that while FRP will be paid in installments, and will depend on an unknown variable, their bank loans and other expenses are expected to be paid for as usual. 
• Also, farmers mostly require a lumpsum at the beginning of the season (October-November), because their next crop cycle depends on it.

What is the FRP?

• FRP is the price declared by the government, which mills are legally bound to pay to farmers for the cane procured from them. 
  • Mills have the option of signing an agreement with farmers, which would allow them to pay the FRP in installments. 
  • Delays in payment can attract an interest up to 15% per annum, and the sugar commissioner can recover unpaid FRP as dues in revenue recovery by attaching properties of the mills. 
• The payment of FRP across the country is governed by the Sugarcane Control order, 1966 issued under the Essential Commodities Act (ECA), 1955 which mandates payment within 14 days of the date of delivery of the cane.
• It has been determined on the recommendation of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and announced by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). 
  • CACP is an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. It is an advisory body whose recommendations are not binding on the Government.
  • CCEA is chaired by the Prime Minister of India. 
• The FRP is based on the Rangarajan Committee report on reorganizing the sugarcane industry.

Which Factors are considered for announcing FRP?

• Cost of production of sugarcane 
• Return to the growers from alternative crops and the general trend of prices of agricultural commodities 
• Availability of sugar to consumers at a fair price 
• Price at which sugar produced from sugarcane is sold by sugar producers 
• Recovery of sugar from sugarcane 
• The realization made from the sale of by-products viz. molasses, bagasse and press mud or their imputed value 
• Reasonable margins for the growers of sugarcane on account of risk and profits

How is FRP Paid?

• The FRP is based on the recovery of sugar from the cane. 
  • FRP has been fixed at Rs 2,900/tonne at a base recovery of 10% for the sugar season of 2021-22. 
• Sugar recovery is the ratio between sugar produced versus cane crushed, expressed as a percentage. 
• The higher the recovery, the higher is the FRP, and higher is the sugar produced.