UPSC Daily Current Affairs - 16th June 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Ram Prasad Bismil

Why in News?

On 11th June 2023, 126th birth anniversary of Ram Prasad Bismil was commemorated. Known for his revolutionary spirit and poetic prowess, Bismil played a significant role in the fight against British colonial rule.

What are the Key Points about Bismil?

Birth

• Bismil was born on 11th June 1897, in a village in Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur district to Murlidhar and Moolmati.

About

• Bismil joined the Arya Samaj in 1875 and became a talented writer and poet, using pen names like 'Bismil' meaning 'wounded' or 'restless.'
• The ideals of a revolution first took root in his mind when he read about the death sentence awarded to Bhai Parmanand, an Indian nationalist and Arya Samaj missionary.
• He was 18 then and vented his anguish through his poem ‘Mera Janm’.
• He believed in revolutionary methods of freedom struggle which were in contrast to Gandhian methods.

Contributions of Ram Prasad Bismil

• The Mainpuri Conspiracy
  • Bismil grew disillusioned with the moderate wing of the Congress Party and founded a revolutionary organization called ‘Matrivedi’.
  • In 1918, Bismil and Dixit got involved in the Mainpuri Conspiracy in which they distributed prohibited literature.
    • On 28 January 1918, Bismil distributed two of his writings to people- a pamphlet titled Deshwasiyon ke Naam Sandesh (A Message to Countrymen) and Mainpuri ki Pratigya (Vow of Mainpuri).
  • To collect funds for their parties they looted government coffers on three occasions in 1918
• Founding the Hindustan Republican Association
  • In 1920, he formed the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) with Sachindra Nath Sanyal and Jadugopal Mukherjee.
  • The HRA's manifesto, largely penned by Bismil, aimed to establish a federal Republic of United States of India through an armed revolution.
• The Kakori Train Action
  • The Kakori train robbery in 1925 was a major action of the HRA, aimed at acquiring funds for their activities and generating publicity.
  • Bismil and his companions Chandrasekhar Azad and Ashfaqulla Khan decided to loot a train in Kakori near Lucknow.
  • They were successful in their attempt but were arrested alongside a dozen other HRA members within a month of the attack and tried under the Kakori Conspiracy Case.
  • The legal process lasted 18 months. Bismil, Lahiri, Khan and Thakur Roshan Singh were awarded death sentences.
• Poetry and Writing
  • Bismil's prolific writings, including patriotic verses in Hindi and Urdu, inspired Indians to join the freedom struggle.
  • His poems reflected concerns for societal issues and principles of equality and human dignity.
• Advocacy for Hindu-Muslim Unity:
  • Bismil's close friendship with fellow revolutionary poet Ashfaqullah Khan symbolized communal harmony.
  • In his last letter before his hanging, he emphasized the need for Hindus and Muslims to unite for the nation's service.

Death

• He was hanged on 19th December 1927 at Gorakhpur Jail.
• He was cremated on the banks of river Rapti, and the site was rechristened as Raj Ghat later.

GS-I

2022 Reuters Institute Digital News Report

Why in News?

According to the 2022 Reuters Institute Digital News Report, trust in news is falling in nearly half the countries surveyed.

About the report 

• It is an annual report commissioned by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism which tracks how news is consumed in different countries.
• This year’s report is based on a survey conducted by YouGuv, a British market research and data analytics firm, in January/February 2022 through online questionnaires. 
  • It covers 46 markets in six continents. 

Major trends highlighted in the report

• The report documents the ways in which “the connection between journalism and much of the public may be fraying”. 
• It flags six major trends which could have wider socio-political implications.
  • People are trusting news content less and less. 
  • Consumption of traditional news media declined in nearly all the countries surveyed. 
  • The proportion of news consumers who say that they “avoid news” has risen sharply across countries, with the report describing the phenomenon as “selective avoidance”. 
  • Despite small increases in the proportion of people willing to pay for online news (mostly in richer countries), the growth in digital subscriptions for news content seems to be levelling off. 
  • The smartphone has become the dominant way in which most people first access news in the morning”.
  • While Facebook remained the most-used social network for news, it is TikTok that has become the fastest-growing network, “reaching 40% of 18-24-year-olds, with 15% using the platform for news”. 
    • TikTok, however, is currently banned in India.

‘Selective Avoidance’ of News

• A growing minority is increasingly choosing “to ration or limit their exposure to it — or at least to certain types of news.
  • The report calls this behaviour “selective avoidance” and this is one of the reasons why news consumption levels have failed to increase as per expectations. 
• Across markets, respondents cited a variety of reasons for this avoidance. 
  • Repetitiveness of the news agenda — especially around politics and COVID-19 (43%). 
  • Worn out by the news (29%). 
  • Non Trust (29%)
  • About one-third (36%), especially those under 35, said that news ruined their mood. 
  • About 17% said they avoided news because it led to arguments they would rather avoid, while 16% said reading the news led to feelings of powerlessness. 
    • A small percentage (14%) said that they didn’t have time for news while 8% said that they found it too hard to understand.

Preferred modes of News consumption

• Across markets and age groups, text is still king when it comes to news consumption. 
• However, younger audiences, especially ‘digital natives’ who grew up with networks like Facebook and TikTok, were more likely to say they “watch the news”.
  •  In India, 58% said that they “mostly read” the news while 17% said they “mostly watch” it. 
  • On the other hand, the comparable figures for Finland, which has a historic pattern of high newspaper consumption, was 85% and 3% respectively.
• “Direct access to apps and websites” were becoming less important over time, giving ground to social media, which is becoming more important as a gateway to news due to its “ubiquity and convenience”. “

What does the report say about trends in India?

• India is a strongly mobile-focussed market,72% of the survey respondents accessed news through smartphones and 35% did so via computers.
  • 84% of the Indian respondents sourced news online
  • 63% from social media, 59% from television, and 49% from print.
  • YouTube (53%) and WhatsApp (51%) were the top social media platforms for sourcing news. 
  • India registered a small increase in the level of trust, with 41% trusting news overall. 

GS-II

80 Castes to be added to Central OBC List

Why in News?

National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) is processing the approval for adding approximately 80 castes from six states to the Central List of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

• The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) also reported the addition of 16 communities to the Central OBC list in Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir.
  

Who are the Other Backward Classes (OBCs)?

• Other Backward Class is a collective term used to classify castes which are educationally or socially disadvantaged.
• It is one of several official classifications of the population of India, along with General Class, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SCs and STs).
• The OBCs were found to comprise 55% of the country’s population by the Mandal Commission report of 1980, and were determined to be 41% in 2006.

Communities likely to be added

States like Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana have proposed communities to be added to the Central OBC list.

• Telangana: Suggested the addition of around 40 communities.
• Andhra Pradesh: Turup Kapu community
• Himachal Pradesh: Majhra community
• Maharashtra: Lodhi, Lingayat, Bhoyar, Pawar, and Jhandse communities
• Punjab: Yadav community
• Haryana: Gosai/Gosain community

Approval Process

• NCBC Examination: The NCBC examines the requests and processes them accordingly, aiming for most of them to be approved.
• Cabinet Approval: Once the Commission decides, it can send its recommendations to the Cabinet for approval.
• Notification by President: The final step involves legislation and notification by the President to enact the changes.

How is the process different from SC/ST list updation?

• Unlike the procedure for adding communities to the SC or ST lists, the addition of communities to the Central OBC list does not require the concurrence of the Office of the Registrar General of India or any other authority.
• The Commission follows guidelines established by the Mandal Commission in 1979, considering social, educational, and economic indicators for additions to the Central OBC list.

Current Status of OBC List and Recent Additions

• The Central OBC list currently includes over 2,650 different communities from all states and union territories.
• The Union government takes credit for recent additions and highlights the 105th Constitutional Amendment, which protects state OBC communities from being deprived of benefits.
• There are currently about 1,270 communities listed in the Scheduled Caste (SC) list and 748 communities in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list.

Changes in the SC and ST Lists

• Since the last Census in 2011, four communities have been added to the SC list as main entries, 40 as sub-entries, and four have been dropped or moved to other lists.
• Similarly, in the ST list, five communities were added as main entries, 22 as sub-entries, 13 as substitute terms, and one was dropped.

Impact of OBC List Additions

• Broader representation: Adding more castes to the Central OBC list ensures broader representation and access to reserved seats and benefits for disadvantaged communities.
• Social upliftment: The inclusion of additional communities acknowledges their backwardness and provides opportunities for social upliftment and empowerment.

Challenges and Criticisms

• Political motivation: The process may face challenges and criticisms, such as concerns over potential political motivations or inaccuracies in identifying backwardness.
• Issue of parity: Ensuring transparency, fairness, and inclusivity in the decision-making process is essential to address these challenges and maintain the integrity of the OBC list.

Conclusion

• The reservation system and OBC list play a significant role in promoting social equality by providing opportunities for historically marginalized communities.
• The continuous evaluation and expansion of the OBC list reflect the government’s commitment to creating a more inclusive society and addressing historical injustices.

GS-II

VAIBHAV Fellowship Program

Why in News?

The Ministry of Science & Technology has launched the Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) fellowships programme.

VAIBHAV Program

• The program aims to connect the Indian STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) diaspora with Indian academic and R&D institutions.
• It promotes collaborative research work, knowledge sharing, and the exchange of best practices in frontier areas of science and technology.

Implementation and Eligibility

• Implementing Agency: Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology.
• Beneficiaries: outstanding scientists/technologists of Indian origin (NRI/OCI/PIO) engaged in research activities in their respective countries.
• Benefits: Grant of INR 4,00,000 per month, international and domestic travel expenses, accommodation, and contingencies
• Verticals identified: 75 fellows will be selected to work in 18 identified knowledge verticals, including quantum technology, health, pharma, electronics, agriculture, energy, computer sciences, and material sciences.
• Collaborations: The VAIBHAV Fellow will collaborate with Indian Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), universities, and/or public-funded scientific institutions.
• R&D Activity: The fellow can spend up to 2 months per year, for a maximum of 3years, in an Indian institution.

VAIBHAV Summit and Participation

• The Government of India organized the VAIBHAV Summit to connect the Indian STEMM diaspora with Indian institutions.
• The summit was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister and saw the participation of over 25,000 attendees.
• Indian STEMM diaspora from more than 70 countries took part in the deliberations.

GS-III

Adoption of E20 Fuel and Green Hydrogen Production

Why in News?

In a recent announcement, the Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, highlighted that petrol blended with 20% ethanol, known as E20, will soon be available at 1,000 outlets of oil marketing companies (OMCs) nationwide.

• The National Green Hydrogen Mission aim to achieve a production capacity of 5 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) per annum by 2030, was also highlighted.

What is Ethanol Blending and E20 Fuel?

About

• Ethanol is an agricultural by-product which is mainly obtained from the processing of sugar from sugarcane, but also from other sources such as rice husk or maize.
  • Blending ethanol with petrol to burn less fossil fuel while running vehicles is called Ethanol Blending.
  • E20 fuel is a blend of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol. The E20 was launched by the Prime Minister of India in February 2023 in Bengaluru. This pilot covers at least 15 cities and will be rolled out across the country in a phased manner.
• India has been increasing its ethanol blending in petrol from 1.53% in 2013-14 to 10.17% in 2022.
  • The government has advanced its target to achieve 20% ethanol blending in petrol from 2030 to 2025.
  • During our G20 presidency, the government has also proposed to launch a global biofuel alliance with countries like Brazil to promote biofuels internationally.

Advantages

• E20 fuel has several advantages over conventional petrol, such as:
  • It reduces vehicular tailpipe emissions by lowering the carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides levels.
  • It improves engine performance and reduces maintenance costs by preventing corrosion and deposits.
  • It reduces the import bill for crude oil by substituting domestic ethanol production.
    • It is estimated that a 5% blending (105 crore litres) can result in replacement of around 1.8 million barrels of crude oil.
    • India imported 185 million tonnes of petroleum at a cost of USD 551 billion in 2020-21. A successful E20 programme can save the country USD 4 billion or Rs 30,000 crore per annum.
    • It supports the farmers and rural economy by creating demand for surplus crops.

Challenges

• Shift Towards Sugarcane Production: In order to achieve a 20% blend rate, almost one-tenth of the existing net sown area will have to be diverted for sugarcane production.
  • Any such land requirement is likely to put a stress on other crops and has the potential to increase food prices.
• Storage Constraint: Annual capacity of required bio-refineries is stipulated to be 300-400 million litres, which is still not enough to meet the 5% petrol-ethanol blending requirement.
  • Storage is going to be the main concern, for if E10 supply has to continue in tandem with E20 supply, storage would have to be separate which then raises costs.

What is Green Hydrogen?

About

• Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced by electrolysis of water using renewable or green energy.
• It is considered the cleanest form of energy, as it does not emit any greenhouse gases when used.
  • India has the potential to become a leader and a superpower in green hydrogen production, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
    • India has abundant renewable capacity, especially solar power, which can be used to produce green hydrogen at low cost.
  • India has also set a target of producing 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen per annum by 2025-26 under its National Hydrogen Mission.
  • The private sector is also actively engaged in pursuing green hydrogen production and has attracted significant investment from international sources.

Applications

• Decarbonizing Energy Systems: Green hydrogen can be used as a clean energy carrier and stored for later use.
  • It can be utilised in sectors such as power generation, heating, and transportation to replace fossil fuels, thereby reducing carbon emissions.
• Production of Green Ammonia: Green hydrogen has the potential to replace traditional fertilisers in agriculture through the production of ammonia using renewable energy sources.
  • Green ammonia produced with help of green hydrogen is carbon-free, it has other benefits over traditional fertilisers, including improved efficiency and reduced soil acidity.
• Off-Grid and Remote Power Generation: Green hydrogen can provide reliable and clean power in off-grid or remote locations where access to electricity is limited.
  • It can be used in fuel cells or combustion engines to generate electricity for communities, industries, and infrastructure.

Challenges

• Cost: Currently, the production of green hydrogen is more expensive compared to hydrogen produced from fossil fuels through steam methane reforming.
  • The high cost is primarily due to the capital investment required for renewable energy infrastructure.
• Scale and Infrastructure: Establishing a comprehensive green hydrogen infrastructure, including production, storage, and transportation, is a significant challenge.
  • Scaling up production capacity and building a distribution network for hydrogen require substantial investments.
  • Additionally, retrofitting existing infrastructure or creating new pipelines, storage facilities, and refuelling stations adds to the complexity and cost.
  • Impact on Resources: About 9 kilograms (kg) of water is required per kg of hydrogen.
    • The production of green hydrogen requires vast amounts of resources: land, water, and renewable energy. This can fuel land-use and water conflicts, human rights violations, energy poverty, and the delay of the de-carbonisation of the electricity grid in producer countries
  • Energy Efficiency: The process of electrolysis requires large amounts of electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
    • While renewable energy sources can provide a clean electricity input, the overall energy efficiency of the process is relatively low.

Way Forward

• Policy and Regulatory Framework: India needs to formulate and implement supportive policies that provide incentives for ethanol production, blending, and use, as well as promote the development of green hydrogen.
  • This includes setting blending mandates, ensuring a favourable pricing framework, and establishing quality standards for both E20 and Green Hydrogen.
• Technological Advancements: In the case of E20, advanced blending technologies, such as flex-fuel engines and compatible fuel systems, need to be developed and made widely available.
  • For Green Hydrogen, the advancement of electrolyzer technologies, storage systems, and efficient conversion processes is crucial to drive down costs and improve efficiency.
• Public Awareness and Acceptance: Public awareness and acceptance play a significant role in the successful adoption of E20 and Green Hydrogen.
  • Raising awareness about the benefits of these alternatives, addressing concerns related to fuel efficiency, performance, and compatibility, and promoting the environmental advantages are essential.
  • Educating consumers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers about the potential of these solutions and their contribution to decarbonization can drive acceptance and demand.

GS-III

Transgenic Crops

Why in News?

Recently, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana, have deferred a proposal, approved by the Centre’s Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), to test a new kind of Transgenic Cotton Seed that contains a gene, Cry2Ai.

• Gene Cry2Ai purportedly makes cotton resistant to pink bollworm, a major pest. The conflict shows that a broad acceptance of genetically modified crops continues to be elusive.

What are Transgenic Crops?

About

• Transgenic crops are plants that have been modified through genetic engineering techniques. These crops have had specific genes inserted into their DNA to give them new characteristics or traits that are not naturally found in the species through traditional breeding methods.

GMO vs Transgenic Organisms:

• Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) and transgenic organism are two terms that are used interchangeably.
• However, there is a slight difference between GMO and transgenic organism. Although both have altered genomes, a transgenic organism is a GMO containing a DNA sequence or a gene from a different species. While a GMO is an animal, plant, or microbe whose DNA has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.
• Thus, all transgenic organisms are GMOs, but not all GMOs are transgenic.

Status in India

• In India, only Cotton is currently commercially cultivated as a GM crop. Trials are underway for other crops like brinjal, tomato, maize, and chickpea using transgenic technology.
• The GEAC approved the environmental release of GM mustard hybrid DMH-11, bringing it closer to full commercial cultivation.
• However, there is an ongoing legal case in the Supreme Court questioning the permission for transgenic food crops. They seek a stay on GM mustard, citing concerns about farmers using banned herbicides.
• Previous instances include the GEAC's approval of GM mustard in 2017 with additional tests and the government's indefinite moratorium on GM brinjal in 2010.

How Are Genetic Modified Crops Regulated in India?

• Regulation: In India, the regulation of all activities related to GMOs and products are regulated by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
  • Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under MoEFCC is authorised to review, monitor and approve all activities including import, export, transport, manufacture, use or sale of GMO.
    • GEAC recently approved commercial cultivation of genetically modified mustard.
  • GM foods are also subjected to regulations by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
• Acts and Rules that Regulate GM Crops in India:
  • Environment Protection Act, 1986 (EPA),
  • Biological Diversity Act, 2002,
  • Plant Quarantine Order, 2003,
  • GM policy under Foreign Trade Policy, Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006,
  • Drugs and Cosmetics Rule (8th Amendment), 1988.

What is the Process of Regulating Transgenic Crops in India?

• Developing transgenic crops involves inserting transgenic genes into plants to achieve a sustained, protective response
• The process involves a mix of science and chance.
• Safety assessments by committees are conducted before open field tests.
• Open field tests are done at agricultural universities or Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR)-controlled plots.
• Transgenic plants must be better than non-GM variants and environmentally safe for commercial clearance.
• Open field trials assess suitability across multiple seasons and geographical conditions.

What is the Significance of Genetic Modification (GM) Technique?

• Safer and Affordable Vaccines: The GM has revolutionized the pharmaceutical sector by enabling the production of safer and more affordable vaccines and therapeutics. It has facilitated the mass production of drugs like human insulin, vaccines, and growth hormones, making life-saving pharmaceuticals more accessible.
• Control Weeds: GM technology has also played a crucial role in developing herbicide-tolerant crops. Crops like soybean, maize, cotton, and canola have been genetically modified to withstand specific broad-spectrum herbicides, allowing farmers to effectively control weeds while preserving the cultivated crop.
• Ensuring Food Security: GM crops are being developed to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Researchers are working on strains of rice, maize, and wheat that can tolerate longer droughts and wetter monsoon seasons, ensuring food security in challenging climates.
• Solution for Growing Crops in Salty Oils: GM has also been used to create salt-tolerant plants, offering a potential solution for growing crops in salty soils. By inserting genes that remove sodium ions from water and maintain cell balance, plants can thrive in high-salt environments.

What are the Concerns related to Transgenic Crops?

• Lack Nutritional Value: GM foods can sometimes lack nutritional value despite their increased production and pest resistance focus. This is because the emphasis is often placed on enhancing certain traits rather than nutritional content.
• Risks to Ecosystems: GM production can also pose risks to ecosystems and biodiversity. It may disrupt gene flow and harm indigenous varieties, leading to a loss of diversity in the long run.
• Trigger Allergic Reactions: Genetically modified foods have the potential to trigger allergic reactions since they are biologically altered. This can be problematic for ndividuals accustomed to conventional varieties.
• Endangered Animals: Wildlife is also at risk due to GM crops. For instance, genetically modified plants used for producing plastic or pharmaceuticals can endanger animals like mice or deer that consume crop debris left in fields after harvest.

Way Forward

• In the face of new advances, the regulatory regime needs to be strengthened, for the sake of domestic as well as export consumers.
• Technology approvals must be streamlined and science-based decisions implemented.
• Rigorous monitoring is needed to ensure that safety protocols are followed strictly, and enforcement must be taken seriously to prevent the spread of illegal GM crops.