UPSC Daily Current Affairs- 5th July 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Why in News?

Recent researches show that Jowar (sorghum)  can be an ideal alternative to wheat in times of increasing temperatures.

Background:-

• The study was carried out by researchers from Columbia University, US; Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Indian School of Business; University of Delaware, US; Indian Institute of Technology Bombay; Yale University, US; and Washington State University, US.
• It focused on the two main Rabi cereals in India, wheat and jowar.
• The research highlighted the need for climate-smart agriculture interventions, specifically in the Rabi season.
• It stated the following benefits of Jowar over wheat:-
• Jowar is more resilient to projected climate changes but also requires much less water.
• While wheat is highly sensitive to increases in maximum daily temperature, jowar can handle temperature increases with far less impact on yields.
• Wheat requires 1.4 times more water than jowar owing to the extension of its growth cycle into summer.

About Jowar:-

• It is a rainfed crop mostly grown in moist areas, which hardly needs irrigation. 
• It is the third most important food crop with respect to area and production.
• Rainfall: moderate rainfall of 30-100 cm.
• Temperatures: high temperatures ranging from 20 to 32°C.
• Vulnerability of Jowar: Both excessive moisture and prolonged drought are harmful.
• Soil: Well-drained light soils are ideal.
• It is cultivated as the major food crop in semi-arid areas of central and south India.
• In north India, Jowar is mainly a Kharif crop whereas it is sown as both Kharif and Rabi in the southern states.
• Highest producers: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
• India is the largest producer of jowar in the world.

Health Benefits of Jowar:-

• Gluten-free
  • Jowar, a gluten-free whole grain, is considered an excellent alternative for people who suffer from ‘gluten intolerance’.
• High in fiber
  • Compared to other cereal grains like barley or rice, jowar contains a much higher concentration of fiber.
• Controls Blood Sugar Levels:
  • Jowar is a complex carbohydrate that digests slowly.
  • As a result, it leads to stable blood sugar levels.
  • Hence, it is a great diet choice for diabetics and people who want to lose weight
• High in Protein: 100 grams of Jowar provides 11 grams of protein, which supplies the body with energy and aids in cell regeneration.
• Full of Iron: Jowar contains 8.45 mg of iron in every cup.
• Bone Health: Jowar Good is d for Bone Health because it contains high magnesium levels.
  • It helps maintain calcium levels in the body as magnesium increases calcium absorption.
• Packed with Vitamins, Minerals, and Micronutrients
  • It contains B vitamins, which help the body build new tissues and cells and potassium and phosphorus.
  • It contains traces of zinc, copper, and over 20 micronutrients and high levels of antioxidants.
• Helps Weight Loss
  • Jowar has a much higher concentration of dietary fiber when compared to other cereal grains.
  • This high fiber content ensures higher satiety levels, lowering consumption by keeping hunger pangs at bay.
  • This makes it the ideal whole-grain option for weight loss.
• Improves Digestive System
  • The high dietary fiber content in Jowar also helps improve digestion.
  • The whole grain helps improve digestive health and helps to treat conditions like diarrhea, bloating, stomach ache and constipation.
• Improves Heart Health
  • The abundance of fiber in jowar helps lower LDL (or bad cholesterol) levels in the body, thus reducing the risk of a heart attack.
  • The cholesterol-lowering properties of jowar also reduce the chances of hindered blood flow, arteriosclerosis and plaque formation.
  • The whole grain also contains antioxidants, apart from nutrients like magnesium, iron, and vitamins B and E. As a result, it helps avoid several cardiovascular conditions.
  • Jowar also helps regulate plasma LDL cholesterol concentration while improving the HDL levels in the body.
  • Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): the “bad” cholesterol which transports cholesterol particles throughout your body.
  • High-density lipoprotein (HDL): the “good” cholesterol, picks up excess cholesterol and takes it back to your liver.
• Improves Energy Levels
  • Sorghum contains high amounts of niacin (or Vitamin B3).
  • Niacin ensures that the energy levels in the body are consistent throughout the day.
• Boosts Blood Circulation
  • Iron and copper are two essential minerals found in Jowar.
  • These minerals come together to play a vital role in improving the body’s blood circulation.
  • It also improves the overall circulation of blood in the body while reducing the chances of
  • Anemia: a problem of not having enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues.

Source: DTE

Scheme to Support Pregnant Minor Victims of Sexual Assault

Why in News?

The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India has unveiled a new scheme aimed at providing critical care and support to pregnant minor victims of sexual assault who lack family support.

• The scheme, with an outlay of Rs 74.10 crore, will offer shelter, food, legal aid, and other necessary assistance to these victims across the country.

What are the Major Provisions of the Scheme?

• About:
  • The scheme seeks to assist minor girls who have been abandoned by their families due to forced pregnancies resulting from rape or gang rape.
  • It acknowledges the physical and emotional trauma experienced by minor victims of rape and aggravated assault, especially in cases where they become pregnant.
• Eligibility Criteria and Documentation:
  • Victims below the age of 18, who become pregnant due to rape or assault as per the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, and are either orphans or abandoned by their families, will be covered under the scheme.
  • It is not mandatory for victims to possess a copy of the First Information Report (FIR) to avail the benefits provided by the scheme.
• Provisions:
  • It aims to provide medical, financial, and infrastructural support to such victims under the Nirbhaya Fund.
  • The funds will be utilized to set up shelters dedicated to these victims, either as standalone shelters or designated wards within existing child care institutions (CCIs).
  • In the case of wards within CCIs, separate safe spaces will be provided for minor rape victims to cater to their specific needs.
  • The integrated support under the scheme aims to provide immediate and non-emergency access to various services, including education, police assistance, healthcare, and legal support.
  • Insurance coverage will also be provided for the minor victim and her newborn, ensuring access to justice and rehabilitation.
• Implementation:
  • The scheme will leverage the administrative structure of Mission Vatsalya in collaboration with State governments and CCIs to actualise this support to minor victims.
  • Also, 415 POCSO fast-track courts are already established across India to expedite justice for minor victims of rape.
• Need:
  • According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data from 2021, 51,863 cases were reported under the POCSO Act.
• Out of these cases, 64% were reported under sections 3 and 5 of the Act, which pertain to penetrative sexual assault and aggravated penetrative sexual assault, respectively.
• The majority of the victims were girls, and many of them became pregnant, exacerbating their physical and mental health concerns when disowned or abandoned by their families.

What are Some Other Schemes or Initiatives for Supporting Victims of Sexual Assault?

• Central Victim Compensation Fund (CVCF): It provides financial assistance to victims of various crimes including rape/gang rape under Section 357A of CrPC.
• One Stop Centers (OSCs): It provide integrated services such as medical aid, police assistance, legal aid/counselling, psycho-social counselling and temporary shelter to women affected by violence under any circumstances.
  • Usha Mehra Commission recommended the establishment of a one-stop centre.
• Mahila Police Volunteer (MPV): It facilitates public-police interface at the grassroots level through women volunteers who act as a link between police and community and help women in distress.

Source: The Hindu

GS-II

Why in News?

Political parties of Jammu and Kashmir hail the Supreme Court’s decision to hear petitions challenging the reading down of Article 370 in J&K.

Background:-

• Several of Jammu & Kashmir’s regional parties, who challenged the Centre’s decision to abrogate the provisions of Article 370 in 2019, welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to hear the petitions challenging the reading down of Article 370.
• The hearing is scheduled for July 11.

About Article 370 in J&K:-

• Article 370 of the Indian constitution dealt with the provision of certain special powers to the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
• It grants a ‘temporary’ autonomous status to the state of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K).
• The article was an outcome of Kashmir’s accession to India after the Independence.

Provisions of Article 370:-

• It permitted J&K to draft its own Constitution.
• It further restricted the Indian Parliament’s legislative powers in the state.
• Except for Defense, Foreign Affairs Finance and Communications, the Indian Government was required State Government’s nod to apply all other laws.
• The central govt. had no power to impose financial emergencies in the state.
  • Emergency could be imposed only on the grounds of internal disturbances and imminent danger from a foreign enemy.
• Indian nationals belonging to other states cannot buy land or property in the state of J&K.
• Woman who marries a person belonging to any other state loses her right to ownership.

Background:-

• Post independence: Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) acceded to the Dominion of India by signing the Instrument of Accession on 26 October 1947 with certain special provisions.
• On the same line, Article 370 was added to the Indian constitution in
  • It was added as a ‘temporary provision’, giving certain exemptions to the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
• These provisions gave the state government control over how it needs to govern the state without worrying about the consent of the central government.

Removal of Article 370

• In accordance with the authority afforded by Clause (1) of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, the President of India issued the Constitution (Implementation to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 2019 on August 5, 2019, repealing the special status previously accorded to Jammu and Kashmir.
• Resulting Consequences:-
  • Jammu and Kashmir no longer has its own constitution, flag, or anthem.
  • Its population no longer has dual citizenship as a result of the repeal of Article 370.
  • Jammu and Kashmir now abide by all legislative amendments made by the parliament, including the Right to Information Act and the Right to Education Act.
  • Jammu & Kashmir is fully covered by the Indian Constitution and all 890 Central legislation.

Source: The Hindu

International Maritime Organisation (IMO)

Why in News?

India recently asked the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to focus on a realistic target to ensure that net zero carbon fuels occupy 5 percent of the Marine fuel mix by 2030, without any additional checkpoints during this explorative and take-off period.

About International Maritime Organisation (IMO):

• IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations which is responsible for measures to improve the safety and security of international shipping and to prevent pollution from ships.
• IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping.
• Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.
• It has an integral role in meeting the targets set out in United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
• Formation: It was established as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) in 1948, became a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1959 and was renamed International Maritime Organization in 1982.
• Membership: It currently has 174 Member States.
• Headquarters: London.
• Structure:
  • The work of the IMO is carried out by the IMO Secretariat, Member States, IGOs, and NGOs. 
  • The daily operations of the IMO, including meeting coordination and preparation, is conducted by the IMO Secretariat, led by the Secretary-General and assisted by a staff of 300 international civil servants. 
  • The Member States, IGOs, and NGOs are represented at the IMO during the various IMO meetings (Assembly, Council, 5 Committees, and 7 Sub-Committees)
  • Assembly:  It is the highest Governing Body of the IMO. It consists of all Member States, and it meets once every two years in regular sessions. The Assembly is responsible for approving the work program, voting the budget and electing the Council.
  • Council: It is the Executive Organ of the IMO and is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the Organization.
  • Committees: The five policy-making committees are responsible for the development, review, updating, and approval of the organization’s guidelines and regulations.
• Funding: Funding for the IMO comes from contributions by member states, as well as voluntary donations and commercial activities.

 Source: The Hindu

GS-III

Parker Solar Probe

Why in News?

Recently, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe completed its 16th close approach to the Sun.

Background:-

• NASA’s Parker Solar Probe completed its 16th orbit around the Sun, which included a close approach to the Sun on June 22, 2023.
• During the close approach, Parker came within 8.5 million kilometers of the Sun’s surface while moving at around 586,782 kilometers per hour.

About Parker Solar Probe:-

• Launched:
• Launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida.
• Launch Vehicle: Delta IV-Heavy with Upper Stage.
• Mission by: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
• Size: The spacecraft is about the size of a small car.
• Scientific Instruments:-
  • Fields Experiment (FIELDS)
  • Integrated Science Investigation of the Sun (IS☉IS )
  • Wide Field Imager for Solar Probe (WISPR)
  • Solar Wind Electrons Alphas and Protons (SWEAP)
• It can travel directly through the Sun’s atmosphere.
• Aim: to investigate how energy and heat move across the solar corona, as well as what accelerates the solar wind and solar energetic particles.
• It will journey through the sun’s atmosphere eventually delivering humanity with the closest-ever observations of a star.
• It is said to be humanity’s first-ever mission that “visited” a star. 
• Design: –
  • The spacecraft and its instruments are protected from the heat of the Sun by a 5-inch thick carbon-composite shield.
  • The shield can withstand temperatures of around 1,777 degrees Celsius.
  • It carries four instrument suites that are designed to study magnetic fields, plasma and energetic particles and image the solar wind.
• Objectives:-
  • To trace how energy and heat move through the corona.
  • To explore what causes the acceleration of solar winds and solar energetic particles.
• Mechanism: The spacecraft uses Venus’s gravity to tighten its orbit around the Sun.
• Future plan: It is now preparing to get within around 7.2 million kilometers of the star’s surface.

Significance of Parker Solar Probe:-

• Exploring the Universe: The Sun is the only star we can study closely. By studying this star we live with, we learn more about stars throughout the universe.
• Exploring the Sun: The Sun provides light and heat to all living things on Earth. The more we learn about it, the more we can grasp how life evolved on Earth.
• Knowledge of the phenomenon affecting the Earth: It is the source of the solar wind.
  • Solar wind: which is a flow of ionized gases from the Sun that travels past the Earth at more than 500 kilometres per second (a million miles per hour).

Source: Indian Express

Why in News?

The recent discovery of the CH3+ molecule, also known as methyl cation, by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has provided significant insights into the building blocks of life.

• This simple organic molecule, consisting of one carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms, has been found in the Orion Nebula.
• This reveals the potential for the formation of complex organic molecules necessary for life.

What is CH3+?

• The methyl cation, also known as the carbocation CH3^+, is an organic molecular ion consisting of a positively charged carbon atom (C+) with three hydrogen atoms (H) attached to it.
• It is the simplest carbocation and belongs to the alkyl cation family.
• The methyl cation is highly reactive due to its positive charge and the electron-deficient nature of the carbon atom.
• Due to its reactivity, the methyl cation tends to undergo reactions to achieve greater stability by accepting a pair of electrons.
• It can react with nucleophiles, which are electron-rich species, to form new chemical bonds.

How does it support life?

• Carbon-Based Organic Molecules: In biological processes, carbon atoms typically exist in stable organic molecules, such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, which are essential for life.
• Importance of CH3+: The detection of the CH3+ molecule in space indicates the presence of basic building blocks for life beyond Earth.

Significance of discovering CH3+ in Space

• Molecular Fingerprints: Scientists analyze light emitted or absorbed by atoms and molecules to identify their unique spectroscopic signatures.
• Spectroscopy with JWST: The JWST observed the Orion Nebula, a swirling disk of dust and gas surrounding a young star, and detected the distinctive fingerprints of CH3+ in its light.

Unexpected Findings and Collaborative Research

• Surprising Discovery: Scientists were initially unsure about the identity of the unknown fingerprint detected by the JWST.
• Collaboration and Analysis: Researchers collaborated with Stephan Schlemmer’s lab, which had been studying the fingerprint of molecules, specifically CH3+.
• Identification of CH3+: Detailed analysis enabled scientists to confirm that the unknown fingerprint matched the specific signature of CH3+, a crucial molecule for life.

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

Recently, the Indian government has launched the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA) to spearhead the development of 6G technology in the country.

About Bharat 6G Alliance:

• It is a collaborative platform which aims to achieve universal and affordable connectivity, promote indigenous technology, and establish India as a global leader in the telecom sector.
• This platform consist of public and private companies, academia, research institutions, and standards development organizations, aims to lead the development and deployment of 6G technology in India.
• It will forge coalitions and synergies with other 6G Global Alliances, fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
• Aim: To bring together Indian startups, companies, and the manufacturing ecosystem to establish consortia that drive the design, development and deployment of 6G technologies in India.
• One of the key goals of B6GA is to facilitate market access for Indian telecom technology products and services, enabling the country to emerge as a global leader in 6G technology.

·  Funding for 6G technology projects: To support the advancement of 6G technology, the government has allocated a grant of 240.51 crores through the Telecom Technology Development Fund scheme. 

 What is the Telecom Technology Development Fund?

• It was launched in 2022.
• Under this 5% of annual collections from Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) will be available for TTDF Scheme for funding research & development of technologies, products, and services.
• The scheme is envisaged to bridge digital divide by developing and manufacturing state-of-the-art technologies and to form synergies among academia, start-ups, research institutes, and the industry to build and develop the telecom ecosystem