UPSC Daily Current Affairs- 13th December 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Girsu

Subject: History

Why in News?

 Recently, two temples, were discovered in the ancient megacity of Girsu in Iraq.

Background:-

• Archaeologists found the two temples, one buried atop the other.

About Girsu:-

• Location: Iraq.
• Girsu was a Sumer civilization city.
• It was discovered in the nineteenth century.
• The first excavations took place in the 1880s by the French archaeologist Ernest de Sarzec.
• It was noteworthy because it first revealed the existence of the Sumerian civilization to the world.
• It also brought to light some of Mesopotamian art and architecture’s most important monuments.
• Sumer Civilization was one of the earliest known civilizations, flourishing between approximately 4100 and 1750 BCE in the historical region of southern Mesopotamia.
• The Sumerians were responsible for many technological advancements, including measurements of time as well as writing.
• They essentially “invented” time by dividing day and night into 12-hour periods, hours into 60 minutes, and minutes into 60 seconds.
• They built the first known cities as well as creating the first known code of law. 

Source: LiveScience

GS-II

PM Vishwakarma Scheme

Subject: Government Schemes

Why in News?

As per recent data, the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, launched by the Centre has received over 21 lakh applications in two and a half months.

Background:-

• The highest number of applications came from Karnataka (6.28 lakh), followed by West Bengal (4.04 lakh), Assam (1.83 lakh), Uttar Pradesh (1.53 lakh) and Andhra Pradesh (1.21 lakh).

About PM Vishwakarma Scheme:-

• Launched: September 2023.
• Ministry: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
• It is a Central Sector Scheme.

Objectives of PM Vishwakarma scheme:-

• To strengthen and nurture the Guru-Shishya parampara or family-based practice of traditional skills by artisans and craftspeople working with their hands and tools.
• To improve the quality, as well as the reach of products and services of artisans and craftspeople.
• To ensure that the Vishwakarmas are integrated with the domestic and global value chains.

Salient Features of PM Vishwakarma scheme:-

• The artisans and craftspeople will be provided recognition through a PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card.
• Credit Support: Credit of up to Rs.1 lakh (First Tranche) and Rs.2 lakh (Second Tranche) will be given with a concessional interest rate of 5%.
• Skill learning: The Scheme will further provide Skill Upgradation, Toolkit Incentives, Incentives for Digital Transactions, and Marketing Support.
• Training: Skill development programs encompass both basic and advanced training.
• Stipend: Participants are entitled to a stipend of Rs 500 per day during their training period.
• Modern Tools and Equipment: Beneficiaries are eligible for financial support of up to ₹15,000 to procure modern tools, enhancing their efficiency and productivity.
• Sectors: Eighteen traditional trades will be covered in the first instance under PM Vishwakarma.
• These trades include (i) Carpenter (Suthar); (ii) Boat Maker; (iii) Armourer; (iv) Blacksmith (Lohar); (v) Hammer and Tool Kit Maker; (vi) Locksmith; (vii) Goldsmith (Sonar); (viii) Potter (Kumhaar); (ix) Sculptor (Moortikar, stone carver), Stone breaker; (x) Cobbler(Charmkar)/ Shoesmith/Footwear artisan; (xi) Mason (Rajmistri); (xii) Basket/Mat/Broom Maker/Coir Weaver; (xiii) Doll & Toy Maker (Traditional); (xiv) Barber (Naai); (xv) Garland maker (Malakaar); (xvi) Washerman (Dhobi); (xvii) Tailor (Darzi); and (xviii) Fishing Net Maker.

Eligibility Criteria: –

• Indian Citizenship: Applicants must be Indian.
• Artisan or Craftsman: The applicant should be a traditional artisan or craftsman.
• Age Limit: No Age Limit for applying to the scheme. 

Benefits of PM Vishwakarma scheme:-

• The scheme will provide support to artisans and craftspeople in rural and urban areas across India.
• It caters to both urban and rural areas, facilitating employment. 
• Funding for training programs to enhance traditional skills.

Source: Indian Express

Article 370

Subject: Polity

Why in News?

Recently, PM Modi wrote that ‘The SC verdict on Article 370 has strengthened the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.

Background:-

• On December 11, the honourable Supreme Court of India delivered a historic judgment on the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35(A).
• Through its judgment, the court has upheld the sovereignty and integrity of India, something that is cherished by every Indian.
• The court rightly observed that the decision taken on August 5, 2019 was done with the purpose of enhancing constitutional integration and not disintegration.
• The court has also recognised the fact that Article 370 was not permanent in nature.

About Article 370:-

• 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

GS-III

Halley's Comet

Subject : Science and Technology

Why in News?

Comet Halley reached the farthest point from the sun recently.

Background:-

• The comet will reached the farthest point from the sun on December 9, 2023.
• It’ll come closest to the sun again on July 28, 2061.

About Halley’s Comet:-

• Comet Halley is the most famous of all comets.
  • A comet is icy and when it comes near the sun it warms and starts releasing gases filled inside it: this is outgassing which creates a tail in a comet.
• A Halley’s comet consists of water and many gases e.g. methane, ammonia, carbon dioxide etc etc.
• As it’s an icy cool rocked structure and its path is also elliptical so as soon as it reaches the soon gases and ice inside it expands and develop into a tail which later appears like a beautiful shooting star from the observation point or from earth.
• The comet is officially called 1P/Halley.
• It was the first comet ever predicted to return.
• It is named after English astronomer Edmond Halley, who examined reports of a comet approaching Earth in 1531, 1607 and 1682.
• He concluded that these three comets were actually the same comet returning over and over again, and predicted that it would return in 1758.
• This comet has been heading away from the sun since its last closest approach in 1986.
• Now it’s reaching the end of its outward journey, due to arrive at its farthest point from our sun on December 9, 2023.
• Afterwards, it’ll start making the trip back toward the sun, due to arrive in our vicinity by 2061.
• Helley’s is also known as the short-period comet as its orbit is lasting 200 years or less.

Source: Earthsky

Saiga Antelope

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Why in News?

Recently, the Saiga (Saiga tatarica) species category was changed from Critically Endangered to Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

About Saiga Antelope:

• It is a large migratory herbivore.
• Appearance:
  • This antelope has an extremely unusual appearance with an oversized and flexible nose, the internal structure of which acts like a filter.
  • Their large noses filter out dust kicked up by the herd in the warm summers and warms the icy air before it reaches their lungs in the winters.
• Habitat: It inhabits open dry steppe grasslands and semi-arid deserts.
• Distribution:
  • The antelope were once found throughout the Eurasian Steppe, the great band of grassland that stretches from Hungary in Europe to Manchuria in Asia.
  • Presently it is found in fragmented populations within Kazakhstan, Mongolia, the Russian Federation and Uzbekistan.
• The Saiga has two subspecies: Saiga tatarica (found in most of the range) and Saiga tatarica mongolica (found only in Mongolia).
• Conservation status
  • IUCN: Near threatened
  • CITES: Appendix II
• Threats:  Hunting and habitat destruction.

Source: Down to Earth

Cinereous Vulture

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Why in News?

Recently, the Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus), one of the largest raptors in the world, has been sighted at the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary.

About Cinereous Vulture:

• It is also known as the Eurasian Black Vulture or monk vulture.
• It is one of the heaviest and largest raptors in the world.
• It is one of the two largest Old-World vultures.
• It is an altitudinal migrant — which means it migrates from a higher to a lower altitude. 
• Habitat: This vulture is a bird of hilly, mountainous areas, especially favouring dry semi-open habitats such as meadows at high altitudes over much of the range.
• Distribution: It is a Eurasian species. It is mainly found in Spain and inland Portugal, South France, central Asia, northern India, northern Manchuria, Mongolia and Korea.
• Conservation status
  • IUCN: Near threatened
  • Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule IV

Key facts about the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary:

• It is located on the Southern Delhi Ridge of the Aravalli hill range on the Delhi-Haryana border.
• It is also part of the Sariska-Delhi Wildlife Corridor, which runs from the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan to Delhi Ridge.
• Vegetation: The vegetation falls under the Northern Tropical Thorn Forests type.
• Climate: It is mainly influenced by its remote inland position and prevalence of air of continental character, which is characterized by extreme summer heat alternating with great winter cold.
• Flora: Consists of Prosopis juliflora as the dominant exotic species and Diospyros montana as the dominant native species in the sanctuary.
• Fauna: Golden Jackals, Striped-Hyenas, Indian crested-Porcupines, Civets, Jungle Cats, Snakes, Monitor Lizards, Mongoose etc.

Source: Hindustan Times

Kambalakonda WLS

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Why in News?

The Eastern Ghats Biodiversity Centre situated along the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary’s periphery, near PM Palem in Visakhapatnam, features a new Nature Interpretation Centre.

About Kambalakonda WLS

Source: The Hindu

Exercise VINBAX 2023

Subject: Defence and Security

Why in News?

The Indian Armed Forces contingent, consisting of 45 personnel, has arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam, to participate in the fourth edition of the Joint Military Exercise VINBAX-2023.

Exercise VINBAX-2023

• Inception: VINBAX was established in 2018, with its inaugural edition held in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India.
• Annual Event: This training event is conducted annually, alternating between India and Vietnam. The last edition took place at Chandimandir Military Station in August 2022.
• Collaborative Partnership: The exercise aims to foster collaborative partnerships and promote interoperability between the two nations.
• Focus on Peacekeeping: It is aligned with Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter on Peace Keeping Operations.
• Training Emphasis: The focus is on the deployment and employment of an Engineer Company and a Medical Team in a Command Post Exercise cum Field Training Exercise format.

Activities and Training Modules

• Tactical Exchange: The exercise will facilitate the exchange of tactics, techniques, and procedures between the contingents.
• Engineering and Medical Drills: Participants will share modern methods for constructing roads, culverts, helipads, ammunition shelters, and observation posts. Combat engineering and medical drills are also part of the training.
• Validation Exercise: The exercise will conclude with a Validation Exercise to showcase the standards achieved by both contingents.

Source: AIR