UPSC Daily Current Affairs- 29th April 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Raja Ravi Varma

Subject: History and Culture

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

The first authentic replication of the painting Indulekha by Raja Ravi Varma is set to be revealed at the Kilimanoor Palace in Kerala.

About Raja Ravi Varma:

• Raja Ravi Varma, an Indian painter and artist, is renowned as one of the most distinguished painters in the annals of Indian art.
• He was born as Ravi Varma Koil Thampuran of the Kilimanoor palace, within the former princely state of Travancore (Thiruvithankur) in Kerala.
• His oeuvre predominantly revolves around the Puranas (ancient mythological narratives) and the great Indian epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
• Varma's repertoire includes numerous portraits of both Indians and British individuals in India.

Noteworthy Features of his Work:

• Pre-Raja Ravi Varma, Indian artists' works were heavily influenced by the Persian and Mughal schools.
• Varma was a trailblazer in incorporating Western techniques of perspective and composition, tailoring them to Indian subjects, styles, and themes.
• His artistic creations exemplify a harmonious blend of European academic art with a distinctly Indian sensibility and iconography.
• He was a pioneer in utilizing oil paints among Indian artists and mastering the art of lithographic reproduction of his works.
• Varma's innovation extended to making affordable lithographs of his paintings accessible to the wider public, thereby amplifying his impact as an artist and public figure.
• His paintings often portrayed mythological personas and Indian royalty in a realistic manner, challenging conventional artistic norms.

Recognitions:

• Following his triumph in an exhibition of his artworks in Vienna in 1873, Raja Ravi Varma garnered widespread acclaim.
• His paintings were showcased at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, where he secured two gold medals.
• In 1904, Viceroy Lord Curzon, representing the King Emperor, conferred upon Raja Ravi Varma the Kaisar-i-Hind Gold Medal, marking the first official use of his name as "Raja Ravi Varma."

Chambal River

A group of environmentalists have expressed concerns about the rising levels of pollutants in the Chambal River.

GS-II

Candidate elected unopposed

Subject: Polity

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

On April 22, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won a seat in the Lok Sabha without opposition. Mukesh Dalal, the BJP nominee for the Surat constituency in Gujarat, was elected unopposed.

Background

• The Congress candidates' nomination papers were rejected, leading to the election of the BJP nominee without a vote.
• Other nominees withdrew their candidature, further facilitating the uncontested victory.

How is a candidate declared elected before polling?

• Section 53 (3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 outlines the process for uncontested elections.
• If the number of candidates is less than the seats to be filled, the Returning Officer declares all candidates elected immediately.

Scope for negative voting in the election system

• The system allows for negative voting through options like NOTA (None of the Above) and Rule 49-O.
• Voters can choose not to vote, expressing disapproval of available candidates while maintaining secrecy.
• The introduction of NOTA on EVMs since 2013 was a result of a Supreme Court verdict, empowering voters to reject candidates.
• Contrasting Rule 49-O with NOTA, the former involves a manual procedure at polling booths, potentially compromising voter secrecy.

NATIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE FUND (NDRF)

Subject: Polity and Governance

Source: The Hindu

Why in News? 

The Union government has released disaster relief funds for Karnataka and Tamil Nadu from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

• Background - Recently, the State governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu sought relief funds for events like Cyclone Michaung, floods, and drought in 2023, leading to the release of funds.

About NATIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE FUND (NDRF)

• Significance - The NDRF plays a vital role in disaster management within India.
• Management - It is a fund administered by the Central Government to address emergency response, relief, and rehabilitation during disaster situations.
• Objective - The fund is designed to offer immediate assistance in the face of natural or man-made calamities.
• Decision-Making - The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the National Disaster Management Authority oversees decisions related to NDRF expenses.
• Auditing - The NDRF accounts undergo annual audits conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

Supplementing State Disaster Response Funds (SDRF)

• Collaboration - The NDRF works alongside the State Disaster Response Funds (SDRF) to provide additional financial aid for severe natural calamities.
• Support System - When a state's SDRF funds are insufficient to address a disaster, the NDRF steps in to provide support.

Eligibility and Coverage

• Disaster Types Covered - NDRF guidelines encompass a variety of disasters, including natural calamities like cyclones, earthquakes, floods, and man-made disasters such as terrorist attacks.
• Application Process - States seeking NDRF assistance must submit a detailed memorandum outlining the damage and financial requirements.
• Relief Assistance - The NDRF primarily offers immediate relief assistance rather than compensation for property or crop loss.

Sources of Financing

• Funding Mechanism - The NDRF is funded through a cess on specific items, charged to excise and customs duties, approved annually via the Finance Bill.
• Additional Funding - If the funds from NDRF are insufficient, additional resources are allocated from the general budget.

Booth Capturing

Subject: Polity and Governance

Source: Indian Express

Why in News?

Booth Capturing during elections in India is considered a 'Corrupt Practice' under the Representation of People Act, 1951 (RPA).

About Booth Capturing:

• Booth-capturing, as defined in Section 135A of the RPA, encompasses various activities carried out by individuals:
  • Seizing a polling station, thereby disrupting the electoral process.
  • Taking control of a polling station and permitting only their supporters to cast votes.
  • Intimidating or coercing voters, preventing them from reaching the polling station.
  • Seizing a counting location, thereby impacting the vote counting process.
  • Involvement of government officials in any of the aforementioned activities.
• Perpetrators of booth capturing are liable to punishment for a duration not less than one year and up to three years for civilians, while government employees may face imprisonment for a minimum of three years, extendable to five years.
• In such instances, the Election Commission of India may take the following actions based on the evidence:
  • Declare the election at the affected polling station null and void, necessitating a fresh poll on a different date.
  • Cancel the election in the entire constituency if booth capturing occurred in multiple polling stations or influenced the vote counting process.

GS-III

CLIMATE TECHNOLOGY CENTRE AND NETWORK (CTCN)

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Source: UNEP

Why in News?

The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) celebrates its 10-year anniversary as a key player in advancing climate technology and innovation.

Background

The commitment of the CTCN to climate resilience and emissions reduction remains strong as it continues to drive technological advancements for a sustainable future.

About CLIMATE TECHNOLOGY CENTRE AND NETWORK (CTCN)

• The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) is a crucial initiative that links countries to climate solutions.
• The CTCN functions as the operational arm of the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism, hosted by the UN Environment Programme and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
• Established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the CTCN facilitates the transfer of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries for low carbon and climate-resilient development.
• The primary objective is to facilitate the transfer of environmentally sound technologies to developing nations.

Key Functions

• Technology Transfer: The CTCN speeds up the adoption of climate-friendly technologies by addressing country-specific requests.
• Capacity Building: It offers expertise, policy guidance, and capacity-building assistance customized to individual countries.
• Global Network: The CTCN collaborates with a worldwide network of technology firms and organizations.

Opioids

Subject: Science and Technology

Recently, the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s three-day visit to China spoke about the production and export of “synthetic opioid precursors”, specifically the drug fentanyl.

INS Vikrant

Subject: Defence and Security 

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

Recently, both Indian Navy aircraft carriers, INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, demonstrated "twin carrier operations" with MiG-29K fighter jets simultaneously taking off from and landing on both carriers.

About INS Vikrant:

• INS Vikrant is India's first domestically designed and built aircraft carrier, enhancing the nation's status as a 'Blue Water Navy.'
• It was developed internally by the Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau and constructed by M/s Cochin Shipyard Limited.
• India has now joined a select group of countries — the US, Russia, France, the UK, and China — capable of independently designing and constructing aircraft carriers.
• With a full load displacement of 43,000 tonnes, INS Vikrant ranks as the seventh largest among carriers worldwide.

Capabilities:

• INS Vikrant can support an air wing of 30 aircraft, including MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, along with indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters and Light Combat Aircraft (Navy).
• It utilizes the STOBAR (Short Take-Off but Arrested Recovery) technique for launching and recovering aircraft, featuring a ski-jump for takeoffs and three 'arrester wires' for landings.