UPSC Daily Current Affairs - 8th May 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I/Geography

Key Facts about Pyrenees Mountains

Source: One India

Why in News?

Recently, the French President held private meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Tourmalet Pass in the Pyrenees.

• The Pyrenees Mountains act as a natural boundary between Spain and France, situated in southwestern Europe.
• These mountains are a result of the collision between the microcontinent of Iberia and the Eurasian plate, forming a fold mountain chain.
• Compared to the Alps, the Pyrenees are relatively ancient mountains.
• Stretching approximately 500 km from the Mediterranean Sea to the Bay of Biscay, the Pyrenees are significant geographical features.
• At the eastern end, the Pyrenees are about six miles wide, widening to 80 miles in the center.
• Politically, the Pyrenees are divided into the Spanish and French sections, with the small country of Andorra nestled between them in the eastern segment.
• These mountains serve as a separation between the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of continental Europe.
• The western extremity of the Pyrenees converges with the Cantabrian Mountains in the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula.
• Aneto Peak, standing at 3,404 meters, is the highest summit in the Pyrenees Mountains, located in Spain.

GS-I/Social Issues

Demographic Transition in India

Source: Indian Express

Why in News?

India's population growth has been a major focus, with projections of reaching 1.7 billion by 2065, according to the UN Population Division, underscoring the ongoing Transition of Demographic Dividend in India.

Background:

• Various factors have collaborated to initiate a demographic transition in India. The primary driver has been the rapid pace of economic development.
• Lower infant and child mortality rates have minimized the necessity of larger families for old-age support.
• Rise in women's education and workforce participation rates have also played a significant role.
• Improvements in housing conditions and the old-age security system have further contributed to this transition.

Demographic Transition:

• Demographic transition denotes a shift in the population's composition over time, influenced by factors like changes in birth and death rates, migration patterns, and alterations in social and economic conditions.

Demographic Dividend:

• It's a phenomenon arising when a country's population structure shifts from a high proportion of dependents to a higher ratio of working-age adults. This shift can foster economic growth if the nation invests in human capital and creates conditions for productive employment.

Factors triggering Demographic Transition in India:

• Economic development's pace, notably since the early 21st century, has been a pivotal driver of demographic transition.
• Enhanced living standards, improved healthcare facilities, and increased education accessibility due to economic growth contribute to lower fertility rates.
• Reduced mortality rates among infants and children have diminished the necessity for larger families for old-age support.
• Increased education and workforce participation of women have been crucial in this transition.
• Improved housing conditions and access to basic amenities enhance the quality of life, influencing family planning decisions.

Challenges Faced by Demographic Transition in India:

• Initially, the decline in Total Fertility Rate (TFR) reduces the dependency ratio and increases the working-age population, but it eventually leads to a higher proportion of elderly dependents, straining healthcare and social welfare resources.
• Non-uniform decline in fertility rates across Indian states, especially in larger ones like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, can exacerbate regional disparities in economic development and healthcare access.
• Managing the aging workforce and ensuring adequate skills development for the younger population pose challenges despite the potential increase in labor productivity and economic growth.

Opportunities for Demographic Transition in India:

• The demographic transition can slow population growth, potentially leading to higher per capita availability of capital resources and infrastructure, thereby boosting labor productivity.
• Decreasing fertility rates allow resource reallocation towards education and skill development, enhancing human capital and workforce productivity.
• Reduced TFR results in fewer children enrolling in schools, improving educational outcomes without additional state expenditure, as seen in states like Kerala.
• With reduced childcare responsibilities, more women are expected to join the workforce in the future, addressing the issue of low female workforce participation.
• Labor movement from regions with surplus labor to areas with burgeoning industries can create spatial balance in the labor market, potentially improving working conditions and eliminating wage discrimination for migrant workers.

GS-II/Polity and Governance

What is the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)?

Source: Live Mint

Why in News?

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has become the sole authority for issuing manufacturing licences for new drugs meant for exports, withdrawing the power from state governments amid heightened global scrutiny of Indian made drugs

About Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO): 

• It is the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) of India for the medical devices industryunder the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
• It is responsible for overseeing the import, manufacture, sale, and distributionof medical device in the country. The CDSCO ensures that medical devices comply with safety, quality, and efficacy standards.
• It works under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
• The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) is the head of the CDSCO.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, CDSCO is responsible for,
  • Approval of new drugs;
  • Conduct of clinical trials;
  • Laying down the standards for drugs;
  • Control over the quality of imported drugs in the country;
  • Coordinationof the activities of State Drug Control Organizations;
• CDSCO, along with state regulators, is jointly responsible for the grant of licenses for certain specialized categories of critical Drugs such as blood and blood products, I. V. Fluids, Vaccine, and Sera.
• The CDSCO conducts inspections and audits to ensure that medical device companies are complying with regulations related to safety, quality, and efficacy.

GS-III/ Science and Technology

Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)

Why in News?

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has pledged significant investment in Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) development.

• Global tech community holds mixed views on AGI advancements, expressing concerns.

Background

• AGI aims to replicate human cognitive functions, enabling it to perform diverse tasks, learn from experiences, and innovate.

About Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)

• AGI denotes a system capable of executing tasks akin to human intellect.
• Distinct from narrow AI, AGI possesses broader capabilities and adaptability.
• Alan Turing's work on AGI traces back to the 20th century, introducing the Turing test.

Implications of AGI

• Healthcare: Enhancing diagnostics, treatment planning, and personalized medicine through data analytics.
• Finance and Business: Automation of processes, improved decision-making, and precise market predictions.
• Education: Revolutionizing adaptive learning for customized student needs, promoting global educational access.

Challenges and Concerns

• Energy consumption and e-waste generation raise environmental worries.
• Potential job displacement and socio-economic inequalities are anticipated.
• New security risks could emerge, surpassing regulatory frameworks.
• Dependency on AGI might erode human skills and comprehension abilities.
• Unpredictable actions of AGI may transcend human understanding, posing significant challenges.

GS-III/ Environment and Ecology

Maharashtra gears up for tiger translocation

Source: Indian Express

Why in News?

The Maharashtra forest department is preparing to move some tigers from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur to Sahyadri, the only tiger reserve in the state's western region.

Background:

• The translocation initiative is a crucial conservation effort for tigers in the forests of the northern Western Ghats, which serve as a vital wildlife corridor between Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Key Takeaways

• The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) is among the five tiger reserves in India with no tigers inside the reserve. This translocation forms part of a long-term strategy to replenish the tiger population in the forests of the northern Western Ghats.
• STR spans Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, and Ratnagiri districts in western Maharashtra, covering an area of 1,165 sq km. It was established in 2010 by merging the Chandoli national park and Koyna wildlife sanctuary.
• The Maharashtra forest department is awaiting final approval from the Union Environment Ministry. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) sanctioned the translocation plan in October 2023. Initially, one male tiger or a pair of male and female tigers will be relocated from TATR to STR.
• The 2023 tiger population report emphasized the threats to the wildlife corridor between STR and Karnataka from mining, road construction, and human settlements.
• Following the TATR translocation, tigers will also be moved from the Pench Tiger Reserve landscape across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The overall plan involves relocating eight tigers, comprising three males and five females.
• This translocation is part of phase-II of the tiger recovery project. Phase-I involves habitat preparation, increasing prey numbers, enhancing forest protection, and establishing a temporary enclosure for their gradual release.

GS-III/Environment and Ecology

RECHARGE WELLS

Source: The Hindu

Why in News? 

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board has built over 900 recharge wells in the city within a month.

Background

• The water scarcity in Bengaluru is not just due to insufficient Cauvery River water but also because of ineffective rainwater harvesting and inadequate groundwater replenishment facilities.

Recharge Wells

• Recharge wells are structures crafted to directly refill groundwater levels.
• They are pivotal in restoring aquifers and ensuring a sustainable water supply.
• These wells are typically deep shafts, ranging from 0.5 to 3 meters in diameter and 10 to 15 meters deep.
• They facilitate excess water, like rainwater, to seep into aquifers, effectively recharging groundwater.

Benefits of Recharge Wells

• Groundwater Replenishment: Recharge wells help in maintaining groundwater levels by enabling rainwater to percolate into the ground, which is crucial during dry spells or when wells are in danger of drying up.
• Environmental Sustainability: These wells promote environmental well-being by balancing the water cycle, preventing excessive runoff and erosion.
• Agricultural Productivity: Enhanced water resources from recharge wells lead to increased crop yields, allowing farmers to cultivate two to three crops annually, thereby boosting income and quality of life. Efficient water usage also lowers irrigation and labor costs.
• Urban Water Management: In urban settings, recharge wells aid in managing stormwater runoff, minimizing flooding, and maintaining stable water tables.
• Energy Savings: The rise in groundwater levels through recharge wells results in energy conservation. For instance, a 1-meter increase in water level saves around 0.4 kWh of electricity.

GS-III/Science and Technology

LockBit Ransomware

Source: MSN

Why in News?

The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted Russian national Dimitry Yuryevich Khoroshev and announced a $10 million reward for his alleged involvement with LockBit ransomware.

About LockBit Ransomware

• LockBit Ransomware is a type of malicious software that aims to block user access to computer systems in exchange for a ransom payment.
• Initially known as "ABCD" ransomware, it has evolved into a unique threat within the realm of extortion tools.
• Belonging to the subclass of ransomware called a 'crypto virus,' it demands financial payment in return for decryption services.
• Primarily targeting enterprises and government entities, rather than individuals.
• Operates as ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) and is now expanding its reach by developing encryptors specifically targeting Mac systems.

Working of LockBit Ransomware

• Functions as a self-spreading malware, spreading rapidly within an organization's network once it gains access to a single device.
• Utilizes a technique where it conceals executable encryption files by camouflaging them as .PNG files to evade detection by security measures.
• Attackers employ phishing strategies and social engineering to deceive victims into sharing their credentials.
• Upon gaining entry, the ransomware primes the system to deploy its encryption payload across multiple devices.
• Disables security protocols and other systems that could facilitate data recovery, intensifying the impact of the attack.

GS-III/Science and Technology

What is Spektr-RG (SRG)?

Source: BBC

Why in News?

A new pulsar has been discovered by astronomers utilizing the Spektr-RG space observatory.

About Spektr-RG (SRG)

• Spektr-Rentgen-Gamma (Spektr-RG, SRG) is a collaborative German-Russian space observatory.
• It was launched on July 13, 2019, using a Proton-M rocket from Baikonur, Kazakhstan.
• It orbits around the outer Lagrange point (L2) of the Sun-Earth system, approximately 1.5 million km away from Earth.
• A Lagrange point is a region in space where the gravitational forces of two large bodies balance the centripetal force on a smaller object.

Instruments

• The primary tool onboard is eROSITA, constructed by the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) in Germany.
• eROSITA is dedicated to a seven-year X-ray survey focusing on energies below 10 keV.
• The mission aims to map around 100,000 galaxy clusters and potentially discover new clusters and active galactic nuclei.
• The secondary instrument, ART-XC, is a Russian telescope specialized in detecting supermassive black holes.

Comparison with Spektr-R

• Spektr-RG is designed to replace Spektr-R, which was launched in 2011 and was known as the "Russian Hubble".
• Spektr-R observed black holes, neutron stars, and magnetic fields, contributing to our understanding of cosmic expansion.