UPSC Daily Current Affairs- 11th May 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I/Geography 

SHINKU LA TUNNEL

Source: Hindustan Times

Why in News?

The Border Roads Organisation will construct the world’s highest tunnel at Shinku La Pass at 16,580 feet to connect Himachal to Zanskar valley in Ladakh.

• Background: The ongoing military standoff between India and China in eastern Ladakh persists into its fifth year, with no signs of resolution along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
• About Shinku La Tunnel:
  • Location and Altitude: Situated at an altitude exceeding 16,500 feet, the Shinku La tunnel lies on the Nimu-Padam-Darcha Road link, bridging Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh.
  • Construction Timeline: Expected completion by 2025.
• Purpose:
  • Primary Objective: To bolster all-weather connectivity to Ladakh's border areas.
  • Military Importance: Facilitates rapid deployment of troops and heavy weaponry.
• Significance:
  • Military Access: Grants Indian military entry to Ladakh's border regions from Himachal Pradesh.
  • Economic Boost: Expected to stimulate tourism and improve financial prospects for Zanskar Valley residents.
  • Enhanced Connectivity and Security: Promises significant improvements in both aspects for the region.
• World Record:
  • Upon fruition, it will claim the title of the world's longest high-altitude highway tunnel, setting a record as the highest tunnel, linking Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh at an elevation of 16,580 feet.

GS-I/Geography

55 Cancri e Planet

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

Recently, astronomers detected rocky planets beyond our solar system with an atmosphere.

About 55 Cancri e Planet:

• Also known as Janssen, it's an exoplanet categorized as a super-Earth.
• Located in the Milky Way galaxy, approximately 41 light-years away from Earth, situated within the Cancer constellation.
• It's a rocky planet, larger than Earth yet smaller than Neptune.
• Orbits in close proximity to its star, which is dimmer and slightly less massive than the Sun, completing an orbit roughly every 18 hours.
• Its orbit is extremely close to its star, approximately one-25th the distance between Mercury and the Sun in our solar system, resulting in a scorching surface temperature of around 3,140 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Likely tidally locked, with one side perpetually facing its star, similar to the moon's relationship with Earth.
• Hosts four other planets, all gas giants, orbiting the same star.

GS-II/Polity and Governance

Constitutional Morality

Source: Indian Express

Why in News?

The recent arrests of chief ministers on corruption charges raises legal, political, and constitutional concerns and poses questions about its consistency with constitutional morality, especially in a parliamentary democracy like India.

Background:

• Allegations of breaching legal and constitutional values have surfaced.

Constitutional Morality:

• Defined as the guiding principles underlying a constitution, influencing both government and citizen actions.
• Originated from British Classicist George Grote, later cited by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in India.

Pillars of Constitutional Morality:

• Constitutional Values: Justice, liberty, equality, fraternity, secularism, and individual dignity.
• Rule of Law: Ensures everyone, including government officials, is accountable under the law.
• Democratic Principles: Facilitate representative democracy and citizen participation.
• Fundamental Rights: Protect rights like equality, freedom of speech, and right to life.
• Separation of Powers: Balances legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
• Checks and Balances: Prevents abuse of power and safeguards individual rights.
• Constitutional Interpretation: Adapts to societal changes while preserving constitutional principles.
• Ethical Governance: Promotes transparency, accountability, and integrity in governance.

Judgments Upholding Constitutional Morality:

• Key cases like Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala and Naz Foundation v. Government of NCT of Delhi set precedents.

Challenges to Constitutional Morality in India:

• Political interference in constitutional institutions undermines autonomy and impartiality.
• Balancing judicial activism with restraint is essential to avoid encroachment.
• Effective enforcement and compliance with constitutional values face obstacles like implementation gaps and justice delays.

GS-II/International Relations

Cook Islands

Source: Indian Express

Why in News?

The Cook Islands is at the vanguard of a quest to mine the ocean floor for minerals used in electric car batteries.

About Cook Islands:

• Self-Governing Island State: Associated with New Zealand but operates independently.
• Location: Positioned in the South Pacific Ocean, situated between Tonga to the west and French Polynesia to the east.
• Island Composition: Comprises 15 islands divided into a northern group of six coral atolls and a southern group of nine volcanic islands.
• Northern Islands:
  • Mostly low-lying coral atolls with sparse population, featuring islands like Manihiki, Nassau, Penrhyn, Pukapuka, Rakahanga, and Suwarrow.
  • Characterized by light vegetation and beautiful white sand beaches.
• Southern Islands:
  • Consist of larger, volcanic islands with denser populations.
  • Includes Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Manuae, Mauke, Mitiaro, Palmerston, and Takutea.
• Highest Point: Te Manga, reaching 652 meters, located on Rarotonga Island.
• Population: Predominantly concentrated on Rarotonga Island.
• Capital City: Avarua, situated on Rarotonga Island.

GS-III/Agriculture

Export-import in agri sector

Source: Indian Express

Why in News?

India’s agricultural exports fell 8.2% in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 on the back of shipment curbs on a host of commodities, from cereals and sugar to onions.

Background:-

• The value of farm exports totaled $48.82 billion in 2023-24, down from the record $53.15 billion of 2022-23 and $50.24 billion for the previous fiscal, according to Department of Commerce data.
• Export Trends:
  • During the initial years of the Narendra Modi government, exports decreased from $43.25 billion in 2013-14 to $35.60 billion in 2019-20, accompanied by an increase in imports from $15.53 billion to $21.86 billion.
  • This decline was attributed to a crash in global agri-commodity prices, reducing the cost competitiveness of Indian exports and making it more susceptible to imports.
  • However, global price recovery post-Covid-19 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led to record-high farm exports and imports in 2022-23, before dropping in the latest fiscal year.
• Export Drivers:
  • Decline in exports primarily led by sugar and non-basmati rice, with government restrictions on sugar exports since October 2023 and white non-basmati rice exports since July 2023.
  • Wheat and onion exports also impacted by domestic shortages and rising prices.
• Import Drivers:
  • Overall agri imports decreased by 7.9% in 2023-24 mainly due to lower global prices of edible oils.
  • However, imports of pulses nearly doubled to $3.75 billion, reaching the highest levels since 2015-16 and 2016-17.
• Policy Implications:
  • Farmers and agri-traders seek policy stability and predictability.
  • Overnight bans or restrictions on agri exports usually favor consumers over producers and can cause significant disruptions.
  • Building export markets requires time and effort; economists recommend a more predictable and rules-based policy, such as temporary tariffs instead of outright bans.
  • Import duties on most pulses have been eliminated or reduced by the Modi government, contrary to its objective of promoting crop diversification away from water-intensive crops like rice and wheat towards pulses and oilseeds, which are heavily imported.

GS-III/Environment

Air Pollution

Source: Indian Express

Why in News?

 Environmental, climate change, and air pollution issues have featured in the 2024 Lok Sabha manifestos of most top political parties. But is it among the top priorities or guarantees for parties or candidates? This brings us to another question: Will we ever witness actual improvement in air quality without it becoming a people’s movement or a political issue?

Background:

• Despite mention in manifestos, pollution hasn’t become a campaign issue. It is a reflection of low traction at grassroots level.

Economic Impact of Air Pollution:

• A 2019 study estimated that yearly deaths due to air pollution result in an economic loss of Rs 2.7 lakh crore, equivalent to approximately 1.36% of India's GDP.
• Another survey suggested that Indian GDP could have been 4.5% higher if air pollution had grown 50% slower annually.

Tackling Air Pollution:

• Effective action against pollution requires a mass movement and heightened public awareness.
• Academics, scientists, experts, bureaucrats, and local government bodies must work together to educate the public that clean air is a fundamental right.
• Besides research, funds should be allocated for on-ground activities aimed at reducing pollution.
• A federal structure is needed for pollution control, with decentralized policies and strategies implemented through district and local bodies.
• Local bodies should assess pollution sources and air quality improvement opportunities in every ward and village, sharing this information with residents.
• Open areas conducive to air ventilation, water bodies, and green spaces in cities should be identified and marked as green zones for restoration.
• Regular public awareness programs, led by local experts and teachers, should educate communities about environmental pollution and provide guidance on necessary actions.

GS-III/Science and Technology

DigiLocker

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

DigiLocker has become a digital placeholder for administrative and government-related documents and now students have the option of viewing their scores and even obtaining their verified marksheets.

About:

• Introduced in 2015, DigiLocker is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) under the Digital India program.
• Approved by the government, it maintains strict security protocols and operates as an application for storing users' digital records securely.
• Users can utilize the app for various purposes such as applying for passports, accessing marksheets, or verifying identity during travel.
• Aligned with the Indian government's paper-free initiative, DigiLocker enables users to access, verify, and store essential documents digitally, facilitating easy retrieval and presentation when needed.
• Documents issued through DigiLocker are legally recognized as equivalent to original physical documents under Rule 9A of the Information Technology (Preservation and Retention of Information by Intermediaries providing Digital Locker facilities) Rules, 2016.
• The platform employs robust security measures including 2048 Bit RSA SSL encryption, multi-factor authentication (OTP verification), consent systems, timed logouts, and security audits to ensure data protection and privacy.

GS-III/Environment and Ecology

Oleander flowers

Source: Indian Express

Why in News?

Two Kerala government-controlled temple boards have banned use of oleander in temple offerings after a 24-year old woman died after accidentally chewing some oleander leaves.

About Oleander flowers:

• Nerium oleander, commonly known as oleander or rosebay, is a plant cultivated worldwide in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions.
• It is known for its drought tolerance, the shrub is often used for ornamental and landscaping purposes.
• In Kerala, the plant is known by the names of arali and kanaveeram, and is grown along highways and beaches as a natural, green fencing.
• There are different varieties of oleander, each with a flower of a different colour. The plant has been frequently described in Brihattrayi, Nighantus and other classical Ayurvedic texts.
• Charaka [Charak Samhita] has prescribed the leaves of white flowered variety externally in chronic and obstinate skin diseases of serious nature including leprosy.
• According to Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) an oil prepared from the root bark can be used to treat skin diseases.

Oleander’s toxicity

• Ingestion or inhalation of smoke from burning oleander can be intoxicating.
• This is due to the properties of cardiac glycosides (a type of chemical) including oleandrin, folinerin, and digitoxigenin, which are present in all parts of the plant.
• Effects of oleander toxicity include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, rashes, confusion, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, slow heartbeat, and, in extreme cases, death.