UPSC Daily Current Affairs- 23rd May 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I/Geography

Ujani Dam

Source: Hindustan Times

Why in News?

Six individuals, including two children, tragically drowned when their boat capsized in the Ujani dam's backwaters in Pune district, Maharashtra.

About Ujani Dam:

• The dam is situated on the Bhima River close to Ujjani village in Solapur district, Maharashtra.
• It is an earth-fill cum masonry gravity dam.
• Construction took place between 1977 and 1980 with the main goal of providing irrigation water and hydroelectric power to the region.
• The Ujani Dam spans a total length of 2,534 meters and is built on substantial basaltic rock formations, featuring a central spillway dam measuring 602 meters in length.
• Standing at a height of 63 meters, the dam has a storage capacity of 117 thousand million cubic feet (TMC), with 54 TMC designated as live storage and 63 TMC as dead storage.
• Power Generation Capacity: 12MW
• Pollution Concerns: The water quality of the Ujani Dam is severely compromised due to the presence of hazardous pollutants from Pune and other small cities along the Bhima River and its tributaries.

Key Facts about Bhima River:

• The Bhima River, also called the Chandrabagha River, is a significant river in southwest India and a major tributary of the Krishna River.
• Originating in the Bhimashankar hills near Karjat in the Pune District of Maharashtra, the Bhima River flows southeast through Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana before joining the Krishna River at Kadlur (Raichur) in Karnataka.
• Spanning 861 kilometers, the river is bordered by the Western Ghats in the west, the Balaghat Range in the north, and the Mahadeo Hills in the south, with a total basin area of 48,631 sq. km, 75% of which lies in Maharashtra.
• Major tributaries include the Sina and Nira rivers, with the important pilgrimage site of Pandharpur situated on the river's right bank.

GS-I/Geography

Next month, on June 3, there will be a significant alignment of planets allowing people to witness six planets aligning in the sky.

GS-I/Geography

Bharal and Himalayan Ibex

Source: Geography

Why in the News?

Wildlife authorities in Himachal Pradesh's high altitude, cold desert district of Lahaul & Spiti have initiated surveys to estimate the population of blue sheep or bharal and the Himalayan ibex, primary prey of the iconic snow leopard.

About Bharal:

• The bharal, also known as the blue sheep, is a caprine species native to the high Himalayas.
• Scientific Name: Pseudois nayaur
• It is the sole member of the genus Pseudois.
• Distribution: It is found in regions such as India, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.
• Features:
  • Medium-sized caprids measuring 115 to 165 cm long along the head and body.
  • Males slightly larger than females, standing 69 to 91 cm high at the shoulder.
  • Short, dense slate grey coat with white underparts and black fronts of legs.
  • Distinctive horns that curve upwards and then back.
  • Active throughout the day, engaging in feeding and resting cycles on mountain slopes.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern
  • Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule 1

About Himalayan Ibex:

• A subspecies of the Siberian ibex native to the Himalayan region of India, Pakistan, Tibet, and Nepal.
• Scientific Name: Capra sibirica hemalayanus
• Found in high-altitude regions of the Himalayas, including elevations between 3,000 and 5,800 meters.
• Features:
  • An adult ibex weighs about 90 kgs and stands around 40 inches tall, with large curved horns.
  • Horns have notches on the front and grow annually.
  • Coat is thick and woolly in winter, shedding in early summer, ranging from pale brown to dark brown.
  • Usually found in small herds, capable of running at speeds up to 50 km/h.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

GS-II/International Relations

Why the ICC Prosecutor has asked for an arrest warrant against Netanyahu, and what could happen now?

Why in News?

On 20 May 2024, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) requested arrest warrants against leaders of Hamas and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel regarding the events of October 7, 2023, and the conflict in Palestine.

• Individuals Involved: The Prosecutor requested warrants of arrest for senior Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh, alongside Netanyahu and Israel's Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant.

ICC Decision-making Process and Case Scope

• Decision Process: ICC decisions are binding, necessitating support from member states. A panel of judges at the ICC must assess the Prosecutor's request for arrest warrants.
• State Cooperation: If approved, all State Parties are required to cooperate, including arresting and extraditing the accused to The Hague. This may restrict international travel for Netanyahu and Gallant, impacting visits to Rome Statute State Parties.
• Jurisdiction: While Israel is not a Party to the Rome Statute, the ICC can prosecute crimes by nationals of both State Parties (like Palestine) and Non-state Parties (like Israel) on State Party territory (such as Palestine).

Future Steps

• Enhanced Cooperation: Advocating for increased collaboration between the ICC and the UN to bolster their effectiveness in addressing international crimes.
• Wider Membership: Promoting more countries to join as State Parties to the Rome Statute, expanding the ICC's jurisdiction and impact.

GS-II/Polity and Governance

Revisiting the 1995 SC Judgment: Inclusion of Medical Profession under Consumer Protection Act

Source: The Print

Why in News?

The SC's decision aims to maintain equilibrium in case handling across commissions and emphasizes evidence-based decision-making.

Consumer Protection Act Overview

• The Consumer Protection Act, 1986, aimed to streamline consumer grievance redressal.
• Introduced the concept of a 'consumer' and outlined specific consumer rights.
• Protection is afforded to individuals meeting the Act's 'consumer' definition.

Consumer Protection Act, 2019

• Repealed and replaced the 1986 Act.
• Expands the scope to cover various transactions including online and offline purchases.
• Encompasses services related to banking, insurance, transport, housing, and more.

1995 Case: Indian Medical Association vs V P Shantha

• In 1995, the SC ruled that doctors could be held accountable under consumer protection laws for service deficiencies.
• Recognized the unique challenges in medical professions where success often hinges on factors beyond the professional's control.

Diverse Opinions

• NCDR Commission's stance on lawyers being liable for service inadequacies.
• Apex court's recent judgment exempting professionals like lawyers from CPA provisions.

Apex Court's Rationale

• CPA 2019 primarily aims to safeguard consumers from unfair and unethical trade practices.
• Legal profession's unique nature makes it distinct from other professions.
• Engagement with an advocate is considered a 'contract of personal service' and hence exempt from CPA.

Medical Profession Exemption Debate

• Doctors' specific duties towards patients and the implications of breaching these responsibilities.
• Potential impracticalities in requiring commission members to have specialized case knowledge.
• Shift in responsibilities towards parties for providing substantial evidence for informed decisions.

GS-II/Polity and Governance

No Legal Mandate to Share Voter Turnout Data: ECI to Supreme Court

Source: The Mint

Why in the News?

The Election Commission of India (ECI) informed the Supreme Court that there is no legal obligation to provide Form 17C (account of votes recorded) to anyone other than the candidate or their agent.

Article 329(b) Provisions

• Article 329(b) prohibits courts from intervening in electoral process disputes during an active election phase, from notification to result declaration, to prevent delays due to litigation.

About Forms 17A and 17C

• Forms 17A and 17C, under the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, contain data on electors and voters.
  • Form 17A: Lists contesting candidates, voter details (names, symbols) compiled by the Returning Officer for each constituency.
  • Form 17C: Records votes per polling station including EVM numbers, electors, voters, uncast votes, disallowed votes, and total votes per EVM. Part-II of 17C includes counting day results crucial for legal challenges and candidate result verification.

Reasons for Demanding Public Release of Form 17C Data

• Advocates push for election process transparency, citing difficulties in data compilation due to numerous polling stations.
• Despite no legal requirement, activists argue for Form 17C data publication to maintain election integrity through contested discrepancies.
• ECI ensures compliance with statutory obligations, providing Form 17C to candidates for result verification.

GS-II/Polity and Governance

Section 436A of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC)

Source: Indian Express

Why in News?

The recent Supreme Court (SC) ruling emphasized the applicability of Section 436A of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to individuals accused of money laundering.

About Section 436A of the CrPC:

• Introduced in the CrPC, 1973, through a 2005 amendment.
• According to Section 436A CrPC, an individual who has served half of the maximum prescribed sentence as an undertrial is eligible for bail.
• During the investigation, inquiry, or trial under the CrPC, 1973, for an offense under any law (except offenses punishable by death), if a person has been detained for up to half of the maximum imprisonment period specified for that offense, the Court must release them on a personal bond, with or without sureties.
• The Court, upon hearing the Public Prosecutor and providing written reasons, may extend the detention beyond half the period or grant bail instead of a personal bond.
• No individual should be detained during the investigation, inquiry, or trial for a duration exceeding the maximum imprisonment period specified for the offense under the law.
• When calculating the detention period for bail under this Section, any delays caused by the accused should be excluded.
• The SC clarified that Section 436A is applicable to Special Acts even in the absence of explicit provisions.

GS-III/Environment and Ecology

PATIENT SAFETY CHARTER

Source: DTE

Why in News?

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced the inaugural Patient Safety Rights Charter during the Global Ministerial Summit on Patient Safety.

Background:

Ensuring patient safety in healthcare is a crucial aspect of upholding the right to health. Patient safety can be jeopardized by preventable errors, such as unsafe surgical procedures, medication mistakes, delayed or incorrect diagnoses, poor injection techniques, unsafe blood transfusions, and the emergence of life-threatening infections like sepsis and other healthcare-associated infections.

Key Features of the Patient Safety Rights Charter:

• It delineates the fundamental rights of all patients concerning healthcare safety, aiming to help governments and other stakeholders ensure that patients' voices are heard and their right to safe healthcare is safeguarded.
• The Charter encompasses 10 patient safety rights crucial for reducing risks and preventing unintentional harm, including:
  • Timely, effective, and appropriate care
  • Safe healthcare processes and practices
  • Qualified and competent healthcare professionals
  • Safe medical products and their safe and rational utilization
  • Secure and safe healthcare facilities
  • Dignity, respect, non-discrimination, privacy, and confidentiality
  • Access to information, education, supported decision-making, and medical records
  • Right to be heard and fair resolution
  • Patient and family engagement

Need for Patient Safety Charter:

• Around 1 in 10 patients experience harm during medical procedures, leading to over 3 million annual deaths attributed to unsafe care, as stated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Investing in patient safety, according to the OECD, has a positive impact on health outcomes, decreases costs related to patient harm, enhances system efficiency, and helps rebuild trust in healthcare systems within communities.
• Most patient harm is preventable, highlighting the crucial role of involving patients, families, and caregivers in minimizing harm. Patient harm often arises from poorly structured healthcare systems rather than isolated incidents.
• A survey conducted in 2023 among WHO Member States unveiled deficiencies in implementing the Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021-2030, stressing the importance of patient representation and addressing income-based inequalities in implementation. Initial findings from the survey indicated that only 13% of responding countries have a patient representative on the governing board or an equivalent mechanism in the majority of their hospitals.
• Patient safety stands as a pivotal global priority crucial for attaining Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-3: "Good Health and well-being".

GS-III/Science and Technology

X-Chromosome

Source: The Hindu

Why in News? 

Scientists have identified a connection between altered X-chromosome inactivation and autoimmune diseases.

About X-Chromosome:

• One of the two sex chromosomes in humans, alongside the Y chromosome.
• Human body comprises 23 pairs of chromosomes, including 22 pairs of autosomal chromosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes.
• Females typically have two X chromosomes, while males have one X and one Y chromosome.
• Males inherit the X chromosome from their mother and the Y chromosome from their father, whereas females inherit one X chromosome from each parent.
• During embryonic development in individuals with two X chromosomes, one X chromosome is randomly inactivated in cells other than egg cells, a process known as X-inactivation or lyonization.
• X-inactivation guarantees that individuals with two X chromosomes have only one functional copy in each cell.
• Due to the random nature of X-inactivation, cells can have either the X chromosome inherited from the mother or the one from the father active.
• The X chromosome is home to approximately 900 to 1,400 genes responsible for protein production.
• Genetic disorders arising from missing, extra, or malformed X chromosomes are categorized as numerical disorders.

Examples of Numerical Disorders:

• Klinefelter's Syndrome: Extra X chromosomes in males.
• Triple X Syndrome: Additional X chromosome in females.
• Turner Syndrome: Females with one normal X chromosome and one missing or abnormal X chromosome.

Source: DTE

Scientists recently announced the discovery of a novel plant species, Emblica chakrabartyi, in Adichilthotti within the Edamalayar forest range in Kerala.

GS-III/Economy

PM WANI Initiative

Source: PIB

Why in the News?

India has observed a rapid increase in public Wi-Fi hotspots under the PM-WANI scheme, with around 1,99,896 hotspots nationwide, as per government records.

What is the PM WANI Initiative?

• Introduced by PM Modi in December 2020, the Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM WANI) is an endeavor under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
• It aligns with the objectives of the National Digital Communications Policy, 2018 (NDCP), focusing on establishing a robust digital communications infrastructure.
• Objective: The primary goal is to democratize internet access, especially in remote and underserved areas.
• Implementation: The initiative leverages Public Data Offices (PDOs) situated in public spaces like railway stations, banks, and post offices. Users can access the internet through Wi-Fi at these locations without the need for a SIM card.

PM-WANI Ecosystem Components:

• Public Data Office (PDO): Responsible for setting up Wi-Fi hotspots and offering internet access to users.
• Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA): Provides authorization and accounting services to PDOs.
• App Provider: Displays available hotspots in the phone's vicinity.
• Central Registry: Managed by the Centre for Development of Telematics, maintains information about App Providers, PDOs, and PDOAs.

How to Utilize PM WANI?

• To access PM WANI services, users need to download the Data PM WANI app on their smartphones.
• Through the app, users can connect to nearby public Wi-Fi PDOs, ensuring seamless access to PM-WANI-compliant Wi-Fi hotspots for convenient broadband services.

Data Plans Offered

• PM WANI presents various data plans catering to different usage requirements:
  • Rs 6 plan: 1GB data for 1 day
  • Rs 9 plan: 2GB data for 2 days
  • Rs 18 plan: 5GB data for 3 days
  • Rs 25 plan: 20GB data for 7 days
  • Rs 49 plan: 40GB data for 14 days
  • Rs 99 plan: 100GB data for 30 days

Role of Public Data Offices (PDOs)

• As part of the PM-WANI scheme, rural entrepreneurs in remote areas can establish Public Data Offices (PDOs).
• These PDOs acquire internet bandwidth from telecom service providers or ISPs to offer Wi-Fi services at affordable rates, enabling individuals to access the internet even in regions with limited or no data connectivity.

GS-III/Defence and Security

EU activated Copernicus EMS to Locate Crashed Iranian Helicopter

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

In response to the helicopter crash involving Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the European Union had activated its Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMS) to aid in search and rescue efforts.

About the Copernicus Programme

• This Programme was launched in 1998 by the European Union for earth observation purposes.
• Named after Copernicus, it utilizes satellites and ground systems to gather environmental data.
• Implemented by EU member states with support from entities like the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Utility of GMES: Rapid Response Mapping Service

• The Copernicus EMS provides rapid response mapping services crucial during emergencies such as natural disasters or accidents.

How Rapid Mapping Works?

• Rapid mapping involves the acquisition, processing, and analysis of satellite images and relevant data to offer timely information.
• It includes various products like pre-event reference, post-event assessments such as first estimates, delineation, and grading of the affected area.

Application in the Iranian President's Case

• During the Iranian President's helicopter crash, the EU utilized the rapid response mapping service to assist in search and rescue operations.
• This technology aids in locating the crash site and evaluating the impact extent, thereby facilitating prompt response efforts.