Daily Current Affairs: November 2022 Part II

Daily Current Affairs: November 2022 (Part II):

Daily Issues 3's Current Affairs section provides daily/recent/latest and contemporary issues of Current Affairs of November 2022 Part IInd for UPSC, UPPSC, BPSC, IAS/PCS, SSC and other competitive exams.

💠 Hawaii's Mauna Loa Volcano Erupted:

The world's largest active volcano, Hawaii's Mauna Loa, is erupting for the first time in almost 40 years. Lava flows are contained within the summit area and are not threatening downslope communities.

• Mauna Loa last erupted in March and April of 1984, sending lava flows within 8 kilometres of the city of Hilo.
• The latest volcano eruption summit caldera.
• Calderas are hollows that form beneath the summit at the end of an eruption.
• If the eruption migrates beyond the walls of the summit caldera, lava flows could move rapidly downslope.

UPSC Prelims Based Question on Volcano: Que. Where is mauna loa world’s largest active volcano located? (Map) a) Philippines b) Hawaii c) Indonesia d) Borneo  b) Hawaii Que. What type of volcano is Hawaii’s Mauna Loa? a) Shield volcanoes b) Cinder Cone volcanoes c) Composite volcanoes d) Lava Dome a) Shield volcanoes

 

💠 India's SARAS radio telescope & Astronomers:

• India's SARAS radio telescope provides astronomers clues to the nature of Universe's first stars and galaxies.
• Scientists have determined properties of radio luminous galaxies formed just 200 million years post the Big Bang.
• A period known as the Cosmic Dawn thus providing an insight to the properties of the earliest radio loud galaxies that are usually powered by supermassive black holes.
• Shaped Antenna measurement of the background Radio Spectrum 3 (SARAS) telescope - indigenously designed and built at Raman Research Institute - was deployed over Dandiganahalli Lake and Sharavati backwaters, located in Northern Karnataka, in early 2020.

 

💠 Doctor Apke Dwar – REC’s CSR Project:

Shri R.K. Singh, Union Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy inaugurated REC’s CSR initiative for procurement, operation and maintenance of ten Mobile Health Clinics (MHC) at Sadar Hospital, Aarah, Bhojpur District Bihar.

• CSR project worth Rs 12.68 crore facilitates operational expenditure for three years for smooth functioning of the project
• The benefit of such projects should reach the poorest of the poor and people from the underprivileged sections of the society in order to provide better healthcare facilities to all.
• Out of 10 MHCs, three are exclusively for women which will provide door-step primary health care service to the underprivileged population across all 14 blocks of Bhojpur district in Bihar.

💠 Earth Observation Satellite-6 (Oceansat-3): ISRO

The third-generation Indian satellite for monitoring the oceans i.e., Oceansat-3, formally named as Earth Observation Satellite-6 (EOS-6) was launched by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in partnership with Ministry of Earth Sciences.

It is expected to provide improved accuracy in wide range of operational and research applications including fishery resource management, ocean carbon uptake, harmful algal bloom alerts, and climate studies.

The major operational user of this satellite –  

• MoES institutions viz Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad and
• National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), Noida.

It launched through PSLV-C54 (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle).

The Oceansat-3 was placed in the polar orbit at the height of about 740 kilometers above sea level.

Weight ~1100 kilograms.

Three ocean observing sensors viz Ocean Color Monitor (OCM-3), Sea Surface Temperature Monitor (SSTM), and Ku-Band scatterometer (SCAT-3).

There is also an ARGOS payload. All these sensors have their own importance for India’s blue economy aspirations.

UPSC Prelims Based Question on Earth Observation Satellite-6: Que. Consider the following statements regarding EOS-6 (i) It is for monitoring the ocean (ii) Launched by PSLV-C45 (iii) For Climate Study Select the Correct answer code given below a) (i)and (ii) b) (i)and (iii) c) (ii)and (iii) d) (i), (ii) and (iii) b) (i)and (iii)

 

💠 GOLD AWARD under the National Awards for e-Governance:

e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (eGramSwaraj and AuditOnline) of Ministry of Panchayati Raj has won the GOLD AWARD under the category "Excellence in Government Process Re-engineering for Digital Transformation" of the National Awards for e-Governance.

• The prestigious National Award was given during the 25th National Conference on e-Governance at Jammu.
• Panchayati Raj Institutions which adopted e-Panchayat applications very fast, have helped in making the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project successful by strengthening the Panchayati Raj System and making it effective, transparent and efficient.

UPSC Prelims Based Question on GOLD AWARD under the National Awards for e-Governance: Que. Which ministry won the GOLD AWARD under the National Awards for e-Governance? a) Ministry of Earth Science b) Ministry of Education c) Ministry of Panchayati Raj d) Ministry of Finance c) Ministry of Panchayati Raj

 

💠 First Woman President of IOA:

• The legendary PT Usha is set to become the first woman President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
• The 58-year-old Usha, a multiple Asian Games gold medallist and a fourth-place finisher at the 1984 Olympics 400m hurdles final, filed her nomination papers for the top job yesterday, along with 14 others from her team for the various posts.  
• Usha will also become the first Olympian and first international medallist to head the IOA in its 95-year-old history.

💠 India protection to Leith’s Soft-shelled Turtle:

India’s proposal for transferring Leith’s Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia leithi) from Appendix II to Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES) has been adopted by the Conference of Parties (CoP) to CITES in its 19th Meeting at Panama.

About Leith’s Softshell  Turtle:

• Leith’s Softshell Turtle is endemic to peninsular India and it inhabits rivers and reservoirs.
• The species has been subject to intensive exploitation over the past 30 years.
• It has been poached and illegally consumed within India.
• It has also been illegally traded abroad for meat and for its calipee.
• The population of this turtle species is estimated to have declined by 90% over the past 30 years such that the species is now difficult to find.
• It is classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ by the IUCN.

UPSC Prelims Based Question on Leith’s Soft-shelled Turtle:

The Leith’s Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia leithi) is endemic/found at?

 

💠 Global Leader Approval Ratings:

• With a 77 percent popularity rating, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is still the most popular leader in the world.
• This was made known in a report on Global Leader Approval Ratings that was published by the US-based consulting company Morning Consult.
• Anthony Albanese, the prime minister of Australia, is second in line behind President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico.
• Joe Biden, the US president, is ranked ninth among the 22 world leaders in terms of popularity, followed by Rishi Sunak, the UK prime minister.

UPSC Prelims Based Question on Global Leaders:

Who is the most popular leader in the world? 
Answer: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

💠 India amongst top 5 in Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI, 2023):

• India has been ranked amongst top 5 countries in the world, and the best among the G20 countries, based on its Climate Change performance.
• India jumps 2 spots higher, and is now ranked 8th as per Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI, 2023). India’s rank is the best amongst all large economies.
• Published by: German Watch, New Climate Institute and Climate Action Network International based in Germany.
• Denmark, Sweden, Chile, and Morocco are the only four small nations that were rated above India as 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th respectively in the latest CCPI report, which was presented at COP 27 in November 2022.
• No nation received the first, second, or third places.
• India improves 2 ranks in CCPI 2023, which was released in COP 27, assessing 59 countries and the European Union on climate change policies and actions.

UPSC Prelims Based Question on CCPI,2023: 

What is rank of India in Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2023?

Answer: India jumps 2 spots higher, and is now ranked 8th as per Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI, 2023)

 

💠 Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2022:

The fourth edition of the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) will start in New Delhi. It is principal manifestation of Navy’s engagement at the strategic-level.

IPRD is an apex level international annual conference of the Indian Navy.

Theme of IPRD-2022:  'Operationalising the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)'

The IPRD-2022's six sessions are organised thematically as follows:

(1) Weaving the Fabric of Holistic Maritime Security in the Indo-Pacific: Multilateral Options:

(2) Constructing Holistic-Security Bridges across the Western and Eastern Maritime Expanse of the Indo-Pacific;

(3) Building maritime Connectivity: Ports, Trade, and Transport;

 (4) Capacity-building and Capability Enhancement Leveraging the Physical and Social Sciences;

(5) Practical approaches to a Regional Blue Economy;

(6) Disaster Risk-reduction and Management; Solutions for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Vulnerable Littoral States.

UPSC Prelims Based Question on IPRD 2022:

 What is Theme of IPRD-2022?

Answer: Theme of IPRD-2022:  'Operationalising the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)'

💠 Earthquake of 7.0 magnitude at Solomon Islands:

• An earthquake of 7.0 magnitude struck the Solomon Islands. 
• No injuries or deaths have been reported yet.
• The quake was followed by at least three aftershocks, with the largest ranked at a 6.0 magnitude.
• It comes after an earthquake hit Indonesia's main island of Java.
• The Solomon Islands and Indonesia sit on the "ring of fire" area of tectonic activity in the Pacific Ocean.

UPSC Prelims Based Question on Solomon Island (Recognised Map) & Earthquake:

Where is located Solomon Island?

Which seismic wave cannot pass in liquid medium?

Answer: S-wave.

💠 EAC-PM Working Paper Analyses Problems:

Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister has issued a working paper, which is perception-based indices.

The Paper analyses three perception-based indices: Freedom in the World Index, V-DEM indices, and EIU Democracy Index.

• They finds serious problems with the methodology used in these perception-based indices.
• And ‘questions used by these indices are not an appropriate measure of democracy across all countries’.
• Freedom in the World Index and V-DEM indices have placed India at the same level as during the Emergency of the 1970s.
• India has been placed below countries like Northern Cyprus. Surely, this is not credible.

Problems in Methodology:

• These indices are primarily based on the opinions of a tiny group of unknown “experts”.
• The questions that are used are subjective and are worded in a way that is impossible to answer objectively even for a country, let alone compare across countries.
• There are questions that should be asked but are excluded.
• Certain questions used by these indices are not an appropriate measure of democracy across all countries.

Solutions:

• These indices are inputs into the World Governance Indicators, the World Bank should ensure greater transparency and accountability from these institutions.
• The independent Indian think tanks should be encouraged to do similar perception-based indices for the world in order to break the monopoly of a handful of western institutions.

💠 Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2022:

• The report is prepared by Portulans Institute based in Washington DC.
• India has improved its position by six slots and is now placed at 61st rank as per the Network Readiness Index 2022 (NRI 2022).
• NRI Report maps the network-based readiness landscape of 131 economies.
• Their performances in four different pillars: Technology, People, Governance, and Impact covering a total of 58 variables.

 

💠 New Election Commissioner of India:

• Arun Goel has assumed charge as the new Election Commissioner of India.
• President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Mr. Goel, a retired IAS officer as the new Election Commissioner.
• The post of 3rd Election Commissioner remained vacant.
•  The Chief Election Commissioner is Rajiv Kumar.

 

💠 World Fisheries Day:

• World Fisheries Day celebrated on 21^st November 2022.
•  Focus on changing the way the world manages global fisheries to ensure sustainable stocks and a healthy ecosystem.
• The government will award the best-performing states and districts for the past three years in this regard.
• An Exhibition and technical sessions will be held for technology transfer.

💠 ISRO to launch the first-ever private Rocket:

India's first-ever private launch of Vikram Suborbital rocket will take place at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

This mission is a milestone in the history of ISRO.

• Mission Prarambh: It will carry three customer payloads Space Kidz India, Bazoomq Armenia and N-Space Tech India.
• A non-government entity, the start up Skyroot Aerospace Private limited had developed the single-stage Vikram Suborbital rocket .
• Skyroot was the first startup to sign an MoU with ISRO for launching its rockets.
• These rockets require Minimal range infrastructure and can be assembled and launched within 24 hours from any launch site.
• The Sky root start-up is planning to send more than 20,000 small satellites in the coming decade.
• The rocket was designed to enable this through unprecedented mass producibility and affordability.

 

💠 Fast Emerging Medical Tourism:

• India is fast emerging as the medical tourism hub of the world.
• More than 10 lakh medical visas were issued to foreigners between 2019 to 2022.
• The healthcare sector in the country is expected to grow to reach a size of 50 billion US dollars in the next three year.
• The global medical tourism market is estimated to be worth about 72 billion US dollars and the country's share in medical tourism is expected to be around 10 billion dollars by the next year.
• The country has almost 600 hospitals that provide world-class treatment in a cost-effective manner.
• The world recognised the country's leadership role during covid pandemic as it achieved the rare feat of delivering over 220 crore vaccinations through a fully digital platform-COWIN.
• There are over four thousand healthtech startups in the country.

 

💠 India- Norway: GREEN MARITIME SECTOR:

• MoPSW (Ministry of Ports,Shipping and Waterways) exploring solutions for the green shift in the maritime sector.
• Indo-Norway joint effort for Sustainable and environment friendly ship recycling.
• Focus: On maritime diversity and sustainability, including gender equality in the maritime industry.

 

💠 EXERCISE SEA VIGIL-22:

• Exercise Sea Vigil-22, the two-day Coastal Defence exercise was conducted from 15-16 Nov 22.
• The conceptual and geographical expanse of Sea Vigil included contingencies ranging from Peace to War-time across the entire coastline and EEZ of the country.
• In addition, mitigation measures, on shore, in case of any breach in Coastal Security mechanism were also validated.

💠 NASA launches Artemis Mission:

Nasa launched most powerful-ever rocket, as part of a plan to eventually return humans to the Moon.

The 98 meter-tall Artemis vehicle climbed skyward in a stupendous mix of light and sound.

• NASA’s long-awaited sequel to Project Apollo.
• The space agency is aiming to send four astronauts around the moon on the next flight, in 2024, and land humans there as early as 2025.
• NASA will have spent 93 billion dollars on the project by 2025.
• Ultimately, NASA hopes to establish a base on the moon and send astronauts to Mars by the late 2030s or early 2040s.

Previous NASA Mission:

• It brings the United States a big step closer to putting astronauts back on the lunar surface for the first time since the end of the Apollo program 50 years ago.
• Twelve astronauts walked on the moon during six Apollo missions from 1969 to 1972.

 

💠 World population reaches 8 billion People:

According to United Nations estimates, the world's population is projected to reach 8 billion people.

The UN's Population Division Director John Wilmoth said that reaching 8 billion people is a sign of human success, but it is also a great risk for our future.

According to the World Population Prospect report 2022 –

• India is projected to surpass China as the world's most populous country during 2023.
• The global population is growing at its slowest rate since 1950, having fallen to less than one percent in 2020.
• The global population could grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050 and 10.4 billion in 2100.

 

💠 MoU Between IFSCA and RBI:

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for collaboration in the field of regulation and supervision of regulated entities in their respective jurisdictions.

• The MoU facilitates technical cooperation and exchange of information.

About IFSCA:

The IFSCA, being a unified regulator responsible for

development and regulation of financial products,

financial services and financial institutions in the International Financial Services Centre(s) (IFSC) established in India, is, inter-alia, entrusted with the responsibility of regulation and supervision of authorized banks and non-banking financial institutions operating in such IFSCs.

About RBI:

The RBI is the central bank and monetary authority of India carrying on, inter-alia, the regulation and supervision of banks and non-banking financial institutions as well as undertaking other functions and exercising powers in accordance with various statutes

This MoU strengthening the safety, stability and soundness of respective financial ecosystems and nurturing environments conducive to optimal business development and economic growth.

 

💠 NCW launches Digital Shakti 4.0:

The National Commission for Women (NCW) launched the fourth phase of Digital Shakti Campaign.

It is a pan-India project on digitally empowering and skilling women and girls in the cyberspace. 

Aim: To create safe spaces for women and girls online.

Focus: On making women digitally skilled and aware to stand up against any illegal/inappropriate activity online.

NCW launched it in collaboration with CyberPeace Foundation and Meta.

About Digital Shakti:

• Digital Shakti started in June 2018 to help women across the nation to raise the awareness level on the digital front.
• Through this project, over 3 Lakh women across India have been made aware of cyber safety tips and tricks.
• It is helping women in reporting & redressal mechanisms, data privacy and usage of technology for their benefits.

💠 LeadIT Summit 2022 at COP27:

The LeadIT (Leadership for Industry Transition) hosted by India and Sweden on the side-lines of COP27, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

• Focuses: To pursuing the low-carbon transition.
• Co-development the only option for low carbon transition.

Key Points:

• The low carbon transition of the industrial sector will not only contribute towards the reduction in required greenhouse gas emissions.
• It has several co-benefits that include increasing resilience to changes in climate, enhanced energy security, innovation, socio-economic development and job creation.
• The next year (in 2023) is the time to reflect on the performance and achievements of the current phase of LeadIT.
• The post-2023 process needs to be deliberated on to identify the priorities in a consultative manner.
• LeadIT Members: It include countries and companies, shared their initiatives in the industry sector and views on the requirements for successful low-carbon transitions.
• LeadIT members re-emphasized the commitment to pursuing the low-carbon transition.
• To providing technical assistance to new members and emerging economies.
• The public launch of the LeadIT Summit Statement 2022 in the India Pavilion at COP27.
• The public launch witnessed a wide participation including from government representatives, industry, media and civil society.

About LeadIT:

• The Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) gathers countries and companies that are committed to action to achieve the Paris Agreement.
• It was launched by the governments of Sweden and India at the UN Climate Action Summit in September 2019.
• It is supported by the World Economic Forum.
• LeadIT members subscribe to the notion that energy-intensive industry can and must progress on low-carbon pathways.
• Aim: To achieve net-zero carbon emissions.

 

💠 YUDH ABHYAS 2022 Exercise:

The 18th edition of Indo - US joint training exercise “YUDH ABHYAS 22” is scheduled to be conducted in Uttarakhand.

• Exercise Yudh Abhyas is conducted annually between India and USA
•  Aim: Exchanging best practices, Tactics, Techniques and Procedures between the Armies of the two nations.

Key Points:

• The previous edition of the exercise was conducted at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska (USA) in October 2021.
• Participants: US Army soldiers of 2nd Brigade of the 11th Airborne Division and Indian Army soldiers from the ASSAM Regiment.
• Focuses:

1. On employment of an integrated battle group under Chapter VII of the UN Mandate (peace keeping & peace enforcement).
2. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.

The exercise will facilitate both Armies to share their wide experiences, skills and enhance their techniques through information exchange.

 

💠 Madhya Pradesh govt implements Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas Act (PESA):

The formal announcement was made by President Droupadi Murmu at a function organised by state government on the occasion of 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas' which marks the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda -- in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh.

Aim: To preserve the tribal population from exploitation with an active involvement of the Gram Sabhas.

The PESA Act also gives special powers to the Gram Sabhas in Scheduled Areas especially for the management of natural resources.

 

💠 National Press Day:

The Press Council of India celebrated the National Press Day.
To appreciate, analyse and ascertain the plausible ways that may pave the way towards preserving the standards of Indian media which is celebrated as the fourth pillar of the Democracy. 
Theme: “The Media’s Role in Nation Building”.
National Press Day - the 16th of November – is symbolic of a free and responsible press in India.

The day is observed on 16th November every year to commemorate a free and responsible press.
Since the year 1997, the Council has commemorated the day in a significant way through seminars with relevant themes.

 

💠 National Sports Awards 2022 announced; Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award:

Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry has announced the National Sports Awards 2022.

• Table Tennis player Sharath Kamal Achanta has been chosen for Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
• Arjuna Awards will be given to 25 sportspersons including Seema Punia, Lakshya Sen, Nikhat Zareen, R Praggnanandhaa, Deep Grace Ekka, Sushila Devi, Sagar Kailas Ovhalkar, Omprakash Mitharval, Vikas Thakur, Manasi Girishchandra Joshi among others.
• Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sports and Games will be given to four sportspersons including Ashwini Akkunji C, Dharamvir Singh, B.C Suresh and Nir Bahadur Gurung.
• Five coaches have been chosen for Dronacharya Award in the regular category and three coaches in lifetime category.

Ground of Awards:

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson.

Arjuna Award for outstanding performance in Sports and Games is given for good performance over a period of the previous four years and for showing qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline.

Dronacharya Award for outstanding coaches in Sports and Games is given to coaches for doing outstanding and meritorious work.

Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sports and Games is given to honour sportspersons who have contributed to sports.

 

💠 Mary Kom, PV Sindhu, Mirabai Chanu and Gagan Narang elected in IOA Athletes Commission:

Olympic medallists MC Mary Kom, PV Sindhu, Mirabai Chanu and Gagan Narang were among 10 eminent sportspersons elected as members of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Athletes Commission.

All the 10 elected members of the apex body, five men and as many women, won unopposed in the polls.

 

Also Read: Daily Current Affairs November 2022 Part I

References

PiB

AIR News

The Hindu…