Daily Current Affairs: November 2022 (Part II):
💠 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.
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UPSC Prelims
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💠 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
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💠 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
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💠 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.
💠 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:
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.
💠 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 21st 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:
- On employment of an integrated battle group under Chapter
VII of the UN Mandate (peace keeping & peace enforcement). - 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.
References
PiB
AIR News
The Hindu…