Current Affairs 10th February 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

Bharat Ratna

Context: The Bharat Ratna will be conferred on former Prime Ministers P.V. Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, M.S. Swaminathan.

P.V. Narasimha Rao

• Early Life and Education:
  • Born on June 28, 1921, in Hyderabad state.
  • Freedom fighter, academician, and literary figure.
  • Translated the famous Telugu novel “Veyi Padagalu” to Hindi as “SahasraPhan”.
• Political Career: 9th Prime Minister of India (1991-1996).
• Credited with ushering in economic liberalisation in India.

Chaudhary Charan Singh

• Early Life and Background:
  • Born in 1902, Noorpur, Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh.
  • Champion of rural and agricultural development.
• Political Career:
  • Prime Minister of India (July 1979 – January 1980).
• Contributions to Agriculture:
  • Played a key role in formulating the Debt Redemption Bill of 1939, providing relief to debt-burdened farmers.
  • Instrumental in implementing the Land Holding Act of 1960, aiming for uniform land ceiling limits across the state.
• Literary Contributions:
  • Notable works include “Abolition of Zamindari”, “Co-operative Farming X-rayed”, and “India’s Poverty and its Solution”.

Dr. M.S. Swaminathan

• Birth: Aug 7, 1925, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu
• Influenced by: Mahatma Gandhi’s principles
• Career shift: From medicine to agriculture after witnessing the Bengal famine of 1942-43
• Key roles:
  • Director General of ICAR
  • Independent Chairman of FAO Council
  • Leadership positions in international agricultural organizations
• Legacy:
  • “Father of India’s Green Revolution“
  • Pioneered the introduction of high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice
  • Emphasised farmer education and sustainable agricultural practices

We’re now on WhatsApp. Click to Join 

Preamble – Amendability

Context: The Supreme Court is looking into the amendability of the Preamble based on the petition for deletion of words secular and socialist from the Preamble.

Amendment to the Preamble

• Can the Preamble be Amended?: Yes, but with limitations.
• Key Points:
• Landmark case: Kesavananda Bharati (1973) established the Preamble as part of the Constitution, open to amendment under Article 368.
• Restriction: Amendments cannot alter the “Basic Structure” of the Constitution.
• Basic Structure: Not explicitly defined, but generally understood to include core principles like democracy, federalism, secularism, rule of law, and fundamental rights.
• Number of amendments: Only one amendment has been made to the Preamble through the 42nd Amendment Act (1976).
• Basis: Recommendations by the Sardar Swaran Singh Committee.
• Additions: Three new words:
  • Socialist
  • Secular
  • Integrity

India – Saudi Military Exercise

Context: Sada Tanseeq (maiden joint military exercise) between the Indian Army and the Royal Saudi Land Force was concluded in Jaipur.

About Sada Tanseeq

• Objective:
  • Improve interoperability between the Indian and Saudi Arabian armies.
  • Familiarise both forces with each other’s operational procedures and combat drills under UN mandate.
• Participants:
  • India: 20th Battalion of The Brigade of Guards Regiment.
  • Saudi Arabia: 45 soldiers of the Royal Saudi Land Force.
  • Duration: 12-day exercise

HAPS

Context: The National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) had completed the first test of High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS).

About HAPS

• Developed by: National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bengaluru, India
• Purpose: Enhance India’s surveillance and monitoring capabilities, especially in border areas.
• Key Features:
  • It is capable of flying at altitudes of 18-20 kilometres above the ground.
  • It’s designed to be solar-powered, allowing it to remain airborne for extended periods, potentially for months, without needing to land.
  • Dubbed a “pseudo-satellite” for functionalities similar to satellites, including sustained high-altitude surveillance.
• Potential Applications: Border security, telecommunications, weather monitoring, aerial imaging, and more.

Sharing is caring!