Daily Current Affairs for UPSC

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2023

Q) Recently seen in news, the ‘Global Forest Watch Report’ was released by which one of the following organizations?

World Economic Forum
World Resources Institute
World Wide Fund for Nature
International Union for Conservation of Nature

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 30 June April 2023

Explanation:

Option (2) is correct: A study by the World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Global Forest Watch reveals that tropical areas experienced a significant decline in forest cover in 2022. Global Forest Watch (GFW) is an online platform that provides data and tools for monitoring forests. GFW is an initiative of the World Resources Institute, with partners including Google, USAID, the University of Maryland, Esri, Vizzuality and many other academic, non-profit, public, and private organizations. As per the report Tropical areas lost 4.1 million hectares of forest cover in 2022. This forest loss produced 2.7 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, which is around the same as India’s annual emissions due to the combustion of fossil fuels. Primary forest cover loss in tropical areas in 2022 was 10% more than in 2021. The total global tree covers loss in 2022 declined by 10%. This includes primary, secondary, and planted forests. This decrease is a direct result of a decrease in fire-related forest losses which decreased 28% from 2021. Non-fire losses in year 2022 increased by slightly less than 1%.

Q) Consider the following statements about Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR):

The LFPR is the percentage of both employed and unemployed population aged 15 years and older who are willing and looking for employment.
India’s LFPR has increased to as much as 45 percent in the financial year 2022–23.
The LFPR has been increasing in a consistent manner since the financial year 2016–17.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

Only one
Only two
All three
None

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) has published the data India’s labour force participation rate (LFPR). The LFPR is the share of the working-age population (aged 15 years and above) that is employed or unemployed, willing and looking for employment. LFPR is calculated by dividing the total number of individuals in the labor force by the total working-age population and multiplying the result by 100 to express it as a percentage. It is an important indicator of economic activity and labor market dynamics.
Statement 2 and 3 are incorrect: India’s labour force participation rate (LFPR) stood at 39.5% in the last financial year (2022-23). This is the lowest LFPR reading since 2016-17. The LFPR for men stood at a seven-year low of 66% while that of women was pegged at a mere 8.8%. The LFPR has been falling in a consistent manner since 2016-17 and has hit its lowest in 2022-23. It is noteworthy that the fall has happened despite the fast growth rate of the economy. For instance, the GDP grew by 7.2% in 2022-23. The bulk of the decline happened before the Covid pandemic. This was the time when the economy was decelerating sharply. The GDP in 2019-20 grew by less than 4%. India’s female LFPR has fallen to just 8.8% in FY23. In other words, more than 90% of all working-age women in India don’t even look for a job.

Q) With reference to ‘MQ-9B Reaper drone’, consider the following statements:

They are high-altitude drones that can operate at over 40,000 feet.
It can support anti-submarine as well as anti-surface warfare.
They are equipped with air-to-ground missiles for long-range precision strikes.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

Only one
Only two
All three
None

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: India will start the formal acquisition process for the 31 weaponized MQ-9B Reaper drones, also known as Predator-B drones from the US in July,2023. The MQ-9B Reaper drones are high-altitude long-endurance drones (or Unmanned Aerial vehicles) having strike missiles that can eliminate enemy targets with absolute accuracy. It is developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) primarily for the United States Air Force (USAF). It can operate at over 40,000 feet.
Statements 2 and 3 are correct: It also has a maximum endurance of 40 hours, making it useful for long-hour surveillance. It can support land, maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, strike, electronic warfare and expeditionary roles. It is equipped with advanced features such as automatic take-off and landing, detect and avoid system, anti-spoofing GPS, and encrypted communication links. The drones are equipped with air-to-ground missiles and smart bombs for long-range precision strikes.

Q) Consider the following statements about the Inter-State River Water Tribunals:

The tribunals are quasi-judicial bodies established under the River Board Act, 1956.
The members of the tribunal are appointed by the Central Government in consultation with the President of India.
The decisions of the tribunal are final and binding on all parties involved.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

Only one
Only two
All three
None

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect:River Board Act, 1956 enable the Union Government to create Boards for Interstate Rivers and river valleys in consultation with State Governments. The objective of Boards is to advise on the inter-state basin to prepare development scheme and to prevent the emergence of conflicts. Till date, no river board as per above Act has been created. Inter-State Water Dispute Act, 1956, when a State Government makes a request regarding a water dispute and the Central Government is of the opinion that it cannot be resolved by negotiation, a Water Disputes Tribunal is constituted to adjudicate the dispute. Inter-state river water tribunals are quasi-judicial bodies established by the Indian government, constituted under the Interstate River Water Disputes Act, 1956. The primary purpose of these tribunals is to adjudicate and provide a binding decision on the allocation of water resources among the disputing states.
Statement 2 is incorrect:The Tribunal shall consist of a Chairman and two other members nominated in this behalf by the Chief Justice of India from among persons who at the time of such nomination are Judges of the Supreme Court or of a High Court. The Central Government may, in consultation with the Tribunal, appoint two or more persons as assessors to advise the Tribunal in the proceedings before it.
Statement 3 is correct:The tribunal’s decision, known as an award, is final and binding on all parties involved. The award is published in the Gazette of India and is enforceable under the law. However, the decisions of these tribunals can be challenged in the Supreme Court of India through a Special Leave Petition under Article 136 of the Constitution. Additionally, the Supreme Court can also intervene if there are issues related to the violation of fundamental rights.

Q) Consider the following statements about India-Africa relations:

The Asia-Africa Growth Corridor is an agreement between India and South Africa aimed at promoting infrastructure development in African countries.
The first India-Africa Forum Summit was held in 2022 in Surat.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC) is an economic cooperation agreement between India and Japan aimed at promoting socio-economic development in Asia and Africa. It focuses on infrastructure development, digital connectivity, and capacity building in African countries. International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an initiative launched by India and France to promote solar energy deployment globally. It provides a platform for collaboration and technology transfer in the field of solar energy, including for African countries.
Statement 2 is incorrect: India-Africa Forum Summit is a major platform for India-Africa cooperation. It is a summit-level meeting held periodically to enhance and strengthen the partnership between India and African countries. The first IAFS was held in 2008 in New Delhi, and subsequent summits have been held in Africa.