Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 21 October 2022

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2022

Q) Consider the following statements regarding the findings of Climate Transparency Report 2022

1. India’s per capita emissions are approximately 12% of the G20 average.
2. India is the third-largest producer of electricity after China and the US.
3. The share of renewable energy has increased around 29% in the last five years (2016–2021).

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 only
4. 2 and 3 only

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 20 October 2022

Explanation:

Major findings for India from the report

• Emissions overview
  • Total emissions: India’s total greenhouse gas emissions (excluding LULUCF) have increased by 182% (1990–2019). The increases were largely due to a sustained increase in energy-related emissions.
    • LULUCF stands for Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry.
  • Per capita emissions: India’s per capita emissions (including LULUCF) are approximately 30% of the G20 average. Total per capita emissions have increased by 12% from 2014 to 2019. (Statement 1 is not correct)
  • Methane emissions: India’s methane emissions (excl. LULUCF) increased by 10% between 1990–2019.
    • The majority of India’s methane emissions came from the agriculture sector in 2019.
  • Agricultural emissions: India has the largest cattle population in the world (38%) and agricultural emissions are primarily from the digestive processes and manure of livestock (mainly cattle).
• Energy overview
  • Fossil fuels: India’s energy mix was still dominated by fossil fuels (74%) in 2021, around 9% lower than the G20 average. Increased energy supply was mainly driven by increased coal from 1990–2010.
  • Renewables: Solar, wind, geothermal and biomass, excluding traditional biomass, account for 11.6% of India’s energy supply – the G20 average is 7.5%.
  • Carbon intensity of the energy sector: Carbon intensity is a measure of how much CO2 is emitted per unit of energy supply. Emissions intensity in India in 2021 was 58 tCO2/TJ, almost the same as the G20 average.
  • Energy intensity of the economy: This indicator quantifies how much energy is used for each unit of GDP. India’s energy intensity is lower than the G20 average.
• Electricity generation
  • India is the third-largest producer of electricity after China and the US. India’s electricity generation is dominated by coal, around 72% in 2021. (Statement 2 is correct)
  • The share of renewable energy has increased around 29% in the last five years (2016–2021) to 20% (including domestic large hydro) of the power mix in 2021. (Statement 3 is correct)

Q) Recently in news, Mobile Application Distribution Agreement (MADA) and Anti Fragmentation Agreement (AFA) relates to which of the following?

1. iOS (Operating system of Apple)
2. Android Operating System
3. GPS System
4. 5G Cellular Distribution

Explanation:

What are the unfair practices that Google has been accused of doing?

• Mobile Application Distribution Agreement (MADA):
  • Google’s Mobile Applications Distribution Agreement is a license requirement for access to any of Google’s Android apps.
• Anti Fragmentation Agreement (AFA):
  • It is an android compatibility commitment contract in licensing hardware producers to install PlayStore app and Google search engine on their devices.
• The investigation was ordered by CCI in 2019 following complaints by consumers of Android-based smartphones in the country.
• Google India was found guilty of stifling competition and innovation in the market to maintain its dominance in search, music, browser, app library and other key services.
• Allegations: The complaint about unfair practices were based on two agreements —Mobile Application Distribution Agreement (MADA) and Anti Fragmentation Agreement (AFA).
  • Google had mandated pre-installation of entire Google Mobile Suite (GMS) by OEMs under MADA, which could not be uninstalled.
  • This action of Google amounted to imposition of unfair condition on the device manufacturers and thereby violated Section 4 of the competition Act.
  • Section 4 of the Competition Act is related to abuse of dominant position.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding the Competition Commission of India (CCI)

1. CCI is a statutory body under Ministry of Commerce and is responsible for enforcing the Competition Act, 2002.
2. The goal of CCI is to promote competition and stop activities that have an adverse effect on competition in India.

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. Both 1 and 2
3. 2 only
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

Competition Commission of India (CCI):

• CCI is a statutory body under Ministry of Corporate Affairs and is responsible for enforcing the Competition Act, 2002. (Statement 1 is not correct)
• The goal of CCI is to promote competition and stop activities that have an adverse effect on competition in India. (Statement 2 is correct)
• The CCI also prohibits anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position by enterprises and regulates combinations (acquisition, acquiring of control and Merger and acquisition), that can adversely affect competition.
• Objectives:
  • Making markets work for the benefit and welfare of consumers.
  • Promote fair and healthy competition in economic activities in the country for faster and inclusive growth and development.
  • Implement competition policies to ensure most efficient utilization of economic resources.
  • Promote competition advocacy and spread the information on benefits of competition among all stakeholders.
  • The commission is also required to give an opinion on competition issues on a business deal.

Q) Recently in news, the UN Security Council Resolution 1267 relates to which of the following?

1. Climate Change
2. Gulf War
3. Israel-Palestine Conflict
4. Anti-Terrorism

Explanation:

• The 1267 United Nations Sanctions Committee was set up in 1999 to allow any UN member state to propose adding the name of a terrorist or terror group to a consolidated list that has affiliations to Al Qaeda and ISIS.
• Members: The committee comprises of 15 members of the Security Council and makes its decision by consensus.
• Functions: It is the most active UN subsidiary body working on efforts to tackle terrorism, particularly in relation to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State group.
• Obligations: All the members of UN have to block access for all designated entities to funds, arms and travel outside its jurisdiction.
• Previous record: India has successfully listed of several terror entities in the past, including Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding the United Nations Security Council

1. The UNSC is one of the six major organs of the United Nations. Its primary responsibility is maintaining international peace and security.
2. The UNSC comprises of 15 members, of which 5 are permanent and 10 are non-permanent.
3. They are elected for three-year terms by the UN General Assembly based on regional quota.

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 2 and 3 only
2. 3 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. 1 only

Explanation:

United Nations Security Council (UNSC):

• The UNSC is one of the six major organs of the United Nations. Its primary responsibility is maintaining international peace and security. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Members: The UNSC comprises of 15 members, of which 5 are permanent and 10 are non-permanent. (Statement 2 is correct)
  • Permanent Members: The US, the UK, the Russian Federation, China, and France.
  • Non-Permanent Members: They are elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly based on regional quota. (Statement 3 is not correct)
• Functions:
  • It can take the lead in determining the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression.
  • It can call upon the parties to settle a dispute by peaceful means.
  • The Security Council can impose sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain international peace and security.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Metaverse

1. The metaverse is an extension of our real world into the digital realm providing an immersive multi-user experience for anyone accessing it around the globe.
2. It is a form of “extended reality”, which is a combination of augmented, virtual, and mixed reality.

Which of these statements are not correct?

1. 1 only
2. Both 1 and 2
3. 2 only
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

What is Metaverse?

• The metaverse is an extension of our real world into the digital realm providing an immersive multi-user experience for anyone accessing it around the globe.
• It is a form of “extended reality”, which is a combination of augmented, virtual and mixed reality.
• It will be a digital reality that will combine aspects of social media, online gaming, and other things allowing users to interact virtually for work, meetings or gaming through VR headsets, AR glasses and smartphones.
• It will be a 3-D virtual habitat where our digital avatars may operate.

Q) Recently discovered, the Pygmy Unicorn Grasshopper is found in which of the following states?

1. Assam
2. West Bengal
3. Tamil Nadu
4. Kerala

Explanation:

Context: A new member of the grasshopper species has been identified from Tamil Nadu.

More on the Discovery:

• Nomenclature: The pygmy unicorn grasshopper has been named Dravidacris annamalaica and is restricted to the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu.
• The genus was named Dravidacris in honour of Dravidians (linguistic group living in the southern States of India). The ending – acris – represents the Greek word for grasshopper, locust and is of feminine gender.
• Morphology: The genus represents the rare horned grasshoppers within the grasshopper subfamily. It has a unique morphology with long and dorsally extended head portions.
• Special features: Their body colour allows them to get camouflaged to their surroundings. Pygmy grasshoppers are smaller and unique to specific micro-habitats.

Q) Recently in news, the term Endosulfan relates to which of the following?

1. Analgesic
2. Antiseptic
3. Herbicide
4. Pesticide

Explanation:

A social activist, named Daya Bai, ended her hunger strike after the Kerala government assured to extend healthcare facilities for endosulfan victims.

What is Endosulfan?

• About: Endosulfan is a pesticide. It is a cream- to brown-coloured solid that may appear in the form of crystals or flakes.
• It does not occur naturally in the environment.
• It is listed under both the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
• Uses:  It is used to control insects on food and non-food crops and as a wood preservative. Endosulfan can be released into the air, water, and soil in areas where it is applied as a pesticide.

Q) Recently in news, the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam would be a programme under which of the following?

1. PRASAD Scheme
2. Swadesh Darshan Scheme
3. Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat
4. Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav

Explanation:

The Government of India has announced a month-long programme named the ‘Kashi-Tamil Sangamam’, to strengthen and rekindle the cultural and civilizational bond between Tamil Nadu and Varanasi.

About the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam

• The programme would be a part of the Ek Bharat Sreshtha Bharat initiative.
• The objective is to bring the two knowledge and cultural traditions closer, create an understanding of our shared heritage and deepen the people-to-people bond between the regions
• The month-long Sangamam will be organised in Varanasi from November 16 to December 19.
• During the programme, academic exchanges will be held between experts, scholars on various facets of the two ancient manifestations of Indian culture, with a focus on bringing out the links and shared values between the two.

Q) Which of the following conventions are correctly matched with their area of concern?

1. Rotterdam Convention – Hazardous Wastes
2. Stockholm Convention – Persistent Organic Pollutants
3. Basel Convention – Hazardous Chemicals

Select the correct answer from the code below.

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1 only

Explanation:

• The Basel Convention:came into force in 1992, intends to reduce transboundary movements of hazardous waste from developed to less developed countries (LDCs), and ensure their safe disposal as closely as possible to the source of generation. (Statement 3 is not correct)
• Rotterdam Convention:was adopted on 10th September 1998 by a Conference of Plenipotentiaries in Rotterdam, Netherlands and entered into force on 24th February 2004. (Statement 1 is not correct)
• The Stockholm Convention:is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants (POPs). (Statement 2 is correct)

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 22 October 2022

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