Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 14th September 2022

 

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2022

 

Q) Consider the following statements

1. It secures at least eight percent of the valid votes polled in any four or more states, at a general election to the House of the People or, to the State Legislative Assembly.
2. In addition, it wins at least four seats in the House of the People from any State or States.
3. It wins at least two percent seats in the House of the People, and these members are elected from at least three different States.

Which of these are criteria for recognition as National Political Party of India?

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

Explanation:

• Recognition: The Election Commission of India gives recognition as National parties or State parties based on the percentage of votes/seats secured in an election.

• Registered and Unrecognized: These are those parties which have not secured enough votes/seats in the election to be declared even a state party or those which have never contested any election.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Climate Change

1. According to Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), rise of 2 °C from pre-industrial levels can trigger the tipping points and become irreversible at 2.5-4 °C.
2. IPCC was set up in 1988 by the IUCN and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to provide policymakers with regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation.

Which of these statements are correct?

1. Both
2. 1 only
3. 2 only
4. None

Explanation:

• According to Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), rise of 2 °C from pre-industrial levels can trigger the tipping points and become irreversible at 2.5-4 °C. (Statement 1 is correct)
• IPCC was set up in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to provide policymakers with regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation. (Statement 2 is incorrect)

Q) Report on Climate Risk and Sustainable Finance is published by –

1. World Economic Forum
2. NITI Aayog
3. Reserve Bank of India
4. World Bank

Explanation:

• The Reserve Bank of India has published a report on climate Risk and sustainable Finance.

Q) Consider the statements regarding the drugs added in the National List of Essential Medicine (NELM)

1. Bedaquiline and Delamind used in the treatment of viral infections such as Hepatitis C.
2. Dolutegravir used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
3. Daclatasvir used in treating multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Which of these statements are incorrect?

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

Explanation:

• The ministry of health and family welfare released the latest National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) after a gap of seven years.

Key highlights from the NLEM 2022

• The list features a total of 384 medicines with the addition of 34 new medicines and dropped 26 old ones from the previous list.
• It has classified the medicines under 27 therapeutic categories.
• The new list also includes four drugs that are still under patent.
• Bedaquiline and Delamind used in the treatment of multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis. (Statement 1 is incorrect)
• Dolutegravir used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. (Statement 2 is correct)
• Daclatasvir used in treating viral infections such as Hepatitis C. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Draft National Electricity Plan

1. India may need additional up to 28GW of coal-fired power generation capacity by 2032, apart from 25GW thermal projects that are under construction.
2. Average PLF (Plant Load Factor) or capacity utilisation of the total installed coal capacity of 239.3 GW was found to be about 75% in 2026-27.
3. The total CO2 emissions projected will increase from 910 Million tonnes in 2020-21 to 1030 Million tonnes in the year 2026-27 and 1180 Million tonnes in 2031-32.

Which of these statements are incorrect?

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

Explanation:

Current Progress

• The scheduled capacity addition from conventional sources during the period of 2017- 22 was 51,561.15 MW as per National Electricity Plan, 2018. The capacity addition achieved from conventional sources is 30,667.91 MW for the year 2021-22.
• India has achieved a cumulative installed renewable energy capacity (including large hydro) of 156607.9 MW as on 31.03.2022.

Coal Based Energy

• India may need additional up to 28GW of coal-fired power generation capacity by 2032, apart from 25GW thermal projects that are under construction.
• There might be an additional requirement of coal of around 4 GW in capacity mix by 2026-27, if there is a delay in achievement of hydro-based plants.

All-India Peak Electricity Demand

• Projected all-India peak electricity demand and electrical energy requirement is 272 GW and 1,874 BU (billion units) for the year 2026-27 and 363 GW and 2,538 BU for the year 2031-32 respectively.

PLF (Plant Load Factor)

• Average PLF (Plant Load Factor) or capacity utilisation of the total installed coal capacity of 239.3 GW was found to be about 55% in 2026-27.
• The average PLF of the total installed coal capacity of 248.9 GW was found to be about 62% in 2031-32.

Projected Installed Capacity for the year 2026-27

• Projected installed capacity for the year 2026-27 is 6,22,899 MW.

BESS (Battery Energy Storage System)

• BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) requirement in 2031-32 is varying from 51GW to 84GW.
• BESS is an energy storage system (ESS) that captures energy from different sources, accumulates this energy, and stores it in rechargeable batteries for later use.

Coal Requirement

• Domestic coal requirement in the year 2026-27 have been estimated as 831.5 Million Tonnes and in 2031-32 as 1018.2 MT and Imports by plants designed on imported coal to be 40 Million tonnes.

CO2 Emission

• The total CO2 emissions projected will increase from 910 Million tonnes in 2020-21 to 1030 Million tonnes in the year 2026-27 and 1180 Million tonnes in 2031-32.
  • However, average CO2 emission rate from coal based stations in the country has been on declining trend indicating improvement in efficiency of power generation from coal based power plants.
• During 2020-21, the country has achieved Fly Ash Utilization of 107.77 Million tonnes with percentage utilization of 60.97%.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker

1. Panicker was a social reformer from the Ezhava community who lived in the 19th century in the state of Kerala.
2. Panicker was against temples and religious institutions as they perpetuated caste.
3. Panicker led the Achippudava Samaram strike at Kayamkulam in 1858 that allowed women belonging to oppressed groups the right to wear a lower garment that extended beyond the knees.

Which of these statements are correct?

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

Explanation:

• Malayalam film Pathonpatham Noottandu, based on the life of Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker, was recently released.

About Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker

• Panicker was a social reformer from the Ezhava community who lived in the 19th century in the state of Kerala. (Statement 1 is correct)
• He was born into a well-off family of merchants in Kerala’s Alappuzha district.
• ‘Panicker’ title was given to him by the then-king of Travancore in 1869. He was murdered by a group of upper-caste men in 1874.
• He is considered the ‘first martyr’ of the Kerala renaissance.

Role in social reform movement:

• He is said to have challenged the domination of upper castes or ‘Savarnas’ and brought about changes in the lives of both men and women.
• Temple construction: Panicker is credited for building two Shiva temples that allowed entry to members of all castes and religions. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• Dignity of oppressed women: Panicker led the Achippudava Samaram strike at Kayamkulam in 1858 that allowed women belonging to oppressed groups the right to wear a lower garment that extended beyond the knees. (Statement 3 is correct)

Q) Which of the following are military exercises in which Japan and India participates?

1. JIMEX
2. Dharma Guardian
3. Malabar Exercise
4. Shinyuu Maitri

Choose the correct option.

1. 1, 3 and 4 only
2. 1, 2 and 4 only
3. 1, 2 and 3 only
4. All of the above

Explanation:

• The sixth edition of Japan-India Maritime Exercise 2022 (JIMEX 22) hosted by Indian Navy began in the Bay of Bengal from 11th September 2022.

The 2022 edition:

• Indian participants: The Indian Navy is being represented by INS Sahyadri, a multi-purpose stealth frigate, and Anti Submarine Warfare Corvettes INS Kadmatt and INS Kavaratti.
• Phases: The exercise would be conducted in two phases–Exercises at sea and a harbour phase at Visakhapatnam.
• Significance: The sixth edition of JIMEX marks 10 years since the exercise’s first edition.

 

JIMEX:

• Objective: JIMEX aims to consolidate the high degree of interoperability existing between maritime forces of the two countries, through complex exercises in the surface, sub-surface and air domains.
• The exercises are held biennially between Indian Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Other military exercises with Japan:

• Annual joint land military exercise named ‘Dharma Guardian’
• Trilateral Maritime Exercise ‘Malabar’ with the USA
• Joint Air Force exercise ‘Shinyuu Maitri’

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Swadesh Darshan Scheme

1. The scheme was launched in 2014-15 for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in the country. Therefore, none of the circuits go beyond places in India.
2. Develop theme-based tourist circuits on the principles of high tourist value, competitiveness, and sustainability in an integrated manner.

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 2 only
2. Both
3. 1 only
4. None

Explanation:

Context: India and Nepal have decided to speed up the projects on Ramayana Circuit.

• About Ramayana Circuit (Statement 1 is inoccrect)
• Ramayana Circuit is one among the fifteen thematic circuits identified for development under the Swadesh Darshan scheme of Ministry of Tourism.

Swadesh Darshan scheme:

• The scheme was launched in 2014 -15 for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in the country.
• Objective: Develop theme-based tourist circuits on the principles of high tourist value, competitiveness, and sustainabilityin an integrated manner. (Statement 2 is correct)

Q) Recently Indian Air Force returned from Exercise Pitch Black 2022. Which country hosts this exercise?

1. USA
2. UK
3. France
4. Australia

Explanation:

• Context: The Indian Air Force contingent participating in Exercise Pitch Black 22 in Australia has returned after successful participation.
• About: It is a biennial multinational warfare exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
• Aim: The aim of the exercise is to practice Offensive Counter Air (OCA) and Defensive Counter Air (DCA) combat, in a simulated war environment.
• It will enhance combat readiness and interoperability between partner nations.
• As inferred from the name of the exercise, it will take place in low light conditions.

 

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