Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 17 January 2023

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2023

Q) Recently seen in news, the ‘World Social Report 2023’ is released by which one of the following organization?

1. World Economic Forum
2. International Institute of Social Studies
3. United Nations Research Institute for Social Development
4. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 16 January 2023

Explanation:

• Option (4) is correct: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs released its report titled, ” World Social Report 2023: Leaving no one behind in an ageing world”. The Report suggested that number of persons aged 65 years or older worldwide is expected to double over the next three decades. The elderly population will reach 1.6 billion in 2050, accounting for more than 16 per cent of the global population. Population ageing is progressing more rapidly in developing countries than it did historically in more developed countries. People are living longer due to improvements in health and medical therapies, greater access to education and reductions in fertility. North Africa, West Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are expected to experience the fastest growth in the number of older people over the next three decades. In almost all societies, women live longer than men on average and the rich longer than the poor. Poor nutrition and exposure to environmental and occupational hazards that is more common among men and people with limited income and education. In more developed regions, pensions and other public transfer systems, provide over two thirds of the consumption by older persons. In less developed regions, older persons tend to work longer and rely more on accumulated assets or family assistance.

Q) Consider the following statements about ‘Ocean noise pollution’:

1. It affects the distribution of marine species throughout the Oceans.
2. Ocean noise pollution has no correlation with the rise in storm frequency due to climate change.
3. Occurrence of mass whale stranding has direct correlation with Ocean noise pollution

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Explanation:

• Statements 1 and 3 are correct: Ocean noise refers to sounds made by human activities that can interfere with or obscure the ability of marine animals to hear natural sounds in the ocean. Noise pollution can disrupt marine animals communicating behaviours, leading to a decrease in population numbers and diversity. Ocean Noise pollution can cause changes in the distribution and abundance of marine species, leading to a decrease in biodiversity in certain areas and an increase in others. Researchers suggest that mass stranding of whales is linked to noise pollution in oceans, which have a negative impact on the survival and well-being of marine mammals.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The main sources of Ocean noise pollution are human activities such as shipping, oil and gas exploration and production, construction, and naval sonar. Other sources include commercial and recreational fishing, and underwater blasting. Climate change also contributes to ocean noise pollution through the melting of sea ice and the increased frequency of storms.

Q) With reference to Thiruvalluvar, consider the following statements:

1. He was a poet and philosopher who lived in Tamil Nadu during the fourth century BCE.
2. He wrote Thirukkural that primarily discusses the brahmanical traditions of south India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: Thiruvalluvar was a renowned philosopher and poet who lived in the 4th century BCE. Thiruvalluvar Day is usually celebrated either on the 15th or 16th of January in the state of Tamil Nadu, and is named after the poet Thiruvalluvar.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Thiruvalluvar is best known for penning Thirukkural, which is a secular collection of couplets on ethics, political and economic matters, and love. Thirukkural does not propound the tenets of any particular religion. People in Tamil Nadu revere his work and celebrate his literary contribution by recognizing him as a Tamil scholar.

Q) Consider the following statements about Uranium pollution in groundwater:

1. The groundwater in the coastal states of Karnataka and West Bengal is highly contaminated with uranium.
2. Bicarbonates cause the high occurrence of uranium by bringing the element out of the source rocks.
3. At present, there is no prescribed maximum limit for uranium level in drinking water in India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: A state of groundwater report titled “Groundwater yearbook 2021-2022” was released by the Central Groundwater Board. Punjab is the worst-affected state in terms of the percentage of wells found to have uranium concentration. Uranium presence in Punjab’s groundwater is found to be 17.7 times more than the safe limit prescribed by WHO. Haryana is the second state in terms of uranium prevalence in groundwater. Uranium levels in six states of Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and West Bengal, are ‘within the prescribed limits’ zone. Groundwater in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi was found to have a toxic concentration of uranium. Uranium concentration was found to be higher than the threshold level in localised pockets of seven other states of Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Odisha, Telangana and Bihar.
• Statement 2 is correct: Uranium in groundwater is result of the dissolution of Uranium bearing minerals that have been in contact with groundwater for long periods of time. High levels of uranium are largely due to natural uranium content in aquifer rocks, oxidation state and groundwater chemistry. Bicarbonates help to bring the uranium out of the source rocks and is a reason for the high occurrence of the element. Extreme bicarbonate levels were found at the sites with high uranium levels.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: WHO have set drinking water standards for Uranium concentration in drinking water at 30 μg/L. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, India has prescribed the maximum limit of Uranium in drinking water at 60 μg/L (ppb). Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Indian Standard IS 10500: 2012 for Drinking Water specification has specified the maximum acceptable limits for radioactive residues as alpha and beta emitters, values in excess of which render the water not suitable.

Q) Consider the following statements about Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB):

1. FSIB recommends the appointment of directors and the executive chairman of all the financial services institutions.
2. FSIB directly reports to the Economic Intelligence Council under the Finance Ministry.
3. FSIB monitors the performance of public-sector banks and insurance companies.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect but statement 3 is correct: Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) has replaced the Bank Board’s Bureau (BBB). FSIB recently has recommended MDs for Bank of Baroda and Bank of India. FSIB would be headed by a chairman, a central government nominee. FSIB is entrusted with making recommendations for the appointment of full-time directors and non-executive chairman of state-run financial services institutions. The final decision on the FSIB recommendation would be taken by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister. FSIB monitors and assesses the performance of public sector banks, government-owned financial institutions and insurance companies.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) is a government body set up under the Department of Financial Services. Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND) is an independent body reporting directly to the Economic Intelligence Council (EIC) headed by the Finance Minister. FIU-IND was set by the Government of India on 18th November 2004 as the central national agency responsible for receiving, processing, analyzing and disseminating information relating to suspect financial transactions. FIU-IND is also responsible for coordinating and strengthening efforts of national and international intelligence, investigation and enforcement agencies in pursuing the global efforts against money laundering and related crimes.

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