18 Nov 2024 Daily Current Affairs for UPSC CDS, CAPF, NDA & SSB

1. Carbon Dioxide

India’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from burning fossil fuels are expected to increase by 4.6% in 2024, the highest among major economies, according to a new report by Global Carbon Project.

About Carbon Dioxide:

It is a colourless gashaving a faint sharp odour and a sour taste.
It is an important heat-trapping gas, also known as a greenhouse gas.
It comes from the extraction and burning of fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, and natural gas), from wildfires, and natural processes like volcanic eruptions.
It is one of the most important greenhouse gas (GHG) in the atmosphere and is the primary driver of anthropogenic climate change.
The presence of the gas in the atmosphere keeps some of the radiant energyreceived by Earth from being returned to space, thus producing the so-called greenhouse effect.
Carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant, in fire extinguishers, for inflating life rafts and life jackets, blasting coal, foaming rubber and plastics, promoting the growth of plants in greenhouses, immobilizing animals before slaughter, and in carbonated beverages.
Studies have shown that CO2 has contributed more than any driver to climate change.
- It is much more abundant in the atmosphere compared to CH4 and HFCs.
- CO2 remains in the atmosphere longer than the other major GHGs emitted due to human activities.
- After a pulse of CO2 is emitted into the atmosphere, 40% will remain in the atmosphere for 100 years and 20% will reside for 1000 years, while the final 10% will take 10,000 years to turn over,” a report by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), a US-based non-profit organisation.

Source : Why CO2 is the primary driver of climate change

2. Press Council of India

National Press Day, observed on November 16, marks the day the Press Council of India (PCI) began its operations in 1966.

About Press Council of India:

It was first set up in 1966 by the parliament on the recommendations of the First Press Commission under the chairmanship of Justice J.R Mudholkar.
The present council functions under the Press Council Act 1978.
It is a statutory, quasi-judicial bodythat acts as a watchdog of the press in India.
Composition:
- It consists of a Chairman and 28 other members.
- The Chairman is nominated by a committee consisting of Chairman of Rajya Sabha, the Speaker of Lok Sabha, and one representative of the council member.
- The Chairman, by convention, has been a retired judge of the Supreme Court.
- The term of the Chairman and the members of the Council is 3 years.
Primary Function: To check the media practice and to keep an eye on the freedom of the press.
Other Functions:
- Helping newspapersto maintain their independence;
- Building up a code of conduct for journalists and newspapers according to high professional standards;
- Reviewing any developmentwhich is likely to restrict the supply and dissemination of news of public interest and importance;
- Reviewing such cases where assistance has been received by any newspaper or news agency in India from foreign sources, as referred to it by the Central Government;
It adjudicates the complaints either against the Press for violation of journalistic ethics or by the Press for interference with its freedom.

Source : Ministry of Information & Broadcasting

3. Bodoland Mahotsav

Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated the 1st Bodoland Mahotsav in New Delhi.

About Bodoland Mahotsav:

It is a mega event on language, literature, and culture to sustain peace and build a Vibrant Bodo Society.
Theme: The theme for the Mahotsav is ‘Peace and Harmony for Prosperous Bharat’ with a focus on the rich culture, language and education of the Bodo community along with other communities from the Bodoland Territorial Region.
It aims to capitalise on the richness of cultural and linguistic heritage, ecological biodiversity and touristic potential of Bodoland.
It is also about celebrating the remarkable journey of recovery and resilience ever since the signing of the Bodo Peace Accord in 2020.

Key facts about Bodo Tribe

They are the earliest known ethnic group to inhabit Assam (erstwhile Pragjyotishpur and Kamrupa) with their distinctive culture and linguistic traits belonging to the Mongoloid stock of the Indo-Mongoloids or Indo-Tibetans.
Linguistically the Bodos include a large group of people who are the speakers of the Tibeto-Burman Speeches of the North and East Bengal, Assam and Burma.
They are the Bodos or Boros of the Brahmaputra Valley, they are known as Meches in Lower Assam, West Bengal and Nepal.

Source : Cultural Festival In National Capital To Showcase Vibrant Bodo Society

4. Red-Headed Vulture

Recently, Red-Headed Vulture was sighted for the first time at Manhampothikunnu near Mavungal in Kasaragod, Kerala.

About Red-Headed Vulture:

This is one of the 9 species of Vulture which are found in India.
It is also called the Asian King vulture or Pondicherry Vulture.
Appearance: It is a dark, medium-sized vulture with a bare reddish head and loose flaps on the side of the neck.
It weighs around 5 kg and averaging over 80 cm in length, the vulture is primarily solitary, often seen alone or with a mate.
Its black plumage is marked by a distinctive white patch on the abdomen, which becomes more prominent during flight.
Distribution: The Red-Headed Vulture is typically found in Central India, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and parts of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
Breeding: Breeding typically takes place between November and January.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List:Critically Endangered
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1
Issue: It was extensively found in India but its numbers drastically reduced after diclofenac poisoning.

Source : In a first, rare Red-Headed Vulture spotted in Kasaragod

5. Senna tora Plant

The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is experimenting with the removal of a potential new species of invasive plant Senna tora that has begun emerging in parts of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR).

About Senna tora Plant:

It is a native species of Central America.
Habitat: It is an annual, perennial or subshrub and grows primarily in the wet tropical biome.
It is emerging in drier areas and germinates after the southwest monsoon and gradually withers by the end of the year.
Uses: It is used as animal food, a poison and a medicine, has environmental uses and for food.

Key facts about Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR)

Location:It is located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu state at the tri-junction of three states, viz, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The name Mudumalai means the ancient hill range because it is as old as 65 million years when the Western Ghats were formed.
It has a common boundary with Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary(Kerala) on the West, and Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) on the North.
The Theppakadu elephant camp is a popular tourist attraction.
Vegetation:A variety of habitats ranging from tropical evergreen forest, moist deciduous forest, moist teak forest, dry teak forest, secondary grasslands and swamps are found here.
Flora:The Reserve has tall grasses, commonly referred to as “Elephant Grass”, Bamboo of the giant variety, valuable timber species like Teak, Rosewood, etc.
Fauna:Elephants, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Porcupine etc.

Source : How T.N. Forest Dept. is tackling Senna tora plants, an emerging threat to Mudumalai’s native ecology

6. What is Leucism?

Tamil Nadu Forest Department staff and members of a non-governmental organisation recently rescued a rare peacock with white feathers, caused by a genetic condition called leucism.

About Leucism:

It is an abnormal condition of reduced pigmentation affecting various animals (such as birds, mammals, and reptiles) that is marked by overall pale color or patches of reduced coloring.
It is caused by a genetic mutation which inhibits melanin and other pigments from being deposited in feathers, hair, or skin.
In birds, leucism affects only the bird’s feathers, this means they do not have the normal, classic plumage colors.
- They may have white patches where the bird should not have any, or their overall plumage may look pale or bleached out.

Albinism vs. Leucism:

Albinism is a rare genetic mutation with a complete absence of (or very little) melanin production.
- Melanin is a natural pigment in the skin, hair, eyes, and even brain tissue.
- The type and amount of melanin in animals determine the colour of the skin, hair, and eyes.
With the lack of melanin production, albinos have white or pinkish coloured skin and red eyes due to the underlying blood vessels showing through from behind the eyes.
With leucism, there is only a partial loss of melanin production and/or distribution.
- The animal can have white or patchy coloured skin, hair, and/or feathers. The pigment cells in the eyes, legs, and bills of birds, however, are not affected.

Source : Rare ‘white’ peacock rescued in Coimbatore; to be treated for leg injury

7. Lake Kariba

A punishing drought has drained the huge Kariba Lake close to record lows, raising the prospect that the Kariba Dam, which powers the economies of Zambia and Zimbabwe, may have to shut down for the first time in its 65-year history.

About Lake Kariba:

It is a lake in central Africa, along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
It is positioned 810 miles upstream from the Indian Ocean.
It is the world's largest man-made lake. It covers an area of 2,000 square miles (5,200 square km).
It was formed by damming the Zambezi Riverin the Kariba Gorge, where the river narrows between hills of hard rock 250 miles (400 km) below Victoria Falls.
- The Kariba Dam consists of adouble-arch wall. It is 128 meters in height, 617 meters in length, 13 meters wide at its top, and 24 meters wide at the base.
- It provides considerable electric power to both Zambia and Zimbabwe and supports a thriving commercial fishing industry.
The lake encompasses a total of 102 islands, including well-known ones like Chete Island and Spurwing Island.
- Chete Island boasts the world's largest expanse of protected, undeveloped wetlands and hosts the largest single population of African elephants.

Source : ‘Levels are dropping’: drought saps Zambia and Zimbabwe of hydropower

8. What is the General Provident Fund (GPF)?

A division bench of the Madras High Court recently upheld the Central Administrative Tribunal's orders granting pension rights under the General Provident Fund (GPF) scheme to retired Kendriya Vidyalaya teachers.

About General Provident Fund (GPF):

It is a savings scheme introduced in 1960 that is available only for government employees in India.
The primary objective of GPF is to provide a dependable source of income after retirement to government employees.
With a GPF account, all the government employees can contribute a certain percentage of their salary to the GPF.
Unlike the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), the contributions toward the GPF are made only by the employee.
The total amount that is accumulated throughout the employment term is paid to the employee at the time of retirement.
As per the GPF rules, the following are eligible to subscribe to a GPF account:
- All temporary government servants who have given their service for continuously one year.
- All re-employed pensioners(except those eligible for admission to the contributory provident fund).
- All permanent government servants.
Contribution:
- It is a mandatory scheme for government employees, requiring them to contribute a certain percentage of their salary towards the fund.
- The contributions are deducted from the employee's monthly salary, and the amount earns interestat a predetermined rate.
- The amount for GPF subscription is fixed by the subscriber The minimum contribution is 6% of the salary, while the maximum can go up to 100%.
Withdrawal:
- Employees can withdraw their savings from the fund upon retirement or resignation from service.
- A GPF is flexible, allowing employees to withdraw money from the fund for various reasons, such as marriage, education, and medical emergencies.
- Employees can also take out loans against their GPF account, subject to certain conditions.
- Employees who transfer to another government department or leave their job can withdraw their GPF balance or transfer it to their new employer.
- The GPF sum will be paid to their nominee if the employee passes away.
Interest rates on GPF are revised periodically according to the government’s issued notifications.
The GPF scheme is administered by the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare,falling under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
This scheme offers several benefits to government employees, including tax savings, low-risk investments, and guaranteed returns.

Source : No Explicit Option For CPF Means Automatic Transition To GPF Scheme: Madras HC Upholds Pension Rights Of KV Teachers

9. Panna Tiger Reserve

Mass vaccination of stray dogs in and around Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Madhya Pradesh has begun amid the threat of the spread of Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) infection in the wild animals of the PTR.

About Panna Tiger Reserve:

Location: It is a critical tiger habitat located in the Vindhya mountain rangein the northern part of Madhya Pradesh.
Standing over an area of 542 sq.km., it is the only Tiger Reserve in the entire Bundelkhand region.
It was declared a Project Tiger Reserve by the Government of India in 1994.
Landscape:
- It is characterized with a 'Table Top' topography.
- It consists of extensive plateaus and gorges.
River: Ken Riverflows from south to north through the reserve.
The reserve is also dotted with two-thousand-year-old rock paintings.
Flora:
- The dominant vegetation type is dry deciduous forest interspersed with grassland areas.
- In the north, it is surrounded by teak forest, and in the east, it is surrounded by Teak-Kardhai mixed forest. It is the northernmost boundary of natural distribution to teak (Tectona grandis).
- The tree species Acacia catechu dominates the dry, steep slopes of the plateaus here.
Fauna:
- It supports a sizable population of Tiger, Sloth Bear, Leopard, and Striped Hyena.
- Other prominent carnivores are Jackal, Wolf, Wild Dog, Jungle Cat, and Rusty Spotted Cat.
- The NE-SW running Vindhya Hill ranges link the eastern and western population of wild animals.

Key Facts about Canine Distemper:

It is a contagious and serious disease caused by the canine distemper virus (CDV).
The virus attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of dogs.
All dogs are at risk of canine distemper. Those at particular risk include puppies younger than four months and dogs that have not been vaccinated against CDV.
In addition to dogs, CDV can infect ferrets as well as a wide range of other mammals,especially carnivores.
Transmission: Infection is transmitted mainly via aerosol droplet secretions from infected animals. Some infected dogs may shed virus particles for several months.
Coughingis the most common symptom. They usually develop fever and discharge from the eyes and/or nose.
Treatment:
- There is no cure, and no antiviral drugshave been approved to combat the infection.
- The best way to prevent canine distemper is through vaccination.

Source : MP: Canine Distemper Virus Infection Looms in Panna Tiger Reserve

10. Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN)

India and Japan recently signed a Memorandum of Implementation (MoI) for the “co-development” of the UNICORN (Unified Complex Radio Antenna) mast for deployment on Indian Navy ships.

Why in News?

It is India’s first military technology transfer pact with Japan.
The pact came nine years after New Delhi and Tokyo signed an agreement on the “transfer of defence equipment and technology” to deepen the strategic ties between the two nations.
The stealth mast was one of the key Japanese military technologies that the Indian Navy was eyeing at besides US-2 amphibian aircraft.

About Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN):

It is a state-of-the-art integrated antenna system.
It is a mast with integrated communication systems that help improve the stealth characteristics of ships.
Developed jointly by three Japanese companies (NEC Corporation, Sampa Kogyo K.K., and The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.), these antennas are currently fitted on Mogami-class frigates of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence force.
Unlike the conventional masts, UNICORN consolidates various antennas that are attached to multiple points on a mast into a single radar dome, known as a radome.
This innovation significantly reduces the cross-section of naval platforms, thereby enhancing their stealth characteristics and enabling them to operate with reduced electronic signatures.
In addition, the optimal placement of the antennas improves the maximum detection distance of radio waves emitted from outside and simplifies maintenance and installation processes.

Source : India, Japan sign agreement for UNICORN masts for Indian naval warships

18 Nov 2024 Daily Current Affairs for UPSC CDS, CAPF, NDA & SSB

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