17 Jan 2024 Daily Current Affairs for UPSC CDS, CAPF, NDA & SSB

1. What is the difference between an Interim Budget and Vote-On-Account?

The Finance Minister is all set to present her sixth Budget in a row and since it is a general elections year, the government will be allowed only to present an Interim Budget or Vote-on-account instead of a regular full Budget.

About Interim Budget vs Vote-On-Account:

An interim budget serves as a framework for managing provisional expenditures over a short duration, usually spanning a few months, until a new government takes office at the central level.
An interim budget generally includes the current state of the economy, plan and non-plan expenditures and receipts, changes in tax rates, revised estimates of the current financial year, and estimates for the coming financial year.
Despite being presented for the entire year, similar to a regular budget, the interim budget is subject to constraints imposed by the Election Commission.
- These constraints aim to prevent the government from implementing policies that could unduly influence the general public before the commencement of voting.
The Parliament passes a Vote-on-account to meet essential expenditures such as salaries of central government staff, funding of ongoing projects, and other government expenditures.
- In other words, it accounts for only expenditures to be borne by the outgoing government for a period of two months, which may be extended to four months on special circumstances.
The interim budget serves as a financial plan during a transitional period, typically when there are only a few months left in the current government's tenure. The vote-on-account can be approved within the framework of the interim budget.
Like a full budget, an interim budget will be discussed and passed in the Lok Sabha, and in the case of a vote-on-account, it will be passed without any formal discussion as such.
An interim budget can propose changes in the tax regime, whereas a vote-on-account cannot change the tax regime under any circumstances.
Vote-On-Account is a parliamentary approval for withdrawing money from the Consolidated Fund of India from April to June/July or until the new Government presents its full-fledged budget.
- It can be termed an advance grant, interim arrangement, and authorisation for the outgoing government to draw the money from the above-said fund and meet short-term expenditures.
As far as validity is concerned, the interim budget is valid throughout the year whereas the vote-on-account is valid only for a period of two to four months.

Source : Union Budget 2024: What is the difference between an Interim Budget and vote-on-account?

2. Farsi Language

The External Affairs Minister recently announced that the Government of India has decided to include Farsi (Persian) as one of the classical languages in India under the New Education Policy.

About the Farsi Language:

Farsi, also known as Persian Language, is the most widely spoken member of the Iranian branch of the Indo-Iranian languages, a subfamily of the Indo-European languages.
It is the official language of Iran, and two varieties of Persian known as Dari and Tajik are official languages in Afghanistan and Tajikistan, respectively.
Significant populations of Farsi speakers can be found in other Persian Gulf countries (Bahrain, Iraq, Oman, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates), as well as large communities in the US.
It has about 62 million native speakers, ranking it among the world’s 20 most widely spoken first languages.
Farsi in Iran is written in a variety of the Arabic script called Perso-Arabic, which has some innovations to account for Persian phonological differences. This script came into use in Persia after the Islamic conquest in the seventh century.
Its relatives are the languages of northern India and, more distantly, the major European languages including English.

Key Facts about Classical Languages in India:

Criteria evolved by Government of India to determine declaration of a language as a Classical language is as under: -
High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years;
A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers;
The literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community;
The classical language and literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots.
Currently, six languages enjoy the ‘Classical’ status: Tamil (declared in 2004), Sanskrit (2005), Kannada (2008), Telugu (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014).
The benefits it provides once a language is notified as a Classical language:
- Two major annual international awards for scholars of eminence in classical Indian languages.
- A Centre of Excellence for studies in Classical Languages is set up.
- The University Grants Commission is requested to create, to start with at least in the Central Universities, a certain number of Professional Chairs for the Classical Languages so declared.”

Source : Farsi to be one of India’s classical languages: Jaishankar

3. Tibetan Brown Bear

A rare and elusive bear, the Tibetan brown bear, has been recently sighted in Sikkim, making it the first confirmed record of the animal being sighted in India.

About the Tibetan Brown Bear:

The Tibetan brown bear, also known as the Tibetan blue bear, is one of the rarest subspecies of bears in the world and is rarely sighted in the wild.
Scientific Name: Ursus arctos pruinosus
Distribution:
- Historically found mainly on the alpine eastern Tibetan plateau (4,500 to 5,000 metres) in eastern Tibet, western China, Nepal, and Bhutan.
- Remaining bears in the wild seem to be confined to eastern Tibet and Bhutan.
Habitat: It inhabits alpine forests, meadows, and steppes, close to the tree line.
This rare bear is very different from the more commonly found Himalayan black bear in terms of its appearance, habitat, and behaviour.
Features:
- It has shaggy, dark brown to black fur, a cream to cinnamon face, and a white collar that broadens from the shoulders to the chest.
- It has small ears covered with long black fur.
- Lifespan: around 20 to 30 years.
- Its sense of smell is much more acute than its hearing and sight.
- They are solitary, but the territories between two Himalayan brown bears have been seen to overlap. They are one of the most terrestrial of the bears.
- It feeds on marmots and alpine vegetation.
Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern
- CITES: Appendix I
- Wildlife Protection Act of 1972: Schedule II

Source : First sight of rare bear Tibetan brown bear in Sikkim makes it first confirmed record

4. What is the Windfall Tax?

India cut its windfall tax on petroleum crude to 1,700 rupees ($20.53) a tonne from 2,300 rupees a tonne, according to a recent government notification.

About the Windfall Tax:

What is it? It is a tax levied by governments against certain industries when economic conditions allow those industries to experience significantly above-average profits.
The term “windfall” refers to an unexpected rise in profits, and the tax on windfall gains is known as the windfall tax.
When is it imposed?
- When the government notices a sudden increase in an industry's revenue, they impose this tax.
- However, these revenues cannot be linked to anything the company actively pursues, such as its business strategy or expansion.
- Rather, it is related to a one-off external event for which the business is not responsible.
- Consequently, a Windfall Tax is imposed on an industry's profits when it experiences a sharp increase in revenue due to unrelated external events.
- A recent example is the sudden rise in the profits of the oil and gas industries due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- The unexpected windfalls are taxed by the government over and above the normal tax rates.
The most common industries that fall target to windfall gains tax include oil, gas, and mining.
Purpose:
- Redistribution of unexpected gains when high prices benefit producers at the expense of consumers;
- To fund social welfare schemes;
- As a supplementary revenue stream for the government;
- As a way for the Government to narrow the country’s widening trade deficit.

Source : Govt cuts windfall tax on crude petroleum to Rs 1,700 a tonne

5. What is Gut Microbiota?

Scientists are finding that the gut microbiota may be linked to heart health, some cancers, and even the colour of urine.

About Gut Microbiota:

The human gut microbiota refers to the trillions of microbes, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, that live in the human gut.
Previously, people referred to the gut microbiota as the microflora of the gut.
The gut microbiome is the environment they live in.
Establishment of the human gut microbiota:
- Infants inherit their first gut microbes during vaginal delivery or breastfeeding (chestfeeding).
- Later, your diet and other environmental exposures introduce new microbes to your biome.
The gut microbiota assists in a range of bodily functions, including:
- harvesting energy from digested food
- protecting against pathogens
- regulating immune function
- strengthening the biochemical barriers of the gut and intestine
Changes in microbiota composition can affect these functions.
Disease:
- While there are beneficial bacteria in the gut, there are also harmful bacteria that can enter the Gastrointestinal (GI) tract and cause infection.
- These infections include food poisoning and other GI diseases that result in diarrhoea and vomiting.
- Research suggests that bacterial populations in the GI system play a role in developing gut conditions, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
- Low microbial diversity in the gut also has links to obesity and type 2 diabetes.
- The status of the gut microbiota also has links to metabolic syndrome.
- Disturbing the microbiota with antibiotics can also lead to disease, including infections that become resistant to antibiotics.

Source : Listen to your gut – it may be telling you something about your heart

6. Exercise Ayutthaya

Recently, the maiden Bilateral Maritime Exercise -Ayutthaya’ between the Indian Navy (IN) and Royal Thai Navy (RTN) was conducted.

About Exercise Ayutthaya:

The IndIa-Thailand Bilateral Exercise is being named as ‘Ex-Ayutthaya’, which literally translates to ‘The Invincible One’ or ‘Undefeatable’.
It symbolises the significance of two of the oldest cities Ayodhya in India and Ayutthaya in Thailand, the historic legacies, rich cultural ties and shared historical narratives dating back to several centuries.
Indigenously built Indian Naval ships Kulish and IN LCU 56 participated in the inaugural edition of the exercise.
With the institution of a Bilateral Exercise, both navies have taken a step towards strengthening operational synergy and progressively increasing the exercise complexity.
During the maiden edition of the exercise, participating units from both navies conducted surface and anti-air exercises including weapon firing, seamanship evolutions and tactical manoeuvres.
The 36th edition of India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) was also conducted along with the maiden bilateral exercise.
Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies participated in the Sea Phase of the exercise.
As part of Government of India's vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region), the Indian Navy has been proactively engaging with countries in the Indian Ocean Region towards enhancing regional maritime security.
The Indian Navy and Royal Thai Navy have maintained a close and friendly relationship which has strengthened over the years.

Source : MAIDEN INDIAN NAVY – ROYAL THAI NAVY BILATERAL EXERCISE AND 36TH EDITION OF INDO-THAI COORDINATED PATROL

7. Gentoo Penguin

Recently, a photographer has spotted an extremely rare all-white Gentoo penguin in Chilean Antarctica.

About Gentoo penguin:

It is exclusively found in the Southern Hemisphere between 45 and 65 degrees south latitude.
Within this range, gentoos are found on the Antarctic Peninsula as well as many sub-Antarctic islands.
One of the most predominant locations gentoos inhabit is the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean.
Habitat: Gentoo penguins typically are found along the shoreline. This allows the penguins to be able to quickly access food while remaining close to their nest.
The major difference between gentoo penguins and other penguin species are their head markings.
Gentoos feature two white wedges around their eyes that are connected by a medium-sized line across the tops of their heads.
Their heads are mostly covered in black feathers but small flecks of white feathers can also be found.
Conservation Status
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Source : Extremely rare all-white Gentoo penguin spotted in Antarctica; Here's why it's unique

8. 'One Vehicle, One FASTag' initiative

Recently, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched the 'One Vehicle, One FASTag' initiative.

About the 'One Vehicle, One FASTag' initiative:

The National Highways Authority of India suggested tagging users to complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) process by the end of January 31 to avoid deactivation.
The move aims to enhance the efficiency of the Electronic Toll Collection system and provide seamless movement at the Toll Plazas.
The new arrangement Of ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ has also been introduced to discourage user behaviour of using single FASTag for multiple vehicles or linking multiple FASTags to a particular vehicle.
The initiative had been taken after the recent reports of multiple FASTags being issued for a particular vehicle and FASTags being issued without KYC in violation of RBI’s mandate.

Key points about FASTag

It is a device that employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly while the vehicle is in motion.
It is a RFID passive tag used for making toll payments directly from the customers linked prepaid or savings/current account.
It is affixed on the windscreen of the vehicle and enables the customer to drive through toll plazas, without stopping for any toll payments.
The toll fare is directly deducted from the linked account of the customer.
It is also vehicle specific and once it is affixed to a vehicle, it cannot be transferred to another vehicle.
FASTag can be purchased from any of the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) Member Banks.
If a FASTag is linked to the prepaid account, then it needs to be recharged/ topped-up as per the usage of the customer.

Source : Complete KYC for FASTag before Jan 31 to avoid deactivation, mandates Centre

9. Instrument Landing System

Thick mist which hampers flight operations, necessitating the reliance on instruments like the “Instrument Landing System” (ILS) to navigate through the obscured surroundings.

About Instrument Landing System:

It is a ground-based radio navigation system that provides pilots with accurate information about their aircraft's position and alignment with the runway.
It comprises two main components, the localiser, and the glide slope.
- The localizer ensures lateral alignment, guiding the aircraft along the correct azimuth toward the runway centerline.
- Simultaneously, the glide slope provides vertical guidance, aiding pilots in maintaining the proper descent angle for a safe landing.
It guides pilots along both horizontal and vertical axes, aiding them in maintaining the correct approach path during low-visibility conditions.
With the help of ILS systems, pilots are able to understand how their aircraft is positioned with respect to an airport runway without needing to physically see it.
This system warns pilots in case their jets are not flying to meet the runway's centreline.
It will also warn pilots in case their jets are too low or too high and thus, at the risk of undershooting or overshooting the runway.
Both of these tasks performed by the Instrument Landing System are crucial in ensuring landing in cases where the pilots aren't able to see the runway clearly.
In addition to ILS, modern aircraft are equipped with advanced avionics and autopilot systems that enhance precision during foggy landings.
These systems, often coupled with radar altimeters, help maintain a stable descent and ensure the aircraft follows the designated glide path with minimal reliance on external visibility.
It is a standard International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) precision landing aid that is used to provide accurate azimuth (angular measurement in a spherical coordinate system) and descent guidance signals for guidance to flight for landing on the runway under adverse weather conditions.

Source : FE Explained: How do flights land safely despite fog and low visibility? The wizardry tech that makes it possible!

10. Cauvery basin

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has served notices to Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala governments, based on a report by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) that has highlighted the massive reduction of green cover in the Cauvery basin over the past five decades.

About Cauvery basin:

It extends over states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Union Territory of Puducherry.
It is bounded by the Western Ghats on the west, by the Eastern Ghats on the east and the south, and by the ridges separating it from Krishna basin and Pennar basin on the north.
The Cauvery River is one of the major rivers of the peninsula.
Origin: It rises at an elevation of 1,341 m at Talakaveri on the Brahmagiri range near Cherangala village of Kodagu district of Karnataka.
The river drains into the Bay of Bengal at Poompuhar in the Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu.
Major left bank tributaries: Harangi, the Hemavati, the Shimsha and the Arkavati.
Major right bank tributaries: Lakshmantirtha, the Kabbani, the Suvarnavati, the Bhavani, the Noyil and the Amaravati.
The basin can be divided into three parts – the Western Ghats, the Plateau of Mysore and the Delta.
The delta area is the most fertile tract in the basin.
The principal soil types found in the basin are black soils, red soils, laterites, alluvial soils, forest soils and mixed soils. Red soils occupy large areas in the basin. Alluvial soils are found in the delta areas.
National Parks in this basin: Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park and Bannerghatta National Park.

Source : Concerns raised over decimation of green cover in Cauvery basin: NGT issues notice to southern states

17 Jan 2024 Daily Current Affairs for UPSC CDS, CAPF, NDA & SSB

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