Current Affairs for UPSC Civil Services Exam – August 14, 2024

{GS1 – A&C – Architecture} Vishalgad Fort

Context (TH): Vishalgad Fort has faced tensions as right-wing groups target local muslim residents over alleged encroachments.

Vishalgad Fort, also known as Khelna or Khilna, was a significant fort of the Maratha Empire.
The fort, built by Shilahara king Marsinh in 1058, is situated on a hilltop in the Sahyadri mountain ranges and was captured by Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri in 1209.
It fell under the Khilji dynasty after Allauddin Khilji defeated the Seuna Yadavas in 1309.
It was later ruled by the Vijayanagar Empire and then the Adilshahi dynasty.
It was captured by Shivaji in 1659 and renamed Vishalgad, meaning “grand fort.”
Notable sites include the Dargah of Hazrat Sayed Malik Rehan Meera Saheb and the tombs of Phulaji and Baji Prabhu Deshpande, who both served under Shivaji.

Read more > Maratha Military Landscapes

Other Examples of Illegal Encroachments Near Monuments

Taj Mahal, Agra: Violates environmental guidelines.
Jama Masjid, Delhi: Causes congestion and obstruct access, which impacts the site’s visual integrity.
Qutub Minar, Delhi: Affects aesthetics and accessibility.
Charminar, Hyderabad: Increase pollution and lead to traffic congestion around the monument.
Golconda Fort, Hyderabad: Deteriorate the fort’s structure, making preservation difficult.
Hampi, Karnataka: Increased stone quarrying threatens unique rock formations and the landscape.

Steps Taken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

ASI has initiated legal proceedings to remove unauthorized structures and sought court interventions to enforce preservation laws (The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958).
It has installed fences and demarcated boundaries around protected monuments and conducts public awareness programs and works with local governments.

Why These Measures Are Not Fully Effective?

Weak Enforcement: Despite legal actions, enforcement remains weak, with local authorities often unable or unwilling to remove encroachments.
Political Influence: Encroachments are sometimes backed by political interests.
Lack of Resources: To monitor all heritage sites effectively.
Public Apathy: Local communities may not fully understand the importance of preservation, leading to continued encroachments despite awareness efforts.
Judicial Delays: Legal processes are often slow, leading to prolonged battles over encroachment cases.

{GS1 – Geo – EG – Water Resources} Ballast Water Management

Context (TH): Tamil Nadu has informed the National Green Tribunal that it has sought ₹160 crores from the Kamarajar Port to facilitate the removal of charru mussels that came with ballast water.

Ballast water is seawater taken into a ship’s tanks to maintain stability when the ship discharges cargo and rises in the water and is pumped out when the ship loads cargo and sinks deeper.
In India, scientists have recorded nearly 30 invasive species coming from ship ballast water.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is a specialized body established under the National Green Tribunal Act (2010) to handle environmental disputes and ensure the enforcement of environmental laws.

Global Regulations on Ballast Water

Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention: Enforced by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2017 to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens via ballast water.

India’s Position

Current Status: India has not signed the BWM Convention.
Implication: Ships in Indian ports are not obligated to follow BWM regulations; no formal checks or regulations on ballast water discharge in Indian ports.
Legal Perspective: Ports are not liable; vessel owners are held responsible if evidence of harm is found.

Way Forward

India’s Adoption of BWM Convention: India should consider signing the Convention to ensure international standards are met and to protect its marine ecosystems.
Implement Regulatory Framework: Develop and enforce national regulations for ballast water management as seen in Australian ports.
Strengthen Port Inspections: Introduce rigorous checks and monitoring systems as seen in New Zealand’s ports.
Promote Awareness: Educate ship owners and operators about the impact of ballast on ecosystems.
Collaborate Internationally: Engage with other countries and IMO to share best practices and strategies.

Charru Mussel (Mytella strigata)

It is an invasive species native to South and Central America; possibly Galapagos and Pacific Coast.
It is invasive in the Philippines, Thailand, and India, including Pulicat and Ashtamudi Lakes and disrupts ecosystems, hinders fishing, and affects livelihoods.
It thrives in 20°C-23°C, tolerates 13°C-36°C, and cannot survive beyond 36°C.
It appears in black, brown, purple, or dark green colors and spawns in July-October when larvae develop into bivalve veligers.

{GS1 – IS – Population} ‘Women and Men in India 2023’ report

Context (PIB): Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 25th issue of its report ‘Women and Men in India 2023’.

Highlights of the report

Population of India is expected to reach 152.2 Crore by 2036, with female percentage of 48.8% (48.5% in 2011) and sex ratio of 952 (943 in 2011).

Credits: PIB

Declining fertility will reduce the proportion of individuals under 15 years in 2036.
From 2016 to 2020, Age Specific Fertility Rate (ASFR) is decreased for the age group of 20-29 and increased for the age group of 35-39 from 32.7 to 35.6.
Adolescent Fertility Rate (AFR) was 33.9 for illiterate population whereas 11 for the literate in 2020.

Credits: PIB

Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) is reduced to 97 (per lakh live births) in 2018-20.

Credits: PIB

Decreased Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) to 28, and made female and male IMR equal in 2020.
Under 5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) decreased from 43 in 2015 to 32 in 2020.
Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) has been increasing from 2017-18. Male LFPR increased from 75.8 to 78.5 and female LFPR increased from 23.3 to 37 by 2022-23.
Percentage of women electors participated in the election increased from 60% in 1999 to 67.2% in 2019.

Credits: PIB

47.6% of the total recognized start-ups are led by women.

Implications

Increase in ASFR in 35-39 age group suggests a delay in childbearing among women, due to factors such as education, career establishment, and financial independence.
The considerable reduction in AFR emphasizes the importance of imparting education to women.
Current rate of decrease in MMR will allow India to achieve the SDG target of MMR (70) by 2030.
The increase in the voter turnout percentage for women highlights the impact of increasing literacy and political awareness among women.
Significant representation of women-led start-ups underscore the growing influence and contribution of women entrepreneurs in India’s start-up ecosystem.

{GS2 – Governance – Issues} Glitches in Civil Registration System

Context (TH): The Civil Registration System (CRS) has been experiencing glitches for the past four months, causing significant delays in issuing certificates.

The Civil Registration System (CRS) is a centralized portal by the Union government for registering births and deaths.

Key issues

Slow OTP generation, system crashes, and page reloads delay the registration process.
Portal downtime has lasted over a month, and essential report forms are missing from key dashboards.
Aadhaar e-sign-in is mandatory for attaching documents and the comment box is too small.

Way Forward

Deploy a dedicated technical support team for quick issue resolution and a rapid-response mechanism.
Optimize the portal’s backend and increase server capacity to handle higher volumes.
Provide backup systems during downtime and manual certificate processing with later data entry.
Hold regular meetings with State officials for feedback and ensure smooth data integration.
Expand the comment box, simplify Aadhaar e-sign-in, or offer alternative authentication methods.
Train officials on troubleshooting and inform citizens about the new process and temporary changes.
Continuously monitor portal performance, plan regular updates based on feedback, and conduct an independent audit for improvements.
Regularly back up data and develop a robust recovery plan for system failures.

Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023

National Database: Mandates creation of a national database for births and deaths, with state and local databases contributing to it.
Electronic Certificates: Shifts from issuing extracts to providing electronic or physical certificates for easier access and verification.
Aadhaar Integration: Requires Aadhaar numbers of parents and informants for specific cases, including births in jails, hotels, surrogacy, and by single or unwed mothers.
Database Connectivity: Allows linking of the national database with other national and state databases, pending government approval.
Certificate Usage: Stipulates that birth and death certificates are crucial for education, voter lists, government appointments, and other specified purposes.
Appeal Process: Introduces a formal appeal process for grievances related to Registrar actions, with defined timelines for appeals and decisions.

More info > Registration of Birth and Death (Amendment) Bill, 2023

{GS2 – IR – Issues} Effects of South Asian Tumult

Context (TH): India’s neighbourhoods have experienced significant political shifts, challenging its diplomatic strategies and necessitating a reassessment of regional engagement to protect its interests.

Diplomatic Challenges in India’s Neighborhood

Myanmar’s Military Coup (2021): The military coup disrupted India’s engagement with Myanmar, affecting security cooperation and infrastructure projects.
Taliban Takeover in Afghanistan (2021) led to instability in Afghanistan, raising concerns about terrorism, regional security, and India’s investments in Afghan infrastructure.
Political Instability in Sri Lanka (2022) led to the ousting of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, affecting India’s interests in the region, especially with Chinese influence growing in Sri Lanka.
Change in Government in Nepal (2022) to a less India-friendly government under K.P. Sharma Oli strained bilateral relations, particularly over border issues and Nepal’s increasing closeness to China.
Electoral Change in the Maldives (2023): The electoral defeat of the pro-India government of Ibrahim Solih and the rise of Mohamed Muizzu, were perceived as less favourable to India.
Shift in Bangladesh’s Political Landscape (2023): The potential departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a key ally of India, and the rise of opposition forces that may not be as India-friendly.

Initiatives Taken by India to Address Diplomatic Challenges in the Neighborhood

Coastal Surveillance Radar System (CSRS) in neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles to enhance maritime security.
Joint Military Exercises: Conduct regular joint military exercises such as “Mitra Shakti” with Sri Lanka, “Sampriti” with Bangladesh, and “Surya Kiran” with Nepal.
Border Area Development Program (BADP) to Improve infrastructure and security along India’s borders with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan, and Nepal.
Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) strengthens maritime security by building a coherent maritime situational picture and serving as a key information hub for the region.
SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region): India’s vision for the Indian Ocean, aligning with the ‘Act East’ policy to enhance capacities for safeguarding land and maritime territories.
Neighborhood First Policy to focus on prioritizing diplomatic, economic, and security ties ensuring a stable and cooperative regional environment.
Lines of Credit to Neighboring Countries including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, to support infrastructure development, energy projects, and other economic activities.
BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation): India’s active participation in BIMSTEC to strengthen economic and technical cooperation.
SAARC Satellite: Provide satellite-based services to SAARC member countries, including communication, weather forecasting, and disaster management.
Vaccine Maitri initiative: India supplied COVID-19 vaccines to neighbouring countries, reinforcing its role as a responsible and caring neighbour during the global pandemic.
Transport Corridors:
- India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway aimed at enhancing connectivity between India and Southeast Asia, promoting trade and cultural exchange.
- Bharatmala Pariyojana for cross-border Infrastructure with neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh through the construction of highways and border roads
- Maitri Setu: Friendship Bridge connecting India and Bangladesh intended to boost connectivity and trade between the two countries, enhancing people-to-people ties.
- Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project aimed at providing an alternative trade route to the northeastern states of India through Myanmar, improving connectivity and economic integration.
- BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement involving Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal to facilitate seamless movement of passenger and cargo vehicles across borders, promoting regional integration.
- Chabahar Port development in Iran as a strategic gateway for trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.

Way Forward for India’s Diplomatic Challenges

Pragmatic Diplomacy: Adopt a pragmatic approach that prioritizes India’s strategic interests while promoting democratic values and human rights in the region.
Balanced Engagement: Maintain relations with all political entities in neighbouring countries, avoiding over-reliance on any single regime.
Regional Cooperation: Strengthen regional mechanisms like SAARC and BIMSTEC to foster greater cooperation and reduce the influence of external powers.
Economic and Developmental Support: Continue providing economic aid and development assistance to stabilize economies in the region and counterbalance the influence of other powers, particularly China.
Security Cooperation: Enhance security ties with neighboring countries to address common challenges such as terrorism, border security, and maritime security.
People-to-People Ties: Focus on cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchanges to build long-term goodwill and mutual understanding.

{GS2 – MoJS – Initiatives} Flood Watch India 2.0

Context (PIB): The Ministry of Jal Shakti has launched Version 2.0 of the ‘FloodWatch India’..

FloodWatch India, developed by the Central Water Commission (CWC), is a mobile application which aims to deliver real-time updates on flood conditions from 592 monitoring stations across country.
It provides additional information regarding the storage positions of 150 major reservoirs in the country to help in better understanding of the possible flood situation in their downstream areas.
It utilizes advanced technologies such as satellite data analysis, mathematical modelling and real-time monitoring to deliver accurate and timely flood forecasts up to 7 days in advance.
The app is available in English and Hindi in readable and audio broadcast formats.
The app can be downloaded free of charge from Android and iOS app stores.

Central Water Commission

It is India’s apex body dealing with surface water resources established in 1945.
It is a technical organization, headquartered in New Delhi, under the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.
It is responsible for initiating and coordinating schemes to conserve and manage water resources and assists with flood management, irrigation activities, drinking water supply, and hydroelectricity generation, in consultation with the concerned State Governments..

{GS3 – Envi – CC Impacts} Impact of Climate Change on Earth’s Rotation

Context (TH): A recent study shows that climate change is affecting the Earth’s rotation.

Melting polar ice shifts water toward the equator, causing the Earth to bulge and its rotation to slow due to the law of conservation of angular momentum.
In the last 20 years, this redistribution has slowed Earth’s rotation by 1.3 milliseconds per century, with projections suggesting up to 2.6 milliseconds more if high emissions continue.
This slowdown affects precise timekeeping systems, such as atomic clocks, which are crucial for GPS, stock trading, and space travel.
Lunar tidal friction also contributes to the Earth’s rotational slowdown by about 2 milliseconds per century, amplifying the effects of climate change.
Since the 1970s, 27 leap seconds have been added to account for Earth’s slowing rotation. Scientists planned a negative leap second to address this, but accelerating ice melt might delay this.
Additionally, melting ice drives slight shifts in the Earth’s rotation axis, causing minor changes in where this axis intersects the Earth’s crust over time.

Conservation of angular momentum is a physical property of spinning systems that states that the spin of a system will remain constant unless an external torque is applied to it.

Negative Leap Second

It is a proposed adjustment to Coordinated Universal Time where one second would be subtracted to address Earth’s increasing rotational speed, which shortens days over time.
Current Status: This adjustment is planned for 2026 but has never been tested, creating unprecedented potential problems.
Challenges: While systems can handle additional seconds, subtracting a second poses new difficulties, especially for computers and networks.

{GS3 – IE – Securities} Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

Context (TH | TH): The integrity of SEBI is under scrutiny following allegations by New York-based Hindenburg Research of a conflict of interest involving the SEBI Chairperson, potentially compromising the ongoing investigation into the Adani Group.

Allegations claim that the SEBI Chairperson had hidden stakes in offshore funds in Bermuda and Mauritius, which were reportedly used for stock manipulation by Adani Group.
Her husband’s role at an Alternative Investment Management company is also scrutinized for potential benefits from SEBI’s regulatory changes favouring REITs.
With the Indian stock market now a $5.3 trillion powerhouse, concerns about regulatory impartiality and market integrity are heightened.

Offshore funds are investment funds managed outside an investor’s country of residence, often used for tax benefits, regulatory advantages, and diversification.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are companies that own, operate, or finance income-generating real estate and allow investors to buy shares and earn a portion of the income from the properties.

About Securities and Exchange Board of India

Established in April 1988 as a non-statutory body, SEBI became statutory on April 12, 1992, under the SEBI Act, 1992.
It acts as the principal regulator of the securities market, and watchdog of the Indian capital market functioning under the Ministry of Finance.
Its headquarters is in Mumbai, with regional offices in Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai, and Delhi.
The Board of Directors has 9 members including chairperson nominated by the Government of India, 2 members from the Union Ministry of Finance, 1 member from the Reserve Bank of India and 5 other members appointed by the Government, including at least 3 full-time Members.

Key Focus Areas

Issuers: Facilitates capital raising.
Investors: Ensures safety and reliable information.
Intermediaries: Promotes a competitive market environment

Powers and Functions

Market Regulation: Sets capital-raising rules, and ensures compliance through inspections and investigations.
Market Development: Expand the market with electronic trading and demat systems.
Investor Protection: Educates investors, provides compensation, and combats fraudulent practices.
Regulatory Actions: Drafts regulations, conducts inquiries and imposes penalties.
Operational Powers: Manages money pooling schemes, conducts searches, and oversees mutual and venture capital funds.

Initiatives for Effective Functioning

Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF): Promotes investor awareness and protection.
SCORES Portal: A web-based system for lodging and tracking complaints.
Investor Education and Financial Literacy: Initiatives like awareness campaigns and counseling centers.

Challenges Faced by SEBI

Balancing market conduct regulation with prudential oversight is increasingly challenging.
SEBI’s broad enforcement power can severely impact the economy, placing the burden on parties to disprove allegations.
Limited market consultation and lack of regulation reviews create widespread fear of SEBI.
Insider trading is a major issue and disclosure regulations often lack quality and substance.
SEBI’s expansive statutory powers grant significant discretion in subordinate legislation.
SEBI’s smaller staff, compared to its global counterparts, affects its market oversight effectiveness.

Recommendations for Improvement

Strengthen regulatory approach by drawing lessons from responses to scandals like Wirecard’s misappropriation (E.g., Germany’s BaFin reformed its financial regulations and oversight mechanisms).
Increase staff and attract top talent, similar to the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Create a unified financial regulator to tackle overlaps, mirroring the UK’s FCA model.
Shift focus to prudential oversight with enhanced intelligence, as seen in the US post-2008 crisis.
Regularly review policies and act promptly on allegations, following the example of global regulators like the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).

{Prelims – Awards} Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste

Context (PIB): President Draupadi Murmu was conferred with Grand Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste.

The award is in recognition of her achievements in public service and dedication to education, social welfare and empowerment of women.
In the first-ever visit by an Indian Head of State to this country, she assured that India will continue to be a force for global peace and shared prosperity, keeping with its ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

Source: World Atlas
Timor Leste or East Timor is an island country in the eastern Lesser Sunda Islands, at the southern extreme of the Malay Archipelago.
It is bounded by the Timor Sea to the southeast, the Wetar Strait to the north, the Ombai Strait to the northwest, western Timor of Indonesia to the southwest and Austalia to the south.
It is the only Asian Nation to be completely located in the Southern Hemisphere.

{Prelims – In News} HarGharTiranga Campaign

Context (PIB): Prime Minister Narendra Modi expresses pride over HarGharTiranga campaign in Surat.

#HarGharTiranga campaign is an initiative of Ministry of Culture in collaboration with MyGov to spread awareness about the revered National Flag of India, Tiranga.
It aims to transform our relationship with the flag from a formal and distant one to a more personal and heartfelt connection.

{Prelims – S&T – Defence} GAURAV Bomb

Context (PIB): Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has carried out successful maiden flight test of 1,000 kg class Long-Range Glide Bomb, GAURAV from Su-30 MK-I platform of the Indian Air Force (IAF) off the coast of Odisha.

After being launched, the glide bomb steer towards the target using highly accurate hybrid navigation scheme with a combination of INS and GPS data.
It has been designed and developed indigenously by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad.