Current Affairs for UPSC Civil Services Exam

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – Women} Gender Inequality Index, 2022

Context (ANI): The Gender Inequality Index (GII) for the year 2022 has been released within the Human Development Report 2022.
India made significant progress, leaping 14 ranks in the Gender Inequality Index 2022. It now stands at 108^th place out of 193 countries, with a GII value of 0.437.

What is the GII?

Published by: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
India’s Rank: 108 (2022) out of 193 countries (Earlier 122 with a score of 0.490(2021)).
Top ranking country: Denmark
The Gender Inequality Index (GII) is a composite metric that measures gender inequality across 3 dimensions:
- Reproductive Health: The GII considers maternal mortality rates and adolescent fertility rates.
  - Higher maternal mortality rates and early pregnancies contribute to a higher GII value, indicating greater gender inequality in reproductive health.
- Empowerment: It evaluates women’s participation in political decision-making and their educational attainment.
  - It includes indicators such as the percentage of parliamentary seats held by women and the proportion of women with at least secondary education.
- Labour Market: The GII examines labour force participation rates for both men and women.
  - Disparities in employment opportunities, wage gaps, and the share of women in professional and technical roles impact this dimension.
It reflects the loss in potential human development due to gender-based inequality.
Interpretation: Each dimension is assigned a value between 0 and 1, where 0 represents perfect gender equality, and 1 signifies maximum inequality.
Calculation: The GII combines the 3-dimension scores using a geometric mean.

Comparison with neighbouring countries: Bangladesh fares better, standing at 59th place on the index.
- Bhutan (103), China (107), Sri Lanka (115), Nepal (116).
- Pakistan ranks 142nd on the GII, indicating higher gender inequality.
Impressions:
- Maternal mortality ratio (deaths per 100,000 live births) – 103 (remains the same from 2020).
- Adolescent birth rate (births per 1,000 women ages 15–19) – 16.3 (17.23 (2021))
- Share of seats in parliament (% held by women) – 14.6 (13.4 (2021))
- Population with at least some secondary education (% ages 25 and older)- Female-41.0(40.51 (2021)) Male- 58.66(58.71(2021))
- Labour force participation rate (% ages 15 and older)- Female- 28.3(27.04(2021)), Male- 76.1(75.1(2021))
The GII serves as a vital tool for policymakers and organizations to track progress and identify areas where interventions are needed to achieve gender equity.
Long-Term Improvement: Over the years, India’s GII rank has consistently improved, reflecting the nation’s commitment to advancing gender equality. (From 127 in 2014 to 108^th rank).

{GS3 – Envi – CC Impact} Missing Spring in India

Context (TH): Indian states have been experiencing a gradual withdrawal from spring.

Spring, characterized by weather between the winter of January and the scorching summers of April, is showing signs of disappearing.
The analysis of meteorological records spanning 50 years reveals that every region in India has witnessed a net warming during winter.
This warming trend during the winter months is impacting traditional seasons and potentially leading to the disappearance of spring.
Human-caused climate change is a significant factor behind the dramatic warmer temperatures observed in February.
Global mean temperatures have risen by more than 1.3 degrees Celsius since 1850, setting a new record in 2023.
This warming trend affects the timing and characteristics of seasons, including spring.

What are the effects of missing spring?

Ecological Disruptions: The missing spring disrupts the natural cycles of plants, animals, and insects.
- Flowering Plants: Many flowering plants rely on spring for pollination and seed production. The absence of spring affects their reproductive success.
- Bird Migration: Spring is when migratory birds return to their breeding grounds. The missing spring can impact their arrival timing and availability of food.
- Insects and Pollinators: Insects, including bees and butterflies, depend on spring for their life cycles. Delayed or absent spring affects their survival.
Agricultural Challenges:
- Crop Timing: Spring is crucial for planting crops. Delayed spring affects sowing schedules, leading to yield losses.
- Pests and Diseases: Spring warmth helps control pests and diseases. Without it, farmers face increased challenges in pest management.
Human Health Implications:
- Allergies: Spring is associated with pollen release. Missing spring may alter pollen patterns, affecting allergy sufferers.
Cultural and Social Impact:
- Festivals and Traditions: Spring festivals celebrate renewal, growth, and new beginnings. Their absence affects cultural practices.

How does this affect global climate change?

Feedback Loops: The disruption of spring affects natural feedback loops. For example:
- Snow and Ice Albedo: Delayed spring leads to prolonged snow cover. Reduced albedo (reflectivity) due to snow and ice amplifies warming by absorbing more sunlight.
- Vegetation Changes: Altered spring timing affects vegetation growth and carbon sequestration. Delayed greening can impact the global carbon cycle.
Regional Climate Patterns:
- Indian Monsoon: Spring influences the onset of the Indian monsoon. Changes in spring dynamics can alter monsoon patterns, affecting agriculture and water availability.
- Temperature Extremes: The absence of spring contributes to more extreme temperature shifts, impacting weather events globally.
Ocean Circulation and Heat Transport:
- Thermohaline Circulation: Spring affects ocean currents. Disrupted spring patterns may impact the thermohaline circulation, which plays a crucial role in heat transport worldwide.
Shifts in Phenology and Biodiversity:
- Mismatched Timing: Spring cues various biological events (flowering, migration, breeding). Disruptions can lead to mismatches (e.g., flowers blooming before pollinators arrive).
- Species Vulnerability: Some species may struggle to adapt to altered spring conditions, affecting biodiversity.
Permafrost Thaw and Methane Release:
- Warmer Winters: Prolonged winter warmth accelerates permafrost thaw. Thawed permafrost releases stored methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

{GS3 – S&T – BioTech} Genetic Modification of Fruit Fly

Context (TH): Scientists have genetically modified a sexually reproducing fruit-fly species, Drosophila melanogaster, to reproduce asexually.

Parthenogenesis was induced in the fruit fly species Drosophila melanogaster.
The researchers identified genes responsible for parthenogenesis in another fruit fly species, Drosophila mercatorum, and modified the D. melanogaster genome to express these genes.
This genetic manipulation resulted in 1.4% of the fruit fly eggs being parthenogenetic, with offspring surviving to adulthood.
In regular fertilization, polar bodies, which are by-products of chromosome transmission, are discarded.
Altering protein levels of specific genes likely affected polar body disposal, allowing them to substitute for the missing male pronucleus and initiate embryonic development in unfertilized eggs.

Parthenogenesis refers to reproduction without fertilization by males, resulting in offspring from unfertilized eggs.
Some fruit fly species exhibit facultative parthenogenesis, where virgin females can produce offspring without mating under specific conditions.

Implications

The findings have implications for controlling insect pests by releasing sterilized males or males with edited genomes to disrupt progeny development.
This approach may inadvertently select facultatively parthenogenetic individuals, limiting its long-term effectiveness.

Asexual and Sexual Reproduction

Asexual reproduction involves offspring production from a single parent without gamete fusion, offering efficiency and energy conservation.
Sexual reproduction involves genetic recombination through gamete fusion, promoting genetic diversity and evolutionary flexibility.

Comparative Analysis

Sexual reproduction generates genetically diverse offspring, enhancing adaptability, while asexual reproduction offers efficiency but limits genetic diversity.
The prevalence of sexual reproduction in complex organisms suggests its evolutionary advantages outweigh the immediate benefits of asexual reproduction.

{Prelims – In News} Shillekyata Tribe

Context (TH): The Shillekyata fishers, a tribal community, are asserting their fishing rights in Kundapura taluk.

The Shillekyatha community migrated from Maharashtra to Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, particularly during the era of Shivaji.
Also addressed as the Killekyata community, they are nomadic in nature.
They commonly find shelter in various places such as temples, bus stands, railway stations, schools, college fields, and charity chathras.
Language: Marathi is spoken at home, but Kannada is used for interaction with other communities. The script used for writing is Kannada.
Artisanal Traditions: Known for their craftsmanship in leatherwork, including making dolls, puppets, and whistles.
- The tradition of leatherwork is traced back to ancient times and is found in various regions like China, Thailand, and Java.
Religion: Hinduism.
Food: Their diet consists of rice, chapati, roti, fish, chicken, mutton, and other items.
They prepare their remedies using Ayurvedic plants for various ailments, including snake and scorpion bites. They also provide medicines for animals.
Economic Activities: In addition to their nomadic lifestyle, they are involved in hunting and fishing activities, which supplement their livelihoods.
Traditional Occupation: The primary traditional occupation of the Killekyatas is “Togalubombeyata,” a form of puppetry and storytelling.

{Prelims – S&T – Defence} 25T Bollard Pull (BP) Tug ‘Baljeet’

Context (PIB): The 25T Bollard Pull (BP) Tug, Baljeet, was launched at M/s Shoft Shipyard Pvt Ltd in Gujarat.

These Tugs are being built under the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
The availability of these Tugs will provide impetus to the Indian Navy’s operational commitments by assisting naval ships and submarines during berthing, un-berthing, turning, and manoeuvring in confined waters.
The Tugs will be capable of conducting limited Search and Rescue Operations and providing afloat firefighting assistance to ships alongside and at anchorage.

The Bollard Pull of a tugboat is a critical parameter that determines its ability to perform essential functions such as towing and manoeuvring other ships or objects.

The contract for constructing and delivering three 25T BP Tugs was awarded to M/s Shoft Shipyard Pvt Ltd (M/s SSPL), an MSME, aligning with the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.

The first 25T Bollard Pull (BP) Tug, Mahabali, was delivered to the Indian Navy in February 2024.

Indian Register of Shipping

It is an internationally recognized, independent ship classification society.
It is a not-for-profit entity was founded in 1975.
It operates as a public limited company incorporated under the Indian Companies Act 1956 (now the Indian Companies Act 2013).
It is a member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), which represents classification societies worldwide.
IRClass provides ship classification and certification services, conducting technical inspections and environmental and quality standards encompassing structural integrity, safety equipment, and environmental protection measures.

{Prelims – S&T – Defence} Exercise Tiger Triumph

Context (PIB): A bilateral tri-service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), Exercise Tiger Triumph– 24 between India and the USA is scheduled for the Eastern Seaboard.

The exercise aims to enhance coordination and interoperability between the armed forces of both countries for conducting HADR operations.
By refining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), they intend to enable rapid and smooth coordination during disaster relief efforts.