Current Affairs – October 15, 2024

{GS1 – Geo – PG – Climatology} Poleward shift of atmospheric rivers

• Context (DTE): Atmospheric rivers are shifting poleward. Atmospheric instability of the jet stream allows them to curve poleward in different ways. Atmospheric rivers are commonly seen in the extratropics, a region between 30 and 50 degrees latitudes in both hemispheres.

Reason for poleward shift of atmospheric rivers

• Cooling in eastern tropical Pacific: During La Niña, cooler sea surface temperatures in the eastern tropical Pacific strengthen the Walker circulation in western Pacific, expanding tropical rainfall belt.
• This, along with altered atmospheric eddy patterns, creates high-pressure anomalies and wind patterns that steer atmospheric rivers farther poleward.

Impact of poleward shift of atmospheric rivers

• In the subtropics, it could lead to longer droughts and less water. Regions like California and southern Brazil, which rely on these rivers for rainfall, may face water shortages.
• In higher latitudes, it could lead to more extreme rainfall, flooding and landslides in places such as the US Pacific Northwest, Europe and even in polar regions.
• In the Arctic, it could speed up sea ice melting, adding to global warming.

{GS2 – Governance – Issues} Dark Patterns *

• Context (HT): Recently, a Bengaluru man slammed Swiggy’s Instamart for adding free tomatoes to his order and called it a ‘dark pattern’.

What is Dark Pattern?

• It is also known as deceptive patterns. Websites and apps use these strategies to manipulate users into performing unintended actions or discouraging user-friendly behaviour.
• Coined by UX designer Harry Brignull in 2010, these patterns exploit cognitive biases and use tactics like false urgency, forced actions, and hidden costs to steer user behaviour.
• Dark patterns range from overt tricks to subtle manipulations that are not immediately recognisable.

How Companies Use Dark Patterns?

• Social media platforms and Big Tech firms like Apple, Amazon, Skype, Facebook, LinkedIn, Microsoft, and Google often use dark patterns to their advantage.
• Amazon was criticised in the EU for its confusing, multi-step process for cancelling Amazon Prime subscriptions. In 2022, Amazon simplified this process for European customers.
• LinkedIn users frequently receive unsolicited, sponsored messages from influencers, and disabling this option involves a complex process.
• YouTube uses pop-ups urging users to sign up for YouTube Premium, often obscuring the final seconds of a video with other video thumbnails.

Global Efforts to Combat Dark Patterns

• In March 2021, California passed amendments to the California Consumer Privacy Act, prohibiting dark patterns that impede consumers from exercising their privacy rights.
• The UK issued guidelines in April 2019, later enforceable under the Data Protection Act of 2018, to prevent companies from manipulating underage users into low-privacy settings.

India’s Effort to Combat Dark Patterns

• The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution has established a 17-member task force to develop consumer protection guidelines to address the issue of Dark Patterns.
• The Ministry has also started classifying complaints received on the National Consumer Helpline to compile information on Dark Patterns, which the Central Consumer Protection Authority can use to initiate action under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

Read More> Guidelines to Curb Dark Patterns in India.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Health – Issues} Rare Diseases

• Context (IE|TH): In India, about 55 medical conditions fall under this category, yet only 5% have available therapies, making access to treatment challenging for most patients.

• Rare diseases, often debilitating and lifelong, affect fewer than 1 in 1,000, as per WHO’s definition.

Categories of Rare Diseases in India

• Group 1: Diseases curable through one-time procedures (e.g., organ transplants).
• Group 2: Diseases requiring long-term, relatively affordable treatment, with regular check-ups.
• Group 3: Diseases for which treatments are available but expensive, often requiring lifelong therapy.

Challenges in Treatment

• High Cost of Orphan Drugs: These drugs remain expensive due to patents and limited production. Small market size discourages pharmaceutical companies from producing them.
• Inadequate Access to Financial Support: Under the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD), financial assistance is capped at Rs 50 lakh, but patients often struggle to receive funds in a timely manner.
• Limited Availability of Treatments: Less than 10% of patients receive disease-specific care due to high costs and limited drug availability.
• Red Tape and Delays: Bureaucratic delays, such as approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), hinder the timely import of essential drugs.
• R&D Deficiency: The lack of sufficient research contributes to high treatment costs & limited production.

Government Initiatives

• National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD) 2021: Provides financial assistance up to Rs 50 lakh for treatment at Centres of Excellence (CoEs).
• Digital Crowdfunding Portal (2022): This is a platform for voluntary donations that allows donors to contribute directly to specific patients’ treatments.
• Customs Duty and GST Exemption: Patients’ import of rare disease medicines is duty-free, but companies bringing these drugs face 11% customs duty and 12% GST.

Way Forward

• Incentivize Local Drug Manufacturing: Encourage pharmaceutical companies to produce orphan drugs in India through tax breaks and subsidies.
• Patent Law Provisions: Use the Patents Act to allow third-party manufacturing of patented drugs to ensure affordability and accessibility. For example, India’s use of compulsory licensing for the cancer drug Nexavar in 2012 reduced costs by 97%, ensuring more accessible treatment.
• Streamline Approvals: Reduce delays in regulatory approvals from bodies like the DCGI for imported medicines to ensure timely patient care. E.g. South Korea’s fast-track approval system.
• Expand R&D: Increase investment in research and development for rare diseases to boost domestic production and lower costs. The EU’s Horizon 2020 program funds research for rare diseases
• Increase Financial Support: Expand financial assistance under NPRD and improve patient access to timely funding.

{GS3 – IE – Institutions} Role of Institutions in Economic progress **

• Context (IE|HT): The 2024 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences (also referred to as the Nobel Prize in Economics) was awarded to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James Robinson for their research on how inclusive political and economic institutions drive long-term growth, linking democracy to national prosperity.

Key Concepts

• Inclusive Institutions Drive Growth: Political and economic systems that are inclusive, democratic, and transparent promote long-term economic prosperity. E.g. Western democracies.
• Exploitative Institutions Hinder Development: Autocratic regimes and exploitative institutions lead to stagnation and underdevelopment. E.g. Autocratic regimes in parts of Africa.
• Colonial Legacy and Institutions: Colonies with permanent settlers developed inclusive institutions, while exploitative colonies faced weaker institutions. E.g. North America vs. parts of Africa and Asia.
• Role of Democracies: Free elections and accountability foster stronger institutions for sustainable growth. E.g. Democracies building institutions for long-term progress.
• Autocratic Economic Growth: Autocracies can achieve economic success but often face issues of inequality. E.g. China’s growth with persistent inequality.

Exceptions

• China’s Economic Growth: Despite being an autocratic state, China has created a strong economy, though inequality remains challenging.
• Singapore as an Outlier: Singapore’s success with non-democratic governance yet strong institutions challenge the general theory.
• Oligarchic Democracies: Some democratic countries face oligarchic tendencies that impede institutional development and growth. E.g. Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Indian Context

• Focus on Ease of Doing Business: India has implemented several reforms to improve the ease of doing business, creating a more transparent and investor-friendly institutional environment.
• Institutional Reforms: Infrastructure development, land reforms, and a stronger judicial system have bolstered India’s institutional framework to support economic growth.
• Democracy as a Growth Driver: India’s democratic setup, with regular elections and accountability, has fostered institution-building, helping sustain its position as one of the fastest-growing economies.
• Challenges of Inequality: Despite economic progress, India faces internal disparities and inequalities, highlighting the need for stronger institutions to address inclusivity.
• Impact of Colonial Legacy: India’s post-colonial experience shows both the benefits and limitations of inherited institutions, with the country trying to adapt and reform them for long-term growth.

About Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences

• It is officially the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. It is funded by Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden’s central bank), administered by the Nobel Foundation and awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
• It was established in 1968, and the first time it was awarded to Ragnar Frisch and Jan Tinbergen in 1969.

{GS3 – Infra – Initiatives} National Electricity Plan (Transmission) 2024

• Context (PIB): The National Electricity Plan (Transmission) was launched to support the transmission of 500 GW of renewable energy (RE) installed capacity by 2030 and over 600 GW by 2032.

• It will also develop 47 GW of Battery Energy Storage Systems and 31 GW of Pumped Storage Plants.

Inter-Regional and Cross-Border Connectivity

• Inter-Regional Capacity: The inter-regional transmission capacity is planned to increase to 143 GW by 2027 and further to 168 GW by 2032 from the current level of 119 GW.
• Coastal Location: Power delivery to the Green Hydrogen/Green Ammonia Manufacturing hubs at coastal locations like Mundra, Kandla, Gopalpur, Paradeep, Tuticorin, Vizag, Mangalore, etc.
• Cross-Border Interconnections: The plan includes interconnections with neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and potential connections with Saudi Arabia and UAE.

National Electricity Plan

• The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) must prepare a National Electricity Plan every five years per the Electricity Act 2003. The first National Electricity Plan was notified in 2007.
• It includes short-term (5-year) and prospective (15-year) plans to assess demand for capacity addition.
• It aims to coordinate the activities of various planning agencies for optimal resource utilisation.

{GS3 – S&T – AI} AI-Generated Synthetic Medical Images

• Context (TH): There has been an increase in AI-generated synthetic medical imaging. Synthetic images are like “this person does not exist” images, where the AI creates images of non-real people.

What are Synthetic medical images?

• Generated by: It is generated by AI or computer algorithms without being captured by traditional imaging devices such as MRI, CT scans, or X-rays.
• These images serve as alternatives to real medical images. It creates brand-new radiological images or medical scans that seem real but aren’t based on real patient data.

{GS3 – S&T – Tech} X-Band Radar

• Context (TH): The Ministry of Earth Sciences approved an X-band radar to be installed in Wayanad.

X-Band radar

• An X-band radar is a radar that emits radiation in the X-band of the electromagnetic spectrum: 8-12 GHz, corresponding to wavelengths of around 2-4 cm.
• Because they operate at a smaller wavelength, X-band radars are more sensitive and can detect smaller particles than other radar bands. It allows the radar to produce images of higher resolution.
• Applications: Weather monitoring, air traffic control, maritime vessel traffic control, defence tracking, vehicle speed detection for law enforcement, etc.

{Prelims – Awards} Ministry of Jal Shakti announces 5th National Water Awards

• Context (PIB): Winners of the 5th National Water Awards were announced by the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation in 09 categories.

• The 1st National Water Awards were launched in 2018.
• Best State: Odisha has been conferred the first prize, with Uttar Pradesh securing the second position and Gujarat and Puducherry jointly securing the third position.
• Best District across various zones:
  • Visakhapatnam from Andhra Pradesh in the South zone
  • Dhalai from Tripura in the North East zone
  • Banda from UP and Ganderbal from J&K are joint winners in the North region.
  • Indore from Madhya Pradesh won from the West zone, and Balangir in Odisha from the East.

• Best Village Panchayat: Pullampara in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram.
• Best Urban Local Body: Surat in Gujarat.

{Prelims – Envi – Species} Great White Pelicans

• Context (DTE): The Great White Pelicans were recently in the news.

Source: Birds of India | Bird World

• Also known as the eastern white pelican. It is found across southeastern Europe, Asia, and Africa.
• It is one of the largest flying birds, with a body length ranging from 140 to 180 cm. These pelicans prefer shallow lakes, swamps, and wetlands. They are often found in large flocks, especially during migration.
• Lifespan: They can live up to 51 years in the wild, making them a longer-lived bird species.
• Cooperative Feeding: These highly social pelicans often engage in cooperative fishing, where they work together to herd fish into shallow waters for easier capture.
• IUCN Status: Least Concern.

{Prelims – In News} ITU WTSA 2024 and India Mobile Congress 2024

• Context (AIR): PM will inaugurate the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)—World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024 in New Delhi. For the first time, ITU-WTSA will be hosted in India and the Asia-Pacific.

• WTSA is the four-year conference governing the ITU’s standardisation work. It is a platform to discuss and decide the future standards for next-generation critical technologies like 6G, AI, IoT, Big Data, etc.

About India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024

• The 8^th edition of the India Mobile Congress, with the theme “The Future is Now,” will also take place.
• IMC, Asia’s largest digital technology forum, showcases innovative solutions, services, and use cases for industry, government, academics, startups, and other technology and telecom ecosystem stakeholders.
• Organized by: Department of Telecommunications & Cellular Operator Association of India (COAI).

{Prelims – In News} New initiatives by ANRF

• Context (PIB): Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) launched two initiatives, PM Early Career Research Grant (PMECRG) and the Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas -Electric Vehicle (MAHA- EV) Mission.

Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant (PMECRG)

• It invites early career researchers to contribute to advancing India’s scientific excellence and innovation.
• It is a one-time grant and carries a maximum research grant of Rs. 60 Lakhs for a period of three years.
• A maximum of 700 grants would be awarded per year across all subject areas.

MAHA- EV Mission

• It is designed to build a robust R&D ecosystem for Electric Vehicle (EV) components, particularly Battery Cells, Power Electronics, Machines, and Drives (PEMD) and Charging Infrastructure.
• Objective: To promote research & development of Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption in India, fostering an ecosystem that enables self-reliance and global competitiveness.

{Prelims – S&T – Defence} THAAD

• Context (IE): USA to send THAAD (Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence) defence battery system to Israel. A THAAD battery comprises 95 soldiers, six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors (eight per launcher), radar surveillance and radar, and a tactical fire component.

• THAAD is a mobile surface-to-air interceptor designed to shoot down incoming ballistic missiles during the “terminal (final) phase” of their flight.

Credits: Vox

• Developed by: Lockheed Martin Corporation.

• It can target missiles both inside and outside the atmosphere (endoatmospheric and exoatmospheric).
• It defends against short, medium and intermediate-range ballistic missiles, making it highly adaptable to various types of missile threats.
• Range: 150 to 200 kilometers.
• Components:
  1. Interceptor: Destroys incoming missiles using impact force.
  2. Launch vehicle: Mobile trucks that carry and launch the interceptors.
  3. Radar: Tracks and detects threats from 870 to 3,000 km.
  4. Fire control system: Coordinates the launching and targeting of interceptors.
• It does not carry explosive warheads. Instead, it destroys targets using kinetic energy, meaning it hits incoming missiles with force rather than detonating a warhead.

Also, read > Israel’s multi-layered air defence system.