Current Affairs – October 19, 2024

{GS1 – Geo – PG – Climatology} Atlantic Ocean Hurricane Forecast

• Context (TH): Atlantic Ocean Hurricane Forecast was in the news due to intensified cyclonic activity.

Key Factors Influencing Hurricane Forecasts

• Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs): Warmer ocean waters provide the energy hurricanes need to form and intensify. Monitoring SSTs helps predict hurricane activity.
• El Niño and La Niña: These climate phenomena significantly influence hurricane seasons. El Niño generally suppresses hurricane formation, while La Niña enhances it.
• Wind Shear: Changes in wind patterns at different altitudes affect hurricane formation and intensity. Lower wind shear tends to favour stronger hurricanes.

India’s Climate Stressors

• India faces both chronic and acute climate stressors. Chronic stressors include rising sea levels, warming oceans, and extreme rainfall, while acute stressors like cyclones exacerbate these issues.
• The interaction between chronic and acute stressors is dangerous. Rising sea levels worsen the impact of storm surges, and heat waves combined with drought can threaten water and food security.
• Coastal flooding, caused by cyclones and heavy monsoon rains, has become an annual occurrence in places like Tamil Nadu, driven by warming waters in the Bay of Bengal.

{GS2 – IR – Issues} Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Issue **

• Context (IE|TOI): Afghan troops opened fire on Pakistani forces repairing a border fence, prompting Pakistani retaliation that led to Afghan casualties, highlighting tensions along the Durand Line.

Historical Context

• Durand Line drawn in 1893 by Sir Mortimer Durand, marked the boundary between British India and Afghanistan to limit Russian influence.
• Length and Geography: The 2,670 km border cuts through mountainous terrain.
• Pashtun Division: The line split Pashtun communities, with many on the Pakistani side, causing ongoing tribal and cross-border tensions.
• Afghan Non-recognition: Afghanistan has never accepted the Durand Line as a legitimate border, fueling disputes with Pakistan over territorial claims.

Emerging Issues along Pakistan’s Western Frontier

• Pashtun Grievances: Marginalization, resource exploitation, and forced disappearances fuel Pashtun resentment and demands for justice.
• Autonomy Movements like the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) demand greater autonomy, local resource control, and open borders with Afghanistan for cross-border unity.
• Taliban – TTP Nexus: The Taliban’s return has strengthened Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), escalating militancy along the border and destabilising Pakistan.
• Balochistan Unrest: Separatist violence and opposition to CPEC projects in Balochistan threaten Pakistan’s stability and economic interests.

Impact of Pak-Afghan border issue on India

• Instability in Pakistan’s western regions due to Pashtun unrest and TTP activities could lead to increased terrorist infiltration along the Radcliffe Line. E.g. 2008 Mumbai attacks.
• Strengthening of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its ties to Afghanistan-based groups may expand terror networks targeting India, raising significant security concerns, particularly in Kashmir.
• Border Management Challenges: Escalating conflicts could trigger a mass influx of Pashtun refugees into India, placing pressure on border management. E.g. Afghan refugee crisis of the 1980s.
• Narcotics trafficking: With Afghanistan producing 85% of the world’s opium, increased trafficking could exacerbate drug abuse problems in India’s Border states.
• Diplomatic Dilemma: India must balance its engagement with Taliban-led Afghanistan while countering Pakistan’s influence, potentially diminishing its traditional leverage in the region.
• Regional Instability due to Unrest in Pakistan’s western regions might embolden separatist sentiments in Kashmir and Punjab, necessitating enhanced internal security measures.
• Rise of Pashtun nationalism could challenge Pakistan’s territorial integrity, reducing its capacity to assert control in Kashmir, a long-standing conflict area.
• Weaken Chinese investments due to continued unrest in Balochistan and Pashtun areas, particularly in CPEC, offer India strategic leverage amid shifting regional dynamics.

Way Forward for India

• Strengthen Chabahar Port and Regional Trade Routes by collaborating with Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia to establish trade routes bypassing Pakistan, reducing reliance on CPEC.
• Engage with Baloch Leadership: Diplomatic support for resolving Baloch unrest could undermine CPEC, weaken China-Pakistan cooperation, and enhance India’s strategic leverage.
• Enhance Border Security: Strengthen vigilance along the India-Pakistan border to prevent terrorism spillover from the Pakistan-Afghanistan region, particularly from TTP and Taliban activities.
• Promote Regional Stability: Collaborate with regional partners like Iran and Central Asia to stabilise Afghanistan and Pakistan’s western borders, reducing threats of terrorism and separatism in Kashmir.
• Combat Drug Trafficking: Strengthen anti-narcotics cooperation to curb drug smuggling through the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, particularly affecting Indian states like Punjab and J&K.
• Leverage Multilateral Forums: Use platforms like BRICS and SCO to advocate for alternatives to China’s BRI and address regional security, countering CPEC’s influence.
• Invest in Central Asia: Expand trade, energy ties, and projects like the TAPI pipeline to strengthen India’s connectivity and reduce dependency on CPEC-based routes.

Read more > India-Pak relation, Diplomatic Challenges in India’s Neighbourhood.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Health} Front label food packaging

• Context (TH): WHO released draft “guiding principles” on front-of-label food packaging.

• It recommends governments implement “interpretive” labels that include nutritional information and some explanation of what that means about the healthiness of a product. Currently, only 43 WHO member states have any kind of front-of-package labelling, either mandatory or voluntary.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Health} Smart Insulin with ‘On-Off’ Switch: NNC2215

• Context (IE): A Danish pharmaceutical company has synthesised an insulin molecule (NNC2215) with an “on-and-off switch” that automatically responds to sugar levels in the blood.

• The NNC2215 molecule consists of two major parts in its structure: a ring-shaped structure called a macrocycle and a modified glucose molecule called glucoside.

Credits: Nature

• When the blood sugar levels increase, the sugar molecules in the blood displace the glucoside and change the shape of the synthetic insulin molecule. This makes the “switch” turn on, thereby helping in the release of insulin.

Read in detail about Diabetes.

{GS3 – Agri – Crops} PR-126 Rice Variety

• Context (IE): PR-126 paddy variety is at the centre of controversy for its low milling out-turn. It was introduced by the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in 2016.

Benefits of PR-126

• Shorter growth period: Matures in 123-125 days, compared to the Pusa-44 variety’s 155-160 days. Shorter growth period saves on irrigation and energy costs and preserves groundwater.
• Stubble management: Provides farmers with enough time to prepare for the next crop without resorting to stubble burning.
• Bacterial blight resistance: Resistant to seven different bacterial blight pathogens.
• Water efficient: PR-126 uses 4,000 litres of water for one kilogram of Rice compared to PUSA 44’s 5,000 to 6,000 litres for the same yield.

Concerns

• Lower yield: PR-126 yields 4-5 quintals less per acre than Pusa-44 paddy variety.

{GS3 – Envi – CC} Marine Heat Waves (MHW)

• Context (IE): MHWs deep in oceans may be “under-reported” & caused by ocean currents.

What are Marine Heat Waves (MHW)?

• Marine Heat Waves are periods when seawater temperatures exceed a seasonally varying threshold (usually the 90^th percentile) for at least five consecutive days.
• These events can occur in any season and are measured based on deviations from expected sea temperatures for a specific location and time of year.
• Ocean currents can be drivers of MHWs, which can accumulate warm water in specific areas.

Role of Eddy Currents

• In the deep ocean, temperature changes are influenced by eddy currents, not atmospheric factors.
• Eddy currents are large loops of swirling water that can sometimes span hundreds of kilometres and reach depths over 1,000 meters.
• These currents transport warm or cold water across vast distances, affecting deep-ocean temperatures.

Impact on Marine Life

• Extreme temperature changes in the twilight zone threaten marine species, including fish and plankton.
• Plankton form the oceanic food chain base and are crucial for small fish and other marine life.
• MHWs can lead to low oxygen levels and reduced nutrients in water, further endangering marine life.

{GS3 – Envi – Degradation} Global Coral Reef Bleaching Crisis

• Context (TH): According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coral reefs worldwide have experienced the most widespread mass bleaching event ever recorded.

• A staggering 77% of the world’s coral reefs, spanning the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, have suffered from bleaching-level heat stress due to record ocean temperatures driven by climate change.
• This event has broken the previous mass bleaching record from 2014-2017, which impacted 66% of the world’s reef area by more than 11%.

Causes of Coral Bleaching

• Climate Change and Rising Ocean Temperatures: Climate change, which has led to unprecedented ocean temperatures, is the primary driver of this bleaching event.
• El Niño Impact: The event has been exacerbated by the natural climate pattern El Niño, which ended in May 2024 but temporarily raised ocean temperatures, worsening the bleaching.
• Ocean Acidification: As the atmosphere increases in carbon dioxide, the oceans absorb more CO2, leading to heightened acidity in seawater. This elevated acidity weakens corals’ ability to form their essential calcareous skeletons, threatening their survival.
• Solar and Ultraviolet Radiation: Shifts in tropical weather patterns, resulting in reduced cloud cover, expose corals to higher levels of solar and ultraviolet radiation. This increased radiation contributes to coral bleaching and further stresses these fragile ecosystems.
• Human-Induced Threats: Human activities, including overfishing, pollution from agricultural and industrial runoff, coral mining, and industrial development near coral ecosystems, pose significant threats to coral health and contribute to their decline.

Read More > Coral Bleaching.

Ongoing Risks

• Global Impact: Coral reefs in 74 countries and territories, including Palau, Guam, Israel, the Caribbean, and the South China Sea, have been affected.
• Uncertain Recovery: Although bleached corals are not immediately dead, recovery depends on significantly cooling ocean temperatures, which may not happen even with the possible onset of La Niña.
• Potential for Chronic Bleaching: Rising global temperatures may create a “chronic global bleaching” scenario, where bleaching events occur consistently due to warm ocean waters.

Ecological and Economic Consequences

• Ecosystem Disruption: Coral reefs are vital to ocean health, supporting marine biodiversity, fisheries, and coastal protection. Bleaching threatens the functionality and resilience of these ecosystems.
• Economic Impact: Coral reefs contribute an estimated $2.7 trillion annually to the global economy through goods and services like tourism, fisheries, and coastal defence. Their loss could have severe economic ramifications, particularly for coastal communities reliant on reef ecosystems.

{GS3 – Envi – RE} World Energy Outlook Report 2024

• Context (HT): The International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook Report 2024 provides an in-depth look at global energy trends. It focuses on the shift towards clean energy, increasing energy needs, and how global conflicts affect the energy landscape.

• It also highlights India’s rising energy demand, its heavy use of coal, and its plans to reach net-zero emissions by 2070.

Highlights of the 2024 Report

• By 2030, low-emissions energy sources are set to generate more than half of the world’s electricity.
• A surplus of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) is expected in the second half of the 2020s.
• There is a significant increase in manufacturing capacity for key clean energy technologies.
• Global electricity demand growth is projected to accelerate, adding the equivalent of Japan’s annual electricity consumption to global use each year.

Highlights Related to India

• India is poised to face a higher increase in energy demand than any other country over the next decade, mainly due to its size and the scale of rising demand from all sectors.
• Total energy demand in India is set to increase by nearly 35% by 2035, with electricity generation capacity nearly tripling to 1400 GW.
• According to the Stated Policies Scenario (STEPS), India is on track to add over 12,000 cars daily to its roads by 2035. By 2035, iron and steel production is on track to grow by 70%, and cement output is set to rise by nearly 55%.
• The stock of air conditioners is projected to grow by over 4.5 times, resulting in electricity demand from air conditioners in 2035 exceeding Mexico’s total expected consumption that year.
• Coal is set to retain a strong position in India’s energy mix over the next decades, with the country projected to add about 60 gigawatts of new coal-fired power capacity by 2030. Coal-based electricity generation is projected to increase by over 15%.
• Coal provided 40% of the energy used in industries like steel, cement, and manufacturing in 2023. By 2035, coal use in industry is expected to grow by 50%.

{GS3 – IE – Banking} UPI Boom and Cyber Threats

• Context (IE|TOI): UPI has transformed digital payments in India, with transaction volumes soaring from 0.4 billion in 2017 to over 15 billion by September 2024. However, this growth heightens cyber security risks due to market concentration among a few dominant players.

Benefits of UPI Boom

• Enhanced Financial Inclusion: Over 300 million retail users and 50 million merchants have adopted UPI, enabling rural and unbanked populations to access digital payments.
• Seamless Transactions: UPI processed 15 billion transactions in September 2024, up from 0.4 billion in 2017, enabling instant peer-to-peer and business payments.
• Cost-Effectiveness: UPI transactions are largely free, reducing cash reliance and Point of sale costs, with transaction value reaching ₹139 lakh crore in 2022.
• Boost to Digital Payments Ecosystem: UPI now accounts for 75% of retail digital payments in India.
• Transparency and Security via two-factor authentication and digital trails reduce fraud and corruption.
• Economic Growth: UPI adds ₹12,000 crore annually to India’s GDP by improving transaction speed and financial inclusion.
• Government Initiatives: UPI facilitates Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), reaching 44 crore beneficiaries efficiently. Schemes like PM-KISAN use UPI to deliver financial support directly.
• Support for E-Commerce: By 2023, UPI handled 60% of online payments in e-commerce, boosting consumer confidence. Due to UPI’s ease of use, e-commerce sales increased by 30% during festive seasons.
• Adaptability and Flexibility: UPI supports peer-to-peer, bill payments, and merchant transactions. It integrates seamlessly with platforms like Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) and FASTag.

Cyber Threats Related to UPI Boom

• Market Concentration increases the risk of cyber attacks or service disruptions affecting a large portion of UPI users as UPI is dominated by PhonePe and Google Pay, controlling 85% of the market.
• Single Points of Failure: High reliance on two major TPAPs raises concerns about system vulnerabilities. A breach or outage could disrupt the entire UPI network, impacting millions of users.
• Data Privacy Concerns: UPI involves vast amounts of personal and financial data. Unauthorised access or data breaches can lead to identity theft, fraud, and misuse of sensitive information.
• Rising Phishing and Fraud in UPI transactions, where users are tricked into revealing PINs or OTPs. In 2023, over 95,000 cases of UPI fraud were reported, highlighting the increasing threat of cybercrime.
• Weakness in smaller UPI providers, with less robust cyber security, makes them vulnerable to attacks, potentially affecting users and undermining trust in the UPI ecosystem.

Impact of Cyber Threats

• Consumer Trust Erosion: Repeated cyber incidents can significantly diminish public confidence in UPI; a survey found that 67% of users would reconsider using it after a breach.
• Financial Losses of around ₹1,000 crore in 2023, affecting users and small businesses.
• Regulatory Backlash: The Reserve Bank of India has indicated that rising fraud cases could lead to more stringent compliance, potentially stifling UPI innovation.
• Operational Disruptions: Cyber attacks on TPAPs can cause significant service outages; a major incident in 2022 disrupted over 10 million transactions in one day.
• Increased Compliance Costs: Rising cyber security threats may force UPI providers to allocate up to 30% of their budgets to security measures, diverting funds from innovation and expansion.

Regulatory Challenges in Curbing Cyber Threats from UPI

• Lack of Enforcement: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has struggled to enforce market share caps for Third-Party App Providers (TPAPs).
• Delayed Policy Implementation: Extensions on regulatory deadlines, such as the proposed 30% market cap for TPAPs, have persisted since 2021.
• Insufficient Cyber security Standards: A 2023 study found that only 40% of TPAPs complied with essential security protocols, heightening vulnerability to cyber attacks.
• A fragmented regulatory landscape among financial authorities leads to inconsistent compliance requirements, complicating adherence and oversight, which impacts overall UPI security.
• Limited Consumer Protection: In 2023, nearly 15% of UPI users reported fraud incidents, highlighting significant gaps in consumer safeguards.

Way Forward for Cyber security in UPI

• Strengthening Cyber security Frameworks: TPAPs must enhance security protocols with end-to-end encryption and multi-factor authentication, which can reduce account compromise by up to 99.9%.
• Raising awareness about safe online practices, such as recognising phishing attempts and creating strong passwords, can lower fraud risk. Informed users are 30% less likely to fall victim to cyber fraud.
• Regulatory Oversight: Implementing stricter regulations and regular audits for TPAP compliance can enhance security, as seen in Singapore, where strict checks led to a 40% reduction in cyber incidents.
• Incident Reporting Mechanisms: Establishing clear channels for reporting cyber incidents can speed up response times. E.g. UK has reduced threat identification and resolution times by 50%.
• Collaboration among Stakeholders like TPAPs, regulatory bodies, and cyber security firms can enhance security. E.g., a 60% increase in threat detection capabilities in U.S. fintech collaborations.
• Investment in Cybersecurity Technologies: Allocating more resources to advanced security technologies can save businesses up to ₹500 crore annually by preventing fraud and mitigating attack impacts.

Read more > Digital Public Infrastructure, Cyber Crimes.

{GS3 – S&T – Space} Moonlight Programme

• Context (IE): The European Space Agency (ESA) launched its Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS) programme.

• The programme will have a constellation of about five lunar satellites, allowing accurate autonomous landings, high-speed communication, and surface mobility.
• Its initial services will begin by the end of 2028, and is expected to be fully operational by 2030.
• Objective: Offer coverage at the Moon’s South Pole, a key area for many missions owing to lighting conditions and the potential presence of water ice within craters that perpetually remain in the shadows
• As part of the Moonlight program, ESA working with NASA and Japanese space agency JAXA on LunaNet (framework for lunar communication and navigation standards) to ensure compatibility with upcoming lunar infrastructures and technologies.

Also, read the Chandrayaan Programme, Chang’e-6 Mission.

{Prelims – Festivals} Kumbh Mela *

• Context (DTE): Prayagraj is all set to witness the Mahakumbh mela. Kumbh Mela is the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on Earth, during which participants bathe or take a dip in a sacred river.
• It is celebrated in a cycle of approximately 12 years, based on the Hindu Lunisolar calendar. The dates and venue for Kumbh Mela are determined by the positions of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter:
  1. Prayagraj: Located at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Sarasvati rivers
  2. Haridwar: Located on the Ganges River
  3. Ujjain: Located on the Shipra River
  4. Nashik: Located on the Godavari River
• Types of Kumbh Mela:
  1. Normal Kumbh Mela: Takes place every three years.
  2. Ardha (half) Kumbh Mela: Takes place every six years in Haridwar and Allahabad.
  3. Purna (full) Kumbh Mela: Takes place every 12 years in all four cities.
  4. Maha Kumbh Mela: Takes place in Prayagraj every 144 years or after 12 Purna Kumbh Mela.
  5. Magh Kumbh Mela (Mini Kumbh Mela): Held annually and only at Prayagraj. Organised in the month of Magh according to the Hindu Calendar.
• In 2017, UNESCO added the festival to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

{Prelims – In News} Pilot projects in the Steel Sector under NGHM

• Context (PIB): The Union Government has sanctioned three pilot projects under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) to explore the use of green hydrogen in steelmaking.

• Implemented by: Ministry of Steel.
• Components of the Pilot Projects
  • Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) Production Using 100% Hydrogen in a vertical shaft.
  • Hydrogen use in Blast Furnace to reduce coal and coke consumption.
  • Hydrogen Injection in DRI Making.

{Prelims – S&T – Defence} Indian Navy’s Very Low Frequency (VLF) Radar Station

• Context (NIE): Indian Navy’s second Very Low-Frequency (VLF) radar station was inaugurated.

Location

• Location: Damagudem Forest, Vikarabad, Telangana. It is located at an altitude of 250 feet and the absence of nearby mountains allows for nearly 300 km of unobstructed signal transmission.
• It ensures efficient communication with units in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Bay of Bengal.
• The location had to be free of high-tension electrical wires within a certain radius to prevent interference with radar operations.

Very Low Frequency (VLF) radar station

• It is a specialised communication facility that operates within the VLF radio frequency band, which ranges from 3 to 30 kHz.
• Communication with Submarines: VLF waves can penetrate seawater to depths of over 30 meters, making them ideal for communicating with submerged submarines.
• Long-Distance Communication: VLF signals can travel long distances and penetrate various terrains and obstacles, providing reliable communication.