23 Apr 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

CNA 23 April 2023:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Hakki Pikki: caught in Sudan’s civil war
SOCIAL JUSTICE
1. Stray dog population control is dogged by bad science
C. GS 3 Related
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. ‘Optimistic’ space policy lays out plans to privatise sector
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
F. Prelims Facts
1. ISRO launches PSLV-C55 with two Singapore satellites
2. To cut at root of narcotics, Centre plans drive against poppy, cannabis
G. Tidbits
1. Pushkaralu festival returns to the Ganga after a gap of 12 years
2. Bhoota Kola
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

Category: SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. Stray dog population control is dogged by bad science

Syllabus: Issues Relating to Development & Management of Social Sector-Children and Health.

Mains: Various issues associated with the stray dog crisis in India.

Prelims:  Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.

Context: There have been many attacks by stray dogs on people, especially children.

Details

• There is a rise in the number of cases of dog bites among children, especially poor and rural children.
• It is argued that the main culprit behind it is the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2001 which were introduced by the Ministry of Culture. It is now replaced by ABC Rules 2023.
• It should be noted that dogs are incredibly fecund animals, and reproduce at a high rate.
• The hunting behavior of dogs can result in severe injuries and even deaths, specifically among the young and elderly population.
• However, dogs are also a leading cause of harm to wildlife and cause immense biodiversity loss.
• The fear of dogs deprives ordinary citizens of their right to life, free movement, and a safe environment.
• Despite all the negatives, it should also be remembered that having harsh policies to restrict the dog population is also cruel.

Source: The Hindu

Also read: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis. Mar 24th, 2023 CNA. Download PDF

Nut Graf: It is argued that the Animal Birth Control Rule 2023 is backed by bad science and has several flaws. The rules should be revisited keeping in mind the rights of both humans and animals.

D. GS 4 Related

Nothing here for today!!!

2. To cut at root of narcotics, Centre plans drive against poppy, cannabis

Syllabus: GS2- Polity and Governance.

Mains: Government policies and interventions.

Prelims: Narcotics Control Act.

• In the direction of making India “drug-free” by 2047, the Ministry of Home Affairs intends to link recovery and usage of narcotics and banned substances to the annual appraisal report of a District Superintendent of Police of the area. 
• This will fix responsibility and bring accountability.
• As per the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), approximately 35592 acres of poppy cultivation and around 82691 acres of cannabis were destroyed in India in the last three years.
• Some of the states where the crops were destroyed are Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, etc.
• Manipur government introduced an alternative livelihood scheme for farmers growing poppy illegally. It also provided cash incentives to destroy illegal crops.
• Moreover, drones were used to analyze the destruction of illegal crops in remote regions.
• About 2412 persons (including 224 foreigners) were arrested by the NCB in the last three years.
• The Union Home Ministry encourages liberal implementation of the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act, 1988.
  • It has a provision to detain a person for up to two years without a court’s intervention.
  • The orders can be passed by the Central/State government or any officer of the Central government not below the rank of Joint Secretary.
• Anti-Narcotics Task Forces (ANTF) have been created by all the states of the country.
• In 2022, NCB conducted a financial investigation for 33 cases in which property worth ₹17 crores was frozen.
• The National Narcotics Coordination portal highlights the source and destination of the drugs, maintaining information up to the district level.
• NIDAAN database stores the photographs, fingerprints, court orders, information, and details of all suspects and convicts arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
• Moreover, special training is provided to public prosecutors to deal with such cases.

2. Bhoota Kola

• Kola or Nema is a fierce dance accompanied by drums, music, and other rituals.
• It is performed to invoke the spirit of nature as Tuluvas (people who speak the Tulu language) believe in animism.
• The traditional right to perform the kola belongs to the Nalike and Parava tribes of the region. 
• A Bhoota Kola season begins in January and extends to May.
• Boota Kola is performed in the open air. It is a ritual performance that begins at the night and is carried on till the early hours of the morning.
• It comes in the forms of Panchuruli, Kallurutti, Koragajja, etc.
• It is originally from the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts of Karnataka and the northern parts of the Kasaragod district, Kerala.
• It is similar to Kerala’s Theyyam.
• The trained performer of Bhoota Kola in a possessed state is revered as the manifestation of God.
• Costume of Boota Kola:
  • It is not as strikingly colorful as those of the Theyyam.
  • It is made of intricately woven palm leaves.
  • The face painting is elaborate (similar to Theyyam).
• The performance gained popularity from a movie named Kantara.

Source: The Hindu

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. With respect to Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), which of 
the following statements is/are correct? (Level-Moderate)

1. It was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals of the Ministry of Health. 
2. Under the scheme, dedicated outlets known as Janaushadhi Kendras are opened to provide generic medicines at affordable prices.
3. A medicine is priced on the principle of a maximum of 25% of the average price of the top three brands of the said medicine. 

Options:

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. 1, 2 and 3 
4. None

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is not correct: It was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizer. 
• Statement 2 is correct: The Janaushadhi Kendras or dedicated outlets are opened under the scheme to provide generic medicines at affordable prices.
• Statement 3 is not correct: The procured generic medicines are sold at 50% to 90% lesser prices as compared to the market prices of branded medicines.

Q2. Which of the following statements is/are correct? (Level- Easy)

1. The Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Program is an initiative that was launched after the Kargil War.
2. Exo-atmospheric interception means the missile fired by Indian testing agencies had destroyed the incoming enemy ballistic missile within the Earth’s atmosphere.

Options:

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both
4. None

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: It was launched in 2000 after the Kargil War.
• Statement 2 is not correct: Endo-atmospheric interception means the missile fired by Indian testing agencies had destroyed the incoming enemy ballistic missile within the Earth’s atmosphere. Whereas exo-atmospheric interception means outside the Earth’s atmosphere at a higher altitude.

Q3. Consider the following statements: (Level- Difficult)

1. Tamralipta was a port city located on the coast of the Arabian Sea.
2. During the Gupta dynasty, Tamralipta was the main emporium, serving as a point of departure for trade with Ceylon, Java, and China.
3. The Chinese pilgrim Faxian visited the city in the 5th century CE, and Xuanzang visited it in the 7th century. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation: 

• Statement 1 is not correct: Tamralipta or Tamralipti was a port city located on the coast of the Bay of Bengal.
• Statement 2 is correct: During the Gupta dynasty, Tamralipta was the main emporium, serving as a point of departure for trade with Ceylon, Java, and China.
• Statement 3 is correct: The Chinese pilgrim Faxian visited the city in the 5th century CE, and Xuanzang visited it in the 7th century. 

Q4. What is Anorexia nervosa? (Level- Difficult)

1. It is a complex, chronic disease with abnormal or excessive fat accumulation.
2. It involves getting up and walking around while in a state of sleep. 
3. It is an eating disorder that causes people to weigh less.
4. It is a condition when the thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone.

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation: 

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder causing people to obsess about weight and weigh less.

Q5.   Which one of the following is also called Stranger Gas? (Level- Easy)

1. Argon        
2.  Neon
3. Xenon        
4. Nitrous oxide

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation: 

Xenon is called the stranger gas because it belongs to the noble gas group, whose elements do not react with anything to form compounds.

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

1. The Indian Space Policy 2023 has been approved by the Indian Cabinet Committee on Security. What do you understand by mean open space policy? Discuss its advantages and potential drawbacks. (250 words; 15 marks)[GS-3; Science and Technology]
2. India’s proximity to the two of the world’s biggest illicit opium-growing states has enhanced her internal security concerns. Explain the linkages between drug trafficking and other illicit activities such as gunrunning, money laundering and human trafficking. What counter-measures should be taken to prevent the same? (250 words; 15 marks) [GS-3; Internal Security]

Read the previous CNA here.

CNA 23 April 2023:- Download PDF Here