5 Apr 2020: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

5 April 2020 CNA:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
HEALTH
1. ICMR issues rule book on ‘large outbreaks’
C. GS 3 Related
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Coronavirus: TCS uses AI for drug discovery
2. Study lists 69 existing drugs to target novel coronavirus
INFRASTRUCTURE
1. Lights-off event will not harm grid: Ministry
ECONOMY
1. Consumption, external trade to see impact
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
ECONOMY
1. Bounty from oil plunge
F. Prelims Facts
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

2. Study lists 69 existing drugs to target novel coronavirus

Context:

  • Study of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and effectiveness of available drugs.

Background:

  • When virus invades human cells, it takes over the cells’ molecular machinery to replicate itself because it cannot do this on its own.
  • If these molecular machines of the viruses can be inhibited, Viruses cannot survive.

Details:

  • In an unprecedented move nearly 100 scientists from across the globe worked together to study the genes of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
  • The team identified and studied 26 coronavirus genes that help in the production of proteins that help the virus attach to the human proteins.
    • The proteins of the virus must attach to the human proteins to cause the infection.
  • The team also studied human proteins and found 332 SARS-CoV-2 and human protein interactions.
  • The team has listed the human proteins that can be targeted by drugs to fight the infection. This study has helped publish a list of drugs that can be repurposed to treat COVID-19.
  • The suggested drugs include some common in use drugs.
    • Entacapone used to treat Parkinson’s disease
    • Antiviral medication named ribavirin, which was administered to Nipah patients in Kerala during the 2018 outbreak
    • Chloroquine, an antimalarial drug
    • Metformin, used to treat diabetes.

Category: INFRASTRUCTURE

1. Lights-off event will not harm grid: Ministry

Context:

  • The Power Ministry’s clarification that the mass switching off of electric lights will not harm India’s power grid.

Background:

  • There are apprehensions that the lights-off event can lead to disruptions in power supply.
  • There are concerns that the sudden dip and spike in supply may cause instability in the grid and fluctuation in voltage and current frequency which may harm the electrical appliances.

Details:

  • The power ministry assuaging fears has stated that the electricity grid is robust and stable and adequate arrangements and protocols were in place to handle the variation in demand.

For more information refer to the 4th April 2020 Comprehensive News Analysis.

  • Electricity authorities after having studied the power consumption patterns across India have come up with a plan to handle the expected dip and surge in consumption.
  • Power System Operation Corporation (Posoco) Ltd, a public sector company in charge of managing the grid load, has stated that it expects a dip and surge of the order of 12 to 14 gigawatts, which is roughly 10% of electricity consumed at any given point in time in India.

Power plant characteristics:

  • Different types of power plants have different abilities to handle sudden increase or decrease in load. The control we have on these plants varies.
  • Unlike, coal fired plants and nuclear plants, where it is hard to suddenly reduce or increase their power generation, hydro plants and gas fired plants are capable of catering to fast changing loads more effectively.

Measures being taken:

  • Based on the inherent characteristics of different power plants, Power System Operation Corporation (Posoco) Limited has come up with a strategy to use hydro and gas resources to help the grid retain its stability.

Category: ECONOMY

1. Consumption, external trade to see impact

Context:

  • KPMG’s report titled Potential impact of COVID-19 on the Indian economy.

Background:

  • India’s real GDP decelerated to its lowest in over six years in third quarter of 2019-2020, and the outbreak of the COVID-19 poses fresh challenges.

Details:

  • The steps taken to contain the spread of coronavirus, such as the nationwide restrictions for 21 days have brought economic activity to a standstill and could impact both private consumption and investment.
  • Though Indian businesses remain largely insulated from the global supply chain disruption caused by the outbreak due to relatively lower reliance on intermediate imports, their exports to COVID-19 infected nations could take a hit.
  • According to KPMG’s report India’s private consumption, investment and external trade, the three major contributors to GDP will get affected.

E. Editorials

Category: ECONOMY

1. Bounty from oil plunge

Context:

  • Global crude oil price decline.

Background:

  • Saudi Arabia and Russia under the OPEC+ framework had fallen out on agreements to cut the production of crude oil.
  • Brent crude prices (benchmark for crude oil) have been declining in an unprecedented manner, touching an 18-year low.
  • Following an intervention from the U.S. president stating the possibility of large production cuts, the prices have risen moderately.

Details:

U.S. stakes:

  • Though there is still a lot of oil in the world left to be extracted, the cost of extraction is increasing. Profits that companies make in selling oil depend directly on the cost of extraction, which is influenced by factors such as the terrain where the oil field is located.
  • The U.S. is a major producer of the shale gas, which is extracted through the process of fracking. Fracking, which helps extract shale gas from rocks involves a lot of input cost, making shale gas costly.
  • The spike in production by Saudi Arabia and Russia would drive down oil prices in line with the traditional concepts of supply and demand.
  • This would make Shale gas costlier than oil sources and lead to reduction in the demand for shale.
    • A January 2020 Haynes and Boone’s Oil Patch Bankruptcy Monitor report notes that since 2015, when oil prices began to drop, 208 North American producers have filed for bankruptcy involving $121.7 billion in aggregate debt.

COVID-19’s impact on crude prices:

Reduction of demand:

  • The measures taken to limit the spread of COVID-19 have brought the global economic activity to a near-complete halt. The demand for fuel has dropped significantly.
  • Even before the virus-induced lockdown, global economic slowdown was already in play. The volume growth in consumption was marginally lower.

Indian oil prices:

  • Inspite of the falling crude oil prices and the subsequent fall in India’s oil bill, Indian prices of petrol and diesel have remained steady.
  • The Central government has reacted to the declining international oil prices by raising excise duties. There have been a series duty increases over the past few years.

Reasons for excise duty hike:

  • The government has been battling a fiscal deficit problem, since the Goods and Services Tax has not yielded robust collections.
  • With international oil prices declining, the government has used the opportunity to keep end-user fuel prices stable while increasing its collection of excise duty.

For more information on this topic refer to 10 March 2020 Comprehensive News Analysis.

 

F. Prelims Facts

Nothing here for today!!!

G. Tidbits

Nothing here for today!!!

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. The National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence report has been prepared by:

a. NITI Aayog
b. Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology
c. Ministry of Science and Technology
d. PM scientific advisory council

See
Answer

Answer: Option a

Explanation:

  • NITI Aayog has prepared a discussion paper on National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence identifying following five sectors to befocused upon: Healthcare, Agriculture,Education, Smart Cities and Infrastructure, Smart Mobility and Transportation. 

 

Q2. Which of the following types of power plants are capable of handling sudden changes in demand loads?
  1. Coal based power plants
  2. Wind turbine power plant
  3. Gas fired power plants
  4. Hydropower based plants
  5. Nuclear power plants
  6. Solar photovoltaic based plants

Options:

a. 1,3 and 5
b. 2,3,4 and 6
c. 3 and 4
d. 1 and 5

See
Answer

Answer: Option c

Explanation:

  • Different types of power plants have different abilities to handle sudden increase or decrease in load. The control we have on these plants varies.
  • Unlike, coal fired plants and nuclear plants, where it is hard to suddenly reduce or increase their power generation, hydro plants and gas fired plants are capable of catering to fast changing loads more effectively.
  • The solar photovoltaic and wind turbine based power plants too are not capable of handling fluctuating demands. 
Q3. Which of the following constitutes the largest share among the renewable energy capacity in India?

a. Hydroelectricity
b. Solar power
c. Wind power
d. Bio energy

See
Answer

Answer: Option a

Explanation:

  • Previously hydroelectric power plants above 25MW (classified as large hydro power plants) were outside the definition of renewable energy. With the reclassification and inclusion of hydro plants above 25MW also under renewable energy, hydroelectricity now constitutes the largest proportion of renewable energy capacity in India. It is followed by wind energy and solar power in terms of installed capacity. 
Q4. Which of the following states has the largest percentage of forest cover with respect to its total geographical area?

a. Madhya Pradesh
b. Arunachal Pradesh
c. Mizoram
d. Assam

See
Answer

Answer: Option c

Explanation:

  • While Madhya Pradesh has the largest area of forest cover, it is Mizoram which has the largest percentage of forest cover with respect to its total geographical area. It stands around 85% according to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) of 2019.

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

  1. As against the unfounded fear of Artificial intelligence leading to job losses, this emerging technology can create better job oppurtunities and increase productivity. Analyze. Discuss the steps being taken by the government to mainstream Artificial intelligence technology in India. (15 marks, 250 words)
  2. India’s efforts to meet the growing demand for energy, should be accompanied with India’s commitment to achieving universal access to modern, affordable, cleaner and sustainable energy. Comment. (10 marks, 150 words)

5 April 2020 CNA:- Download PDF Here

Read the previous CNA here.

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