11 Dec 2022: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

CNA 11 Dec 2022:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
POLITY
1. Appointment and Removal of Governors
SOCIAL JUSTICE
1. Age of Consent Issue
C. GS 3 Related
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
INTERNATIONAL RELATION
1. Why a price cap on Russian oil?
F. Prelims Facts
1. Ni-kshay Mitras
G. Tidbits
1. Japanese encephalitis
2. Human Rights Day
3. Mastodon
4. Badri Cow Breed
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

Category: SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. Age of Consent Issue

Syllabus: Issues related to Women & Children

Mains: Age of Consent under POCSo Act and related concerns.

Context: Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud on December 10, 2022 appealed to Parliament to have a relook at the issue of age of consent.

Introduction: 

• Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud appealed to Parliament to have a relook at the issue of age of consent under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 as it posed difficulties for judges examining cases of consensual sex involving adolescents.
• In 2012, the POCSO Act raised the age of consent to 18 years, which had been at 16 years since 1940.
• A national stakeholders’ consultation on the POCSO Act is being conducted by the Supreme Court’s Committee on Juvenile Justice and is part of its annual stakeholders’ meet.

Case for reducing age of consent:

• A study carried out by Enfold Proactive Health Trust, Bengaluru found that 93.8% of “romantic cases” tried under POCSO ended in acquittal after consuming a median time of 1.4 to 2.3 years from the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) to disposal by courts.
• The Madras High Court recently said that it was “eagerly” waiting for the legislature to reduce the age of consent under the POCSO Act from the current 18 years.
•  In Sabari Vs. Inspector of Police case, the Madras High Court recommended that the age of consent be revised to 16 years.

Read more on Age of Consent Issue

Nut Graf:  Courts have been facing several difficulties in dealing with “romantic cases” of sexual activities between consenting adolescents, Chief Justice of India insisted Parliament to consider growing concerns regarding the age of consent under the POCSO Act, which at present is 18 years.

G. Tidbits

1. Japanese encephalitis

• Japanese encephalitis virus infection was recently confirmed in a 10-year-old boy in Kerala.
• It is a disease caused by a flavivirus that affects the membranes around the brain.
• Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is also a major cause of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in India.
• The disease is transmitted to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes of the Culex species.

Image Source: agriculture.gov.au

2. Human Rights Day

• Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December — the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
• The UDHR is a milestone document, which proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. 
• Available in more than 500 languages, it is the most translated document in the world.
• The 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will be celebrated on 10 December 2023
•  This year’s theme is ‘Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All’.

3. Mastodon

• Two-million-year-old DNA sequences, the oldest ever obtained, were recovered from a 100-metre-thick deposit of frozen mud and sand in the Northeastern tip of Greenland.
• This suggests that the region was once home to mastodons and reindeer that roamed a forested ecosystem. 
• A mastodon is any proboscidean belonging to the extinct genus Mammut. 
• Mastodons inhabited North and Central America during the late Miocene or late Pliocene up to their extinction at the end of the Pleistocene 10,000 to 11,000 years ago.
  • They lived in herds and were predominantly forest-dwelling animals. 

Image Source: The Hindu

4. Badri Cow Breed

• Uttarakhand government is planning for genetic enhancement of Badri Cows to increase its productivity.
• Officials have proposed to opt for the multiple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET) method to produce more cattle of a high genetic stock. 
  • The ovum pick-up in vitro fertilisation (IVF) was the other technology that would be used to increase the yield. 
• The Animal Husbandry Department has also proposed to use sex-sorted semen technology to improve the stock of the petite Badri cattle.  
  • Use of sex-sorted semen curtails unproductive male population and increases the production of quality Badri studs for semen production through the embryo transfer technology.
• At present, Uttarakhand has nearly seven lakh Badri cattle, among which 4.79 lakh are cows.
• The Badri breed derived its name from the holy shrine of Char Dham at Badrinath.
• The cattle breed is small in size with long legs and varied body colours — black, brown, red, white or grey. This breed is comparatively more resistant to diseases, mostly due to its eating habits.
• Badri cows eat herbs that grow in the Himalayas and do not ingest polythene and other harmful things, and are far from toxic pollution.
• Its milk has rich medicinal content and high organic value. Its urine has a high value due to its feeding and habitat. The lactation milk yield ranges from 547 kg to 657 kg, with an average milk fat content of 4%.
• The Badri cow is the first registered cattle breed of Uttarakhand, and has been certified by the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements with respect to Indian Classical Music: 
(Level-Difficult)

1. Veena and Mandolin are musical instruments that complement Hindustani Music.
2. Both Hindustani and Carnatic music use a Tanpura to signify the pitch.
3. The history of Indian music can be derived from Natya Shastra, written by Bharatha Muni.

How many of the given statements is/are INCORRECT?

1. One statement only 
2. Two statements only
3. Three statements only
4. None of the above

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation: 

• Statement 01 is incorrect, The main instruments used in carnatic music are Mridangam, Veena, and Mandolin. 
• Statement 02 is correct, The tanpura is a drone instrument of Indian music prevalent in both the Hindustani and the Carnatic systems. It plays an important role in a concert of classical music by providing the base note (adharaswara) and by creating an aesthetic ambience on the stage.
• Statement 03 is correct,  Natyashastra is the earliest literature on music and drama – written somewhere around 500 BC by Bharata Muni. Comprising 6000 couplets in Sanskrit and spread over thirty-six chapters, Natyashastra’s focus was on dance and drama, with music as an aid. 

Read more on Difference between Hindustani and Carnatic Music

Q2. Great Indian Hornbill is the state bird of how many of the following state/s? 
(Level-Medium)

1. Kerala
2. Arunachal Pradesh
3. Nagaland
4. Sikkim
5. Tamil Nadu

Options:

1. One only
2. Three only
3. Two only 
4. Four only

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation: Hornbill is the state bird of both Arunachal Pradesh and Kerala.

Read more on State Birds Of India

Q3. Malampandaram tribe, recently in news belong to the state of: (Level-Difficult)

1. Tamil Nadu
2. Karnataka
3. Kerala 
4. Telangana

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation: 

• Malampandaram tribe is a small, nomadic community living in the remote forest in Kerala.
• Fishing and collecting fruits and other edibles from the forest are the main occupations of this community that depends on the forest for all their needs.

Q4. How many of the given statements is/are INCORRECT? (Level-Medium)

1. India is among the largest producers of millets in the world and accounts for over 50% of global millet production.
2. Pearl Millet accounts for the largest share of millet crop cultivated in India. 
3. Millets are resilient to climate change and are photo-insensitive.
4. Conditions like anaemia, pellagra can be effectively tackled with millet consumption.

Options:

1. One statement only 
2. Two statements only
3. Three statements only
4. None of the above

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation: 

• Statement 01 is incorrect, India is one of the leading producers of millets in the world with an estimated share of around 41 percent in the global production. 
• Statement 02 is correct, Major Millets crops grown in India and their percentage share of production are Pearl Millet (Bajra) – 61%, Jowar (Sorghum) – 27%, and Finger Millet (Mandua/Ragi) – 10%.
• Statement 03 is correct, Millets are photo-insensitive and resilient to climate change. They are hardy, resilient crops that have low carbon and water footprint. 
• Statement 04 is correct, Pellagra (niacin deficiency), Anaemia (iron deficiency), B-complex vitamin deficiency can be effectively tackled with intake of less expensive but nutritionally rich food grains like millets.

Q5. With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements: 
(PYQ-CSE-2017) (Level-Medium)

1. It is a song and dance performance.
2. Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance.
3. It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation: 

• Statement 01 is correct, Manipuri Sankirtana is a form of performing art involving ritual singing, drumming and dancing performed in the temples and domestic spaces in Manipur State of India. It is practised primarily by the Vaishnava community in Manipur. 
• Statement 02 is incorrect, Cymbals are not the only musical instruments as Drums are also used in the performance. 
• Statement 03 is correct, Through the performances which exhibit unparalleled religious devotion and energy, the performers narrate the many stories of Krishna.

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

1. With the rise in instances of tension between State governments and Governors,  discuss the role and conduct of Governors, and examine whether Chief Ministers should have a say in the appointment of Governors in their respective States. (15 Marks, 250 Words) (GS-2; Polity)
2. What is Russia oil price cap? Will it have an impact on Russia and India? Critically Analyze. (10 Marks, 150 Words) (GS-2; Internationa Relations)

Read the previous CNA here.

CNA 11 Dec 2022:- Download PDF Here