11 Jun 2022: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

CNA 11 June 2022:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
Polity and Governance
1. Online gaming: T.N. to promulgate ordinance
C. GS 3 Related
ECONOMY
1. War takes toll on Surat diamond trade
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
F. Prelims Facts
G. Tidbits
1. U.S. inflation accelerates to almost 41-year high
2. Any study on ‘racial purity’ harmful, say historians
3. Former CAG pushes for more accountability in government
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

A. GS 1 Related

Nothing here for today!!!

B. GS 2 Related

Online gaming: T.N. to promulgate ordinance

Context:

The Tamil Nadu government constituted a committee to examine issues related to online gaming. Based on it, the government would take steps to promulgate an ordinance against online gaming.

Online Gaming- A state Issue

• Online games have been designated as a “State-Issue” in India, which implies that each state can choose to manage and regulate them as it sees fit.
• Whereas some laws and regulations make all “online games” illegal, others have gone so far as to legalize them if they meet the requirements of being skill-based rather than chance-based.
• Laws and regulations governing e-games are still undeveloped in India, and this is causing great worry among all parties — investigative agencies, corporations, and customers.

Know more about Regulations of online gaming platforms; States resorting to banning online gaming

Taxes on Online Gaming:

• The online gaming sector, which conducts skill-based games such as e-sports, rummy, poker, chess, and fantasy games, has been advocating for GST to be limited to 18%.
• Currently, the GST rate for online games that involve betting or gambling is 28%, while the rate on games that do not involve betting or gambling is 18%.
• A 18% tax is also paid on the commission received by online gambling sites for each game.
• A high GST rate, according to the industry, will render the whole online gaming sector unviable.

Know more about Judgements related to the gaming sector

C. GS 3 Related

War takes toll on Surat diamond trade

Diamond Trade in India:

• India is reckoned as the world’s largest cutting and polishing center for diamonds. This is attributed to factors such as the easy availability of high skilled labor, cutting-edge technology, and lower costs of operation.
• India imports 100% of our raw materials from Russia, Australia and African countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe and Congo.
• Seventy-five per cent of the consumption of end products is by the U.S. directly or indirectly.

Issues associated with Diamond Industry in India:

• Due to the problems between Russia and Ukraine, the U.S. has put a ban on Russian companies. Nearly 27% to 30% of raw materials are from Russia.
• The non-availability of raw material, mostly from Russia, has left workers in the diamond industry jobless.
• Even before the outbreak of COVID-19, the Indian diamond industry was facing a slump and going through a slow phase due to various domestic and international issues.
• These included an increase in import duty on precious stones viz. polished diamonds & coloured gemstones, tightening of lending terms by banks, stringent customs inspection procedures, torpid import demand and withdrawal of GSP benefit by the USA, etc.

Concerns for Gujarat:

• The entire work of small diamond cutting and polishing is done in rural Gujarat.
• The solitaire stones, which are slightly costly and big, are handled by the processing units in Surat city.

Policy Support Diamond Industry In India:

• India has signed an FTA with the UAE which will further boost exports and is expected to reach the target of US$ 52 billion.
• The Government has reduced custom duty on cut and polished diamond and colored gemstones from 7.5% to 5% and NIL.
• Revised SEZ Act is also expected to boost exports of gems and jewellery.

Way Forward

• In the coming years, growth in the gems and jewellery sector would largely be contributed by the development of large retailers/brands.
• Established brands are guiding the organized market and are opening opportunities to grow. Increasing penetration of organized players provides variety in terms of products and designs.
• Also, the relaxation of restrictions of gold import is likely to provide a fillip to the industry.
• The improvement in availability along with the reintroduction of low-cost gold metal loans and likely stabilization of gold prices at lower levels is expected to drive volume growth for jewelers over the short to medium term.

D. GS 4 Related

Nothing here for today!!!

E. Editorials

Nothing here for today!!!

F. Prelims Facts

Nothing here for today!!!

G. Tidbits

U.S. inflation accelerates to almost 41-year high

• U.S. consumer prices accelerated 8.6%, the largest annual increase since 1981, as gasoline prices hit a record high and the cost of food soared.
• This suggests that the Federal Reserve could continue with its 50 basis points interest rate increases through September to combat inflation.
• The inflation data also reflected a surge in rents, which increased by the most since 1990.

Any study on ‘racial purity’ harmful, say historians

• Over 100 leading biologists, historians, anthropologists and intellectuals have written a joint letter to the Ministry of Culture protesting its purported plans to fund a project to study “genetic similarities and differences in the DNA (genetic) profiles of Indian population groups.”
• The report said the plan was to procure the latest DNA sequencing equipment for “establishing the genetic history and trace the purity of races in India”.
• The Ministry of Culture too tweeted that the reports were incorrect and that the project wasn’t related to establishing the “genetic history of races.”
• The term “race” was invented as part of the effort to classify humans into distinct groups based on physical features such as bone structure and skin color, and social characteristics such as faith and religion.

Former CAG pushes for more accountability in government

• Retired Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) Rajiv Mehrishi said that the CAG did not even meet the standards of chartered accountants of private companies when it came to assurances.
• The CAG officials see only the accounts that government departments want them to see.
• The larger issue was that of the fundamental principle of Parliamentary democracy, that every rupee earned or spent had to be accounted for by the legislature.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. Jaduguda is the first mine in the country to produce uranium ore in a commercial scale
2. Uranium deposits are not found in Northeastern states
3. Uranium has applications in the counterweights of aircraft control surfaces and radiation shielding.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Difficulty level: Medium

Answer: D

Explanation:

• Jaduguda is the deepest operating underground mine in the country. It has a depth of nearly 3000 feet, one of the deepest in the country. It was the first uranium mine in India. Hence statement 1 is correct
• As per the Atomic Minerals Division (AMD), among the Northeastern states, uranium deposits are so far available only in Meghalaya. Hence statement 2 is incorrect
• Uranium is primarily used as a fuel in nuclear power reactors to generate energy. Aside from producing around 14% of the world’s power, uranium is used for a variety of other important purposes, including: Radioisotopes are utilized in medicine for diagnosis and research. It is also used in the counterweights of aircraft control surfaces and radiation shielding. Hence statement 3 is correct

Q2. Which one amongst the following statements best describes Amyloidosis?

1. A rare genetic disorder characterized by the abnormal accumulation of iron in the brain and various internal organs.
2. A rare disease that occurs when an abnormal protein builds up in organs and interferes with the normal function
3. A rare inflammatory disorder that can affect the entire body
4. A disorder characterized by loss of hair.

Difficulty level: Difficult

Answer: B

Explanation:

Amyloidosis is a rare disease that occurs when an abnormal protein, called amyloid, builds up in your organs and interferes with their normal function. Amyloid isn’t normally found in the body, but it can be formed from several different types of protein.

Hence option B is correct.

Q3. Fernandina Giant Tortoise is listed as in the IUCN Red List.

1. Critically endangered (CR) 
2. Endangered (EN)
3. Vulnerable (VU)
4. Near threatened (NT)

Difficulty level: Difficult

Answer: A

Explanation:

• Chelonoidis niger phantasticus is a subspecies of Galápagos tortoise that was discovered in 1906 and thought extinct, until a single female was discovered living on Fernandina Island by an expedition in February 2019. 
• According to the IUCN Red List, six are considered Critically Endangered, three Endangered, three Vulnerable, and two Extinct. In the case of the Fernandina tortoise, it is probably extinct but anecdotal information suggests that a few individuals may remain.

• Hence option A is correct.

Q4. Which of the following statements about Sant Tukaram is/are correct?

1. He was a contemporary of Maratha ruler Shivaji Maharaj
2. He pointed out the evil of wrongdoings of society, social system and Maharajs by his kirtans and abhangs.

Options:

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

Difficulty level: Medium

Answer: C

Explanation:

• Sant Tukaram is a 17th-century poet-saint who was a contemporary of Shivaji Maharaj, Eknath and Ramdas. His poetry was dedicated to Vithoba or Vitthala, an incarnation of Vishnu, the Hindu God.
• Tukaram was a Bhakti saint of Maharashtra and said to be a contemporary of Shivaji.
• Tukaram is most known for his religious poetry known as Abhanga, as well as his community-oriented worship with spiritual melodies known as kirtans. Tukaram pointed out the evil of wrong doings of then society, social system and Maharajs by his kiratans and Abhangs.

• Hence Both the statements are correct.

PYQ (2022)

Q5. Among the following crops, which one is the most important anthropogenic source of both

methane and nitrous oxide ?

1. Cotton
2. Rice
3. Sugarcane
4. Wheat

Difficulty level: Easy

Answer: B

Explanation:

Wet rice fields, livestock, animal waste, landfills, and biomass burning are all significant anthropogenic sources of biogenic methane. Land-use change, fertiliser production and usage, and manure application are all significant anthropogenic sources of biogenic nitrous oxide. 

Hence Option B is correct.

Watch the detailed explanation of the questions in the video below:

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

Q1. GS II (Governance) In its current form, the CAG of India is far from the kind of office that Ambedkar had envisaged. In this context, discuss the reforms needed to make the CAG of India more effective. (250 words; 15 marks)

Q2. GS III (Employment) Discuss the various initiatives taken by the Government of India to propel the fisheries sector in India. (250 words; 15 marks)

Read the previous CNA here.

CNA 11 June 2022:- Download PDF Here