27 Oct 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

27 October 2023 CNA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
SOCIAL ISSUES
1. Abortion Verdict & Reproductive Justice
B. GS 2 Related
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Eight former Indian Navy officers get death penalty in Qatar
POLITY
1. Tamil Nadu’s Caste Survey
C. GS 3 Related
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
F. Prelims Facts
1. Ethics Committee of Lok Sabha
2. National Green Hydrogen Mission
G. Tidbits
1. Anamalai Tiger Reserve
2. India-EU Naval Exercise
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
FIP Magazine

E. Editorials

Nothing here for today!!!

F. Prelims Facts

1. Ethics Committee of Lok Sabha

Syllabus: GS 2- Polity

Prelims: Parliament and State Legislatures, structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges, and issues arising out of these.

Introduction

  • The Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha is at the centre of a high-profile case, where Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra is summoned to defend herself against allegations of cash-for-query.
  • This committee plays a crucial role in upholding parliamentary ethics and standards of conduct.

Role and Significance of the Ethics Committee

  • The Ethics Committee is tasked with ensuring the ethical conduct of Members of Parliament.
  • Its primary role is to examine and investigate cases of breach of parliamentary ethics.
  • The committee is essential in maintaining the integrity and credibility of the legislative body, making it a critical component of the parliamentary system.

Cash-for-Query Allegations

  • The current case before the Ethics Committee involves allegations made by Mr. Nishikant Dubey against Mahua Moitra.
  • Moitra is accused of being involved in a cash-for-query scheme, where parliamentary questions were allegedly posed on her behalf by an industrialist in exchange for financial benefits.

Opposition’s Concerns

  • The Opposition has raised concerns about the committee’s proceedings, specifically the sequence in which complainants and defendants are summoned.
  • The debate surrounding the process has raised questions about fairness and objectivity in investigating such allegations.

The Committee’s Decision

  • Despite initial objections and protests, the Ethics Committee voted to allow the complainant and a key witness to present their case.
  • Following this, Mahua Moitra was summoned to present her defence on October 31.

Involvement of Ministries

  • The committee has sought assistance from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
  • The nature of the information requested from these ministries remains undisclosed.

2. National Green Hydrogen Mission

Syllabus: GS 3- Economy

Prelims: National Green Hydrogen Mission and its implications for environmental sustainability and energy sector.

Introduction

  • India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, led by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), aims to produce “green hydrogen” devoid of fossil fuel emissions.
  • A recent study by Climate Risk Horizons (CRH), an environmental and energy think-tank, suggests that without appropriate measures, this initiative could worsen pollution.
  • The MNRE defines green hydrogen as hydrogen production emitting no more than two kg of carbon dioxide per kg of hydrogen, in stark contrast to “grey hydrogen,” which emits nine kg of carbon dioxide for every kg produced.

Daunting Green Hydrogen Targets

  • The National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to manufacture five million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030.
  • This endeavour necessitates the installation of 125 GW of renewable energy capacity and the utilisation of 250,000 gigawatt-hour units of power, equivalent to 13% of India’s current electricity generation.

Existing Renewable Energy Capacity

  • As of August 2023, India’s total renewable energy (RE) capacity stands at 131 GW.
  • Achieving the 2030 green hydrogen targets requires adding an equivalent RE capacity by that year.
  • This is in addition to India’s commitment to install 500 GW of RE capacity by 2030 under the Paris Agreement.

Current Renewable Energy Progress

  • In 2023, India added only 15 GW of new solar and wind capacity, significantly less than the 45 GW per year needed to reach the 2030 RE target.

Electricity Source Dilemma

  • A major concern is the source of electricity for green hydrogen production, especially during nighttime when solar power generation is minimal.
  • If electricity for electrolysis comes from India’s coal-powered grid (accounting for about 70% of electricity generation), it could increase carbon emissions, particularly during non-daylight hours.

Lack of Disclosure and Clarity

  • The study points out that a significant number of green hydrogen projects have not disclosed their source of electricity.
  • Furthermore, it is unclear if projects claiming to meet their electricity requirements from renewable sources can indeed do so.

G. Tidbits

1. Anamalai Tiger Reserve

Introduction

  • The Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) in Tamil Nadu has embarked on an extraordinary endeavour, making headlines with its pioneering rewilding project.
  • A committee appointed by the Chief Wildlife Warden visited ATR’s core area to assess the progress of rehabilitating a tiger that was rescued as an abandoned cub in 2021.

Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR)

  • ATR, located in the Western Ghats of southern India, is renowned for its rich biodiversity and is a designated protected area.
  • The reserve is home to a significant population of tigers, making it a vital hub for tiger conservation and habitat protection.

Rewilding Initiative

  • ATR’s Forest Department has embarked on its first-ever attempt at rewilding a tiger, emphasising the importance of rehabilitating and preparing rescued animals for their potential return to the wild.
  • This initiative signifies a remarkable step in wildlife conservation within ATR.

Committee’s Assessment Visit

  • The committee was appointed by the Chief Wildlife Warden, including ATR Field Director S. Ramasubramanian and WWF-India’s Landscape Coordinator D. Boominathan, who visited a specialised 10,000 sq ft enclosure located at Manthirimattam in the Manambolly forest range within ATR.
  • The enclosure serves as the rewilding site for the rescued tiger cub.

The Rescued Tiger

  • The tiger in question was rescued in September 2021 from a tea estate near Valparai and is now approximately 30 months old.
  • The rehabilitation process aims to ensure the tiger’s preparedness for reintroduction into its natural habitat.

Expert Consultation

  • In this ambitious undertaking, ATR collaborated with experts from the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Wildlife Institute of India, emphasising the importance of a well-informed and scientific approach.

Assessment Parameters

  • The committee’s role was to evaluate various factors. These include the tiger’s health and an assessment of its hunting abilities, based on surveillance camera footage that captured the tiger’s interactions with small herbivores introduced into the enclosure over several months.

Future Prospects

  • The committee’s assessment findings will be compiled into a detailed report for the Chief Wildlife Warden.
  • The decision on whether to release the rehabilitated tiger back into its natural habitat within the Anamalai Tiger Reserve will be made based on this report.

2. India-EU Naval Exercise

Introduction

  • India and the European Union (EU) have made history by conducting their first-ever joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Guinea.
  • The exercise marked a significant moment of collaboration and cooperation between these maritime forces.

Joint Naval Exercise Highlights

  • At the heart of the exercise, the offshore patrol vessel INS Sumedha from the Indian Navy played a pivotal role.
  • Participating in the undertaking were naval ships from three member states of the European Union: ITS Foscari representing Italy, FS Ventose from France, and Tornado hailing from Spain.

The Gulf of Guinea

  • The Gulf of Guinea, located along the western coast of Africa, is recognized for its strategic importance and diverse maritime activities.
  • It is a region that has seen increased efforts to enhance maritime security, making it an ideal location for collaborative naval exercises.

Strengthening Naval Cooperation

  • The joint naval exercise underscored the commitment of both India and the European Union to strengthen naval cooperation and mutual understanding.
  • Such exercises facilitate the sharing of knowledge, best practices, and operational capabilities, contributing to enhanced maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

Naval Assets and Capabilities

  • The participation of INS Sumedha and EU naval vessels exemplifies the diverse and capable naval assets possessed by both India and the EU.
  • These assets play a pivotal role in safeguarding international waters and promoting maritime security.

International Maritime Engagement

  • The joint exercise in the Gulf of Guinea highlights the global reach and engagement of India and the European Union in maritime affairs.
  • It showcases their commitment to upholding international maritime laws and ensuring the safety and security of the seas.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. This Tiger Reserve is located within the Western Ghats mountain chain, 
and is part of a designated Global Biodiversity Hotspot. 
It boasts diverse habitat types, including wet evergreen forests, 
savannah, and deep freshwater ecosystems created by dams. 
The Reserve is known for its rich endemism in plant species and supports 
a healthy population of various wildlife, including over 25 tigers.

Which one of the following Tiger Reserves, recently in the news, is described in the above-given passage?

  1. Bandipur Tiger Reserve
  2. Kaziranga Tiger Reserve
  3. Anamalai Tiger Reserve
  4. Sundarbans Tiger Reserve
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation: Anamalai Tiger Reserve reserve, located in the Western Ghats, is a Global Biodiversity Hotspot with diverse flora and fauna, including over 25 tigers.

Q2. With reference to the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which of the following 
statements is/are incorrect?
  1. It aims to manufacture five million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030.
  2. It is piloted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation: The National Green Hydrogen Mission is piloted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), not the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.

Q3. The recent first ‘India-EU Joint Naval Exercise’ was held in:
  1. The Mediterranean Sea
  2. The Gulf of Guinea
  3. The Indian Ocean
  4. The Baltic Sea
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation: The European Union (EU) and India conducted their first joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Guinea.

Q4. With reference to the Ethics Committee for Members of Parliament, 
which of the following statements is/are correct?
  1. The members of the Ethics Committee are appointed by the President.
  2. Any person can file a complaint against an MP, without the need for evidence or an affidavit.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation: The members of the Ethics Committee are appointed by the Speaker. Any person can file a complaint against an MP through another Lok Sabha MP, and it must be accompanied by evidence and an affidavit.

Q5. Consider the following statements, with reference to the right to privacy 
in the Constitution of India:
  1. The Constitution of India explicitly guarantees the right to privacy.
  2. The right to privacy is considered an intrinsic part of the Constitution under Article 21.
  3. The right to privacy is an absolute right with no restrictions.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation: The Constitution of India does not explicitly guarantee the right to privacy, and the right to privacy is not absolute; it is subject to reasonable restrictions. It is considered an intrinsic part of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21.

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