Daily Current Affairs For Upsc
(UPSC Current Affairs July 16)
1)Waiver to India for purchase of S-400 missile system:
Relation to UPSC syllabus: International Relations – India and its neighborhood relations.
Why in the news: India received a waiver from the United States to proceed with the purchase of the S-400 missile defense system from Russia, despite the threat of sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The waiver was granted considering the strategic significance of the defense deal and the India-US bilateral relationship.
Key details: The S-400 is an advanced air defense system capable of detecting, tracking, and destroying a wide range of aerial threats. India signed a deal with Russia in 2018 to acquire five S-400 missile systems, worth over $5 billion. The waiver allows India to proceed with the purchase without facing economic penalties from the US.
2) Kerala becomes the first state to have its own internet service
Relation to UPSC syllabus: Science and Technology – ICT initiatives in India.
Why in the news: Kerala launched its own fiber-optic network, ‘Kerala Fibre Optic Network’ (K-FON), making it the first state in India to have its own internet service. The initiative aims to provide affordable and high-speed internet connectivity to every household in the state.
Key details: K-FON is a government-driven project that envisions providing free internet connectivity to over 20 lakh (2 million) below-poverty-line households in Kerala. The project aims to bridge the digital divide and promote digital literacy in the state. It will also contribute to the growth of e-governance, education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship.
3) CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act)
Relation to UPSC syllabus: International Relations – India and its neighborhood relations.
Why in the news: CAATSA is a US federal law that imposes sanctions on countries engaging in significant transactions with Russia’s defense and intelligence sectors. It has gained attention in the context of countries like India and Turkey, which have pursued defense deals with Russia and face potential sanctions under this act.
Key details: The primary objective of CAATSA is to counter the influence of Russia, Iran, and North Korea by imposing economic and diplomatic penalties on countries engaging in significant transactions with these countries. The act provides the US government with the authority to target individuals, entities, and countries involved in such transactions.
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4) Build – Operate – Transfer (BOT) Model
Relation to UPSC syllabus: Economics – Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, etc.
Why in the news: The Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model is a widely used infrastructure development model that has been in the news due to its applicability in various sectors. It involves private entities undertaking the construction, operation, and maintenance of public infrastructure projects for a specific period before transferring them back to the government.
Key details: The BOT model is a form of public-private partnership (PPP) where private entities invest in and operate public infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, ports, airports, etc. They recover their investment through user fees or other revenue models during the agreed-upon concession period. This model helps attract private investment and expertise in infrastructure development.
5) Tropical Ozone Hole
Relation to UPSC syllabus: Geography – Climatology: Atmospheric circulation and weather systems.
Why in the news: The existence and depletion of the ozone layer have been significant environmental concerns. The discovery of a tropical ozone hole, similar to the Antarctic ozone hole, has attracted attention as it poses risks to human health and ecosystems.
Key details: Ozone holes refer to the areas in the Earth’s atmosphere where the concentration of ozone (O3) is significantly depleted. While the Antarctic ozone hole is well-known, the recent discovery of a tropical ozone hole over densely populated areas is a cause for concern. Ozone depletion can increase harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels, leading to health issues like skin cancer and ecological imbalances.
6) Global Gender Gap Index 2022
Relation to UPSC syllabus: Social Justice – Gender equality issues.
Why in the news: The Global Gender Gap Index is an annual report released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) that measures gender-based disparities and assesses progress towards gender equality in various countries. The 2022 edition of the index has generated attention for highlighting the status of gender parity globally.
Key details: The Global Gender Gap Index assesses countries based on various indicators such as economic participation, educational attainment, health, and political empowerment. It provides insights into gender gaps across different dimensions and ranks countries accordingly. The index aims to raise awareness about gender disparities and encourage policy actions to promote gender equality.
7) Carbon neutrality in places of worship
Relation to UPSC syllabus: Environment – Climate change mitigation strategies.
Why in the news: Places of worship, including religious institutions, have been increasingly adopting measures to reduce their carbon footprint and work towards carbon neutrality. This development has gained attention for its significance in the context of sustainable practices and climate change mitigation.
Key details: Many places of worship are implementing initiatives to reduce energy consumption, promote renewable energy, and adopt sustainable practices. These efforts include installing solar panels, energy-efficient lighting, rainwater harvesting, and waste management systems. The aim is to align religious values with environmental stewardship and inspire communities to take action against climate change.
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