Current Affairs 07 November 2023

CONTENTS

1. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
2. Deep Ocean Mission
3. Adaptation Gap Report, 2023
4. S-400 Triumf Missiles System
5. IIT Bombay Develops CO2 to CO Conversion Technology for Steel Sector
6. Bulava Ballistic Missile
7. GST Amnesty Scheme

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana

Context:

PM Modi has announced an extension of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) free ration scheme for another five years. The scheme was to end in December 2023.

Relevance:

GS II- Government policies and Interventions

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
2. Eligibility 
3. What are NFSA beneficiaries entitled to?
4. How many persons are covered under the NFSA?
5. How is the PM-GKAY different from the NFSA?

About Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana:

• It is considered as world’s largest food security scheme, aims at ensuring sufficient food for the poor and needy during the coronavirus crisis.
• It was announced as part of the first relief package during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Part of the scheme, the food needs to be provided to all the beneficiaries under public distribution system (TPDS) for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and priority household (PHH) ration cardholders.
• As per updates, the eligible beneficiaries will receive 5kg of foodgrains and 1 kg Gram per month.

Eligibility 

• Families belonging to the Below Poverty Line – Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Households (PHH) categories will be eligible for the scheme.
• PHH are to be identified by State Governments/Union Territory Administrations as per criteria evolved by them. AAY families are to be identified by States/UTs as per the criteria prescribed by the Central Government:
• Households headed by widows or terminally ill persons or disabled persons or persons aged 60 years or more with no assured means of subsistence or societal support.
• Widows or terminally ill persons or disabled persons or persons aged 60 years or more or single women or single men with no family or societal support or assured means of subsistence.
• All primitive tribal households.
• Landless agriculture labourers, marginal farmers, rural artisans/craftsmen such as potters, tanners, weavers, blacksmiths, carpenters, slum dwellers, and persons earning their livelihood on daily basis in the informal sector like porters, coolies, rickshaw pullers, hand cart pullers, fruit and flower sellers, snake charmers, rag pickers, cobblers, destitutes  and other similar categories in both rural and urban areas.
• All eligible Below Poverty Line families of HIV positive persons.

What are NFSA beneficiaries entitled to?

• There are two categories of beneficiary households under the NFSA — the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, and the Priority Households (PHs).
  • Each AAY household is entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains every month irrespective of the number of members in the household. PHs are entitled to receive foodgrains according to the number of family members.
  • Each member of a PH is entitled to receive 5 kg of foodgrains every month under the NFSA. So, the bigger a PH family, the greater is the quantity of foodgrains it gets.

At what rate are foodgrains provided under the NFSA?

• NFSA beneficiaries are entitled to receive foodgrains at highly subsidised rates. Under the food law, rice is provided at Rs 3 per kg, wheat at Rs 2 per kg, and coarse grains at Re 1 per kg.

How many persons are covered under the NFSA?

• The NFSA, enacted by the UPA government in 2013, aims at ensuring “access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices” to 50 per cent of the urban and 75 per cent of the rural population of the country. The overall national coverage of the NFSA is about 67.5 per cent.
• Section 9 of the NFSA states that the number of persons to be covered in rural and urban areas of a state shall be calculated on the basis of population estimates as per the Census of which the relevant figures have been published.
• The latest published Census figures are from 2011, and based on that about 81.35 crore people can be covered by the NFSA.
• However, Food Ministry data show that of the accepted figure of 81.35 crore, 98.05 per cent, or 79.77 crore persons, had been identified until July 2022.
• Thus, even with the ceiling fixed at 81.35 crore, states can still identify and add about 1.58 crore people under the NFSA.

How is the PM-GKAY different from the NFSA?

• The NFSA is a right-based scheme under a law of Parliament, while the PM-GKAY is a scheme announced by the executive as a top-up to the entitlements of beneficiaries covered under the NFSA.
• So, only those people who were already getting subsidised foodgrains can get free foodgrains under the PM-GKAY.
• The PM-GKAY provides additional benefits to NFSA beneficiaries, but does not cover additional beneficiaries beyond the accepted limit of 81.35 crore persons under the NFSA.

-Source: The Hindu

Deep Ocean Mission

Context:

India is preparing for a groundbreaking Deep Ocean Mission aimed at exploring and utilizing the largely uncharted depths of the ocean. This mission offers significant potential for scientific discoveries and economic benefits.

Relevance:

GS III: Science and Technology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About Deep Ocean Mission
2. Key Advancements in DOM Objectives
3. Major Challenges in Deep Ocean Exploration

About Deep Ocean Mission

The Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) is a visionary initiative led by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) aimed at advancing deep-sea exploration technologies and capabilities.

Part of PMSTIAC:

DOM is an integral component of the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PMSTIAC), which encompasses nine distinct missions.

The major objectives proposed under Deep Ocean Mission are as follows:

• Development of technologies for deep sea mining, underwater vehicles and underwater robotics;
• Development of ocean climate change advisory services;
• Technological innovations for exploration and conservation of deep sea biodiversity;
• Deep ocean survey and exploration;
• Proof of concept studies on energy and freshwater from the ocean; and
• Establishing advanced marine station for ocean biology.

Key Advancements in DOM Objectives:

Samudryaan and Matsya6000:

• Samudrayaan, a flagship component of DOM, was launched in 2021 under the guidance of the Minister of Earth Sciences.
• This groundbreaking mission seeks to conduct a crewed expedition to delve to a depth of 6,000 meters into the ocean floor within the Central Indian Ocean.
• Matsya6000, a specially designed deep-ocean submersible capable of accommodating a three-member crew, will facilitate this historic journey.
• Constructed from a titanium alloy, the sphere of Matsya6000 is engineered to endure pressures of up to 6,000 bar.

Varaha – India’s Deep-Ocean Mining System:

• The National Institute of Ocean Technology, an autonomous institute under MoES, has successfully conducted deep-sea locomotion trials using ‘Varaha,’ an underwater mining system.
• These trials were carried out at a depth of 5,270 meters in the central Indian Ocean, signifying a significant milestone in deep-sea resource exploration.

Major Challenges in Deep Ocean Exploration

Deep ocean exploration poses numerous formidable challenges that must be overcome to advance our understanding and utilization of this uncharted frontier. These challenges include:

High Pressure Conditions:

• The deep ocean exerts immense pressure, equivalent to carrying a weight of about 10,000 kg per square meter, which places extreme stress on objects and equipment.

Harsh Environment:

• The harsh conditions necessitate the use of meticulously designed and robust materials for equipment.
• Electronics and instruments often function more efficiently in space or vacuum conditions, and poorly designed objects may collapse or explode underwater.

Soft Ocean Bed:

• The soft and muddy surface of the ocean bed makes it exceptionally challenging for heavy vehicles to land or maneuver effectively.

Energy Requirements:

• Extracting materials from the ocean floor demands significant power and energy to pump them to the surface, adding to the complexity of deep-sea resource extraction.

Ineffectiveness of Remotely Operated Vehicles:

• Remotely operated vehicles are ineffective in the deep ocean due to the absence of electromagnetic wave propagation, limiting their control and data transmission capabilities.

Limited Visibility:

• Natural light penetration in the deep ocean is limited, with visibility extending only a few tens of meters underwater, in stark contrast to space observations facilitated by telescopes.

Environmental Factors:

• Deep-sea exploration is further complicated by various environmental factors such as temperature variations, corrosion, salinity, and other conditions, which require comprehensive solutions to address.

-Source: The Hindu

Adaptation Gap Report, 2023

Context:

The UN Environment Programme’s latest Adaptation Gap Report, 2023, underscores the pressing requirement for developing countries to receive a minimum of USD 215 billion annually throughout this decade for meaningful adaptation efforts. In 2021, only around USD 21 billion was directed to developing countries for adaptation projects, marking a 15% decrease from previous years. The report primarily centers on the crucial aspect of adaptation finance, addressing the availability of funding required for adaptation projects.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Key Highlights of the Adaptation Gap Report, 2023
2. Climate Financing: Funding Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
3. Climate Financing Concerns for Developing Countries

Key Highlights of the Adaptation Gap Report, 2023

Growing Adaptation Finance Gap:

• The adaptation finance gap, which represents the disparity between estimated adaptation financing needs and costs and the actual financial flows, has increased in recent years.

Significant Discrepancy in Adaptation Funding:

• The current adaptation gap is estimated to be 10-18 times larger than existing international adaptation finance flows, surpassing previous range estimates by at least 50%.
• The estimated annual adaptation finance gap now stands at USD 194-366 billion.

Gender-Responsive Finance Assessment:

• Of international public finance for adaptation that prioritizes gender equality as a primary objective, only 2% is evaluated as gender-responsive, while an additional 24% is considered gender-specific or integrative.

Ways to Boost Financing

Private Financing:

• Domestic expenditure and private finance are potential sources of adaptation funding, with domestic budgets likely to contribute significantly in many developing countries, ranging from 0.2% to over 5% of government budgets.
• Evidence of increased private-sector adaptation initiatives can be found in various sectors such as water, food and agriculture, transport and infrastructure, and tourism.

Internal Investments:

• Large companies’ “Internal Investments,” financial institutions’ provision of finance for adaptation-related activities, and companies offering adaptation goods and services are in high demand.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR):

• Exploring CSR options in India can aid in achieving climate financing and adaptation goals.

Reform of Global Financial Architecture:

• The report calls for a reform of the global financial system to ensure more accessible and substantial finance for climate-related purposes from multilateral agencies like the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
• Current levels of international financial flows for climate change mitigation are deemed highly inadequate.

Climate Financing: Funding Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

• Climate financing encompasses financial support at local, national, or transnational levels, sourced from public, private, and alternative channels, with the primary goal of aiding mitigation and adaptation actions that combat climate change.
• It focuses on providing the necessary funding to support initiatives addressing climate change through both mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Common but Differentiated Responsibility and Respective Capabilities (CBDR):

• International agreements such as the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement emphasize the obligation of developed countries, which possess more financial resources, to offer financial assistance to developing countries that are less affluent and more susceptible to the impacts of climate change.
• This principle aligns with the concept of Common but Differentiated Responsibility and Respective Capabilities (CBDR).

Conference of Parties-26 (COP 26):

• COP26 of the UNFCCC witnessed new financial commitments made by developed countries to support developing nations in their efforts to meet global climate change adaptation targets.
• Additionally, COP26 established new regulations for international carbon trading mechanisms, which are expected to contribute to adaptation funding.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 2018:

• Climate finance plays a pivotal role in addressing the challenges posed by climate change and achieving the objective of limiting the Earth’s average temperature increase to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, as projected in the 2018 IPCC report.

Climate Financing Concerns for Developing Countries

Developing countries face significant challenges related to climate financing, primarily in the context of adaptation efforts. Here are the key concerns:

Urgent Need for Adaptation:

• Adaptation measures are crucial for protecting lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems, particularly in developing and vulnerable countries with limited resilience.
• Halting the ongoing effects of climate change is not an immediate solution, making adaptation vital.

Specific Adaptation Measures:

• Developing countries implement various adaptation measures tailored to their unique needs.
• These measures encompass strengthening coastlines, constructing seawalls, developing heat-resistant crops, building climate-resilient infrastructure, securing water sources, and similar initiatives to enhance local resilience.

Financial Obligations:

• Implementing these adaptive measures places financial burdens beyond the budgetary capacities of many governments, making external financial support necessary.

Developed Countries’ Commitments:

• Developed countries, according to international climate agreements, have commitments to provide financial support and technology transfer to aid developing countries in their climate adaptation efforts.

Shortfalls in Climate Finance:

• Despite numerous conventions and treaties, developed countries have not fulfilled their obligations in terms of channeling the required funds for adaptation.

Efforts by Developed Countries:

Developed countries have initiated several efforts to address climate financing concerns:

Target of USD 100 Billion:

• Developed nations pledged in 2009 to mobilize a minimum of USD 100 billion annually in climate finance from 2020. However, even three years after the deadline, this goal has not been met.

UNFCCC Platform:

• Efforts are underway to increase climate finance flows for various climate needs, including adaptation, through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Glasgow Climate Conference:

• At the 2021 Glasgow climate conference, developed countries committed to doubling funding for adaptation. Additionally, there is an agreement to establish a new climate financing goal, surpassing USD 100 billion annually, by 2025.

New Collective Quantified Goal:

• The doubling of adaptation finance by 2025 and the formulation of a new collective quantified goal for 2030, currently under discussion, aim to bridge the climate finance gap, with the involvement of developing countries.

-Source: Indian Express

S-400 Triumf Missiles System

Context:

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has taken steps to bolster its defence capabilities by deploying three S-400 Triumf air defence missile squadrons along its borders with China and Pakistan. India had entered into a contract with Russia in 2018-19 for the acquisition of five S-400 missile squadrons, with three already in place and two delayed due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In addition to this development, the Indian Defence Acquisition Council has recently granted approval for the procurement of the Indian Long Range Surface Air Missile (LRSAM) system under Project Kusha.

Relevance:

GS III: Science and Technology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. S-400 Triumf Missile System
2. Significance of S-400 for India
3. Project Kusha: India’s Long-Range Air Defence Initiative

S-400 Triumf Missile System

The S-400 Triumf missile system, developed by Russia, is a formidable surface-to-air missile (SAM) system with the following key features:

• Target Range and Altitude: The S-400 boasts a range of up to 400 km and can engage targets at altitudes of up to 30 km.
• Multi-Target Capability: It has the remarkable ability to simultaneously engage up to 36 targets, including a variety of aerial threats like aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.
• Versatile Missiles: The system utilizes four distinct types of missiles, enhancing its adaptability and effectiveness.
• Global Significance: The S-400 is recognized as the most advanced and operationally deployed modern long-range SAM (MLR SAM) globally, surpassing systems like the US-developed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).

Significance of S-400 for India

Enhanced Air Defence:

• India’s decision to procure the S-400 missiles is geared towards augmenting its air defence capabilities, providing a stronger deterrence posture against China and Pakistan.
• Both these nations have been actively modernizing and expanding their air forces and missile arsenals.

Two-Front Security Concerns:

• India faces a dual threat from China and Pakistan, both of which have been involved in various border disputes and conflicts with India over the years.

Countering China’s Influence:

• India views the acquisition of the S-400 system as essential to counter China’s growing presence and influence in the Indian Ocean Region.
• China has been actively establishing ports, bases, and infrastructure projects in the region.

Strategic Autonomy and Diversification:

• India’s move to procure the S-400 system aligns with its objective to maintain strategic autonomy and diversify its defense partnerships.
• This strategy is in response to the unpredictability and volatility within the global order.

Project Kusha: India’s Long-Range Air Defence Initiative

• Project Kusha is a significant defense initiative led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India.
• Its primary goal is to develop a robust long-range air defense system, with the target of achieving this capability by the year 2028-29.

Key Objectives:

• The long-range air defense system being developed under Project Kusha aims to detect and neutralize a variety of enemy threats, including projectiles, armor, cruise missiles, stealth fighter jets, and drones, particularly at extended ranges.

Components of the System:

• The system will comprise three distinct types of interceptor missiles, each designed with different ranges: 150 km, 250 km, and 350 km.
• It will also feature advanced long-range surveillance and fire control radars.

Rivaling Global Systems:

• Project Kusha aspires to match the effectiveness of internationally renowned air defense systems, including Russia’s S-400 system and Israel’s Iron Dome system.

Significance:

• The development of a long-range air defense system is of strategic importance for India’s defense capabilities and national security.
•  It aims to enhance the country’s defense posture and provide effective protection against a wide range of potential threats.

-Source: The Hindu

IIT Bombay Develops CO2 to CO Conversion Technology for Steel Sector

Context:

The National Centre of Excellence in Carbon Capture and Utilisation (NCoE-CCU) at IIT Bombay has introduced an energy-efficient technology capable of converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into carbon monoxide (CO). This innovation finds application in the steel sector and aligns with India’s aspirations for achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

Relevance:

GS III:  Scientific Innovations & Discoveries

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Operating the CO2 to CO Conversion Technology
2. Relevance to the Steel Industry

Operating the CO2 to CO Conversion Technology

• The CO2 to CO conversion technology operates using an electrocatalytic process.
• Unlike conventional techniques that necessitate high temperatures ranging from 400-750 °C and an equivalent amount of hydrogen, this process functions at ambient temperatures between 25-40 °C and in the presence of water, removing the requirement for elevated temperature conditions.
• The energy needed for this electrocatalysis reaction can be directly derived from renewable sources like solar panels or windmills, ensuring a carbon-neutral operation.
• This process is notably energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable.

Electrocatalytic Process

• The electrocatalytic process is a catalytic mechanism characterized by the direct transfer of electrons occurring between an electrode and reactants.

Key Attributes:

• Environmentally Friendly: This process is known for its eco-friendliness, as it often leads to cleaner and more sustainable chemical reactions.
• Efficiency: Electrocatalysis is highly efficient, enabling reactions to proceed with greater speed and efficacy.
• Cost-Effectiveness: It is often considered an economical and cost-effective method for various applications.

Applications:

• Electrocatalysis finds applications in a wide range of sustainable energy technologies, such as fuel cells, water splitting for hydrogen production, and various electrochemical processes used in environmental and industrial settings.

Relevance to the Steel Industry:

• Carbon monoxide (CO) holds substantial significance in the steel industry, particularly in the conversion of iron ores into metallic iron within blast furnaces.
• CO is widely used in the industry, often in the form of synthesis gas (syn gas).
• Conventionally, CO is produced by partially oxidizing coke or coal, resulting in notable CO2 emissions.
• The new CO2 to CO conversion technology offers the potential to establish a circular economy, thereby reducing the carbon footprint and related expenses in steel production.

-Source: The Hindu

Bulava Ballistic Missile

Context:

Russia recently carried out a successful test launch of the Bulava ballistic missile, designed to carry nuclear warheads.

Relevance:

GS III: Science and Technology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About the Bulava Ballistic Missile
2. What is a Ballistic Missile?

About the Bulava Ballistic Missile:

• The Bulava Ballistic Missile is a newly developed Russian submarine-launched Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
• Its development began in 1998, and the first powered flight test of the Bulava missile took place in September 2005, followed by its first submerged test launch in December.
• The Bulava missile was specifically designed for deployment on Russia’s Borey-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs).

Key Features:

• This missile is a significant component of Moscow’s nuclear triad, featuring an impressive range of over 8,000 kilometers (close to 5,000 miles).
• The Bulava missile measures approximately 12-13.5 meters in length and has a diameter of around 2.0 meters.
• It has a launch weight of 36,800 kilograms and is a three-stage solid-fuel missile.
• Notably, the missile is designed to carry multiple warheads, with each warhead capable of striking a different target. It has the capacity to carry six Multiple Independent Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs) that can maneuver in-flight and re-target, making it difficult for hostile air defenses to intercept.
• The Bulava missile is reported to have an accuracy of 350 meters.

What is a Ballistic Missile?

• A ballistic missile is a rocket-propelled, self-guided strategic weapon system that follows a ballistic trajectory to deliver a payload from its launch site to a predetermined target.
• Ballistic missiles are initially powered by rockets, typically using a series of stages, and then follow an unpowered trajectory that reaches its highest point before descending toward the intended target.
• These missiles can carry either nuclear or conventional warheads, making them versatile and powerful tools in military arsenals.

-Source:  Indian Today

GST Amnesty Scheme

Context:

The finance ministry has come out with an amnesty scheme for filing appeals against Goods and Services Tax (GST) demand orders.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About the GST Amnesty Scheme
2. What is the Goods and Services Tax (GST)?

About the GST Amnesty Scheme:

• The GST Amnesty Scheme will remain open for applications until January 31, 2024.
• It is designed for entities that missed the deadline for submitting appeals against tax officer orders issued on or before March 31.
• The primary objective of this scheme is to assist entities that were unable to meet the appeal filing deadline due to various reasons, including administrative errors or unforeseen circumstances.
• To participate in the scheme, entities are required to pre-deposit 12.5 percent of the tax demand, which is slightly higher than the previous pre-deposit requirement of 10 percent.

Significance:

• The initiative has the potential to encourage improved compliance among taxpayers by offering a fair and lenient approach to appeal filing. This, in turn, fosters better cooperation with tax authorities and a willingness to resolve disputes or clarify tax-related matters.
• By facilitating more efficient dispute resolution, the scheme may also alleviate the burden on the legal system, benefiting both taxpayers and the tax administration. It streamlines the appeal process and has the potential to reduce the need for extensive legal proceedings.

What is the Goods and Services Tax (GST)?

• The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a unified indirect tax system in India that replaced multiple indirect taxes such as excise duty, VAT, and services tax.
• GST is levied on the supply of goods and services throughout the country.
• It was introduced in India in July 2017 with the aim of eliminating ambiguity and ensuring price equality for products across the nation.

-Source:  Times of India