Daily Prelims Notes 10 March 2023

March 10, 2023
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
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Daily Prelims Notes

10 March 2023

Table Of Contents

1. Central Government to reconsider ‘safe harbour’ clause in IT Law

Subject: Economy

Section: Msc

Concept:

The Central government formally outlined the Digital India Act, 2023. The Act will replace the decades-old Information Technology Act, 2000.
Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, announced that the government is reconsidering a key aspect of cyberspace — ‘safe harbour’.
- Safe harbour is the principle that so-called ‘intermediaries’ on the internet are not responsible for what third parties post on their website.
- This is the principle that allows social media platforms to avoid liability for posts made by users.
- The safe harbour clause was also reined in the recently notified Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 which mandates social media intermediates to remove posts when ordered to do so by the government.
The Minister said that intermediaries for which safe harbour was applied as a concept have now morphed into multiple types of participants and platforms on the internet.
They are now functionally very different from each other, and will require different types of guardrails and regulatory requirements.
The Minister also said that the constitutional protections for freedom of expression, under Article 19, will be given priority over in comparison to social media platforms’ own moderation policies.

Background:

The Central government in December 2022 had released the draft Digital India Bill for public consultation by the end of this month.
The Digital India Act will subsume the Information Technology Act 2020, which according to experts and government officials need a revamp owing to changing internet scenarios.
The Digital India Act would further cover other aspects such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), deepfakes, cybercrime, competition issues and data protection.
The government is also expected to introduce stringent regulations on privacy-invasive devices such as spy camera glasses and wearable tech through the Digital India Act.
The proposed bill, alongside the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill, 2022 whose draft was released recently, will contribute to the evolving framework which is light on regulation, safeguards consumer rights and catalyses innovation.

Key aspects of Digital India Bill:

The government is considering a departure from the long-held understanding of ‘intermediaries’ on the Internet – sites that typically act as a platform for users to access services on the Internet.
Present Scenario :Under the Information Technology Act, 2000, there is no classification of intermediaries.
Proposal :
- The new law will prescribe different kinds of intermediaries because their regulation has to be different.
- Intermediaries will be bucketed as social media platforms, e-commerce platforms, AI platforms, fact-checking platforms etc.
New Regulator for Internet :
- The new Bill is also expected to prescribe a new regulator for the online space along the lines of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) or the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
- The new law is also expected to introduce penal consequences for violations, and prescribe governing provisions for emerging technologies like the metaverse and blockchain.
- Once finalised, the Bill will impact Big Tech companies like Google, Amazon, Meta, Amazon and Apple, among others.

About Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022:

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology formulated a draft Bill, titled ‘The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022’.
The purpose of the draft Bill is to provide for the processing of digital personal data in a manner that recognizes both the right of individuals to protect their personal data and the need to process personal data for lawful purposes.
The Bill frames out the rights and duties of the citizen (Digital Nagrik) on one hand and the obligations to use collected data lawfully of the Data Fiduciary on the other hand.

2. Long lost moth species caught on camera in TN forest

Subject :Environment

Section: Species in news

Concept :

Recently, two researchers from Tamil Nadu have spotted a rare moth species for the first time in India in the buffer zone of Kalakkad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.

Mimeusemiaceylonica

Mimeusemiaceylonica is a moth species belonging to the subfamily Agaristinae and family Noctuidae.
This Moth species was first illustrated and described by English entomologist George Hampson in 1893.
The species was first identified in Sri Lanka.
The species has been rediscovered after 127 years during a moth survey conducted in the year 2020 at the Agasthyamalai Community-based Conservation Centre (ACCC) situated in the buffer zone of KalakadMundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.
The spotting of the Moth species in the district has added to the testimony of the rich biodiversity of the region.

Kalakkad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

The KalakadMundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) in Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu is one of the protected areas having diverse flora and fauna.
It was declared as the “First Tiger Reserve of Tamil Nadu” and the 17th Tiger Reserve of the country.
It consists of the Kanyakumari Wildlife sanctuary in the south and the Nellai Wildlife Sanctuary in the North.
The river Thamirabarani originates from this tiger reserve.
The reserve is also known as the “River Sanctuary” with as many as 14 rivers originating from this Tiger Reserve.
Flora: This region has got vegetation types which gradually change from dry thorn forest to dry deciduous, moist deciduous and a patch of West coast wet evergreen forests on the higher reaches of the reserve.
Fauna: Lion Tailed Macaque, NilgiriTahr, Nilgiri Pipit, Grey Headed Bulbul, Blue Winged Parakeet etc.

3. TROPEX Exercise 2023

Subject: Defence

Concept:

Indian Navy’s major Operational level exercise TROPEX for the year 2023, conducted across the expanse of IOR for four months from Nov 22 – Mar 23, culminated this week in the Arabian Sea.

Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX 2023)

This operational level exercise is conducted biennially and witnesses participation not only by all Indian Navy units but also of Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Coast Guard assets.
It witnessed the participation of approximately 70 Indian Navy ships, six submarines and over 75 aircraft.
As part of the exercise, all surface combatants of the Indian Navy including Destroyers, Frigates, and Corvettes as well as submarines and aircraft are put through complex maritime operational deployments.
The overall exercise construct included the Coastal Defence exercise Sea Vigil and the Amphibious Exercise AMPHEX.
Timeline: Nov 2022 to March 2023.

Sea Vigil

Sea Vigil is a national-level coastal defence exercise which was conceptualised in 2018 for enhancing maritime security since ‘26/11’ Mumbai terror attack.
The exercise is being conducted by the Indian Navy in coordination with the Coast Guard and other ministries involved in maritime activities.
The exercise will be undertaken along the entire 7516-km coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone of India.
The exercise involves all the Coastal States and Union territories along with other maritime stakeholders, including the fishing and coastal communities.
Sea Vigil and TROPEX together will cover the entire spectrum Maritime Security challenges.

AMPHEX

AMPHEX is aimed at joint training of elements of all three services in various facets of amphibious operations to enhance interoperability and synergy.
AMPHEX 23 is the first time that the exercise was undertaken at Kakinada, and was the largest ever AMPHEX conducted till date.
AMPHEX 2023 successfully demonstrated the amphibious capabilities and validated the excellent coordination that exists between the three Services to undertake the full spectrum of amphibious operations.

4. Antibiotic drugs administered on livestock cut carbon in soil and affect climate, says IISc

Subject: Environment

Concept:

In a study conducted in the Spiti region of the Himalayas by the researchers of the Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), it was found that grazing by livestock leads to lower carbon storage in soil compared to grazing by wild herbivores.
According to the researchers, the difference in carbon storage is mainly on account of the use of veterinary antibiotics such as tetracycline on livestock.
It was found that when antibiotics are released into the soil in the form of dung and urine, they alter the microbial communities in the soil which can be detrimental to carbon sequestering and can impact climate mitigation.
In a previous study, it was observed that herbivores play a key role in stabilizing the pool of soil carbon in a region and the recent study showcases the difference as to how they affect the soil carbon stocks between livestock such as sheep and cattle compared to their wild herbivores such as the yak and ibex.
As per the latest study, despite the soils from the wild and livestock areas having many similarities, they differ mainly in one key parameter named carbon use efficiency (CUE).

Carbon use efficiency

Carbon use efficiency (CUE) is a key measure of carbon (C) transfer from the atmosphere to terrestrial biomass, and indirectly reflects how much carbon is released through autotrophic respiration from the vegetation to the atmosphere.
Carbon use efficiency (CUE) determines the ability of microbes to store carbon in the soil.
The soil in the livestock areas had 19% lower CUE as antibiotics such as tetracycline can affect the microbial activity in the soil and can linger in the soil for a long period of time.

5. IBSA can play vital role in reforming digital governance

Subject : International relations

Section: Groupings

Concept :

As per the Geneva-based DiploFoundation, the tripartite IBSA Forum which includes India, Brazil, and South Africa could play a significant role in the process of reforming digital governance, at a time when digital geopolitical tensions are rising.
The foundation also notes that the first tangible results from IBSA’s digital momentum can be expected during India’s G-20 presidency, which would promote a new gold standard for data.
The report has highlighted the fact that digitisation is driving growth in the IBSA economies and that India with a vibrant digital economy is the leader among them.
According to the report of the DiploFoundation, digital geopolitics will be centred on the issues pertaining to the protection of submarine cables and satellites, the production of semiconductors, and the free flow of data.
India’s G-20 presidency urges for a new standard for data that can help address competing issues around the free flow of data and data sovereignty.

About IBSA Forum

The IBSA is a trilateral, developmental initiative between India, Brazil and South Africa to promote South-South cooperation and exchange.
The grouping was formalized and named the IBSA Dialogue Forum when the Foreign Ministers of the three countries met in Brasilia (Brazil) on 6th June 2003 and issued the Brasilia Declaration.
IBSA does not have a headquarters or a permanent executive secretariat.
At the highest level, it counts on the Summits of Heads of State and Government.
Joint Naval Exercise:
- IBSAMAR (IBSA Maritime Exercise) is an important part of IBSA trilateral defence cooperation.
- Seven editions of IBSAMAR have been held so far, the latest one being in thePortGqeberha (also known as Port Elizabeth), South Africa in October, 2022.
IBSA Fund:
- Established in 2004, IBSA Fund (India, Brazil and South Africa Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation) is a unique Fund through which development projects are executed with IBSA funding in fellow developing countries.
- The fund is managed by the United Nations (UN) Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC).
- Each IBSA member country is required to contribute $1 million per annum to the fund.
IBSA Fellowship Programme:
- It focuses on multilateral institutional frameworks to coordinate, support and enable sustainable development globally; joint research for cooperation and exchange of information in the fields of macro-economy, trade and development; and any other area as may be found of interest within the IBSA framework.

6. Phad Paintings

Subject : History

Section :Art and Culture

Concept :

The Phad Se Padh (Study with Phad) initiative was launched in Delhi Schools, in association with the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum Trust.

Phad Painting

Phad painting belongs to the state of Rajasthan.
The art of painting the phads is approximately 700 years old. It is said that it was originated in Shahpura, some 35 kms from Bhilwara in Rajasthan. The continuous royal patronage gave a decisive impetus to the art which has survived and flourished for generations.
Phad painting depicts the heroic deeds of a heroic figure, the daily life of a peasant, rural life, animals and birds, flora and fauna.
The art prints of historical figures like Goga Chauhan, Prithviraj Chauhan, Amar Singh Rathore and Teja Ji.
They are scroll paintings on long rectangular cloth. The story of Pappu Ji and Narayandev Ji’s lives is primarily portrayed in modern times.

They are painted with vegetable colours on a lengthy piece of cloth known as a phadand are either 15 feet or 30 feet long.
Wide eyes and round features characterise the subjects. They frequently include tales that are pompous and upbeat in addition to pictures of the parade.

7. India must prepare to curb volatility risk of international rupee: RBI Deputy Governor

Subject : Economy

Section: External Sector

Concept :

India needs to gear up to manage the inevitable volatility that will emerge in the foreign exchange market as the country progresses further towards internationalisation of the rupee, a deputy governor at RBI said recently.

Currency volatility

Currency volatility is the frequency and extent of changes in a currency’s value.
It is measured by calculating the dispersion of exchange rate changes around the mean, expressed in terms of daily, weekly, monthly or annual standard deviations.
The larger the number, the greater the volatility over a period of time.
Currency volatility occurs when there are rapid changes to the exchange rate of a currency pair in a short period of time.
So, if the US Dollar began to rise and drop in value compared to Rupee, this would be classed as currency pair volatility.

Internationalisation of Rupee

Internationalisation of the rupee is a process that involves increasing use of the local currency in cross-border transactions.
It involves promoting the rupee for import and export trade and then other current account transactions followed by its use in capital account transactions.
As far as the rupee is concerned, it is fully convertible in the current account, but partially in capital account.
- Current and Capital account are the two components of Balance of payments.
- While the current account deals mainly with the import and export of goods and services, the capital account is made up of the cross-border movement of capital by way of investments and loans.
Need :
- Excessive dependence on dollars combined with global inflation and economic crises has led to the depreciation of the rupee to an all-time low. If the rupee is internationalized, India would not have to depend on US Dollars for its trade.
- RBI has allowed domestic traders to settle their import-export bills in rupee.

Advantages of Internationalization:

Appreciate currency value: It will improve the demand for the rupee in international trade.
Mitigate exchange rate volatility: Rupee-denominated payments can help reduce price volatility associated with dollars.
Making significant savings in Indian foreign reserves.
Circumvent sanctions: Improving acceptance and trade in rupees can help India to diversify its trade basket by circumventing restrictions and sanctions imposed by the west.
Improve its standing as a global economic power

Associated risks

Impact on monetary policy: The internationalization of the rupee will limit the country’s ability to create a monetary policy specific to its local economic demand.
The Indian economy will become more susceptible to international economic fluctuations.
Managed currency has been utilized to protect the economy from damages during the economic crises of 1980 and 2008. It may not be the case anymore.
The outflow of Hot money: Complete internationalization of currency will expand the risk of hot currency (highly prone to sudden outflows) to capital assets.
For example, east Asian crisis in 1997.

8. Sakharov freedom award

Subject: International Relations

Section: International Awards

Concept:

Ukrainian human rights organization, Truth Hounds, has been awarded the 2023Sakharov Freedom Award for documenting war crimes, as reported by the Norwegian Helsinki Committee (NHC), which established the award.
The NHC recognized the nongovernmental organization for documenting war crimes and potential crimes against humanity.
This year marks the first time a Ukrainian organization has received the award in 2022.

About the Sakharov Prize:

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is awarded each year by the European Parliament.
The Sakharov Freedom Award was established in 1988 by the Norwegian Helsinki Committee to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The first people to receive this award are South African Nelson Mandela and Russian dissident Anatoly Marchenko.
It is named in honour of Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov and the prize money is 50 000 euros.
The 2023 award ceremony will occur at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo on 25 May 2023.

9. PUShP portal

Subject : Schemes

Context:

The Central Government has launched a High Price Day Ahead Market and Surplus Power Portal (PUShP) – an initiative to ensure greater availability of power during the peak demand season.
This year, the Power Ministry expects that the demand will be much higher than last year. Therefore, a separate segment called HP DAM has been created for those generation systems where the cost of producing power may cross Rs 12. The HP DAM segment will accommodate gas-based and imported coal-based plants.

10. Malabar exercise

Subject: Defence

Context:

Malabar Exercise

It is an annual exercise between the navies of India, Japan, and the U.S. held alternately in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
It began in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between India and the U.S.
Then it got permanently expanded into a trilateral format with the inclusion of Japan in 2015.
With the addition of Australia, it has become a Quadilateral naval exercise between India, USA, Japan and Australia.
India and Japan defence forces organize a series of bilateral exercises namely, JIMEX, SHINYUU Maitri, and Dharma Guardian.
Whereas India and USA conduct Joint Military Exercises namely, YudhaAbhyas.
Other exercises between India and Australia are Pitch Black and AUSINDEX.

11. World is off track on sodium intake reduction goal: WHO

Subject: Science and Technology

Section: Health

Context: According to World Health Organization report on sodium intake Food companies and governments need to set more ambitious targets to reduce the consumption of salt.

Concept:

Sodium is an essential nutrient, but increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and premature death when eaten in excess. The main source of sodium is table salt (sodium chloride), but it is also contained in other condiments such as sodium glutamate.
The report shows that only 5 percent of the WHO member states are protected by mandatory and comprehensive sodium reduction policies and 73 percent of WHO member states lack a full range of implementation of such policies.
The global average salt intake is estimated to be 10.8 grams per day, more than double the WHO recommendation of less than five grams of salt per day (one teaspoon). More evidence is emerging documenting links between high sodium intake and increased risk of other health conditions such as gastric cancer, obesity, osteoporosis and kidney disease, the WHO said.
WHO’s recommendations include reformulating foods to contain less salt, setting targets for the amount of sodium in foods and meals; establishing public food procurement policies to limit salt or sodium-rich foods in public institutions such as hospitals, schools, workplaces and nursing homes; front-of-package labelling that helps consumers select products lower in sodium and behaviour change communication and mass media campaigns to reduce salt/sodium consumption.

12. SCO member states

Subject: International relations

Context: SC to host 3-day meeting of Chief Justices of SCO member states

SCO

The SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation. It is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance and has been the primary security pillar of the region.
It was established in 2001. It was preceded by the Shanghai Five mechanism.
The Heads of State Council (HSC) is the supreme decision-making body in the SCO. It meets once a year and adopts decisions and guidelines on all important matters of the organisation.
The organisation has two permanent bodies:
- the SCO Secretariat based in Beijing.
- the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) based in Tashkent.
Eight member states: India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Four observer states: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia.