Daily Prelims Notes 11 January 2025

Daily Prelims Notes

11 January 2025

Table Of Contents

1. NATO members reluctant to endorse Trump’s defence spending proposal
2. Congress slams Centre for ‘prioritising’ Pariksha Pe Charcha over scholarships
3. Honouring Southern Craftsmanship: President’s Special ‘At Home’ Invite Highlights India’s Heritage
4. 2024: The Year Humanity Breached the 1.5°C Global Warming Limit
5. Governor’s role in higher education
6. Centre allows Kerala to use SDRF funds for Wayanad

1. NATO members reluctant to endorse Trump’s defence spending proposal

Sub: IR

Sec: Int groupings

Context:

• U.S. President-elect Donald Trump proposed that NATO member countries should spend 5% of their GDP on defence, a sharp increase from the current target of 2%.
• While the proposal is seen as politically and economically unfeasible for most countries, there is likely to be a new, higher target set at the NATO summit in June, possibly around 3% of GDP.

Defence Spending of NATO Countries:

• Among NATO members, Poland, which borders Ukraine, spends the highest proportion of GDP on defence at 12%, followed by Estonia at 3.43%, and the United States at 3.38%.
• The combined defence spending of NATO members in 2024 was estimated at $1.474 trillion, with the S. contributing the largest share at approximately $968 billion.
• In response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, many European countries have increased their defence spending in recent years. However, these increases are still not enough to meet more ambitious targets.

NATO:

• Formed in 1949 with the signing of the Washington Treaty, NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a security alliance of 32 countries from North America and Europe.
• In March 2024, Sweden became the latest member of NATO.
• It started with 12 founding members: the United States, Canada, and ten European countries: Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the United Kingdom.
• NATO’s fundamental goal is to safeguard the Allies’ freedom and security by political and military means.
• NATO’s core principle is collective defence, as outlined in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. If one member is attacked, all other members are obligated to come to its defence.
• Headquarter – Brussels, Belgium.

2. Congress slams Centre for ‘prioritising’ Pariksha Pe Charcha over scholarships

Sub: Schemes

Sec: Sci 

Context:

• The Congress party sharply criticized the Narendra Modi government following a report that the Union government had stopped the National Talent Search Examination (NTSE), a scholarship program for meritorious students.
• Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of undermining India’s education system while Prime Minister Modi focuses on self-promotion through initiatives like “Pariksha Pe Charcha” and “Exam Warrior”.

About NTSE:

• The National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is a scholarship program initiated by the Government of India to identify and nurture talented students at the school level.
• It is conducted by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), which is the apex body responsible for the program.
• The NTSE is designed for students studying in Class 10 in Indian schools. The scholarships are awarded to students who qualify in the examination.
• The NTSE, which was introduced in 1963, has been instrumental in providing educational opportunities to talented students.

The NTSE is conducted in two stages:

• Stage 1: This is a state-level examination, conducted by various state and Union Territory educational boards across India. It is usually held in November each year. Students who qualify in Stage 1 are eligible to appear for Stage 2.
• Stage 2: This is a national-level examination conducted by the NCERT, generally in May. The students who clear both stages are awarded the NTSE scholarship.

Scholarship Benefits:

• The students who qualify for the NTSE are awarded a monthly scholarship. The amount varies at different stages of education:
• For Class 11 and 12, the scholarship amount is ₹1,250 per month.
• For undergraduate and postgraduate courses, the scholarship amount is ₹2,000 per month.
• For D. students, the scholarship is ₹2,000 per month along with a contingency grant.
• Apart from this, several prestigious institutes reserve seats for NTSE scholars, who are inducted without entrance tests.

Pariksha Pe Charcha:

• “Pariksha Pe Charcha” is an annual event initiated in 2018 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where he interacts with students, teachers, and parents to discuss issues related to exams, stress, and education.
• The event, typically held before major exam seasons, aims to provide guidance and motivational support to students.

Exam Warrior:

• “Exam Warrior” is a book written by Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, aimed at helping students manage stress during exams and promoting a positive and stress-free approach to learning.

3. Honouring Southern Craftsmanship: President’s Special ‘At Home’ Invite Highlights India’s Heritage

Sub : History

Sec: Art and Culture

Why in News

• This year’s Republic Day celebration marked the 75th anniversary of India’s formation as a republic. In a unique departure from tradition, President Draupadi Murmu introduced an innovative and symbolic gesture to honour the craftsmanship of the five southern states—Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh—through a curated box of handicrafts distributed alongside the traditional invitation for the customary ‘At Home’ reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Traditional Invitation with a Modern Twist:

• Invitations for Rashtrapati Bhavan’s ‘At Home’ receptions are typically embossed with the Lion Capital of Ashoka.
• To commemorate 75 years of the Republic, this year’s invite includes a curated box of crafts from the five southern states.
• The idea for this symbolic gesture was proposed by President Draupadi Murmu and executed by Rashtrapati Bhavan in collaboration with the National Institute of Design (NID).

Craft Box:

• The box symbolizes India’s 5,000-year-old civilizational history and carries the message of sustainability.
• The artifacts reflect colour schemes inspired by the 75th anniversary of the Republic of India.
• The box highlights crafts with Geographical Indication (GI) tags from the southern states under the “One District One Product” scheme.
• Packaging Material: A bamboo weave box featuring Kalamkari paintings crafted by Nimmalakunta artisans.
• Crafted Items: Here’s a table summarizing the crafted items –

National Institute of Design (NID):

• Established in 1961.
• Headquarters: Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• Objective: Promote design education and innovation in India.
• Declared an ‘Institution of National Importance’ in 2014 under the NID Act.
• Supports artisans and crafts through design interventions and skill development.
• Functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
• Collaborates on projects like ‘One District One Product’ and sustainability initiatives.

One District One Product (ODOP):

• Introduced by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in 2018.
• Promote district-specific products to boost local economies, enhance rural livelihoods, and increase exports.
• Focuses on one unique product per district (e.g., crafts, textiles, or food). Provides branding, marketing, and financial support to local artisans and manufacturers.
• Integrated with PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme.
• Collaboration with schemes like Skill India, Make in India, and Digital India.

4. 2024: The Year Humanity Breached the 1.5°C Global Warming Limit

Sub : Geo

Sec: Climatology

Why in News

• 2024 marked the first year when the mean global temperature exceeded the 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels, according to data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). This event signifies a critical juncture in the fight against climate change, raising alarms about its irreversible impacts.

2024 as the Hottest Year:

• The global mean temperature in 2024 was 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time.
• It averaged 15.1°C, which was 0.72°C higher than the 1991-2020 baseline and 0.12°C higher than 2023.
• 2024 also recorded 1.6°C above pre-industrial estimates (1850–1900 levels).
• Sea Surface Temperature (SST): The annual SST across extra polar oceans hit a record high of 20.87°C, exceeding the 1991–2020 average by 0.51°C. SST levels from January to June 2024 were the highest for this period, while July to December ranked second, after 2023.
• El Niño Effect: A significant El Niño event, beginning in June 2023, contributed to warming and its impacts lasted well into 2024.
• Breaching 1.5°C for a single year does not indicate that the threshold has been permanently crossed.
• Experts caution that if the trend continues for a decade or more, it would signify a permanent breach of this critical boundary.

Implications of Exceeding the 1.5°C Threshold:

• The high rate of carbon emissions makes the current trajectory a point of no return.
• Without substantial action, global temperatures may exceed 2°C by 2050.
• Rising temperatures disproportionately impact developing economies, already burdened by frequent climate disasters.
• Failed Talks at COP29 (Baku, Azerbaijan): Nations failed to agree on a financial framework to address the escalating costs of mitigating carbon emissions.

About Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S):

• The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) is a key component of the European Union’s Copernicus Programme, dedicated to providing comprehensive climate information to support adaptation and mitigation efforts.
• Established: 2014
• Managed by: European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) on behalf of the European Commission.
• Deliver authoritative information about past, present, and future climate conditions in Europe and globally.
• Analyse historical climate data to track changes and trends. Provide seasonal forecasts and future climate projections under various greenhouse gas emission scenarios.
• Offer free and open access to climate data, tools, and information to users worldwide.

5. Governor’s role in higher education

Sub: Polity

Sec: Executive

Context: –

• Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar said the responsibility for higher education in the state lies with the Governor.
• It was in response to Kerala’s CM criticism of the new draft regulations of the UGC that place significant power in the hands of Governors as Chancellors of the universities in the states, including their role in the selection of vice-chancellors.

Constitutional Provisions: –

• Education comes under the Concurrent List (Seventh Schedule, List III) 
• Entry 66 of the Union List (Seventh Schedule, List I) — “coordination and determination of standards in institutions for higher education or research and scientific and technical institutions” gives the Centre substantial authority over higher education.

What are the Governor’s Powers?

• State public universities are established through laws passed by state legislatures.  In most laws the Governor has been designated as the Chancellor of these universities.
•  The Chancellor functions as the head of public universities, and appoints the Vice-Chancellor of the university.
• Further, the Chancellor can declare invalid, any university proceeding which is not as per existing laws.
•  In some states (such as Bihar, Gujarat, and Jharkhand), the Chancellor has the power to conduct inspections in the university.
• The Chancellor also presides over the convocation of the university, and confirms proposals for conferring honorary degrees.
• In 1997, the Supreme Court held that the Governor was not bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, while discharging duties of a separate statutory office (such as the Chancellor).

UGC

The University Grants Commission (UGC) is a statutory body established in 1956 under the UGC Act, 1956. It is tasked with the coordination, determination, and maintenance of standards in higher education in India.

For institutions to be UGC-approved universities, UGC has established additional requirements or standards.

Universities Regulated by the UGC

• Central universities: Set up by the national government, these tend to be larger and well-known.
• State universities: Run by each state, these often have many affiliated colleges in smaller towns. They mainly offer undergraduate courses. Some older colleges may offer higher degrees, too.
• Deemed universities: Special institutes recognized for their excellence. They are given some freedom to set their own rules.
• Private universities: Approved by the national government, these can grant degrees. They are often focused on specific fields. They can’t have affiliated colleges like state universities.

6. Centre allows Kerala to use SDRF funds for Wayanad

Sub : Polity

Sec: Msc

Context: Centre permitted Kerala’s State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to use 120 crores which had been set apart for payment to defence department towards airlifting charges provided by centre, after the SDRF sought additional assistance specifically for Wayanad, as existing funds are earmarked for prior commitments and statewide disaster management activities.

About SDRF

The SDRF is constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, which provides the legal framework for disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response.

Article 282 of the Indian Constitution allows both the Union and State governments to make grants for public purposes, including disaster management.

Nodal Authority:

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) at the Central level oversees disaster management, while State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) manage state-level operations.

Financial Framework

Funding Mechanism:

• The SDRF is primarily funded by the Central Government, with a share contributed by the respective State Governments.
• For general-category states, the central share is 75%, and for special-category states (e.g., Northeastern states, Himalayan states), it is 90%.
• In the case of severe disasters, the Central Government provides additional financial assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)

Annual Allocation:

• The Centre allocates funds based on the recommendations of the Finance Commission, taking into account factors like past disasters, vulnerability, and state performance in disaster response.

Usage and Release of Funds:

• The SDRF can be utilized for disaster relief, including expenses related to rescue operations, immediate relief, and restoration activities.