Daily Prelims Notes 22 December 2024

Daily Prelims Notes

22 December 2024

Table Of Contents

1. Nutritional Concerns in Packaged Foods
2. OpenAI Unveils O3 Model
3. Temple managements not implementing reservation rosters, says NCST member
4. Railways laying a heritage track that links old and new
5. Madan Lokur is UN Internal Justice Council chief
6. Why is the Indian Rupee Falling Against the US Dollar?

1. Nutritional Concerns in Packaged Foods

Sub : ECO

Sec: MSC

Why in News

• Recent research on packaged convenience foods has raised concerns about their nutritional composition, particularly high carbohydrate and fat content. The study highlights issues in food labelling practices and their impact on public health in India.

Issues in Food Labelling:

• Non-Compliance with FSSAI Regulations: Many products lack “per 100 g,” “100 ml,” or “per serving” nutritional information as mandated. Misleading claims, such as whole-grain content not listed in the ingredient section.
• Lack of Clarity: Inconsistent and hard-to-interpret labelling makes it difficult for consumers to make informed choices.

Health Implications of Changing Diet Patterns:

• Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (2022-23): Indians are spending more on processed foods and beverages.
• Economic Survey of India: 56.4% of India’s disease burden is linked to unhealthy diets.
• Excessive carbohydrates strain the pancreas, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Front-of-Pack (FoP) Labelling:

• Front-of-Pack (FoP) labelling refers to the display of key nutritional information on the front of packaged food products.
• Objective: To provide consumers with a quick and clear understanding of the product’s nutritional profile, particularly regarding components like fat, sugar, and sodium, which are linked to health risks when consumed in excess.

Types of FoP Labelling:

• Interpretive Labels: Use colour codes (e.g., traffic light system) or symbols to convey health risks.

A red label indicates high levels of sugar or fat, yellow for moderate levels, and green for low levels.

• Summary Indicators: Provide a single health rating or score for the product.
• Warning Labels: Simple and direct indicators, such as “High in Sugar” or “High in Sodium.”

Carbohydrates:

• Major energy source in packaged foods; 70% energy in most products.
• Excessive Intake: Risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
• Deficiency: Fatigue, lack of energy, and impaired brain function.

Fats:

• Excessive Intake: Risk of cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and fatty liver.
• Deficiency: Hormonal imbalance and deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).

Sugar:

• Beverage mixes have high sugar content.
• Excessive Intake: Risk of diabetes, tooth decay, and weight gain.
• Deficiency: Rare; can cause low energy levels and hypoglycemia.

2. OpenAI Unveils O3 Model

Sub : Sci

Sec: Awareness in IT and computer

Why in News

• OpenAI recently introduced its latest AI model, O3, and its smaller counterpart, O3 Mini. These models aim to solve complex problems, offering advanced reasoning capabilities.

OpenAI O3 Model:

• Capable of step-by-step, logical responses, surpassing the O1 model. Designed to solve complex problems in coding, mathematics, and scientific research.
• Performance Benchmarks: Achieved three times better performance in ARC-AGI tests compared to O1.
• Core Applications: Advanced scientific and mathematical computations.
• Represents the next phase of AI evolution, focusing on reasoning rather than just pre-trained responses.

OpenAI O3 Mini Model:

• Adaptive Reasoning: Uses low-effort mode for simpler tasks to save resources.
• Cost Efficiency: A budget-friendly alternative to O3, catering to developers and researchers with resource constraints.

What is ARC-AGI?

• ARC-AGI (Abstraction and Reasoning Corpus for Artificial Intelligence): Developed by Francois Chollet, a renowned AI researcher.
• Designed to test an AI model’s ability to learn new skills from limited examples.
• Unlike traditional benchmarks, it evaluates an AI’s capability to perform tasks it has never encountered.
• Includes diverse tasks: Pattern tracing, Numerical reasoning and Rule-based problem solving.
• O3 achieves unmatched scores, highlighting its: Ability to learn on the go. Flexibility in handling abstract and novel challenges.

3. Temple managements not implementing reservation rosters, says NCST member

Sub : Polity

Sew: National Bodies

Context:

• Jatothu Hussain Nayak, a member of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), has highlighted issues related to the management of temples in southern India, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha.
• He criticized temple managements for not implementing reservation rosters and for discriminating against Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) employees in promotions and service matters.

Temple Management Issues:

• Nayak conducted reviews of various temple managements, including the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), Sree Seetha Ramachandra Swamy Temple in Bhadrachalam, Srisailam Temple, and Puri Jagannath Temple.
• He found that many temples, especially those in tribal-dominated areas, failed to adhere to mandated reservation policies. In many temples, the reservation system, which ensures job opportunities for SC/ST employees, is not being followed at all.
• There is also widespread discrimination, especially regarding promotions and other service matters for SC and ST employees.

Legal and Administrative Challenges:

• In August, during a review of TTD, the NCST discovered several issues affecting SC/ST welfare. When the NCST sought clarification from the Executive Officer (EO) of TTD, the temple management attempted to evade responsibility and went to the High Court for a stay order.

Other concerns:

• A common complaint from ST communities in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Kerala relates to issues with forest pattas (land rights). Many STs face difficulties in securing land rights and have reported delays and unfair practices in the allotment of these lands.
• Nayak’s review of public sector undertakings and district-level administrative bodies revealed that ST employees often face discrimination in service matters. These issues range from promotions to general working conditions.
• Awareness of the commission’s role and its functions remains low in the southern states.

4. Railways laying a heritage track that links old and new

Sub : History

Sec: Art and culture

Context:

• The Indian Railways is undertaking an ambitious under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme to revamp 1,337 railway stations, including 30 heritage structures.
• These heritage stations, which are part of a larger pool of 79 stations classified as “heritage,” include iconic ones such as Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Jaipur Railway Station, Chennai’s Egmore Station, and smaller ones like Ballari and Coonoor.

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme:

• The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is an ambitious initiative launched by the Indian Railways to renovate and modernize railway stations across the country.
• The scheme aims to enhance passenger amenities while preserving the heritage value of historically significant stations.
• A total of 1,337 railway stations have been shortlisted for a makeover, including 30 heritage structures that are among the most iconic railway stations in India.
• Heritage preservation is a priority, with plans to restore facades using techniques like sandblasting and waterproofing at stations like Ballari and Coonoor.

Heritage Railway Stations:

5. Madan Lokur is UN Internal Justice Council chief

Sub : IR

Sec: Int org

Context:

• Former Supreme Court Judge Justice Madan B. Lokur has been appointed as the Chairperson of the United Nations Internal Justice Council.
• Lokur has been appointed for a 4-year-tenure ending on November 12, 2028.

United Nations Internal Justice Council:

• The General Assembly established the Internal Justice Council (IJC) as part of the new internal justice system in order to help ensure independence, professionalism and accountability in the administration of justice system of the United Nations.
• The IJC is composed of five members consisting of a staff representative, a management representative and two distinguished external jurists, one nominated by the staff and one by management. The IJC members are appointed by the Secretary General.
• The council is chaired by a distinguished jurist chosen by consensus by the four other members.

6. Why is the Indian Rupee Falling Against the US Dollar?

Sub :Eco

Sec: External sector

• The exchange rate between the Indian rupee (INR) and the US dollar (USD) is influenced by the demand and supply dynamics of the two currencies in the global market.

What is the Exchange Rate?

• Exchange Rate: The value of one currency relative to another.
• Example: Currently, ₹85 = $1, compared to ₹61 = $1 in 2014.
• Currencies behave like commodities; their value depends on demand and supply.

Factors Determining the Exchange Rate

• Higher Demand for USD: If Indians demand more USD than Americans demand INR, the USD strengthens, and the INR weakens.
• Daily Fluctuations: Repeated higher demand for USD causes the INR’s consistent depreciation.

Components Influencing Currency Demand

• Trade in Goods:
  • If India imports more goods from the US than it exports, the demand for USD rises, weakening INR.
• Trade in Services:
  • If Indians buy more US services (e.g., tourism) than Americans buy Indian services, INR demand drops.
• Investments:
  • More US investments in India: INR appreciates.
  • More Indian investments in the US: INR depreciates.

Key Factors Affecting Demand for INR and USD

• Trade Imbalances:
  • Example: High US tariffs on Indian goods reduce INR demand.
• Inflation:
  • Higher Indian inflation reduces the rupee’s purchasing power, weakening INR against USD.
• Capital Outflows:
  • Investors pulling money out of India due to better returns in the US (e.g., higher interest rates, lower inflation) reduce INR demand.

Current Scenario

• The rupee’s exchange rate has breached ₹85/$1, compared to ₹83 in April 2024.
• Contributing factors include:
  • Trade deficits, where imports exceed exports.
  • Rising inflation in India compared to the US.
  • Capital flight, with investors preferring US markets.

Conclusion

The Indian rupee’s depreciation reflects an imbalance in trade, investments, and inflation. Addressing these structural challenges through increased exports, lower inflation, and attracting foreign investments could stabilize the INR over time.

Types of Exchange Rates

Difference b/w Appreciation, Depreciation and Devaluation