Daily Prelims Notes 24 October 2024

October 24, 2024
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

24 October 2024

Table Of Contents

1. India close to finalizing industry carbon targets ahead of Baku climate meet

Sub: Env

Sec: Int Conventions

Context:

In the lead-up to the 29th edition of the Conference of Parties (CoP) in Baku, Azerbaijan, next month, India is in the final stages of setting carbon dioxide emissions intensity targets for select industries.

Key Points:

India is working on numerical targets for carbon dioxide emissions intensity in specific industries. These targets are essential for creating a compliance carbon market.
Companies must keep their emissions within set limits or buy credits from organizations with surplus credits.
One credit is equivalent to saving one tonne of carbon dioxide beyond the set target.
The price of a credit depends on market demand, supply, and regulatory pressure.
Emissions intensity refers to caps on carbon emissions per unit of production.
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) notified in December 2023 that India must launch its compliance carbon market by the 2025-26 financial year.
Oversight and Governance:
The National Steering Committee for Indian Carbon Market (NSC-ICM) has direct oversight of the carbon market. It is co-chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Power.
Emission Caps for Hard-to-Abate Sectors:
India’s emissions targets are likely to build on the existing Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme, which sets energy efficiency targets for industries.
Targeted sectors include aluminium, chlor alkali, cement, fertilisers, iron and steel, pulp and paper, petrochemicals, petroleum refining, and textiles. These sectors are considered “hard to abate” because reducing emissions in these industries is expensive.
Article 6 of the Paris Climate Agreement (2015) outlines how carbon markets, enabling carbon trading between countries, can be operationalised.

About Perform, Achieve & Trade (PAT) Scheme:

PAT Scheme is a flagship program under the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE).

Implementing Agency: It is implemented by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the aegis of the Ministry of Power.

Objective: The PAT scheme aims at reducing Specific Energy Consumption (SEC), i.e., energy use per unit of production for Designated Consumers (DCs) in energy-intensive sectors, with an associated market mechanism to enhance the cost-effectiveness through certification of excess energy saving, which can be traded.

Energy Saving Certificates (ESCerts):

The excess energy savings are converted into tradable instruments called Energy Saving Certificates (ESCerts) that are traded at the Power Exchanges.

Trading Platform: The two Power Exchanges, India Energy Exchange (IEX) and Power Exchange India Limited (PXIL) provide the trading platform for ESCerts.

Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) is the market regulator for the trading of ESCerts.

PAT Scheme is implemented in cycles of 3 years each, where the Designated Consumers (DCs) are assigned SEC reduction targets.

Designated Consumers (DCs) who fall short of their targets bid for the purchase of ESCerts.

Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE):

BEE is a statutory body under the Ministry of Power.
The Government of India set up BEE on 1st March 2002 under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
Mission: Develop policy and strategies with a thrust on self-regulation and market principles within the overall framework of the Energy Conservation Act (EC Act), 2001.
Primary Objective: To reduce energy intensity in the Indian economy.

2. Relaunch of eShram Portal with Enhanced Features for Gig Workers

Sub: Schemes

Sec: Eco

Overview:

The eShram portal, originally launched on August 26, 2021, has been reintroduced with new features aimed at better serving unorganised workers including gig and platform workers.
Union Labour Minister announced the relaunch, emphasizing the platform’s goal of streamlining access to social security and welfare schemes via a one-stop solution.
The portal registers workers on a self-declaration basis, and approximately 60,000 to 90,000 new users sign up every day.
The Labour Ministry has allocated ₹300 crore to enhance the eShram portal, aiming to address existing issues and improve user experience.
Recent discussions with platform aggregators like Urban Company, Swiggy, Zomato, Ola, Uber, and industry bodies have emphasized the need to register gig workers on the eShram platform, ensuring better social security coverage.

Key Enhancements and Features:

Integration with Central Schemes:
- The portal has integrated 12 central schemes, providing users easy access to a variety of government benefits.
Some of these schemes include:
- Ration Card
- PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi)
- Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin (PMAY-G)
- Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan
- National Disability Pension
- National Widow Pension
- PM Matisya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
- Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH)
eShram Card 2.0:
- The enhanced version, known as eShram Card 2.0, focuses on gig and platform workers who do not have a conventional employer-employee relationship.
- A special committee has been set up to develop a framework that ensures these workers receive social security benefits.
- Unique IDs will be issued to gig workers, offering them access to a comprehensive set of benefits.
Nationalized Database Linked with Aadhaar:
- The platform is integrated with Aadhaar, ensuring that the data of unorganised workers is consolidated in a nationalized database.
- The Finance Minister had earlier stated that full integration of eShram with other portals will enhance access to services like employment and skill development.
Social Security Benefits:
eShram cardholders are entitled to:
- ₹2 lakh life insurance
- ₹3,000 pension per individual or ₹6,000 per couple after retirement.
- ₹1 lakh financial aid for partially handicapped workers.

3. Leveraging AI and Genomics to Uncover Thousands of New Viruses

Sub: Sci

Sec: Awareness in AI and Computer

Why in News

Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) combined with genomics have led to the discovery of thousands of new viruses. Researchers are utilizing deep learning methods and genome sequencing to uncover viral species, enhancing our understanding of viral diversity and its impact on public health. These innovations mark a critical step forward in pandemic preparedness.

What Are Viruses?

Non-cellular entities consisting of genetic material (DNA or RNA) enclosed in a protein coat called capsid.
Viruses rely on host cells for replication, making them obligate parasites.
Lack ribosomes and energy-producing mechanisms, depending entirely on the host’s cellular machinery for protein synthesis and energy.
Exhibit immense diversity in structure, size, and composition.

Structural Features of Viruses:

Genetic Material: Can be single- or double-stranded DNA/RNA. Genome size varies from a few thousand bases to over a million.
Capsid: Protein coat protecting viral genome, composed of capsomere subunits. Can exhibit helical, icosahedral, or complex
Envelope: Some viruses possess a lipid envelope acquired from host cell membranes, aiding in immune evasion and cell entry.
Glycoprotein spikes on the envelope (e.g., in influenza and HIV) help in attaching to host cells.

Virus Classification:

Based on Structure:

Helical: e.g., Influenza virus.
Icosahedral: e.g., Poliovirus.
Enveloped: e.g., HIV, Coronavirus.
Complex: e.g., Bacteriophages.

Based on Host Organism:

Animal Viruses
Plant Viruses
Bacteriophages (infect bacteria).

Based on Nucleic Acid:

DNA Viruses: e.g., Adenovirus, Herpesvirus.
RNA Viruses: e.g., Picornavirus, Rhabdovirus.

Viral Reproduction Mechanisms:

Lytic Cycle:

Attachment: Virus binds to host cell receptors.
Penetration: Viral genome enters the cell.
Replication: Virus hijacks host machinery to produce viral components.
Assembly: New viral particles are assembled.
Release: Host cell is lysed, releasing new viruses.

Lysogenic Cycle:

Viral genome integrates into host DNA, remaining dormant as a prophage.
May enter the lytic cycle later due to environmental triggers.
Seen in latent infections like herpes or in retroviruses like HIV, where the viral genome integrates into host DNA.

The Ecological and Medical Significance of Viruses

Viruses are found everywhere—from soil and water to extreme environments like hydrothermal vents. Despite this, only a small fraction of the estimated 100 million to a trillion viral species has been identified.

Viruses are increasingly recognized not only as agents of disease but also as contributors to ecosystems. However, their role in emerging infectious diseases poses significant threats, with studies estimating around 300,000 mammalian viruses yet to be discovered, many of which could have zoonotic potential (transmitting from animals to humans).

Rise of Metagenomics in Viral Research:

The reduction in costs and improvements in genome-sequencing technologies have led to widespread adoption of metagenomics. This approach allows researchers to analyse genetic material from environmental samples directly, bypassing the need for culturing.

About Metagenomics:

Metagenomics is the study of genetic material recovered directly from environmental or clinical samples by a method called sequencing. The broad field may also be referred to as environmental genomics, Eco genomics, community genomics or microbiomics.

Metagenomics is the study of the structure and function of entire nucleotide sequences isolated and analysed from all the organisms (typically microbes) in a bulk sample. Metagenomics is often used to study a specific community of microorganisms, such as those residing on human skin, in the soil or in a water sample.

About Serratus: A Breakthrough Tool

In 2022, Canadian researchers led by Artem Babaian developed Serratus, an open-source tool that matches sequencing data with known viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) sequences. With over 5.7 million sequencing libraries, Serratus helped discover more than 100,000 new viruses.

AI’s Transformative Role in Viral Research

Traditional metagenomic approaches are limited as they often miss evolved proteins. However, recent studies combining genomics with transformers (a type of deep-learning model) have revolutionized virus detection.

Chinese researchers utilized a transformer, combined with genome-sequencing and the ESMFold model, to analyse metagenomic data. This resulted in the identification of over 160,000 new RNA viruses, with many species described for the first time from extreme environments like hot springs and salt lakes.

About ESM (Evolutionary Scale Modelling) Fold model:

It is a state-of-the-art deep learning model developed by Meta AI for predicting the 3D structures of proteins based on their amino acid sequences. It is a transformer-based model, leveraging advancements in natural language processing (NLP) to understand protein sequences and predict their folding patterns.

ESM Fold has been shown to be highly accurate in predicting protein structures, rivalling other state-of-the-art methods like AlphaFold (developed by DeepMind).

4. Boeing 737 Rudder System Under Scrutiny: Safety Concerns and Investigations

Sub: Sci

Sec: Msc

Why in News

Certain variants of Boeing 737 aircraft, fitted with a rollout guidance actuator, have come under scrutiny due to concerns about a potentially defective rudder control system. This issue surfaced following an incident involving a United Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX flight on February 6, 2024, and has prompted safety alerts by the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). In response, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued directives to Indian operators of Boeing 737 aircraft.

Boeing 737 aircraft:

The Boeing 737 is a popular narrow-body aircraft, widely used by airlines for short- to medium-haul flights. It has undergone several updates since its introduction in the 1960s, with models ranging from the 737 Classic to the more advanced 737 MAX. The aircraft is known for its efficiency, reliability, and versatility

About Rollout Guidance Actuator:

The rollout guidance actuator is a specialized component found in some variants of the Boeing 737, particularly those equipped for advanced landing procedures. It plays a crucial role in controlling the aircraft’s rudder during specific types of landings known as Category III Instrument Landing System (ILS) approaches, more specifically in CAT IIIB Autoland operations.

About Category (CAT) in Aviation:

CAT, or Category, in aviation refers to specific Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach categories defined by the level of precision and the visibility conditions under which an aircraft can land.

These categories range from CAT I to CAT III, with CAT III having subcategories (A, B, and C) that allow for landing in progressively lower visibility conditions. These systems guide aircraft to land safely using a combination of radio signals and, at times, ground-based lighting systems, especially when pilots have limited or no visibility.

CAT III is the most advanced ILS category, used in very poor visibility conditions such as dense fog or heavy rain. The autoland system and rollout guidance actuators are critical in these operations, as they allow aircraft to land and maintain directional control on the runway, even when pilots have little to no visual cues.

5. Supreme Court Upholds State’s Power to Regulate Industrial Alcohol

Sub : Polity

Sec: Federalism

Why in News

The Supreme Court of India, in a landmark ruling, upheld the authority of State legislatures to regulate industrial alcohol. A Constitution Bench comprising nine judges delivered this judgment, which has significant implications for the federal structure of governance in India, especially regarding the regulation of industrial and potable alcohol.

Majority Judgment by the Supreme Court:

An 8:1 majority judgment was delivered by a Constitution Bench.

Chief Justice, authoring the majority opinion, held that industrial alcohol falls under the category of “intoxicating liquor” as defined in Entry 8 of the State List under the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

This ruling confirms that States have the authority to regulate the production, possession, transport, and sale of industrial alcohol.

Entry 8 of the State List:

Entry 8 gives States the power to regulate the production and sale of intoxicating liquor.
The Supreme Court interpreted “intoxicating liquor” to include industrial alcohol that can be used in products like rectified spirit, extra neutral alcohol (ENA), and denatured spirit, all of which are raw materials for the production of potable alcohol.
The Court held that this broad definition helps prevent the misuse of alcohol that could harm public health.
Subject Matter of Entry 8 of the State List: Pertains to the production, manufacture, possession, transport, purchase, and sale of intoxicating liquor. States have the authority to regulate intoxicating liquors within their jurisdiction.
Includes both potable alcohol and alcohol that could be used noxiously, such as industrial alcohol and rectified spirit.

Entry 52 of the Union List:

Grants the Union exclusive legislative power over industries declared by law to be under its control.
The Parliament must declare by law that Union control is necessary for public interest. Once declared, Union control overrides the State’s power to legislate under Entry 24.
Generally, applies to industries of significant national importance, requiring uniform regulation across the country.
The Centre had argued that it holds exclusive control over industrial alcohol based on Entry 52 of the Union List, which refers to industries regulated in public interest by Parliament.
The Court clarified that Entry 52 of the Union List cannot override Entry 8 of the State List.
The Union government claimed that regulating industrial alcohol was essential for national interests and public policy. The judgment stated that Parliament could not claim control over the entire alcohol industry by invoking Entry 52.

Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution

Article 246stands as the architect of the 7th Schedule, outlining the Union List, State List, and Concurrent List.
The Union List,comprising 100 subjects, vests exclusive legislative authority in the Parliament.
The State List, encompassing 61 subjects, confers power upon state legislatures for independent decision-making.
The Concurrent List, housing 52 subjects, illustrates the shared jurisdiction between the Center and the States.

6. Does madarsa education violate secularism? SC to decide

Sub: Polity

Sec: Constitution

Context:

The Allahabad High Court had, in March 2024, struck down the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004 (Madarsa Act).

The ruling was challenged in the Supreme Court, and the SC stayed the HC verdict until it decided the validity of the UP law. The case is still pending with the Supreme Court.

NCPCR Directive:

With the case pending, the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) issued two communications in June this year, directing the UP government to investigate recognised madrasas and admit non-Muslim students to schools imparting formal education.

It also requested the Centre to direct all states and Union Territories to inspect madrasas and withdraw recognition of those that were not compliant with the Right to Education Act, 2009.

Both notifications were stayed by the Supreme Court on October 21.

The Madarsa Act, 2004:

The Act provides the legal framework for madarsa education in Uttar Pradesh where, apart from the curriculum of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), religious education is imparted as well.
Thus, it integrates both religious and secular subjects.
It established the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education, which oversees curriculum preparation, course material, and examination for various levels of madarsa education.

Key Statistics:

As of 2018-19, India had a total of 24,010 madrasas, with over 60% located in Uttar Pradesh.

Approximately 1.69 lakh students appeared for UP madarsa education board examinations equivalent to Class 10 and Class 12 in 2023.

Allahabad High Court’s Decision:

On March 22, 2024, the Allahabad High Court struck down the Madarsa Act on three primary grounds:

Secularism: The court argued that the Act violated the principle of secularism by mandating religious education. The court held that the government has a duty to provide secular education, and cannot discriminate by providing education based on religion.

Right to Education: The HC held that the Act failed to provide quality education in modern subjects, thus infringing upon Article 21A of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to free and compulsory education for children aged six to fourteen.

Conflict with Central Law: It was determined that the Act’s provisions conflicted with the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, which stipulates that only recognized universities can grant degrees and no other person or authority, including any Madarsa or the Madarsa Board, can confer any degree.

Religious Education vs. Religious Instruction:

The Supreme Court previously distinguished between the two. Religious instruction, which includes mandatory attendance for worship, is not allowed in state-recognized institutions under Article 28.
In contrast, religious education aims to promote understanding among different religions.
Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy argued that the High Court mistakenly equated regulation with religious instruction, leading to a misunderstanding of secularism.
Impact of the case:
All educational institutions that impart some manner of religious education, such as gurukuls and convent schools will be affected by the decision of the Supreme Court on how the principles of secularism interact with the functioning of these institutions.

7. BRICS nations should strengthen financial integration, says PM

Sub: IR

Sec: Int Grouping

Context:

During the 16th BRICS summit held in Kazan, Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized India’s support for greater financial integration among member countries.

He underscored the importance of trade in local currencies and the facilitation of smooth cross-border payments to enhance economic cooperation within BRICS.

16^th BRICS Summit:

The 16th BRICS summit was attended for the first time by the leaderships of new member countries Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, and Iran.
The summit concluded with the Kazan Declaration, which articulated BRICS’s collective stance on pressing global issues, including conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
BRICS Cross-Border Payments Initiative (BCBPI):
The BRICS Cross-Border Payments Initiative (BCBPI) aims to enhance financial cooperation and facilitate smoother cross-border transactions among BRICS member countries.

Objectives:

Enhance collaboration in financial transactions and trade, fostering economic ties within BRICS.
The BCBPI focuses on promoting trade among BRICS nations by enabling transactions in local currencies, thus reducing reliance on major global currencies like the U.S. dollar and promoting economic sovereignty.
It also aims to create a more resilient economic framework that can withstand external shocks, such as sanctions or global economic fluctuations.
It is also expected to lower costs associated with currency conversion and international payments.

Features of BCBPI:

The initiative is non-binding, allowing countries to adopt it based on their needs.
Promotes the integration of existing payment systems across BRICS nations, like India’s Unified Payments System (UPI).
Potential expansion to include more countries, enhancing the global reach