[Newsbits] 28.06.2023

Santhosh Kumar 28/06/2023
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newsbits mindmap notes

Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC)

Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC) upsc notes Context Recommends punitive action for OTT platform ULLU About DPCGC Independent self-regulatory body for OCCPs OCC Platforms: Online video-on-demand platforms Operating in India: Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hotstar, Zee5, etc. Established in 2021 Set up under the aegis of IAMAI IAMAI: Represents interests of online and mobile value-added services industry Objective: balance between addressing viewer complaints and showcasing content in free-speech environment Ministry: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Current Head: A K Sikri, retired Supreme Court Judge Functions of DPCGC Ensure alignment and adherence to Code of Ethics Provide guidance on Code of Ethics Address grievances unresolved within 15 days Hear grievances/appeals by complainants

United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)

United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) upsc notes Context Indian-origin British satellite expert appointed as director Background Aarti Holla-Maini appointed as director Indian-origin British satellite industry expert Appointed by UN secretary general Education Bachelor’s degree in law with German law, King’s College London Master’s degree in business administration, HEC Paris Experience 18 years as secretary-general, Global Satellite Operators Association 25 years in aerospace industry Role of executive vice-president, sustainability, policy and impact, NorthStar Earth & Space About UNOOSA Established in 1958 HQ: Vienna, Austria Objective: help all countries leverage benefits of space for sustainable development Structure of UNOOSA Headed by a director Five sections Office of the Director (OD) Coordinates strategic direction and operational priorities Committee, Policy and Legal Affairs Section (CPLA) Provides substantive, secretariat, organisational and administrative support Space Applications Section (SAS) Implements UN Programme on Space Applications UN Platform for Space-Based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) Leverages space data for disaster risk reduction Executive Secretariat of International Committee on GNSS (ICG) Brings together all GNSS providers Functions of UNOOSA Helps build capacity in space sector Use of space data for disaster management Increase understanding of international space law Supports transparency in space activities Promotes sustainable development through space Devises solutions for international space challenges

Provident Fund (PF)

Provident Fund (PF) Context EPFO extends deadline for higher PF application Provident Fund (PF) details Fixed money contributed by employees until retirement Provides lump sum or monthly payments at retirement Regulator: EPFO in India Benefits of PF Investment opportunity at retirement Aids in personal and financial needs Types of Provident Funds Employees Provident Fund (EPF) Most popular in India Applicable to businesses with more than 20 employees Employee and employer contributions EPF benefits High interest rates Employer matches employee contribution Lump sum on retirement Partial withdrawals allowed Maturity on retirement Tax-free if employed over 5 years Public Provident Fund (PPF) Savings scheme available to all Indians Eligibility: Any resident of India Deposit range: ₹500 - ₹1.5 lacs per year Tax-free on maturity Different from EPF PPF: Savings scheme EPF: Offers pension benefits General Provident Fund (GPF) Also known as Statutory Provident Fund Available only for government servants Eligibility: Permanent employees, re-employed pensioners, temporary employees (with 1 year service) 6% of monthly salary contributed to GPF Interest rate between 7-8% EPFO Established in 1952 Ministry of Labour & Employment Based in New Delhi Manages PF and pension accounts of member employees Implements Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952

Congo Rainforest

Congo Rainforest upsc notes Context Congo rainforest loss Half a million hectares lost in 2022 Key Findings Congo rainforest loss details 500,000 hectares lost in 2022 Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) loss Over 500,000 hectares in 2022 Global tropical primary forest loss 4.1 mha worldwide in 2022 Major contributing countries Brazil: 43% DRC: 12.1% Bolivia CO2 generation 2.7 billion tonnes from forest destruction Decrease in DRC humid primary forest Reduced by 6.1% Primary forests Definition Forests of native tree species No clearly visible human activities Primary forest loss details Mostly small clearings Near cyclical agricultural areas Cyclical agricultural areas Definition Land cleared for short-term cultivation Cleared using slash-and-burn techniques Left fallow for regeneration Economic factors and deforestation Dependence on forests for food, energy Challenge in reducing primary forest loss Drivers of forest loss Slash-and-burn agriculture Uncontrolled bushfires Charcoal production Dominant form of energy Generated by cutting and burning timber Cattle ranching Illegal (artisanal) logging About Congo Rainforest World's second-largest rainforest Bordering countries Cameroon Central African Republic Republic of Congo Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Equatorial Guinea Gabon Climate Tropical climate year-round Heavy precipitation High humidity and temperatures Flora and fauna 10,000 tropical plants (30% unique) 400 mammal species Over 600 tree species 10,000 animal species 1,000 bird species 700 fish species Includes endangered wildlife Forest elephants Chimpanzees Bonobos Economic significance Provides food, medicine, water, materials, shelter for over 75 million people Human inhabitants Over 150 ethnic groups for over 50,000 years Includes groups like Ba'Aka, BaKa, BaMbuti, Efe Often referred to as Pygmies Adult males less than 59 inches in average height Rely on hunting, gathering for survival in rainforest

Chennaic-Vladivostok maritime route

Chennaic Vladivostok maritime route upsc notes India-Russia collaboration Source: HBL Goal: Establish Chennai-Vladivostok maritime route Expected benefits Reduce transport time from 32 to 12 days Reduce costs by around 30% Route details Passes through Sea of Japan Passes through South China Sea Passes through Malacca Strait

Greenwashing

Greenwashing upsc notes Context Global norms introduced to combat greenwashing Pressure on companies to disclose impact on climate change What is Greenwashing Misleading consumers About environmental benefits of a product or service Through deceptive promotion and advertising Risks associated with Greenwashing Misleads consumers Diminishes trust in environmental claims Prevents necessary behavioural change for environmental protection Measures to prevent Greenwashing Legislation, regulation, and enforcement Mandate transparency and punish deceptive practices Education For consumers about misleading marketing tactics Verification Use of third-party verification for environmental claims

Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes upsc notes Context Article about evolution from prokaryotes to eukaryotes Evolution Origin of prokaryotes Simple organisms Single-celled No nucleus Development of eukaryotes Evolved from prokaryotes Introduction of mitochondria Packaging of DNA into nucleus Origin of mitochondria and chloroplasts Came from free-living bacteria Engulfed by ancient Archaea organism Mutually beneficial relationship formed over time Led to development of animals, fungi, plants Evolutionary process Gradual Various changes in structure, functions Differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes Nucleus Absent in prokaryotes Present in eukaryotes DNA Circular in prokaryotes Linear in eukaryotes Membrane-bound organelles Absent in prokaryotes Present in eukaryotes (e.g., mitochondria, chloroplasts) Size Smaller in prokaryotes Larger in eukaryotes Reproduction Asexual (mostly) in prokaryotes Sexual and asexual in eukaryotes Examples Bacteria and Archaea are prokaryotes Plants, animals, fungi, protists are eukaryotes

Road Networks in India

Road Networks in India upsc notes Context India has second-largest road network in world After the US More about Road Network in India Increase in Road Network From 91,287 km in 2013-14 To 1,45,240 km in 2022-23 Total length of expressways 4,219 km Increase of about 59% in last nine years Toll revenue rose From Rs 4,770 crore in 2013-14 To Rs 41,342 crore in 2022-23 Aim to increase to Rs 1,30,000 crore by 2030 Waiting time at toll plazas reduced From 734 seconds in 2014 To 47 seconds in 2023 Goal to further reduce to 30 seconds At 1.94 km of roads per square kilometre of land Quantitative density of India’s road network Equal to that of Hong Kong Substantially higher than the United States Difference between Expressways, National and State Highways Ownership Central government owns Expressways NHAI owns National Highways States own State Highways Design High-speed traffic for Expressways National connectivity for National Highways Intra-state connectivity for State Highways Numbering Designated with an ‘E’ prefix for Expressways Designated with an ‘NH’ prefix for National Highways Designated with an ‘SH’ prefix for State Highways Access Limited access points for Expressways Fewer access points than local roads for National Highways Multiple access points for State Highways Width of Roadway Generally wider for Expressways Wide carriageways for National Highways Varies depending on state policy for State Highways Development Controlled-access highways with grade-separated intersections for Expressways To meet national transportation needs for National Highways To meet state transportation needs for State Highways Planning Authority Generally Central Government for Expressways National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for National Highways State Public Works Departments for State Highways

New CSR guidelines ‘Sagar Samajik Sahayog’

New CSR guidelines ‘Sagar Samajik Sahayog’ upsc notes Context Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush Launched new guidelines for CSR About the guidelines Empower ports to directly undertake CSR Ports with turnover Less than ₹100 crores Spend 3-5% on CSR Less than ₹500 crores Spend 2-3% on CSR More than ₹500 crores Spend 0.5-2% on CSR Priority Areas Sainik Kalyan Board National Maritime Heritage Complex National Youth Development Fund Various social and environmental welfare programs Implementation and monitoring of CSR By a Corporate Social Responsibility Committee In each major port Major ports in India 13 major ports and 205 notified minor and intermediate ports List of Major ports Kochi Port in Kerala Ennore Port in Tamil Nadu Haldia Port in West Bengal Kolkata Port in West Bengal Kandla Port in Gujarat Mangalore Port in Karnataka Marmagoa in Goa Mumbai Port in Maharashtra Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Maharashtra Paradip Port in Odisha Tuticorin Port in Tamil Nadu Vishakhapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh Chennai Port in Tamil Nadu

Aadhaar authentication for registration for births and deaths

Aadhaar authentication for registration for births and deaths upsc notes Source: TH Context Office of Registrar General of India (RGI) permission Perform Aadhaar authentication During registration of births and deaths Aadhaar not mandatory for registration RGI can authenticate Aadhaar numbers Verify identity of individuals State governments and Union Territories Adhere to MEiTY’s guidelines Aadhaar Authentication (AA) Verifies identity using Aadhaar number Used for availing government services and schemes Entities allowed to perform AA Government ministries and departments Some private entities like banks and telecom companies Only if UIDAI is satisfied with standards of privacy and security Purpose of AA Good governance Preventing leakage of public funds Enablement of innovation Spread of knowledge Promote ease of living Enable better access to services for residents Legal provision Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance Rules, 2020 Concerns Supreme Court (2018) struck down Section 57 of the Aadhaar Act Allowed use of Aadhaar data by private companies Deemed “unconstitutional” for establishing identity Aadhaar number 12-digit unique identity number Issued by UIDAI On behalf of Government of India Based on individual’s biometric and demographic data

Kharchi Puja

Kharchi Puja upsc notes Context Festival celebrated in Tripura Known as ‘Festival of 14 Gods’ Occurs on the eighth day of new moon July or August each year Source: IE Festival revolves around Worship of Chaturdasa Devata Ancestral deity of Tripuri people Showcases rich history and traditions Word ‘Kharchi’ derived from Tripuri words Meaning ‘sin’ and ‘cleaning’ Signifying cleansing of sins Significance linked to belief Presiding deity Tripura Sundari or Mother Goddess menstruates During Ambubachi period in June Earth becomes impure Puja performed to clean Earth and wash away sins

Geographical Indication Tags

Geographical Indication tags upsc notes Context Seven products from Uttar Pradesh Geographical Indication tag Source: TH Products Amroha Dholak Musical instrument Natural wood Mango and Sheesham trees Hollow blocks Carved from wood Fitted with animal skin Usually goatskin Baghpat Home Furnishings Handloom home furnishing products Fabrics woven in Baghpat and Meerut Cotton yarn only Weaving Frame looms instead of pit looms Barabanki Handloom Product Handloom products from Barabanki Known for extensive weaving tradition Kalpi Handmade Paper Handmade paper manufacturing From Kalpi Historical centre for craft Practised since 1940s Origins may date back further Mahoba Gaura Patthar Stonecraft made from “Pyro Flight Stone” Radiant white-coloured Predominantly found in the Mahoba region Cut into pieces for various craft items Mainpuri Tarkashi Brass wire inlay work on wood Used for making khadaous (wooden sandals) Leather avoided due to cultural considerations Sambhal Horn Craft Crafts made from raw materials from deceased animals Entirely handmade About GI tag Agricultural, natural or manufactured product Originating from definite geographical territory Assurance of quality and distinctiveness Attributable to the place of its origin

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