July 26, 2023 | Your One-Stop Solution for Daily Preparation
Sixth Mass Extinction Crisis | Explained
Discover the silent crisis of biodiversity loss in our world, as human actions drive the sixth mass extinction. Unravel the devastating effects of habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change on Earth's delicate ecosystems. Join the urgent call to action and explore conservation efforts to protect the wonders of our natural world for present and future generations. Aspiring UPSC candidates will gain critical insights into this pressing global issue in this thought-provoking article.
Highlights of the Day
1. India's G-20 Presidency Drives Sustainable Development with Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Focus India's G-20 presidency has prioritized resource efficiency and circular economy as important strategies to achieve sustainable development goals. They have embraced four priority areas: circularity in the steel sector, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), circular bioeconomy, and an industry-led resource efficiency and circular economy industry coalition. These strategies aim to reduce resource dependence, minimize waste, and encourage sustainable design practices. By transitioning towards a circular steel sector, implementing EPR, and promoting recycling and biofuels, India seeks to tackle environmental challenges and promote a more sustainable and resilient future through global collaboration [1].
2. IMF Raises India's 2023 Growth Forecast to 6.1% Amid Strong Domestic Investment Momentum The IMF projects India's growth rate at 6.1% in 2023, a 0.2 percentage point upward revision compared to the April projection. This growth is attributed to stronger domestic investment, leading to momentum from the fourth quarter of 2022. However, global growth is expected to decline from 3.5% in 2022 to 3% in 2023 and 2024. Inflation remains a concern, with headline inflation projected to fall from 8.7% in 2022 to 6.8% in 2023 and 5.2% in 2024. The IMF urges central banks to maintain a restrictive stance until underlying inflation cools, and emphasizes the need for fiscal consolidation to ensure debt sustainability [2].
3. Lok Sabha Passes Biodiversity Amendment Bill: Decriminalizes Offences, Promotes Benefit Sharing The Lok Sabha passed the Biological Diversity Amendment Bill, 2022, which decriminalizes biodiversity offences and ensures sharing benefits of biodiversity commerce with locals. The bill was passed amid a din as the Opposition protested on the Manipur issue. Environment and Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav introduced the Bill, highlighting the need for conservation, sustainable use, and equitable sharing of benefits. The minister claimed that the amendments would promote ease of doing business and benefit the Ayush sector. The bill aims to prevent misuse and exploitation of resources and promote research while protecting indigenous knowledge and resources for India's growth and development [3].
4. Rajya Sabha Passes Bill to Include Synonyms of 12 Chhattisgarh ST Communities for Reservation Benefits The Rajya Sabha passed a Bill to include different versions of the names of 12 Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities of Chhattisgarh, benefiting an additional 72,000 people for reservation benefits. The Bill received a voice vote in the absence of Opposition members, who had walked out earlier. The discussions highlighted the importance of rectifying spelling errors to ensure proper representation and justice for tribal communities. The Constitution (ST) Order (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2022, includes various synonyms for tribes, aiming to provide equal opportunities and recognition for those previously excluded from reservation benefits [4].
5. Supreme Court Emphasizes Voter's Right to Know Candidate's Background The Supreme Court reiterated that voters have the right to know a candidate's full background and dismissed a plea by Lok Sabha MP Bhim Rao Baswant Rao Patil. Patil had challenged a High Court order refusing to reject an election petition against him. The SC emphasized the importance of transparency and the elector's right to access a candidate's complete information. The election petition was filed by Madan Mohan Rao of the Congress, alleging false information in Patil's election affidavit and non-compliance with Election Commission guidelines. The court ruled that such matters should be decided in a trial and not pre-judged, upholding the HC decision [5].
Source: The Hindu | Indian Express
Practice Questions for Prelims
Q1: What is the primary objective of Monetary Policy in India?
a) Achieving high economic growth b) Reducing fiscal deficit c) Controlling inflation and maintaining price stability d) Promoting exports and reducing imports
Q2: The "Roaring Forties" is a term used to refer to:
a) A region in Antarctica known for its strong winds b) A zone of heavy rainfall near the Equator c) A region in the Indian Ocean with high seismic activity d) A belt of deserts in the subtropical region
Q3: Which of the following is a correct statement regarding the "Laffer Curve" concept?
a) It shows the relationship between a country's budget deficit and its GDP growth rate. b) It illustrates the inverse relationship between tax rates and tax revenues. c) It represents the trade-off between inflation and unemployment in an economy. d) It demonstrates the impact of interest rates on private investment in a country.
Q4: The "Keeling Curve" is a graph that shows the long-term increase in the concentration of which gas in the Earth's atmosphere?
a) Oxygen (O2) b) Carbon Monoxide (CO) c) Carbon Dioxide (CO2) d) Nitrogen (N2)
Q5: Statement 1: The "Kyoto Protocol" is an international treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. Statement 2: The United States is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol and has fully implemented its emission reduction targets.
Select the correct option:
a) Both statements are true.
b) Both statements are false.
c) Statement 1 is true, and statement 2 is false.
d) Statement 1 is false, and statement 2 is true.
Today’s Question for Mains Answer Writing
Discuss the significance of transparency in electoral processes and its impact on strengthening democratic governance. Analyze how access to a candidate's complete information empowers voters and contributes to electoral accountability. (Word limit: 250 words)
Need help in writing or evaluation?
What we see matters
Some insightful observations from past UPSC papers:
In recent UPSC prelims, there has been an evident trend of emphasizing questions related to the Sangam Age and its cultural significance. The Sangam Age, an essential period in ancient Indian history, holds immense importance due to its rich literary heritage and cultural contributions.
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