Deep Dive Daily Current Affairs | 7th November 2024

• Student Teacher ratio Assam
• Urban Flood Management program
• People’s Biodiversity Register
• Assam’s Power issues
• Child Protection Policy Assam
• Global NCI 
• PM Vidyalaxmi
• Trumponomics
• RNA editing
• Proba 3
• Tuna Cluster
• Env Protection Rules
• Anti Terror Conference
• Prelims Factual

Urban Flood Management program

• The Assam government has accorded approval of the proposal for the Urban Flood Risk Management Programme (UFRMP) under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) for submission before the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for the final approval. The project has been prepared by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) and the Department of Housing & Urban Affairs (DOHUA) with an estimated cost of Rs 200 crores.

• Suggested Solution:

1. Nature Based Solutions.
2. 50 Ponds Program
3. Wetland Interlinking 
4. Artificial Ponds program
5. Afforestation initiatives

Student Teacher ratio Assam

• According to Right to Education Act, 2009, the requisite pupil-teacher ratio in lower primary schools is 30:1. In such category schools where maximum student enrolment is 60, the number of teachers should be two. 

• If the enrolment is between 61 and 90, three teachers should be there. For enrolment between 91 and 120, the teacher number should be four but for 121 to 200, enrolment, the number of teachers should be five. 

• There is only one teacher each in nearly 3,000 government elementary schools of Assam while in more than 12,000 elementary schools (including lower and upper primary), the pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) of 30:1 and 35:1 has not been achieved yet :: Assam Legislative Assembly

• The minister said if the student number is beyond 150, there should be a headmaster apart from five teachers. Even if the enrolment crosses 200, the ratio should not cross 40:1 (excluding the head teacher).

Government’s effort:

• Since 2022, @SchoolEdnAssam has granted transfers to 35,739 teachers (10,549 single and 25,190 mutual) through the Teacher Transfer portal (hrmsassam.in). The transfer process has been done in strict compliance with the Teacher Transfer Act. A set of eligible transfer applications is kept on hold for want of replacements to maintain PTR.

• School Education Department issued an order regarding the teacher transfers, which said that based on the district-wise PTR position of the state as per UDISE+2023-24 and as per the Shiksha Setu Portal (as of July 2, 2024), inter-district single transfers of teachers only from the low PTR districts to high PTR districts would be considered. As such, the transfers of teachers should not affect the PTR of both the districts, viz., the present working district and the transferred district. The matter of maintaining school-wise PTR will be done by concerned district-level committees

Challenges for Students:

• Limited individual attention: Teachers struggle to provide personalized support and address individual needs.
• Reduced participation: Students may feel less comfortable sharing ideas and asking questions in large groups.
• Increased stress and anxiety: The competitive environment and pressure to keep up can lead to higher stress levels.
• Difficulty forming relationships: It’s harder for students to build strong bonds with their teachers and peers.
• Wider achievement gap: Students who struggle may fall further behind, while those who excel may not be sufficiently challenged.

Challenges for Teachers:

• Burnout and stress: Managing large classes is exhausting and can lead to decreased job satisfaction.
• Difficulty maintaining order: It’s harder to keep students focused and engaged in a larger classroom.
• Limited time for feedback: Teachers may not have enough time to provide detailed and constructive feedback on students’ work.
• Restricted teaching methods: Large classes can limit the variety of teaching strategies teachers can employ.
• Strained resources: Limited resources like books, computers, and supplies can impact the quality of education.

Overall Impact:

• Lowered educational quality: The challenges faced by both students and teachers can negatively impact the overall quality of education.
• Weakened sense of community: The larger class size can hinder the development of a supportive and inclusive classroom environment.
• Long-term consequences: The negative effects of a high student-teacher ratio can have lasting implications for students’ academic and social development.

People’s Biodiversity Register

People’s Biodiversity Register:

It serves as a comprehensive record of various aspects of biodiversity, including the conservation of habitats, preservation of land races, domesticated stocks and breeds of animals, micro-organisms, and the accumulation of knowledge related to the area’s biological diversity.

• The Biological Diversity Act (2002)mandates development of Peoples’ Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) at local level to document as well as safe guard bioresources and associated knowledge.

• As per the Biological Diversity Act 2002, Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) are created for “promoting conservation, sustainable use and documentation of biological diversity” by local bodies across the country.

• BMCs have been constituted by the local bodies in the States and Union Territories and are entrusted with preparation of the PBRs in consultation with local communities.

• It will play a crucial role in conservation, sustainable resource utilisation, and protection of traditional knowledge.

Significance of PBR: It will help local bodies in preparing various projects in agriculture, drinking water, and waste management, among other sectors, with a focus on biodiversity conservation and equitable sharing of benefits.

Assam’s Power issues

The Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission, AERC, in short, came into existence following a notification No PEL.112/97/Pt/308 issued by the Government of Assam on February 28, 2001 under provisions of the Electricity Regulatory Commission Act, 1998. 

• Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC) on Wednesday issued an order in connection with the agreement signed by Assam Power Generation Corporation Ltd. (APGCL) to procure gas from Assam Gas Company Limited (AGCL) on a fallback basis to meet the shortfall of natural gas in its Lakwa Thermal Power Plant (LTPS).

• Lakwa Thermal Power Station (LTPS) is a gas-based power plant situated in the district of Charaideo in the state of Assam with a total installed capacity of 97.2 MW.

Power Scenario of Assam:  (Video Discussion)

Child Protection Policy Assam

During a hearing of the PIL filed by Delhi-based charitable trust, Bachpan Bachao Andolan, the senior government advocate, appearing for the state submitted that the State Child Protection Policy as well as the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Rules are likely to be settled and notified by the year end.

• Bestowing trust on the Assam government, Gauhati High Court directed the state government to submit a report stating whether Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs) have been constituted in each and every district of Assam.

Mission Vatsalya 

• It’s an umbrella scheme for child protection services in the country. It will be implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in partnership with state governments and UT administrations, with a fund-sharing pattern in a 60:40 ratio. 

• Prior to 2009, the Ministry of women and child development Implemented three schemes for children in need of protection: 

The scheme for assistance to children’s homes. 

The juvenile justice programme for children in need of care and protection as well as children in conflict with the law, 

The integrated programme for street children, 

Juvenile Justice Act (Care And Protection Of Children Act), 2015

• This Act aims to provide a framework related to children who are in conflict with the law and for children who are in need of care and protection.
• This Act aims at fulfilling the obligations and commitments made by India as a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and other related international conventions.
• This Act replaced the Juvenile Delinquency Law and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000.
• An amendment to this Act was made in 2021 to streamline the adoption process for faster adoptions and to widen the scope of serious offences under the act.

Who is a Juvenile?

• Under the Act, any child who is below the age of 18 years is a juvenile.
• No child below the age of 7 years can be convicted under any law in India.
• This law makes distinctions between two kinds: ‘child in conflict with the law’ and ‘child in need of care and protection’.

Juvenile Justice Board: Every State Government shall constitute one or more Juvenile Justice Board for exercising the power and discharge functions related to children under the Act.

• Composition: a Metropolitan Magistrate or Judicial Magistrate of first class (referred to as the Principal Magistrate of the Board) and two social workers, one of whom should be women.
• Section 15: In the case of a heinous crime alleged to be committed by a child aged between 16-18 years, the Juvenile Justice Board shall conduct a preliminary assessment with respect to the mental and physical capacity to commit such an offence and other factors such as the ability to understand the consequences of such action and surrounding circumstances.
• After the assessment, the Board shall decide whether the child shall be tried as an adult or as a child. If the Board decides the said child should be treated as an adult then the Board will transfer the case to the Children’s Court, which has the jurisdiction to try such cases.

• Child Welfare Committees(CWCs): The State Government shall constitute one or more Child Welfare Committees in every district by a gazette notification.

Global NCI 

India has been ranked as one of the five worst performer countries in the recently released first Global Nature Conservation Index, 2024. India was ranked 176th among 180 countries in terms of their commitment to nature conservation. The tiny European country of Luxembourg was ranked as the top-ranked country. In contrast, the Pacific Island country of Kiribati was ranked at the bottom of the Global Nature Conservation Index.

Who Prepares the Global Nature Conservation Index?

• Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel and the non-profit website BioDB.com have jointly prepared and released the first Global Nature Conservation Nature Index.

• The first Global Nature Conservation Nature Index was released in October 2024.

About the Global Nature Conservation Index

The Nature Conservation Index shows how countries are protecting their environments and natural resources. While ranking countries, the index evaluates a range of factors, such as the number of plant and animal species at risk in the country, the size and quality of the protected areas, the health of habitats, and the effectiveness of the country’s conservation programs.

The countries were ranked on four key pillars:

1. Land Management,
2. Threats to Biodiversity
3. Capacity and Governance, and
4. Future Trends.

These pillars were assessed using 25 performance indicators. The data for the Index has been from the World Bank and the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).

Status of India: 

• India, with a combined score of 45.5 out of 100, was ranked 176th among the 180 countries. India has been ranked low due to its inefficient land management and rising threats to biodiversity.

• India, with a score of 42, has been ranked 154 in the Land Management category,

177 in the Threat to Biodiversity category, with a score of 54. India has been ranked 115 in the Capacity and Governance category with a score of 60 and a rank of 133 in the Future Trends with a score of 35.

Polity Current Affairs 

PM Vidyalaxmi

1. It is a central initiative aimed at supporting meritorious students financially, ensuring that economic constraints do not hinder access to higher education.

2. Objective: This scheme is rooted in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, underscores the policy’s emphasis on making financial aid available to deserving students in both public and private higher education institutions (HEIs).

3. Under PM Vidyalaxmi, any student admitted to a recognized Quality Higher Education Institution (QHEI) will be eligible for a collateral-free, guarantor-free loan from banks and financial institutions to cover full tuition fees and related course expenses.

4. The scheme applies to institutions ranked within the top 100 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) across various categories, including state government HEIs in the 101-200 range and all central government institutions, covering an initial 860 QHEIs with potential to benefit over 22 lakh students.

Digital Payment Solutions: Interest subvention will be disbursed via E-vouchers and Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) wallets, ensuring secure, digital payments.

5. PM Vidyalaxmi complements existing schemes like the Central Sector Interest Subsidy (CSIS) and Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Education Loans (CGFSEL) under PM-USP, offering a holistic support system for deserving students in quality institutions.

6. Credit Guarantee: Loans up to ₹ 7.5 lakhs will have a 75% credit guarantee from the Government of India to support banks in offering coverage to more students.

7. Interest Subvention Benefits: For Students with Annual Family Income up to ₹ 8 Lakhs:

i) 3% interest subvention on loans up to ₹ 10 lakhs during the moratorium period.

ii) Priority for students from government institutions, especially those in technical/professional courses. It covers 1 lakh students annually.

8. For Students with Annual Family Income up to ₹ 4.5 Lakhs: Full interest subvention during the moratorium period on loans up to ₹ 10 lakhs under PM-USP.

9. Implementation Mechanism: A mission-mode mechanism will facilitate the scheme’s rollout, ensuring easy access and high coverage. Students can apply through a unified portal where applications and interest subvention can be processed.

International Relation Current Affairs 

Trumponomics

• Trumponomics represents a distinct approach to economic policy that emphasizes protectionism, substantial tax cuts, aggressive trade policies, and deregulation.

• These principles, championed by former US President Donald Trump, were aimed at reshaping the US economy to prioritize domestic production and employment.

• Trump’s economic vision includes ambitious measures like imposing a 20% tariff on all imports and over 200% duties on foreign cars.

• His approach also proposes reducing corporate tax rates and curbing immigration, all while managing a record-high US budget deficit.

• If implemented, these policies could reverberate across the global economy, affecting trade, currency stability, and inflation rates worldwide, with significant implications for India.

Economic Risks of Trump’s Policies: Inflation, Fiscal Deficit, and Global Market Uncertainties

• Higher tariffs and trade wars under Trump’s policies are expected to increase inflation in the US. 
• Combined with rising deficits and potential shifts in institutional trust, foreign lenders may reconsider their support for US Treasury debt, echoing a shift similar to the 2022 freeze of Russian assets.
•  The 2022 freeze of Russian assets drove global central banks to favor physical gold over financial derivatives. 
• Trump’s proposed tax cuts and protectionist measures might stimulate short-term economic growth but could heighten inflation, potentially forcing the Federal Reserve to end its rate-cutting cycle prematurely. 
• This shift could impact global monetary policies, with institutions like India’s RBI possibly delaying rate cuts to manage financial stability amidst bond and forex market volatility. 
• A weaker US dollar, as seen during Trump’s first term, and fiscal deficit pressures may add to inflationary risks and challenge global interest rate cycles.

Indo-Pacific Strategy and India-US Cooperation

China as a Common Rival

• A cornerstone of Trump’s foreign policy was to view China as a strategic competitor and threat.
• This stance aligned with India’s security concerns, given China’s increasing presence in the Indian Ocean and the Himalayan border tensions.
• Trump’s administration bolstered the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), including India, the US, Australia, and Japan, as a collective response to counterbalance China’s assertive policies in the Indo-Pacific.

Defense and Security Cooperation

• During the 2020 Galwan Valley standoff between India and China, the US extended intelligence-sharing support to India.
• This cooperation underscored the growing defense partnership between the two nations, reinforcing India’s position as a major defense partner of the US and highlighting the strategic advantages of shared intelligence in maintaining regional stability.

Immigration and Workforce Policies

• Restrictions on H1-B Visas and Skilled Migration
• Trump’s stance on restricting H1-B visas created uncertainties for Indian IT professionals and firms, potentially affecting service exports.
• India’s tech sector, heavily dependent on the H1-B program, faced increased operational challenges due to the reduced mobility of skilled workers.

• Bilateral Defense and Security Relations
• India’s defense procurement from the US increased under Trump, reaching $18 billion annually.
• This expansion in military collaboration contributed to India’s defense modernization, enhancing its military readiness and diversifying its defense procurement sources.

Trump’s Immigration Shift and Economic Proposals: Impacts on Indian Students and IT Sector

• Trump’s mixed immigration stance includes a plan to curb both legal and illegal immigration, which could add inflationary pressure in a full-employment economy. 
• However, his recent proposal to automatically grant green cards to foreign nationals graduating from US colleges is seen as a positive for Indian students. 
• Economically, a weaker US dollar could benefit India by lowering import costs and supporting domestic investment. 
• Additionally, Trump’s plan to cut the corporate tax rate from 21% to 15% could boost budgets for US clients of Indian service providers, enhancing demand and driving gains in Indian IT stocks.

Elon Musk’s Possible Role in US Administration: Implications for India

• Elon Musk’s potential induction into the new administration could influence India’s policies. 
• New Delhi’s earlier proposal to lower import duties for Tesla fell short of Musk’s expectations, but with his strengthened influence, India may face added pressure to offer more favorable terms. 
• Additionally, lobbying efforts in areas like satellite spectrum allocation and space launches may intensify across key global markets, including India, as Musk’s interests expand.

Global Economic Watch: Fed Policy and China’s Stimulus Package

• Two key events are expected to impact global markets. First, the Federal Reserve’s November 6-7 policy meeting will provide updated inflation insights. 
• Second, China’s Standing Committee is likely to approve a substantial economic stimulus package aimed at boosting land purchases, bank recapitalization, and local debt refinancing. 
• Analysts warn that high US tariffs on Chinese goods could reduce China’s growth by over 2 percentage points, prompting Beijing to consider even larger fiscal stimulus—potentially reaching 2-3% of GDP annually. 
• This could divert foreign portfolio investment away from other markets, including India.

Trump 2.0

Trade Negotiations and Free Trade Agreement (FTA): Trump is likely to pick up negotiations for an India-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA), a process that began during his first term but was shelved after his loss in 2020. This could provide opportunities for greater market access and trade partnerships.

Focus on Tariffs: Trump’s administration has been vocal about reducing trade tariffs. This could lead to pressure on India to lower its tariffs, as it did during Trump 1.0 when counter-tariffs were imposed, and India lost its Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) status.  

U.S. Military and Technology Access: India is likely to benefit from increased access to U.S. military hardware and technology. Trump’s administration has historically supported closer defense ties with India, which could be further solidified in his second term, benefiting India’s defense capabilities.

Energy Deals and Trade: Trump could encourage India to increase purchases of U.S. oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), as seen with previous deals like the Driftwood LNG plant. This could bolster trade, while also positioning the U.S. as a key energy partner for India.

Challenges from Trump’s Domestic Policies (Immigration and Technology Transfer):

1. Immigration and H-1B Visa Policy: Trump’s tough stance on immigration and H-1B visas could pose challenges for India, especially in terms of its highly skilled workforce.
2. India’s tech sector relies heavily on H-1B visas, and stricter immigration policies under Trump 2.0 could limit opportunities for Indian professionals to work in the U.S., affecting India’s IT and services sector.
3. Technology Transfer: Trump has shown a preference for protectionist policies, which may slow down the transfer of advanced technologies to India.
4. This could impact India’s aspirations to become a global hub for high-tech industries, particularly in sectors like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and defence technology.
5. Increased Focus on U.S. Jobs: Trump’s focus on bringing jobs back to the U.S. may result in policies that prioritize domestic industries over foreign collaborations, limiting the scope for Indian companies in certain sectors and creating trade tensions.

Sci-Tech Current Affairs

RNA editing

1. RNA editing modifies specific sequences within the RNA after it has been transcribed from DNA but before it is translated into proteins.

2. A common approach involves the use of adenosine deaminase enzymes acting on RNA (ADARs).

3. These enzymes alter specific adenosine molecules in the RNA to inosine, which is then read by the cell’s machinery as guanosine, correcting errors and restoring the RNA’s original function.

4. Scientists pair ADAR with a guide RNA (gRNA) to achieve specificity directing the enzyme to the exact location of the error within the mRNA.

How Does RNA Editing Compare to DNA Editing?

1. Permanence: DNA editing introduces permanent changes to the genome, which can pose long-term risks if errors occur. RNA editing, however, only affects the RNA and thus allows for temporary changes, reducing the risk of irreversible side effects.

2. Immune Response: DNA editing techniques, such as CRISPR-Cas9, rely on bacterial proteins to cut DNA, which can trigger immune reactions.

RNA editing uses ADAR enzymes that naturally occur in the human body, lowering the risk of an immune response.

3. Delivery and Application: Delivering the RNA-editing complexes into cells typically uses lipid nanoparticles, a method proven successful with mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, these delivery methods have a limited capacity for large molecules, presenting a challenge in RNA editing. DNA editing often requires larger viral vectors, which can carry more genetic material but introduce additional risks.

Challenges: A key issue is the specificity of ADAR enzymes, as they may affect unintended sites on the mRNA, leading to side effects.

Improving the accuracy of guide RNAs (gRNAs) is an area of ongoing research. Additionally, since RNA edits are transient, treatments will require repeated applications to maintain their effects.

Proba 3

Led by: the European Space Agency (ESA)

Launch vehicle: PSLV-XL rocket

What is it? World’s first precision formation flying mission.

Aim: To form a 144-m long solar coronagraph, which will create an artificial eclipse, revealing new views of the Sun’s faint corona.

Components: Proba-3 consists of two small satellites — a Coronagraph spacecraft and a solar-disc-shaped Occulter spacecraft. 

A coronagraph is an instrument that will allow scientists to study the Sun’s elusive corona with unprecedented proximity and detail.

Tuna Cluster

Fisheries department notified development of Tuna clusters in A&N Island under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.

About Tuna fish: 

1. Group of saltwater fish, known for their streamlined bodies, powerful swimming ability and wide distribution in tropical and temperate oceans;
2. These are highly valued in global fishing industry for its meat (rich in protein).
3. Habitat: Tunas are pelagic fish, meaning they live beyond the continental shelf in open sea.

Significance of Tuna cluster:

Generate economies of scale, increase incomes, and accelerate growth in fisheries sector.

Help in developing infrastructure for export connectivity to Southeast Asian countries.

Env Protection Rules

Environment Protection (Manner of Holding Inquiry and Imposition of Penalty) Rules, 2024

MoEFCC has introduced new rules for conducting inquiries and imposing penalties on polluters after SC’s pollution order.

About new rules:

Complaints against violators of environmental regulations can be initiated by key bodies, including CPCB, SPCBs, Pollution Control Committees and others.

In cases of jurisdictional issues, adjudicating officers may transfer a case to appropriate authority.

Initiation of enquiry: By designated adjudicating officer within 30 days, as per Section 15C of Environment (Protection) Act.

Violators are given at least 15 days to reply and may be asked to appear in person etc.

Timely resolution: Inquiries be completed within six months from the notice date.

Security issues Current Affairs

Anti Terror conference

A two-day anti-terror conference 2024 in New Delhi inaugurated by the Union Home Minister. The event, hosted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), aims to shape future counter-terrorism policies and strategies. Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that a National Counter Terrorism Policy and Strategy will be unveiled soon

NIA has outlined major issues for an upcoming two-day anti-terror conference in New Delhi, including the role of organized crime in terror funding in northeast India, the use of encrypted apps, connections between organized criminal gangs and terrorism, and the regulation of social media in terror cases. 

These topics will be discussed with intelligence agency heads and state counter-terrorism squads.

Organised Crime and Terror Funding

About Organised Crime

Organized crime refers to criminal enterprises that are systematically structured to engage in illegal activities for profit. 

These criminal groups often operate with a high level of coordination, secrecy, and persistence, using violence and corruption to exert control over their operations. 

In India, organized crime includes activities such as drug trafficking, arms smuggling, human trafficking, extortion, and illegal mining.

Symbiosis between Organized Crime and Terrorism

Organized crime has developed a symbiotic relationship with terrorist groups. This collaboration allows both entities to thrive. 

Terrorist organizations, such as those active in the region, often rely on the financial support provided by organized criminal gangs. 

These groups, in turn, benefit from the protection and resources offered by the terrorist organizations. 

This partnership helps sustain their operations, often in remote areas where the government has limited reach.

Role of Organized Crime in Terror Funding

1. Organized crime and terrorism are linked in several ways, including: 
2. Illegal activities – Terrorist groups can fund their activities through illegal activities like: Drug trafficking; Human trafficking; Weapons trafficking; Extortion; Smuggling; Kidnapping for ransom. 
3. Legal sources – Terrorist groups can also fund their activities through legal sources like: Donations from wealthy benefactors; Front organizations; Business activities. 
4. Money laundering – Criminals can use the financial system to support terrorism through: The formal financial system; New payment methods like bitcoin and Ripple; Traditional methods of value transfer like hawala; Trade based money-laundering; Cash couriers.

Case Example: Northeast India

1. In the northeastern states of India, particularly in Manipur, Nagaland, and Assam, insurgent groups have had long-standing ties with organized crime. 
2. For instance, groups like the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) have been known to engage in extortion from businesses, smuggling of arms and drugs, and even running illegal taxation operations. 
3. These activities have helped them finance their operations and sustain insurgency movements.
4. In recent years, the NIA and intelligence agencies have reported the increasing involvement of organized crime in financing terrorism. 
5. The rise of criminal syndicates engaging in cross-border smuggling, coupled with the proliferation of firearms, has exacerbated the security situation in these regions. 
6. The use of drones to drop drugs and arms across the India-Myanmar border has also become a significant concern.

Factual Prelims Mains data Mining Current Affairs

Data and Cases for Mains

Prelims Factual