Context: After being sworn in, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order cancelling the provision of “citizenship by birth”, which could directly affect thousands of Indian professionals working in the U.S. under H-1B and other temporary visas, who hoped to raise their families there. Citizenship in U.S. There are two major modes through which the United States may grant a person the status of citizen. Birthright Citizenship in the United States Assured by the 14th Amendment The first clause of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, which was adopted on July 9, 1868 assures birthright citizenship to people born in US territory, except for American Samoa. Dual Citizenship in India!
Current Affairs 21 January 2025
Daily Current Affairs Quiz21 January, 2025 International Affairs 1. Paris Agreement Context: U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration announced the United States’ intention to withdraw from the Paris climate accord for a second time, a defiant rejection of global efforts to combat planetary warming as catastrophic weather events intensify worldwide. Paris Agreement COP 21 It is a multilateral agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFCCC to reduce and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions Adopted in December 2015 at COP 21 in Paris and signed by 196 countries Nationally Determined Contributions NDCs Indias Role and Measures Emissions in India India’s Initiatives Core Elements of the Paris Agreement Climate Ambition Summit 2020 What’s New? COP29: Takeaways and Stand of India UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) Prelims Q. The term ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of (2016) (a) pledges made by the European countries to rehabilitate refugees from the war-affected Middle East(b) plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change(c) capital contributed by the member countries in the establishment of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank(d) plan of action outlined by the countries of the world regarding Sustainable Development Goals Answer: b Q. With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2016) Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 and 3 only(b) 2 only(c) 2 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3 Answer: b Mains Q. ‘Climate change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? (2017) Q. Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (2021) 2. World Economic Forum (WEF) Context: World Economic Forum (WEF) is hosting its Annual Meeting from 20–24 January 2025 Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. Theme: WEF 2025’s theme is “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age,” highlighting the importance of partnerships for a future driven by sustainable innovation and technological advancements. World Economic Forum (WEF) About WEF is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. Evolution In 1973 events such as the collapse of the Bretton Woods fixed exchange rate mechanism and Arab-Israeli War made Annual Meeting expand its focus in addition to management issues to economic and social issues. Diplomatic Moments of WEF India’s Presence at World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025 Source: PIB UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year’s Question (PYQs) Prelims Q1. Consider the following provisions under the Directive Principles of State Policy as enshrined in the Constitution of India: (2012) Which of the above are the Gandhian Principles that are reflected in the Directive Principles of State Policy? (a) 1, 2 and 4 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 Ans: (b) Q2. A legislation that confers on the executive or administrative authority an unguided and uncontrolled discretionary power in the matter of the application of law violates which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India? (a) Article 14 (b) Article 28 (c) Article 32 (d) Article 44 Ans: (a) Mains Q. Discuss the possible factors that inhibit India from enacting for its citizens a uniform civil code as provided for in the Directive Principles of State Policy. (2015) 3. India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Scope and Design It is a network of multimodal transportation, connecting rail, ship-to-rail, and roads.Besides, it is going to house electricity cables, hydrogen pipelines, and high-speed data cables.It contains two major corridors: Part and Participant countries Objectives: Importance of IMEC In the Context of Geopolitical Effects Economic Benefits Trade Enhancement Challenges to IMEC Way Forward National Affairs 1. De-Notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes of India Context: The Anthropological Survey of India and Tribal Research Institutes have conducted a comprehensive ethnographic study of 268 denotified, semi-nomadic, and nomadic tribes in India. The study, commissioned by a NITI Aayog panel, recommended the inclusion of 179 of these communities in the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes lists of 26 states and union territories. What are De-Notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes of India? 2. Dam Safety Act of 2021 Context: The Supreme Court asked the States of Tamil Nadu and Kerala to address it on whether the supervisory committee formed by the court would be more effective in taking care of the 129-year-old Mullaperiyar dam or the job must be given to a statutory committee envisaged under the new Dam Safety Act of 2021. Mullaperiyar Dam Mullaperiyar Dam is a masonry gravity dam constructed on the Periyar River in Kerala, India. The dam was constructed between 1887 and 1895 by John Pennycuick, and it lies 150km south east of Kochi and 200km north east of Trivandrum. The catchment area of the dam is located entirely in Kerala and not an inter-State river. It is operated and maintained by Tamil Nadu. The water level hit 142 feet for the first time in 35 years in 2014 and again topped its maximum limit in 2018. According to the report of UNU-INWEH, published in 2021, the dam is seismically active with significant structural flaws and places 3.5 million people in danger if it collapses. Dam Safety Act of 2021 3. Custodial Death Context: A protest erupted in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district, with hundreds of people gheraoing the Raisatti police outpost under the Nakhas police station limits demanding justice over the alleged custodial death of a 35-year-old man. Custodial Death in India Definition: Death of a person in the custody of law enforcement or correctional facilities, caused by excessive force, neglect, abuse, or other factors. Custodial Violence: Defined by the Law Commission of India as crimes committed by public servants against detained or arrested individuals. Statistics (2017-2022). Gradual increase in custodial deaths
Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)
Context: Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) Definition and Concept Purchasing Power Parity PPP is a theory that asserts that currencies are in equilibrium if their purchasing power is equal in two different countries.The theory posits that the value of a currency should be determined by the price ratio of a basket of consumer goods in both nations.Law of One Price is the foundation of PPP that shows excluding transportation costs similar goods must have the same price in other countries when expressed in a common currency. PPP Formula The basic formula of PPP is given by( S = \frac{P1}{P2} ) Where, This enables the comparison of the value of currencies by the purchasing power of products in each country. Versions of PPP Significance of PPP International Comparison Program ICP The ICP managed by the World Bank is an initiative in comparing price levels and computing PPPs for over 170 countries. India Rankings in Global PPP Challenges and Issues with PPP
SEBI’s Proposed Revisions to the Social Stock Exchange (SSE) Framework
Key Objectives of the Proposal Social Stock Exchange (SSE) A Social Stock Exchange (SSE) is a controlled platform that permits social enterprises to attract public funds. SSEs are an addition to the already existing stock exchanges. Proposed Changes to the SSE Framework Current Status of SSEs Expected Impact of the Revisions
RBIs Revised Norms for ARCs
Key Takeaways in Settlement Norms Purposes of the Amendments RBI Guidelines For Asset Reconstruction Companies
Private Capital Expenditure vs Public Capital Expenditure
Private Capital Expenditure Private capital expenditure, or Capex, is the money a private sector organization spends on long-term assets. The assets can include buildings, vehicles, equipment, land, and intellectual property. Why is private capital expenditure important? Public Capital Expenditure Public capital expenditure is money spent by the government to acquire or improve long-term assets. Some of these assets include property, plant, and equipment, while others are infrastructures. What are examples of public capital expenditure? Why is public capital expenditure crucial? Capital Expenditure CapEx
National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds)
Context: The Union agriculture ministry has launched its first-ever survey to assess edible oil consumption patterns in India, aiming to effectively implement the new Mission on Edible Oils-Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds). National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds), a landmark initiative aimed at boosting domestic oilseed production and achieving self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in edible oils. Recent Update Edible Oil Consumption Survey: A Strategic Initiative by the Union Agriculture Ministry Overview of the Survey Mission Objectives: Focus Areas Strategy Points Importances and Incentives Background Context
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Context: The third batch of 18 cheetahs, scheduled to be relocated from South Africa to Madhya Pradesh in Feb 2025, may take more time. The project is stalled due to pending import permission from CITES, which is preventing the next phase of the reintroduction effort. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) An agreement among governments that oversees international trade of endangered species is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, otherwise known as CITES. According to CITES, the main aim is the survival of endangered species in their natural habitats, undeterred by man’s interference. Project Cheetah
The Uniform Civil Code (UCC)
Context: The Uttarakhand Cabinet approved the rules for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) at its meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) of India UCC is a homogeneous set of legislation that governs personal matters among citizens of the country, in this case Indians, such as marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance, and succession. It is a provision of Article 44 of the Indian Constitution wherein it is stated that it is the Directive Principle of State Policy. The implementation of UCC had been a question of debate since decades. Constitutional History and Leading Judicial Pronouncements Key Judicial Pronouncements on UCC Cases Arguing for UCC Arguments Against the UCC India’s UCC Challenges and Solutions Solutions UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year’s Question (PYQs) Prelims Q1. Consider the following provisions under the Directive Principles of State Policy as enshrined in the Constitution of India: (2012) Which of the above are the Gandhian Principles that are reflected in the Directive Principles of State Policy? (a) 1, 2 and 4 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 Ans: (b) Mains Q. Discuss the possible factors that inhibit India from enacting for its citizens a uniform civil code as provided for in the Directive Principles of State Policy. (2015)
India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
Scope and Design It is a network of multimodal transportation, connecting rail, ship-to-rail, and roads.Besides, it is going to house electricity cables, hydrogen pipelines, and high-speed data cables.It contains two major corridors: Part and Participant countries Objectives: Importance of IMEC In the Context of Geopolitical Effects Economic Benefits Trade Enhancement Challenges to IMEC Way Forward
