Current Affairs 9th February

National Affairs

1. MoA&FW and Digital Green sign a Memorandum of Understanding to create a National Level Digital Extension Platform.

Under the PPP framework, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) and Digital Green signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build a national-level digital extension platform.

 

By connecting farmers to the solid foundation of the digital agriculture ecosystem that is being built by the government, the platform, which is expected to launch within six months, will strengthen the extension system and make it more efficient and effective.

 

As part of its efforts to promote Indian export, MoA&FW will also develop a new certification system for organic cotton and its derivatives. In this regard, the ministry will form a committee to investigate organic cotton and its derivatives certification issues.

2. India’s 2023 G20 presidency: G20 Conferences in February 2023

As the G20 Presidency runs from December 1, 2022, to November 30, 2023, India will host the prestigious G20 (Group of Twenty) summit in 2023.

 

“Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” which means “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” is India’s G20 presidency theme. It is taken from an ancient Sanskrit text known as the Maha Upanishad.

 

The G20 is the most important international forum for economic cooperation.

 

Members of G20: It has twenty members, which include 19 nations: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), and the European Union (EU) are the countries that are included in this list.

 

From February 5 to 7, 2023, the first “G20 Energy Transition Working Group” (ETWG) meeting under India’s G20 presidency was held in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

 

For the “G20 Stay Safe Online Campaign,” the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Meta, Facebook’s parent company, have collaborated.

 

Meta has also launched the #DigitalSuraksha campaign to warn young people about false information. The goal is to raise awareness of cyber safety and prevent people from falling for online scams.

3. The “IEEE C-DOT Certified Telecom Expert Program” is launched by K Rajaraman.

The “IEEE C-DOT Certified Telecom Expert Program (ICCTEP)” was launched on February 7, 2023, by K Rajaraman, Chairman of the Digital Communications Commission (DCC) and Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications (MOC). 

 

The goal of the program was to fill a skill gap by providing education in areas such as 5G, cyber security, and quantum communication. The topic of 5G and beyond is the subject of the platform’s first program.

 

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) worked together on the program to develop courses in telecommunications, promote and train professionals and students, create job opportunities, and close the digital divide.

 

It was unveiled at the “Next Generation Connectivity” Workshop of the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) in New Delhi, Delhi.

 

The goal of the IEEE Blended Learning Program (BLP) is to improve the skills of upcoming professionals in the fields of wireless, optical, broadcasting, telecom validation, and security.

4. MoS Agriculture Shobha Karandlaje released the NCAER Report on India’s Farm Machinery Industry.

The new report from the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) titled “Making India a Global Power House on Farm Machinery Industry” was released on February 7, 2023, by Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State (MoS) for Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, in Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi. Mahendra & Mahendra provided funding for this study.

 

Note: One of India’s best economic policy research think tanks is NCAER.

 

Summary of the report:

 

The report lays out a plan to make India a centre for non-tractor farm machinery, makes reform suggestions, and highlights the difficulties.

 

The study compares the non-tractor farm machinery industry, interprets global practices, and presents a plan to make India a hub for non-tractor farm technology manufacturing and export.

 

The report also emphasized India’s need for a 15-year plan to transform the country into an export and production hub for non-tractor farm machinery.

 

Recommendations:

 

The team of policymakers will examine the report’s recommendations for measures and reforms based on benchmarking global practices in order to determine the most effective farm mechanization solutions.

 

Additional details:

 

According to Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) is promoting farm mechanization through a variety of schemes and programs, including the promotion of drones, the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), and crop residue management (CRM).

 

She also talked about how important it is for Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institutes (FMTTIs) to train and test agricultural machines like tractors, power tillers, and combine harvesters.

 

The FMTTIs have provided a pool of approximately 2.3 lakh skilled professionals in farm mechanization and contributed to the testing and training of farm machines.

5. Women’s Climate Fund Receives $50 Million from Hillary Clinton

The Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) and Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state of the United States, have announced a first-of-its-kind “Global Climate Resilience Fund” with 50 million dollars from the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) to assist women in the fight against climate change.

 

In honour of SEWA’s 50th anniversary as a trade union, Hillary Clinton was in Gujarat for two days.

 

The fund’s objective is to provide new employment and educational opportunities, as well as the means by which communities and women can deal with the difficulties brought on by rising temperatures brought on by climate change.

 

Association of Self-Employed Women (SEWA) i. In 1972, Elaben Bhatt, then 89, founded SEWA in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He died in November 2022.

 

SEWA has 25 million informal sector women as members and operates in 18 states.

First, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI). Bill Clinton, who was born William Jefferson Blythe III, founded CGI in 2005 with the goal of bringing together established and emerging global leaders to develop and implement solutions to the world’s most pressing issues.

 

New, precise, and measurable commitments to action in climate resilience, health equity, and inclusive economic recovery and growth are created by CGI and its partners.

International Affairs

1. For Religious Minority Inclusivity Measures, India ranks 110th out of 110 countries. Report on Global Minorities

In its inaugural assessment of global minorities, the Centre for Policy Analysis’s (CPA) Global Minority Report, India was ranked one of 110 nations for its measures to include religious minorities. India has the highest acceptance of religious minorities, followed by South Korea, Japan, Panama, the United States (US), and the United Kingdom (UK) in the second, third, fourth, and fifth positions, respectively.

 

The report, which was released in November 2022 by the former Vice President of India, Venkaiah Naidu, is based on ideas about human rights, minorities, the idea of religious freedom, the cultural dilemma of religious minorities, the reasons for religious differences, and more.

 

Key Points:

 

Afghanistan, Somalia, and the Maldives are at the bottom of the list.

 

Positions 54 and 61 are held by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United Kingdom (UK).

 

There are no comparable provisions for linguistic and religious minorities in any other constitution, but the Indian Constitution has unique provisions for promoting religious minorities in culture and education. In addition, no religious sect is prohibited in India.

However, the conflict between the majority and minority communities has been reported.

 

According to the report, the inclusiveness of India’s minority policy and the absence of discrimination against many religions and their sects could serve as a model for other nations.

 

This report also aims to inform the global community about the widespread discrimination against religious minorities in various nations.

2. To reduce superbugs, pollution must be reduced: UNEP Document

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recently released a report titled “Bracing for Superbugs” To reduce the emergence, transmission, and spread of superbugs—a strain of bacteria that has become resistant to every known antibiotic—in the One Health response to antimicrobial resistance, it is essential to strengthen environmental action and reduce pollution caused by the pharmaceutical, agricultural, and healthcare sectors.

 

Another manifestation of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is the superbug.

 

The report was made public at Barbados’s Sixth Meeting of the Global Leaders Group on AMR.

 

Resistance to Antimicrobials (AMR):

 

In order to lessen the impact of infectious diseases on humans, animals, and plants, antimicrobials are absolutely necessary.

 

Antimicrobials that are used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals, and plants are becoming less effective as AMR grows and spreads.

 

As a result, AMR has emerged as a major issue for public health.

 

Key Points:

 

AMR is ranked among the top ten global health threats by the World Health Organization.

 

In 2019, it is estimated that drug-resistant infections accounted for approximately 1.27 million deaths and bacterial AMR for 4.95 million.

 

By 2050, it is anticipated that AMR will result in an additional 10 million direct deaths annually.

 

Additionally, it is anticipated that the AMR will push approximately 24 million more people into extreme poverty by 2030, resulting in a decrease in GDP of at least USD 3.4 trillion annually.

 

One Approach to Health:

 

Recognizing that the health of people, animals, plants, and the environment are all interconnected, the report calls for a multisectoral One Health response.

 

The Quadripartite Alliance, which included UNEP, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), launched the One Health Joint Plan of Action.

 

A single health response to AMR will assist in addressing the triple planetary crisis and reduce the risk and burden of AMR on humans and nature.

 

The triple planetary crisis includes biological and chemical pollution, altered land use that alters microbial diversity, and rising temperatures and extreme weather patterns.

3. Report from CloudSEK: In 2022, India will have the most cyberattacks in Asia.

The Global Threat Landscape Report 2021-2022 by CloudSEK, a contextual AI company that predicts cyber threats, states that in both 2021 and 2022, India will be the most targeted nation in Asia by hackers. In 2022, India will be the second most targeted nation globally, while the United States of America (USA) will continue to be the most targeted nation.

 

In 2022, the number of cyberattacks in India has increased by 24.3%. China, Indonesia, and Russia are the third, fourth, and fifth most targeted nations in 2022, respectively.

 

Results based on regions:

 

In both 2021 and 2022, the most heavily targeted regions will be Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America.

 

Asia and the Pacific remained the most frequently targeted region, receiving 24.1 per cent of all attacks in 2022 and 20.4% in 2021. In 2022, the number of attacks on Asia and the Pacific increased by 26.43 per cent.

 

The second most targeted region in 2022 is Europe, which accounted for approximately 18% of all attacks in both 2021 and 2022. 8.28% more attacks have been launched against Eupore.

 

In 2021, North America accounted for 18.9% of all attacks, and in 2022, it accounted for 16%. The overall number of attacks decreased by 9.68%.

Although they still accounted for 29.2% and 27.5% of all attacks in 2021 and 2022, the global attacks remained the most significant.

 

Key Points:

 

Cybercrime increased in 2022 due to an increase in sophisticated and targeted cyberattacks. This is due to a rise in the popularity of malware and malicious tools as a result of an increase in underground activity.

 

The threat actors targeted new technologies with a variety of vulnerabilities, such as electric vehicles.

 

Ransomware attacks increased from the least common (0.3 per cent) in 2021 to the third most common (8%) in 2022.

 

From 4.1% in 2021 to 12.1% in 2022, attacks on the government sector have increased globally.

Banking and Finance

1. The Sustainable Equity Fund is unveiled by Bajaj Allianz Life; Kotak Banking & Financial Services Fund is launched by KMAMC.

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance, the life insurance division of Bajaj Finserv, has launched the Sustainable Equity Fund known as the “Bajaj Allianz Life Sustainable Equity Fund.” This fund allows investors to invest in socially responsible businesses that have been evaluated in light of relevant environmental (E), social (S), and governance (G) factors. This new fund offer (NFO) is currently available for subscription on the following flagship ULIPs (Unit Linked Insurance Plans) of the insurer:

A unit-linked, non-participating life insurance plan is the Bajaj Allianz Life Goal Assure.

 

Key Points: 

 

The Bajaj Allianz Life Smart Wealth Goal is a unit-linked, non-participating life insurance plan. The Bajaj Allianz Life Future Wealth Gain is a non-participating, unit-linked, individual endowment life insurance plan. The Bajaj Allianz Life Longlife Goal is a unit-linked, non-participating whole-life insurance plan. The Bajaj Allianz Future Gain is a unit-linked, non-part. It is compared to the Nifty 100 ESG Index as a benchmark.

 

Because it will invest investors’ money in companies with high ESG scores, the fund will continue to ensure that the ESG quotient of investor decisions remains strong.

 

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance will use its in-house, exclusive ESG factor model to evaluate businesses based on information from public disclosures, investor presentations, annual reports, and other sources.

 

Then, stocks for the fund can be screened using ESG principles and the current investment decision-making process.

 

The “Kotak Banking & Financial Services Fund” is an open-ended equity scheme that invests in the Banking and Financial Services industries. It was launched by Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company Ltd. (KMAMC/Kotak Mutual Fund).

 

On February 6, 2023, the scheme will open for public subscription and close on February 20th, 2023.

 

Key Points:

 

During the NFO period, investors can invest as little as Rs 5,000 in multiples of Re.1 for purchases and Re.01 for switches.

 

Long-term capital appreciation from a portfolio primarily invested in equity and equity-related securities of banking and financial services-related businesses is the goal.

2. RuPay Credit Card on UPI is now available through Paytm Payments Bank and NPCI.

In collaboration with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), Paytm Payments Bank Ltd. (PPBL) launched the “RuPay credit card on UPI” service, allowing customers to connect their RuPay credit cards to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) infrastructure.

 

Customers with RuPay credit cards will be able to use the UPI service to pay for goods and services both online and offline as a result of the partnership.

 

The “RuPay credit card on UPI” option has been discussed by NPCI with India’s leading lenders, including ICICI Bank, State Bank of India (SBI), Union Bank of India, and Axis Bank.

 

In June 2022, the governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Shaktikanta Das, said that credit cards can be linked to UPI, and RuPay credit cards will be the first to use the service.

 

An operating circular for the connection of the RuPay credit card and UPI was made available by NPCI in October 2022.

 

In January 2023, the infrastructure in India processed close to Rs 12.98 lakh crore worth of UPI transactions, totalling 8 billion.

Science and Technology

1. Skye Air introduces India’s first traffic management system for drones, “Skye UTM.”

Skye UTM, India’s first traffic management system for drones, was launched on February 7, 2023, by Skye Air Mobility Private Limited (Skye Air), a drone solutions provider based in Gurugram (Haryana).

 

In the presence of Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Skye UTM was launched.

 

Before conducting drone-based operations in India, the Skye UTM system will enable drone operators to plan routes, make flight plans, and evaluate risks.

 

Key Features:

 

Unmanned traffic management systems will be in charge of controlling airspace. This will make it possible for various businesses to run multiple beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) drone operations simultaneously.

Companies like AirMap, which is based in the United States, and Airbus, which is based in the Netherlands, offer these kinds of systems all over the world.

 

According to Ankit Kumar, Skye Air’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the program imports data from the government’s Digital Sky platform, which was created to help drone operators plan flights in Indian airspace.

 

The Digital Sky platform, which is operated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and was first made available to users in 2018, equips them with the knowledge they need to carry out drone missions in India.

 

Operators will have a “better understanding” of where they can fly with Skye UTM.

Over 300 successful BVLOS flights have been used to test the software.

 

Authorities will also be informed of planned drone flights through Skye UTM prior to takeoff.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will receive an operator’s flight plan, information on the drone license number, contact information for the operator, flight plan, purpose of flight, and duration and time of flight on Skye UTM. The AI can then reject a flight if it finds inconsistencies or potential disruptions in aircraft/helicopter operations.

 

BVLOS:

 

Drone flights where the pilot is unable to see the drone are referred to as “beyond visual line-of-sight” (BVLOS).

 

They make it possible for businesses to conduct drone missions over greater distances, which is crucial for logistics, medicine delivery, and other purposes.

 

Additionally, Skye UTM will provide data on latitude and longitude that Digital Sky does not.

Offer on Skye Air.

 

Additionally, Skye Air provides remote ID services for tracking drones. Remote ID is a piece of hardware that must be installed on drones to communicate real-time location data.