The swimming events in the ongoing Paris Olympics were postponeddue to concerns about the water quality of the River Seine.
Issues with River Seine’s Water Quality:
Old Sewage System: Paris’ aged sewage system combines rainwater and wastewater in the same pipes, leading to overflow during heavy rains.
Untreated Sewage Discharge: Overflowing pipes cause untreated sewage to be discharged directly into the Seine instead of being treated.
Wildlife Contamination: Heavy rains wash wildlife, such as rodents, into the river, adding to the contamination.
E. coli Threat: The River often has high levels of E. coli bacteria, which can cause severe gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections.
Exceeding Safe Levels: Following heavy rains, E. coli levels in the Seine frequently exceed the safe threshold of 900 colony-forming units (cfu) per 100 ml of water.
Long-term Pollution: The Seine has been historically polluted, with a swimming ban in place since 1923 due to health risks.
Health Risks: High contamination levels pose significant health risks to swimmers, including infections and illnesses.
About River Seine
Details
Country
France
Length
777 km
Major Cities Along Course
Paris, Troyes, Melun, Rouen, Le Havre
Major Tributaries
Aube, Marne, Yonne, Oise, Eure
Population in Basin
About 17 million people, including the Paris metropolitan area
Navigability
Navigable for about 560 kilometers from the estuary to Burgundy
Estuary Location
Empties into the English Channel at Le Havre and Honfleur
Estuary Type
Tidal estuary with significant tidal influence up to Rouen
Historical Significance
Central to Paris, with landmarks like Notre-Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre along its banks
UNESCO Status
Banks of the Seine in Paris are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Economic Importance
Major waterway for commercial shipping and tourism; key ports include Paris, Rouen, and Le Havre
Recreational Activities
Popular for river cruises, boating, fishing, and walking along its banks
PYQ:
[2020] Consider the following pairs?
River: Flows into
Mekong: Andaman sea
Thames: Irish Sea
Volga: Caspian Sea
Zambezi: Indian Ocean
Which of the pairs above is/are correctly matched?
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Rashtriya Gokul Mission and its Components
Why in the News?
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing the Rashtriya Gokul Mission.
The mission aims to develop and conserve indigenous bovine breeds, genetically upgrade the bovine population, and enhance milk production and productivity.
AboutRashtriya Gokul Mission:
Details
About
Initiated in December 2014.
Announced under the National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development during the 12th Five Year Plan.
Continued under Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojana (2021-2026) with a budget of Rs. 2400 crore.
Nodal Ministry
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying
Objectives
Enhance productivity of bovines and increase sustainable milk production using advanced technologies.
Propagate the use of high genetic merit bulls for breeding.
Expand artificial insemination coverage by strengthening the breeding network and delivering services at farmers’ doorsteps.
Promote scientific and holistic conservation of indigenous cattle and buffalo rearing.
Significance
Increased productivity, benefiting all cattle and buffaloes in India, with a focus on small and marginal farmers.
Empowers women, who perform over 70% of livestock farming tasks.
Components
Availability of High Genetic Merit Germplasm
Extension of Artificial Insemination Network
Development and Conservation of Indigenous Breeds
Skill Development
Farmers’ Awareness
Research, Development, and Innovation in Bovine Breeding
Implementing Agency
State Implementing Agency (SIA) viz. Livestock Development Boards
Significant Initiatives
Gopal Ratna Awards: For farmers maintaining the best herd of Indigenous Breed and practicing best management practices.
Kamdhenu Awards: For best-managed Indigenous herd by Institutions/Trusts/ NGOs/ Gaushalas or best-managed Breeders’ societies.
Gokul Grams: Integrated cattle development centers focusing on promoting indigenous cattle rearing and conservation in a scientific manner.
National Kamdhenu Breeding Centre (NKBC): Centre of Excellence for the holistic and scientific development and conservation of Indigenous Breeds.
E-Pashu Haat: Web portal providing information on pet cattle and facilitating trading of bovine animals.
Nakul Prajnan Bazaar: E-market portal connecting breeders and farmers for quality, disease-free bovine germplasm.
Pashu Sanjivni: Animal wellness program providing animal health cards and unique identification, uploading data on the National Database.
Advanced Reproductive Technology (ART): Includes Assisted Reproductive Technique- IVF/Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer (MOET) and sex-sorted semen technique.
National Bovine Genomic Center for Indigenous Breeds (NBGC-IB): To be established for selecting breeding bulls of high genetic merit at a young age using highly precise gene-based technology.
Key Initiatives for Artificial Insemination:
Multi-Purpose Artificial Insemination Technicians in Rural India (MAITRI): This initiative provides trained manpower for delivering quality artificial insemination services at farmers’ doorsteps.
Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme: This programme extends artificial insemination coverage among bovines using semen from high genetic merit bulls of indigenous breeds.
Induction of High Genetic Merit Bulls: This program produces bulls with known genetic potential through progeny testing and pedigree selection, supplying these bulls to semen stations for quality semen dose production.
Strengthening of Semen Stations: Efforts are made to improve the quality of semen production by formulating minimum standard protocols and establishing a Central Monitoring Unit for evaluation and grading of semen stations.
Breed Purity Tests: To protect indigenous breeds from indiscriminate breeding, breed purity tests are conducted for all imported germplasm.
Guidelines for Import and Export of Bovine Germplasm: The Department has formulated guidelines to regulate the import of germplasm and prevent the ingress of exotic diseases, ensuring the safety and purity of bovine genetics within the country.
PYQ:
[2012] Consider the following crops of India:
Cowpea
Green gram
Pigeon pea
Which of the above is/are used as pulse, fodder and green manure?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
[2015] Livestock rearing has a big potential for providing non-farm employment and income in rural areas. Discuss suggesting suitable measures to promote this sector in India.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Udham Singh
Why in the News?
On July 31, 1940, Indian revolutionary leader Udham Singh was executed at the Pentonville prison in London for killing Michael O’Dwyer, the former lieutenant governor of Punjab.
Singh was born in Sunam in Punjab’s Sangrur district in 1899.
Political Activism
Became associated with the Ghadar Party while in the US, which was founded by Sohan Singh Bhakna in 1913 and headquartered in California.
Purpose and Actions
In 1934, Singh travelled to London to assassinate Michael O’Dwyer, the former Lieutenant Governor of Punjab during the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Reason for Targeting O’Dwyer
O’Dwyer had ordered Brigadier Reginald Dyer to Amritsar before the massacre, fearing a second Indian mutiny due to Hindu-Muslim unity and demonstrations.
Assassination of O’Dwyer
On March 13, 1940, Singh shot O’Dwyer at a meeting in Caxton Hall, London.
Arrest and Execution
Arrested immediately, held in Brixton prison, sentenced to death, and hanged on July 31, 1940, at Pentonville Prison.
Legacy and Recognition
Regarded as a hero for avenging the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Gandhi termed it an “act of insanity”.
He symbolized Hindu-Sikh-Muslim unity by adopting the name ‘RamMohamed Singh Azad’ during his trial.
Posthumous Honors
His remains were returned to India in 1974 and cremated in his village in Sunam.
His statue was installed at Jallianwala Bagh in 2018;
Udham Singh Nagar district in Uttarakhand is named after him.
PYQ:
[2014] The Ghadr (Ghadar) was a:
(a) Revolutionary association of Indians with headquarters at San Francisco.
(b) Nationalist organization operating from Singapore
(c) Militant organization with headquarters at Berlin
(d) Communist movement for India’s freedom with head-quarters at Tashkent
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Endogenous Retroviruses and their significance in human evolution
Why in the News?
Research suggests that around 8% of the human genome is composed of Endogenous Retroviruses (ERVs) often referred to as ‘zombie’ regions.
Retroviruses and Human Genome Integration
Most viruses can’t affect the human genome, but retroviruses are an exception.
Retroviruses can integrate and reshape the genomes of their hosts.
They have an RNA genome and can reverse-transcribe it to DNA, inserting it into the host’s genome.
This process is facilitated by the enzyme reverse transcriptase.
Discovered by Howard Temin and David Baltimore in 1971, this enzyme converts the virus’s RNA into a corresponding DNA sequence.
Historical Discoveries:
Viral causes of cancer were known even before the mechanism was understood.
In 1908, Oluf Bang and Vilhelm Ellermann discovered the viral cause of chicken leukosis.
In 1957, Ludwik Gross isolated a leukaemia-causing virus in mice.
What are Endogenous Retroviruses (ERVs)?
ERVs are remnants of ancient viral infections that have integrated into the genome of the host species.
When these retroviruses infect germ cells (sperm or egg cells), their genetic material can be passed down to the next generation, becoming a permanent part of the host’s DNA.
Zombie Regions:
They refer to inactive viral sequences within the genomethat no longer produce functional viruses but remain as embedded genetic fossils.
These regions are a result of retrovirus integration that has lost its ability to replicate and produce proteins, yet they persist in the host’s DNA.
Evolutionary Significance of ERVs:
In the life cycle of a retrovirus, reverse-transcribed DNA is integrated into the host’s DNA with the help of integrase.
The viral DNA, called a provirus, hijacks human cells, turning them into virus-making factories.
Over tens of thousands of years, many retroviruses have left genomic elementsin human genome, contributing to evolutionary processes.
Example:
Syncytins are genes thought to have descended from ERVs and are crucial for placental development. These genes originally came from viruses and were acquired during mammalian evolution.
Their Contribution to Human Biology
ERVs are highly expressed in the placenta and may influence conditions like preeclampsia.
Researchers found that a particular RNA derived from an ERV is dysregulated in early-onset preeclampsia, suggesting it could be used as a biomarker for the condition.
ERVs play a role in cell-type differentiationduringembryo development.
A protein called MERVL-gag is derived from an ERV. This transition is crucial for producing pluripotent stem cells capable of forming different cell types.
Researchers also found that a human ERV element LTR10affects tumour formation in colorectal cancer.
PYQ:
[2021] Consider the following statements :
1. Adenoviruses have single-stranded DNA genomes whereas retroviruses have double-stranded DNA genomes.
2. Common cold is sometime caused by an adenovirus whereas AIDS is caused by a retrovirus.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Indexation, Capital Gains Tax Regime.
Mains level: Significance of indexation
Why in the news?
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s decision to eliminate indexation for calculating long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax in the Union Budget has received a lukewarm response from stakeholders.
Changes in the LTCG Regime
The new LTCG regime removes the indexation benefit for property, gold, and other unlisted assets.
The LTCG tax rate is reduced from 20% to 12.5%.
For assets purchased before 2001, the fair market value as of April 1, 2001, is considered the cost of acquisition.
What is long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax?
LTCG refers to the profit realized from the sale of an asset that has been held for more than one year. This includes various types of assets such as stocks, bonds, real estate, and mutual funds.
If an asset is sold before this holding period, the gains are classified as short-term capital gains (STCG) and are taxed at different rates.
Why has the Union Finance Minister done away with indexation for computing long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax?
Simplification of Tax Computation: The Finance Minister proposed the change to “ease computation of capital gains for the taxpayer and tax administration.” The intention is to simplify the tax process.
Uniform Tax Rate: Long-term gains on all financial and non-financial assets would now be taxed at a flat rate of 12.5%, replacing the previous tiered structure.
High real estate return: The Income Tax department believes that the real estate returns (12-16% per annum) are higher than indexation for inflation (4-5%). Thus, it predicts “substantial tax savings” for a “vast majority” of taxpayers under the new system.
What is indexation?
Indexation is a mechanism used to adjust the original purchase price of an asset to account for inflation. It helps in calculating the real gains and prevents inflation from inflating the tax liability. The adjusted purchase price is called the indexed cost of acquisition.
How does Indexation help in Tax Savings?
Adjusts the purchase price for inflation: Indexation increases the original purchase price of an asset to account for inflation between the time of purchase and sale. This results in a lower taxable capital gain.
Reduces the taxable capital gains: By revising the purchase price upwards using the Cost Inflation Index, indexation reduces the difference between the sale price and purchase price. This lowers the taxable capital gains amount.
Leads to lower tax liability: With a reduced taxable capital gain, the tax payable on it also decreases. For example, on a ₹48 lakh gain from selling a house, indexation can bring down the taxable gain to ₹28.6 lakh, saving ₹4,264 in tax (assuming 20% LTCG rate).
What has been the feedback from corporates and industry regarding the move?
Concerns Over Increased Tax Liability: Many stakeholders expressed apprehension that the removal of indexation would lead to higher tax obligations for ordinary investors, particularly in the real estate sector.
There are fears that this might encourage the undervaluation of properties to reduce capital gains tax and potentially increase black money transactions in real estate.
Mixed Reactions from Realty Players: While some real estate developers and consultants indicated that the removal of indexation might not significantly impact demand and prices, especially for primary home buyers, they noted that high-end properties could see a drop in demand.
Some developers viewed the changes positively and said that the lowered tax rate (from 20% to 12.5%) could make real estate a more attractive long-term investment.
Government Justifications and Clarifications: The government has argued that the new tax regime simplifies the capital gains tax structure and is beneficial for most taxpayers.
Way forward:
Transitional Provisions: Govt. should implement transitional provisions for existing investments to ease the shift from the old system to the new one.
Strengthen the monitoring system: Need to strengthen monitoring mechanisms to prevent the undervaluation of properties and reduce black money transactions.
Mains PYQ:
Q Comment on the important changes introduced in respect of the Long-term Capital Gains Tax (LCGT) and Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) in the Union Budget for 2018-2019. (UPSC IAS/2018)
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Large Language Models (LLMs)
Mains level: Challenges related to the data source used by AI
Why in the news?
Only by providing fair and broad access to data can we unlock AI’s full potential and ensure its benefits are shared equitably.
Present Scenario of ‘Data Race vs. Ethics’
Data Demand vs. Quality: The race for data has intensified as AI systems, particularly Large Language Models (LLMs), require vast amounts of high-quality data for training.
However, there is a growing concern that this demand may compromise ethical standards, leading to the use of pirated or low-quality datasets, such as the controversial ‘Books3’ collection of pirated texts.
What are Large Language Models (LLMs)?
Large Language Models (LLMs) are advanced AI systems that can understand and generate human-like text by learning from vast amounts of data, enabling a wide range of language-related applications.
Feedback Loops and Bias Amplification: The reliance on existing datasets can create feedback loops that exacerbate biases present in the data.
As AI models are trained on flawed datasets, they may perpetuate and amplify these biases, resulting in skewed outputs that reflect an unbalanced and often Anglophone-centric worldview.
Ethical Considerations: The urgency to acquire data can overshadow ethical considerations. This raises questions about the fairness and accountability of AI systems, as they may be built on datasets that do not represent the diversity of human knowledge and culture.
Challenges towards the Sources
Lack of Primary Sources: Current LLMs are primarily trained on secondary sources, which often lack the depth and richness of primary cultural artefacts.
Important primary sources, such as archival documents and oral traditions, are frequently overlooked, limiting the diversity of data available for AI training.
Underutilization of Cultural Heritage: Many repositories of cultural heritage, such as state archives, remain untapped for AI training.
These archives contain vast amounts of linguistic and cultural data that could enhance AI’s understanding of humanity’s diverse history and knowledge.
Digital Divide: The digitization of cultural heritage is often deprioritized, leading to a lack of access to valuable data that could benefit AI development.
This gap in data availability disproportionately affects smaller companies and startups, hindering innovation and competition with larger tech firms.
Case Studies from Italy and Canada
Italy’s Digital Library Initiative: Italy allocated €500 million from its ‘Next Generation EU’ package to develop a ‘Digital Library’ project aimed at making its rich cultural heritage accessible as open data. However, this initiative has faced setbacks and deprioritization, highlighting the challenges of sustaining investment in cultural digitization.
Canada’s Official Languages Act: This policy, once criticized for being wasteful, ultimately produced one of the most valuable datasets for training translation software.
Conclusion: There is a need to implement robust ethical guidelines and standards for data collection and usage in AI training. These standards should ensure that datasets are sourced legally, represent diverse cultures and perspectives, and minimize biases. Encourage collaborations between tech companies, governments, and cultural institutions to develop and adhere to these guidelines.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Types of derivatives
Mains level: Measures taken by SEBI related to derivatives
Why in the news?
SEBI has proposed a series of measures tocurb speculative trading in the index derivatives segment due to concerns over the exponential increase in trading volumes in futures and options, especially among individual investors.
What are the different types of derivatives?
Note: Derivatives are financial contracts deriving their value from an underlying asset such as stocks, commodities, or currencies.
Futures:
Futures are standardized contracts obligating the buyer to purchase an underlying asset (such as stocks, commodities, or currencies) at a predetermined price on a specified future date. They are traded on exchanges, with daily settlements based on market price changes.
Futures contracts have margin requirements and are marked to market daily, ensuring liquidity and reducing credit risk.
Options:
Options give the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy (call option) or sell (put option) an underlying asset at a predetermined price within a specified time frame. Unlike futures, options are not obligatory; the buyer can choose whether to exercise the option.
Options can be traded on exchanges or over-the-counter (OTC) and require the payment of a premium by the buyer.
Forwards:
Forward contracts are similar to futures but are privately negotiated agreements between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a future date and price. They are customizable and traded over the counter, which allows for flexibility but introduces counterparty risk.
Settlement occurs at the maturity date, and forward contracts do not have standardization like futures.
Swaps:
Swaps involve the exchange of cash flows or financial instruments between two parties, often based on interest rates or currencies. Common types include interest rate swaps and currency swaps, which allow participants to manage exposure to interest rate fluctuations or gain access to different currencies.
Swaps are typically traded over the counter and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the parties involved.
What measures have the SEBI proposed?
Increase in minimum contract size for index derivatives from Rs 5-10 lakh to Rs 15-20 lakh, which can be further increased to Rs 20-30 lakh after six months.
Upfront collection of option premiums by brokers from clients.
Intraday monitoring of position limits for index derivative contracts by Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs).
Providing only one weekly options contract on a single benchmark index of an exchange.
Removal of calendar spread benefits on the expiry day for positions involving any of the contracts expiring on the same day.
Rationalisation of options strikes, with a uniform interval up to a fixed coverage of 4% near the prevailing index price and an increased interval as the strikes move away from the prevailing price.
Increasing margins on the expiry day and the previous day to address the issue of high implicit leverage in options contracts near expiry.
Why have these measures been proposed?
The measures aim to enhance investor protection and promote market stability in the derivative markets, amidst concerns about an exponential rise in the volume of trade in the futures and options (F&O) segment, particularly by individual investors.
In the Union Budget 2024-25, the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on F&O of securities was doubled to 0.02% and 0.1%, respectively, effective October 1, 2024.
Data shows that in FY 2023-24, 92.50 lakh unique individuals and proprietorship firms traded in the NSE index derivatives segment and cumulatively incurred a trading loss of Rs 51,689 crore, with only 14.22 lakh investors (about 15%) making a net profit.
Way forward:
Enhancing Investor Education and Awareness: To mitigate the risks associated with speculative trading in index derivatives, it is essential to implement comprehensive investor education programs.
Strengthening Regulatory Oversight and Compliance: SEBI should enhance its regulatory framework by implementing robust monitoring systems that ensure compliance with the proposed measures.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Bordering countries of Russia and Ukraine
Mains level: India’s geopolitical priorities
Why in the news?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anticipated visit to Ukraine next month should signify a reconfiguration of India’s strategy towards European security.
European Scenario
The war in Ukraine has put the question of Europe right at the top of India’s international agenda, necessitating a reconfiguration of India’s approach to European security.
India should see the war in Ukraine as an imperative for long overdue re-engagement with European peace and security, moving beyond treating it as a “pressure point” from the West or a moment for solidarity with Russia.
Europe is facing hard geopolitical dilemmas, torn between criticizing China, pleasing the US, and dealing with a resentful Russia willing to restructure the European security order.
India’s peace diplomacy in Ukraine, even in a limited way, would be worthwhile given the implications of the war for the Indian economy and security, as history shows that China benefits from conflicts between Russia and the West.
India’s Priorities
Re-engagement with European Security: The war in Ukraine has prompted India to reassess its approach to European geopolitics, which has been largely neglected in recent decades. India aims to strengthen its political and diplomatic ties with Europe, recognizing it as a crucial economic partner and a significant source of technology.
Balancing Relations with Russia and the West: India has maintained a careful balance in its relations with Russia while also courting Western powers. The historical ties with Russia, particularly in defence and energy, remain vital for India, especially as it increases its imports of discounted Russian oil.
Addressing Security Challenges: The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has complicated India’s security landscape, particularly with China’s growing ties to Russia and its strategic manoeuvres in Europe. India should navigate these complexities while ensuring its own security interests are safeguarded.
Promoting Peace Diplomacy: India is positioning itself as a mediator in the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing the importance of peace and dialogue. This diplomatic role not only enhances India’s global standing but also aligns with its long-term interests in promoting stability in a multipolar world.
Future outlook
India’s evolving global priorities reflect its ambition to assert itself as a significant player in international affairs, pursuing economic growth, security, and sustainable development while contributing to the emergence of a multipolar world order.
India’s role in shaping the future of global governance will continue to evolve as it navigates complex geopolitical dynamics and works towards its national interests and the common good of the international community.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s likely visit to Ukraine next month should mark a reconfiguration of India’s approach to European security, as the return of war to Europe has created multiple economic challenges for India and complicated its security challenges.
Way forward:
Proactive Diplomacy: India should actively engage with European countries and institutions to strengthen political and diplomatic ties.
Peace Mediation Efforts: India can leverage its neutral stance and diplomatic relations to facilitate peace dialogues and mediation efforts in the Ukraine conflict.
