TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23.09.2024

  1. GEOGRAPHY

ODISHA BRACES FOR HEAVY RAIN AS DEPRESSION FORMS IN BAY

  • What is a Tropical Depression? A tropical depression is a type of tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained winds of less than 39 mph (63 km/h). It is the initial stage of a tropical cyclone and can intensify into a tropical storm or even a hurricane if conditions are favorable.
  • Formation and Development
  • Low-Pressure Area: It begins as a low-pressure area over warm ocean waters. The warm water heats the air above it, causing it to rise and create a low-pressure zone.
  • Convergence of Winds: Winds from surrounding high-pressure areas converge towards this low-pressure zone.
  • Cyclonic Rotation: Due to the Coriolis effect, the converging winds start to rotate cyclonically (counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere).
  • Intensification: If the conditions remain favorable (warm sea surface temperatures, low vertical wind shear, and high humidity), the system can intensify into a tropical depression.
  • Data and Trends
  • Frequency: The Bay of Bengal is known for frequent cyclonic activities, especially during the pre-monsoon (April-May) and post-monsoon (October-November) periods.
  • Historical Data: According to the IMD, the Bay of Bengal sees an average of 5-6 cyclonic disturbances annually, with some intensifying into severe cyclones

2. NATIONAL

GOVERNMENT DISSOLVES PANEL ON STATISTICS, SURVEYS AMID DELAYED CENSUS

  • The Standing Committee on Statistics (SCoS) was a 14-member advisory body formed by the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) in July 2023.
  • It was headed by economist and former Chief Statistician of India, Pronab Sen.
  • The primary mandate of the SCoS was to advise the Union government on various aspects of survey methodology, including sampling frame and design, survey instruments, and the finalization of a tabulation plan for surveys.
  • Key Functions of SCoS
  • Survey Methodology: Advising on the methodology for conducting surveys, including the design and sampling frame.
  • Survey Instruments: Recommending appropriate tools and instruments for data collection.
  • Tabulation Plan: Finalizing the plan for tabulating survey data to ensure accurate and reliable statistics.
  • Recent Developments
  • The SCoS was recently dissolved by the MoSPI.
  • The email cited the overlap of the SCoS’s work with that of the newly formed Steering Committee for National Sample Surveys as the reason for its dissolution

3. BILATERAL

UKRAINE KEEN ON INDIA JOINING THE SWISS PEACE PROCESS, SAYS ENVOY

  • India’s Potential Role in Peace Process:
  • Ukraine is keen on getting India to sign the Swiss peace summit document.
  • India had previously disassociated itself from the summit’s outcome as it did not involve both Russia and Ukraine.
  • Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed that India retrospectively join the peace process or formulate its own proposals supporting principles like humanitarian access and nuclear safety.
  • Diplomatic Engagements:
  • External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is visiting Saudi Arabia, Germany, and Switzerland to engage with Ministers of West Asian nations and heads of UN organizations.
  • National Security Adviser Ajit Doval will visit Russia for the BRICS NSA meetings, where he will meet counterparts from China, Brazil, South Africa, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
  • Statements from Leaders: Ukraine’s Ambassador to India, Oleksandr Polishchuk, emphasized that India should play a larger role than just being a “post office” for messages between the warring nations.
  • Both President Zelenskyy and President Putin have expressed that they value India’s potential role in mediating the conflict

4. BILATERAL

INDIA, U.S AGREE TO SWAP TURNS, BIDEN TO HOST QUAD SUMMIT IN HOME STATE

  • Swap of Hosting Duties:
  • The United States and India have agreed to swap hosting duties for the Quad Summit.
  • The U.S. will host the Quad Summit in 2024, and India will host it in 2025.
  • India’s Hosting in 2025: India will host the Quad Summit in 2025, which will likely involve the new U.S. President, either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris, visiting India.
  • Analysis
  • Strategic Importance of the Quad: The Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) is a strategic forum comprising the United States, India, Australia, and Japan. It aims to ensure a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
  • The summit provides a platform for the leaders to discuss regional security, economic cooperation, and other strategic issues.
  • Diplomatic Significance: Hosting the Quad Summit is a significant diplomatic event, reflecting the host country’s role and influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • The swap indicates strong bilateral relations and mutual understanding between the U.S. and India.
  • Implications for Future Relations: The swap allows for flexibility in scheduling and ensures that the summit can be held in a manner that maximizes participation and impact.
  • It also sets the stage for continued collaboration and strategic dialogue among the Quad members

5. DEFENCE

INDIA’S MILITARY DIPLOMACY IN TOP GEAR WITH BACK TO BACK EXERCISES

  • India-U.S. Bilateral Army Exercise Yudh Abhyas:
  • Location: Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan.
  • Commencement: Set to begin on Monday.
  • U.S. Contingent: One of the largest U.S. contingents with around 600 personnel.
  • Equipment: U.S. Army will deploy Stryker infantry vehicles and the M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System).
  • Indian Air Force Multilateral Exercise Tarang Shakti:
  • Location: Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
  • Participants: Eight countries including Australia, Greece, Japan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the UAE, and the U.S., with 17 countries as observers.
  • Notable Aircraft: U.S. A-10 Thunderbolt II and F-16 jets, marking the first time the A-10 has flown over Indian airspace.
  • Bangladesh: Initially scheduled to deploy a C-130 transport aircraft but dropped out due to domestic developments.
  • Malabar Naval Exercise: Location: Off the Visakhapatnam coast.
  • Participants: India, Australia, Japan, and the U.S.
  • Schedule: First half of October.
  • Bilateral Exercise Indra:
  • Location: Russia.
  • Participants: India and Russia.
  • Indian Contingent: Indian Army mechanized infantry.
  • Bilateral Exercise Mitra Shakti: Location: Sri Lanka.
  • Participants: India and Sri Lanka. By engaging in bilateral and multilateral exercises with countries from different regions, India aims to enhance its military capabilities, strengthen strategic partnerships, and contribute to regional and global security. The participation of advanced military equipment and large contingents underscores the importance of these exercises in achieving these objectives

ONE LINER

  1. Union Ministry of Textiles launched the VisioNxt Fshion Forecasting Initiative of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
  2. Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), has conducted a national level workshop on the Indian Ocean Biodiversity Information System (IndOBIS) at Kochi

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