TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 26.08.2024

1. NATIONAL

PM SPEAKS ABOUT RISE IN JOB AVENUES FOR YOUTH, DATA SHOWS OTHERWISE

• Despite claims of increasing job opportunities, data indicates rising unemployment rates, especially among the youth and educated segments of the population.
• Current Situation: Unemployment Rates:
• Educated Youth: Unemployment among educated youth, particularly those between 15-24 years old, has significantly increased. For instance, the unemployment rate among educated males in urban areas rose from 3.6%-5.1% between 2004-05 and 2011-12 to 9.2% in 2017-18.
• Rural Females: The unemployment rate for educated rural females increased from 9.7%-15.2% between 2004-05 and 2011-12 to 17.3% in 2017-18.
• Government Data Collection: The Indian government used to rely on Employment and Unemployment surveys conducted by the National Statistical Office until 2011-12.
• Since 2017, the Periodic Labour Force Surveys (PLFS) have replaced these, but concerns about the accuracy and coverage of employment statistics remain.
• Government Initiatives: Periodic Labour Force Surveys (PLFS):
• Launched in 2017 to provide more regular and comprehensive data on employment and unemployment in India.
• However, the first PLFS indicated the highest unemployment rate in 45 years, raising concerns about the effectiveness of employment policies.
• EPFO Payroll Data: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) data is used to showcase formal employment, with more than 6.2 crore net subscribers joining since 2017.
• Commitments to International Standards: India committed to conducting a comprehensive survey based on International Labour Organization (ILO) definitions at the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians. However, no pilot surveys have been conducted to date.
• KLEMS Database: The KLEMS (K: Capital, L: Labour, E: Energy, M: Materials, and S: Services) database published by the RBI indicates employment growth but also reflects a return of migrants to agriculture due to job losses in other sectors.
• International Initiatives: International Labour Organization (ILO) Reports:
• The ILO’s Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024 report warns of increasing difficulties for young people worldwide in finding secure employment, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The ILO emphasizes the need for countries to align their employment surveys with international definitions to provide accurate and comparable data

2. ENVIRONMENT

HOW CAN TRAFFIC WHICH CAUSES AIR POLLUTION BE CONTROLLED?

• Controlling Traffic-Induced Air Pollution
• Severity of Air Pollution in India: High Pollution Levels: India has 83 out of the 100 most polluted cities globally, with severe air pollution levels contributing to approximately 2.1 million deaths annually.
• Role of Road Transport: Road transport is responsible for 12% of India’s CO2 emissions.
• Heavy vehicles contribute significantly to particulate matter (PM) 2.5 emissions and Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions, worsening urban air quality.
• Existing Measures: Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Norms:
• Implemented by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions from vehicles.
• CAFE III (from 2027-2032) and CAFE IV (from 2032-2037) set stringent CO2 targets to encourage cleaner technologies.
• India Driving Cycle (MIDC): Transition to the World Light Duty Vehicle Testing Procedure (WLTP) by March 31, 2027, for more accuraModifiedte measurements of vehicle emissions.
• Vehicle Scrappage Policy: Implementation:
• Launched in 2022, mandates that passenger vehicles older than 20 years and commercial vehicles older than 15 years undergo a “fitness and emissions test.”
• Failed vehicles are categorized as end-of-life, lose registration, and are recommended for scrapping.
• Challenges: Limited impact in states like Karnataka due to the low number of scrapyards and voluntary nature of the policy.
• Maharashtra has incentives for scrapping but lacks significant air pollution reduction results.
• Additional Measures: Regular Emission Testing: Ensure vehicles remain within emission limits.
• Ban on Polluting Practices: Including garbage burning and strict enforcement of industrial emissions regulations.
• Promotion of Mass Transit: Suggested as a sustainable solution to reduce vehicular emissions.
• Recommendations: Policy Enforcement: Ensure CAFE norms and vehicle scrappage guidelines are strictly enforced and not merely exemplary.
• Mass Transit Systems: Promote public transportation as a key measure to reduce reliance on private vehicles and curb air pollution.

3. ENVIRONMENT

DAM BURST EFFECT CAUSED WAYANAD LANDSLIDE, SAY EXPERTS

• “Dam Burst Effect” in Wayanad Landslide Concept: The “Dam Burst Effect” refers to a phenomenon where excessive rainfall causes a temporary damming of water in a hilly or forested area, leading to a sudden release of water and debris when the natural barrier breaks.
• Details in the Wayanad Incident: Location: The effect was observed in the landslide-hit zone in Wayanad, Kerala.
• Cause: Heavy rainfall of around 570 mm caused the forested uphill region to become waterlogged, leading to the formation of a temporary “dam” at the hillock in Puthumala.
• Process: The waterlogged soil formed a natural barrier that held back water and debris.
• The continued inflow of water due to unceasing rain eventually caused the barrier to fail.
• The breaking of this natural dam led to a sudden and massive outflow of water, mud, and debris, cascading down the slope with great force.
• Impact: The sudden release of this accumulated water and debris resulted in the landslide, which wiped out three villages in the Vythiri taluk of Wayanad.
• The landslide carried debris, including uprooted trees, approximately 6.5 km downhill, causing extensive destruction.

4. AGRICULTURE

CENTRE LAUNCHES NEW AI – BASED SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM TO MANAGE PESTS, CONNECT SCIENTISTS WITH FARMERS

• National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) Overview: Launch: The Union Government launched the National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Purpose: The NPSS aims to help farmers manage pests more effectively and reduce their dependence on pesticides.
• Key Features: AI-Powered: The system uses AI to analyze the latest data and assist farmers in pest identification and control.
• Connectivity: Farmers can connect with agriculture scientists and experts through their mobile phones.
• Photo Analysis: Farmers can take photos of infested crops or insects and upload them to the system for analysis and expert advice.
• Benefits: Early Detection: Helps in the early detection of pest attacks, enabling timely and effective interventions. Accurate Diagnosis: Assists in accurate diagnosis and treatment, helping to avoid the overuse of pesticides.
• Increased Productivity: By providing timely advice, the system is expected to increase agricultural productivity.
• Soil Conservation: Reduces excessive pesticide use, thereby conserving soil health.
• Implementation: Target Reach: The system aims to reach about 14 crore farmers across the country.
• State Outreach: The technology will be propagated to states through outreach programs and pilot schemes have already shown positive results.
• Significance: Technological Advancement: Represents a major step in integrating advanced technology with traditional farming practices.
• Support for Farmers: Enhances the capacity of farmers to deal with pestrelated challenges effectively, thereby supporting sustainable agriculture

5. NATIONAL

PM CALLS FOR SECULAR CIVIL CODE IN INDEPENDENCE DAY SPEECH

• Major Takeaways from the Prime Minister’s Independence Day Speech
• Governance and Polity: Secular Civil Code:
• The Prime Minister emphasized the need for a “Secular Civil Code” or Uniform Civil Code (UCC), framing it as essential for ensuring equality before the law and ending discrimination based on religion.
• He urged the country to move away from a “communal civil code” to fulfill the vision of the Constitution.
• Call for Simultaneous Elections: Renewed the push for simultaneous elections to Parliament and State Assemblies, urging a national debate on the issue.
• Fighting Corruption: Reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fighting corruption, condemning the celebration of corrupt practices in certain quarters.
• Social Issues and Justice: Women’s Safety: Addressed the critical issue of women’s safety, highlighting recent incidents of violence and calling for swift justice.
• Dynastic Politics: Criticized dynastic politics, urging for more young people without political family backgrounds to enter politics at all levels.
• Economy and Development: Economic Reforms: Presented a “report card” of the government’s economic reforms over the past decade, including steps to improve the ease of living and attract investments.
• Semiconductor Manufacturing: Set the agenda for boosting India’s role in semiconductor chip manufacturing and designing, emphasizing “Made in India” initiatives.
• Defense Manufacturing: Highlighted India’s emergence as a global hub for defense manufacturing, with defense exports reaching a record high of ₹21,083 crore in the financial year 2023-24.
• International Relations: India-Bangladesh Relations: Called for peace and stability in Bangladesh, emphasizing India’s commitment to supporting its neighboring country and ensuring the safety of minority communities.
• Global Engagement: Reiterated India’s role in global peace and stability, particularly in the context of regional security.
• Cultural and Historical Legacy: National Identity: The Prime Minister’s speech invoked India’s rich cultural and historical legacy, referring to the “Nanda spirit” of excellence in education and India’s growing global stature

ONE LINER

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