TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 15.11.2024

1. STATES

KERALA NUCLEAR POWER DILEMMA

• Soaring electricity demand:Kerala’s internal power generation meets only 30% of its needs, leading to heavy reliance on expensive power purchases.
• Limited options for increasing generation:Ecological concerns restrict large hydro or thermal power projects in the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats.
• Nuclear power as a potential solution:Offers a relatively cheaper and reliable power source but raises safety and environmental concerns.
• Arguments For Nuclear Power:
• Addresses Kerala’s energy deficit.
• Kerala already draws power from the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant.
• Relatively cheaper than purchasing power.
• Arguments Against Nuclear Power: Safety risks and potential for disasters (Chernobyl, Fukushima).
• Long-term implications of radioactive contamination.
• Challenges of waste disposal and storage.
• Evacuation complexities in a densely populated state.
• Solutions/Alternatives: Solar Power:Kerala has made significant progress in solar energy, but further expansion is needed.
• Pumped Storage Projects:A viable option for balancing power supply and demand.
• Wider Public Debate:Essential to consider Kerala’s unique context (population density, ecological sensitivity, disaster vulnerability) before making decisions about nuclear power.

2. REPORT AND INDICES

WHAT DOES THE GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX 2024 STATE ABOUT INDIA?

• Global Hunger Index 2024: India’s Status and Concerns
• India’s Performance: Rank:105 out of 127 countries.
• Score:27.3 (categorized as “serious” hunger level). Indicators:
• Undernourishment: 13.7% of the population.
• Child Stunting: 35.5%
• Child Wasting: 18.7% (highest globally).
• Child Mortality: 2.9%
• Government Initiatives (Acknowledged by GHI):
• National Food Security Act
• Poshan Abhiyan (National Nutrition Mission)
• PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)
• National Mission for Natural Farming GHI’s Observations: GDP growth alone doesn’t guarantee improved nutrition.
•  “Intergenerational pattern of undernutrition” exists (malnourished mothers tend to have malnourished children).
• GHI’s Recommendations: Improved access to social safety nets (PDS, PMGKAY, ICDS).
• Investments in agriculture and holistic food systems (promoting diverse and nutritious food production).
• Focused investments in maternal and child health (including water, sanitation, and hygiene).
• Addressing the links between food/nutrition, gender, and climate change.
• Data Collection Controversy: Ministry of Women and Child Development’s Concerns:GHI data doesn’t match the “Poshan Tracker” data, which shows significantly lower child wasting rates.
• GHI’s Response:Uses standardized data sources (Joint Malnutrition Estimates and WHO Global Database) for comparability across countries. Making exceptions would compromise the ranking’s integrity

3. HISTORY

ARMY TO COMMEMORATE 62 YEARS OF THE BATTLE OF WALONG WITH CHINA

• Month-long commemoration:From October 17 to November 14, 2024.
• Honoring the 1962 Battle:Remembering the 27-day defense by Indian troops against the advancing Chinese PLA in Walong, Arunachal Pradesh.
• Events:White water rafting, motorcycle rallies, bicycle rallies, battlefield treks, adventure treks, and a half marathon.
• Infrastructure Inaugurations:Newly renovated Walong War Memorial, Shaurya Sthal at Lama Spur, and other key infrastructure projects in the border areas
• Battle of Walong (1962)
• Indian Defenders:11 Infantry Brigade (including 6 Kumaon, 4 Sikh, 3/3 Gorkha Rifles, 2/8 Gorkha Rifles, and 4 Dogra).
• Chinese Attack:Over 4,000 soldiers initially, later reinforced with an additional division-sized force (approximately 15,000 soldiers).
• Heroic Resistance:Despite being vastly outnumbered and facing resource shortages, Indian troops held their positions for 27 days.
• Recognition:Time magazine (January 1963) acknowledged the courage of the Indian soldiers at Walong.

4. ENVIRONEMENT

MANUFACTURE MARKERTING OF ANTIBIOTICS MAY BE REGULATED PRESCRIPTION TO BE MANDATORY

• A recent report by the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network highlighted the increasing resistance to commonly used antibiotics in India for diseases like urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, pneumonia, and typhoid. This underscores the urgency of the proposed regulations.
• Recommendations by the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB): “New Drug” Classification:Include all antibiotics under the definition of “new drug” in the New Drugs and Clinical Trial (NDCT) Rules, 2019.
• Centralized Approval:Shift manufacturing and marketing clearance for antibiotics from State drug administrations to the Union government.
• Mandatory Prescriptions:Require prescriptions for all antibiotic purchases.
• Labeling Changes:Amend the Drugs Rules, 1945, to include a blue strip or box on antimicrobial product packaging.
• Rationale: Curbing Antimicrobial Resistance:The primary aim is to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, a significant global public health concern. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals contributes to this problem.
• Implications: Increased Scrutiny:Classifying antibiotics as “new drugs” will lead to stricter oversight of their manufacturing, marketing, and sale.
• Improved Documentation:The entire process will be better documented.
• Reduced Over-the-Counter Access:Requiring prescriptions will curb the easy availability of antibiotics without medical consultation.
• Enhanced Awareness:The blue strip/box labeling will help identify antimicrobial products.

5. SCIENCE

SPECIALTY CONCRETE TO BE A KEY DRIVER FOR CONSTRUCTION SECTOR

• What is Specialty Concrete?
• Specialty concrete refers to a broad category of concrete mixes designed with enhanced properties or for specific applications beyond conventional concrete. It often incorporates admixtures, supplementary cementitious materials, or specialized aggregates to achieve desired performance characteristics.
• Examples include: High-Performance Concrete:Offers improved strength, durability, and workability.
• Self-Consolidating Concrete:Flows easily into complex formwork without the need for vibration. 
• Fiber-Reinforced Concrete:Incorporates fibers to enhance tensile strength and crack resistance.
• Lightweight Concrete:Reduces the overall weight of structures.
• Geopolymer Concrete:Utilizes industrial byproducts like fly ash and slag, reducing the reliance on Portland cement and lowering the carbon footprint.
• 3D-Printable Concrete:Enables automated construction through layered printing.
• Current Status: RMC (ready-mix concrete)penetration in India stands at 25%, with projections to reach 30%.
• Companies like UltraTech Cement are pioneering 3D concrete printing technology.

ONE LINER

1. India conducts world’s first census of dolphins in Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers
2. The installed capacity of solar power plants in Tamil Nadu has increased to 9,270 MW, with this, Tamil Nadu has ranked 3^rd in solar power installation capacity

BANKING

1. What significant military activity occurred between Russia and China in the Sea of Okhotsk?

Ans: Joint naval drills.

2. Who was appointed as the first director of the UN’s Loss and Damage Fund?

Ans: Ibrahima Cheikh Diong.