AMIGOS IAS Daily Current Affairs (9^th July 2024) 

Behind Russia’s ‘High Income’ Rating: Why Sanctions Haven’t Worked

GS 2: International Relations- Sanctions on Russia

Why is it in the news?

• Despite two and a half years of extensive Western sanctions, Russia’s economy has shown unexpected resilience.
• The World Bank recently upgraded Russia to a “high-income” country, a status it last held in 2014. This reclassification is due to significant growth in trade (6.8%), the financial sector (8.7%), and construction (6.6%), leading to a 3.6% rise in real GDP and a 10.9% increase in nominal GDP.
• However, experts caution that this improvement is largely driven by military-related activities and may not be sustainable in the long term.

More about the news

• The World Bank classifies economies into four groups based on per-capita gross national income (GNI): low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high. For the 2024-25 period, the threshold for high-income countries is set at $14,005 or more.
• Russia’s per-capita GNI was $14,250, qualifying it for the high-income category alongside Bulgaria ($14,460) and Palau ($14,250).
• Ukraine, despite ongoing conflict with Russia since February 2022, has also seen an economic upgrade. The country moved from a lower-middle-income to an upper-middle-income status due to resumed economic growth in 2023. Ukraine’s real GDP grew by 5.3% in 2023 after a steep 28.8% decline in 2022, primarily due to construction activity and a significant increase in investment spending.
• Russia’s ability to withstand sanctions has surprised many. The country is now subject to more individual sanctions than Iran, Cuba, and North Korea combined. Yet, after an initial recessionary impact in 2022, Russia’s economy rebounded in 2023, supported by fiscal stimulus, military spending, and credit expansion.
• Trade shifts have also played a crucial role, with Russia redirecting its trade from G7 countries and the EU to China, India, Türkiye, Central Asia, and the South Caucasus. As a result, the share of Russia’s external trade in the currencies of sanction-imposing countries fell from about 80% in 2021 to less than 30% in 2023.
• Russia’s job market remains strong, with unemployment at a record low and wages on the rise, which continues to drive consumer spending. Following a relatively minor economic contraction of 1.2% in 2022, the economy grew by 3.6% in 2023, exceeding expectations. Despite these positive indicators, Russia’s medium to long-term economic outlook remains uncertain due to ongoing export restrictions, shortages of technological equipment, and higher trade costs.

Why curbs haven’t worked

Oil

• Sanctions on Russia’s energy sector have been less stringent than those on Venezuela or Iran. Designed to protect Western interests, these sanctions aim to keep Russia producing fossil fuels and prevent significant oil price surges.
• As a result, while Russian fossil fuel exports to Western Europe have declined, overall export volumes remain steady, with China and India absorbing the redirected supplies.
• Elevated global oil prices and a reduced discount on Russian oil, despite a $60 per barrel price cap, have kept Moscow’s oil export revenues high, bolstering the economy.

Investments

• Corporate investment in Russia has rebounded since 2022, contributing an estimated 4.5 percentage points to GDP growth in 2023. This investment has flowed primarily into defence and manufacturing sectors.
• Sanctions have necessitated economic retooling, with the IMF noting that some imports are being replaced by domestically produced goods, leading to investments in new production facilities.
• Additionally, some multinational corporations have remained in Russia, anticipating an end to the conflict and the lifting of sanctions.

Consumption

• Private consumption has recovered significantly, adding 2.9 percentage points to GDP growth. This recovery is driven by buoyant credit, a strong labour market with record-low unemployment at just 3%, and rising wages.
• The voluntary military recruitment model, supported by monetary incentives, has also helped maintain consumer spending.
• Government spending has further contributed to growth, with the fiscal impulse estimated at 1.2 percentage points of GDP in 2023. Defense spending has surged to an estimated 7% of GDP, though overall government spending has increased modestly in real terms.

Conclusion

• Russia’s experience with sanctions dates back to 2014 after the annexation of Crimea, allowing economic policymakers to develop strategies to mitigate their impact.
• Over time, Moscow has adapted to these measures, finding ways to navigate and lessen their economic effects.

How climate change fuelled Hurricane Beryl’s record early intensification

GS 1: Geography- Hurricanes

Why is it in the news?

• Hurricane Beryl has caused significant damage, particularly in Surfside Beach, Texas, where debris and floodwaters have covered main roadways.
• The storm made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane, leading to widespread flooding and power outages affecting more than two million people. Earlier, Beryl had devastated several Caribbean islands, including Jamaica, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and northern Venezuela, resulting in at least 11 fatalities.
• Remarkably, Beryl became the earliest recorded storm to reach Category 5 status in the Atlantic hurricane season.

Formation of Hurricanes

• Hurricanes, also known as tropical cyclones or typhoons in different regions, form over warm ocean waters near the equator.
• The process begins when warm, moist air from the ocean surface rises, creating an area of lower pressure beneath it. As air from surrounding regions with higher pressure moves into this low-pressure area, it also warms and rises. This cycle of rising warm air and incoming high-pressure air creates clouds and thunderstorms. The system gains strength from the ocean’s heat and moisture, eventually forming a storm. When the sustained wind speeds reach 119 km/h (74 mph), the storm is classified as a hurricane.

Hurricanes are categorized using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale:

• Category 1: Winds of 119-153 km/h (74-95 mph)
• Category 2: Winds of 154-177 km/h (96-110 mph)
• Category 3: Winds of 178-208 km/h (111-129 mph)
• Category 4: Winds of 209-251 km/h (130-156 mph)
• Category 5: Winds of 252 km/h (157 mph) or higher
• Storms reaching Category 3 or higher are considered major hurricanes due to their potential for extensive damage.

Beryl’s Rapid Intensification

• Hurricane Beryl’s rapid transformation is noteworthy. On June 28, it began as a tropical depression with winds of 56.3 km/h (35 mph). Within 24 hours, it intensified into a hurricane, and over the next day, it strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane. By July 1, Beryl made landfall on Grenada’s Carriacou Island as a Category 4 hurricane with winds exceeding 241 km/h (150 mph).
• As it continued through the Caribbean Sea, it further intensified, becoming a Category 5 hurricane on July 2. This marked the earliest occurrence of a Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic season, breaking previous records set by Hurricane Emily in July 2005. Beryl’s peak winds reached 265.5 km/h (165 mph), making it the strongest July hurricane on record in the Atlantic.

• Typically, the Atlantic hurricane season starts in June and lasts until November, with the most intense storms forming in September. This pattern is due to the gradual warming of ocean surfaces and deeper waters, which provides the necessary heat to fuel powerful hurricanes.
• Beryl’s early formation and rapid intensification are unprecedented. The primary factor behind this anomaly is unusually warm ocean temperatures. Since last year, sea surface temperatures and ocean heat content (OHC)—a measure of the heat stored in ocean water—have been at record levels. This excess heat in the ocean provides ample energy for storms like Beryl to intensify rapidly. According to experts, the warm water extends to significant depths, preventing the storm from churning up cooler water and maintaining its intensity.
• Scientists are increasingly concerned about the impact of climate change on hurricanes. While there is ongoing debate about specific influences, there is a consensus that climate change contributes to more frequent and intense hurricanes. A 2023 study published in the journal Nature found a significant increase in rapid intensification events for Atlantic hurricanes between 1971 and 2020. Rapid intensification refers to a swift increase in maximum wind speeds, making storms more dangerous in a shorter time.
• As global temperatures rise, both at the surface and deeper ocean levels, the conditions for forming and sustaining powerful hurricanes improve. This trend suggests that extreme weather events like Hurricane Beryl may become more common.
• Hence, this growing risk underscores the need for improved preparedness and mitigation strategies to handle future hurricanes that could be even more powerful and destructive.

Cancellation of NEET-UG 2024 in its entirety is an ‘extreme last resort’: SC

GS 2: Polity and Governance: NEET-UG Case

Why is it in the news?

• The Supreme Court stated that cancelling the NEET-UG 2024 entirely would be an “extreme last resort,” given its impact on over 23 lakh students who took the exam for medical admissions nationwide.
• Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud noted that the leakage of exam questions and the resultant compromise of the exam’s integrity were indisputable.

More about the news

• In the hearing, Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasized the necessity to determine the extent of the leak before considering a retest, as a retest would significantly affect the students. He mentioned that the cancellation of the NEET-UG exam would only be considered if no other options were available and it was impossible to distinguish between the innocent and the guilty students.
• The three-judge bench criticized the Union government and the National Testing Agency (NTA) for their denial and urged them to assist in uncovering the leak’s extent. Chief Justice Chandrachud stressed the importance of understanding the nature and scope of the leak to decide whether the NEET-UG 2024, held on May 5, should be cancelled, aiming to avoid unnecessary trauma for students through a retest.
• Though petitioners argued for a re-test, claiming the exam’s credibility was irreparably damaged and that the fraud was systemic, however, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta countered, describing the leaks as localized malpractice. He noted that despite 67 candidates scoring perfect 720/720, the top 100 scorers were spread across 95 sectors in 56 cities over 18 States and Union Territories. Further, the NTA attributed the higher scores to a comparatively easier syllabus this year.
• The Supreme Court demanded a comprehensive disclosure from the NTA, requiring detailed information about when and where the leaks were first detected, how the questions were leaked, the timeline of events, the steps taken to identify beneficiaries, and the progress of the counselling process. Additionally, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was instructed to submit a status report on their investigation into the NEET case.
• The court suggested the establishment of a multi-disciplinary committee to prevent future issues and recommended using data analytics by forensic labs to identify suspicious cases. The government-appointed committee, led by former ISRO chairman K. Radhakrishnan, was also asked to provide a detailed report on their progress.

Films should not misrepresent people with disabilities: SC

GS 2: Polity and Governance- PwD

Why is it in the news?

• The Supreme Court led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, recently ruled that stereotyping differently-abled persons in films and media perpetuates discrimination and called for accurate representation.
• The judgment, described as “path-breaking,” condemned the use of derogatory terms and emphasized preventing stigmatization and discrimination against disabled individuals.

More about the news

• Chief Justice Chandrachud criticized the historical use of humour to mock disabilities and the portrayal of disabled individuals as either comic relief or “super-cripples.” The Court stressed the importance of shifting from the outdated medical model of disability to a modern social model, which recognizes societal barriers and stereotypes as the main issues.
• The ruling called for inclusive language in media and accurate representation of disabilities, advising filmmakers to avoid terms that marginalize disabled persons.
• It also recommended involving disabled individuals as stakeholders in statutory committees to protect their rights and urged the government to consider their lived experiences, as required by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

World’s oldest cave painting in Indonesia shows a pig and people

GS 1: Culture and History- Art

Why is it in the news?

• Scientists have uncovered the world’s oldest confidently dated cave painting on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

More about the news

• Found in Leang Karampuang cave, it depicts three human-like figures interacting with a wild pig and dates back at least 51,200 years.
• Using a new method involving laser dating of calcium carbonate crystals, researchers determined the painting’s age, marking a significant advancement in rock art dating.
• The scene, painted in dark red pigment, is interpreted as a narrative with deliberate interactions between figures, offering the earliest-known evidence of storytelling through art.
• This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the origins of cave art and underscores its ancient role in human history.

New Provisions for Police Officers

GS 2: Polity and Governance- New Criminal Laws

Why is it in the news?

• The new criminal laws in India, effective from July 1, have introduced several provisions aimed at improving police procedures and accountability.
• The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) has issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide police officers in implementing these new rules.

About the Provisions

Rules for Registering FIRs

• Police officers in charge of a station are now legally bound to register First Information Reports (FIRs) regardless of jurisdictional issues, a practice known as registering a zero FIR. This obligation is reinforced under Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), with penal action possible for non-compliance.
• FIRs can be reported orally, in writing, or electronically. Electronic submissions must be signed within three days, and police officers are permitted to begin inquiries immediately if the information is sensitive.

Mandatory Videography

• The BNSS mandates videography in various police procedures, including searches (Section 185), crime scene documentation (Section 176), and property seizures (Section 105).
• To facilitate this, the National Informatics Centre has developed the ‘eSakshya’ app, which allows officers to capture and geo-tag photos and videos, ensuring data integrity and availability to other judicial and investigative agencies. 

Provisions of Arrest

• The BNSS requires police stations to prominently display information about arrested individuals (Section 37).
• Restrictions have been imposed on arresting frail, sick, or elderly persons (Section 35(7)), requiring DySP-level permission for arrests involving minor offenses.
• Handcuffing is now restricted, aligning with Supreme Court guidelines, allowing it only when there is a risk of escape or harm.

Timelines for Investigations

• The BNSS mandates specific timelines for investigations. For instance, medical reports in rape cases must be forwarded within seven days (Section 184(6)), and POCSO case investigations must be completed within two months.
• The BNSS also emphasizes maintaining the chain of custody for electronic devices to prevent tampering, with progress updates required every 90 days to the informant or victim.

Terrorism-Related Provisions

• Section 113 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) defines terrorist acts and requires a Superintendent of Police (SP) to determine whether to register cases under this section or the UAPA.
• Factors for consideration include the status of the terrorist organization, investigation timelines, the rank of the investigating officer, scrutiny level, and the danger posed by the accused.

What is the ‘responsible quantum technologies’ movement?

GS 3: Science and Technology- Quantum SC and Tech

Why is it in the news?

• The United Nations has designated 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) to promote awareness and exploration of quantum computing, sensors, and communications.
• Despite substantial global investments, quantum science and technology (S&T) faces challenges related to its potential dual-use nature and ethical implications.

More about the news

• Advocates for responsible quantum technologies argue that while these advancements hold promise for sectors like automotive, chemicals, financial services, and life sciences—estimated to potentially add $1.3 trillion in value by 2035—they also pose risks, such as threats to digital security.
• Consequently, there is a growing call among researchers and governments to ensure that the development of quantum S&T is conducted responsibly. For instance, the U.K.’s ‘National Quantum Strategy’ emphasizes regulatory frameworks that drive innovation while safeguarding the economy and national capabilities.
• The World Economic Forum (WEF) has been at the forefront of discussing quantum computing governance through its ‘Quantum Governance’ framework. This framework aims to build trust in quantum technologies early in their development by promoting principles such as transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability among stakeholders from government, academia, and the private sector.

About Quantum Computing: Quantum computing harnesses quantum theory principles at atomic and subatomic levels, utilizing particles like electrons or photons. These computers can execute calculations exponentially faster than traditional classical computers.

• IBM, a major player in quantum computing, aligns its efforts with social impact goals and promotes diversity within the quantum community, while also implementing restrictions on potentially harmful applications of its quantum products.

• Despite these initiatives, challenges persist, including disparities in global quantum capabilities and varying national policies that prioritize intellectual property protections over openness. Academic frameworks, such as those proposed by scholars from the U.S., Canada, and Europe, advocate for responsible research and emphasize values such as anticipation, reflection, diversity, and inclusion. These frameworks aim to guide the ethical application of quantum technologies globally.
• The impact of these policies and frameworks is still emerging, with limited case studies available to assess their effectiveness. Nevertheless, stakeholders remain committed to navigating the responsible development of quantum technologies.

Conclusion

• The ongoing dialogue and engagement among researchers, private entities, and governments highlight a concerted effort to ensure that the potential benefits of quantum S&T are realized while addressing ethical concerns and mitigating risks.

SEHER Program

GS 3: Economy- Women Entrepreneurship  

Why is it in the news?

• Recently, the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and TransUnion CIBIL have launched the SEHER program.

SEHER Program

About:

• The SEHER program has been launched by the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and TransUnion CIBIL.
• It aims to increase financial awareness among women entrepreneurs in India, emphasizing the importance of a good credit history and CIBIL score for easier access to finance.
• The program helps women understand and manage credit, which is crucial for business growth.

Key Goals of SEHER:

1) Financial Literacy: Educate women on financial topics, including their CIBIL Rank and commercial credit reports.

2) Business Skills: Provide resources and training to help women manage and grow their businesses.

3) Access to Finance: Help women understand how to access and manage credit effectively.

About Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) WEP, a public-private partnership platform incubated at NITI Aayog, focuses on creating an ecosystem that supports women entrepreneurs.  It supports women entrepreneurs by providing entrepreneurship promotion, access to finance, market linkages, training and skills development, mentoring and networking, and business development services. About TransUnion CIBIL. TransUnion CIBIL provides financial insights and credit information to improve the financial skills of women entrepreneurs. The impact of these efforts is evident in the growth of business loan demand by women, which has increased 3.9 times from FY 2019 to FY 2024.It provides solutions to enhance economic opportunities and personal empowerment, serving banks, financial institutions, NBFCs, housing finance companies, microfinance companies, and insurance firms.

Impact:

• As of March 2024, 38% of the 1.5 crore borrowers with a business loan were women, and the portfolio balance for business loans by women grew at a 35% CAGR from March 2019 to March 2024.
• SEHER will offer personalized resources, financial literacy content, and tools to women entrepreneurs.
• India has 63 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with 20% owned by women. Women-owned businesses employ around 27 million people.
• Accelerating women’s entrepreneurship could create over 30 million new businesses and up to 170 million new jobs.

Project PARI

GS 1: Culture and History- Arts

Why is it in the news?

• The Ministry of Culture recently initiated Project PARI (Public Art of India) in preparation for the 46th World Heritage Committee Meeting.

Project PARI

About:

• Project PARI, an initiative by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, is executed in collaboration with Lalit Kala Akademi and the National Gallery of Modern Art.
• The primary objective of Project PARI is to stimulate dialogue, reflection, and inspiration, thereby enriching the cultural landscape of the nation.

Key Features:

• Project PARI encompasses a diverse range of artworks inspired by traditional Indian art forms. The proposed sculptures under this project explore various themes, including tributes to nature, concepts from the Natyashastra, Gandhi ji, traditional Indian toys, hospitality, ancient knowledge, Naad (Primeval Sound), Harmony of Life, and Kalpataru (the divine tree).
• Women artists play a pivotal role in Project PARI, highlighting the strength and creativity of Bharat’s NARI SHAKTI (women power).

Additional Information:

Lalit Kala Akademi:

• Inaugurated on 5th August 1954 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
• Registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860.
• Preserves a permanent collection of contemporary, modern, folk, and tribal art in India.
• Promotes Indian visual arts domestically and internationally through cultural agreements and exchange programs.
• Hosts the National Exhibition of Art, its most prestigious annual event.
• Funded by the Ministry of Culture.
• Regional centers are located in Chennai, Lucknow, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, and Garhi.
• Headquarters are in New Delhi.

About National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA):

• Location: Delhi, in Jaipur House, the former residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur, near Rajpath and facing India Gate.
• Establishment: March 29, 1954, by the Indian Government.
• Aim: To acquire, preserve, and present modern art from 1850 onwards to foster global understanding and sensitivity towards contemporary Indian art.
• Collection: Houses over 14,000 works by renowned artists such as Raja Ravi Verma, Rabindranath Tagore, Abindranath Tagore, Gaganendranath Tagore, Jamini Roy, Amrita Sher-Gill, and Nandalal Bose.

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) standard for Utensils

GS 2: Miscellaneous- BIS

Why is it in the news?

• Recently, the Government of India has mandated conformity to Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for stainless steel and aluminium utensils, aiming to enhance kitchen safety and quality.

More about the news

• The initiative, enforced by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) through a Quality Control Order issued on March 14, 2024, includes legal penalties for non-compliance.
• BIS standards ensure that kitchen utensils, including those made of stainless steel and aluminium, meet high safety and quality benchmarks, protecting consumers from substandard products.
• The standards also promote informed consumer choices and uphold cultural diversity in culinary practices.
• Mandatory Certification:
• Stainless steel and aluminum utensils must be BIS certified.
• Manufacturing, importing, selling, distributing, storing, hiring, leasing, or exhibiting non-BIS standard utensils is prohibited.

Violations incur legal penalties.

• Significance:
• BIS standards ensure kitchenware in homes and professional settings meets top safety and quality criteria.
• Rigorous testing and certification protect consumers from substandard products.
• The BIS Standard Mark guides consumers in making informed choices, promoting excellence and safetyin kitchenware.

Additional Information:

About Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS):

• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India’s National Standards Body, established under the BIS Act of 2016.
• Its primary objective is to ensure the harmonious development of standardization activities and the quality assurance of goods and articles.
• BIS operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and represents India in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

BIS Standrads for Stainless Steel Utensils:

• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has codified the attributes of durability and elegance in stainless steel utensils through the Indian Standard IS 14756:2022. This standard outlines the requirements for various utensils used in cooking, serving, dining, and storage.
• Key Aspects of IS 14756:2022:
• Material Requirements: Ensures the safe composition of materials used in manufacturing.
• Shapes and Dimensions: Provides uniformity and practicality in utensil design.
• Workmanship and Finish: Mandates high-quality craftsmanship and aesthetic appeal.
• Performance Parameters: Includes tests such as the staining test, mechanical shock test, thermal shock test, dry heat test, coating thickness test, nominal capacity test, flame stability test, and specific tests for utensils with tempered glass lids.
• This standard ensures that stainless steel utensils not only meet safety and durability criteria but also maintain a high level of elegance and functionality.

BIS Standards for Aluminium (IS 1660:2024):

• Aluminium utensils are prized in kitchens for their light weight, heat conductivity, affordability, and durability. BIS’s IS 1660:2024 standard ensures top-quality and performance for wrought and cast aluminium utensils up to 30 liters, including hard anodized and non-stick coatings.
• Key Elements of IS 1660:2024
• General Requirements: Addresses the overall quality and thickness of materials used.
• Classification and Material Grades: Ensures appropriate grades as per IS 21 for wrought utensils and IS 617 for cast utensils.
• Fabrication and Design: Details shapes, dimensions, and workmanship for high-quality utensils.
• Performance Tests: Includes specific tests for aluminium lunch boxes to ensure durability and safety.
• This standard guarantees that aluminium utensils are reliable, safe, and efficient for everyday use.