”UPSC Prelims Bits For Today” is every day published in the morning between 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and contains selective current affairs articles. ”UPSC Prelims Bits For Today” covers various topics from UPSC Prelims Syllabus and is very helpful and time managing for UPSC Aspirants. The framing of this daily current affairs compilation article is easy to read and understandable also.
In the ”UPSC Prelims Bits For Today” article, we focus on UPSC Preliminary exam-oriented current affairs covering various sections from leading National Newspapers, PIB, and other various official sources.
I2U2
- The world is caught up in a perfect storm. The climate crisis, a war in Europe, the long tail of Covid and changing geopolitical realities have given rise to energy and food insecurity.
- While energy insecurity is being experienced by most countries in varying degrees, food security is going to be a central issue in Africa, Latin America, East Asia and West Asia.
- It is increasingly clear that world must shift their economy to more sustainable pathways. However, not all countries are equally placed to make this transition, and I2U2 (Israel, India, US, UAE) grouping presents an important opportunity to rectify the situation.
- I2U2 is an effort to channel investments and leverage innovation for new initiatives in water, energy, transportation, space, health and food security. The goal is near- and long-term food and energy security.
- Success of I2U2’s efforts is critical, especially in light of the changing geopolitical scenario. It brings together two regions where stability and peace are often under threat – West Asia and the Indo-Pacific.
BA.5
- BA.5 is a sister variant of the Omicron strain that has been dominant worldwide since the end of 2021, and has already caused spikes in case rates – even with reduced testing – in countries including South Africa, where it was first found, as well as the United Kingdom, parts of Europe, and Australia.
- According to the World Health Organization’s most recent report, it was behind 52% of cases sequenced in late June, up from 37% in one week. In the United States, it is estimated to be causing around 65% of infections.
- Like its closely related sibling, BA.4, BA.5 is particularly good at evading the immune protection afforded either by vaccination or prior infection.
WMD & their DS (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amend Bill, 2022
- The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022 amends a 17-yr-old law, enacted in 2005.
- The Bill amends the Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, 2005.
- The 2005 Act prohibits unlawful activities (such as manufacturing, transport, or transfer) related to weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. Weapons of mass destruction are biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons.
- It’ll boost national security and strengthen India’s credentials and global image.
- The Bill bars persons from financing any prohibited activity related to weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems.
- To prevent persons from financing such activities, the central government may freeze, seize or attach their funds, financial assets, or economic resources (whether owned, held, or controlled directly or indirectly).
- It may also prohibit persons from making finances or related services available for the benefit of other persons in relation to any activity which is prohibited.
SVAMITVA Scheme
- The Central Sector Scheme, SVAMITVA, aims to provide the ‘Record of Rights’ to village household owners possessing houses in inhabited areas, called Abadi in some States, with legal ownership rights (Property cards/Title deeds).
- Under the scheme, the land parcels in rural inhabited area of all the villages are surveyed using drone technology.
- The scheme aims to cover 6.62 lakh villages in the country from Financial Year 2020-21 to Financial Year 2024-25.
- It is being implemented with the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Survey of India (SoI), State Revenue Department, State Panchayati Raj Department and National Informatics Centre.