UPSC News Diary Today 26-09-2022

Table of Contents

”UPSC News Diary Today” is every day published in the evening between 6-7 PM and contains all current affairs articles from the day on a single platform. ”UPSC News Diary Today” covers various topics from UPSC 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 News Diary Today” article, we focus on both UPSC Preliminary and Mains exam-oriented current affairs & prepare a gist of daily important news articles from leading National Newspapers, PIB, and other various official sources.

Integrated Cryogenic Engines

Why in news?

On September 27, 2022, the President will inaugurate the Integrated Cryogenic Engines Manufacturing Facility of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in Bengaluru.

What is a cryogenic engine?

A cryogenic engine uses a cryogenic fuel or oxidizer (or both) liquefied, which is stored at very low temperatures. Presently, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is using these engines for its heavy light rockets.

India’s first High Thrust Cryogenic Rocket Engine

This high performance cryogenic engine was conceived, configured and realised by Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), the lead centre of ISRO, which is responsible for developing liquid propulsion systems for the Indian Space Programme.
The Engine design was a totally in-house effort with experts from different fields like fluid dynamics, combustion, thermal, structural, metallurgy, fabrication, rotor dynamics, control components, etc., coming together to make it a success.

Mysuru Dasara Festival

Why in news?

President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate Dasara festivities in Mysuru.

Know about Mysuru Dasara Festival

Mysuru Dasara, the Royal Festival of Karnataka, is celebrated as a 10-day Festival in Mysuru starting with nine nights called Navratri and last day being Vijayadashmi.
The city celebrates this prominent and biggest Festival in a grand way displaying the beautifully decorated Elephants, Camels and Horses walking together in a procession.
Offering puja to the idol of the presiding deity, Goddess Chamundeshwari (who resides on the Chamundi Hills) is of prime importance during the festival.
The world-famous Jumbo Savari procession on Vijayadashmi is another attraction of Mysuru Dasara Festival.

India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

Why in news?

The India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is creating a significant positive impact on India-UAE trade.

Key Points

The historic India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) which was signed between the two nations on 18 February 2022.
Indian exports to the UAE, excluding petroleum products grew from 5.17 billion dollar from June to August last year to 5.92 billion US dollar during June to August this year.
It denotes an increase of 14 percent. The CEPA agreement has come into effect on 1st of May this year.
Indian imports from the UAE during the same period also grew from 5.56 billion dollar to 5.61 billion dollar.
Indian exports are likely to increase further in the coming months with increasing use of the CEPA by the exporters and with dedicated efforts from the Department of Commerce.

SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital

SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital- Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 2: International Relations- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital in News

Recently, Varanasi has been nominated as the first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital during the period 2022-2023 at the 22nd Meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on September 16, 2022.
- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had participated in the SCO Summit 2022.

Varanasi as the First-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital

Background: The regulations for nomination of the SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital were adopted at the Dushanbe SCO Summit in 2021.
Objective: SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital is adopted with an objective of promoting cooperation between the SCO Member States in the field of culture and tourism.
Significance: The nomination of Varanasi as the first ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital will promote tourism, cultural and humanitarian exchanges between India and the SCO member Countries.
- It also underlines India’s ancient civilizational links with Member States of SCO, especially the Central Asian Republics.
Key Events Planned: Under the framework of the SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital outreach program, a number of events will be hosted in Varanasi during 2022-23 for which guests will be invited to participate from SCO Member States.
- These events are expected to attract Indologists, scholars, authors, musicians and artists, photo journalists, travel bloggers and other invited guests.

About Varanasi

Varanasi is also known as Banaras or Kashi. It is one of the oldest cities in the world. \
The city is known for Hindu mythology and history. Ancient temples like Kashi Vishwanath is located here.
Gautam Buddha is believed to have given first sermon to his disciples in Varanasi (Sarnath)
The city is linked with spiritualism, yoga, Hindu mythology, culture, and the Sanskrit language.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)- Key Points

About SCO: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a permanent intergovernmental international organization created through SCO Charter in 2002 and entered into force in 2003.
- Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was preceded by the Shanghai Five mechanism.
- Type: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic and military organization.
- SCO Secretariat: Shanghai, China.
- Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS): Tashkent
Mandate: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) aims to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)- Member States

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) comprises nine member states (recently, Iran has been accepted as the ninth full member) namely-

The Republic of India,
The Republic of Kazakhstan,
The People’s Republic of China,
The Kyrgyz Republic,
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan,
The Russian Federation,
The Republic of Tajikistan, and
The Republic of Uzbekistan
Iran

SCO-RATS Meeting in India

Draft Telecom Bill

Draft Telecom Bill- Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 2: Governance, Administration and Challenges
- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Draft Indian Telecommunication Bill in News

Draft Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022 was recently prepared by the Ministry of Communications, Government of India based on the consultation from various stakeholders and industry associations.
To facilitate further consultations, an Explanatory note to provide a brief overview of the Draft Telecom Bill has also been prepared.

Draft Telecom Bill 2022

Background: the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued the draft Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022 in a bid to do away with British-era laws governing the telecom sector.
About: The Draft Indian Telecommunication Bill is being enacted to bring in sweeping changes to how the telecom sector is governed, primarily by giving the Centre more powers in several areas to do so.
Aim: Through Draft Indian Telecom Bill, centre aims to consolidate and amend the existing laws governing the provision, development, expansion and operation of telecommunication services, telecom networks and infrastructure, in addition to assignment of spectrum.

Key Features of the Draft Telecom Bill 2022

Consolidation of Existing Laws: The Draft Telecom Bill consolidates three separate acts that govern the telecommunications sector — Indian Telegraph Act 1885, Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act 1933, and The Telegraph Wires, (Unlawful Protection) Act 1950.
Broadening the Definition of Telecom Services: by inclusion of new-age over-the-top communication services like WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram in the definition of telecommunication services.
- As per the draft law, providers of telecommunication services will be covered under the licensing regime, and will be subjected to similar rules as other telecom operators.
Diluting TRAI’s Recommendatory Powers: The current Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act (TRAI Act) mandates the telecom department to seek the regulator’s views before issuing a new licence to a service provider.
- The proposed Telecom Bill does away with this provision.
- It has also removed the provision that empowered TRAI to request the government to furnish information or documents necessary to make this recommendation.
- Additionally, the new Bill also proposes to remove the provision where if the DoT cannot accept TRAI’s recommendations or needs modification, it had to refer back the recommendation for reconsideration by TRAI.
On Bankruptcy or Insolvency: The Draft Telecom Bill proposed that if a telecom entity in possession of spectrum goes through bankruptcy or insolvency, the assigned spectrum will revert to the control of the Centre.
- So far, in insolvency proceedings, there has been a lack of clarity on whether the spectrum owned by a defaulting operator belongs to the Centre, or whether banks can take control of it.
- The draft Bill also accords the Centre powers to defer, convert into equity, write off or grant relief to any licensee under extraordinary circumstances, including financial stress, consumer interest, and maintaining competition, among other things.
Creation of Telecommunication Development Fund (TDF): Draft Indian Telecommunication Bill 2022 also proposes to replace the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) with the Telecommunication Development Fund (TDF).
- TDF aims to boost connectivity in underserved urban areas, R&D, skill development, etc.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) | Decision Making, Functions, and Key Powers

National Conference of Environment Ministers

National Conference of Environment Ministers- Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 2: Governance, Administration and Challenges
- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

National Conference of Environment Ministers in News

Recently, a two day National Conference of Ministers of Environment, Forest and Climate Change was held in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat on 23-24th September, 2022.
The National Environment Ministers conference was inaugurated by the Prime Minister virtually.

National Conference of Environment Ministers

Themes: National Conference of Environment Ministers was organized under six themes with topics focusing on-
- LiFE and Combating Climate Change (Updating State Action Plans on Climate Change for Mitigation of Emissions and Adaptation to Climate Impacts);
- PARIVESH (Single Window System for Integrated Green Clearances);
- Forestry Management;
- Prevention and Control of Pollution;
- Wildlife Management;
- Plastics and Waste Management.
Participation: The Ministers of Environment, Forest and Climate Change from across the country participated in the National Conference of Environment Ministers.
- State Forest and Environment Ministers, the concerned State Secretaries as well as Chairmen of State PCBs / PCCs along with PCCFs also participated in the two-day National Conference of Ministers’ of EF&CC.

Key Outcomes of National Conference of Environment Ministers

Three pledges were taken at the concluding session of the two days Conference at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat:

In order to tackle the global challenge of the climate change, under the able leadership of the Prime Minister, we take a pledge to promote the environment friendly lifestyle LiFE.
We take a pledge to enhance the Forest life, forest protection and green zones.
To make our country self-reliant We take a pledge-
- To preserve wood and related products,
- To identify the opportunities for agri-commerce,
- To enable the policy framework related to scientific infrastructure and
- To increase the employment and income opportunities of the farmers, tribal groups and local communities.

What is PARIVESH?

PARIVESH Full form: The full form of PARIVESH is Pro-Active and Responsive facilitation by Interactive and Virtuous Environment Single-window Hub.
Background: PARIVESH was launched in August 2018 in order to achieve Hon’ble PM’s Vision of reducing time taken for granting clearances.
About: PARIVESH is a technology driven, professionally managed institutional mechanism, which will operate as a ‘’single window’’ platform for administration of all Green Clearances, and subsequent compliance management.
Mandate: PARIVESH aims to have single source of truth, effectiveness through process & data synchronization, transparent & informed decision making and strengthen “Minimum Government Maximum Governance”.
- Currently the envisaged PARIVESH development work is in progress and is planned to be launched by the end of 2022.
Key Modules: Some of the key modules envisaged in PARIVESH are Configurable Admin Module, Decision Support System (DSS), Know Your Approvals (KYA), CAMPA Mgmt., Helpdesk Mgmt., Legal Repository, Auditor Mgmt., Entity Ledger, Payment Gateway.

LiFE Movement- Lifestyle for the Environment Launched

The Editorial Analysis- Over the Top

Draft Telecommunication Bill- Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 2: Governance, Administration and Challenges
- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Draft Telecommunication Bill in News

Recently Draft Telecommunication Bill 2022 was put in public domain for comments from various stakeholders.

Associated Concerns with Draft Indian Telecommunication Bill

Increased Government Control: The bill hints at a disturbing governmental pursuit, for more control over a range of digital applications and over-the-top streaming services that millions of Indians use daily.
License Raj: The Telecom Bill seeks to increase government control over digital applications and over-the-top streaming services by bringing them under the ambit of telecommunication services.
- The operation of telecommunication services would require a licence- that is if the draft provisions do go through.
- This means the likes of WhatsApp, Zoom, and Netflix will be considered telecommunication services.
- And so would a whole range of digital services that are anyway regulated by the IT Act.
Overarching Definition of Telecom Services: The Draft bill broadens the definition of Telecom Services which includes everything-
- From broadcasting services to electronic mail,
- From voice mail to voice, video and data communication services,
- From Internet and broadband services to over-the-top communication services, including those that the Government may notify separately.
Privacy Concerns: Government has the powers to prevent a message from being transmitted “on the occurrence of any public emergency or in the interest of the public safety”.
- Another clause in the draft Bill requires an entity that has been granted a licence to “unequivocally identify the person to whom it provides services”.
- A similar clause under the IT rules brought in last year- requiring messaging apps to “enable the identification of the first originator of the information on its computer resource”- has been challenged in the Court.

Government’s Justification for New Draft Telecommunication Bill

Shredding the Colonial Legacy: the country requires a new legal framework, and not the existing one that is based on the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, to deal with the realities of the 21st century.

Draft Telecommunication Bill- Conclusion

While not underplaying the mounting challenges for ensuring security, the repeated attempts by the Government to be able to tap into all kinds of communication, without making sure the common man has a legal armour in the form of a data protection law, is extremely problematic.
The Government needs to upgrade its thinking on users and privacy. This draft needs to go back to the drawing board.

Draft Indian Telecom Bill, 2022