DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS - (FEBRUARY 26, 2021) - CSE -20201 CSE -20201 - Lukmaan IAS
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DAILY CURRENT
AFFAIRS
(FEBRUARY 26, 2021)
Admin
[COMPANY NAME]
CSE -20201
CSE -20201
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS LUKMAAN IAS
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS LUKMAAN IAS
INDEX
POLITY & CONSTITUTION
1. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RULES 2021
2. CITY INNOVATION EXCHANGE (CiX)
ECONOMY
3. THE CRASH AT NSE AND IT’S IMPACT
ENVIRONMENT
4. STATE OF INDIA’S ENVIRONMENT REPORT: 2021
5. ASIA’S ‘TIGER FARMS’
6. BLACK-BROWED BABBLER REDISCOVERED AFTER 170 YEARS
7. DEVISE A MECHANISM TO CONTROL RIVER POLLUTION: NGT
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
8. HAEMORRHAGIC SEPTICEMIA IN ELEPHANT
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS LUKMAAN IAS
POLITY & CONSTITUTION
1. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RULES 2021
THE CONTEXT: The Central government has notified the new guidelines on social media regulations on
February 25, 2021. It is being called as “Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital
Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021”.
Analysis
The new guidelines have been notified with the aim of regulating social media and OTT platforms.
These rules were put into public by the union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad and Prakash Javadekar.
The Union Ministers also said that social media platforms have empowered the ordinary Indians. They
praised these platforms for gaining popularity and huge users.
They also welcomed the move by social media platforms to do business in India.
Why new rules have been framed?
The government has notified the new rules on digital media and OTT with the aim of empowering the
ordinary users regarding the social media.
With the new rules, the government wants to set up a mechanism for redressal and timely resolution of
their grievance.
The new rules are progressive, liberal and contemporaneous.
It seeks to address varied concerns of people.
It also wants to remove any misapprehension with respect to the restrictions on creativity and
freedom of speech & expression.
The rules were framed depending upon the difference of the viewership in a theatre & television as
compared to viewership on Internet.
Facts regarding new rules
The new guidelines on social media were framed in accordance with the section 87 (2) of the
Information Technology Act, 2000.
These guidelines were released after having an elaborate consultation with the public as well as the
stakeholders.
They were consulted to negate the concerns regarding accountability, transparency, and rights related
to digital media.
Part- II of the guidelines will be administered by Ministry of Electronics and IT.
Part-III of the guidelines will be administered by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. This
part is related to the Code of Ethics & procedure. It also safeguards the relation with the digital media.
SOURCE: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1700749
2. CITY INNOVATION EXCHANGE (CiX)
THE CONTEXT: The City Innovation Exchange (CiX) platform was launched by the Ministry of Housing and
Urban Affairs at an online event. The platform will be a significant addition to the growing innovation
ecosystem of India and focuses on fostering innovative practices in cities.
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS LUKMAAN IAS
Analysis
About CiX
CiX, through an ‘open innovation’ process, engages with innovators to design-test-deliver on solutions to
pressing urban challenges.
This initiative is among the ongoing efforts of the Government to realise Prime Minister’s vision of New
and AtmaNirbhar Bharat, by making cities more self-reliant and enabled to meet the needs of and
provide services to their citizens.
Everyone is an innovator
Designed on the philosophy of ‘everyone is an innovator’, the platform will bring together Citizen
Organisations-Academia- Businesses- Government to co-create for the future of Urban India in a
transparent and sustainable manner.
The Smart Cities Mission will partner and effectively collaborate with Startup India, Atal Innovation
Mission, AGNIi and other initiatives in the Indian Innovation ecosystem.
Functions of ‘City Innovation Exchange (CiX)’
The City Innovation Exchange (CiX) will connect cities to innovators across the national ecosystem to
design innovative solutions for their pressing challenges.
The platform will ease the discovery, design& validation of solutions through a robust, transparent and
user centric process that will reduce barriers for innovators and cities to discover fitting solutions.
Open innovation
Built on the concept of ‘open innovation’, the platform will help in the flow of ideas ‘outside in and
inside out’, enhancing the skills and capacity required to deliver smart urban governance. Through
interaction with Academia and businesses/Startups, the platform will benefit cities in the transfer of
ideas from ‘labs’ to real environment.
Similarly, by helping urban governments interact with citizens, the platform will ensure adoption of
tested solutions that will be impactful and sustainable.
SOURCE: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1700855
ECONOMY
3. THE CRASH AT NSE AND IT’S IMPACT
THE CONTEXT: The National Stock Exchange (NSE), the world’s largest derivatives exchange by trading
volume for the calendar year 2020, came under intense criticism for failing to communicate effectively with
market players following a technical glitch on Wednesday (February 24), which led to a halting of trading.
Analysis
Given that this came a day before the monthly expiry of derivative contracts in the crucial Budget
month, the trading halt and subsequent opening of the market for an extended time created significant
volatility.
What exactly happened at NSE?
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS LUKMAAN IAS
The indices, including NIFTY and Bank NIFTY, had stopped updating from around 10:08 IST, but the
exchange did not communicate anything till 11:30 IST, creating confusion and nervousness among
market participants.
NSE is awaiting detailed root cause analysis from telecom service providers and vendors regarding this
incident, the exchange said in a statement.
Who was impacted the most?
The trading halt impacted day traders, brokers, and people trading on margin, as most brokers took the
call of squaring off cash positions at BSE prices.
As a sharp surge was noticed after the NSE extended the trading hours after the technical glitch was
resolved, traders whose trades were squared off at lower prices were impacted.
How common are trading disruptions?
Trading disruptions are occasional occurrences, but are not unheard of. They often result from software
glitches, hardware issues, and telecom/Internet connectivity failures.
On October 1, 2020, trading was halted for the entire day due to hardware failure at the Tokyo Stock
Exchange, while software issues led to a 20-minute trading halt at the Australian Securities Exchange
(ASX) on November 16, 2020.
Tokyo Stock Exchange president and CEO Koichiro Miyahara had stepped down after taking “seriously
his responsibility for the failure in the…trading system” that led to the daylong shutdown.
SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/the-crash-at-nse-what-happened-who-was-
impacted-7204513/
ENVIRONMENT
4. STATE OF INDIA’S ENVIRONMENT REPORT: 2021
THE CONTEXT: A new monitoring mechanism is indicating that industrial pollution levels continue to
worsen in India. An evaluation of 88 industrial clusters identified by central and state pollution control
boards (CPCB and SPCBs) as polluted industrial areas has thrown up a bleak picture of air, water and land
contamination in the country, said the 2021 State of India’s Environment (SoE) report.
Analysis
About ‘State of India’s Environment 202’
SoE is an annual publication brought out by Down To Earth in association with Centre for Science and
Environment (CSE), a Delhi-based non-profit.
The report will be released February 25, 2021 at an online event by over 60 environmental thinkers
and activists, journalists and academics from across India.
Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index (CEPI)
In 2009, the Central Pollution Control Board had developed the Comprehensive Environmental
Pollution Index (CEPI), which characterises the environmental quality of a location and identifies
severely polluted industrial areas.
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS LUKMAAN IAS
Air quality score
According to CEPI data, air pollution worsened in 33 of the 88 industrial clusters between 2009 and
2018.
In Delhi’s Najafgarh drain basin, the CEPI air quality score went up from 52 in 2009 to over 85 in 2018.
Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) had a score of 48 in 2009, which shot up to 86 in 2018.
The Bulandshahr-Khurja area in Uttar Pradesh nearly doubled its score, from 42 in 2008 to over 79 in
2018. Gajraula (Uttar Pradesh) and Siltara (Chhattisgarh) scored over 70 in 2018.
Tarapur in Maharashtra emerged the most polluted cluster between 2009 and 2018
Water quality score
The quality of water deteriorated in 45 of the 88 clusters in this same period.
Sanganer (in Rajasthan) and Gurugram (in Haryana) had a CEPI water quality score of more than 70 in
2018.
Tarapur (Maharashtra), Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) and Varanasi-Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh) — all indicated
scores that were 80 or above.
Land quality score
The comparison of CEPI 2009 and 2018 data shows that land pollution has increased in 17 of the 88
clusters. The worst performer here has been Manali, whose CEPI score went to over 71 in 2018 from 58
in 2009.
The overall CEPI scores
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS LUKMAAN IAS
In terms of overall CEPI scores, 35 of the clusters have indicated a rise in environmental degradation.
Tarapur (in Maharashtra) has had the ignominy — says the SoE — of the highest overall CEPI score of
over 96 in 2018.
SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/environment/state-of-india-s-environment-quality-of-
air-water-land-worsened-in-india-s-industrial-clusters-75664
5. ASIA’S ‘TIGER FARMS’
THE CONTEXT: Tigers could once be found across much of Asia, from eastern Turkey to Siberia and
Indonesia. Today, they are reduced to living in just 6% of their former range. In many of these areas tigers
are no longer even valued as free-ranging wild animals, but merely as products for financial profit, worth
more dead than alive.
A tiger rescued from a circus by Animal Defenders in Guatemala arrives in South Africa.
Analysis
Tiger farms in Southeast Asia
Tigers in parts of east and south-east Asia can come in bottled form, sold openly in industrial breeding
centres as tiger bone wine, a concoction that is claimed to treat arthritis, rheumatism and even
impotence.
They also come on plates, cooked and prepared for wealthy businessmen and bureaucrats eager to
display their elevated social status, served in dining rooms bedecked with expensive tiger skin rugs.
The Tiger trade
The trade begins with an estimated 8,000 tigers held captive in a series of farms across China and also
in Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, often in appalling conditions.
Many are housed in small, spartan concrete enclosures, barely large enough to provide any opportunity
for even the lightest exercise.
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS LUKMAAN IAS
Tigers bred for their bones are frequently malnourished, their deaths deliberately induced by starvation.
Life cycle of tigers in captivity
While most of the value of a tiger is derived after its death, tiger farm operators nevertheless seek to
squeeze out every ounce of revenue possible during the tigers’ lives.
The life cycle is managed in three distinct phases – breeding, performance and harvest – followed by a
fourth post-death production stage.
In short, these farms are nothing more than speed-breeding factory farms, providing the raw materials
for high-end luxury products.
Tiger farms: A big business
Tiger farms have become big business and, in order to grow, their owners recognise the need for
constant innovation.
For instance, a recent investigation uncovered the existence of pink tiger bone jewellery produced by a
tiger farm in Laos.
The distinctive colour of the ornaments is achieved by removing the tiger’s bones while it is sedated but
still very much alive.
Here, economics clearly trumps ethics and, if it can turn a profit, it appears that anything goes.
Tiger farm: A needs for equation reversal
If tigers are to thrive once more across their entire historical range, ways must be found to ensure that
they are valued differently. It is essential that the tiger farm equation is reversed and that tigers
become viewed as worth more alive than they are dead.
SOURCE: https://science.thewire.in/environment/asias-tiger-farms-have-rendered-a-wild-animal-worth-
more-dead-than-alive/
6. BLACK-BROWED BABBLER REDISCOVERED AFTER 170 YEARS
THE CONTEXT: A bird last seen more than 170 years ago in the rainforests of Borneo has been
rediscovered, amazing conservationists who have long assumed it was extinct.
Black-browed Babbler
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS LUKMAAN IAS
Analysis
The Black-browed Babbler
The Black-browed Babbler has only ever been documented once — when it was first described by
scientists around 1848 — eluding all subsequent efforts to find it.
Last year discovered in Indonesian Borneo
But late last year, two men in Indonesian Borneo saw a bird they didn't recognise and snapped photos of
it before releasing the palm-sized creature back into the forest, according to Global Wildlife
Conservation.
Ornithologists were astounded to find that the Black-browed Babbler was alive and well, despite not
having been seen since before Charles Darwin published “On the Origin of Species”.
The discovery published Thursday in the journal BirdingASIA.
The biggest enigma in Indonesian ornithology
This bird is often called ‘the biggest enigma in Indonesian ornithology.’ It’s mind-blowing to think that
it's not extinct and it's still living in these lowland forests.
Little is known about the creature with brown and grey feathers, which has been “missing” longer than
any other Asian bird, according to the paper.
“There is now a critical window of opportunity for conservationists to secure these forests to protect
the babbler and other species,” said Ding Li Yong, a co-author on the paper and a Singapore-based
conservationist with BirdLife International.
More than 150 species of birds around the world are considered “lost” with no confirmed sightings in
the past decade, conservationists say.
SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/its-alive-black-browed-babbler-
rediscovered-after-170-years/article33931044.ece
7. DEVISE A MECHANISM TO CONTROL RIVER POLLUTION: NGT
THE CONTEXT: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) to devise
an appropriate mechanism for more effective monitoring of steps for control of pollution and rejuvenation
of all polluted river stretches in the country.
Analysis
A Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said there has been continuous failure
of statutory mechanism for preventing pollution of water and hardly any accountability has been fixed
for such serious failures.
National River Rejuvenation Mechanism
The said mechanism may be called “National River Rejuvenation Mechanism” (NRRM) or given any
other suitable name.
NRRM may also consider the observations with regard to setting up of National/State/District
Environment Data Grid at appropriate levels as an effective monitoring strategy.
NGT directed the Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs to personally monitor progress at least once
every month and the NRRM every quarter and reiterated that accountability for failure to comply with
the direction for payment of compensation will be of the Chief Secretaries concerned.DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS LUKMAAN IAS
Central Monitoring Committee
The NGT had earlier formed a Central Monitoring Committee to prepare and enforce a national plan to
make over 350 river stretches across the country pollution free.
Deterioration in quality of water
The tribunal had said that there has been deterioration in quality of water in rivers in spite of the Water
Act which was enacted way back in 1974 which was intended to bring about improvement.
The role of newspaper
The green panel’s direction came after taking note of an article in an English newspaper.
According to the news item, 351 polluted river stretches have been noted by the Central Pollution
Control Board (CPCB) and 117 such stretches are in the States of Assam, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. The
CPCB has apprised the States concerned of the extent of pollution in the rivers.
SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/ngt-directs-ministry-of-jal-shakti-
to-devise-a-mechanism-to-control-river-pollution/article33932174.ece
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
8. HAEMORRHAGIC SEPTICEMIA IN ELEPHANT
THE CONTEXT: Environmentalists in Odisha have slammed the state’s move to suspensd a livestock
inspector February 23, 2021 after seven elephants and some cattle died of haemorrhagic septicemia in
Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary in Kalahandi. They blamed the recent spate of infections on a collapse of
government machinery.DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS LUKMAAN IAS
Analysis
The cause of death
A central team comprising Karikalan Matthews from the Centre for Wildlife in Bareilly, Prangyan Panda,
national convener of elephant cell and Niranjan Sahoo from Odisha University of Agriculture Technology
(OUAT), Bhubaneswar visited the spots on February 20 and confirmed hemorrhagic septicemia as the
reason of elephants’ death.
About Hemorrhagic septicemia
Haemorrhagic septicemia, a bacterial infection, can run through a herd of elephants very quickly in
about 10-15 days.
Elephants usually die within 3-36 hours, while some survive for 15 days.
Hemorrhagic septicemia is mainly affects cattle and water buffalo, and is an important cause of livestock
mortality in tropical regions of Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/who-to-blame-for-haemorrhagic-
septicemia-in-elephants-odisha-suspends-a-livestock-inspector-75665DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS LUKMAAN IAS
26th FEBRUARY, 2021 PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Q1. A bird rediscovered after 170 years called ‘the biggest enigma in Indonesian ornithology.’ The bird is:
a) Yellow-Billed Babbler
b) Grey-Necked Bunting
c) Jungle Babbler
d) Black-browed Babbler
Q. With reference to Indian History, consider the following statements about Krishna Dev Raya:
1. He belonged to Sangama dynasty of Vijayanagar Empire
2. He built Hazara Rama temple at Hampi
3. He was contemporary of Babur
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2
c) 2 and 3
d) 1, 2 and 3
ANSWERS OF 25th FEBRUARY, 2021 PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Q1. Answer B: Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh
Q2. Answer A Explanation:
• Statement 1 is incorrect: A proclamation of President’s Rule may be revoked by the President at any
time by a subsequent proclamation. Such proclamation does not require the parliamentary approval.
• Statement 2 is correct: If approved by both the Houses of Parliament (with simple majority), the
President’s Rule continues for six months. It can be extended for a maximum period of three years
with the approval of the Parliament, every six months.
• Statement 3 is correct: In Bommai case (1994), Supreme Court had declared that Proclamation of
President’s Rule is subjected to judicial review.DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS LUKMAAN IAS
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS LUKMAAN IAS
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