The Study IAS

Author: blogweb

  • Symbol Loading Units (SLU)

    Context:

    In accordance with the Supreme Court’s order, the Election Commission of India (ECI) brought out a detailed protocol for the handling and storage of Symbol Loading Units (SLU).

     

     

    More on News:

    • Along with the electronic voting machines (EVMs), SLUs should be sealed and stored  in a strongroom for at least 45 days after the declaration of results.
    • At present, only the three components of the EVM — the ballot unit, control unit, and VVPAT — are retained for 45 days following the declaration of results.

     

     

    About SLUs:

    • The SLU records the names and symbols of candidates contesting a seat on Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT).
    • VVPATs help voters verify their votes as they see a slip with a printed image of the party symbol they voted for.
    • The accurate printing of symbols by the VVPAT requires loading the correct candidate list and symbols onto the machine in the proper sequence. 
    • This task is fulfilled by the SLU. In fact, the adoption of VVPATs made the utilisation of SLUs imperative.

     

    SLUs Use and Afterward:

    • It becomes relevant during the commissioning of EVMs and the finalisation of the list and order of contesting candidates.
    • It can happen at any time from five to two days before voting at a seat. 
    • The SLU is of no relevance after loading of symbols on EVMs..
    • After the symbol-loading process is finished, the SLUs are transferred to the relevant district election officer for safekeeping. 
    • They remain under the officer’s supervision until the day following the voting. 
    • The SLUs are then handed over to Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) or Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL) to use them in subsequent phases.

  • Thrombocytopenia Syndrome

    Context:

    • AstraZeneca a Pharmaceutical company admits that its vaccine against COVID-19 can cause Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia syndrome(TTS).
    • Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccine – Covishield in India.

     

    What is TTS?

    • It happens when a person has Blood clots(Thrombosis)  alongside with low platelet count (thrombocytopenia). 
    • This TTS is also referred to as vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT).

     

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    Thrombosis creation of a blood clot, potentially Obstructing regular blood flow within a blood vessel(vein or artery) obstructing the flow through the circulatory system.

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    • Thrombocytopenia is a condition of low platelets in the blood. Platelets(Thrombocytes) normally help the blood to clot (clump),that stops bleeding excessively.
    • TTS associated with blood clotting in rare cases causes life threatening diseases -strokes, brain damage, heart attacks.

     

    Caused By :                                                                     

    • Bone marrow disorder                                         
    • Fatigue  
    • Medications like Penicillin, Quinidine, Quinine, Ranitidine.

                                                                                                                            

    Symptoms: 

  • RBI’s OPERATIONAL RISK NORMS

    Why in the News?

     

    Recently, RBI has expanded its oversight to include more lenders like NBFCs and co-operative banks in its updated guidance note on operational risk management structure.

     

    Rising operational risk analysis between 2014 to 2017

    More on News

    • It is in line with the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS).
    • The BCBS believed that additional measures were needed to enhance banks’ resilience against operational risks.
    • Prioritising risk management strengthens a Regulated Entity’s sustainability and maintains crucial operations during disruptions while bolstering the financial system.

     

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    Basel Committee on Banking Supervision

    • It is a global committee of banking supervisory authorities that was established by the central bank governors of the Group of Ten countries in 1974.
    • Its primary mandate is to enhance the stability of the international banking system by formulating standards and guidelines for banking supervision.
    • The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision consists of 45 members, including central banks and bank supervisors from 28 jurisdictions worldwide.

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    Types of Operational Risks

    As per BCBS,

    • Internal Fraud: Misappropriation of assets, manipulation of data, or fraudulent activities by employees or internal parties.
    • External fraud: Fraudulent activities committed by third parties, such as robbery, forgery, and hacking. 
    • Business Disruption and System Failures: Disruptions to business operations, IT systems, or critical infrastructure, leading to service interruptions, data breaches, or financial losses.
    • Damage to physical assets: Losses due to damage to physical assets from natural disasters, terrorism, or vandalism. 
    • Regulatory Compliance: Breaches of laws, regulations, or industry standards, resulting in fines, penalties, or legal actions.

     

    Three Lines of Defence Model

    • Operational management functions responsible for identifying, assessing, and managing risks at the operational level.
    • Front-line employees directly manage risks in their daily operations.
    • Independent risk management and compliance functions that oversee and support the first line by establishing policies, procedures, and controls.
    • Ensuring the fulfilment of all Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (CFT) duties.
    • Internal audit function, providing independent assurance and evaluation of the effectiveness of risk management and internal controls.
    • This model helps ensure effective risk management, accountability, and governance within the financial institutions.

  • South Asia Receiving Rainfall

    Context:

     

    The forecast of ‘above normal’ rainfall across most of the South Asian countries during the upcoming monsoon season was shared at the 28th South Asian Climate Outlook Forum (SASCOF) meeting held in Pune.

     

    More on News:

     

    SASCOF-28 Rainfall Outlook:

    • “Above normal” rainfall forecast for most of South Asia during June to September.
    • Exceptions include some northern, northeastern, and eastern parts.

     

    Alignment with IMD Forecast:

    • SASCOF rainfall forecast aligns with the Indian Meteorological Department’s (IMD) initial southwest monsoon rainfall forecast.

     

    Regional Rainfall Predictions:

    • Anticipated normal or above rainfall in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and central Bhutan.
    • Normal rainfall expected in Afghanistan, remaining areas of Bhutan, and large parts of Myanmar except the southwest coast.

     

    Factors Affecting Rainfall:

    • Multiple favorable ocean-atmospheric factors support good rainfall.
    • Weakening El Nino conditions with a shift towards La Nina during the second half of the monsoon season.
    • Potential positive phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) influencing southwest monsoon over the region.

     

    Temperature Outlook:

    • Above-normal day temperatures predicted over most regions during the ongoing summer season.
    • Areas including West Afghanistan, northern and eastern Pakistan, Gujarat-Rajasthan, northern Maharashtra, coastal Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, southwest Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and central and southern Myanmar expected to be significantly affected.

     

    What is SASCOF?

     

    • The South Asian Climate Outlook Forum (SASCOF) was established in 2009 and is coordinated by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
    • It covers Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. 
    • Each country hosts the Forum on rotation.
    • The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has been supporting South Asian nations in conducting the South Asian Seasonal Climate Outlook Forum (SASCOF) since 2010.
    • The objective of the forum is to prepare consensus seasonal climate information on regional scale that provides a consistent basis for preparing national level outlooks.

  • El-Nino

    Context:

     

    • The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has recorded unusually high temperatures, raising questions about the causes of these high temperatures and the requirements for classifying a heatwave.
    • IMD reports heat waves in plains when maximum temperatures reach 40°C or 45°C above normal in at least two areas. 
    • Heatwaves are announced when temperatures deviate from normal by more than 6°C in hilly and coastal locations, where they begin at 30°C and 37°C, respectively.

     

    El-Nino Influence:

     

    The year 2024 marked the beginning of an El Niño event with unusually warm surface waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. 

    • El Nino years are associated with extreme heat, prolonged heat waves, and reduced pre-monsoon rainfall patterns. 
    • This scenario could have significant impacts on climate, agriculture, and ecosystems, drawing attention to potential impacts in different regions globally.

     

    El-Nino vs La-Nino

     

    El Ninño is characterised by warmer sea surface temperatures, high air pressure in the western Pacific, and weakened trade winds, resulting in drier and warmer conditions in India and wetter conditions in the southern US. Conversely, La Niña features cooler sea surface temperatures, high air pressure in the eastern Pacific, stronger trade winds, and brings wetter conditions to India and drier conditions to the southern US.

     

    The Indian Ocean Dipole:

     

    The IOD is a continuous variation of sea surface temperature in the Indian Ocean, characterised by positive, neutral, and negative phases. 

    • During the positive phase, the Indian Ocean is warming to the west, bringing drought to Indonesia and Australia. 
    • Conversely, during the negative phase, the eastern Indian Ocean heats up, bringing heavy rains and flooding to East Africa.
    • This phenomenon greatly affects the strength of the Indian monsoon. 
    • Historical events included the positive IOD in 2007 coinciding with La Niña. Additionally, in 2010, strong negative IOD caused flooding in Queensland and Victoria.

  • Enmity

    Context:

    The Manipur government had declined to prosecute the accused under Section 153A for promoting enmity among different groups.

     

    More on news:

    • In this case, two kuki-zo women were paraded naked in Manipur due to ethnic conflict in the state.
    • It led to public outrage and ultimately the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) by police.
    • The Supreme Court transferred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

     

    Enmity and Indian Laws: Section 153A of (IPC)

    • Key grounds of promoting enmity are: Religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste and community.
    • The law prohibits promoting disharmony, feelings of enmity, hatred, or ill-will between these different groups through words, signs, visible representations, or other means.
    • It also criminalises acts that are prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony between these groups and disturb or are likely to disturb public tranquillity.

     

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    Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), deals with similar issues as those covered by Section 153A of IPC, but it expands to encompass electronic communication as a medium of promoting enmity.

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    Ethical dimensions:

    • Violation of Fundamental Rights: Enmity infringes the fundamental rights such as the right to equality, the right to freedom of religion.
    • Threat to Social Cohesion: This can lead to polarisation, violence, and a breakdown of the delicate balance between different communities.
    • Erosion of Democratic Values: It is antithetical to the democratic principles of tolerance, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence.
    • Undermining Secularism: India’s constitutional commitment to secularism is challenged when enmity is promoted on religious grounds.

     

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    How do other countries address enmity?

    • Brazil: It actively addresses its history of racial inequality through affirmative action policies in education and employment.
    • Northern Ireland: The Good Friday Agreement (1998) between Unionists (pro-British) and Nationalists (pro-Irish unification) addressed historical grievances, power-sharing, and disarmament of paramilitary groups.
    • Belgium: Belgium recognizes Dutch, French, and German as official languages, ensuring equal access to education, government services, and media in each language.
    • Switzerland: The strong tradition of direct democracy fosters a sense of shared ownership and reduces the feeling of being ruled by a distant elite.
    • Singapore: The government actively encourages the preservation of diverse cultures and languages, fostering a sense of belonging for all ethnicities.

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