UPSC EXAM QUIZ 30.12.2024

Explanation:

• Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) released a working paper titled "400 Million Dreams!" which highlights a 12% decline in domestic migration since 2011.
• This shift, reflecting broader socio-economic changes, is attributed to improved economic opportunities and infrastructure in traditionally high migration source areas.

Key Highlights of the EAC-PM Report on Domestic Migration

• Reduction in Migration: The number of domestic migrants in India has decreased by 12% since 2011, with the estimated number of migrants in 2023 standing at 40.20 crore.This is an 11.78% decline from the 45.58 crore migrants reported in Census 2011. The migration rate (difference between the number of persons entering and leaving) has fallen from 37.64% of the total population in 2011 to 28.88% in 2023, indicating a slowdown in migration.

Explanation

• Centenary of the 1924 Belgaum Congress session is being celebrated in Belagavi, Karnataka, on 26-27th December 2024.
• This event commemorates Mahatma Gandhi's chairmanship of the historic 39th All-India Congress session in Belgaum, where he made significant contributions to the Congress Party's ideology and organizational structure.
• The Indian National Congress (INC) has planned various events in Belagavi to celebrate the 100th anniversary. These include a two-day extended session of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and a public rally on the theme 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhaan' .

Significance of the 1924 Belgaum Session of Congress

• Gandhi's Leadership: It was the only Congress session which was presided over by Gandhiji as the party chief. Gandhi had held the post of the Congress president between December 1924 and April 1925. Gandhi’s first visit to Belgaum in 1916 was at the invitation of local leader Deshpande.
• Focus on Social Change: Gandhi emphasized combating untouchability, promoting khadi, and supporting village industries, transforming Congress into a movement for both political independence and social reform. Khadi spinning was mandatory for Congress members and mandated the submission of 2,000 yards of khadi cloth monthly.

Explanation

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported that the Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) of the rupee reached 108.14 in November 2024 from 107.20 in October 2024, marking its highest level this year.

RBI’s Findings Related to REER

• Record High REER Values: The rupee’s REER of 108.14 indicates overvaluation since 2015-16, undermining export competitiveness, despite nominal depreciation against the USD, revealing contrasting Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER) and REER indices. A REER above 100 signifies overvaluation relative to its base year (2015-16), reducing export competitiveness, while a value below 100 suggests undervaluation.
• Volatility Trends: The rupee experienced the lowest volatility (it has appreciated against other currencies) among major global currencies, even as emerging market currencies faced outflows due to rising US bond yields and a strong dollar index.

Explanation

• The National e-Governance Division (NeGD) and the Indian Ports Association (IPA) have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi on December 24, 2024.
• This strategic partnership aims to drive digital transformation in India's maritime sector.
• For this, NeGD’s technical expertise will be integrated with IPA’s deep insight into the maritime sector (ports, shipping, etc.) and logistics industries at national and international levels.
• Under this MoU, a strong framework to streamline the logistics system, enhance operational efficiency and modernise the port ecosystem.
• The key focus will be on advanced software development, system integration, capacity building, and the adoption of emerging technologies.
• This MoU strengthens India's maritime capabilities and is in line with the national vision to become a global leader in the digital transformation of port operations.

Explanation

• New research has revealed the origin of the Denali Fault, a tectonic boundary that created Mount Denali in Alaska (the tallest mountain in North America).
• The Denali Fault was formed between 72 million and 56 million years ago when an oceanic plate called the Wrangellia Composite Terrane collided with the North American Plate.
• The study also found evidence of inverted metamorphism, in which tectonic activity causes high-pressure rocks to be placed above low-pressure rocks.
• Faults: Faults or rifts form block mountains. Example, Satpura and Vindhya mountains.
• Block mountains are formed when large tracts of land break off and are displaced vertically. These are also called fault-block mountains.

Types of faults

• Strike-slip faults: These faults form when a tectonic plate slides horizontally with minimal vertical movement. Example, Denali fault.
• Normal faults: These faults are formed when a block of rock slides down and separates from the adjacent blocks. For example, the East African Rift Valley.
• Reverse faults (thrust faults): These faults are formed when the upper block moves over the lower block as it moves upwards.