December Current Affairs Part-I 2022:

Daily Issues 3’s Current Affairs section provides daily/recent/latest and contemporary issues of Current Affairs of December 2022 Part First (from 1st Dec to 15th Dec) for UPSC, UPPSC, BPSC, IAS/PCS, SSC and other competitive exams. This Current Affairs post 
cover Daily News by choosing the most relevant topics from a number of
newspapers like The Hindu, The Indian Express etc. and  news websites like PIB, News AIR for
national, international, environment, sports, awards etc., current issues.

💠 ECOSOC votes to Remove Iran from Commission:

The UN Economic and Social Council have voted to
immediately oust Iran from the U.N.’s premiere global body fighting for gender
equality because of its systematic violation of the rights of women and girls.

• The United States has hailed it as a “historic” decision.
  The US-sponsored resolution was sparked by Iran’s ongoing brutal crackdown on
  peaceful protesters.

The vote in the 54-member UN council known as ECOSOC to
remove Iran from the Commission on the Status of Women for the remainder of its
2022-2026 term. Twenty-nine members supported the resolution and eight
opposed it, and 16 abstained from voting.

 

💠 Panchayat Development Index:

• Committee has been constituted for Preparation of
  Panchayat Development Index (PDI).
• Indicators Framework on 9 themes of Localization of
  Sustainable Development Goals has been prepared for developing the measures of
  Panchayat Development Index and other SDGs progress.
• No State/ UT including Jammu & Kashmir specific local
  indicators are developed for formulation of PDI.
• The Ministry has been implementing scheme for capacitating
  elected representatives and functionaries of Panchayati Raj Institutions.
• Government has approved revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj
  Abhiyan for implementation from 2022-23 to 2025-26.
•  Focus on Capacity
  Building and Training of elected representatives and functionaries to
  strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions.

 

💠 India Water Impact Summit 2022:

The Ministry for Jal Shakti will inaugurate the 7th India
Water Impact Summit (IWIS 2022) on 15th December, 2022. The summit is being
organized by National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and Center for Ganga River
Basin Management and Studies (cGanga).

• To developing water and environmental infrastructure to
  protect rivers and water bodies in India.

Theme: ‘Restoration and Conservation of Small Rivers in a
Large Basin’.

Key Points of the Summit:

• Experts from the country and abroad will discuss ways in
  which small rivers facing near-extinction in large river basins can be
  protected.
• Summit aims to give insight into potential causes for
  divergence and formulate strategy to achieve convergence.
• 5 broad Tracks of summit are Science and Policy, Finance
  and Economics, Technology and Innovation, International and Implementation
  Challenges.
• Event will host a finance forum to bring together global
  financial institutions and investors interested in river restoration and
  conservation programmes.
• It emphasis on ‘Mapping and Convergence of 5Ps’ – People,
  Policy, Plan, Programme and Project.

 

💠 Special initiatives under NEP for education of the Girl Child:

The objectives of NEP for equitable and quality education
for girl children are being met through specific provisions under Samagra
Shiksha 2.0.

•  Allocating
  dedicated resources for Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs).

Key Points:

• Samagra Shiksha have been targeted for providing quality
  education to girls.
• Opening of schools in the neighbourhood to make access
  easier for girls.
• Free uniform and text-books to girls up to class VIII.
• Additional teachers and residential quarters for teachers
  in remote/hilly areas.
• Appointment of additional teachers including women
  teachers, stipend to CWSN girls from class I to class XII.
• Separate toilets for girls.
• Teachers’ sensitization programmes to promote girls
  participation, gender-sensitive teaching-learning materials including text
  books etc.

 

💠 Nevada wildflower’ as endangered species:

In the United States, wildlife officials declared a Nevada
wildflower endangered at the only place it’s known to exist – on a high-desert
ridge where a lithium mine is planned to help meet the growing demand for
electric car batteries. 

💠 India’s Presidency of UNSC:

India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) preside over two
High-Level Ministerial signature events under India’s Presidency of United
Nations Security Council (UNSC).

• It held at New York, US.

Theme: “New Orientation for Reformed Multilateralism
and the High-Level Briefing tomorrow is on Global Approach to Counter Terrorism
– Challenges and Way Forward.”

Both these themes have been key priorities for India
during its current tenure at the UN Security Council.

EAM unveiling first Mahatma Gandhi sculpture at the
premises of the UN Headquarters.

India will also be launching a “Group of Friends for
Accountability for Crimes against Peacekeepers.

India’s initiative on “International Year of Millets
2023” along with a millets-based luncheon will also be hosted by External
Affairs Minister for UN Secretary-General and United Nations Security Council
member states.

 

💠 New and Renewable Energy:

The Prime Minister’s announcement at COP26, Ministry of
New and Renewable Energy is working towards achieving 500 GW of installed
electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030, and achieving Net Zero by
2070.

• A total of 172.72 GW capacity from non-fossil fuel-based
  energy resources has been installed in the country as on 31.10.2022. Which includes –
• 119.09 GW Renewable Energy,
• 46.85 GW Large Hydro and
• 6.78 GW Nuclear Power capacity.

This constitutes a share of 42.26% of total installed
generation capacity in the country i.e. 408.71 GW as on 31.10.2022.

Government several steps towards achievement of
500 GW installed capacity from non-fossil sources which includes:

• Permitting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100
  percent under the automatic route,
• Waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges
  for inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned by
  30th June 2025,
• Declaration of trajectory for Renewable Purchase
  Obligation (RPO) up to the year 2029-30,
• Setting up of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks to provide
  land and transmission to RE developers for installation of RE projects at large
  scale,
• Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam
  Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), Solar Rooftop Phase II, 12000 MW CPSU Scheme
  Phase II, etc,
• Laying of new transmission lines and creating new
  sub-station capacity under the Green Energy Corridor Scheme for evacuation of
  renewable power,
• Notification of standards for deployment of solar
  photovoltaic system/devices,
• Setting up of Project Development Cell for attracting and
  facilitating investments,
• Standard Bidding Guidelines for tariff based competitive
  bidding process for procurement of Power from Grid Connected Solar PV and Wind
  Projects.
• Government has issued orders that power shall be
  dispatched against Letter of Credit (LC) or advance payment to ensure timely
  payment by distribution licensees to RE generators.
• Notification of Promoting Renewable Energy through Green
  Energy Open Access Rules 2022.
• Notification of “The electricity (Late Payment Surcharge
  and related matters) Rules (LPS rules).
• Launch of Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM) to facilitate
  sale of Renewable Energy Power through exchanges.

 

💠 National Family Planning Program:

The National Population Policy 2000 and National Health
Policy 2017, to address the unmet need for Family Planning.

The following steps have been taken by the Government:

• Expanded Contraceptive Choices.
• Mission Parivar Vikas (MPV) implemented in 13 states for
  substantially increasing access to contraceptives and family planning services.
• Compensation scheme for sterilization acceptors which
  provides compensation for loss of wages to the beneficiary and also to the
  service provider team for conducting sterilization.
• Post-partum Intra-uterine contraceptive device (PPIUCD)
  services are provided post delivery.
• Scheme for Home Delivery of contraceptives by ASHAs at
  doorstep of beneficiaries.
• Family Planning Logistics Management Information System
  (FP-LMIS) to ensure last mile availability of family planning commodities
  across all the levels of health facilities.

Achievements of the Government:

• The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) declined to 2.0 in 2019-21
  (NFHS 5) which is below replacement level.
• 31 out of 36 States/ UTs have achieved replacement level
  fertility (NFHS 5).
• The Modern Contraceptive usage has increased to 56.5%
  (NFHS 5).
• The Unmet Need for Family Planning has decreased to 9.4%
  (NFHS 5).
• The Crude Birth Rate (CBR) has declined to 19.5 in 2020
  (SRS).

 

💠 Food Processing Industries in India:

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries implement
schemes to augment post harvest infrastructure and processing facilities so as
to reduce post-harvest losses and augment processing levels of various
agriculture produce.

• The Ministry implements a Central Sector umbrella scheme,
  the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) since 2016-17 for overall
  growth and development of the sector.

Aim: Value Addition of Food Grains.

The aim to augment preservation and processing capacity so
as to reduce post-harvest losses, create off farm employment, and enhancing of
value addition & exports of processed food with components, namely,

• Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure,  
• Infrastructure for Agro-Processing Clusters,
• Creation/ Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation
  Capacities,
• Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure,
• Human Resources and Institutions–Research &
  Development and
• Operation Greens. Earlier Mega Food Park and Creation
  of Backward and Forward Linkages schemes were also part of PMKSY during the
  14th Finance Commission period.

 

The Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing
Enterprises (PM-FME) scheme since 2020-21 for providing financial, technical
and business support for upgradation / setting up of two lakh micro enterprises
based on One District One Product approach.

A Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme is being
implemented from 2021-22 to 2026-27 in order to support processed fruits &
vegetables, marine products, Ready to Eat (RTE)/ Ready to Cook (RTC) products
including millet-based products and mozzarella cheese segments of the food
processing sector.

Innovative /organic products by SME segment is also
covered under the scheme. Promoting Indian food brands abroad, marketing and
branding support are also provided for under the scheme.

  

💠 Increase in the use of Green Hydrogen:

In the Independence Day speech on August 15, 2021, the
Prime Minister announced the launch of National Hydrogen Mission.

• Green Hydrogen can potentially be used to replace fossil
  fuels and fossil fuel-based feedstocks in a number of sectors such as
  fertilizer production, petroleum refining, steel production and transport
  applications.

 

💠 Gokul Grams:

The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, under
Rashtriya Gokul Mission has released funds for setting up of 16 “Gokul Grams”.

Aim: To conservation and development of indigenous bovine
breeds in a scientific and holistic manner. 

• Setting up of Biogas Plant was also included as one of the
  components under Gokul Grams and their performance evaluation has not been
  carried out.
• They have not been connected with the Gobardhan Yojana as
  the said scheme was not in place during the inception of Gokul Gram component
  under RGM.

Due to implementation of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission –

• India milk production in the country has increased from
  146.31Million Tonnes in 2014-15 to 220.78 Million in 2021-22 that is by 6.3%
  per annum during the last 8 years.
• Value of output of milk is more than the combined value of
  Paddy and Wheat.
• The scheme is leading to multiplication of elite animals
  of indigenous breeds and increased availability of indigenous stock.

💠 Inclusion of Water in Concurrent List:

• The issue of including water in the concurrent list.
• The proposal to bring water in the Union / Concurrent list
  has earlier been examined by the two Commissions on Centre State Relations
  chaired by

1. Justice R.S. Sarkaria and
2. Justice M.M. Punchhi respectively.

The said proposal did not find favour with either of the
two Commissions.

Recently, Water is a matter of State List in the
Constitution of India.

 

 

💠 UNFCCC COP 27 – India’s promise to achieve Carbon Neutrality:

According to the Paris Agreement, the Nationally
Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Long-Term Low Emissions Development
Strategy(LT-LEDS) are determined by countries themselves and communicated to
the UNFCCC.

India has submitted its updated NDCs on 26th August 2022
and its long-term low carbon development strategy on 14th November 2022.

• India’s vision and approaches towards reaching net-zero by
  2070.

As per LT-LEDS, India’s vision of low carbon development
is based on the need to ensure India’s high energy needs for development,
including poverty eradication, achieving Sustainable Development Goals and
economic growth. 

It is necessary that the plan for the country’s
energy security is based both on the expansion of non-fossil fuel sources for
power generation and rational utilization of fossil fuel resources. 

Specific
steps for such utilization include, expanding renewables and
strengthening the grid and focusing on demand-side management.

 

💠 Krishi Udan Scheme 2.0:

Krishi Udan Scheme 2.0 was announced on 27 October 2021.
It mainly focusing on transporting perishable food products from the hilly
areas, North-Eastern States and tribal areas.

• The scheme primarily covers around 25 airports focusing on
  North Eastern, Hilly and Tribal region besides 28 airports in other
  regions/areas.
• After evaluation of Krishi Udan 2.0, five more airports have
  been included making it to total 58 airports.

Aim: To ensure seamless, cost-effective, time bound, air
transportation and associated logistics for all Agri-produce originating
especially from North-East, hilly and tribal regions of the country.

• Few successful examples are air transportation of ‘King
  Chillies, Burmese Grapes & Assamese Lemon’ from Gauwahati, ‘Jackfruit’ from
  Tripura and ‘Litchi’ from Darbhanga.

 

💠 NITI Aayog and GIZ India: Soil Health Management for Sustainable
Farming:

NITI Aayog organized a national conclave on soil health
management for sustainable farming on the occasion of the World Soil Day
(December 5, 2022).

It was co-hosted by NITI Aayog and Deutsche Gesellschaft
für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH India on behalf of the German
Federal Ministry for Cooperation and Economic Development (BMZ).

Focus: On sustainable farming, as healthy soil is the
basis for a healthy future.

Key Points:

• This brought together policymakers, the scientific
  community, civil society and sector advocates to understand key initiatives in
  India and globally.
• The government is playing a pivotal role in encouraging
  measures to protect the environment.
• By the collaboration – developing a roadmap to improve
  soil health and sustainable agriculture practices.
• To ensure healthy soil
  management and long-term food security.
• The role of soil protection, restoration, and sustainable
  soil management to support an agro ecological transition towards sustainable
  farming and resilient food systems in India.
• The practice of natural farming and agro ecological
  farming practices can not only lead the way to rejuvenate and enhance soil
  heath, biodiversity, and nutrition but also the prosperity of farmers.

These bilateral initiatives
to catalyze the transformation towards resilient and sustainable food systems,
including nutritional security and improving rural livelihoods through green
and inclusive economic development.

 

💠 Indian Railways achieve Net Zero Emission by 2030:

Indian Railways (IR) has envisioned to achieve net zero
carbon emission by 2030. Following measures have been undertaken in this
regard:

• 100% Electrification of Broad Gauge (BG) Railway network.
• About 142 Mega Watt (MW) of solar plants (both on Rooftops
  and on its vacant land) and about 103 MW of Wind power plants have been
  commissioned (till 31.10.2022).
• Use of Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) based
  3-phase propulsion system with regenerative braking in locomotives, Electrical
  Multiple Unit (EMU) trains, Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) trains,
  Kolkata Metro rakes and Electric train sets.
• Conversion of End on Generation (EOG) trains into Head on
  Generation (HOG) trains to reduce noise, air pollution and diesel consumption.
• Provision of Light emitting diode (LED) lighting in all
  Railway installations including Railway stations, service buildings,
  Residential quarters and coaches for reduction in electricity consumption.
• Afforestation of railway land to increase carbon sink.
• Green Certifications- Green Certifications of various
  industrial units, railway stations and other railway establishments have been
  done. Further, Environment Management System (EMS): ISO 14001 certification of
  various railway stations has also been done.
• Construction of Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight
  Corridors (DFCs).
• Installation of waste to energy plants.

Further, IR has decided to progressively procure renewable
energy to reduce energy consumption through conventional sources.

At present, there is no proposal to induct solar train in
the Railway fleet. The solar system works during the day time and generate
battery backup of approximately 4 to 5 hours. System does not work properly
during fog/rain and winter season and battery backup goes down to 2 to 3 hours
depending upon weather conditions. Therefore, the system has not been pursued
further.

 

💠 Divya Kala Mela:

Divya Kala Mela in Kartavya Path is the great initiative
of Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment at India Gate, Delhi.

Aims: To provide a great platform for the products and
craftsmanship of Divyang artisans from across the country.

Key Points:

• The objective of the fair is to bring self-reliance in the
  lives of Divyangjan.
• Around 200 Divyang artisans, artists and entrepreneurs
  from 22 states and union territories will showcase their products and skills in
  the fair.
• The fair products categories –   Home
  decor & lifestyle, clothing, stationery & eco-friendly products,
  packaged food, organic products, toys & gifts, personal
  accessories-jewellery, clutch bags,
• A fair for all ‘Vocal for Local’.
• It will host a range of cultural activities including
  performances by differently-abled artists and eminent professionals.

 

💠 World’s first intra-nasal vaccine for COVID:

World’s first intra-nasal vaccine for COVID developed by
India has got approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation
(CDSCO).

This vaccine received approval under restricted Use in
emergency situations for ages 18 and above for primary 2 dose schedule,
homologous booster doses.

The role of Department of Biotechnology (DBT) for
supporting the development of world’s first Intranasal vaccine for COVID by
Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL).

 

💠 World AIDS Day:

Actions needed for addressing inequalities in the HIV
(Human Immunodeficiency Viruses) infected and affected populations across the
country and also help in ending AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)

Theme: “Equalize”

• Slogan for a call to action for all connected with this
  crusade.

World AIDS Day which is globally observed on 1st December
since 1988.

 

Also Read: November Current Affairs 2022

References: PIB, News AIR