UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS SIMPLIFIED

Key Highlights of Budget 2022 * Growth Rate:  India’s economic growth in the current year (2021-22) is estimated to be 9.2% of GDP, the highest among all large economies. The revised Fiscal Deficit in the current year is estimated at 6.9% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) as against 6.8% projected in the Budget Estimates. The Fiscal Deficit in 2022-23 is estimated at 6.4% of GDP, which is consistent with the broad path of fiscal consolidation announced last year to reach a fiscal deficit level below 4.5% by 2025-26. * Amrit Kaal:  India has entered into Amrit Kaal, the 25-year-long leadup to India@100. During the Amrit Kaal, the government aims to attain the following vision: Complementing the macro-economic level growth focus with a micro-economic level all-inclusive welfare focus. Promoting digital economy & fintech, technology enabled development, energy transition, and climate action. Relying on a virtuous cycle starting from private investment with public capital investment helping to crowd-in private investment. * Blueprint of Amrit Kaal:  Four Priorities: PM GatiShakti Inclusive Development Productivity Enhancement & Investment, Sunrise Opportunities, Energy Transition, and Climate Action Financing of Investments * Productivity Linked Incentive:  60 lakh new jobs to be created under the productivity linked incentive scheme in 14 sectors. # Other Major Announcements in Budget: * Railways: One Station One Product concept to help local businesses & supply chains. * Parvatmala: It is a National Ropeways Development Program, Parvatmala to be taken up on PPP mode. * Kisan Drones: For crop assessment, digitization of land records, spraying of insecticides and nutrients. * MSME: Udyam, e-shram, NCS and ASEEM portals to be interlinked. * Skill Development: Digital Ecosystem for Skilling and Livelihood (DESH-Stack e-portal) will be launched to empower citizens to skill, reskill or upskill through on-line training. * Education: ‘One class-One TV channel’ programme of PM eVIDYA to be expanded to 200 TV channels. * Health: An open platform for the National Digital Health Ecosystem to be rolled out. * Saksham Anganwadi (New Generation Anganwadi):  Integrated benefits to women and children through Mission Shakti, Mission Vatsalya, Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. * PM-DevINE: New scheme Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North-East Region (PM-DevINE) launched to fund infrastructure and social development projects in the North-East. * Vibrant Villages Programme:  Vibrant Villages Programme for development of Border villages with sparse population, limited connectivity and infrastructure on the northern border. * Sunrise Opportunities:  Government contribution to be provided for R&D in Sunrise Opportunities like Artificial Intelligence, Geospatial Systems and Drones, Semiconductor and its eco-system, Space Economy, Genomics and Pharmaceuticals, Green Energy, and Clean Mobility Systems. * GIFT-IFSC: World-class foreign universities and institutions to be allowed in the GIFT City. An International Arbitration Centre to be set up for timely settlement of disputes under international jurisprudence. * Digital Rupee: Introduction of Digital Rupee by the Reserve Bank of India starting 2022-23.

BUDGET The Budget Division of the Department of Economic Affairs in the Finance Ministry is the nodal body responsible for preparing the Budget. According to Article 112 of the Indian Constitution, the Union Budget of a year is referred to as the Annual Financial Statement (AFS). It is a statement of the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Government in a financial year. In addition to it, the Budget contains: Estimates of revenue and capital receipts, Ways and means to raise the revenue, Estimates of expenditure, Details of the actual receipts and expenditure of the closing financial year and the reasons for any deficit or surplus in that year, and The economic and financial policy of the coming year, i.e., taxation proposals, prospects of revenue, spending programme and introduction of new schemes/projects. # The Budget goes through six stages: Presentation of Budget. General discussion. Scrutiny by Departmental Committees. Voting on Demands for Grants. Passing of Appropriation Bill. Passing of Finance Bill.

South China Sea is an arm of western Pacific Ocean in Southeast Asia. It is connected by Taiwan Strait with the East China Sea and by Luzon Strait with the Philippine Sea. Bordering states & territories (clockwise from north): the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam. Strategic Importance: This sea holds tremendous strategic importance for its location as it is the connecting link between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean (Strait of Malacca).

One Country, Two Systems Policy *Under the principle, each of the two regions could continue to have its own governmental system, legal, economic and financial affairs, including trade relations with foreign countries, all of which are independent from those of the Mainland. * China has claimed Taiwan through its “one China” policy since the Chinese civil war forced the defeated Kuomintang, or Nationalist, to flee to the island in 1949 and has vowed to bring it under Beijing’s rule, by force if necessary. * While Taiwan is self- governed and de facto independent, it has never formally declared independence from the mainland. * Under the “one country, two systems” formula, Taiwan would have the right to run its own affairs; a similar arrangement is used in Hong Kong.

China sends 52 aircraft towards Taiwan zone - The Hindu https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/china-sends-52-aircraft-towards-taiwan-zone/article38320647.ece

Sessions of Parliament: * The summoning of Parliament is specified in Article 85 of the Constitution. * The power to convene a session of Parliament rests with the Government. The decision is taken by the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs which is formalised by the President, in whose name MPs are summoned to meet for a session. * India does not have a fixed parliamentary calendar. By convention (i.e. not provided by the Constitution), Parliament meets for three sessions in a year. * The longest, Budget Session (1st session), starts towards the end of January, and concludes by the end of April or first week of May. The session has a recess so that Parliamentary Committees can discuss the budgetary proposals. * The second session is the three-week Monsoon Session, which usually begins in July and finishes in August. * Winter Session (3rd session), is held from November to December. # Summoning of Parliament: * Summoning is the process of calling all members of the Parliament to meet. The President summons each House of the Parliament from time to time. The gap between two sessions of the Parliament cannot exceed 6 months, which means the Parliament meets at least two times in one year. # Adjournment: Adjournment terminates the sitting of the House which meets again at the time appointed for the next sitting. The postponement may be for a specified time such as hours, days or weeks. If the meeting is terminated without any definite time/ date fixed for the next meeting, it is called Adjournment sine die. # Prorogation: Prorogation is the end of a session. A prorogation puts an end to a session. The time between the Prorogation and reassembly is called Recess. Prorogation is the end of session and not the dissolution of the house (in case of Lok Sabha, as Rajya Sabha does not dissolve). # Quorum: Quorum refers to the minimum number of the members required to be present for conducting a meeting of the house. The Constitution has fixed one-tenth strength as quorum for both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Thus, to conduct a sitting of Lok Sabha, there should be at least 55 members present while to conduct a sitting of Rajya Sabha, there should be at least 25 members present.

Sessions of Parliament: * The summoning of Parliament is specified in Article 85 of the Constitution. * The power to convene a session of Parliament rests with the Government. The decision is taken by the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs which is formalised by the President, in whose name MPs are summoned to meet for a session. * India does not have a fixed parliamentary calendar. By convention (i.e. not provided by the Constitution), Parliament meets for three sessions in a year. * The longest, Budget Session (1st session), starts towards the end of January, and concludes by the end of April or first week of May. The session has a recess so that Parliamentary Committees can discuss the budgetary proposals. * The second session is the three-week Monsoon Session, which usually begins in July and finishes in August. * Winter Session (3rd session), is held from November to December. # Summoning of Parliament: * Summoning is the process of calling all members of the Parliament to meet. The President summons each House of the Parliament from time to time. The gap between two sessions of the Parliament cannot exceed 6 months, which means the Parliament meets at least two times in one year. # Adjournment: Adjournment terminates the sitting of the House which meets again at the time appointed for the next sitting. The postponement may be for a specified time such as hours, days or weeks. If the meeting is terminated without any definite time/ date fixed for the next meeting, it is called Adjournment sine die. # Prorogation: Prorogation is the end of a session. A prorogation puts an end to a session. The time between the Prorogation and reassembly is called Recess. Prorogation is the end of session and not the dissolution of the house (in case of Lok Sabha, as Rajya Sabha does not dissolve). # Quorum: Quorum refers to the minimum number of the members required to be present for conducting a meeting of the house. The Constitution has fixed one-tenth strength as quorum for both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Thus, to conduct a sitting of Lok Sabha, there should be at least 55 members present while to conduct a sitting of Rajya Sabha, there should be at least 25 members present.

 MUTATION * A mutation means a change in the genetic sequence of the virus. * In the case of SARS-CoV-2, which is an Ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus, a mutation means a change in the sequence in which its molecules are arranged. * A mutation in an RNA virus often happens when the virus makes a mistake while it is making copies of itself. # How do variants of a virus emerge and why? * Variants of a virus have one or more mutations that differentiate it from the other variants that are in circulation. * Essentially, the goal of the virus is to reach a stage where it can cohabitate with humans because it needs a host to survive. * Errors in the viral RNA are called mutations, and viruses with these mutations are called variants. Variants could differ by a single or many mutations. # Variant of Concern * Variant of Concern is one for which there is evidence of: An increase in transmissibility. More severe diseases that require hospitalisation or death. A significant reduction in neutralisation by antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination. Reduced effectiveness of treatments or vaccines, or diagnostic detection failures. * The new Variants could kick off new wave(s) of epidemic transmission. * The WHO currently lists 5 variants of concern: Omicron (B.1.1.529), identified in southern Africa in November 2021 Delta (B.1.617.2), which emerged in India in late 2020 and spread around the world Gamma (P.1), which emerged in Brazil in late 2020 Beta (B.1.351), which emerged in South Africa in early 2020 Alpha (B.1.1.7), which merged in Britain in late 2020.

OMICRON * The World Health Organisation (WHO) designated SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1529 as a ‘variant of concern’. * This variant of SARS-CoV-2 has been named as Omicron. * This variant was first detected in Botswana region of South Africa on November 24. * South Africa is witnessing sharp increase in covid-19 infection, coinciding with the detection of Omicron variant. *The newly detected variant has large number of mutations. Some of the mutations are concerning. * Preliminary evidence shows that, there is an increased risk of reinfection with the detection of this variant, as compared to other Variants of concerns. * This variant can be detected using SARS-CoV-2 PCR diagnostics, as of now. # How did the Omicron variant come from? * Viruses mutate all the time and SARS-CoV-2 is no exception. What is unusual is the very large number of mutations that the Omicron variant has accumulated. * This is likely a consequence of a chronic infection in an immunocompromised patient, such as one infected with HIV. A strong immune response can ultimately eliminate the virus. However, in a weakened immune system the virus will continue to multiply and mutate, changing its form to evade immune response. * Given this, prioritising the elderly and immunocompromised for a future additional dose would make sense. # Antibodies are the first line of defence against viral infection and mAbs are used in treatment. * Several of the mutations confer the virus resistance to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) such as etesevimab, bamlanivimab, casirivimab and their combinations.

The Black Sea, also known as the Euxine Sea, is located  between Eastern Europe and Western Asia. The Turkish straits system - the Dardanelles, Bosporus and Marmara Sea - forms a transitional zone between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. The Black Sea is also connected to the Sea of Azov by the Strait of Kerch. The bordering countries of Black Sea are: Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania.

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation)  * NATO is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 North American and European countries. * The organization implements the North Atlantic Treaty that was signed on 4 April 1949 * NATO’s purpose is to guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means. * POLITICAL – NATO promotes democratic values and enables members to consult and cooperate on defence and security-related issues to solve problems, build trust and, in the long run, prevent conflict. * MILITARY – NATO is committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes. If diplomatic efforts fail,  it has the military power to undertake crisis-management operations. These are carried out under the collective defence clause of NATO’s founding treaty – Article 5 of the Washington Treaty or under a United Nations mandate, alone or in cooperation with other countries and international organizations. * NATO constitutes a system of collective defence whereby its independent member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party. * NATO’s Headquarters are located in Evere, Brussels, Belgium, while the headquarters of Allied Command Operations is near Mons, Belgium. * Members:NATO has thirty members, mainly in Europe and North America. * The most recent member state to be added to NATO was North Macedonia on 27 March 2020. * All decisions of NATO are taken by consensus. # In June 2020, NATO recognised Ukraine as an Enhanced Opportunities Partner, along with Australia, Finland, Georgia, Jordan, and Sweden. This partnership aims to maintain and deepen cooperation between countries that have made significant contributions to the NATO-led missions and operations.