Daily Current Affairs 23 March 2024 from IAS Current Affairs, we all understand the critical role current affairs play in shaping your competitive edge. In today’s dynamic world, staying informed is not just an advantage, it’s a necessity for success. Whether you’re gearing up for government exams or any competitive assessment, our platform is designed to provide you with the most relevant, up-to-date, and comprehensive information to fuel your preparation journey.

Daily Current Affairs 23 March 2024 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective.

Online Betting And Gambling

Source: PIB
GS II:  Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Highlights of Guidelines
3. Online Gambling Game in India
4. How is India regulating online Gambling Game?

Why in the News?

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has today advised all endorsers and influencers on social media to refrain from promoting or advertising, including surrogate advertisements, of offshore online betting and gambling platforms

News in Brief

• These advertisements have significant financial and socio-economic implications of online betting and gambling on consumers, particularly the youth.
• The Ministry has further advised the online advertisement intermediaries not to target such promotional content towards the Indian audience.
• Social media intermediaries have also been advised to conduct sensitization efforts among their users to refrain from publishing such content.

Highlights of Guidelines

• The guidelines prohibit the endorsement and advertisement of activities prohibited by law, including betting or gambling, and caution that any such endorsements or advertisements will be subject to rigorous scrutiny.
• Socio-economic implications: The Ministry has said that these advertisements have significant financial and socio-economic implications of online betting and gambling on consumers, particularly the youth.
• Social media intermediaries have also been advised to conduct sensitization efforts among their users to refrain from publishing such content.
• Penalty: The advisory cautions that failure to comply with it may lead to proceedings under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 including removal or disabling of social media posts or accounts and penal action under the applicable statutes.
• These guidelines apply to all advertisements regardless of the medium and are aimed at protecting consumers, particularly the youth, from the potential harms associated with illegal betting and gambling.

Online Gambling Game in India

• Online gambling in India is a topic that encompasses a wide range of games and activities, including casino games, sports betting, poker, and more.
• The legal status of online gambling in India is complex and subject to interpretation, as gambling laws vary by state and are influenced by outdated statutes like the Public Gambling Act of 1867, which does not specifically address online gambling.
• However, despite the legal ambiguity, online gambling has seen significant growth in India due to the widespread availability of internet access and the popularity of smartphones. V
• Various international and domestic operators offer online gambling platforms, attracting millions of users across the country.

Key Facts

• Legal Ambiguity: The legal status of online gambling in India is ambiguous, with no clear federal regulations specifically addressing online gambling.
• State Regulations: While some states have outright banned gambling, others have enacted laws that allow certain forms of gambling, such as lotteries or horse racing betting.
• Growing Market: Despite legal uncertainties, the online gambling market in India is estimated to be worth billions of dollars annually and is expected to continue growing.
• Popular Games: Common online gambling games in India include sports betting on cricket and other sports, online casinos offering slots and table games, and poker.
• Youth Engagement: Online gambling has particularly appealed to the younger generation in India, who are tech-savvy and eager to explore new forms of entertainment.

How is India regulating online Gambling Game?

• Public Gambling Act of 1867: This is a central law that prohibits gambling in public places. However, it does not explicitly mention online gambling.
• Prize Competition Act of 1955: This law prohibits prize competitions where the winnings are more than Rs. 1,000.
• Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021: This law regulates online intermediaries, including online gaming platforms.

Way Forward

• Regulatory Framework: There is a need for clear and updated regulations governing online gambling in India, taking into account technological advancements and societal concerns.
• Responsible Gambling Measures: Operators should implement responsible gambling measures to protect players, including age verification, self-exclusion options, and resources for problem gambling support.
• Public Awareness: Educating the public about the risks and benefits of online gambling can help individuals make informed decisions and seek help when needed.
• International Cooperation: Collaboration with international regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders can provide valuable insights and best practices for regulating online gambling effectively.

Fact Check Unit of PIB

Source: PIB
GS II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Fact Check Unit of PIB
3. Supreme Court’s Stay on Govt’s Fact Check Unit

Why in the News?

Government of India today notified Fact Check Unit (FCU) under the Press Information Bureau (PIB) of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) as the fact check unit of the Central Government.

News in Brief

• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) notified the PIB FCU under the provisions of sub-clause (v) of sub-rule (1) of rule 3 of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
• MIB and MeitY have been working closely on the subject to address the challenge of fake news, especially on social media.

Fact Check Unit of PIB

• The Fact Check Unit under PIB was established in November 2019 with the stated objective of acting as a deterrent to creators and disseminators of fake news and misinformation.
• It also provides people with an easy avenue to report suspicious and questionable information about the Government of India.
• FCU is mandated to counter misinformation on Government policies, initiatives and schemes either suo motu or under a reference via complaints.
• The FCU actively monitors, detects, and counters disinformation campaigns, ensuring that false information about the Government is promptly exposed and corrected.
• The PIB Fact Check Unit has also taken measures to ensure the accessibility of the fact-checks to persons with disabilities

Supreme Court’s Stay on Govt’s Fact Check Unit

• What was the argument of the petitioner?
  • The petitioners argues that FCU could potentially be misused by the government to control information available to voters, impacting free speech.
• What is the government’s stand?
  • It would be limited to government business and would not include criticism of the prime minister.
• Verdict
  • The court recognized the potential impact of the Fact-Checking Unit on free speech guaranteed by the Constitution of India.
  • It was delivered by the Bombay High Court about the validity of Rule 3(1)(b)(5) of IT rules 2021, with one judge striking down the rules and another upholding them, a third judge’s decision is pending.
  • The Supreme Court stayed the FCU operation until Bombay High Court arrives at a final decision on the challenge to the amended IT rules.
• What will be the impact?
  • Bombay High Court case would affect the legality of similar FCUs in other states (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Uttarakhand)

Pushpak Reusable Launch Vehicle

Source: Economic Times
GS III: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About Pushpak
3. Chitradurga Aeronautical Test Range

Why in the News?

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has reached a significant milestone in reusable launch vehicle technology with the successful landing experiment of the RLV LEX-02.

News in Brief

• The experiment was conducted at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, Karnataka.
• It marks a crucial step forward in the development of reusable launch vehicles (RLVs).
• Building upon the success of the RLV-LEX-01 mission last year, the RLV-LEX-02 experiment involved more challenging manoeuvres and dispersions, requiring the vehicle to correct both cross-range and downrange deviations before landing autonomously on the runway.

About Pushpak

• Also known as, RLV-TD or Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Demonstrator.
• It is India’s first uncrewed flying testbed developed for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s RLV Technology Demonstration Programme started in 2012.
• It is a scaled-down prototype of an eventual two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) reusable launch vehicle.
• The RLV-TD was developed with the objective to test various aspects
  • Hypersonic flight
  • Autoland
  • Powered cruise flight
  • Hypersonic flight using the air-breathing engine propulsion
  • Hypersonic Experiment
• Two RLV TD experiments
  • Reusable Launch Vehicle Hypersonic Flight Experiment or RLV HEX was the first test flight in the RLV Technology Demonstration Programme.
  • The Reusable Launch Vehicle Landing Experiment or RLV-LEX was the second test flight.

Reusable Launch Vehicle Hypersonic Flight Experiment or RLV HEX

• HEX was successfully conducted on 23 May 2016.
• RLV-TD consists of a fuselage (body), a nose cap, double delta wings and twin vertical rudders.
• Objectives
  • Validating the aerodynamic design characteristics during hypersonic flight
  • Characterize induced loads during the hypersonic descent through the atmosphere
  • Assess the performance of the carbon fibre used in construction of the nose of the vehicle
  • Demonstrate first stage separation sequencing

Reusable Launch Vehicle Landing Experiment or RLV-LEX

• RLV-LEX-01
  • Successfully conducted on 2 April 2023 at the Chitradurga Aeronautical Test Range.
  • Objectives: (i)Simulating the exact conditions of a Space Re-entry vehicle’s landing – high speed, unmanned, autonomous, precise landing from the same return path (ii) Validating the landing parameters such as the ground relative velocity, the sinking rate of landing gears and precise body rates as might be experienced by an orbital re-entry space vehicle on its return path.
• RLV-LEX-02
  • Conducted at Chitradurga Aeronautical Test Range on 22 March 2024.
  • The vehicle used its nosewheel steering system, landing gear brakes, and drogue parachute to help it come to a precise halt.

What are the upcoming Experiments?

Two more experiments are planned by ISRO

1. OREX (Orbital Return Flight Experiment)
   • The OREX will launch on a GSLV mk.II rocket
2. SPEX (Scramjet Propulsion Experiment)

Gulaal Gota

Source: Indian Express
GS I: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times

Overview

1. About Gulaal Gota
2. Key Facts

Why in the News?

In some parts of Rajasthan’s Jaipur, an old tradition will play out where colours will be thrown through a unique medium called the Gulaal Gota

About Gulaal Gota

• “Gulaal Gota” likely refers to the cultural festival of “Gulaal” celebrated in Rajasthan.
• Particularly during the spring festival of Holi.
• Holi is a vibrant and colorful festival celebrated across India, and in Rajasthan, it holds special significance with unique traditions and rituals.
• It is dating back around 400 years.

Key Facts

• Holi Celebration: Holi, known as the festival of colors, marks the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor across India.
• Rajasthani Tradition: In Rajasthan, Holi celebrations are especially grand and colorful, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the state. The festival often extends over several days, with each day having its own significance and rituals.
• Gulaal: Gulaal refers to the colored powders that are traditionally used during Holi to playfully smear and throw at each other. These vibrant colors symbolize joy, love, and the arrival of spring.
• Gota: “Gota” typically refers to decorative elements or embellishments made from gold or silver threads, often used in traditional Rajasthani clothing and accessories.
• Cultural Festivities: During the Gulaal Gota festival in Rajasthan, locals and tourists alike gather to participate in various cultural activities, including singing, dancing, folk performances, and the playful throwing of colored powders.
• Tourist Attractions: The colorful and exuberant celebrations of Holi in Rajasthan, particularly in cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jodhpur, attract tourists from around the world who wish to experience the vibrant culture and traditions of the region.

Prelims

Netravati River

• It rises between Kudremukh and Ballalaryan Durga in the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka.
• It flows generally in a North-South direction up to Gohattu, where it takes a turn towards the West and thereafter flows in an East-West direction up to its outfall into the Arabian Sea near Mangalore.
• The Kumaradhara, a major left-bank tributary joins near the village Uppinangadi.
• The climate of the basin is characterized by heavy rainfall, high humidity and oppressive weather in the hot season.

Signals Technology Evaluation and Adaptation Group

• STEAG is a unit dedicated to researching and evaluating futuristic communication technologies.
• These technologies 6G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning and quantum computing for military applications.
• Nurture technologies across wired and wireless systems, covering a wide spectrum of domains including electronic exchanges, mobile communications.
• It will help bridge the divide between the armed forces on the one hand and industry.
• It is with the tenets of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Start-Up India.

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Today’s Current Affairs content covers a diverse range of topics, from Indian Culture, Science & Technology, Development Studies and Governance, meticulously crafted to align with the syllabi of various examinations. Join our community of aspirants and embark on a journey of knowledge, growth, and success with IAS Current Affairs. Let’s stay ahead together in the ever-evolving landscape of competitive examinations!!!