Current Affair 1:

Deepfakes

 

 

 

Recently, users of social media platform named “4chan” used the features of “speech synthesis” and “voice cloning” and replicated the voice deepfakes of celebrities to make racist, abusive, and violent comments.

Deepfakes

Deepfakes refer to digital content such as video, audio and images which are edited, altered and manipulated using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. Deepfakes are artificial images and audio that are often put together using machine-learning algorithms and are used to spread misinformation and replicate a person’s appearance, voice, etc.  The main machine learning methods used to create deepfakes are based on deep learning and involve training generative neural network architectures, such as auto encoders or generative adversarial networks (GANs).

 

 

 

Deepfake technology is now being used for nefarious purposes like scams and hoaxes, celebrity pornography, election manipulation, social engineering, automated disinformation attacks, identity theft and financial fraud etc.Deepfake technology has been used to impersonate notable personalities like former U.S. Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, etc.

How Deepfakes Work?

 

 

A Deepfake video seems like original content having the person doing some kind of action or speaking on a topic. And while creating such fake videos, multiple images of the targeted person from different angles are superimposed on the original face. The developers of deepfake software typically use GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks). GAN consists of two neural networks – the generator that creates fake media and the discriminator that determines whether the media is fake or real. Every time the discriminator correctly recognises the content as being fake, it gives the generator important insights into how to make the next deep fakes better.

Deepfake generation techniques usually require many images and videos of the targets. High-profile persons like celebrities, and political leaders become easy targets because of the large data sets available on the internet. Thus, deep fakes can seriously harm the reputation of any high-profile person.

 

 

Why is there a need for legislation?l

Currently, very few provisions under the Indian Penal Code (defamation) and the Information Technology Act, 2000 (punish sexually explicit material) can be potentially invoked to deal with the malicious use of deepfakes.

Section 500 of the IPC provides punishment for defamation. Sections 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act punish sexually explicit material in explicit form.

The Representation of the People Act, 1951, includes provisions prohibiting the creation or distribution of false or misleading information about candidates or political parties during an election period.

The Election Commission of India has set rules that require registered political parties and candidates to get pre-approval for all political advertisements on electronic media, including TV and social media sites, to help ensure their accuracy and fairness.

All of the aforementioned are insufficient to adequately address the various issues that have arisen due to AI algorithms, like the potential threats posed by deepfake content.

 

Current Affair 2:

Euthanasia

 

The constitution bench has prescribed new modifications in advance medical directives and passive euthanasia.

In 2018, Supreme Court (SC) granted legal status to the concept of ‘advance medical directives’ and allowed passive euthanasia (subject to certain conditions).  It was seen as an important decision in terms of both the patient’s autonomy over end-of-life decisions and the right to a dignified death. It was later suggested by doctors that some specific conditions turned out to be “insurmountable obstacles”.

What is Euthanasia?

The phrase “euthanasia” was coined by Sir Francis Bacon. It is also called as ‘mercy killing’. The term “Euthanasia” has been derived from the two Greek words ‘eu’ and ‘thanotos’, which literally means ‘good death’. Euthanasia is the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering (provided motive should be good & death must be painless as much as possible)                                                     

“A deliberate intervention was undertaken with the express intention of ending a life, to relieve

 intractable suffering.” – British House of Lords Select Committee on Medical Ethics.

 

 

Active Euthanasia: It is also known as ‘Positive Euthanasia’ or ‘Aggressive Euthanasia’. It refers to causing intentional death of a human being by direct intervention. It is a direct action performed to end useless life and a meaningless existence.

For example, by giving lethal doses of a drug or by giving a lethal injection. Active euthanasia is usually a quicker means of causing death and all forms of active euthanasia are illegal.

Passive Euthanasia: It is also known as ‘Negative Euthanasia’ or ‘Non-Aggressive Euthanasia’. It is intentionally causing death by not providing essential, necessary and ordinary care or food and water.

It implies discontinuing, withdrawing or removing artificial life support systems.

Passive euthanasia is usually slower and more uncomfortable than active. Most forms of voluntary, passive and some instances of non-voluntary, passive euthanasia are legal.

 

 

 

Different Countries with Euthanasia:

Netherland, Luxembourg, Belgium allows both euthanasia and assisted suicide for anyone who faces “unbearable suffering” that has no chance of improvement. Switzerland bans euthanasia but allows assisted dying in the presence of a doctor or physician. Canada had announced that euthanasia and assisted dying would be allowed for mentally ill patients by March 2023; however, the decision has been widely criticised, and the move may be delayed. United States has different laws in different states. Euthanasia is allowed in some states like Washington, Oregon, and Montana.

 

Current Affair 3:

INS VIKRANT

 

 

The naval version of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas landed on INS Vikrant, which is an indigenous aircraft carrier, marking the maiden landing of a fixed-wing aircraft on INS Vikrant. INS Vikrant was commissioned into the Indian Navy in September 2022. The indigenous aircraft carrier uses a short take-off but arrested recovery (STOBAR) model for launching aircraft.

What is the Significance of INS Vikrant in India’s Maritime Security?

Vikrant (which means courageous) is named after India's first aircraft carrier, bought from the UK and commissioned in 1961.

 

 

The first INS Vikrant was a major symbol of national pride and played an important role in several military operations including the 1971 Indo-Pak War before being decommissioned in 1997. Now India’s first homemade aircraft carrier will carry the name of her illustrious predecessor.

After its induction, the warship will be a key component of the Indian Navy’s push to establish itself as a blue water force, one with the ability to project its power on distant seas.

It is especially important amid India’s bid to be a net security provider in the Indian Ocean region where it faces China, whose navy is focused on aircraft carriers and has already inducted two vessels.

With the commissioning of INS Vikrant, India will have two operational aircraft carriers ( the other one is INS Vikramaditya) , which will bolster the maritime security of the nation.

Current Affair 4:

Energy sector

 

Inaugurating the India Energy Week (IEW), 2023 in Bengaluru, the Indian Prime Minister (PM) said that the demand for energy in India has grown significantly which offers opportunities for companies to invest and collaborate with energy firms. IEW 2023 is said to be India’s first comprehensive energy event that covers the entire value chain in the year of the G20 presidency. IEW 2023 is designed to ensure energy security, affordability and accessibility.

The PM further added that the country’s energy demand has increased significantly and is expected to reach 11% of the global demand in the coming years as compared to 5% at present. The PM also said that the government had allocated ₹1 lakh crore for green hydrogen under the National Green Hydrogen Mission which would help India to replace the use of grey hydrogen.

The Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas also said that India’s energy landscape has undergone significant transformation and the government is prepared to play a catalyst in accommodating the latest developments and adoption of low-carbon options such as biofuels, electric vehicles, and green hydrogen.

What are the Government’s Achievements in the Energy Sector?

The target of supplying petrol mixed with 10% ethanol (10% ethanol, 90% petrol) was achieved in June 2022, ahead of the original schedule of November 2022. Encouraged by the success, the government advanced the target of making petrol with 20% ethanol by five years to 2025.

As of March 2021, 2.82 crore households have been electrified under Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, “Saubhagya”.

By June, 2022, over 36.86 crore LED bulbs, 72.18 lakh LED tube lights and 23.59 lakh energy-efficient fans have been distributed across the country, saving around 48,411 million kWh per year and Rs. 19,332 crores in cost savings.

As of June 2022, over 44 lakh smart metres have been deployed under the National Smart Grid Mission (NSGM), with a further 67 lakhs to be deployed.

Solar tariffs in India have reduced from Rs. 7.36/kWh (US 10 cents/kWh) in FY15 to Rs. 2.45/kWh (US 3.2 cents/kWh) in July 2021.

India’s rank jumped to 22 in 2019 from 137 in 2014 on World Bank’s Ease of doing business - "Getting Electricity" ranking.

 

Current Affair 5:

Rann of Kutch

 

The first G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting recently held in Kutch region of Gujarat.

It is a large area of salt marshes that span the border between India and Pakistan. It is located mostly in the Kutch district of Gujarat, with a minor portion extending into the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is divided into the Great Rann and Little Rann.

The Great Rann of Kutch is the larger portion of the Rann.

It extends east and west, with the Thar Desert to the north and the low hills of Kutch to the south. The Indus River Delta lies to the west in southern Pakistan. The Little Rann of Kutch lies southeast of the Great Rann, and extends southwards to the Gulf of Kutch.

 

The climate of the ecoregion is

Temperatures average 44 °C during the hot summer months, and can reach highs of 50 °C. During the winter the temperature can drop to or below freezing.

 

The Rann of Kutch is the only large flooded grasslands zone in the Indomalayan realm.The Indo Malayan realm is one of the eight biogeographic realms. It extends across most of South and Southeast Asia and into the southern parts of East Asia.

 

The Little Rann of Kutch is home to the Indian wild ass (khur).

The area has desert on one side and the sea on the other enables various ecosystems, including mangroves and desert vegetation.

The history of the Rann of Kutch began with early neolithic settlements. It was later inhabited by the Indus Valley civilization as well as the Maurya and Gupta empires of India.

 

The Rann has been populated since the Bronze Age. The Indus valley civilization had many settlements in the Rann of Kachchh. Dholavira, more than 245 acres (100 hectares) in area, is the largest Indus valley site in the region. Excavations at Dholavira have revealed three distinct sections of the township—a citadel, a middle town, and a lower town. Evidence of hydro-engineering and water harvesting has been found, with check dams, reservoirs, and stormwater channels allowing the town to harness two rain-fed streams. Water management structures took up 10 percent of the total area. A gradient of about 43 feet (13 metres) between high and low areas helped set up cascading reservoirs. Dholavira is believed to have been a port, and two circular structures that have been found there are hypothesized to have been used for solar astronomy.

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