UPSC Daily Current Affairs | Prelim Bits 12-12-2024

Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024

Recently, the Rajya Sabha passed the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024.

• Oilfields Bill - The Bill amends the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948.
• Aim - To encourage domestic production of petroleum and other mineral oils, along with private investment in these sectors to reduce import dependence.
• The Act defines mineral oils to include petroleum and natural gas.
• The Bill expands the definition to include
  • Any naturally occurring hydrocarbon,
  • Coal bed methane, and
  • Shale gas/oil.
• It clarifies that mineral oils will not include coal, lignite, or helium.
• It draws a clear line between the law governing the mining of minerals defined under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and the Oilfields Act.
• Ministry - Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
• Other proposed changes - The regulation of coal and lignite is governed by the Mines and Minerals Act.
• Petroleum Lease – It replaced the references of mining leases.
• It is defined as a lease granted for prospecting, exploration, development, production, making merchantable, carrying away or disposing of mineral oils.
• Existing mining leases granted under the Act of 1948 continued to be valid.
• Rule-making power of central government – The Act empowers the central government to make Rules on several matters. 
• These include
  • Regulating the grant of leases,
  • Terms and conditions of leases including the minimum and the maximum area and the period of lease,
  • Conservation and development of mineral oils,
  • Methods forproducing oil, and
  • Manner of collection of royalties, fees, and taxes.
• It also empowers some powers continued to retain, includes
  • Merger and combination of petroleum leases,
  • Sharing of production and processing facilities,
  • Obligations of lessees towards protecting environment and reducing emissions,
  • Alternative mechanisms for resolving disputes in relation to the grant of petroleum leases.
• Punishment – The Act provides that violation of rules will be punishable with imprisonment up to 6 months, a fine of Rs 1,000, or both.
• The bill provides that violation of rules will be punishable, with a penalty of Rs 25 lakh.
• It adds the offenses such as,
  • Undertaking activities related to mineral oils such as exploring, prospecting, and production without a valid lease and
  • Non-payment of royalty.
• Continued violation of offences will attract a penalty of up to Rs.10 lakh per day.
• The central government will appoint an officer of the rank of Joint Secretary or above for adjudication of penalties.

References

1. The Indian Express| Oilfields Amendment   Bill, 2024
2. PRS| Oilfields Amendment Bill, 2024

Indian Rock Python

Recently, the Indian rock python species have declined across Tamilnadu, but they are being spotted with increasing frequency in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.

• It is a large-sized and non-venomous python species.
• It is also known as Black-tailed python and Asian rock python.
• It is a nocturnal, terrestrial creature, non-offensive, slow mover, good climber and swimmer.
• Scientific Name – Python molurus.
• It is one of the largest snake species found in peninsular India.
• Appearance – Large thick body with smooth scales, whitish or yellowish with blotched patterns varying from tan to dark brown shades.
• Triangular head with heat-sensitive pits on snout & vertical pupils and two streaks passing from eyes, arrow-shaped pattern on posterior of head.

• Size – Average length is 210-360cm (7 ft-12).

There are no records of Indian Rock Python attacking people in India according to the Wildlife Institute of India.

• Habitat – It is highly preferential to stay near water bodies, including Grasslands, savannas, swamps, marshes, rocky foothills, woodlands, open forests, rainforests, and river valleys.
• Distribution – Found in India, southern Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and in the north of Myanmar.
• Diet – It is a strict carnivore and feeds on mammals, large rodents, lizards, birds, amphibians, and reptiles.
• Breeding – Breeding season begins with winter months to mid-summer.
• Female lays up to 107 eggs.
• Threats
  • Habitat loss,
  • Collection for the pet trade,
  • Hunting for their skin which is highly valued in the leather trade,
  • Killed for food and of fear.
• Conservation Status
  • IUCN – Near Threatened (NT).
  • Wildlife Protection Act (1972) – Schedule 1.
• Other similar species
  • Common Sand Boa.
  • Russell's Viper.
  • Burmese Python.

References

1. The Hindu| Indian Rock Python
2. Animalia| Indian Rock Python
3. India Biodiversity| Indian Rock Python

Prime Minister's Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI)

PM-WANI framework is making significant strides in enhancing internet accessibility across India, with over 18.19 lakh unique users and 58.55 petabytes (PB) of data consumed.

• Aim - To accelerate the proliferation of internet services by setting up public Wi-Fi Hotspots
• Under the PM-WANI framework, Public Data Offices (PDOs) establish, operate, and maintain WANI-compliant Wi-Fi Hotspots.
• It is based on their techno-commercial considerations and deliver internet services to subscribers.
• PDOs need to partner with a Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA) to deliver internet services.
• Launched by - Department of Telecommunication in December 2020.
• The scheme encourages local shops and establishments to provide Wi-Fi for last-mile internet delivery which does not require a license or charge a registration fee.
• Accessibility – To access public hotspots under PM-WANI scheme one needs to download a relevant App that shows the available networks.
• The user can then choose from a list of available connections and make a payment to use the network.
• The user can access the network till his/her balance is exhausted.
• PM-WANI ecosystem consists of 4 parts
  • Public Data Office (PDO)
  • Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA)
  • App Provider
  • Central Registry
• The central registry overseen by the Centre for Development of Telematics maintains details of App Providers, PDOs and PDOAs.
• Benefits – WANI Wi-Fi architecture can lead to enhanced internet penetration which could lead to an increase in gross domestic product.
• It can scale up internet access in rural areas, thereby narrowing the digital divide.
• Can generate jobs in small- and medium-scale sectors.
• Could provide affordable internet access to the mass underserved section of society and help boost digital India.

Reference

PIB | Prime Minister's Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI)

India Skills Report 2025 (ISR 2025)

Recently, the India Skills Report 2025 stated that Kerala ranked 5^th among the top States, maintaining a strong employability rate of 71%.

• It is based on data from over 6.5 lakh candidates who participated in the Global Employability Test (G.E.T.) across India and select regions globally.
• Prepared by - Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) in association with Wheebox, a Talent assessment agency, and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

Report Findings

• Employability among Indian graduates has seen a steady rise, reaching 54.81%.
• Over 50% of Indian graduates are now employable, an increase from 33% a decade ago.
• Increasing Fields - Management graduates (78%) have the highest global employability, followed by engineering students (71.5%), MCA students (71%), and science graduates (58%).
• Top states
  • Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi are emerging as major hubs for employable talent while
  • Cities such as Pune, Bengaluru and Mumbai are leading the way in providing a skilled workforce.
• Gender analysis shows that the employability rate for men is expected to rise to 53.5% in 2025 from 51.8% in 2024.
• Meanwhile, for women the employability rate is projected to decline to 47.5% from 50.9% during the same time period.
• It also found that nearly 93% of the students expressed strong interest in internships.

References

1. The Hindu| India Skills Report 2025
2. Wheebox| India Skills Report 2025

Diamond Battery

Scientists and engineers from UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) have created a Diamond Battery with the potential to power devices for thousands of years.

• Carbon-14
  • It is a radioactive isotope of carbon, which has a half-life of 5,700 years meaning the battery will still retain half of its power even after thousands of years.
  • Carbon-14 emits a short-range radiation, which is quickly absorbed by any solid material.
• Diamond Battery - The diamond battery is the world’s first carbon-14 diamond battery.
• The prototype batteries are 10mm x 10mm with a thickness of up to 0.5mm.
• The battery is safely held within a diamond, the hardest substance known to humankind, no short-range radiation can escape.
• It functions similarly to solar panels but instead of using light particles, it captures fast-moving electrons from within the diamond structure.
• Uses - It is used in extreme environments, both in space and on earth where it isn’t practical to replace conventional batteries.
• It can support a whole range of important applications from space technologies and security devices to medical devices like ocular implants, hearing aids, and pacemakers.
• It also used in the future, in everyday electronic devices or watches.
• The battery also provides a safe way of dealing with nuclear waste.

Reference

BBC| Diamond Battery