From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Evolution theories
Mains level: Darwin’s theory of evolution, exclusion form school textbooks and concerns
Central Idea
The recent exclusion of Darwin’s theory of evolution from Indian school and college curricula has prompted concerns among scientists and educators, as it is one of the most firmly established theories in science that explains the origin of all forms of life and rescues the explanation from the belief in an intelligent designer.
What is Darwin’s theory of evolution?
Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution is one of the most influential scientific theories ever proposed. The main ideas behind Darwin’s theory of evolution include:
Variation: Within a population, there is variation in traits among individuals.
Inheritance: Some of these traits are passed on from parents to offspring.
Overproduction: Most populations produce more offspring than can survive to maturity.
Natural selection: Individuals with traits that are advantageous for survival and reproduction in their particular environment are more likely to survive and pass on their traits to their offspring, while those with less advantageous traits are less likely to survive and reproduce.
Adaptation: Over time, the frequency of advantageous traits in a population will increase, resulting in a better match between the organisms and their environment, known as adaptation.
Commondescent: All living organisms share a common ancestor that lived in the distant past.
Facts for prelims: Scientists and theories
Scientist
Theory
Key Points
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
Theory of Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics
Organisms change and evolve during their lifetimes based on the environmental needs, and these changes can be passed on to their offspring. For example, giraffes developed longer necks by stretching their necks to reach higher branches, and these longer necks were passed on to their offspring.
Thomas Malthus
Theory of Population
Populations tend to increase faster than the food supply, leading to competition for resources. Only the individuals with advantageous traits survive, while others perish. This concept of “survival of the fittest” became an important part of Darwin’s theory.
Charles Darwin
Theory of Natural Selection
Organisms with advantageous traits have a greater chance of surviving and reproducing, passing on those traits to their offspring. Over time, this leads to the development of new species through the process of speciation. Darwin’s theory also emphasized the importance of variation, competition, and adaptation in the evolutionary process.
Alfred Russel Wallace
Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection
Similar to Darwin’s theory, Wallace’s theory emphasized the role of natural selection in the development of new species. However, Wallace also proposed that natural selection could result in the divergence of species into separate branches, which could eventually become new genera or families.
Hugo de Vries
Mutation Theory
Mutations, or sudden genetic changes, are the driving force behind evolution rather than gradual changes over time. De Vries also proposed the concept of “species-polymerism”, where multiple species could arise from a single ancestral species through mutations.
Stephen Jay Gould
Theory of Punctuated Equilibrium
Evolutionary change occurs in rapid bursts (punctuations) followed by long periods of stability (equilibrium). This theory challenges the traditional view of evolution as a slow, gradual process. Gould also emphasized the role of contingency or chance events in shaping evolutionary history.
Why must students and teachers in school concern themselves with Darwin’s theory?
Understanding the origin of human beings and other forms of life: Darwin’s theory of evolution is one of the most firmly established theories in science that explains the origin of human beings and all other forms of life in the world.
Challenging the belief in an intelligent designer: Darwin’s theory rescues the explanation of the origin of life from the belief that an ‘intelligent designer’ (read: god) built them the way they are and put them in their place.
Encouraging critical inquiry and embracing critique: The teaching of Darwin’s theory offers possibilities of confronting science’s own troubled history and requires caution alongside curiosity, creativity and imagination.
Understanding the historical and contemporary world of science: The teaching of Darwin’s theory can help students understand that science is rarely the story of a lone man, and it is shaped by the social and cultural beliefs of its times.
Enhancing scientific literacy: Understanding Darwin’s theory of evolution is crucial for enhancing scientific literacy, as it is an essential component of biology and a cornerstone of modern science.
Lack of transitional fossils: Some critics argue that there is a lack of transitional fossils, which are intermediate forms of species between ancestral and descendant forms. They claim that the absence of such fossils undermines the validity of the theory of evolution.
Incomplete explanation of variation: While Darwin’s theory of natural selection explains how variation arises in a population, it does not fully explain the source of the variation. Some critics argue that the theory does not account for genetic mutations or other mechanisms that can generate variation.
Lack of empirical evidence for macroevolution: While the theory of evolution is well-supported by empirical evidence for microevolution (small-scale changes within a species), critics argue that there is insufficient empirical evidence to support macroevolution (large-scale changes between species).
The origin of life: Critics argue that Darwin’s theory does not explain how life originated in the first place.
Complexity of living organisms: Critics argue that the complexity of living organisms cannot be explained solely by natural selection and that there must be some other explanation for the diversity and complexity of life.
Conclusion
Science is a messy affair that requires caution alongside curiosity, creativity, and imagination. The teaching of Darwin’s theory must offer possibilities of confrontation without underplaying its strengths. While Darwin must remain in our textbooks, the way it is taught must change to include other influences that have shaped the theory and the consequent use of the theory by others and himself.
Mains Question
Q. What is Darwin’s theory of evolution? As the theory is being dropped from the school textbooks, discuss why must students and teachers in school concern themselves with Darwin’s theory?
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Vande Bharat, Railways related updates
Mains level: Indian railways performance, challenges and way ahead
Central Idea
The Indian Railways has been in the news lately, with the launch of Vande Bharat trains and their successive introduction in different parts of the country. However, amid the publicity surrounding these new trains, the larger picture and serious issues confronting the Indian Railways are being overlooked. This article aims to evaluate the performance of the Indian Railways, especially in the freight and passenger sectors, and highlights the need for more relevant metrics.
Facts for prelims: Vande Bharat Express
Vande Bharat Express
Vande Bharat Express, also known as Train 18, is a semi-high-speed, fully air-conditioned train in India that runs on electric traction. It is named after the country’s national slogan “Vande Mataram” and was designed and manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, India.
The train is equipped with modern amenities such as Wi-Fi, an infotainment system, and a GPS-based passenger information system, among others.
It has a maximum speed of 180 km/h and is considered to be one of the fastest trains in India.
It is designed to be an energy-efficient and eco-friendly train, and is expected to provide a comfortable and safe travel experience to passengers.
Performance and prospect of the Indian Railways, especially in the freight and passenger sectors
Investment in Indian Railways: Since the merger of the Railway Budget with the General Budget in 2017, there has been a shift towards ramping up investments in the Indian Railways. The Annual Plan outlay for the Railways has increased from ₹1,09,935 crore in 2016-17 to ₹2,60,200 crore in the Budget for 2023-24, an increase of 137%. While this unprecedented level of investment is welcome, it must translate into concrete progress towards capacity building, and not just be limited to inputs.
Freight Sector:
Rail share of freight traffic: The National Rail Plan 2030 (NRP) aims to raise the rail share in freight traffic vis-à-vis roadways from 27% to 45% by 2050. However, the rail share of freight carried reduced from 51.5% in 2008-09 to 32.4% in 2018-19 for leads over 300 km.
Commodity diversification: Almost the entire increase in volume of traffic carried by rail over the decade 2008-09 to 2018-19 has been in short lead traffic (leads up to 300 km) and 55% of the increase was through the transport of just one commodity, viz. coal. As yet, there is no evidence of higher levels of traffic being achieved concurrently with diversification of commodities carried or an increase in rail share vis-à-vis road transport.
Average speed of goods trains: The NRP aims to raise the average speed of goods trains to 50 kilometres per hour from the present 25 kmph, which is expected to increase efficiency and reduce transportation costs.
Tariff rates for freight: The NRP also calls for a concurrent reduction in tariff rates for freight by up to 30%.
Passenger Sector: Punctuality is a crucial operational index for passenger trains. While published statistics of punctuality usually are above 90%, these figures are arrived at with a dose of adjustment and only the destination arrival time is considered irrespective of the fact that a train might have been off schedule en route at all the important intermediate stations. The Indian Railways should aim to be at least within five minutes (without any adjustment) of the scheduled time.
Facts for prelims (Conceptual): Whyfreight trains are switching to aluminium wagons?
Consume less energy and reduce carbon emissions: Aluminium trains consume less energy and the metal is recyclable. It is estimated that switching to aluminium will save 1,500 tonnes of carbon emissions a year.
Lighter as compared to steel: They are lighter by up to 30% compared to stainless steel coaches. These coaches, being lighter than stainless steel ones, are preferred for higher speed systems.
Less time to manufacture: Aluminium trains take less time to manufacture and thus can help speed up capacity for production.
Low haulage cost and high payload capacity: They offer low haulage cost and higher payload, better fuel efficiency and lower pollution levels.
Expected to improve freight transportation: The new metal trains will help the Railways hike its share in overall freight transportation from the current 18%.
Need for an annual report
Report on the lines of the annual Economic Survey: Government should consider tabling an annual report on the performance of the Railways in Parliament on the lines of the annual Economic Survey prepared by the Finance Ministry ahead of the General Budget.
Not just for publicity pamphlet but a resource for policymakers: This report, unlike a publicity pamphlet like the Indian Railways Year Book, should be an internal performance audit that should serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, serious students and also researchers in the field of rail transport.
International standards in punctuality: If stations in the Indian Railways network can be remodelled to international standards, perhaps it is time to aim for international standards in punctuality of trains as well.
Evolve an index of punctuality: It is high time to move away from the traditional concept of destination punctuality and evolve an index of punctuality that will also reflect the punctuality at select intermediate stations, at least for all mail/express trains.
Passenger experience: The focus should be to improve overall passenger experience, not merely statistics.
Other areas for assessment: There are several other areas that need critical analysis, such as financial performance, physical performance, safety, organizational/human resource issues, project execution, customer relations, and the effect of the dedicated freight corridors on the Indian Railways system capacity.
Conclusion
The Indian Railways is the prime transporter and the largest public undertaking in the country, and it is crucial that its performance is evaluated using relevant metrics. While the introduction of Vande Bharat trains is a success story, it must not be the only focus. The focus should be on improving overall passenger experience and performance in the freight sector, and not merely on statistics.
Mains Question
Q. The consecutive introduction of Vande Bharat trains is a success story so far. In this backdrop Evaluate the performance of Indian railways and suggest measures to further improve the passenger experience.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Eco-sensitive buffer Zones (ESZs)
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central idea
The Supreme Court modified its judgment on mandatory eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) around protected forests, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries across the country.
The court has now made it clear that ESZs cannot be uniform across the country and has to be “protected area-specific.”
What are the Eco-sensitive Zones (ESZs)?
Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) or Ecologically Fragile Areas (EFAs) are areas notified by the MoEFCC around Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
The purpose of declaring ESZs is to create some kind of “shock absorbers” to the protected areas by regulating and managing the activities around such areas.
They also act as a transition zone from areas of high protection to areas involving lesser protection.
How are they demarcated?
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 does NOT mention the word “Eco-Sensitive Zones”.
However, Section 3(2)(v) of the Act, says that Central Government can restrict areas in which any industries, operations or processes or class of industries, operations or processes shall be carried out or shall not, subject to certain safeguards.
Besides Rule 5(1) of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 states that central government can prohibit or restrict the location of industries and carrying on certain operations or processes on the basis of certain considerations.
The same criteria have been used by the government to declare No Development Zones (NDZs).
Defining its boundaries
An ESZ could go up to 10 kilometres around a protected area as provided in the Wildlife Conservation Strategy, 2002.
Moreover, in the case where sensitive corridors, connectivity and ecologically important patches, crucial for landscape linkage, are beyond 10 km width, these should be included in the ESZs.
Further, even in the context of a particular Protected Area, the distribution of an area of ESZ and the extent of regulation may not be uniform all around and it could be of variable width and extent.
Activities Permitted and Prohibited
Permitted: Ongoing agricultural or horticultural practices, rainwater harvesting, organic farming, use of renewable energy sources, and adoption of green technology for all activities.
Prohibited: Commercial mining, saw mills, industries causing pollution (air, water, soil, noise etc), the establishment of major hydroelectric projects (HEP), commercial use of wood, Tourism activities like hot-air balloons over the National Park, discharge of effluents or any solid waste or production of hazardous substances.
Under regulation: Felling of trees, the establishment of hotels and resorts, commercial use of natural water, erection of electrical cables, drastic change of agriculture system, e.g. adoption of heavy technology, pesticides etc, widening of roads.
What was the recent SC judgment?
On June 3, 2022, the apex court had ordered a 1-km buffer zone for protected areas to act as a “shock absorber.”
However, the Centre and several states, including Kerala, had returned to the apex court seeking modification of the judgment, saying the direction affected hundreds of villages in the peripheries of forests.
Impact of the Judgment
Earlier judgement would have certainly hampered the day-to-day activities of the citizens residing in ESZs.
It would also prevent villagers from reconstructing their houses, the government from constructing schools, dispensaries, anganwadis, and other basic structures for the improvement of the life of the villagers.
The court also noted that it would be impossible for forest departments to conduct eco-development activities around national parks and sanctuaries.
Try this PYQ
With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
The purpose of the declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones is to prohibit all kinds of human activities, in those zones except agriculture.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Bills/Act/Laws | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: National Medical Devices Policy, 2023
Central idea: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Hon’ble Prime Minister, approved the National Medical Devices Policy, 2023.
National Medical Devices Policy, 2023
The Policy, 2023 aims to facilitate an orderly growth of the medical device sector to meet the public health objectives of access, affordability, quality, and innovation.
The policy lays down a roadmap for accelerated growth of the medical devices sector to achieve various missions.
Objectives
The policy aims to make the industry competitive, self-reliant, resilient, and innovative.
It focuses on meeting the healthcare needs of not only India but also the world.
It aims to accelerate the growth of the medical devices sector.
It takes a patient-centric approach to meet the evolving healthcare needs of patients.
It provides support and directions to the medical devices industry to achieve these goals.
Strategies to Promote Medical Device Sector
The medical devices sector will be facilitated and guided through a set of strategies that cover six broad areas of policy interventions:
Key measures and actions
1. Regulatory Streamlining
Enhance ease of doing research and business, balance patient safety with product innovation, create a Single Window Clearance System for licensing of medical devices, enhance the role of Indian Standards like BIS, and design a coherent pricing regulation.
2. Enabling Infrastructure
Establish and strengthen large medical device parks and clusters equipped with world-class common infrastructure facilities in proximity to economic zones with requisite logistics connectivity.
3. Facilitating R&D and Innovation
Promote research and development in India, establish centres of excellence in academic and research institutions, innovation hubs, and support for startups.
4. Attracting Investments in the Sector
Encourage private investments, funding from venture capitalists, and public-private partnerships, in addition to existing schemes and interventions like Make in India, Ayushman Bharat program, Heal-in-India, and Start-up mission.
5. Human Resources Development
Ensure a steady supply of skilled workforce across the value chain by leveraging available resources in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, supporting dedicated multidisciplinary courses for medical devices in existing institutions, and developing partnerships with foreign academic/industry organizations to develop medical technologies.
6. Brand Positioning and Awareness Creation
Create a dedicated Export Promotion Council for the sector under the Department, initiate studies and projects for learning from best global practices of manufacturing and skilling system, promote more forums to bring together various stakeholders for sharing knowledge, and build strong networks across the sector.
Medical devices sector in India: A quick recap
The medical devices sector in India is an essential and integral part of the Indian healthcare sector.
The sector has contributed significantly to the domestic and global battle against the COVID-19 pandemic through the large-scale production of medical devices & diagnostic kits.
Growth potential in India
The market size of the medical devices sector in India is estimated to be $11 billion (approximately, ₹ 90,000 Cr) in 2020, and its share in the global medical device market is estimated to be 1.5%.
The Indian medical devices sector has enormous potential to become self-reliant and contribute towards the goal of universal health care.
Current initiatives in this sector
The Government of India has initiated the implementation of the PLI Scheme for medical devices.
It supports for setting up of four Medical devices Parks in the States of Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.
The Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) has developed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using home-grown technology from cooking oil and oil-bearing plants.
SAF is also being produced from non-petroleum-based renewable feedstocks, municipal solid waste, woody biomass, fats/greases/oils, and other feedstocks.
About ASTM certification
ASTM International is an international standards organization that develops and publishes technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services.
It was formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials and is based in the United States.
The organization has over 30,000 members from more than 140 countries, including scientists, engineers, and industry professionals.
The standards cover industries such as construction, petroleum, medical devices, and consumer products.
SAF under ASTM Certification
Two of ASTM standards related to aviation fuel are ASTM D4054 and ASTM D7566.
ASTM D4054 sets the requirements for qualifying aviation turbine fuels.
ASTM D7566 sets the requirements for certifying fuels for use in commercial aviation.
Present use of SAF
The Indian Air Force received provisional certification in November 2021 to use SAF on their test flights, subject to case-by-case approval by the aircraft manufacturer concerned.
However, it is yet to be internationally certified for use in commercial airlines in India.
SAF production in India
The Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd is setting up the first SAF plant, which is expected to come online by early 2025.
However, two more SAF plants are expected to be set up by other refineries, probably by 2025-26.
The Mangalore Refinery can produce 20 tonnes of SAF per day, meaning about 7,000 tonnes per year.
However, to achieve even a per cent of blending of SAF in India, around 60,000 tonnes per year are required.
Way forward
Demand for bio-jet fuel must be increased through a national policy, along the lines of the National Biofuel Policy, for it to be commercially scaled and to accelerate production.
A nodal agency to implement this policy should be formed to bring together energy, transportation and agriculture sectors together under one roof.
Mapping the sources of the various feedstock could aid this policy.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: PRET Initiaitve
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea: The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a PRET initiative to be better prepared for future outbreaks of a similar scale and devastation as the COVID-19 pandemic.
What is PRET Initiative?
The Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) initiative is launched by the WHO to prepare for future outbreaks of a similar scale and devastation as the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is aimed at providing guidance on integrated planning for responding to any respiratory pathogen such as influenza or coronaviruses.
The current focus of PRET is on respiratory viruses, but work is already underway to assess what should be the next group of pathogens to be mitigated under this initiative.
It can serve to operationalize the objectives and provisions of the Pandemic Accord, which is currently being negotiated by WHO Member States.
Three-pronged approach of PRET
The three-pronged approach includes-
Updating preparedness plans
Increasing connectivity among stakeholders in pandemic preparedness planning, and
Dedicating sustained investments, financing, and monitoring of pandemic preparedness.
The approach has a special focus on bridging the gaps highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring community engagement and equity are at the centre of preparedness and response efforts.
