Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Nyaya Vikas Program
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea: The Nyaya Vikas Portal has been created for monitoring the implementation of the Centrally Sponsored, Nyaya Vikas Scheme.
What is Nyaya Vikas Program?
- Initiated by the Department of Justice in 1993-94.
- Aims to develop infrastructure facilities for districts and subordinate judiciary.
- Provides central assistance to state governments and UT administrations for constructing court halls and residential units.
- Extended beyond March 31, 2021, with additional features for convenience, such as lawyers’ halls, toilet complexes, and digital computer rooms.
- Funding sharing pattern: 60:40 between the central government and state governments (excluding North Eastern and Himalayan States), 90:10 for North Eastern and Himalayan States, and 100% for Union Territories.
About Nyaya Vikas Portal
- The Nyaya Vikas Portal has been created to monitor the implementation of the CSS for Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Districts and Subordinate Judiciary.
- It allows stakeholders to log in through four efficient ways, providing seamless access to information related to funding, documentation, project monitoring, and approval.
- The portal ensures transparency and accessibility by providing stakeholders with a centralized platform to access information about funding, documentation, project monitoring, and approval processes.
Impact of the Scheme
- Improved infrastructure: The portal’s monitoring capabilities contribute to the effective utilization of funds for constructing court halls, residential units, lawyers’ halls, toilet complexes, and digital computer rooms.
- Enhanced judicial services: By providing better infrastructure and facilities, the portal enhances the delivery of judicial services to lawyers, litigants, and judicial officers.
- Strengthened rule of law: The efficient implementation of the scheme through the portal strengthens the rule of law by ensuring access to justice and adequate infrastructure for the judiciary.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Varunastra
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- Test-firing achievement: The indigenously designed and developed heavy weight torpedo (HWT) Varunastra was successfully test-fired by the Indian Navy, targeting an undersea target with a live warhead.
Varunastra: Feature Details
- Advanced features: Varunastra is a ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo equipped with low drift navigational systems, acoustic homing, advanced acoustic countermeasures, autonomous guidance algorithms, an insensitive munitions warhead, and a GPS-based recovery aid for practice torpedoes.
- Designed and developed by NSTL: Varunastra was designed and developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) based in Vizag under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- Manufacturing by BDL: Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) is responsible for the manufacturing of Varunastra.
Technical Specifications and Capabilities
- Speed, depth, and range: Varunastra boasts a maximum speed of 40 knots and a maximum operating depth of 600 meters. It has long-range and multi-manoeuvering capabilities.
- Acoustic homing and tracking: The torpedo features acoustic homing with a wide look angle, allowing it to track silent targets effectively.
- Advanced guidance and navigational systems: Varunastra incorporates autonomous advanced guidance algorithms and drift navigational systems, enabling precise targeting and long-endurance operations.
Significance of the test fire
- Mainstay of anti-submarine warfare: Varunastra is set to become the primary anti-submarine torpedo for all naval warships, replacing older torpedoes capable of firing HWT.
- Enhanced anti-submarine warfare: The induction of Varunastra as the mainstay anti-submarine torpedo strengthens the Indian Navy’s capabilities in countering underwater threats.
- Self-reliance and indigenous development: The successful development and deployment of Varunastra highlight India’s progress in indigenous defence technologies and reduce dependence on imports.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: World Environment Day
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- Plastics have become an integral part of human life, despite their adverse environmental impact.
- World Environment Day (5th June) serves as a reminder of our responsibility to address plastic pollution.
Why in news?
- 50th Anniversary of World Environment Day: The day, led by UNEP since 1973, marks its 50th anniversary this year.
- Global Platform for Environmental Outreach: World Environment Day has grown into the largest global platform for environmental outreach.
- Theme- #BeatPlasticPollution: This year’s World Environment Day focuses on the urgent need to combat plastic pollution.
World Environment Day 2023
|
| Date |
June 5th |
| Theme (2023) |
Ecosystem Restoration |
| Host Country (2023) |
Pakistan |
| Established |
World Environment Day was established in 1972 by the United Nations at the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment |
| Purpose |
To raise awareness and promote action for environmental protection |
| Importance |
Platform for global environmental campaigns and initiatives |
| Activities |
Various activities are organized worldwide, such as tree planting, clean-up drives, and educational programs |
| Previous Themes |
Previous themes have focused on topics like biodiversity, air pollution, plastic pollution, and more |
| Organized by |
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) |
Plastic pollution and the need for Solutions
- Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue that requires immediate attention.
- Over 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually, with less than 10% being recycled.
- Plastic pollution negatively affects ecosystems and poses risks to human health.
Understanding Plastic Pollution
- Versatile Nature of Plastics: Plastics are synthetic materials capable of being shaped and molded according to requirements.
- Types of Plastics: Commodity plastics, such as PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, and PS, dominate global production.
- Identification Codes and Different Properties: Plastics can be identified by their resin identification codes (RIC) and possess distinct properties.
Environmental impact of plastics
- Plastics have revolutionized various industries but raise significant environmental concerns.
- Plastics have a slow decomposition rate, leading to the persistence of plastic waste.
- Microplastics, including primary and secondary types, accumulate in various environments.
Health risks and toxic chemicals
- Microplastics contain toxic chemicals that pose risks to human health.
- Bisphenol A (BPA) in microplastics can have detrimental effects on human health.
Worst examples of Plastic Pollution
- The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a vast collection of plastic and microplastic waste.
- It was formed due to converging ocean currents and is situated in the North Pacific Ocean.
- It covers a surface area of 1.6 million sq km, with smaller patches in other oceans.
Actions against Plastic Pollution
- Urgency for Collective Action: Plastic pollution necessitates collective efforts and immediate action.
- World Environment Day’s Reminder of Responsibility: World Environment Day serves as a reminder of our responsibility to address plastic pollution.
Way forward
- Plastic Recycling: Advanced recycling technologies offer new ways to efficiently recycle plastic waste.
- Promoting Circular Economy Models: Embracing circular economy principles can reduce plastic waste and promote sustainable resource usage.
- Education and Awareness Campaigns: Spreading awareness and educating the public about the impact of plastic pollution can drive behavioral change.
- Collaboration between Industries and Governments: Cooperation between industries and governments is essential to develop comprehensive strategies for tackling plastic pollution.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: KFON, Fibre Optic
Mains level: Internet inclusivity
Central Idea
- Free Internet: The Kerala government officially launched KFON, a flagship project aimed at reducing the digital divide and promoting e-governance.
- Bridging the Digital Divide: KFON intends to provide high-speed broadband internet access to all households and government offices in Kerala.
What is KFON?
- KFON acts as an optical fibre cable network infrastructure provider, covering 30,000 km and 375 Points-of-Presence across Kerala.
- KFON’s infrastructure is shared with all service providers, including cable operators, benefiting both government offices and individual beneficiaries.
- Local ISP/TSP/cable TV providers are responsible for providing internet connectivity to households.
Spread and Speed of KFON
- Connectivity Goals: The initial stage of KFON aims to connect 30,000 government offices and 14,000 BPL (Below Poverty Line) families in Kerala.
- Internet Speed and Mobile Connectivity: KFON promises internet speeds ranging from 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps and is expected to improve mobile phone call quality.
- Progress: As of June 5th, 17,412 government offices and 2,105 houses have been connected, with cable networks laid down for 9,000 houses.
Purpose: Empowering the Poor
- Internet Connection for BPL Families: KFON aims to provide internet connections, free of cost, to 20 lakh families below the poverty line.
- Phase 1 implementation: The first phase targets 14,000 BPL families, with a long-term plan to select 100 BPL families in each assembly constituency for high-speed internet access.
Need for KFON
- Left’s Alternative Model of Development: KFON is showcased by the CPI(M) government as part of their commitment to the public sector and an alternative development model.
- Rural Connectivity Challenges: KFON addresses the limited infrastructure and bandwidth provided by private telecom operators in rural areas.
- Enhanced Service Delivery: KFON was established to ensure efficient service delivery, quality, reliability, interoperability, and security.
Stakeholders of KFON
- Joint Venture and Ownership: KFON is a joint venture of Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and Kerala State IIT Infrastructure Limited, with KSEB owning the infrastructure assets.
- Project Implementation: A consortium led by Central PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) is responsible for implementing the KFON project.
- Project Funding: The project is fully funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).
Services Provided
- Core Network Infrastructure: KFON aims to create an information highway with non-discriminatory access, connecting government offices and educational institutions.
- Range of Services: KFON offers connectivity to government offices, leasing of dark fibre, internet leased line, fibre to the home, wifi hotspots, colocation of assets, IPTV, OTT, and cloud hosting.
- Licenses and Facilities: KFON holds Infrastructure Provider (category one) and Internet Service Provider (category B) licenses, allowing access to optic fibre network infrastructure.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Kakhovka Dam
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
- Breach of the Dnipro River Dam: A Soviet-era Kakhovka Dam on the Dnipro River in southern Ukraine was breached, resulting in floodwaters spreading across the war zone.
- Conflicting Accounts: Ukraine accused Russia of destroying the dam, while Russian officials provided differing explanations, suggesting Ukrainian shelling or prior damage as potential causes.
The Kakhovka Dam
- Construction and Purpose: The Kakhovka Dam was built in 1956 as part of the Khakhovka hydroelectric power plant, with a height of 30 meters (98 feet) and a length of 3.2 kilometres (2 miles).
- Water Supply: The dam’s reservoir supplies water to the Crimean peninsula, claimed by Russia since 2014, and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which is also under Russian control.
- Reservoir Capacity: The reservoir holds approximately 18 cubic km of water, comparable in volume to the Great Salt Lake in Utah, USA.
Accounts of the Dam Breach
- Ukrainian Accusations: Ukraine attributed responsibility to Russia, stating that the dam was destroyed by “Russian terrorists” and accusing Russian occupying forces of the act.
- Russian Claims: Russian-installed officials offered conflicting accounts, with some blaming Ukraine for shelling the dam, while others asserted that the dam collapsed due to pre-existing damage and water pressure.
Human Impact and Evacuations
- Potential Flooding: The surge in water levels poses a significant risk, potentially impacting thousands of people in the affected areas.
- Evacuations: Evacuation efforts commenced on both sides of the front line to ensure the safety of civilians.
- Population at Risk: Russian-installed officials indicated that 22,000 individuals across 14 settlements in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region were at risk of flooding, while the Ukrainian Prime Minister noted that up to 80 settlements were in danger.
Impact on Crimea
- Water Supply Concerns: The rupture of the dam raises concerns about water levels in the North Crimea Canal, which supplies fresh water to the Crimea peninsula from the Dnipro River.
- Dependence on Canal: Crimea depends on the canal for fresh water, and its previous blockage by Ukraine after the 2014 annexation caused water shortages in the region.
- Potential Consequences: Decreased water levels in the canal could have significant implications for water supply in Crimea.
Other hotspots under threat: Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
- Cooling Water Source: The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest, relies on the reservoir as a source of cooling water.
- Russian Control: The plant is located on the southern side of the conflict zone, which is currently under Russian control.
- Nuclear Safety Assurance: The International Atomic Energy Agency stated that there was no immediate nuclear safety risk at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and Russia’s state nuclear energy company affirmed that there was no threat to the plant.
Try this question from CS Prelims 2023
Consider the following pairs:
Regions often mentioned in news: Reason for being in news
- North Kivu and Ituri: War between Armenia and Azerbaijan
- Nagorno-Karabakh: Insurgency in Mozambique
- Kherson and Zaporizhzhia: Dispute between Israel and Lebanon
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Higgs Boson Decay
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- Physicists at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) reported detecting a rare decay of the Higgs boson into a Z boson and a photon.
- The decay process provides valuable insights into the Higgs boson and the nature of our universe.
Large Hadron Collider (LHC)
|
| What is it? |
– The LHC is the world’s largest science experiment constructed by CERN.
– It collides beams of hadrons, such as protons, for high-energy physics research.
– Upgrades have enhanced the LHC’s sensitivity and accuracy for its third season of operations. |
| Functioning |
– Protons are accelerated through a 27 km circular pipe using powerful magnets.
– Magnetic fields guide the protons, reaching speeds close to the speed of light. |
| Particle Collisions |
– Collisions of high-energy protons lead to the creation of various subatomic particles.
– The LHC has achieved collision energies of up to 13.6 TeV. |
| Scientific Discoveries at the LHC |
– LHC’s detectors, including ATLAS and CMS, discovered the Higgs boson in 2012.
– Scientists have tested predictions of the Standard Model, observed exotic particles, and gained insights into extreme conditions. |
| Future of the LHC |
– Upgrades are planned to increase the LHC’s luminosity by ten times by 2027, aiming to discover new physics.
– There is a debate about investing in a larger LHC or smaller experiments to explore new realms of physics. |
Understanding the Higgs Boson
- The Higgs boson is a type of subatomic particle that carries the force of particle movement through the Higgs field, present throughout the universe.
- Interaction with Higgs bosons determines a particle’s mass, with stronger interaction leading to greater mass.
Importance of Higgs Boson Decay
- Studying how different particles interact with Higgs bosons and understanding the properties of Higgs bosons helps reveal information about the universe.
- The recent detection of Higgs boson decay to a Z boson and a photon provides noteworthy insights.
Role of Virtual Particles
- Quantum field theory suggests that space at the subatomic level is filled with virtual particles that constantly appear and disappear.
- Higgs bosons interact fleetingly with virtual particles during their creation, resulting in the production of a Z boson and a photon.
New Result and Probability
- The Standard Model predicts that the Higgs boson will decay into a Z boson and a photon 0.1% of the time.
- The LHC needed to produce a significant number of Higgs bosons to observe this decay pathway.
Confirmation and Statistical Precision
- The ATLAS and CMS detectors, which previously observed the decay independently, combined their data for increased statistical precision.
- Although the significance is not yet 100%, the combined data enhanced the confirmation of the Higgs boson decay.
Significance for the Standard Model
- Physicists seek to detect and validate the predicted decay pathways of the Higgs boson according to the Standard Model.
- Precise testing of the model’s predictions helps identify potential deviations and explore new theories in physics.
Implications for New Theories
- Higher decay rates through the observed pathway could support new theories beyond the Standard Model.
- Experimental evidence from the LHC could contribute to advancements in scientific understanding.
Back2Basics: Standard Model
- The Standard Model is a theoretical framework in physics that describes the fundamental particles and their interactions, except for gravity.
- It provides a comprehensive understanding of three of the four fundamental forces: electromagnetic, strong nuclear, and weak nuclear forces.
- Developed in the mid-20th century, the Standard Model has been highly successful in explaining and predicting the behaviour of elementary particles.
Key points about the Standard Model:
- Particle Classification: The Standard Model classifies particles into two main categories: fermions and bosons.
- Fermions: Fermions are particles that make up matter. They are further categorized into quarks and leptons. Quarks are the building blocks of protons and neutrons, while leptons include electrons and neutrinos.
- Bosons: Bosons are force-carrying particles responsible for transmitting the fundamental forces. Examples include photons (electromagnetic force), gluons (strong nuclear force), and W and Z bosons (weak nuclear force).
- Fundamental Forces: The Standard Model explains the interactions between particles through the following fundamental forces:
- Electromagnetic Force: Mediated by photons, this force governs the interactions between charged particles.
- Strong Nuclear Force: Mediated by gluons, it binds quarks together to form protons, neutrons, and other particles.
- Weak Nuclear Force: Mediated by W and Z bosons, it is responsible for certain types of radioactive decay.
- Higgs Field and Higgs Boson: The Standard Model introduces the concept of the Higgs field, an energy field that permeates the universe. Particles acquire mass through their interaction with this field. The existence of the Higgs boson, a particle associated with the Higgs field, was confirmed in experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in 2012.
Limitations and Open Questions:
While the Standard Model has been highly successful in describing particle interactions, it has some limitations:
- Gravity: The theory does not include a description of gravity, which is described by general relativity. Combining gravity with the other forces remains a challenge.
- Dark Matter and Dark Energy: The Standard Model does not account for dark matter and dark energy, which are believed to constitute a significant portion of the universe.
- Unification: The theory does not provide a unified description of all forces, including electromagnetism, weak nuclear force, and strong nuclear force.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: GOTS
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- Collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA), Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), and Marple (an AI company) aims to track cotton certification in India.
- Utilizing satellite images and artificial intelligence, the project focuses on identifying and classifying cotton fields in India.
What is GOTS?
- The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is a globally recognized standard for the processing and manufacturing of organic textiles.
- It is a leading certification for organic fibers, including cotton, throughout the entire supply chain, from harvesting of raw materials to labeling of the final product.
- GOTS ensures that organic textiles meet strict environmental and social criteria, providing credible assurance to consumers.
Key aspects of GOTS include:
- Organic Fiber Criteria: GOTS requires that at least 95% of the fibers in a textile product must be certified organic. It prohibits the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and restricts the use of certain synthetic chemicals.
- Environmental Criteria: GOTS sets strict environmental criteria for processing and manufacturing organic textiles. It includes guidelines for wastewater treatment, chemical inputs, and energy usage, promoting sustainability and minimizing the environmental impact.
- Social Criteria: GOTS also encompasses social criteria, ensuring fair and safe working conditions for employees throughout the supply chain. It includes provisions for workers’ rights, prohibition of forced labor, and compliance with International Labor Organization (ILO) standards.
- Supply Chain Traceability: GOTS requires full traceability of the supply chain, from the source of the organic fibres to the final product. This ensures transparency and integrity throughout the production process.
- Labelling and Certification: GOTS-certified products are labelled accordingly, allowing consumers to identify and choose organic textiles with confidence. Certification is carried out by independent third-party organizations that assess compliance with GOTS standards.
What is the new program about?
- ESA’s programme will train AI models to analyze ESA satellite data and identify cotton fields in India.
- The project will help GOTS generate accurate estimates of organic cotton yields and incorporate standardized yield metrics.
- The initiative aims to identify cotton fields meeting predetermined standards and support a seamless transition to organic cultivation.
- Traditional and ecologically friendly farming practices will be encouraged.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Evapotranspiration, Water Cycle
Mains level: NA
Central Idea: Evapotranspiration is a key process in Earth’s dynamic systems, impacting the movement of water and nutrients, influencing the water cycle, and providing crucial information for farmers to manage irrigation and water resources effectively.
Understanding Evapotranspiration
- Definition: Evapotranspiration refers to the movement of water from terrestrial surfaces into the atmosphere and is a crucial part of the planet-wide water cycle.
- Water cycle and its connection to evapotranspiration: Evapotranspiration is an amalgamation of evaporation (water loss from soil) and transpiration (water movement and loss by plants), both of which contribute to the overall movement of water in the water cycle.
- Breakdown of the term: Evapotranspiration encompasses the movement of water upward through plants and its subsequent loss into the air from exposed plant parts.
Factors affecting Evapotranspiration
- Rate of evapotranspiration: Several factors impact the rate of evapotranspiration, including solar radiation, day length, soil moisture levels, ambient temperature, wind conditions, and the amount of water vapour already present in the air.
- Insolation and its effect: The intensity of solar radiation directly affects the rate of evapotranspiration, as it provides the energy needed to evaporate water from terrestrial surfaces.
- Role of day length: The length of the day, soil moisture content, ambient temperature, wind patterns, and the moisture content of the air all contribute to the rate at which evapotranspiration occurs.
Historical significance of evapotranspiration
- Origin and age of the term: The term “evapotranspiration” has been in use for at least 86 years and was initially published with a hyphenated form.
- Contribution of Charles Warren Thornthwaite in 1944: Thornthwaite, an American climatologist, defined and popularized the term “evapotranspiration” in 1944.
- Relevance for farmers in estimating water needs for crops: Even today, evapotranspiration remains significant for farmers who utilize it to estimate the amount of water required to irrigate their crops effectively.
Back2Basics: Water Cycle
- The water cycle, also known as the hydrological cycle, is the continuous movement and circulation of water on, above, and below the Earth’s surface.
- Stages of the Water Cycle include:
- Evaporation: The process by which water changes from a liquid state to a gaseous state, rising into the atmosphere.
- Condensation: The cooling of water vapor in the atmosphere, causing it to change from a gaseous state back to a liquid state, forming clouds.
- Precipitation: When condensed water droplets combine and fall from the atmosphere as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
- Runoff: The movement of water on the Earth’s surface, flowing into streams, rivers, lakes, and eventually into the oceans.
- Infiltration: The process by which water seeps into the ground and becomes groundwater.
- Transpiration: The release of water vapor from plant surfaces into the atmosphere.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Salt Cavern-Based Reserves
Mains level: Strategic Oil Reserves in India
Central Idea
- Engineers India (EIL) is conducting a feasibility study for developing salt cavern-based strategic oil reserves in Rajasthan, India, to increase the country’s storage capacity.
- If successful, it would be India’s first oil storage facility using salt caverns, different from the existing rock cavern-based strategic storage facilities.
Cavern-based Oil Storage
- Cavern-based strategic oil storage facilities are storage facilities for crude oil or petroleum products that utilize naturally occurring underground caverns for storage purposes.
- These caverns are typically formed in salt formations or other geological formations through processes such as solution mining or excavation.
- In the case of salt cavern-based storage facilities, the storage space is created by dissolving salt deposits with water.
- The process involves pumping water into the geological formations with large salt deposits, which dissolves the salt and creates caverns.
- Once the brine (water with dissolved salt) is pumped out, the space can be used to store crude oil or other petroleum products.
Advantages offered
- Secure and safe: They are naturally well-sealed, providing a secure and impermeable barrier against liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons.
- Impermeable: This inherent sealing property makes them suitable for long-term storage of oil, minimizing the risk of leaks or environmental contamination.
- Efficient pumping: Furthermore, cavern-based storage facilities often have high injection and extraction rates, allowing for rapid and efficient operations.
- Huge capacity: The large volume capacity of caverns enables significant storage capacity, making them ideal for strategic oil reserves intended to address supply disruptions or emergencies.
- Strategic asset: Countries build strategic crude oil reserves to mitigate supply disruptions and ensure energy security during global supply shocks and emergencies.
India’s Current Strategic Oil Reserves
- Existing strategic oil storage facilities: India’s three current strategic oil storage facilities are located in Mangaluru, Padur, and Visakhapatnam, consisting of excavated rock caverns.
- Current capacity and days of demand met: India’s current strategic oil reserves have a capacity of 5.33 million tonnes, equivalent to around 39 million barrels, meeting approximately 9.5 days of demand.
- Expansion plans: India is in the process of expanding its strategic oil reserves by 6.5 million tonnes at Chandikhol in Odisha and Padur.
Salt Cavern-Based Reserves vs. Rock Cavern-Based Reserves
|
Salt Cavern |
Rock Cavern |
| Development Process |
- Developed through solution mining
- Dissolving salt deposits with water to create storage space
|
- Excavated from solid rock formations
|
| Advantages |
- Naturally well-sealed
- Rapid injection and extraction of oil
- Less labour-intensive and cost-intensive compared to rock caverns
|
- Excavation process
- Suitable for certain geological formations
|
| Suitability for Oil Storage |
- Low oil absorbency
- Impermeable barrier
- Suitable for storing crude oil
|
- Depends on specific geological formations
- May have varying degrees of oil absorbency and permeability
|
Examples of Salt Cavern-Based Storage
- US Strategic Petroleum Reserve: The US has the world’s largest emergency oil storage, with storage caverns created in salt domes along the Gulf of Mexico coast. It has a capacity of around 727 million barrels.
- Salt caverns for other purposes: Salt caverns are also used for storing liquid fuels, natural gas, compressed air, and hydrogen in various parts of the world.
Potential for such storage in Rajasthan
- Rajasthan’s conducive conditions: Rajasthan, with abundant salt formations, is seen as a favorable location for developing salt cavern-based strategic storage facilities.
- Previous plans and current renewal: Earlier plans for a strategic oil reserve in Bikaner did not materialize, but the exploration of salt cavern-based storage in Rajasthan can be seen as a renewed proposal.
- Infrastructure suitability: The presence of a refinery in Barmer and existing crude pipelines in Rajasthan make the infrastructure conducive for building strategic oil reserves.
- Importance of technology access: Previously, no Indian company possessed the necessary technical expertise for building salt cavern-based strategic hydrocarbon storage.
Future plans in India
- Emergency stockpiles: India’s strategic oil reserves are intended to provide emergency stockpiles and are managed by the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve (ISPRL).
- Import protection: The International Energy Agency (IEA) suggests that countries should hold oil stockpiles sufficient for 90 days of import protection.
- Commercialization plans and partnerships: India plans to commercialize its strategic petroleum reserves through public-private partnerships, reducing government spending and leveraging the commercial potential of the reserves.
- Recent actions and releases: India took advantage of low crude oil prices to fill its reserves, leading to cost savings. It also released oil from its strategic reserves as part of coordinated actions with other major oil-consuming countries.
Conclusion
- Compared to rock cavern-based reserves, salt caverns offer unique benefits that align with India’s goals of increasing storage capacity and ensuring energy security.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Payment System Operators (PSOs)
Mains level: Not Much
The Reserve Bank of India has released the draft Master Directions on Cyber Resilience and Digital Payment Security Controls for Payment System Operators (PSOs).
What are Payment System Operators (PSOs)?
- A payment system operator means a legal entity responsible for operating a payment system.
- The PSO provides services by operating on certain models.
- They largely outsource their payment and settlement-related activities to various other entities.
- Examples of PSOs include: Google Pay (and other apps), Clearing Corporation of India, National Payments Corporation of India, Cards Payment Networks, Cross border Money Transfer, ATM networks, Prepaid Payment Instruments, White Label ATM Operators, Instant Money Transfer, and Trade Receivables Discounting System, Bharat Bill Payment System etc.
Key points from the draft
(1) Governance Mechanisms:
- The draft emphasizes the need for robust governance mechanisms to manage cybersecurity risks effectively.
- It covers information security risks and vulnerabilities that PSOs should address.
- PSOs are expected to establish and maintain a comprehensive cybersecurity framework.
(2) Baseline Security Measures:
- The draft specifies baseline security measures to be implemented by PSOs.
- These measures are designed to protect digital payment systems from cybersecurity threats.
- PSOs must implement controls related to data security, access controls, incident response, and business continuity planning.
(3) Resilience to Cybersecurity Risks:
- The directions aim to ensure that PSOs are resilient to both traditional and emerging information systems and cybersecurity risks.
- PSOs are required to conduct periodic risk assessments and implement appropriate controls to mitigate identified risks.
- The draft emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring and review of cybersecurity measures.
(4) Safeguarding Digital Payment Transactions:
- The focus of the directions is to enhance the security of digital payment transactions.
- PSOs must implement strong authentication mechanisms, encryption standards, and secure communication protocols.
- The draft highlights the need for robust fraud monitoring and reporting mechanisms.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Trends in India's GDP Growth
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- The National Statistical Office (NSO) has released provisional national income data revealing that India’s GDP growth in the January to March 2023 quarter reached 6.1%.
- This growth in the fourth quarter is the fastest among major economies, indicating better prospects for the current year compared to previous expectations.
Key Highlights
(1) Manufacturing Sector Growth Slows, Despite Q4 Rebound
- Gross Value Added (GVA) in the economy rose by 7% in 2022-23, compared to 8.8% in the previous fiscal year.
- Manufacturing GVA growth declined significantly, reaching only 1.3% compared to 11.1% a year ago.
- The sector experienced a rebound of 4.5% in the final quarter after six months of contraction, but overall growth remained subdued.
(2) Agri and Services Sectors Propel Economic Growth
- The agricultural GVA grew by 4% in 2022-23, an increase from 3.5% in the previous year.
- Financial, real estate, and professional services sectors experienced a 7.1% growth in GVA, compared to 4.7% in 2021-22.
- Trade, hotels, transport, and communication sectors, along with services related to broadcasting, witnessed a marginal increase of 14% in GVA.
(3) Revised GDP and GVA Figures Reflect Changes in Economic Performance
- The NSO revised GDP and GVA numbers for the first half of 2022-23, with slight decreases, but the third-quarter figures were slightly increased.
- The first quarter’s GDP growth in 2022-23 is now pegged at 13.1%, followed by 6.2% in the second quarter and 4.5% growth in the third quarter.
- GVA growth estimates for the first and second quarters were revised to 11.9% and 5.4% respectively, while the third quarter GVA growth increased to 4.7% from the earlier estimate of 4.6%.
(4) Consumer Sentiment and Consumption Growth
- Despite a slight uptick in private final consumption expenditure to 2.8% in Q4 from 2.2% in Q3, consumption growth remained muted.
- This contradicted the uptick in consumer sentiments as per the RBI’s consumer confidence survey, highlighting the disparity between sentiment and actual spending.
(5) Outlook and Challenges for Future Growth
- Maintaining growth above 6% will be challenging amid a global economic slowdown, according to economists.
- Higher-than-expected GDP growth in the previous year may temper growth expectations for the current year, with the government and central bank projecting around 6.5% growth.
- Pent-up demand that supported growth previously may not be as strong, and private sector investment needs to pick up since exports are not expected to contribute significantly to growth.
What can we as an Aspirant infer?
- The resilience of the Indian economy and its promising trajectory despite global challenges is often highlighted in news.
- This article justifies this perception about better performance of Indian Economy.
Conclusion
- To sustain and enhance economic growth, focus on stimulating private sector investment to complement the performance of agriculture and services sectors.
- Addressing the challenges in the manufacturing sector and boosting consumer confidence can lead to increased consumption and overall economic expansion.
- Efforts to diversify and promote exports should be prioritized to contribute to future growth and reduce dependence on domestic consumption.
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[Static Revision] National Income Determination, GDP, GNP, NDP, NNP, Personal Income
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Tobacco consumption and issues
Central Idea
- Over-the-top (OTT) streaming platforms must display anti-tobacco warnings similar to those seen in movies screened in theatres and on TV.
- The requirement is based on a Union Health Ministry notification that amends the rules under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2004.
What is COTPA, 2004?
|
Description |
| Purpose |
Regulate production, sale, distribution, and consumption of tobacco products |
| Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places |
Smoking prohibited in public areas like offices, restaurants, parks, public transport, etc. |
| Health Warnings on Tobacco Products |
Mandatory display of health warnings on cigarette packages and other tobacco products |
| Ban on Advertisement and Promotion |
Prohibition on direct and indirect advertising of tobacco products |
| Prohibition on Sale to Minors |
Selling tobacco products to individuals below 18 years of age is strictly prohibited |
| Packaging and Labelling Requirements |
Health warnings and pictorial representations of harmful effects on cigarette packages |
| Powers of Enforcement |
Authorities empowered to enforce the act, conduct inspections, and seize contraband products |
New requirements for Anti-Tobacco Warnings
- Publishers of online curated content displaying tobacco products or their use must show anti-tobacco health spots at the beginning and middle of the program.
- When tobacco products or their use are displayed during the program, an anti-tobacco health warning must be prominently displayed as a static message at the bottom of the screen.
- The warning message should be legible and readable, with black font on a white background.
- The specified warnings are ‘Tobacco causes cancer’ or ‘Tobacco kills.’
- Health spots, warnings, and audio-visual disclaimers should be in the same language as used in the show.
Negative health impacts of tobacco
- Cancer: Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable cancer. It can cause cancer of the lungs, mouth, throat, larynx, pancreas, bladder, kidney, and cervix.
- Respiratory diseases: It may cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It can also worsen asthma symptoms.
- Cardiovascular diseases: Consumption increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. It damages blood vessels and increases the risk of blood clots.
- Reproductive health: Tobacco use can lead to infertility, premature birth, and low birth weight in babies.
Socio-economic impact
(1) On an individual level:
- Decreased productivity: Smoking-related illnesses can result in absenteeism from work, decreased work performance, and increased medical expenses.
- Decreased life expectancy: Tobacco consumption can lead to decreased life expectancy, which reduces the overall productive years of an individual.
(2) On a societal level:
- Healthcare cost: Tobacco consumption can lead to decreased economic development due to the increased burden of healthcare costs and decreased productivity.
- Increased social expenditure: According to a study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco-related illnesses cost India about $22.4 billion in healthcare costs and lost productivity annually
Why tobacco isn’t completely banned?
- Revenue loss: The industry contributes a significant amount of tax revenue to the government. Banning tobacco would result in the loss of these tax revenues, which are used for various public welfare programs and initiatives.
- Economic Impact: The tobacco industry provides employment to a large number of people, especially in the agricultural sector, where tobacco farming is prevalent.
- Not a psychotropic substance: While the harmful effects of tobacco are well-documented, banning a legal product entirely requires careful consideration and legal processes.
- Regulatory approach: Instead of a complete ban, the Indian government has adopted a regulatory approach to control tobacco use.
Way forward
- Strengthen tobacco control laws: Review and enhance existing laws to effectively reduce tobacco consumption.
- Conduct public awareness campaigns: Educate the public about the health risks of tobacco use and the benefits of quitting.
- Expand access to tobacco cessation programs: Increase availability of affordable and effective programs to support individuals who want to quit tobacco.
- Implement sin taxes on tobacco products: Increase taxes to discourage consumption, especially among price-sensitive populations.
- Enforce smoke-free environments: Strictly implement smoke-free laws in public places, workplaces, and public transport.
- Support tobacco farmers: Provide alternative livelihood options and assistance for farmers transitioning away from tobacco farming.
- Conduct research and surveillance: Invest in data collection and analysis to inform evidence-based policies and interventions.
- Collaborate with international organizations: Partner with global entities like WHO to leverage expertise and resources in tobacco control.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: CITIIS 2.0, Smart Cities Mission
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- The Union government has approved the second phase of the City Investments to Innovate, Integrate, and Sustain (CITIIS) project.
What is CITIIS 2.0?
- It is a part of the Smart Cities Mission and aims to promote integrated waste management and climate-oriented reform actions.
- The project will be implemented in 18 cities selected through a competition process.
- The project will span over a period of four years, from 2023 to 2027.
Objectives of the project
- CITIIS 2.0 supports competitively selected projects focusing on circular economy and integrated waste management at the city level.
- It also emphasizes climate-oriented reform actions at the State level and aims to strengthen institutions and disseminate knowledge at the national level.
Implementation Partners
- The project is implemented in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD), Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau (KfW), the European Union (EU), and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA).
Components
The project consists of three major components:
- Financial and technical support for developing climate-resilient projects in up to 18 smart cities.
- Interventions at the center, state, and city levels to enhance climate governance.
- Promotion of climate adaptation and mitigation measures.
Back2Basics: Smart Cities Mission
- The Smart Cities Mission is an initiative of the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry that was launched in 2015.
- Cities across the country were asked to submit proposals for projects to improve municipal services and to make their jurisdictions more liveable.
- Between January 2016 and June 2018 (when the last city, Shillong, was chosen), the Ministry selected 100 cities for the Mission over five rounds.
- The projects were supposed to be completed within five years of the selection of the city, but in 2021 the Ministry changed the deadline for all cities to June 2023, which was earlier the deadline for Shillong alone.
- With an increase on urban population and rapid expansion of areas, government is looking at smarter ways to manage complexities, increase efficiencies and improve quality of life.
- The mission will cover 100 cities that have been distributed among the States /Union Territories (UT) on the basis of an equitable criteria.
- The formula gives equal weightage (50:50) to urban population of the State/UT and the number of statutory towns in the State/UT.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Centralised Laboratory Network (CLN)
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- India has recently become a member of the Centralized Laboratory Network (CLN), which is a part of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
Centralised Laboratory Network (CLN)
- CLN consists of 15 partner facilities in 13 countries and aims to test vaccines for use during pandemics and epidemic disease outbreaks.
- It focuses on testing vaccines for pandemic and epidemic disease outbreaks.
- It is part of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
- The network aims to standardize testing methods and materials.
New members of the CLN
- Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV) joins CLN.
- Institute Pasteur de Dakar (IPD) from Senegal is a new member.
- KAVI Institute of Clinical Research (KAVI ICR) and University of Nairobi Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases (UNITID) from Kenya join CLN.
- Synexa Life Sciences from South Africa becomes a member.
- Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) from Uganda is also a new member.
Objectives of the CEPI-funded network
- The CEPI-funded network aims to identify promising vaccine candidates rapidly and accurately.
- The network focuses on emerging infectious diseases.
- The goal is to support sustainable regional outbreak preparedness infrastructure.
CEPI-Funded Network Objectives
- The CEPI-funded network, which includes CLN, has the primary objective of identifying the most promising vaccine candidates rapidly and accurately against emerging infectious diseases.
- In addition to vaccine testing, the expanded network also aims to support the development of sustainable regional outbreak preparedness infrastructure.
- By working collaboratively and sharing standardized methods and materials, the network enhances global preparedness for potential disease outbreaks.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Ahilyabai Holkar, Ahmednagar
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- Government decision: Ahmednagar district was renamed after Punyashlok Ahilya Devi Holkar.
- Support from officials: Government officials express gratitude and believe it enhances district honour.
- Previous discussions: Maharashtra Education Minister planned to rename the city as ‘Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Nagar’.
Origin and History of Ahmednagar
- Ancient references: Ahmednagar was mentioned in reference to Mauryan Emperor Ashok (240 BC).
- Rule of prominent kingdoms: Rashtrakuta Dynasty, Western Chalukyas, and Delhi Sultanate.
- Emergence of Ahmednagar: Revolt led to the establishment of Bahmani kingdom, with Ahmednagar as one of the five independent kingdoms.
Malik Ahmad Nizam Shah and Ahmednagar
- PM of Bahmani Sultanate: Malik Ahmad Nizam Shah assumed the position in 1486.
- Victory and city foundation: Defeated the king of Bahmani kingdom and founded Ahmednagar in 1494.
- Unifying communities: Gained loyalty of Muslims, Maratha peasants, and warriors.
Ahilyabai Holkar: Early Life and Marriage
- Remarkable upbringing: Ahilyabai born in Chondi village, received rare education.
- Marriage to Khande Rao: Malhar Rao Holkar arranged the marriage after being impressed by Ahilyabai’s devotion.
Administration and Temple-building
- Assumption of power: Ahilyabai took control of Malwa after her husband’s death in 1754.
- Effective governance: Excelling in administration and military strategies under her father-in-law’s guidance.
- Temple restoration: Notable efforts in restoring Hindu temples, earning respect as a capable ruler.
Legacy of Ahilyabai Holkar
- Recognizing achievements: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inauguration of Samudra Darshan Path and Somnath Exhibition Gallery.
- Symbol of inspiration: Somnath temple built by Ahilyabai Holkar in 1783, representing triumph of truth and faith.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Utkarsh 2.0 initiative, LPPS
Mains level: Cashless payments
Central Idea
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed the development of a Light weight and Portable Payment System (LPSS).
Light weight and Portable Payment System (LPSS)
- LPSS is referred to as a “bunker” equivalent, to ensure uninterrupted digital payments during exigencies such as natural calamities or war.
- This system will operate independently of existing payment technologies like UPI, NEFT, and RTGS.
- It can be operated from anywhere by a minimal staff during exigencies.
- It will process critical transactions, such as bulk payments and interbank payments, during extreme and volatile situations.
- The system operates on minimalistic hardware and software and is activated only when needed.
Why such move?
- As part of the Utkarsh 2.0 initiative, the RBI is working on strengthening the oversight framework for Centralised Payment Systems, including NEFT and RTGS.
- The initiative aims to enhance the existing payment systems and introduce new functionalities to improve efficiency and reliability.
Importance of an LPSS
- Near-zero downtime: The RBI aims to create a payment system that can operate on minimalistic hardware and software, ensuring near-zero downtime of the payment and settlement system in the country.
- Continuous liquidity pipeline: The lightweight system will facilitate uninterrupted functioning of essential payment services like bulk payments, interbank payments, and provision of cash to participant institutions, thereby keeping the liquidity pipeline of the economy alive and intact.
- Stability of the economy: It is expected to process critical transactions, including government and market-related transactions that are crucial for maintaining the stability of the economy.
- Enhancing public confidence: The resilient nature of the system will act as a bunker equivalent in payment systems, enhancing public confidence in digital payments and financial market infrastructure, even during extreme conditions.
Differences between LPSS and UPI
- Existing payment systems: The RBI acknowledges the availability of various payment systems in India for individuals and institutions, each with its distinct character and application.
- Handling large transaction volumes: Conventional systems like RTGS, NEFT, and UPI are designed to handle large volumes of transactions while ensuring sustained availability, relying on complex wired networks and advanced IT infrastructure.
- Vulnerability to catastrophic events: However, catastrophic events such as natural calamities and war can temporarily render these payment systems unavailable by disrupting the underlying information and communication infrastructure.
- Preparedness for extreme situations: To address this vulnerability, the RBI believes it is prudent to be prepared with a lightweight payment system capable of functioning in extreme and volatile situations.
Conclusion
- The RBI has not provided a specific timeline for the launch of the lightweight payment and settlements system.
- However, the concept serves as a crucial step towards ensuring the resilience of the payment ecosystem during emergencies.
- Further research and development efforts are necessary to bring this system to fruition and enhance the overall stability and confidence in digital payments in India.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Exoplanet TOI4603b
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- A new Jupiter-size exoplanet with the highest density known till this date has been discovered by an international team of scientists at the Exoplanet Research Group of the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad.
- Massive giant exoplanets are defined as those with a mass greater than four times that of Jupiter.
About the Exoplanet TOI4603b
- The exoplanet is found around the star called TOI4603 or HD 245134.
- It has a mass 13 times greater than that of Jupiter and a density of approximately 14 g/cm3.
- Initially, NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) declared TOI4603 as a possible candidate to host a secondary body of unknown nature.
- Using PARAS, scientists confirmed the secondary body as a planet, and it was named TOI 4603b or HD 245134b.
- The exoplanet is located 731 light years away and orbits a sub-giant F-type star TOI4603 every 7.24 days.
Note: An exoplanet, short for “extra-solar planet,” is a planet that orbits a star other than our Sun. These planets are located outside of our solar system and are not part of our planetary system.
Unprecedented Density and Proximity
- TOI 4603b is one of the most massive and densest giant planets discovered to date.
- It orbits very close to its host star at a distance less than 1/10th the distance between our Sun and Earth.
- Comparisons between the TOI-4603 star-planet system and the Sun-Mercury and Sun-Jupiter systems highlight the close proximity of TOI-4603 b to its star.
- The exoplanet is situated more than 50 times closer to its star than Jupiter is to the Sun.
- TOI-4603b is 13 times more massive than Jupiter.
Utilization of Indigenous Technology
- The discovery of this massive exoplanet was made using the indigenously made PRL Advanced Radial-velocity Abu-sky Search spectrograph (PARAS) at the 1.2 m telescope of PRL at its Gurushikhar Observatory in Mt. Abu.
- The mass of the planet was measured precisely using PARAS.
Uniqueness of the Discovery
- The planet falls into the transition mass range of massive giant planets and low-mass brown dwarfs, with masses ranging from 11 to 16 times the mass of Jupiter.
- Only fewer than five exoplanets are currently known in this mass range.
- The rarity of such discoveries makes this finding significant.
Insights into Formation and Evolution
- The exoplanet has a surface temperature of 1670 K and is likely undergoing high-eccentricity tidal migration with an eccentricity value of approximately 0.3.
- The detection of such systems provides valuable insights into the formation, migration, and evolution mechanisms of massive exoplanets.
India’s Contribution to Exoplanet Discoveries
- This marks the third exoplanet discovery by India and the PRL scientists using the PARAS spectrograph and the PRL 1.2m telescope.
- Previous discoveries include K2-236b in 2018 and TOI-1789b in 2021.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Chytridiomycosis
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- A multinational study has recently published a breakthrough method in the journal Transboundary and Emerging Diseases to detect all known strains of the amphibian chytrid fungus.
- This method will enhance our ability to detect and research the disease and work towards finding a widely available cure.
Chytridiomycosis: The deadly frog disease
- Chytridiomycosis, also known as chytrid, is a fungal disease that has been decimating frog populations worldwide for the past 40 years.
- The disease has caused severe declines in over 500 frog species and led to 90 extinctions, making it the deadliest animal disease known.
How does it infect?
- Chytrid infects frogs by reproducing in their skin, damaging their ability to balance water and salt levels.
- The mortality rate is extreme, and the disease has affected a high number of species, causing devastating declines and extinctions.
- The disease originated in Asia and spread globally through amphibian trade and travel.
Limitations in diagnosis
- Researchers traditionally used swabs and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) tests, similar to COVID-19 testing, to detect chytrid in frogs.
- The existing qPCR test could not detect chytrid strains from Asia, limiting research efforts.
New and Improved qPCR Test
- Researchers in India, Australia, and Panama have developed a new qPCR test that can detect strains of chytrid from Asia.
- The test is also more sensitive, allowing for the detection of low infection levels and expanding the range of species that can be studied.
- The test can also detect a closely related species of chytrid that infects salamanders.
Understanding natural immunity in frogs
- Some amphibian species, even those without an evolutionary history with chytrid, do not become sick when carrying the fungus, indicating natural immune resistance.
- Frog immunity is complex, involving anti-microbial chemicals, symbiotic bacteria, white blood cells, antibodies, and more.
- Research in Asia, where chytrid declines have not been observed, may provide insights into how resistance evolves and aid in finding a cure for affected regions.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Shenzhou-16, Gaganyan
Mains level: Manned missions to Space
Central Idea
- China has achieved a successful launch of the Shenzhou-16 spacecraft carrying three astronauts to the Tiangong space station.
What is Shenzhou-16?
- Shenzhou-16 spacecraft is part of Chinese manned spaceflight missions and was designed to transport astronauts to the Tiangong space station.
- This mission marks an important step in China’s space exploration efforts, with the crew set to conduct a range of tests and experiments during their five-month stay.
- The Tiangong space station, operated by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), is an integral part of China’s ambitious space program and aims to be a hub for scientific research.
Astronauts on Shenzhou-16
- The crew of the Shenzhou-16 mission consists of three astronauts: Jing Haipeng as the leading commander, Zhu Yangzhu, and Gui Haichao.
- Jing Haipeng is an experienced senior spacecraft pilot and one of China’s first batch of astronaut trainees.
- Zhu Yangzhu, a postdoctoral fellow in aerodynamics and former university teacher, will serve as a spaceflight engineer.
- Gui Haichao is the first Chinese civilian to travel to space and will be responsible for overseeing science experiments at the space station.
Objectives of the Mission
- The Shenzhou-16 crew will replace the previous crew from the Shenzhou-15 mission that has been aboard the Tiangong space station since November.
- The new crew will carry out large-scale tests and experiments in various fields, including the study of quantum phenomena, high-precision space time-frequency systems, verification of general relativity, and the origin of life.
- These scientific endeavors are expected to lead to significant achievements during the crew’s five-month stay.
About the Tiangong Space Station
- The Tiangong space station, operated by the CMSA, was developed by China after being barred from collaborating with NASA due to concerns of espionage.
- The station’s first module entered orbit in 2021, with two more modules added subsequently.
- China’s long-term plan is to expand the station, with the next module set to dock and create a cross-shaped structure.
- The Tiangong space station aims to become a leading outpost for scientific research once the International Space Station’s operations conclude in 2030.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Findings at Purana Qila
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- Delhi’s Purana Qila, also known as the Old Fort, is a historic site with a rich and diverse past.
- Recent excavations have shed light on its continuous history since the pre-Mauryan era.
About Purana Qila
- The origins of Purana Qila date back to antiquity, with the exact foundation period unknown.
- It was later rebuilt by Sher Shah Suri and Mughal emperor Humayun.
- The fort holds immense cultural and historical importance, and many believe it to be the site of Indraprastha mentioned in the Mahabharata.
- The fort, believed to be the location of the ancient city of Indraprastha, showcases architectural remnants from various periods, including the Mughal and Rajput eras.
Architectural marvels at Purana Qila
- Purana Qila’s architectural features include walls that rise to a height of 18 meters, spanning approximately 1.5 kilometers.
- It boasts three arched gateways, including the Bara Darwaza, the south gate (Humayun Gate), and the Talaqi Gate.
- The fort’s Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque, built by Sher Shah Suri in 1541, showcases pre-Mughal architecture with its pointed arches and elegant prayer niches.
- The Sher Mandal, a double-storeyed octagonal tower, served as Humayun’s private observatory and library.
- It features decorative plaster-work and remnants of stone shelving for books.
Recent excavation discoveries
- Excavations have uncovered significant artifacts, including shards of Painted Gray Ware pottery dating from 1200 BC to 600 BC, indicating the pre-Mauryan period.
- Other discoveries include a 900-year-old Vaikuntha Vishnu from the Rajput period, a terracotta plaque of Goddess Gaja Lakshmi from the Gupta period, and a 2,500-year-old terracotta ring well from the Mauryan period.
- Numerous beads, seals, copper coins, and a bone needle have also been found, highlighting the site’s role as a center for trade activities.
Cultural chronology and preservation
- The ongoing excavation aims to establish a complete chronology of the site, spanning different historical periods from the Kushan to the Mughal era.
- The remains of Purana Qila will be preserved, conserved, and transformed into an open-air museum to showcase the rich historical legacy of Delhi.
- The excavated artifacts will also be displayed to delegates attending the G-20 summit, further promoting the cultural heritage of the site.
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