Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Olive RIdley Turtles
Mains level: NA
Millions of baby Olive Ridley Turtles crawled towards the Bay of Bengal after emerging from eggshells along Odisha’s Rushikulyabeach in the Ganjam district.
Olive Ridley Turtles
|
Description |
| Scientific name |
Lepidochelys olivacea |
| Habitat |
Warm and tropical waters |
| Found in |
Pacific and Indian Oceans |
| Nesting sites |
Rushikulya rookery in Odisha |
| Largest mass nesting site |
Coast of Odisha in India |
| Conservation status |
Vulnerable in IUCN Red List |
| Listed in |
Schedule 1 in Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 |
Special feature: Mass nesting
| Notable behavior |
Arribadas |
| Nesting habits |
Synchronized mass nesting and return to the same beach where they hatched |
| Nest structure |
Conical nests about one and a half feet deep, dug with hind flippers |
| Incubation period |
45 to 60 days, influenced by temperature of the sand and atmosphere |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Garbh-INI Program
Mains level: NA
Central idea: The scientists working in the Garbh-Ini program have identified 19 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or genetic markers that are associated with preterm or premature birth.
What is Garbh-Ini?
- It is an interdisciplinary research program in India that focuses on the advanced research of birth outcomes.
- It is a collaborative initiative under the Department of Biotechnology.
- It is led by DBT-Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) in the NCR Biotech cluster, Faridabad, in collaboration with DBT-NIBMG, Kalyani, DBT-Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Gurugram Civil Hospital, and other organizations.
- The program aims to use advanced technology to improve maternal and child health outcomes and address the high incidence of preterm births in India.
What are Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs)?
- Genetic markers are specific sequences of DNA that can be used to identify an individual or a particular trait.
- Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most common type of genetic variation that occurs in the DNA sequence.
- SNPs occur when a single nucleotide (A, C, T, or G) in the DNA sequence is altered.
- These changes can occur in any region of the genome and can be used as genetic markers to identify specific traits or disease susceptibility.
Significance of the Study
- The study is significant as it identifies 19 SNPs or genetic markers that are associated with preterm or premature birth.
- Out of these 19 SNPs, five were found to be associated with an increased risk of early preterm birth (birth before 33 weeks) and can be used to predict premature births.
- This is the first study in South Asia to identify genetic markers associated with preterm births, and it has significant implications for improving maternal and child health outcomes in India.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Heat Budget of Earth
Mains level: Read the attached story
The study published in the journal Earth System Science Data estimates that almost 90% of the warming that has occurred in the last 50 years has been absorbed by the ocean, with the remaining heat absorbed by the land, cryosphere and atmosphere.
Earth’s energy balance: A quick recap
- It is the balance between the amount of energy that Earth receives from the Sun and the amount of energy that Earth radiates back into space.
- It is also known as the radiation budget.
- The energy from the Sun that Earth receives is mainly in the form of visible light and ultraviolet radiation.
- This energy is absorbed by the Earth’s surface and atmosphere, which then radiate it back into space in the form of infrared radiation.
- The balance between incoming and outgoing radiation is crucial for maintaining the Earth’s temperature and climate.
- Any imbalance between the two can lead to global warming and climate change.
|
Description |
| Total incoming solar radiation |
Approximately 342 W/m² reaches Earth’s atmosphere |
| Albedo |
About 30% of incoming solar radiation is reflected back to space |
| Greenhouse effect |
Remaining 70% of incoming solar radiation is absorbed by Earth’s surface and atmosphere, creating the greenhouse effect |
| Atmospheric heat |
Atmosphere contains only 0.001% of Earth’s heat energy, but is crucial in regulating heat budget |
Key highlights of the Study: Heat Accumulation
- The study estimates that approximately 381 zettajoules (ZJ) of heat accumulated on the planet from 1971-2020 due to anthropogenic emissions.
- This roughly equals a heating rate of approximately 0.48 watts per square metre (Earth Energy Imbalance or EEI). EEI is the difference between incoming and outgoing solar radiation.
- According to the study, about 89% of the accumulated heat is stored in the ocean, 6% on land, a percent in the atmosphere, and about 4% available for melting the cryosphere.
Implications
(1) Land Heat Accumulation
- Heat accumulated on land drives up ground surface temperatures, which may increase soil respiration, releasing carbon dioxide in the process.
- Higher soil respiration will likely decrease soil water, depending on climatic and meteorological conditions and factors.
(2) Inland Water Bodies and Permafrost Thawing
- Heat storage within inland water bodies has increased to roughly 0.2 ZJ since 1960. For permafrost thawing, it was about 2 ZJ.
- The accumulation of heat in inland water increases lake water temperatures, making conditions ripe for algal blooms.
- Permafrost heat content could inject methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the researchers warned.
(3) Ocean and Troposphere heating
- The upper ocean (0-300 and 0-700 meters depth) has taken up a major fraction of heat, according to the new estimates.
- During 2006-2020, ocean warming rates for the 0-2,000 meters depth reached record rates of roughly 1.03 watts per square meter.
- The troposphere is also warming up due to increased heat accumulation.
(4) Cryosphere heating
- The cryosphere – the frozen water part of the Earth system – gained roughly 14 ZJ of heat from 1971-2020.
- Half of the uptake triggered the melting of grounded ice, while the remaining half is linked to the melting of floating ice.
- The Antarctic Ice Sheet contributed about 33% to the total cryosphere heat gain, while Arctic sea ice stood second, having contributed 26%.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: EELS Mission
Mains level: NA
NASA is developing a snake-like robot- Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS), which it says can boost space exploration through its diverse adaptability to various terrains.
Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS)
|
Details |
| Purpose |
Designed to explore internal and enclosed dynamic terrain structures to assess evidence for life. |
| Focus |
To explore ocean-world-inspired terrain, and besides Enceladus, it can explore Martian polar caps and descending crevasses in Earth’s ice sheets. |
| Enceladus and EELS system |
Enceladus is a small and icy body, and the Cassini spacecraft dubbed it to be one of the most scientifically interesting destinations in the solar system. |
| Scientific investigations |
Work is underway to identify high-priority and high-impact scientific investigations to show the capabilities of the snake-like robot. |
Features of EELS Robot
|
Details |
| Propulsion and gripping mechanism |
EELS robot has an actuation and propulsion mechanism, driven by power and communication electronics.
It uses a rotating propulsion unit that acts as tracks, while the gripping mechanism and propeller unit help it to access a plume vent exit. |
| Adaptability |
The robot’s adaptability to various terrains and its unique features make it capable of exploring areas that were once inaccessible. |
| Enceladus |
Geyser-like jets spew water vapor and ice particles from an underground ocean beneath Enceladus’s icy crust, making it a promising lead for NASA in its search for life. |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: INIOCHOS-23
Mains level: NA
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will be participating in a multi-national air exercise called Exercise INIOCHOS-23, which will be hosted by the Greece Air Force.
Ex. INIOCHOS-23
- Exercise INIOCHOS-23 will be conducted at the Andravida Air Base in Greece.
- The IAF will be participating with four Su-30 MKI and two C-17 aircraft.
- The objective of the exercise is to enhance international cooperation, synergy, and interoperability among the participating Air Forces, as stated by the IAF in a statement.
Strategic significance
- The exercise will be conducted in a realistic combat scenario involving multiple types of air and surface assets
- This will provide valuable insight into each other’s best practices and enable the participating contingents to interact professionally.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Windfall Tax
Mains level: Not Much
The government has revised a windfall tax on domestically-produced crude oil. According to an official notification, the windfall tax rate of Rs 6,400 per tonne.
What is a Windfall Tax?
- Windfall taxes are designed to tax the profits a company derives from an external, sometimes unprecedented event — for instance, the energy price-rise as a result of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- These are profits that cannot be attributed to something the firm actively did, like an investment strategy or an expansion of business.
- The US Congressional Research Service (CRS) defines a windfall as an “unearned, unanticipated gain in income through no additional effort or expense”.
- One area where such taxes have routinely been discussed is oil markets, where price fluctuation leads to volatile or erratic profits for the industry.
Features of Windfall Tax
- Imposed on unanticipated and unearned gains: Windfall tax is imposed on the profits or gains that a company earns from external events or factors beyond their control, which they did not actively seek or pursue.
- One-time tax: It is typically imposed as a one-time tax retrospectively, over and above the normal rates of tax, and is not a regular or ongoing tax.
- Imposed on specific sectors or industries: Windfall taxes are usually imposed on specific sectors or industries where there is a significant increase in profits due to external factors such as price fluctuations, supply disruptions, or changes in regulations.
- Rationale for imposition: The imposition of windfall taxes is based on the rationale of redistributing unexpected gains, funding social welfare schemes, and creating a supplementary revenue stream for the government.
- Design problems: Introducing windfall taxes may suffer from design problems, given their expedient and political nature.
- Potential impact on investment: Windfall taxes may lead to uncertainty in the market and negatively impact future investment, as companies may feel uncertain about investing in a sector with an unstable tax regime.
When did India introduce this?
- In July 2022, India announced a windfall tax on domestic crude oil producers who it believed were reaping the benefits of the high oil prices.
- It also imposed an additional excise levy on diesel, petrol and air turbine fuel (ATF) exports.
- Also, India’s case was different from other countries, as it was still importing discounted Russian oil.
How is it levied?
- Governments typically levy this as a one-off tax retrospectively over and above the normal rates of tax.
- The Central government has introduced a windfall profit tax of ₹23,250 per tonne on domestic crude oil production, which was subsequently revised fortnightly four times so far.
- The latest revision was on August 31, when it was hiked to ₹13,300 per tonne from ₹13,000.
Reasons for re-introduction
- There have been varying rationales for governments worldwide to introduce windfall taxes like:
- Redistribution of unexpected gains when high prices benefit producers at the expense of consumers,
- Funding social welfare schemes, and
- Supplementary revenue stream for the government
Issues with imposing such taxes
- Design problems: Windfall taxes may suffer from design problems, given their expedient and political nature. There is also the issue of determining what constitutes true windfall profits and who should be taxed, which raises questions about the threshold for exemption of smaller companies.
- Potential impact on investment: Windfall taxes may lead to uncertainty in the market and negatively impact future investment, as companies may feel uncertain about investing in a sector with an unstable tax regime.
- Internalization of potential taxes: Introducing a temporary windfall profit tax may reduce future investment since prospective investors may internalize the likelihood of potential taxes when making investment decisions.
- Threshold for exemption of smaller companies: Determining the threshold for exemption of smaller companies raises questions about which companies should be taxed and what level of profit is normal or excessive.
- Difficulty in determining true windfall profits: There is also the issue of determining what constitutes true windfall profits, as it may be challenging to differentiate between profits attributable to external events versus those attributable to a company’s active investment strategy or business expansion.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Web 3.0
Mains level: Not Much
Central idea: The article discusses the key features of Web3, including its decentralized nature, peer-to-peer transactions, and greater control over data and digital assets for users.
What is Web3?
- Web3, also known as Web 3.0, is the next generation of the World Wide Web that emphasizes decentralization, security, and user privacy.
- It is essentially a vision of the internet where users have more control over their data, identities, and online interactions.
- It is built on blockchain technology, which enables peer-to-peer transactions without the need for intermediaries such as banks, governments, or other third parties.
- This decentralized approach to the web allows for greater transparency and trust, as well as more secure and private transactions.
- Web3 technologies include blockchain platforms like Ethereum, IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) for distributed file storage, decentralized identity systems like uPort, and decentralized marketplaces like OpenBazaar.
Features of Web 3
Feature
|
Web3
|
Web2
|
|
Centralisation
|
Decentralised |
Centralised |
|
Intermediaries
|
Peer-to-peer |
Rely on intermediaries |
|
Data ownership and control
|
Users have control |
Large corporations have control |
Challenges for Web3:
|
Challenge
|
Scalability
|
Current blockchain infrastructure can only handle a limited number of transactions per second. |
User Adoption
|
Despite being around for over a decade, blockchain technology is still relatively unknown to the general public. |
Interoperability
|
Web3 is being developed by different organisations, each with their own unique vision for the technology, leading to challenges in integration. |
Complexity
|
Technical expertise is required to use and understand Web3, which may be a barrier for some users. |
Examples of Web3 use:
|
Use
|
|
Cryptocurrencies
|
Built on blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies enable secure, decentralised transactions without the need for intermediaries. |
|
Decentralised Finance
|
Aims to build a new financial system on top of blockchain technology. DeFi applications enable users to borrow, lend, and trade crypto. |
|
Decentralised storage
|
Used to create decentralised social networks and develop decentralised identity verification systems. |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: YZ Ceti exoplanet , Exoplanets
Mains level: NA
Central idea: Astronomers have detected a repeating radio signal from the YZ Ceti exoplanet that suggests the presence of a magnetic field around it.
What is YZ Ceti b?
- YZ Ceti b is an earth-sized exoplanet (a planet that orbits a star other than our sun).
- It is located barely 12 light-years from Earth, and it rotates around a small red dwarf star called YZ Ceti.
How was the discovery made?
- The researchers had to make multiple rounds of observations before they could detect the radio signals from the star YZ Ceti, which seemed to match the orbital period of the planet YZ Ceti b.
- From this, they deduced that the signals were a result of the interaction between the planet’s magnetic field and the star.
Why does the magnetic field matter?
- Intense bursts of energy from the YZ Ceti star-exoplanet exchange produce spectacular auroral lights, similar to the energy surges from the sun that disrupt telecommunications on earth.
- The radio waves confirmed the existence of an exoplanetary magnetic field.
- This can only be produced if the exoplanet orbits very close to its parent star and has its own magnetic field to influence the stellar wind and generate the signals.
What’s the implication for YZ Ceti b?
- The small orbit of YZ Ceti b indicates that the planet takes just a couple of earth days to circle its star.
- Nearly half of all the stars visible in the sky could potentially harbor rocky, earth-sized planets in habitable orbits around them.
- Astronomers indicated that the possibility of the existence of a magnetic field on the Earth-like exoplanet, called YZ Ceti b, probably hints at the habitability of life on that planet.
How common are such magnetic fields?
- Planetary scientists have never been able to identify magnetic fields on smaller, rocky exoplanets until now.
- The survival of a planet’s atmosphere may depend on its having, or not having, a strong magnetic field, since the field protects its atmosphere from being eroded by the charged particles blowing in from its star.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Stablecoins
Mains level: Read the attached story
The US Congress (Parliament) has made another attempt to create a legislative framework for the increasingly popular stablecoins, a sort of cryptocurrency that is pegged to a particular commodity or currency.
What are Stablecoins?
- Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value, typically by being pegged to a stable asset such as the US dollar.
- Investing in stablecoins can help mitigate market volatility because they are less susceptible to price fluctuations than other cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum or any other.
Types of stablecoins
| Fiat-backed stablecoins |
Backed by reserves of fiat currency held in a bank account or other secure location. Example: Tether (USDT) |
| Commodity-backed stablecoins |
Backed by reserves of a physical commodity, such as gold or silver. Example: PAX Gold (PAXG) |
| Algorithmic stablecoins |
Use algorithms or smart contracts to maintain a stable value. Example: Dai stablecoin (DAI) |
How can Stablecoin mitigate market volatility?
|
Explanation |
| Hedging against volatility |
- Help investors hedge against volatility and reduce their risk exposure.
- Pegged to a stable asset, which can provide a haven during market turbulence.
- If the value of Bitcoin or Ethereum drops suddenly, investors can move their funds into stablecoins to protect their portfolio from further losses.
|
| Greater flexibility in transferring funds |
- Greater flexibility and convenience compared to traditional fiat currencies.
- Quickly and easily transferred between wallets and exchanges, making them ideal for cross-border transactions.
- Investors take advantage of investment opportunities in other markets and avoid currency exchange fees and delays.
|
| Arbitrage trading |
- Used for arbitrage trading, which involves buying an asset in one market and selling it in another market for a higher price.
- As stablecoins are pegged to a stable asset, investors can quickly move funds between exchanges without worrying about price fluctuations, making arbitrage trading easier and potentially more profitable.
|
What are the risks?
|
Explanation |
| Stability of the asset |
- Stablecoins are reliant on the stability of the asset they are pegged to.
- If the value of that asset drops, it can lead to a drop in the stablecoin’s value as well.
- This could result in losses for investors who hold the stablecoin.
|
| Transparency and regulation |
- There are concerns over the transparency and regulation of stablecoin issuers.
- This could result in a loss of trust in the stablecoin and a subsequent drop in its value.
- There is no proper regulation and oversight.
- There is a risk that stablecoin issuers may engage in fraudulent or unethical behaviour, which could lead to losses for investors.
- It is important for investors to carefully assess the reputation and credibility of the stablecoin issuer before investing in a stablecoin.
|
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: EMIC Waves
Mains level: Indian Antarctic Program
Central idea
- Scientists working at the Indian Antarctic Station, Maitri, have identified and probed Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) waves to study their characteristics.
- The study aims to understand the impact of energetic particles in the radiation belts on low orbiting satellites.
About Indian Antarctic Station, Maitri
|
Description |
| Name |
Maitri Antarctic Station (Friendship Research Centre) |
| Establishment |
1984 |
| Location |
Schirmacher Oasis, East Antarctica |
| Distance from other stations |
5 km away from Novolazarevskaya Station |
| Purpose |
Conducting scientific research as part of the Indian Antarctic Programme |
| Features |
Second permanent research station of India in Antarctica |
| Named by |
Then-PM Indira Gandhi |
| First camp commander |
Squadron Leader D.P. Joshi |
| First huts |
Completed in 1989 by the IV Antarctica Expedition |
What are EMIC Waves?
- Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) waves are a type of plasma wave that occurs in the Earth’s magnetosphere.
- They are caused by the interaction of energetic particles in the radiation belts with the Earth’s magnetic field.
- These waves have frequencies in the range of a few hundred hertz to a few kilohertz and are known to play an important role in the acceleration and loss of energetic particles in the Earth’s magnetosphere.
- The study of EMIC waves is important for understanding the effects of space weather on satellite communication and navigation systems.
Identification and study of EMIC waves
- A team of scientists from the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) analysed data collected between 2011 and 2017 by the Induction Coil Magnetometer.
- The device was installed at the Indian Antarctic station Maitri to bring out several aspects of the ground observation of the EMIC waves.
Significance of the study
- This study is important to improve our understanding of EMIC wave modulation and how they interact with energetic particles that impact satellites and their communication.
- It could help understand the impact of energetic particles in the radiation belts on low orbiting satellites and lead to improved satellite communication systems.
Back2Basics: Indian Antarctic Programme
- It is a scientific program run by the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- It was launched in 1981 and since then India has been operating research stations in Antarctica.
- It gained global acceptance with India’s signing of the Antarctic Treaty and subsequent construction of the Dakshin Gangotri Antarctic research base in 1983, superseded by the Maitri base from 1989.
- The program conducts research in areas such as geology, oceanography, atmospheric sciences, and earth sciences.
- India currently operates two permanent research stations in Antarctica – Maitri and Bharati.
- The program also has plans to set up a third research station called ‘Siddhanta’ in the coming years.
- Apart from conducting research, the program also engages in logistics support, environmental monitoring, and outreach activities.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: TeLEOS-2 Satellite, PSLV
Mains level: NA
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch Singapore’s TeLEOS-2 satellite this week, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
What is TeLEOS-2?
- TeLEOS-2 is a Singaporean Earth Observation satellite built by ST Electronics (Satellite Systems).
- It carries a made-in-Singapore Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) capable of providing 1 m resolution data.
- It will be equipped with a 500 GB onboard recorder for recording the data captured and a high speed 800 Mbps downlink.
- In 2015, ISRO launched TeLEOS-1, the first Singapore commercial Earth Observation Satellite, which was launched into a low Earth orbit for remote sensing applications.
- ISRO has so far launched nine satellites belonging to Singapore.
About the launch vehicle: PSLV-CA
- The PSLV-CA was manufactured by ISRO with the first launch on 2007-04-23.
- CA means “Core Alone”, model premiered on 23 April 2007.
- PSLV-CA has 15 successful launches and 0 failed launches with a total of 15 launches.
- The CA model does not include the six strap-on boosters used by the PSLV standard variant.
- The fourth stage of the CA variant has 400 kg less propellant when compared to its standard version.
- It currently has the capability to launch 1,100 kg to a 622 km Sun-synchronous orbit.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: JC Bose and his contributions
Mains level: NA
Central idea
- A recent discovery by researchers from Tel Aviv University in Israel, that plants make distinct sounds in the ultrasonic range when faced with stress, made headlines around the world.
- However, Indians who had grown up hearing about Jagadish Chandra Bose’s work, more than a century ago, on plant physiology and their ability to feel pleasure and pain, were not surprised.
|
Details |
| Who was JC Bose? |
– Born in 1858 in Mymensingh, Bengal.
– A polymath who made significant contributions to physics, biophysics, and plant physiology
– Graduated from Calcutta University with honors in physics and studied in London and Cambridge. |
| Notable works |
– Developed sensitive instruments for wireless telegraphy and demonstrated the first-ever wireless transmission of microwaves in 1895.
– Showed that plants produce electrical signals in response to stimuli and made significant contributions to biophysics. |
| Recognition & Controversy |
– Despite his contributions, he was not awarded a Nobel Prize, which many believe he deserved.
– Refused to obtain patents for his work and rejected the idea of making money from science.
– Claimed that even inanimate inorganic matter could respond to stimulus and regarded plants as intermediates in a continuum between animals and non-living materials, which was not easily accepted by his contemporaries. |
| Legacy and Significance |
– Founded the Bose Institute, a premier research institute in India.
– The crater Bose on the Moon is named after him.
– Regarded as one of India’s greatest scientists, and his legacy continues to inspire future generations of scientists. |
| Significance |
– Bose’s work on plant physiology and biophysics was ahead of his time and not fully understood by his contemporaries.
– However, over the years, much of his work has been confirmed. |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Consumer Confidence Index (CCI)
Mains level: Not Much
Central idea
- The Consumer Confidence Survey was conducted in the first half of March 2023 across 19 cities.
- This article analyses the survey results, released this month, and breaks down the findings under different sections.
What is Consumer Confidence Survey?
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conducts a Consumer Confidence Survey to measure consumers’ perceptions of the prevailing economic situation.
- The survey is conducted across various cities and measures consumer confidence on parameters such as the economy, employment, price, income, and spending.
- The survey consists of questions regarding consumers’ sentiments over various factors in the current situation and future.
Here are a few parameters that help aggregate overall confidence:
- Spending: The consumer is asked about the willingness to spend on major consumer durables, purchasing vehicles, or real estate. This measures the overall spending scenario on necessities as well as luxuries for the next quarter.
- Employment: The consumer is asked about current and future ideas on employment situations, joblessness, job security, which reflects the sentiments of the current or expected employment in the country.
- Inflation: The consumer is asked about interest rates and levels of prices of all goods, tracking the price expected by consumers and their spending on basic necessities.
About the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI)
- CCI is a survey that is conducted every two months to measure how optimistic or pessimistic the consumers are regarding their financial situation.
- The index measures the change in consumer perception on the financial situation in the last year and the future expectations index measures what the consumer thinks about his financial situation in the coming one year.
- The main variables of the survey are: Economic situation, Employment, Price Level, Income and Spending.
Current perceptions of the survey
- The survey estimates current perceptions and a year-ahead expectations on the economy, employment, price, income, and spending.
- The results show that consumer confidence continues to recover from its historic low of mid-2021, but still remains pessimistic at 87.0, a 2.2 point increase from previous results.
- The assessment of inflation conditions improved for the current period reflecting a higher confidence in prevailing economic conditions.
- With regards to spending, sentiments were positive with signs of improvement compared to the last round conducted in January 2023.
What does this imply?
- The survey shows that while consumer confidence is slowly recovering, it still remains pessimistic.
- The survey results indicate positive sentiments on employment and spending, but a marginal dip in the country’s future economic situation.
- Credit growth numbers indicate a rise in consumer spending.
- The upcoming state and general elections could have an impact on the economy, and it remains to be seen how it will play out.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Indian Exports
Mains level: Not Much
Central idea: The article discusses the top exporting districts in India and their contribution to the country’s overall exports. It also provides information on the top exported commodities in each district.
Top Exporting Districts in India
| Rank |
District |
State |
Share of India’s Exports |
| 1 |
Jamnagar |
Gujarat |
24% |
| 2 |
Surat |
Gujarat |
4.5% |
| 3 |
Mumbai Suburban |
Maharashtra |
4.5% |
| 4 |
Dakshina Kannada |
Karnataka |
– |
| 5 |
Devbhumi Dwarka, Bharuch, Kachchh |
Gujarat |
– |
| 6 |
Mumbai |
Maharashtra |
– |
| 7 |
Kancheepuram |
Tamil Nadu |
– |
| 8 |
Gautam Buddha Nagar |
Uttar Pradesh |
– |
Top Exporting Districts in Each State
- Map 1 shows the district that formed the highest share of a State’s exports in FY23.
- The size of the circle in the map corresponds to the value of exports.
- Most top exporting districts in the north-eastern States formed as much as 90% of a State’s exports, while some top exporting districts formed only around 20% of a State’s exports.
Top Exported Commodities
- Jamnagar’s dominance can be attributed to the fact that it formed a lion’s share of India’s surging petroleum exports, while Kancheepuram’s most exported commodity was smartphones.
- Map 1 also lists the top exported commodity of the top exporting districts in each State.
Top Exporting Districts for Each Commodity
- Maps 2A-2F show the top five exporting districts for the top six commodities exported by India.
- They include petroleum products, precious stones and jewellery, rice, wheat and other cereals, smartphones and electronic parts, vehicles other than railways, and pharmaceutical products.
Share of Top Exporting Commodity
- Table 3 shows the share of the top exporting commodity of the top exporting district in India’s total exports.
- For instance, Jamnagar’s petroleum products export formed 67% of India’s total exports for that commodity, while Surat’s precious stones and jewellery exports formed 36% of India’s total exports for that commodity.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: World Trade Organization (WTO)
Mains level: Read the attached story
A World Trade Organization (WTO) panel has ruled that India has violated global trading rules in a dispute with the European Union (EU), Japan, and Taiwan over import duties on IT products.
About World Trade Organization (WTO)
|
Details |
| Purpose |
Regulate and facilitate international trade between nations |
| Establishment |
1995 |
| Headquarters |
Geneva, Switzerland |
| Membership |
164 member countries as of 2023, representing over 98% of global trade |
| Goal |
Promote free and fair trade by negotiating and enforcing rules and agreements governing international trade |
| Agreements |
Administers a number of agreements, including GATT, SPS Agreement, and TRIPS Agreement |
| Dispute Resolution |
Operates a dispute settlement system to resolve conflicts between member countries |
| Technical Assistance |
Provides technical assistance and training to help developing countries participate more effectively in international trade |
| Decision-Making Body |
Ministerial Conference, which meets every two years |
| Director-General |
Chief executive responsible for overseeing the organization’s operations and activities |
| Criticisms |
Some criticize the WTO for being undemocratic, favoring developed countries, and not doing enough to promote labor and environmental standards in international trade |
What was the case?
- The case involved a dispute over India’s introduction of import duties ranging from 7.5% to 20% on a wide range of IT products, including mobile phones, components, and integrated circuits.
- The EU, Japan, and Taiwan challenged these import duties in 2019, arguing that they exceeded the maximum rate allowed under global trading rules.
- The recent ruling by the WTO panel found that India had violated these rules and recommended that India bring its measures into conformity with its obligations.
WTO Panel’s Ruling
- The WTO panel has ruled that India violated global trading rules by imposing these import duties.
- The panel recommended that India bring these measures into conformity with its obligations.
- While the panel broadly backed the complaints against India, it rejected one of Japan’s claims that India’s customs notification lacked “predictability”.
Implications of the ruling
- The EU is India’s third-largest trading partner, accounting for 10.8% of total Indian trade in 2021, according to the European Commission.
- The ruling could have implications for trade relations between India and the EU, as well as Japan and Taiwan.
- India may be required to lower or eliminate the challenged import duties.
- It remains to be seen whether India will appeal against the ruling.
- If it does, the case will sit in legal purgatory since the WTO’s top appeals bench is no longer functioning due to US opposition to judge appointments.
Conclusion
- The panel recommended that India bring such measures into conformity with its obligations, and it remains to be seen whether India will appeal against the ruling.
- The case highlights the importance of complying with global trading rules and the role of the WTO in resolving trade disputes between countries.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Mains level: Not Much
Central idea: The article reports on a recent study which found evidence that coastal life forms have colonized plastic items in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a vast area in the North Pacific Ocean where plastic waste has accumulated due to ocean currents.
What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP)?
|
Features |
| Location |
North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG), north of the equator in the Pacific Ocean |
| Currents |
Kuroshio, North Pacific, California, and North Equatorial currents, moving in a clockwise direction |
| Sources |
Any trash that enters one of these currents from any of the 51 Pacific Rim countries |
| Size |
Estimated to be 1.6 million sq. km |
| Age |
More than 50 years old |
| Plastic Content |
Estimated to contain 45,000-129,000 metric tonnes of plastic, predominantly in the form of microplastics |
| Visible Objects |
Heavier, more visible objects that haven’t yet broken down into smaller particles accounted for 92% in 2018 |
Findings of the new study
- Researchers from Canada, the Netherlands, and the U.S. have reported that coastal life forms have colonized plastic items in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
- From November 2018 to January 2019, they collected 105 pieces of plastic debris, the most heavily plastic-polluted ocean gyre on the globe.
- Based on studying them, they reported that 98% of the debris items had invertebrate organisms.
Plastic inflicting into a coastal organism
- Organisms found on coasts were getting by on small floating islands of garbage out in the Pacific Ocean, which the researchers named the neopelagic community.
- They found organisms belonging to 46 taxa, and 37 of them were coastal; the rest were pelagic. Among both coastal and pelagic organisms, crustaceans were the most common.
- Nearly all taxa were of Northwest Pacific origin, including Japan.
- Eight of the remainder were from East Asia and five specifically from Japan. Four items were from North America.
- They found that 68% of the coastal taxa and 33% of the pelagic taxa reproduced asexually and that there was evidence of sexual reproduction among the hydroids and the crustaceans, among others.
Implications of the findings
- Marine plastic pollution has given rise to a new kind of standing coastal community in the open ocean.
- The neopelagic community is not misplaced but lives on plastic items in the garbage patch, including reproducing there.
- The finding recalls other studies that show the chemical bonding of plastic with rocks, sedimentary rocks embedded with plastic earrings in Brazil, and the formation of plastiglomerates in Hawaii.
What is neopelagic community?
- The neopelagic community refers to the group of organisms that inhabit the open ocean or the pelagic zone beyond the continental shelf.
- It is characterized by deep waters with very few physical structures or substrate for organisms to attach to.
- This community includes a wide variety of organisms, including zooplankton, fish, squid, and marine mammals, among others.
- These organisms have adapted to survive in the open ocean environment, which can be quite challenging due to factors such as temperature fluctuations, limited food availability, and the absence of physical structures for shelter.
- The neopelagic community is an important part of the global marine ecosystem, playing a key role in nutrient cycling and energy transfer between different levels of the food chain.
|
GPGP and its impact on marine life
- The GPGP has significant impacts on marine life due to the ingestion of plastic by marine animals, which can cause harm and even death.
- Plastic can also entangle and suffocate marine animals, leading to the disruption of ecosystems.
- The new study sheds light on the neopelagic community, which has adapted to living on plastic in the garbage patch.
Plastic pollution and its environmental impact
- Plastic pollution is a major environmental issue that affects land and water ecosystems worldwide.
- Plastic waste can take hundreds of years to decompose, and even then, it breaks down into microplastics that can persist in the environment indefinitely.
- The presence of plastic in the environment has negative impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem function, and human health.
Conclusion
- There are various solutions to plastic pollution, including reducing the use of single-use plastics, recycling, and promoting alternative materials.
- Governments and industries can also take steps to reduce plastic waste, such as implementing policies and regulations that reduce plastic use and increase recycling.
- Individual actions, such as reducing personal plastic consumption and properly disposing of plastic waste, can also make a difference.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Polar Crown Prominence (PCP)
Mains level: Not Much
Central idea: The article talks about an astrophotographer named Andrew McCarthy capturing an image of a plasma waterfall on the sun. The phenomenon is called Polar Crown Prominence (PCP).
Polar Crown Prominence (PCP)
- PCP is a solar phenomenon that occurs on the sun’s Polar Regions.
- It is a type of solar prominence, which is a large, bright, gaseous feature that extends out from the sun’s surface.
- A solar prominence is a large, bright, gaseous feature that extends out from the sun’s surface.
- It is made up of ionized gas (plasma) that is held in place by magnetic fields.
- Prominences are visible during total solar eclipses and can also be observed using specialized telescopes.
- PCPs are often associated with sunspots, which are dark regions on the sun’s surface that are caused by magnetic activity.
How are PCPs Formed?
- PCPs are formed by the interaction of magnetic fields on the sun’s surface.
- Magnetic fields are created by the movement of charged particles (plasma) in the sun’s interior.
- When these magnetic fields interact, they can create regions of intense magnetic activity, such as sunspots.
- PCPs are often associated with these regions of magnetic activity.
Why are PCPs Important?
- PCPs are important because they provide clues about the sun’s magnetic activity and how it affects the Earth’s environment.
- Solar activity, including PCPs, can cause disturbances in the Earth’s magnetic field, which can lead to auroras and disruptions in communication systems.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Mangrove Pitta Bird
Mains level: Not Much
Central idea: The article talks about the first-ever census of mangrove pitta birds conducted in two coastal districts of Odisha, India.
About Mangrove Pitta
- The mangrove pitta (Pitta megarhyncha) belongs to the family of pittas, the Pittidae.
- The mangrove pitta species is distributed in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
- These pitta species have fragmented distribution and considered ‘Near Threatened’ by IUCN. These pittas are monotypic species.
Focus of the Census
- In this census, a total of 179 individual mangrove pitta birds were counted.
- The census mainly focused on the mangrove patches along the coasts of Kendrapara and Jagatsingpur districts.
- Information was collected on the distribution, habitat, and breeding of mangrove pittas along the coastal mangroves.
- The census was carried out by point count method, either by walking in the forest or using country boats in the creeks.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Constitution Bench
Mains level: Same sex marriages
The Supreme Court has announced the formation of a new Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud to hear a series of petitions seeking legal recognition of same sex marriages.
What is a Constitution Bench?
- The constitution bench is the name given to the benches of the Supreme Court of India.
- The Chief Justice of India has the power to constitute a Constitution Bench and refer cases to it.
Constitution benches are set up when the following circumstances exist:
- Interpretation of the Constitution: Article 145(3) provides for the constitution of at least five judges of the court which sit to decide any case “involving a substantial question of law as to the interpretation” of the Constitution of India.
- President of India seeking SC’s opinion: When the President has sought the Supreme Court’s opinion on a question of fact or law under Article 143 of the Constitution. Article 143 of the Constitution provides for Advisory jurisdiction to the SC. As per the provision, the President has the power to address questions to the apex Court, which he deems important for public welfare.
- Conflicting Judgments: When two or more three-judge benches of the Supreme Court have delivered conflicting judgments on the same point of law, necessitating a definite understanding and interpretation of the law by a larger bench.
- The Constitution benches are set up on ad hoc basis as and when the above-mentioned conditions exist.
- Constitution benches have decided many of India’s best-known and most important Supreme Court cases, such as:
- K. Gopalan v. State of Madras (Preventive detention)
- Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (Basic structure doctrine) and
- Ashoka Kumar Thakur v. Union of India (OBC reservations) etc.
Why in news now?
- The Centre had expressed its concern about the “psychological impact” that same-sex unions could have on children, but refused to link its worries to stigma about same-sex relationships.
- The government’s recent affidavit sought to explain how same-sex marriage was antithetical to the view held by many in India that marriage was a “holy union, a sacrament and a sanskar” between a biological man and a woman.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Aspirational Toilets
Mains level: Swachh Bharat Mission and its success
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has issued a directive to all state governments to ensure that 25% of public toilet seats added in any city or urban unit are “aspirational toilets.”
What are Aspirational Toilets?
- The aspirational toilets scheme was launched in September 2022 as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 2.0, with an aim to help make cities open defecation free.
- A quarter of all new public restrooms in Indian cities will soon have high-end features such as luxurious bath cubicles, touchless flushing, breast-feeding rooms, and automatic sanitary napkin incinerators.
- These will be indicated as “aspirational toilets” on Google Maps.
Focus areas for constructing aspirational toilets
- The focus areas for constructing these luxury toilets will be tourist and religious destinations, as well as iconic cities.
- High-footfall locations such as markets, railway stations, inter-state bus depots, and national highways will be given priority.
- Guidelines have been issued to the states for constructing these toilets. It also includes low-height toilets and basins for children.
- Hand-dryers, paper napkins, and vending machines for sanitary napkins are proposed to be made available.
Maintenance and funding patterns
- One of the business models being explored for the maintenance of these toilets is attaching them with other public services such as restaurants, shopping malls, libraries, cinema halls, or even medicine shops, to make them self-sustaining.
- Experts have cautioned that a proper study must be done on the location and the way these toilets will be maintained before beginning any such project.
Back2Basics: Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0
|
Description
|
| Objective |
Make all cities in India “garbage-free” |
| Period |
5 years (1st Oct 2021 – 1st Oct 2026) |
| Focus |
Sustainable solid waste management, sustainable sanitation and treatment of used water, and promoting behavior change through citizen outreach |
| Segregation of waste |
All households and premises required to segregate their waste into “wet waste” and “dry waste” |
| Collection of waste |
Aims to achieve 100% door-to-door collection of segregated waste from each household/premise |
| Waste management |
Aims to achieve 100% scientific management of all fractions of waste, including safe disposal in scientific landfills, remediation of all legacy dumpsites, and the conversion of these sites into green zones |
| Sanitation |
Aims to promote holistic sanitation, with end-to-end solutions, treatment of used water before discharge into water bodies, and maximum reuse of treated used water |
| Citizen outreach |
Aims to create awareness and institutionalize “Swachh” behavior through large-scale citizen outreach |
| Institutional capacity |
Aims to create institutional capacity to effectively implement programmatic interventions to achieve mission objectives |
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