Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: State Energy Efficiency Index
Mains level: Not Much
The Union Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy has released the report of State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2021-22.
State Energy Efficiency Index
- The SEEI 2021-22 has been developed by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in collaboration with Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE).
- SEEI 2021-22 consists of 50 indicators (common and programme-specific) spanning 7 sectors – buildings, industry, municipal services, transport, agriculture, DISCOMs, and cross-sector.
- 36 states and union territories have been assessed for their energy efficiency progress in FY 2020- 21 and FY 2021-22 in SEEI 2021-22.
- Based on their efforts and achievements, states have been classified as ‘Front runner’, ‘Achiever’, ‘Contender’, and ‘Aspirant’.
Highlights of the 2021-22 report
| Category |
States |
| Front Runner (>60 points) |
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Telangana |
| Achiever (50-60 points) |
Assam, Haryana, Maharashtra, Punjab |
Importance of SEEI
- The SEEI improves data collection, enables cross-state collaboration, and develops energy efficiency program ideas.
- It helps states identify areas for improvement, learn from best practices, and adopt an economy-wide approach to energy efficiency implementation.
- By prioritizing energy efficiency, it aims at driving decarbonization efforts and achieving a more sustainable future.
Key recommendations of the report
The report outlines the following recommendations to help states drive change in EE which will contribute towards the fulfillment of SDGs and NDC:
- Enabling fiscal assistance for energy efficiency in the focus sectors.
- Developing institutional capacity in states and UTs to address emerging needs and challenges in energy efficiency implementation.
- Enhancing cross-functional collaborations across financial institutions, energy service companies, and energy professionals in large-scale energy efficiency implementation in states.
- Mainstreaming energy data reporting and monitoring across sectors.
Back2Basics: Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
- BEE was established by the Government of India on 1st March 2002 under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
- The primary objective of BEE is to reduce the energy intensity of the Indian economy by developing policies and strategies based on self-regulation and market principles.
- BEE coordinates with designated consumers, designated agencies, and other organizations to perform its functions under the Energy Conservation Act.
- The Energy Conservation Act provides for both regulatory and promotional functions for BEE.
- BEE’s role includes recognizing, identifying, and utilizing existing resources and infrastructure to promote energy conservation and efficiency.
- It works towards driving energy efficiency policies and programs at the state and local level, enabling cross-state collaboration and developing energy efficiency program ideas.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Rare earth elements
Mains level: Not Much
Scientists at the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) in Hyderabad have discovered the presence of rare-earth elements (REEs) in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh.
What are Rare-Earth Elements?
- Rare-earth elements (REEs) are a group of 17 elements, including lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, yttrium, hafnium, tantalum, niobium, zirconium, and scandium.
- These elements are widely used in modern electronics, such as smartphones, computers, jet aircraft, and other products, due to their unique magnetic, optical, and catalytic properties.
- These elements are crucial components in various electronic devices and have industrial applications in sectors like imaging, aerospace, and defense.
SHORE Project and discovery of REEs
- The discovery was part of a study funded by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under a project called ‘Shallow subsurface imaging Of India for Resource Exploration’ (SHORE).
- NGRI scientists found enriched quantities of REEs in “whole rock analyses”.
- Drilling for at least a kilometer deep will help ascertain the consistency of the elements’ presence underground.
Significance of the discovery
- The discovery of REEs in Anantapur district is significant as these elements are in high demand worldwide, and their supply is limited.
- REEs have become a subject of geopolitical concern due to their increasing demand and limited supply.
- China is currently the world’s largest producer and exporter of rare-earth elements (REEs), accounting for more than 80% of global production.
- The country has significant reserves of REEs and has invested heavily in mining and processing infrastructure.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: LIGO
Mains level: Gravitational waves study
India has given the final approval to build its biggest scientific facility, Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), in the Hingoli district of Maharashtra. The facility will join the global project to detect and study gravitational waves.
Gravitation and General Theory of Relativity
- Newton’s law of gravitation, proposed by Sir Isaac Newton in the 17th century, explains that the force that makes an object fall to the ground is also responsible for making heavenly bodies go around in their orbits.
- However, the theory did not explain the existence of an attractive force between any two bodies or the instantaneous propagation of the gravitational force over large distances.
- In 1915, Albert Einstein proposed the General Theory of Relativity, which altered our understanding of gravitation. Einstein proposed that space-time interacted with matter, was influenced by it, and in turn, and influenced events.
- The curvature in space-time produced by matter was the reason other smaller bodies in the vicinity felt the gravitational pull.
- General Relativity also predicted that moving objects would generate gravitational waves in space-time.
|
What is LIGO?
|
What is it?
|
Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) |
| Purpose |
Detect and study gravitational waves |
| Cause |
Ripples in spacetime caused by violent and energetic events in the universe |
| Location |
Livingston, Louisiana and Hanford, Washington |
| Detector |
Michelson interferometer |
| Function |
Measure changes in length caused by passing gravitational waves |
| Benefits |
Improving our understanding of the universe and its origins |
| Discovery |
Detected gravitational waves for the first time in 2015 |
| Significance |
Confirmed a prediction made by Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity |
| Field |
Gravitational wave astronomy |
| Discoveries |
Many exciting discoveries about the nature of the universe |
About LIGO-India
- LIGO-India will be the fifth node of this international network of gravitational wave observatories, and possibly the last.
- The instrument is so sensitive that it can easily get influenced by events like earthquakes, landslides, or even the movement of trucks, and produce a false reading.
- That is why multiple observatories are needed to revalidate the signals.
- India’s involvement in LIGO is crucial to demonstrating its intent and capability to pull-off complex science projects independently.
Significance
- The detection and study of gravitational waves could help in understanding the universe’s structure, the origin of the universe, and the functioning of black holes.
- The LIGO project also has huge spin-off benefits for India’s science and technology sector.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Uranium isotopes, Radioactivity
Mains level: NA
Physicists in Japan have discovered a new isotope of uranium, with atomic number 92 and mass number 241.
Uranium
- Uranium is a naturally occurring chemical element with the symbol U and atomic number 92.
- It is a heavy metal that is radioactive and found in small quantities in rocks and soils worldwide.
- Uranium has several isotopes, which are atoms that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Isotopes of Uranium
The most common isotopes of uranium are uranium-238 and uranium-235.
- Uranium-238: It is the most abundant isotope of uranium, accounting for over 99% of natural uranium. It has 92 protons and 146 neutrons in its nucleus. It is not fissile, which means it cannot sustain a nuclear chain reaction. However, it is fertile, which means it can absorb neutrons and undergo radioactive decay to produce other isotopes such as plutonium-239, which is fissile.
- Uranium-235: It is the second most abundant isotope of uranium, accounting for less than 1% of natural uranium. It has 92 protons and 143 neutrons in its nucleus. Unlike uranium-238, it is fissile, which means it can sustain a nuclear chain reaction. It is used as fuel in nuclear reactors and as the primary material for nuclear weapons.
How are isotopes created?
- Isotopes can be created through natural processes or artificial processes in a laboratory.
- Isotopes are created through natural processes such as radioactive decay, cosmic ray interactions, and nuclear fusion reactions in stars.
- For example, carbon-14 is created in the Earth’s upper atmosphere when cosmic rays interact with nitrogen atoms.
- Isotopes can also be created artificially through nuclear reactions.
- This involves bombarding atoms with particles such as protons, neutrons, or alpha particles, which can change the number of protons and/or neutrons in the nucleus.
How uranium-241 was found?
- To find uranium-241, the researchers accelerated uranium-238 nuclei into plutonium-198 nuclei using the KEK Isotope Separation System (KISS).
- In a process called multinucleon transfer, the two isotopes exchanged protons and neutrons, resulting in nuclear fragments with different isotopes.
- The researchers identified uranium-241 and measured the mass of its nucleus using time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
- Theoretical calculations suggest that uranium-241 could have a half-life of 40 minutes.
Significance of the discovery
- The discovery is significant because it refines our understanding of nuclear physics, particularly the shapes of large nuclei of heavy elements and how often they occur.
- This information helps physicists to design models for nuclear power plants and exploding stars.
Also, what are Magic numbers?
- There is a particular interest in ‘magic number’ nuclei, which contain a certain number of protons or neutrons that result in a highly stable nucleus.
- Lead (82 protons) is the heaviest known ‘magic’ nucleus, and physicists have been trying to find the next element with magic numbers.
- The researchers hope to extend their systematic mass measurements towards many neutron-rich isotopes, at least to neutron number 152, where a new ‘magic number’ is expected.
Conclusion
- The discovery of the new neutron-rich uranium isotope is a major breakthrough in nuclear physics, as it provides essential information for understanding the behavior of heavy elements.
- The researchers’ aim to extend their measurements to other neutron-rich isotopes reflects their commitment to exploring the frontiers of nuclear science and to improve our understanding of the universe.
- Discovering new magic number nuclei through these measurements could have practical applications in designing safer and more efficient nuclear power plants and understanding the properties of exploding stars.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: CR Rao
Mains level: Not Much
Central idea: Indian-American statistician Calyampudi Radhakrishna Rao has been awarded the 2023 International Prize in Statistics, which is considered the Nobel Prize for statistics. He is 102 YO.
Who is C. R. Rao?
- R. Rao, is an Indian-American mathematician and statistician.
- He is currently professor emeritus at Pennsylvania State University and Research Professor at the University at Buffalo.
- Rao has been honoured by numerous colloquia, honorary degrees, and festschrifts and was awarded the US National Medal of Science in 2002.
- The American Statistical Association has described him as “a living legend whose work has influenced not just statistics, but has had far reaching implications for fields as varied as economics, genetics, anthropology, geology, national planning, demography, biometry, and medicine.”
- The Times of India listed Rao as one of the top 10 Indian scientists of all time.
Rao’s Groundbreaking Paper
- The research paper, “Information and accuracy attainable in the estimation of statistical parameters,” was published in 1945 in the Bulletin of the Calcutta Mathematical Society.
- The paper provided a lower limit on the variance of an unbiased estimate for a finite sample, which has since become a cornerstone of mathematical statistics.
Key outcomes of his research
Rao’s 1945 paper has three outcomes-
- Cramer-Rao inequality: It provides a lower limit on the variance of an unbiased estimate for a finite sample.
- Rao-Blackwell Theorem: It provides a method to improve an estimate to an optimal estimate.
- Information geometry: It is a new interdisciplinary area called “information geometry,” which integrated principles from differential geometry into statistics, including the concepts of metric, distance, and measure.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: TEMPO Mission
Mains level: Air Pollution monitoring
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched carrying a new NASA device named Tropospheric Emissions Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO) designed to monitor air pollutants and their emission sources across North America from space more comprehensively than ever before.
What is TEMPO?
- TEMPO is an instrument developed by NASA, which will enable scientists to monitor air pollutants and their emission sources from space, down to the neighbourhood level.
- This instrument will measure pollution and air quality across greater North America on an hourly basis during the daytime.
TEMPO’s special features
- TEMPO is unique because it will be hosted on an Intelsat communications satellite in geostationary orbit, about 22,236 miles (35,786 km) above the equator.
- This will allow the instrument to match the rotation of the Earth, meaning it will stay over the same location (North America) at all times.
- It will be able to measure atmospheric pollution down to a spatial resolution of 4 square miles (10 square km), or neighbourhood level.
Applications of TEMPO
- TEMPO will have multiple applications from measuring levels of various pollutants to providing air quality forecasts and helping the development of emission-control strategies.
- The data will be used by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and other agencies responsible for tackling atmospheric pollution.
Importance of the mission
- According to the American Lung Association, more than 40% of the US population, 137 million people, live in places with unhealthy levels of particle pollution or ozone, and air pollution is blamed for some 60,000 premature deaths a year.
- TEMPO will track pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, produced from the combustion of fossil fuels, formaldehyde, and ozone.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Mera Gaon Mera Dharohar
Mains level: Not Much
Central idea: The government has identified and documented the unique cultural heritage of more than one lakh villages across the country under the National Mission for Cultural Mapping’s Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar programme.
Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar
- The National Mission for Cultural Mapping aims to develop a comprehensive database of art forms, artists, and other resources across the country.
- The programme was launched by the Culture Ministry in 2017 but was handed over to the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA) in 2021.
- The programme aims to cover all the 6.5 lakh villages in the country.
Why such a program?
- The program seeks to document the cultural identity at the village level by involving citizens to share what makes their village, block, or district unique.
- The villages have been classified into seven-eight categories based on ecological, developmental, scholastic, historical, and mythological importance.
- The mapping aims to develop a comprehensive database of art forms, artists, and other resources across the country.
Survey process
- The survey process involves a CSC Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE) conducting meetings with locals and then uploading interesting facts about their village, its places of interest, customs and traditions, famous personalities, festivals and beliefs, art and culture, etc., on to a special application.
- The IGNCA plans to create special films on 6,500 village clusters showcasing their unique heritage.
- Short films have been made on 750 cluster villages, which have been shot using drones, and the VLEs would upload these videos on the application as well.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: National Curriculum Framework (NCF)
Mains level: Not Much
The Ministry of Education has released a pre-draft version of National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for School Education.
National Curriculum Framework (NCF)
Features
|
Details
|
| What is it? |
A comprehensive framework for school education in India
Provides guidelines for the development of curricula and syllabi, textbooks, and teaching practices for schools in India |
| Developed by |
National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Education |
| Aim |
To promote a child-centred, activity-based approach to learning that focuses on the development of knowledge, skills, and values |
| Development |
The first NCF was developed in 1986 and subsequently revised in 2000 and 2005.
The latest pre-draft version of NCF for School Education was released by the Ministry of Education in April 2023. |
| Coverage |
For age groups 3 to 18 years
Seeks feedback from various stakeholders |
| National Steering Committee |
Set up by the Ministry to undertake and develop NCFs under the chairmanship of K. Kasturirangan. |
Salient features of NCF
(1) Values and Roots
- A key part of the document is the inclusion of values and its “rootedness” in India.
- The pre-draft says that the framework is deeply rooted in India in content and learning of languages, in the pedagogical approaches including tools and resources, and in philosophical basis — in the aims and in the epistemic approach.
- The document further says that it leans towards making students acquainted with true sources of knowledge, which have been a philosophical preoccupation of ancient Indians.
- These sources focus on six pramanas: pratyaksa, anumana, upamana, arthapatti, anupalabdhi, and sabda.
Six Pramanas
1. Pratyaksha: Interpreted as perception through the five senses
2. Anumana: Uses inferences to come to new conclusions
3. Upamana: Knowing through analogy and comparison
4. Arthapatti: Involves knowing through circumstantial implication
5. Anupalabdhi: Includes perception of non-existence
6. Sabda: Something an individual can only directly know a fraction of all reality through direct experience and inference but must rely on other experts was acknowledged thousands of years ago |
(2) Moral Development
- A part of the document focuses on the moral development of a child through panchakosha vikas or five-fold development.
- The pre-draft recommends developing moral values for the child through a balanced diet, traditional games, yoga asanas, as well as a wide variety of stories, songs, lullabies, poems, and prayers to develop a love for cultural context.
(3) Curriculum revamp
- The pre-draft says that for Grade 10 certification, students will have to take two essential courses from humanities, maths and computing, vocational education, physical education, arts education, social science, science, and interdisciplinary areas.
- In Grade 11 and 12, students will be offered choice-based courses in the same disciplines for more rigorous engagement.
- Arts education will include music, dance, theatre, sculpture, painting, set design, scriptwriting, while interdisciplinary areas will include knowledge of India, traditions, and practices of Indian knowledge systems.
- For Class 11 and 12, the document states that “Modular Board Exams will be offered as opposed to a single exam at the end of the year, and the final result will be based on the cumulative result of each exam.”
- The framework of the social science curriculum emphasizes understanding and appreciating the feeling of Indianess, ‘bhartiyata,’ by valuing the rich cultural heritage and tradition of the country.
- It also stresses on identifying and explaining important phases of the Indian national movement against British rule, with special reference to Gandhian and other subaltern movements.
(4) Social Science Curriculum
- The pre-draft emphasizes understanding and appreciating the feeling of Indianess, “bhartiyata,” by valuing the rich cultural heritage and tradition of the country.
- The pre-draft also stresses on identifying and explaining important phases of the Indian national movement against British rule, with special reference to Gandhian and other subaltern movements.
- It also recommends teaching concepts of Buddhism, Jainism, and Vedic and Confucian philosophies.
(5) Follow-up processes
- As a follow-up to the National Education Policy 2020, development of four National Curriculum Frameworks — NCF for School Education, NCF for Early Childhood Care and Education, NCF for Teacher Education, and NCF for Adult Education — have been initiated.
- The National Steering Committee under the chairmanship of K. Kasturirangan was set up by the Ministry to undertake and develop NCFs.
Controversy over curriculum revamp
- The latest round of textbook rationalisation has resulted in some of the most sweeping changes in the curriculum since the NDA government came to power.
- These changes include removing all references to the 2002 Gujarat riots, reducing content related to the Mughal era and the caste system, and dropping chapters on protests and social movements.
- Many of these changes are seen as ‘political’, however, their earlier introduction into curriculum was also a political move.
The furore over Mughal History
- While some of the content on the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire has indeed been removed from the history textbook for Class 7, the Mughals have not entirely disappeared.
- For instance, the chapter ‘The Mughal Empire’ in the Class 7 history textbook, Our Pasts – II, has undergone deletions — including a two-page table on the milestones and achievements of the reigns of the emperors Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb.
- However, the chapter itself has not been removed.
- Students of Class 7 will continue to learn about the Mughals, though in lesser detail.
Significance
- School textbooks have always been seen as playing a crucial role in shaping national narratives, and as a tool for cultivating a desired national identity.
- NCERT textbooks are read by more than 5 crore students in 18 states around the country, who are seen by political parties as a large captive audience with impressionable minds.
- It’s not just school students either — candidates preparing for competitive exams such as the Civil Services Examination, SSC, JEE, and NEET, also rely on these textbooks.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Indian Space Policy, 2023
Mains level: Not Much
Central idea: The Union Cabinet has approved the Indian Space Policy, 2023.
Indian Space Policy, 2023
- It aims to enhance the role of the Department of Space, boost the activities of ISRO missions, and encourage participation from research, academia, startups, and industry.
Salient features
(1) Outlining roles and responsibilities
- The Indian Space Policy, 2023 outlines the roles and responsibilities of various organizations in the space sector.
- The policy includes the responsibilities of ISRO, NewSpace India Limited, and private sector entities.
- This clarity in roles will help in the efficient functioning of the components set up in recent times.
(2) Multistakeholder participation
- The policy aims to boost the space sector by enhancing the role of the Department of Space and encouraging participation from research, academia, startups, and industry.
- This will help in the development of the space segment and create more opportunities for the private sector.
(3) Boosting ISRO Missions
- The Indian Space Policy, 2023 aims to boost the activities of ISRO missions.
- This will help ISRO achieve its objectives more efficiently and effectively.
- It will also help in the development of new technologies and innovative solutions.
(4) Involvement of Private Sector
- The Policy, 2023 recognizes the importance of the private sector in the development of the space sector.
- It encourages the involvement of private sector entities in various aspects of the space segment.
- This will create more opportunities for the private sector and help in the growth of the Indian space industry.
(5) Research and development
- The policy aims to involve research, academia, and startups in the development of the space sector.
- This will help in the development of new technologies, innovative solutions, and talent pool.
- It will also help in the growth of the Indian space industry and create more opportunities for research and development in the sector.
Conclusion
- The Indian Space Policy, 2023 is a comprehensive policy that provides clarity in the roles and responsibilities of various organizations in the space sector.
- The policy aims to boost the space segment, encourage private sector involvement, and involve research, academia, and startups in the development of the sector.
- The policy will help in achieving the objectives of ISRO more efficiently and effectively, and create more opportunities for the private sector and research and development in the space sector.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Natural Justice, Proportionality
Mains level: Freedom of press
Central idea
A quick recap of the case
- The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has earlier refused to renew broadcast license of a Malayalam news channel.
- The Ministry of Home Affairs had declined to grant security clearance to the channel’s promoters citing alleged links between radical groups.
- Hence the news agency approached Kerala High Court, which upheld the ban on February 9, 2022
- The Supreme Court granted temporary relief and allowed it to resume operations.
Supreme Court’s ruling
- The Supreme Court set aside earlier ban orders and upheld the channel’s appeal on two procedural grounds, namely
- Principles of natural justice and
- Proportionality
Articles invoked in the judgment
- The Court stated that the burden shifts on the Centre to prove that the procedure followed was reasonable and in compliance with the requirements of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.
- The Court used the standard of proportionality to test the reasonableness of the procedure in the present case and assessed the validity of public interest immunity claims based on the “structured proportionality standard”.
- The Court found that the reasons for denying security clearance to the channel were not legitimate purposes for the restriction of the right of freedom of speech protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
Key concepts involved
(1) Principles of natural justice
- The principles of natural justice are a set of procedural rules that ensure fairness and justice in administrative and legal proceedings.
- These principles are based on the fundamental idea that everyone is entitled to a fair hearing, and they are aimed at preventing arbitrary or biased decisions by decision-makers.
- The SC bench allowed the challenge to the MHA order and judgment of the High Court on account of the principles of natural justice constitutionalized by its judgment in its 1978 ruling in “Maneka Gandhi vs Union of India”
- Actions which violate procedural guarantees can be struck down even if non-compliance does not prejudice the outcome of the case.
(2) Proportionality
- The principle requires that the decision or action must be proportionate to the objective it seeks to achieve.
- In other words, the means employed to achieve the objective must be no more than necessary to achieve it, and the harm caused by the decision or action must not be excessive in relation to the benefit gained.
- The validity of the claim of involvement of national security considerations must be assessed on the test of whether there is material to conclude that the non-disclosure of information is in the interest of national security.
- Courts can assess the validity of public interest immunity claims based on the “structured proportionality standard”, said the SC.
- The SC observed that sealed cover proceedings infringe the principles natural justice and open justice.
Conclusion
- The Court’s ruling has been welcomed by media organizations and civil society groups as a victory for freedom of speech and expression
- The Court observed that the duty to act fairly derived from common law is not exhaustively defined in a set of concrete principles, and the concept of natural justice “cannot be put into a ‘straitjacket formula’.
- The ruling has been hailed as a victory for freedom of speech and expression, and a blow to attempts to stifle dissent and critical voices in the media.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Bidri Craft
Mains level: NA
Bidri craft artist from Karnataka Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri has been conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri Award.
Bidri Crafts
- Bidri ware is a traditional form of handicraft that originated in Bidar, Karnataka.
- It involves the crafting of metal wares using a unique technique that incorporates zinc and copper.
Its history
- Bidri ware has a long history that can be traced back to the 14th century.
- It was introduced to Bidar by Persian artisans during the reign of the Bahmani Sultans.
- The craft flourished under the patronage of the Mughal emperors, and it became a symbol of wealth and status.
Crafting process
- The process of making Bidri ware involves several stages. First, a mould is made of the object to be crafted.
- Next, the object is cast in an alloy of zinc and copper.
- The cast object is then filed and polished to remove any rough edges.
- The design is then etched onto the surface of the object using a sharp chisel.
- The etched areas are then filled with a blackened paste made from a mixture of copper sulphate and mud.
- Finally, the object is polished again to remove any excess paste and to create a smooth finish.
Designs and motifs
- Bidriware is known for its intricate designs and motifs, which are often inspired by nature, Islamic art, and Persian calligraphy.
- Common motifs include flowers, leaves, and geometric patterns.
- Many pieces also feature verses from the Quran or other Islamic texts.
Recognition and awards
- Bidri ware has received several awards and recognition for its craftsmanship and cultural significance.
- In 2006, it was awarded the Geographical Indication status by the Indian government, which recognizes its unique origin and traditional crafting techniques.
- Bidriware has also been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Aquaculture, Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023
Mains level: Read the attached story
The Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Bill 2023 was introduced in the Lok Sabha.
What is Aquaculture?
- Aquaculture essentially means, breeding, raising, and harvesting fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants.
- In a nutshell, it’s farming in water.
- Saline water along the coast has been found to be suitable for practising aquaculture which produces shrimp, majorly.
- If aquaculture is not practised on this land, it will be left idle and uncultivated as it is not suitable for the cultivation of crops.
- Aquaculture can be practised on about 12 lakh hectares in the country along the coast, of which only 14% has been utilized so far.
Key highlights of the amendment
- Decriminalisation of certain offences: The Bill aims to decriminalize the offences under the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act.
- Fine-tuning operational procedures: It seeks to promote ease of doing business and to fine-tune the operational procedures of the authority.
- Promotion of environment-friendly coastal aquaculture: The Bill also aims to promote newer forms of environment-friendly coastal aquaculture, such as cage culture, seaweed culture, marine ornamental fish culture, and pearl oyster culture.
- Create employment opportunities: These newer forms of coastal aquaculture have the potential to create additional employment opportunities.
- Prevention of use of harmful substances in coastal aquaculture: The Bill also includes a provision to prevent the use of antibiotics and pharmacologically active substances that are harmful to human health in coastal aquaculture.
About the Coastal Aquaculture Act
- This Act was enacted in the year 2005 for the establishment an authority to regulate activities in this sector.
- It is a parliamentary act that establishes the Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) for the regulation and registration of coastal aquaculture farms in India.
Overview
- The CAA Act, of 2005 mandates the Central Government to take measures to regulate coastal aquaculture and ensure that it does not cause any harm to the coastal environment.
- The guidelines prescribed by the government aim to promote responsible coastal aquaculture practices that protect the livelihood of various coastal communities.
Key features
- The CAA Act, 2005 provides for the establishment of the Coastal Aquaculture Authority to regulate the activities related to coastal aquaculture.
- The Central Government is responsible for prescribing guidelines to regulate coastal aquaculture activities and ensure responsible practices.
- The guidelines aim to protect the livelihood of coastal communities and prevent any harm to the coastal environment.
- The Act also mandates the registration of coastal aquaculture farms to ensure their compliance with the guidelines.
- The CAA is a strong force in enforcing the regulations and registration of coastal aquaculture farms in India.
Significance
- The Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, of 2005 is significant in promoting responsible coastal aquaculture practices and protecting the livelihood of coastal communities.
- The act ensures that coastal aquaculture activities are regulated and registered, which helps prevent harm to the coastal environment.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Dibang WLS, Idu Mishmi
Mains level: Not Much
Central idea
- The National Tiger Conservation Authority has proposed to notify Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh as a tiger reserve, causing concerns among the Idu Mishmi community.
- The Idu Mishmi community has a unique cultural relationship with the forest, particularly with tigers.
- This article explains who the Idu Mishmis are, their relationship with the forest, the move to propose a tiger reserve, and the community’s resistance.
Who are the Idu Mishmis?
- The Idu Mishmi community is a sub-tribe of the larger Mishmi group, primarily living in the Mishmi Hills bordering Tibet in Arunachal Pradesh.
- The tribe has strong ties with the flora and fauna of the region, particularly tigers, which are considered their “elder brothers” in their mythology.
- Despite traditional hunting practices, the tribe follows a belief system of myths and taboos that restrict them from hunting many animals, including a complete prohibition on killing tigers.
- This belief system has led to a unique model of wildlife conservation, according to anthropologists and researchers.
Overturning Dibang WLS into Tiger Reserve
- Plans to declare Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve have been ongoing for a while now.
- The sanctuary, home to rare Mishmi takin, musk deer, goral, clouded leopards, snow leopards, and tigers, was notified in 1998.
- The Wildlife Institute of India carried out a survey in 2014 to determine the presence of tigers in the area based on photographic evidence via camera trapping.
- The study recorded the presence of tigers in the highest reaches of the Mishmi Hills, forming the basis of the proposal to declare the sanctuary as a tiger reserve.
Why are the Idu Mishmis resisting the move?
- The community’s access to the Dibang forests has not been impacted as a wildlife sanctuary, but many believe a tiger reserve would increasingly restrict access.
- The upgrade to a tiger reserve would feature stricter security measures, such as a ‘Special Tiger Protection Force,’ which would hinder the community’s access to their forest lands.
- The community has declared part of its forest land as a ‘Community Conserved Area,’ governed entirely by local populations, where they ban hunting, felling trees, and implement other conservation measures.
- The community alleges that the Dibang WLS was created without their consent or knowledge.
Back2Basics: Mishmi Tribe
|
Information |
| Name and Location |
Mishmi people, an indigenous group living in the northeastern Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, as well as parts of Tibet and Myanmar |
| Subgroups |
Idu Mishmi, Digaru Mishmi, and Miju Mishmi |
| Migration and Language |
Believed to have migrated from the Mongoloid race, their languages belong to the Tibeto-Burman family |
| History |
Rich and complex history dating back several centuries, involved in conflicts with neighboring tribes and states, affected by British colonialism and creation of McMahon Line, played important role in Sino-Indian War |
| Culture |
Rich cultural heritage and traditional knowledge, unique customs and practices related to birth, marriage, and death, known for craftsmanship skills in weaving, woodcarving, and metalwork, rich mythology |
| Religion |
Primarily animists, believe in spirits in nature, worship ancestors and spirits of forests and mountains, rich tradition of shamanism |
| Livelihoods |
Primarily agriculturists, with rice as staple crop, engage in animal husbandry, fishing, beekeeping is an important source of income, hunting restricted |
| Challenges |
Struggling to protect ancestral lands from outsiders, culture and way of life threatened by modernization and globalization, vulnerable to effects of climate change |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Dhawan II engine
Mains level: Privatization of space activities
In Telangana, private space vehicle company Skyroot Aerospace has test-fired its 3D-printed Dhawan II engine.
Dhawan II Engine
- The Dhawan II engine is a cryogenic engine developed by Skyroot Aerospace for use as the upper stage of the updated version of their Vikram II rocket.
- The engine was recently test-fired for a duration of 200 seconds and demonstrated impressive performance results.
- Cryogenic engines use extremely cold liquid propellants, which can provide greater thrust and enhance the payload-carrying capacity of a rocket.
- The engine was developed using advanced technologies like 3D printing and green propellants.
- Its successful testing marks a significant milestone for Skyroot Aerospace in their efforts to become the first private launcher from South Asia.
Stipulated use
- The Dhawan II engine will be used as the upper stage of the updated version Vikram-2.
- Using a cryogenic upper stage instead of a solid fuel stage enhances the payload carrying capacity of a rocket.
- The updated Vikram II rocket is scheduled to become launch-ready by next year, making Skyroot the first private launcher from South Asia.
Skyroot’s other sub-orbital and orbital flights
- Skyroot carried out its first sub-orbital flight in November 2021, using a single-stage solid fuel Vikram S rocket.
- The company plans to carry out its first orbital flight by the end of this year using the updated Vikram II rocket.
- The Vikram-1 rocket, the first in the series of rockets being developed by Skyroot, will use three solid-fuel stages to take satellites to orbit.
Impressive performance results and advanced technologies
- The endurance test of Dhawan-II demonstrated impressive performance results.
- The company is proud to be at the forefront of developing cutting-edge cryogenic technologies in the private space sector of India.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Performers' Right
Mains level: Not Much
Central idea
- This article discusses a recent case involving Bollywood actor and producer, in which the Bombay High Court ruled that sales tax cannot be levied on the transfer of copyright.
- The ruling has implications for the entertainment industry, particularly in terms of taxation and copyright protection as well as performer’s rights.
What are Performer’s Rights?
- It refer to the legal rights granted to performing artists or performers in relation to their performances.
- These rights generally include the right to control and protect their performances from unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, and public performance.
- Performer’s rights may include the right to control the following:
- Recording: Performers have the right to prevent others from recording their live performances without their consent.
- Broadcasting and Communication to the Public: Performers have the right to control the broadcasting, communication, and distribution of their performances to the public, including radio, television, and online streaming platforms.
- Reproduction: Performers have the right to control the reproduction of their performances in any media format.
- Adaptation: Performers have the right to control the adaptation of their performances into other forms, such as musicals or films.
- Attribution: Performers have the right to be identified as the performers of their works, and to prevent others from falsely claiming authorship of their performances.
Legal protection of performer’s right
Legal protection of performers’ rights has evolved over time through international treaties and national laws.
- The Rome Convention in 1961 was the first significant development in the protection of performers’ rights.
- Performers’ rights are protected under various international treaties such as the Rome Convention and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty.
- In 1996, WIPO Performance and Phonogram Treaty (WPPT) recognized the moral rights of performers for the first time in any international treaty.
- In India, performer rights were recognized under the Copyright Act of 1957 in 1994.
- The Copyright Act is in conformity with the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT), both concluded in 1996.
- The protection of performers’ rights in India lasts for 50 years from the end of the year in which the performance was fixed or took place.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Nathu La Pass
Mains level: Not Much
Several people have been killed and many others are feared trapped under snow after a massive avalanche near Sikkim’s Nathu La Mountain pass.
Nathu La Pass
| Location |
Sikkim, on the border between India and China |
| Altitude |
4,310 meters (14,140 ft) |
| Importance |
Historical Silk Route |
| Trade |
Reopened in 2006 for border trade between India and China |
| Restrictions |
Only for Indian and Chinese nationals with a valid visa |
| Connectivity |
Connects the Indian state of Sikkim with the Tibet Autonomous Region of China |
| Military importance |
Strategic importance in the Sino-Indian War of 1962 |
| Tourism |
Restricted due to the sensitive nature of the region |
| Weather |
Harsh and unpredictable, with heavy snowfall in winter months |
| Border dispute |
The pass was closed by China after the 1962 war and was reopened only after the Chinese president visited India in 2003. |
How has it been at the centre stage of India-China disputes?
- Sino-Indian War: In 1962, Nathu La pass was a battleground between the Indian and Chinese armies during the Sino-Indian War. The conflict resulted in casualties on both sides, with China ultimately capturing the pass.
- Skirmishes in 1967: In 1967, there were several minor skirmishes between the Indian and Chinese armies near Nathu La pass. The conflict was resolved through diplomatic negotiations.
- Standoff in 2017: In 2017, there was a 73-day-long standoff between the Indian and Chinese armies near the Doklam plateau, which is close to Nathu La pass. The dispute was over the construction of a road by China in the disputed area. The standoff ended with both sides agreeing to disengage.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Basohli Paintings, GI tag
Mains level: Not Much
The famous Basohli Painting, known for its miniature art style from Kathua district, has received the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag.
Basohli Paintings
- Basohli Paintings are a form of miniature paintings that originated in the town of Basohli in the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir.
- They are known for their vibrant color, intricate details, and depictions of Hindu mythology and legends.
- Basohli Paintings date back to the 17th and 18th centuries and are considered to be the earliest examples of Pahari paintings.
Key features
|
Description |
| Miniature art |
Known for their miniature art style, characterized by intricate and detailed work |
| Bold and vibrant color |
Made from natural dyes and pigments |
| Depiction of Hindu mythology |
Life of Lord Krishna and stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata |
| Elaborate compositions |
Multiple figures and scenes depicted in a single painting |
| Fine detailing |
Intricate patterns and designs that are often difficult to replicate |
| Gold and silver accents |
Such accents add to their ornate and intricate appearance |
Other GI products from J&K
- The UT of Jammu and Kashmir has included 33 products on the list that have received the GI tag on 31 March 2023.
- The products that received the GI tags include Basohli Pashmina Woolen Products (Kathua), Chikri Wood Craft (Rajouri), Bhaderwah Rajma (Doda), Mushkbudji Rice (Anantnag), Kaladi (Udhampur), Sulai Honey (Ramban), Anardana (Ramban), and Ladakh Wood Carving (Ladakh).
Back2Basics: Geographical Indication (GI)
- A GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
- Nodal Agency: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry
- India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 w.e.f. September 2003.
- GIs have been defined under Article 22 (1) of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.
- The tag stands valid for 10 years.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: RLV
Mains level: Read the attached story
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) conducted a successful autonomous landing mission experiment for a Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, Karnataka.
What is a Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV)?
- RLV is a type of spacecraft that is designed to be reused multiple times for launching payloads into space, instead of being discarded after a single launch like traditional rockets.
- They are seen as a more cost-effective and sustainable option for space launches, as they reduce the need for manufacturing new rockets for each mission.
- They typically consist of a reusable orbiter, similar to a space shuttle, and a reusable booster that provides the initial thrust needed to lift the orbiter and payload into space.
- After the payload is released into orbit, the orbiter and booster return to Earth and land back on a runway, where they can be refurbished and reused for future launches.
Why developing RLV is a big feat?
Developing RLVs requires advanced technologies, including-
- Heat-resistant materials for protecting the spacecraft during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere
- Advanced guidance and control systems for landing and
- Reliable propulsion systems for launching and landing
ISRO’s RLV-TD project
- ISRO is developing essential technologies for a fully reusable launch vehicle to enable low-cost access to space.
- The RLV-TD is being used to develop technologies like hypersonic flight (HEX), autonomous landing (LEX), return flight experiment (REX), powered cruise flight, and Scramjet Propulsion Experiment (SPEX).
- It looks like an aircraft and consists of a fuselage, a nose cap, double delta wings, and twin vertical tails.
Development of RLV
(1) First RLV experiment:
- In 2016, the RLV-TD was launched into space on a rocket powered by a conventional solid booster (HS9) engine.
- The spacecraft travelled at a speed of Mach 5 when re-entering the earth’s orbit and travelled a distance of 450 km before splashdown in the Bay of Bengal.
- Critical technologies such as autonomous navigation, guidance and control, reusable thermal protection system, and re-entry mission management were successfully validated.
(2) Second RLV experiment:
- The RLV LEX test on April 2, 2023, involved a Chinook Helicopter lifting the RLV LEX to a height of 4.5 km and releasing the RLV.
- After midair release, the RLV carried out an autonomous landing on the Aeronautical Test Range airstrip, under the exact conditions of a Space Re-entry vehicle’s landing.
- It achieved landing parameters as might be experienced by an orbital re-entry space vehicle in its return path.
Advantages of RLVs
- Reusable launch vehicles are considered a low-cost, reliable, and on-demand mode of accessing space.
- The cost of a launch can be reduced by nearly 80 percent of the present cost by using RLVs.
Global RLV technologies
- NASA space shuttles have been carrying out dozens of human space flight missions.
- The private space launch services provider SpaceX demonstrated partially reusable launch systems with its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets since 2017.
- SpaceX is also working on a fully reusable launch vehicle system called Starship.
- Several private launch service providers and government space agencies are working on developing reusable launch systems.
Significance
- RLVs have the potential to significantly reduce the cost of space launches, as a significant portion of the cost of traditional rockets comes from the need to manufacture new rockets for each mission.
- By reusing spacecraft, the cost per launch can be significantly reduced.
- Additionally, RLVs can provide greater flexibility and reliability for space launches, as they can be launched on-demand instead of needing to be manufactured and assembled for each mission.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Ice Memory Project
Mains level: Not Much
Scientists from Italy, France, and Norway have set up camp in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago to extract samples of ancient ice for analysis before the frozen layers melt away due to climate change.
‘Ice Memory’ Project
- Scientists will drill a series of tubes as far as 125 meters (137 yards) below the surface, which contains frozen geochemical traces dating back three centuries.
- The scientists will work for three weeks in temperatures as low as -25 degrees Celsius (-13 Fahrenheit) to extract ice.
- The Ice Memory foundation is running the operation.
- The ice cores will provide scientists with valuable data about past environmental conditions.
Analysis and storage
- One set of ice tubes will be used for immediate analysis, while a second set will be sent to Antarctica for storage in an “ice memory sanctuary” under the snow.
- The samples will be preserved for future generations of scientists.
Reason for drilling
- The Arctic is warming between two and four times faster than the global average, and water from melting ice is altering the geochemical records preserved in ancient ice beneath.
- Hence, scientists are in a race against time to preserve crucial ice records before it disappears forever from the surface of the planet.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: SNAP 10A
Mains level: Not Much
Central idea: The newscard is about the US government-sponsored System for Nuclear Auxiliary Power (SNAP) program, also known as SNAPSHOT for Space Nuclear Auxiliary Power Shot, and its SNAP-10A space nuclear reactor.
What is SNAP-10A?
|
|
| SNAP-10A |
A nuclear reactor sent to space by the US in 1965 |
| SNAP program |
A government-sponsored program for developing compact, lightweight, and reliable atomic devices for use in space, sea, and land |
| Objective |
To produce at least 500 watts of electricity for a year or longer in Earth orbit |
| Components |
Enriched uranium fuel with zirconium hydride as a moderator, and liquid sodium-potassium alloy as the coolant |
| Conversion |
A thermoelectric converter was used to directly convert heat from the reactor into electricity |
| Payload |
Weighed less than 431 kg, including the instruments and shielding, and was designed to be remotely started and operated in space |
| Launch |
April 3, 1965, on an Atlas-Agena D rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base and placed in a polar orbit |
| Operations |
Achieved on-orbit criticality within six hours of startup and set to autonomous operation at full power after 200 hours of reactor operations |
| Contact loss |
Contact was lost with SNAP-10A for about 40 hours on May 16, 1965, and the reactor’s reflectors ejected from the core, causing the core to shut down and bringing an end to the reactor’s operations |
| Test objectives |
All test flight objectives were met, except the length of operation, which was just 43 days as opposed to the expected year or more |
| Significance |
Only known nuclear reactor sent to space by the US, while Russia has sent several, including one that crashed and scattered radioactive debris over Canada in 1978 |
| Current status |
Continues to be in Earth orbit, and NASA expects it to do so for 2,000 years or more |
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