Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: ALMA Telescope
Mains level: NA
The Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array (ALMA) — a radio telescope in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile is set to get software and hardware upgrades.
What is ALMA?
- ALMA is a state-of-the-art telescope that studies celestial objects at millimetre and submillimetre wavelengths which can penetrate through dust clouds.
- It helps astronomers examine dim and distant galaxies and stars out there.
- It also has extraordinary sensitivity, which allows it to detect even extremely faint radio signals.
- The telescope consists of 66 high-precision antennas, spread over a distance of up to 16 km.
- Each antenna is outfitted with a series of receivers, and each receiver is tuned to a specific range of wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum.
Who operates ALMA?
- ALMA is operated under a partnership among the United States, 16 countries in Europe, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Chile.
- Fully functional since 2013, the radio telescope was designed, planned and constructed by US, Japan and EU.
Why is ALMA located in Chile’s Atacama Desert?
- ALMA is situated at an altitude of 16,570 feet (5,050 metres) above sea level on the Chajnantor plateau in Chile’s Atacama Desert.
- The high altitude and low humidity of the site make it an ideal location for a radio telescope, as there is minimal atmospheric interference.
- Moreover, the desert is the driest place in the world, meaning most of the nights here are clear of clouds and free of light-distorting moisture — making it a perfect location for examining the universe.
Significant discoveries
- One of the earliest findings came in 2013 when it discovered starburst galaxies earlier in the universe’s history than they were previously thought to have existed.
- These newly discovered galaxies represent what today’s most massive galaxies looked like in their energetic, star-forming youth.
- In 2015, the telescope helped scientists observe a phenomenon known as the Einstein ring, which occurs when light from a galaxy or star passes by a massive object en route to the Earth, in extraordinary detail.
Attempt UPSC 2024 Smash Scholarship Test | FLAT* 100% OFF on UPSC Foundation & Mentorship programs
Get your Rs 10,000 worth of UPSC Strategic Package for FREE | PDFs, Zoom session, Tests, & Mentorship
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Social Stock Exchange (SSE)
Mains level: Not Much
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has received final approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to set up a Social Stock Exchange (SSE) as a separate segment of the NSE.
What is a Social Stock Exchange?
- Social Stock Exchange (SSE) is a platform that connects social enterprises with investors who are looking for social impact along with financial returns.
- Social enterprises are organizations that prioritize social impact over profits.
- SSE aims to provide these organizations with access to capital markets and raise awareness about social investment opportunities.
Who can get listed for SSEs?
- Any social enterprise, Non-Profit Organisation (NOPs) or For-Profit Social Enterprises (FPEs), that establishes its primacy of social intent can get registered or listed on the Social Stock Exchange segment.
- Eligible NPOs can begin by registering on the SSE segment.
- After onboarding, NPOs can initiate the fund mobilization process by issuing instruments such as Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) via a public issue or private placement.
- Currently, the regulations have prescribed a minimum issue size of Rs 1 crore and a minimum application size for the subscription of Rs 2 lakhs for ZCZP issuance.
How will SSE work?
- The SSE will be a separate segment on the NSE, where social enterprises can list their securities.
- These securities will be available for trading to investors who are interested in social impact investing.
- The SSE will also provide a range of services such as capacity building, impact measurement, and reporting to help social enterprises improve their operations and measure their social impact.
Benefits of SSE
- For social enterprises, SSE will provide access to capital markets and help them raise funds for their social projects.
- For investors, SSE will provide a platform to invest in social enterprises and contribute to social impact.
- SSE will also create a transparent marketplace where investors can assess the social impact of their investments.
Attempt UPSC 2024 Smash Scholarship Test | FLAT* 100% OFF on UPSC Foundation & Mentorship programs
Get your Rs 10,000 worth of UPSC Strategic Package for FREE | PDFs, Zoom session, Tests, & Mentorship
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Section 153A of IPC
Mains level: Free speech and defamation
Central idea: A politician was recently arrested under Section 153A of IPC for the alleged use of objectionable words against the Prime Minister.
Section 153A: What the law says
- Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) penalises “promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony”.
- This is punishable with imprisonment up to three years, or with fine, or with both.
- The provision was enacted in 1898 and was not in the original penal code.
- At the time of the amendment, promoting class hatred was a part of the English law of sedition, but was not included in the Indian law.
Charges laid for remarks against PM
The FIR mentioned the use of Sections-
- 153B(1) (Making imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration);
- 295A (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs);
- 500 (Defamation); and
- 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace).
Conviction rates under Section 153A
- Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) show that the rate of conviction for Section 153A is very low.
- In 2020, 1,804 cases were registered, six times higher than the 323 cases in 2014.
- However, the conviction rate in 2020 was 20.2%, suggesting that the process often becomes the punishment.
Issues with the law
- Hate speech laws have been invoked under regimes of all parties to crack down on criticism of public functionaries and to arrest individuals.
- The invocation of Section 153A is often criticized for restricting free speech and misusing the legal processes for political purposes.
Safeguards against misuse
- Given that the provisions are worded broadly, there are safeguards against its misuse.
- For example, Sections 153A and 153B require prior sanction from the government for initiating prosecution.
- But this is required before the trial begins, and not at the stage of preliminary investigation.
- To curb indiscriminate arrests, the Supreme Court laid down a set of guidelines in its 2014 ruling in Arnesh Kumar v State of Bihar.
- As per the guidelines, for offenses that carry a sentence of fewer than seven years, the police cannot automatically arrest an accused before investigation.
Attempt UPSC 2024 Smash Scholarship Test | FLAT* 100% OFF on UPSC Foundation & Mentorship programs
Get your Rs 10,000 worth of UPSC Strategic Package for FREE | PDFs, Zoom session, Tests, & Mentorship
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Caveat
Mains level: Not Much
Recently, the Supreme Court bench reprimanded a law student for filing a caveat in a petition seeking menstrual leave for female students and working women across Indian institutions.
What is a Caveat?
- In common parlance, a caveat refers to “warning” or “caution”.
- However, legally it connotes a “formal notice requesting the court to refrain from taking some specified action without giving prior notice to the person lodging the caveat.”
- The person lodging the caveat is called a “caveator”.
- The provision was inserted by the Amendment Act of 1976 after the Law Commission’s recommendation by Section 148A of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC).
- However, the term is not expressly defined anywhere except in the Calcutta High Court’s 1978 ruling.
Who can fill the Caveat?
- Any person has a right to lodge a caveat in a Court.
- Any person claiming a right to appear before the Court on the hearing of such application may lodge a caveat in respect thereof.
- The caveator or the person lodging is also required to serve a notice of the caveat by “registered post” to the person on whose plea they are lodging the application
Attempt UPSC 2024 Smash Scholarship Test | FLAT* 100% OFF on UPSC Foundation & Mentorship programs
Get your Rs 10,000 worth of UPSC Strategic Package for FREE | PDFs, Zoom session, Tests, & Mentorship
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: CCR5-delta 32 mutation
Mains level: Not Much
Central idea: This article discusses recent developments in the field of HIV research that have led to the possibility of a cure for the disease.
What is HIV/AIDS?
- HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases.
- First identified in 1981, HIV is the cause of one of humanity’s deadliest and most persistent epidemics.
- It is spread by contact with certain bodily fluids of a person with HIV, most commonly during unprotected sex, or through sharing injection drug equipment.
- If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
- The human body can’t get rid of HIV and no effective HIV cure exists.
Present treatment of HIV
- However, by taking HIV medicine (called antiretroviral therapy or ART), people with HIV can live long and healthy lives and prevent transmitting HIV to their sexual partners.
- In addition, there are effective methods to prevent getting HIV through sex or drug use, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
What is the new breakthrough?
- Doctors selected a donor carrying two copies of a CCR5-delta 32 genetic mutation – a mutation that is known to make the carriers almost immune to HIV.
- The CCR5-delta 32 genetic mutation is a rare genetic mutation that affects the CCR5 gene, which is involved in the immune system’s response to infection.
- The mutation causes a deletion of 32 nucleotides in the gene, resulting in a truncated or shortened version of the CCR5 protein.
- This truncated protein is not able to function normally, and people with this mutation are largely resistant to HIV infection.
How has the CCR5-delta 32 mutation been used in HIV research?
- Researchers have been studying the CCR5-delta 32 mutation as a potential avenue for developing an HIV cure.
- One approach involves using gene editing technologies like CRISPR to induce the mutation in HIV-positive individuals, effectively making their immune cells resistant to HIV infection.
- Another approach involves bone marrow transplantation from donors with the CCR5-delta 32 mutation.
What are the risks associated?
- Gene editing technologies like CRISPR are still in their early stages, and there are concerns about the safety and effectiveness of these methods.
- Additionally, bone marrow transplantation is a complex and risky procedure that is not feasible for all HIV-positive individuals.
- Finally, it is important to note that not all HIV infections are caused by the CCR5 strain of the virus, and therefore the use of the CCR5-delta 32 mutation as an HIV cure would not be effective for all cases of HIV.
Prevalence of HIV/AIDS in India
- As per the India HIV Estimation 2019 report, the estimated adult (15 to 49 years) HIV prevalence trend has been declining in India since the epidemic’s peak in the year 2000 and has been stabilizing in recent years.
- In 2019, HIV prevalence among adult males (15–49 years) was estimated at 0.24% and among adult females at 0.20% of the population.
- There were 23.48 lakh Indians living with HIV in 2019.
- Maharashtra had the maximum at 3.96 lakh followed by Andhra Pradesh (3.14 lakh) and Karnataka.
- ART is freely available to all those who require and there are deputed centres across the country where they can be availed from.
Attempt UPSC 2024 Smash Scholarship Test | FLAT* 100% OFF on UPSC Foundation & Mentorship programs
Get your Rs 10,000 worth of UPSC Strategic Package for FREE | PDFs, Zoom session, Tests, & Mentorship
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Neutral Citiation
Mains level: Not Much
The CJI expressed hope that High Courts too would follow neutral citation for their judgments. The Delhi, Kerala, and Madras HCs have already introduced neutral citation.
What is a “Citation”?
- A case citation is essentially an identification tag for a judgment.
- Typically, it would contain a reference number, the year of the judgment, the name of the court that delivered that judgment, and a shorthand for the journal publishing the judgment.
And what is a neutral citation?
- A neutral citation would mean that the court would assign its own citation — distinct from those given by traditional Law Reporters.
- Law Reporters are periodicals or annual digests that publish judgments, often with an editorial note to make it accessible for lawyers to refer to precedents.
- For example, for the landmark Kesavananda Bharati case, the citation in ‘Supreme Court Cases’, a journal published by the Eastern Book Company, is (1973) 4 SCC 225.
- In the All India Reporter (AIR), the citation is AIR 1973 SC 1461.
Why is a neutral system good or necessary?
- Judgments mention citations while referring to precedents and often use citations from different Law Reporters.
- With artificial intelligence (AI) enabled translation of judgments and transcribing of court proceedings, a uniform citation is necessary.
- Several High Courts including Delhi High Court have started a neutral citation format.
- The Delhi HC neutral citation is, for example, in this format: No-YEAR/DHC/XXXXXX
How will the SC implement the neutral citation system?
- Our recent initiative is neutral citations for all judgments of the Supreme Court.
- So all 30,000 judgments are going to have neutral citations.
- First tranche will be till January 1, 2023, then the other tranche will be till judgments from 2014 and then finally we will go back to 1950.
Attempt UPSC 2024 Smash Scholarship Test | FLAT* 100% OFF on UPSC Foundation & Mentorship programs
Get your Rs 10,000 worth of UPSC Strategic Package for FREE | PDFs, Zoom session, Tests, & Mentorship
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Keeladi Civilization, Sangam Age
Mains level: Major civilizations
Central idea: Keeladi is an archaeological site that has been excavated by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology since 2014. Recent excavations here has pushed the Sangam age further back.
About Keeladi
- Keeladi is a tiny hamlet in the Sivaganga district in south Tamil Nadu.
- It is about 12 km south-east to the temple city of Madurai and is located along the Vaigai River.
- The excavations here from 2015 prove that an urban civilisation existed in Tamil Nadu in the Sangam age on the banks of the Vaigai River.
How is Keeladi linked to Sangam age?
- The Sangam age is a period of history in ancient Tamil Nadu which was believed to be from the third century BCE to the third century CE.
- The name is derived from the renowned Sangam poets of Madurai from that time.
Recent findings
- In 2019, a TNSDA report dated the unearthed artefacts from Keeladi to a period between sixth century BCE and first century BCE.
- Some samples sent for carbon dating in the US, dated back to 580 BCE.
- The findings placed Keeladi artefacts about 300 years earlier than the previously believed third century BCE.
Significance of the findings
- Older than perceived: Recent finding at Keeladi has pushed the Sangam age to 800 BCE based on these archaeological findings.
- Literary evidences: Keeladi, along with other Tamil Nadu sites which have over a thousand inscribed potsherds, clearly suggest the long survival of the script.
- Substantial evidence to Sangam Age: It comes across as an industrious and advanced civilisation and has given evidence of urban life and settlements in TN during the Early Historic Period.
- Another major civilisation: The unearthed Keeladi artefacts have led academics to describe the site as part of the Vaigai Valley Civilisation. It has all the characteristics of an urban civilisation, with brick structures, luxury items and proof of internal and external trade.
- Filling in the cultural gaps: This could provide crucial evidence for understanding the missing links of the Iron Age (12th century BCE to sixth century BCE) to the Early Historic Period (sixth century BCE to fourth century BCE) and subsequent cultural developments.
Links with Indus Valley
Ans. A lot of digging and study has to be done to establish the links between these two civilisations.
- The findings have invited comparisons with the Indus Valley Civilisation while acknowledging the cultural gap of 1,000 years between the two places.
- Till now, the gap is filled with Iron Age material in south India, which serve as residual links.
- However, some of the symbols found in pot sherds of Keeladi bear a close resemblance to Indus Valley signs.
What has been unearthed so far?
- Pottery: Unearthing of heaps of pottery suggest the existence of a pottery making industry, mostly made of locally available raw materials.
- Inscriptions: Over 120 potsherds containing Tamil Brahmi inscriptions have been found.
- Jewellery: There also existed a dyeing industry and a glass bead industry. Gold ornaments, copper articles, semi-precious stones, shell bangles, ivory bangles and ivory combs reflect the artistic, culturally rich and prosperous lifestyle of the Keeladi people.
- Import of semiprecious stones: Agate and carnelian beads suggest import through commercial networks while terracotta and ivory dice, gamesmen and evidence of hopscotch have been unearthed revealing their pastime hobbies.
Recent politicization of the excavation
- The Keeladi site, since its discovery has been shrouded in controversies with several Dravidian and Left ideologues.
- They claim that the archaeological finds prove that the Indus Valley Civilisation was a “Dravidian” culture and an independent “secular” Tamil civilisation.
- The attempt to define the finds in narrow and racial terms is ideologically motivated to one, pump up Tamil exclusivist sentiments, and two, and challenge the view that sees India as one— unity in diversity.
Attempt UPSC 2024 Smash Scholarship Test | FLAT* 100% OFF on UPSC Foundation & Mentorship programs
Get your Rs 10,000 worth of UPSC Strategic Package for FREE | PDFs, Zoom session, Tests, & Mentorship
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: HD 3226 wheat variety
Mains level: Not Much
Scientists at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have developed a new variety of wheat ‘HD 3226’ that can withstand high temperatures.
HD 3226 Wheat
- The wheat, known as “HD 3226”, has been developed specifically for cultivation in the northwest region of India, where temperatures can reach up to 42 degrees Celsius.
- It took 10 years for ICAR to develop this variety.
- It has been specifically developed for cultivation in the northwest region of India.
Features of HD 3226 Wheat
- More resilient to heat stress: The HD 3226 wheat variety is reportedly more resilient to heat stress than other varieties of wheat.
- Higher yields: The HD 3226 wheat variety can produce up to 12-15% higher yields in high-temperature conditions.
Significance
- The development of this new wheat variety is particularly important given the increasing frequency of heatwaves in the region due to climate change.
- With rising temperatures, it is becoming more challenging for farmers to grow crops.
Government approval and availability
- The HD 3226 wheat variety has now been submitted to the Indian government for approval.
- Once approved, it is expected to be available to farmers in the coming years.
Attempt UPSC 2024 Smash Scholarship Test | FLAT* 100% OFF on UPSC Foundation & Mentorship programs
Get your Rs 10,000 worth of UPSC Strategic Package for FREE | PDFs, Zoom session, Tests, & Mentorship
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Bhimbetka, Dickensonia
Mains level: NA
A Dickinsonia fossil found at Bhimbetka, previously believed to be one of the world’s earliest animals, and has been identified as a decayed beehive.
About Bhimbetka
- The Bhimbetka rock shelters are an archaeological site in central India that spans the prehistoric Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods, as well as the historic period.
- It exhibits the earliest traces of human life in India and evidence of Stone Age starting at the site in Acheulian times.
- It is located in the Raisen District in Madhya Pradesh about 45 kilometres (28 mi) south-east of Bhopal.
- It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of seven hills and over 750 rock shelters distributed over 10 km (6.2 mi).
- At least some of the shelters were inhabited more than 100,000 years ago.
- Some of the Bhimbetka rock shelters feature prehistoric cave paintings and the earliest are about 10,000 years old (c. 8,000 BCE), corresponding to the Indian Mesolithic.
- These cave paintings show themes such as animals, early evidence of dance and hunting.
- The Bhimbetka rock shelters were found by V S Wakankar 64 years ago. Since then, thousands of researchers have visited the site, but this rare fossil went undetected.
What is Dickinsonia?
- Dickinsonia is an extinct genus of basal animal that lived during the late Ediacaran period in what is now Australia, Russia and Ukraine.
- The individual Dickinsonia typically resembles a bilaterally symmetrical ribbed oval.
- Its affinities are presently unknown; its mode of growth is consistent with a stem-group bilaterian affinity, though some have suggested that it belongs to the fungi or even an “extinct kingdom”.
- The discovery of cholesterol molecules in fossils of Dickinsonia lends support to the idea that Dickinsonia was an animal.
Cambrian Explosion and Dickinsonia
- The ‘Cambrian Explosion’ is the term given to the period of time in history when complex animals and other macroscopic organisms such as molluscs, worms, arthropods and sponges began to dominate the fossil record.
- Researchers from Australian found the Dickinsonia fossil since its tissue contained molecules of cholesterol a type of fat that is the hallmark of animal life.
Try this PYQ:
Q. Which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of Waghora River
(b) Sanchi Stupa lies in the gorge of Chambal River
(c) Pandu-lena Cave Shrines lie in the gorge of Narmada River
(d) Amaravati Stupa lies in the gorge of Godavari River
Post your answers here.
Attempt UPSC 2024 Smash Scholarship Test | FLAT* 100% OFF on UPSC Foundation & Mentorship programs
Get your Rs 10,000 worth of UPSC Strategic Package for FREE | PDFs, Zoom session, Tests, & Mentorship
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Unified Payment Interface (UPI)
Mains level: UPI integration with global payment systems
India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Singapore’s PayNow were officially connected to allow a “real-time payment linkage”.
What are UPI and PayNow?
[A] Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
- UPI is India’s mobile-based fast payment system, which facilitates customers to make round-the-clock payments instantly, using a Virtual Payment Address (VPA) created by the customer.
- It eliminates the risk of sharing bank account details by the remitter.
- UPI supports both Person-to-Person (P2P) and Person-to-Merchant (P2M) payments and it also enables a user to send or receive money.
[B] PayNow
- It is a fast payment system in Singapore.
- It enables peer-to-peer funds transfer service, available to retail customers through participating banks and Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NFIs) in Singapore.
- It allows users to send and receive instant funds from one bank or e-wallet account to another in Singapore by using just their mobile number, Singapore National Registration Identity Card (NRIC)/Foreign Identification Number (FIN), or VPA.
What is the UPI-PayNow linkage?
- Cross-border retail payments are generally less transparent and more expensive than domestic transactions.
- The project to link both the fast payment systems was initiated in September 2021 to facilitate faster, more efficient and transparent cross-border transactions relating to trade, travel and remittances between the two countries.
Significance of the integration
- Enhanced cross-border transactions: The integration will enable easier cross-border transactions between India and Singapore, reducing the need for intermediaries and associated costs.
- Easier remittances: The integration will make it easier for Indian workers in Singapore to send money back home to their families.
- Boost to trade and investment: The integration will facilitate smoother transactions between businesses in the two countries, potentially increasing trade and investment.
- Strengthening of diplomatic ties: The integration is expected to improve diplomatic ties between India and Singapore.
How the integration works?
- The integration is made possible through the use of standardized QR codes.
- The QR codes will allow users to transfer funds between the two systems in real-time, without the need for intermediaries.
Implications for the future
- More integrations: The success of the UPI-PayNow integration could pave the way for similar integrations between other countries.
- Increased use of digital payments: The integration is expected to encourage the adoption of digital payments in both India and Singapore, potentially reducing the use of cash.
Attempt UPSC 2024 Smash Scholarship Test | FLAT* 100% OFF on UPSC Foundation & Mentorship programs
Get your Rs 10,000 worth of UPSC Strategic Package for FREE | PDFs, Zoom session, Tests, & Mentorship
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Survey of India
Mains level: Not Much
The Survey of India (SOI), India’s 250-year-old map maker, will no longer have a monopoly on making high-resolution maps. SOI will however remain the arbiter of maps that deal with State borders and national boundaries.
Key announcements by SOI
- Focus on map accuracy: The SoI will now take action against digital platforms that violate its guidelines and will develop a framework to ensure the accuracy of maps.
- Regulating use by digital platforms: The SoI has also asked digital platforms to comply with its guidelines and to seek its permission before publishing maps of the country.
- Ensure territorial integrity: The move is aimed at ensuring that the country’s borders and territorial integrity are accurately depicted in maps, and that sensitive locations are not compromised by the publication of maps that violate the country’s security interests.
In a nutshell: The Survey of India (SOI) will now be more like a regulatory body.
What is Survey of India?
- The SOI is India’s central engineering agency in charge of mapping and surveying.
- First modern scientific survey of India” was undertaken by W. Mather in 1793–96 on instructions of Superintendent of Salem and Baramahal (TN), Col. Alexander Read.
- Set up in 1767 to help consolidate the territories of the British East India Company, it is one of the oldest Engineering Departments of the GoI.
- Its members are from Survey of India Service cadre of Civil Services of India and Army Officers from the Indian Army Corps of Engineers.
- It is headed by the Surveyor General of India.
Responsibilities
- Advisor to Govt: Survey of India acts as adviser to the Government of India on all cartography of India related matters, such as geodesy, mapping and map reproduction.
- Geo names: It is responsible for the naming convention and spellings of names of geographical features of India.
- Certification and publication: Scrutiny and certification of external boundaries of India and Coastline on maps published by other agencies including private publishers.
- Surveys: geodetic datum, geodetic control network, topographical control, geophysical surveys, cadastral surveying, geologic maps, aeronautical charts within India, such as for forests, army cantonments, large scale cities, guide maps, developmental or conservation projects, etc.
- National borders: Demarcation of the borders and external boundaries of India as well as advice on the demarcation of inter-state boundaries.
Attempt UPSC 2024 Smash Scholarship Test | FLAT* 100% OFF on UPSC Foundation & Mentorship programs
Get your Rs 10,000 worth of UPSC Strategic Package for FREE | PDFs, Zoom session, Tests, & Mentorship
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Teja Chilli
Mains level: Not Much
The burgeoning demand for the popular Teja variety of red chilli, famous for its culinary, medicinal and other wide-ranging uses, in the export market is proving to be a boon for the Telangana Agriculture Market.
Teja Chilli
- Teja or S17 is one of the hottest varieties of red chillies produced in India. (GI tag not accorded yet.)
- The chilli is known and liked across the country for its fierce hot flavor and rich aroma.
- Southern India is the main region of Teja or S17 red chilli production.
- It has a capsaicin content of 0.50-0.70% making it more pungent and spicy.
- The huge demand for Oleoresin, a natural chilli extract, is mainly driving the export of Teja variety to various spice processing industries in several Asian countries.
Where it is produced?
- Khammam district is the largest producer of Teja variety of red chilli.
- It is the leading exporter of the pungent fruit.
- The Mudigonda-based Oleoresin extraction firm of a Chinese company is engaged in export of the by product to its clients.
Trade significance of this chilli
- Teja variety of red chilli is being exported to China, Bangladesh and a few other south Asian countries from Khammam mainly through the Chennai port.
- The export of Teja variety of red chilli is expected to grow from the present ₹2000 crore per annum to ₹2500 crore next year.
Crack Prelims 2023! Talk to our Rankers
(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Hybrid Rocket
Mains level: India's success in rocketry
India’s first hybrid sounding rocket by private players was launched by some students from Pattipulam village off Tamil Nadu coast.
About APJ Abdul Kalam SLV
- Martin Foundation in association with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation and Space Zone India successfully completed the project known as Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Satellite Launch Vehicle Mission 2023.
- The student team included 200 from the fishermen community in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, 100 students from tribal communities across India, and 60 from Tamil Nadu.
What is a Hybrid Rocket?
- A hybrid rocket is a type of rocket engine that combines features of both liquid-fueled and solid-fueled rockets. In a hybrid rocket, a solid fuel is burned in combination with a liquid or gaseous oxidizer to produce thrust.
- The solid fuel in a hybrid rocket is typically made of a polymer, such as hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), which is cast into a cylindrical shape and placed inside the rocket motor.
- The oxidizer, which is typically nitrous oxide (N2O), is stored in a separate tank and fed into the combustion chamber of the rocket motor.
How does it work?
- When the oxidizer is introduced into the combustion chamber, it reacts with the solid fuel, producing a hot gas that is expelled through a nozzle at the end of the rocket.
- The combustion process can be controlled by adjusting the flow rate of the oxidizer, making hybrid rockets more controllable than solid rockets.
Benefits offered over conventional rockets
- Hybrid rockets are generally simpler and less expensive to manufacture than liquid rockets, while providing more control than solid rockets.
- They are also safer than both liquid and solid rockets, since the fuel and oxidizer are stored separately and can be easily shut off in case of an emergency.
Attempt UPSC 2024 Smash Scholarship Test | FLAT* 100% OFF on UPSC Foundation & Mentorship programs
Get your Rs 10,000 worth of UPSC Strategic Package for FREE | PDFs, Zoom session, Tests, & Mentorship
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Moon dust for sheilding Earth
Mains level: Global Warming
The article introduces the idea of using Moon dust to cool the Earth and explores the feasibility and potential risks associated with the proposal.
Moonlight cooling of Earth
- The idea of using lunar dust to cool the Earth’s temperature is based on a natural phenomenon called “moonlight cooling.”
- When the Moon’s surface reflects the sun’s rays, it cools down rapidly after sunset.
- Scientists believe that a thin layer of lunar dust could be used to create a similar effect on the Earth’s surface.
- The proposal suggests launching a spacecraft to the Moon to collect dust particles, which would then be transported to the Earth’s atmosphere and released.
Feasibility of the move
- This is not a new idea. In fact, it has been proposed before as a way to combat global warming, and several studies have been conducted to explore its feasibility.
- One study published in the journal Earth’s Future estimated that the technique could reduce the Earth’s temperature by 1.5 degrees Celsius, which is a significant amount in the context of climate change.
Risks and Drawbacks
- Health concerns: The dust could harm the environment or respiratory health if it is not properly controlled.
- Threats to aviation: The particles are abrasive and could damage aircraft engines or other machinery if they were to fall to the ground.
- Feasibility and cost: Collecting enough dust to make a significant impact on the Earth’s temperature would require a significant investment of resources, including launching multiple spacecraft to the Moon.
Frankenstein’s Monster Analogy
- The article draws a comparison between the proposed use of moon dust and the story of Frankenstein’s monster, in which a scientist creates a monster that ultimately causes destruction and chaos.
- The analogy suggests that the use of moon dust could have unintended consequences that are difficult to predict, and that such large-scale climate interventions should be approached with caution.
|
Attempt UPSC 2024 Smash Scholarship Test | FLAT* 100% OFF on UPSC Foundation & Mentorship programs
Get your Rs 10,000 worth of UPSC Strategic Package for FREE | PDFs, Zoom session, Tests, & Mentorship
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: UNE
Mains level: Noise Pollution
Central idea: The rising man-made (anthropogenic) underwater noise emissions (UNE) from ships in the Indian waters are posing a threat to the life of marine mammals like Bottlenose Dolphin, Manatees, Pilot Whale, Seal, and Sperm Whale.
What is Underwater Noise Emissions (UNE)?
- Underwater noise emissions (UNE) refer to sounds that are produced underwater as a result of various human activities such as shipping, oil and gas exploration, military sonar, and construction.
- UNE can have a significant impact on marine life, as many marine animals rely on sound for communication, navigation, and foraging.
- Excessive underwater noise can interfere with these activities, and can even cause physical harm to marine animals in some cases.
- As a result, there is growing concerned about the potential impact of UNE on marine ecosystems, and efforts are being made to better understand and mitigate these impacts.
UNE and marine life
- Impacts behavioural aspects: The main form of energy for multiple behavioural activities of marine mammals, which include mating, communal interaction, feeding, cluster cohesion and foraging, is based on sound.
- Threats posed by UNE: The sound that radiates from ships on a long-term basis affects them and results in internal injuries, loss of hearing ability, change in behavioural responses, masking, and stress.
Key findings about Indian waters
- Continuous shipping movement is identified to be a major contributor to the increase in the global ocean noise level.
- The UNE or underwater sound pressure levels in the Indian waters are 102-115 decibels, relative to one microPascal (dB re 1µ Pa).
- The East Coast level is slightly higher than that of the West, where there is an increase by a significant value of about 20 dB re 1µPa.
- “The frequencies of ships’ underwater self-noise and machinery vibration levels are overlapping the marine species’ communication frequencies in the low-frequency range of less than 500 Hz.
- This is called masking, which could have led to a change in the migration route of the marine species to the shallow regions and also making it difficult for them to go back to the deeper water.
Crack Prelims 2023! Talk to our Rankers
(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Diyodar Meteorite
Mains level: Not Much
Central idea: A rare and unique meteorite, known as the Diyodar meteorite, was discovered in Banaskantha, Gujarat in December 2022. It is significant because it is the first aubrite to be found in India in 170 years.
What are Aubrites?
- Aubrites are a type of meteorite that are believed to have formed on a different planet in the early solar system.
- They are known for their unusual mineralogy and composition and are believed to have originated from a differentiated parent body, such as an asteroid or a planetesimal.
- They are primarily composed of a mineral called enstatite, which is a magnesium-rich silicate. They also contain other minerals such as nickel-iron, troilite, and chromite.
- Aubrites are relatively rare, comprising only about 0.1% of all known meteorites.
- They are believed to have formed under highly reducing conditions, with very little oxygen present.
Meteorite found in Diyodar, Gujarat
- The Diyodar meteorite is thought to be around 4.5 billion years old, and it is believed to have originated from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
- Its discovery provides scientists with an opportunity to study the composition and structure of these unique meteorites.
- This, in turn, can help researchers to better understand the early solar system and the processes that led to the formation of planets.
Its composition
- Around 90% of the meteorite was composed of orthopyroxene.
- Pyroxenes are silicates consisting of single chains of silica tetrahedra (SiO 4); orthopyroxenes are pyroxenes with a certain structure.
- Pyroxenes such as diopside and jadeite have been used as gems. Spodumene was historically used as lithium ore.
- Rocks with pyroxene have also been used to make a crushed stone that is used in construction.
Crack Prelims 2023! Talk to our Rankers
(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Constitutional position of Mayor
Mains level: Not Much
Central idea: The Supreme Court ordered the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi to notify the first meeting of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to elect a Mayor within 24 hours and held that nominated members cannot vote in these polls.
What is the issue?
- The issue at hand is whether the nominated members of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi should be allowed to vote in the mayoral polls.
- A Party had challenged the eligibility of the nominated members to vote, arguing that they were appointed by the Delhi government and were therefore not neutral.
- The Supreme Court of India has now ruled that the nominated members cannot vote in the mayoral polls.
What has the Supreme Court ruled?
- The Bench did not agree with the L-G’s contention that nominated members could vote in the first meeting.
- The court pointed out that Article 243R of the Constitution did not distinguish between the first and regular meetings.
Who is a Mayor?
- In India, the mayor is the head of a municipal corporation, which is responsible for providing essential services and infrastructure to the residents of a city or town.
- The mayor is usually elected by the members of the municipal corporation or council, and serves as the ceremonial head of the local government.
History of Mayor’s elections in India
- Municipal corporation mechanisms in India was introduced during British Rule with formation of municipal corporation in Madras (Chennai) in 1688, later followed by municipal corporations in Bombay (Mumbai) and Calcutta (Kolkata) by 1762.
- However the process of introduction for an elected President in the municipalities was made in Lord Mayo’s Resolution of 1870.
- Since then the current form and structure of municipal bodies followed is similar to Lord Ripon’s Resolution adopted in 1882 on local self-governance.
- The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 was introduced providing for the transfer of 18 different powers to urban local bodies, including the election of a mayor and to recognise them which included Municipal Corporations, Nagar Panchayats, and Municipal Councils.
Elections and tenure
- The method of electing mayor and their tenure varies for each city in India.
- In Bengaluru (Karnataka) the election process is indirect with a tenure being for one year, in Mumbai (Maharashtra) it follows indirect elections with tenure for 2.5 years and Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) follows a directly elected mayor with a term for 5 years.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Governs the local civic body.
- Fixed tenure varying in different towns.
- First citizen of city.
- Has two varied roles — Representation and upholding of the dignity of the city during ceremonial times and a presiding over discussions of the civic house with elected representatives in functional capacity.
- The Mayor’s role is confined to the corporation hall of presiding authority at various meetings relating to corporation.
- The Mayor’s role extends much beyond the local city and country as the presiding authority at corporation meetings during visits of a foreign dignitary to the city as he is invited by the state government to receive and represent the citizens to the guest of honour.
- At government, civic and other social functions he is given prominence.
Crack Prelims 2023! Talk to our Rankers
(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Pangolin
Mains level: Wildlife trade
The World Pangolin Day was observed on February 18.
Why in news?
- A not-for-profit organization working on the international trade of animals and plants, has brought out a fact sheet reporting that 1,203 pangolins have been found in illegal wildlife trade in India from 2018 to 2022.
Pangolins
IUCN status: Endangered
- India is home to two species of pangolin.
- While the Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) is found in northeastern India, the Indian Pangolin is distributed in other parts of the country as well as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
- Both these species are protected and are listed under the Schedule I Part I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
- Commonly known as ‘scaly anteaters’, the toothless animals are unique, a result of millions of years of evolution.
- Pangolins evolved scales as a means of protection. When threatened by big carnivores like lions or tigers they usually curl into a ball.
- The scales defend them against dental attacks from the predators.
Why protect Pangolins?
- Pangolins are currently the most trafficked wildlife species in the world.
- These Scales has now become the main cause of the pangolin’s disappearance.
- The scales are in high demand in China, where they are used in traditional Chinese medicine.
- Pangolin meat is also in high demand in China and Southeast Asia.
- Consequently, pangolins have seen a rapid reduction in population globally. The projected population declines range from 50 per cent to 80 per cent across the genus.
Try this PYQ:
Consider the following animals:
- Hedgehog
- Marmot
- Pangolin
To reduce the chance of being captured by predators which of the above organisms rolls up/roll up and protects/protect its/their vulnerable parts?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1 and 3
Post your answers here.
Crack Prelims 2023! Talk to our Rankers
(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: GST, GST COuncil
Mains level: Not Much
Central idea: The article discusses the possibility of the government presenting the reverse charging of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on Steel and other metal scraps before the GST council.
Scrap recycling in India
- India is now the world’s second-largest steel producer, with output expected to increase by 17.8 per cent to 118.1 million tonnes in 2021.
- In contrast to countries that take pride in using increasing amounts of steel scrap to produce ferrous metal and thus reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, India only uses about 30 MT of scrap per year.
- India is still in its early stages, with low recycling awareness. Unfortunately, only 30 per cent of India’s recyclable scrap is recycled.
What is Reverse Charging of GST?
- Reverse charging of Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a mechanism in which the liability to pay the tax is shifted from the supplier to the recipient of goods or services.
- Under normal circumstances, it is the supplier who is liable to pay GST to the government.
- However, in cases of reverse charging, the recipient of the goods or services becomes liable to pay the tax instead of the supplier.
- Reverse charging is usually implemented in situations where the supplier is not registered under GST or has failed to deposit the GST dues with the government.
- Reverse charging is a way for the government to ensure that the GST liability is fulfilled even if the supplier does not fulfill its obligations.
Some examples of goods and services on which reverse charging is already applied are:
- Services provided by a goods transport agency
- Services provided by an advocate to a business entity
- Supply of manpower for any purpose
- Renting of a motor vehicle provided by any individual or HUF to a business entity
- Supply of specified goods like gold, silver, or precious stones by an unregistered supplier to a registered person.
Why scrap industry?
- The scrap industry in India is a largely unorganized sector, and many small players operate without proper registration or compliance.
- This has led to tax evasion and revenue losses for the government.
- Reverse charging on the scrap industry is aimed at plugging this gap and ensuring that the GST liability is fulfilled even if the supplier (in this case, the scrap dealer) is not registered or fails to deposit the GST dues with the government.
Consequences of the move
- Compliance Costs: The implementation of reverse charging on the scrap industry may increase compliance costs for stakeholders. Small players in the industry may find it challenging to comply with the new regulations, leading to increased compliance costs.
- Administrative Burden: The scrap industry in India is largely an unorganized sector, and the application of reverse charging may impose an administrative burden on stakeholders. Many small players may not have the necessary infrastructure or resources to comply with the new regulations.
- Cash flow impact: Reverse charging could impact the cash flow of small businesses, as they would have to pay GST upfront and then claim it back through input tax credit. This could lead to a shortage of working capital for small businesses.
- Increased Paperwork: The application of reverse charging on the scrap industry may lead to an increase in paperwork and documentation for stakeholders. This could be challenging for small players who may not have the resources to handle the additional paperwork.
- Implementation Challenges: The implementation of reverse charging on the scrap industry could be challenging, given that the sector is largely unorganized. It could be challenging to track unregistered players, and the government may face difficulties in enforcing the new regulations.
Woes of Scrap Industry in India
- Lack of infrastructure: The scrap industry in India is primarily an unorganized sector, with limited access to infrastructure such as proper storage facilities, transport, and handling equipment. This can limit the efficiency and productivity of the sector.
- Low productivity: The scrap industry in India faces low productivity due to the use of outdated technology and inadequate skills among workers. This can limit the competitiveness of the industry and its ability to meet the demand for scrap.
- Inadequate regulatory support: The scrap industry in India lacks adequate regulatory support, which can result in a lack of standardization and transparency in the sector. This can lead to issues such as underreporting of sales, tax evasion, and other malpractices.
Stakeholder response
- The scrap industry has expressed concerns over the potential increase in compliance costs and administrative burden that may arise from the implementation of reverse charging.
- This might affect the recycle economy.
Crack Prelims 2023! Talk to our Rankers
(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Tipu Sultan
Mains level: His legacy
Central idea: The article examines the controversial nature of Tipu Sultan’s legacy and the differing opinions about his reign and his place in Indian history. It discusses the contrasting views of Tipu Sultan as a hero and patriot who fought against British colonialism, or as a tyrant who persecuted Hindus and Christians.
Rise of Tipu Sultan
- Tipu Sultan was born on November 10, 1750, in Devanahalli, present-day Bangalore.
- His father was Hyder Ali, who rose through the ranks of the army of the Wodeyars, the Hindu rulers of Mysore.
Rise to power
- Hyder Ali seized power from the Wodeyars in 1761 and ruled for 20 years, a period in which the kingdom of Mysore had slowly expanded by capturing disputed areas at its borders.
- During this time, Tipu was educated in both matters of statecraft and warcraft, participating in his first battle at the age of only 15.
- When Hyder Ali died in 1782, Tipu’s primary motivation was to consolidate the territory he had inherited from his father.
- Specifically, the rebellious provinces of Malabar, Kodagu, and Bednur, were crucial to Mysore’s strategic and economic interests.
- His rule in these areas is what is often cited as proof of his bigotry and authoritarianism.
Contribution to freedom struggle
- In the course of India’s freedom struggle, Tipu Sultan became a symbol of resistance against British rule.
- His death while defending his fortress of Srirangaptna against British armies in 1799 was valorised as the ultimate sacrifice for the motherland.
Reforms carried out by Tipu
Administrative reforms
- Tipu Sultan also pioneered administrative and economic reforms.
- He introduced new coins, started a new land revenue system in Mysore, as well as introduced sericulture or silkworm cultivation, which continues to employ many Kannadigas to date.
- Furthermore, some claim that upon hearing of the plight of lower caste women who were not allowed to wear blouses, Tipu personally supplied them with cloth.
Modernization of weaponry: Advent of Rockets
- Tipu is credited for the introduction of iron-cased rockets in warfare.
- While rocket-like weapons had previously been used in War, Tipu’s army used what can be termed as the first modern war rockets in the Anglo-Mysore Wars.
- These rockets were used to devastating effects against much larger British armies, driving them to panic and disarray.
- The British used Tipu’s models for their own rockets, which would go on to play an important role in the Napoleonic Wars.
Scientific temper
- Tipu’s fascination with European culture was a result of what he saw while fighting Europeans.
- Tipu wanted Mysore to be a modern rival of the European powers and made investments in technology accordingly.
Why is Tipu branded as a tyrant?
- Warfare in Tipu’s time was brutal and those who rebelled were dealt with an iron fist. It was common practice to set strong examples to forestall future opposition.
- The punishments Tipu applied to rebels or conspirators included forced conversion and the transfer of people from their home territories to Mysore.
- The forced removals occurred from both Kodagu and Malabar, the former as a response to continued resistance against Mysore rule– as a result of their resistance and perceived treachery in the Anglo-Mysore Wars.
- The right’s narrative of Tipu’s bigotry emphasizes Tipu’s militarism as well as his perceived attacks on “Hindu” rulers and subjects.
Historian’s justification of Tipu’s actions
- Tipu’s actions are questionable by today’s standards, they were commonplace in the 18th century among rulers of all faiths.
- He was a tyrant, but his motivations were not necessarily religious zealotry.
- Rather, he was a pragmatist who ruled within the accepted conventions of kingship and warfare at the time.
- He undoubtedly ordered forced conversions in areas he annexed, Tipu also patronized various temples and Hindu shrines, including the Sri Ranganatha temple at Srirangapatna and the Math in Sringeri.
- Both these actions were to solidify his position as a ruler — the former to crush dissidents and the latter to gain legitimacy among his largely Hindu subjects.
Tipu’s legacy: looking at the past from the prism of the present
- Today, there has been an increased spotlight on his autocratic tendencies and brutal repression in annexed territories, with an increased emphasis on his religion.
- Both portrayals fall short, missing the complexity of Tipu’s character and material circumstances.
Crack Prelims 2023! Talk to our Rankers
(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now