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Type: Prelims Only

  • ISRO Missions and Discoveries

    ISRO to launch TeLEOS-2 Satellite

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: TeLEOS-2 Satellite, PSLV

    Mains level: NA

    teleos

    The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch Singapore’s TeLEOS-2 satellite this week, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

    What is TeLEOS-2?

    • TeLEOS-2 is a Singaporean Earth Observation satellite built by ST Electronics (Satellite Systems).
    • It carries a made-in-Singapore Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) capable of providing 1 m resolution data.
    • It will be equipped with a 500 GB onboard recorder for recording the data captured and a high speed 800 Mbps downlink.
    • In 2015, ISRO launched TeLEOS-1, the first Singapore commercial Earth Observation Satellite, which was launched into a low Earth orbit for remote sensing applications.
    • ISRO has so far launched nine satellites belonging to Singapore.

    About the launch vehicle: PSLV-CA

    • The PSLV-CA was manufactured by ISRO with the first launch on 2007-04-23.
    • CA means “Core Alone”, model premiered on 23 April 2007.
    • PSLV-CA has 15 successful launches and 0 failed launches with a total of 15 launches.
    • The CA model does not include the six strap-on boosters used by the PSLV standard variant.
    • The fourth stage of the CA variant has 400 kg less propellant when compared to its standard version.
    • It currently has the capability to launch 1,100 kg to a 622 km Sun-synchronous orbit.

     

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  • Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

    Plant ‘cries’: Recalling Jagadish Chandra Bose

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Achievements Of Indians In S&T

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: JC Bose and his contributions

    Mains level: NA

    bose

    Central idea

    • A recent discovery by researchers from Tel Aviv University in Israel, that plants make distinct sounds in the ultrasonic range when faced with stress, made headlines around the world.
    • However, Indians who had grown up hearing about Jagadish Chandra Bose’s work, more than a century ago, on plant physiology and their ability to feel pleasure and pain, were not surprised.

     

    Details
    Who was JC Bose? – Born in 1858 in Mymensingh, Bengal.

    – A polymath who made significant contributions to physics, biophysics, and plant physiology

    – Graduated from Calcutta University with honors in physics and studied in London and Cambridge.
    Notable works – Developed sensitive instruments for wireless telegraphy and demonstrated the first-ever wireless transmission of microwaves in 1895.

    – Showed that plants produce electrical signals in response to stimuli and made significant contributions to biophysics.
    Recognition & Controversy – Despite his contributions, he was not awarded a Nobel Prize, which many believe he deserved.

    – Refused to obtain patents for his work and rejected the idea of making money from science.

    – Claimed that even inanimate inorganic matter could respond to stimulus and regarded plants as intermediates in a continuum between animals and non-living materials, which was not easily accepted by his contemporaries.
    Legacy and Significance – Founded the Bose Institute, a premier research institute in India.

    – The crater Bose on the Moon is named after him.

    – Regarded as one of India’s greatest scientists, and his legacy continues to inspire future generations of scientists.
    Significance – Bose’s work on plant physiology and biophysics was ahead of his time and not fully understood by his contemporaries.

    – However, over the years, much of his work has been confirmed.

     

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  • RBI Notifications

    What is the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI)?

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Consumer Confidence Index (CCI)

    Mains level: Not Much

    confidence

    Central idea

    • The Consumer Confidence Survey was conducted in the first half of March 2023 across 19 cities.
    • This article analyses the survey results, released this month, and breaks down the findings under different sections.

    What is Consumer Confidence Survey?

    • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conducts a Consumer Confidence Survey to measure consumers’ perceptions of the prevailing economic situation.
    • The survey is conducted across various cities and measures consumer confidence on parameters such as the economy, employment, price, income, and spending.
    • The survey consists of questions regarding consumers’ sentiments over various factors in the current situation and future.

    Here are a few parameters that help aggregate overall confidence:

    1. Spending: The consumer is asked about the willingness to spend on major consumer durables, purchasing vehicles, or real estate. This measures the overall spending scenario on necessities as well as luxuries for the next quarter.
    2. Employment: The consumer is asked about current and future ideas on employment situations, joblessness, job security, which reflects the sentiments of the current or expected employment in the country.
    3. Inflation: The consumer is asked about interest rates and levels of prices of all goods, tracking the price expected by consumers and their spending on basic necessities.

    About the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI)

    • CCI is a survey that is conducted every two months to measure how optimistic or pessimistic the consumers are regarding their financial situation.
    • The index measures the change in consumer perception on the financial situation in the last year and the future expectations index measures what the consumer thinks about his financial situation in the coming one year.
    • The main variables of the survey are: Economic situation, Employment, Price Level, Income and Spending.

    Current perceptions of the survey

    • The survey estimates current perceptions and a year-ahead expectations on the economy, employment, price, income, and spending.
    • The results show that consumer confidence continues to recover from its historic low of mid-2021, but still remains pessimistic at 87.0, a 2.2 point increase from previous results.
    • The assessment of inflation conditions improved for the current period reflecting a higher confidence in prevailing economic conditions.
    • With regards to spending, sentiments were positive with signs of improvement compared to the last round conducted in January 2023.

    What does this imply?

    • The survey shows that while consumer confidence is slowly recovering, it still remains pessimistic.
    • The survey results indicate positive sentiments on employment and spending, but a marginal dip in the country’s future economic situation.
    • Credit growth numbers indicate a rise in consumer spending.
    • The upcoming state and general elections could have an impact on the economy, and it remains to be seen how it will play out.

     

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  • Trade Sector Updates – Falling Exports, TIES, MEIS, Foreign Trade Policy, etc.

    Mapping India’s Export Hotspots

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Indian Exports

    Mains level: Not Much

    export

    Central idea: The article discusses the top exporting districts in India and their contribution to the country’s overall exports. It also provides information on the top exported commodities in each district.

    Top Exporting Districts in India

    Rank District State Share of India’s Exports
    1 Jamnagar Gujarat 24%
    2 Surat Gujarat 4.5%
    3 Mumbai Suburban Maharashtra 4.5%
    4 Dakshina Kannada Karnataka –
    5 Devbhumi Dwarka, Bharuch, Kachchh Gujarat –
    6 Mumbai Maharashtra –
    7 Kancheepuram Tamil Nadu –
    8 Gautam Buddha Nagar Uttar Pradesh –

     

    Top Exporting Districts in Each State

    • Map 1 shows the district that formed the highest share of a State’s exports in FY23.
    • The size of the circle in the map corresponds to the value of exports.
    • Most top exporting districts in the north-eastern States formed as much as 90% of a State’s exports, while some top exporting districts formed only around 20% of a State’s exports.

    Top Exported Commodities

    • Jamnagar’s dominance can be attributed to the fact that it formed a lion’s share of India’s surging petroleum exports, while Kancheepuram’s most exported commodity was smartphones.
    • Map 1 also lists the top exported commodity of the top exporting districts in each State.

    Top Exporting Districts for Each Commodity

    • Maps 2A-2F show the top five exporting districts for the top six commodities exported by India.
    • They include petroleum products, precious stones and jewellery, rice, wheat and other cereals, smartphones and electronic parts, vehicles other than railways, and pharmaceutical products.

    Share of Top Exporting Commodity

    • Table 3 shows the share of the top exporting commodity of the top exporting district in India’s total exports.
    • For instance, Jamnagar’s petroleum products export formed 67% of India’s total exports for that commodity, while Surat’s precious stones and jewellery exports formed 36% of India’s total exports for that commodity.

     

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  • WTO and India

    WTO panel rules against India in IT tariffs dispute

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: World Trade Organization (WTO)

    Mains level: Read the attached story

     

    A World Trade Organization (WTO) panel has ruled that India has violated global trading rules in a dispute with the European Union (EU), Japan, and Taiwan over import duties on IT products.

    About World Trade Organization (WTO)

    Details
    Purpose Regulate and facilitate international trade between nations
    Establishment 1995
    Headquarters Geneva, Switzerland
    Membership 164 member countries as of 2023, representing over 98% of global trade
    Goal Promote free and fair trade by negotiating and enforcing rules and agreements governing international trade
    Agreements Administers a number of agreements, including GATT, SPS Agreement, and TRIPS Agreement
    Dispute Resolution Operates a dispute settlement system to resolve conflicts between member countries
    Technical Assistance Provides technical assistance and training to help developing countries participate more effectively in international trade
    Decision-Making Body Ministerial Conference, which meets every two years
    Director-General Chief executive responsible for overseeing the organization’s operations and activities
    Criticisms Some criticize the WTO for being undemocratic, favoring developed countries, and not doing enough to promote labor and environmental standards in international trade

     

    What was the case?

    • The case involved a dispute over India’s introduction of import duties ranging from 7.5% to 20% on a wide range of IT products, including mobile phones, components, and integrated circuits.
    • The EU, Japan, and Taiwan challenged these import duties in 2019, arguing that they exceeded the maximum rate allowed under global trading rules.
    • The recent ruling by the WTO panel found that India had violated these rules and recommended that India bring its measures into conformity with its obligations.

    WTO Panel’s Ruling

    • The WTO panel has ruled that India violated global trading rules by imposing these import duties.
    • The panel recommended that India bring these measures into conformity with its obligations.
    • While the panel broadly backed the complaints against India, it rejected one of Japan’s claims that India’s customs notification lacked “predictability”.

    Implications of the ruling

    • The EU is India’s third-largest trading partner, accounting for 10.8% of total Indian trade in 2021, according to the European Commission.
    • The ruling could have implications for trade relations between India and the EU, as well as Japan and Taiwan.
    • India may be required to lower or eliminate the challenged import duties.
    • It remains to be seen whether India will appeal against the ruling.
    • If it does, the case will sit in legal purgatory since the WTO’s top appeals bench is no longer functioning due to US opposition to judge appointments.

    Conclusion

    • The panel recommended that India bring such measures into conformity with its obligations, and it remains to be seen whether India will appeal against the ruling.
    • The case highlights the importance of complying with global trading rules and the role of the WTO in resolving trade disputes between countries.

     

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  • Waste Management – SWM Rules, EWM Rules, etc

    What is Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

    Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Great Pacific Garbage Patch

    Mains level: Not Much

    pacific

    Central idea: The article reports on a recent study which found evidence that coastal life forms have colonized plastic items in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a vast area in the North Pacific Ocean where plastic waste has accumulated due to ocean currents.

    What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP)?

    Features
    Location North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG), north of the equator in the Pacific Ocean
    Currents Kuroshio, North Pacific, California, and North Equatorial currents, moving in a clockwise direction
    Sources Any trash that enters one of these currents from any of the 51 Pacific Rim countries
    Size Estimated to be 1.6 million sq. km
    Age More than 50 years old
    Plastic Content Estimated to contain 45,000-129,000 metric tonnes of plastic, predominantly in the form of microplastics
    Visible Objects Heavier, more visible objects that haven’t yet broken down into smaller particles accounted for 92% in 2018

     

    Findings of the new study

    • Researchers from Canada, the Netherlands, and the U.S. have reported that coastal life forms have colonized plastic items in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
    • From November 2018 to January 2019, they collected 105 pieces of plastic debris, the most heavily plastic-polluted ocean gyre on the globe.
    • Based on studying them, they reported that 98% of the debris items had invertebrate organisms.

    Plastic inflicting into a coastal organism

    • Organisms found on coasts were getting by on small floating islands of garbage out in the Pacific Ocean, which the researchers named the neopelagic community.
    • They found organisms belonging to 46 taxa, and 37 of them were coastal; the rest were pelagic. Among both coastal and pelagic organisms, crustaceans were the most common.
    • Nearly all taxa were of Northwest Pacific origin, including Japan.
    • Eight of the remainder were from East Asia and five specifically from Japan. Four items were from North America.
    • They found that 68% of the coastal taxa and 33% of the pelagic taxa reproduced asexually and that there was evidence of sexual reproduction among the hydroids and the crustaceans, among others.

    Implications of the findings

    • Marine plastic pollution has given rise to a new kind of standing coastal community in the open ocean.
    • The neopelagic community is not misplaced but lives on plastic items in the garbage patch, including reproducing there.
    • The finding recalls other studies that show the chemical bonding of plastic with rocks, sedimentary rocks embedded with plastic earrings in Brazil, and the formation of plastiglomerates in Hawaii.

     

    What is neopelagic community?

    • The neopelagic community refers to the group of organisms that inhabit the open ocean or the pelagic zone beyond the continental shelf.
    • It is characterized by deep waters with very few physical structures or substrate for organisms to attach to.
    • This community includes a wide variety of organisms, including zooplankton, fish, squid, and marine mammals, among others.
    • These organisms have adapted to survive in the open ocean environment, which can be quite challenging due to factors such as temperature fluctuations, limited food availability, and the absence of physical structures for shelter.
    • The neopelagic community is an important part of the global marine ecosystem, playing a key role in nutrient cycling and energy transfer between different levels of the food chain.

     

    GPGP and its impact on marine life

    • The GPGP has significant impacts on marine life due to the ingestion of plastic by marine animals, which can cause harm and even death.
    • Plastic can also entangle and suffocate marine animals, leading to the disruption of ecosystems.
    • The new study sheds light on the neopelagic community, which has adapted to living on plastic in the garbage patch.

    Plastic pollution and its environmental impact

    • Plastic pollution is a major environmental issue that affects land and water ecosystems worldwide.
    • Plastic waste can take hundreds of years to decompose, and even then, it breaks down into microplastics that can persist in the environment indefinitely.
    • The presence of plastic in the environment has negative impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem function, and human health.

    Conclusion

    • There are various solutions to plastic pollution, including reducing the use of single-use plastics, recycling, and promoting alternative materials.
    • Governments and industries can also take steps to reduce plastic waste, such as implementing policies and regulations that reduce plastic use and increase recycling.
    • Individual actions, such as reducing personal plastic consumption and properly disposing of plastic waste, can also make a difference.

     

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  • International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

    What is Polar Crown Prominence (PCP)?

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Polar Crown Prominence (PCP)

    Mains level: Not Much

    crown

    Central idea: The article talks about an astrophotographer named Andrew McCarthy capturing an image of a plasma waterfall on the sun. The phenomenon is called Polar Crown Prominence (PCP).

    Polar Crown Prominence (PCP)

    • PCP is a solar phenomenon that occurs on the sun’s Polar Regions.
    • It is a type of solar prominence, which is a large, bright, gaseous feature that extends out from the sun’s surface.
    • A solar prominence is a large, bright, gaseous feature that extends out from the sun’s surface.
    • It is made up of ionized gas (plasma) that is held in place by magnetic fields.
    • Prominences are visible during total solar eclipses and can also be observed using specialized telescopes.
    • PCPs are often associated with sunspots, which are dark regions on the sun’s surface that are caused by magnetic activity.

    How are PCPs Formed?

    • PCPs are formed by the interaction of magnetic fields on the sun’s surface.
    • Magnetic fields are created by the movement of charged particles (plasma) in the sun’s interior.
    • When these magnetic fields interact, they can create regions of intense magnetic activity, such as sunspots.
    • PCPs are often associated with these regions of magnetic activity.

    Why are PCPs Important?

    • PCPs are important because they provide clues about the sun’s magnetic activity and how it affects the Earth’s environment.
    • Solar activity, including PCPs, can cause disturbances in the Earth’s magnetic field, which can lead to auroras and disruptions in communication systems.

     

     

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  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    India’s first Mangrove Pitta Birds Census conducted in Odisha

    Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Mangrove Pitta Bird

    Mains level: Not Much

    pitta

    Central idea: The article talks about the first-ever census of mangrove pitta birds conducted in two coastal districts of Odisha, India.

    About Mangrove Pitta

    • The mangrove pitta (Pitta megarhyncha) belongs to the family of pittas, the Pittidae.
    • The mangrove pitta species is distributed in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
    • These pitta species have fragmented distribution and considered ‘Near Threatened’ by IUCN. These pittas are monotypic species.

    Focus of the Census

    • In this census, a total of 179 individual mangrove pitta birds were counted.
    • The census mainly focused on the mangrove patches along the coasts of Kendrapara and Jagatsingpur districts.
    • Information was collected on the distribution, habitat, and breeding of mangrove pittas along the coastal mangroves.
    • The census was carried out by point count method, either by walking in the forest or using country boats in the creeks.

     

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  • LGBT Rights – Transgender Bill, Sec. 377, etc.

    Constitution Bench formed in Same-Sex Marriage Case

    Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Indian Constitution – historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Constitution Bench

    Mains level: Same sex marriages

    bench

    The Supreme Court has announced the formation of a new Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud to hear a series of petitions seeking legal recognition of same sex marriages.

    What is a Constitution Bench?

    • The constitution bench is the name given to the benches of the Supreme Court of India.
    • The Chief Justice of India has the power to constitute a Constitution Bench and refer cases to it.

    Constitution benches are set up when the following circumstances exist:

    1. Interpretation of the Constitution: Article 145(3) provides for the constitution of at least five judges of the court which sit to decide any case “involving a substantial question of law as to the interpretation” of the Constitution of India.
    2. President of India seeking SC’s opinion: When the President has sought the Supreme Court’s opinion on a question of fact or law under Article 143 of the Constitution. Article 143 of the Constitution provides for Advisory jurisdiction to the SC. As per the provision, the President has the power to address questions to the apex Court, which he deems important for public welfare.
    3. Conflicting Judgments: When two or more three-judge benches of the Supreme Court have delivered conflicting judgments on the same point of law, necessitating a definite understanding and interpretation of the law by a larger bench.
    • The Constitution benches are set up on ad hoc basis as and when the above-mentioned conditions exist.
    • Constitution benches have decided many of India’s best-known and most important Supreme Court cases, such as:
    1. K. Gopalan v. State of Madras (Preventive detention)
    2. Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (Basic structure doctrine) and
    3. Ashoka Kumar Thakur v. Union of India (OBC reservations) etc.

    Why in news now?

    • The Centre had expressed its concern about the “psychological impact” that same-sex unions could have on children, but refused to link its worries to stigma about same-sex relationships.
    • The government’s recent affidavit sought to explain how same-sex marriage was antithetical to the view held by many in India that marriage was a “holy union, a sacrament and a sanskar” between a biological man and a woman.

     

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  • Swachh Bharat Mission

    Top-notch Aspirational Toilets to usher in change

    Prelims Only | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Aspirational Toilets

    Mains level: Swachh Bharat Mission and its success

    toilet

    The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has issued a directive to all state governments to ensure that 25% of public toilet seats added in any city or urban unit are “aspirational toilets.”

    What are Aspirational Toilets?

    • The aspirational toilets scheme was launched in September 2022 as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 2.0, with an aim to help make cities open defecation free.
    • A quarter of all new public restrooms in Indian cities will soon have high-end features such as luxurious bath cubicles, touchless flushing, breast-feeding rooms, and automatic sanitary napkin incinerators.
    • These will be indicated as “aspirational toilets” on Google Maps.

    Focus areas for constructing aspirational toilets

    • The focus areas for constructing these luxury toilets will be tourist and religious destinations, as well as iconic cities.
    • High-footfall locations such as markets, railway stations, inter-state bus depots, and national highways will be given priority.
    • Guidelines have been issued to the states for constructing these toilets. It also includes low-height toilets and basins for children.
    • Hand-dryers, paper napkins, and vending machines for sanitary napkins are proposed to be made available.

    Maintenance and funding patterns

    • One of the business models being explored for the maintenance of these toilets is attaching them with other public services such as restaurants, shopping malls, libraries, cinema halls, or even medicine shops, to make them self-sustaining.
    • Experts have cautioned that a proper study must be done on the location and the way these toilets will be maintained before beginning any such project.

    Back2Basics: Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0

    Description
    Objective Make all cities in India “garbage-free”
    Period 5 years (1st Oct 2021 – 1st Oct 2026)
    Focus Sustainable solid waste management, sustainable sanitation and treatment of used water, and promoting behavior change through citizen outreach
    Segregation of waste All households and premises required to segregate their waste into “wet waste” and “dry waste”
    Collection of waste Aims to achieve 100% door-to-door collection of segregated waste from each household/premise
    Waste management Aims to achieve 100% scientific management of all fractions of waste, including safe disposal in scientific landfills, remediation of all legacy dumpsites, and the conversion of these sites into green zones
    Sanitation Aims to promote holistic sanitation, with end-to-end solutions, treatment of used water before discharge into water bodies, and maximum reuse of treated used water
    Citizen outreach Aims to create awareness and institutionalize “Swachh” behavior through large-scale citizen outreach
    Institutional capacity Aims to create institutional capacity to effectively implement programmatic interventions to achieve mission objectives

     

     

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  • International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

    SpaceX Starship: World’s biggest rocket set for first test flight

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: SpaceX Starship

    Mains level: Read the attached story

    starship

    SpaceX is preparing for the first test flight of Starship, which is the most powerful rocket ever built.

    About SpaceX Starship

    • Starship is a fully reusable spacecraft designed and built by SpaceX with the primary goal of sending humans to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

    Key objectives

    • SpaceX aims to use Starship to establish a self-sustaining human settlement on Mars.
    • The ultimate goal is to enable humans to become a multi-planetary species.
    • It also aims to make Starship reusable, reducing the cost of spaceflight and bringing down the price to a few million dollars per flight.
    • In the long run, the company aims to achieve full and rapid reusability of the spacecraft.

     

    Features

    Details
    Design and configuration
    • Made up of two parts: a 50-meter tall spacecraft and a 70-meter tall Super Heavy rocket booster.
    • Spacecraft has six Raptor engines; Super Heavy Booster has 28 Raptor engines.
    • Payload capacity of up to 100 metric tons and features a large heat shield.
    • Interior can be configured for up to 100 passengers or cargo.
    Manoeuvrability
    • Designed to be fully reusable, with vertical take-off and landing on Earth, Moon, and Mars.
    • Can be refuelled in orbit for deeper space travel and for establishing a human settlement on Mars.
    Construction and materials
    • Built using durable and cost-effective stainless steel material.
    • Stainless steel also provides heat protection during re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere.
    Power and thrust
    • Powered by methane and liquid oxygen fueled Raptor engines.
    • Generates 17 million pounds of thrust more than twice that of the Saturn V rockets used for the Apollo missions.

     

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  • Coronavirus – Disease, Medical Sciences Involved & Preventive Measures

    Omicron evolved strategies to evade T Cell Immunity

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: T Cell Immunity

    Mains level: Covid resurgence

    t cell

    Central idea: The SARS-CoV-2 virus has the ability to evade CD8 T cells, which are important in reducing the viral load and clearing the infection by detecting and killing infected cells.

    What is the news?

    • A recent study has revealed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus has the ability to modulate MHC I expression in host cells.
    • MHC I is crucial in alerting the immune system to virally infected cells.
    • The virus has evolved multiple strategies to inhibit MHC I expression, which is not seen in the case of the influenza virus.

    What is T Cell Immunity?

    • Like B cells, which produce antibodies, T cells are central players in the immune response to viral infection.
    • For your immune system to fight off any kind of invader, such as a virus, you need a kind of white blood cell called a B cell, which makes antibodies, and a similar-looking white blood cell called a T cell.
    • T cells can play different roles altogether.
    • They can act as “killer cells”, attacking cells which have been infected with a virus or another kind of pathogen, or they can act as “helper cells” by supporting B cells to produce antibodies.

    How do they function?

    • Alongside antibodies, the immune system produces a battalion of T cells that can target viruses.
    • Some of these, known as killer T cells (or CD8+T cells), seek out and destroy cells that are infected with the virus.
    • Others, called helper T cells (or CD4+T cells) are important for various immune functions, including stimulating the production of antibodies and killer T cells.
    • T cells do not prevent infection, because they kick into action only after a virus has infiltrated the body. But they are important for clearing an infection that has already started.
    • In the case of COVID-19, killer T cells could mean the difference between a mild infection and a severe one that requires hospital treatment.

     

     

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  • Indian Missile Program Updates

    In news: Pralay Ballistic Missile

    Prelims Only | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: Various Security Forces, Agencies & Their Mandates

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Pralay Missile

    Mains level: Strategic weapons

    pralay

    India is going to buy 250 more Pralay ballistic missiles for the services to strengthen them on the northern borders, further boosting the firepower of the defence forces.

    Pralay Ballistic Missile

    • Pralay is a tactical missile developed from India’s K-series of submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).
    • It has a range of 150-500 km and can carry warheads weighing between 350 to 700 kg.
    • The missile is a canisters road-mobile system, which enhances its mobility and allows for quick preparation and launch of the missile.
    • Pralay has the ability to perform manoeuvres in flight and follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory to maintain high speed, making it difficult for enemy missile defence systems to intercept.

    Classification

    • The Indian Defence Ministry has classified Pralay as a “conventional Surface-to-Surface missile”.
    • This distinguishes it from the Agni series of missiles, which have the capability to carry either conventional or nuclear warheads.

    Testing and launch

    • The missile was launched on a quasi-ballistic trajectory in one of the two tests, which enhances its effectiveness against enemy missile defence systems.
    • Satellite imagery of the test shows that Pralay is a canisterised road-mobile system, which adds to its mobility and flexibility in responding to evolving threats.

     

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  • ISRO Missions and Discoveries

    NISAR to map Himalayas’ Seismic Zones

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: NISAR, Seismic Zones

    Mains level: Read the attached story

    nisar

    Central idea

    • The ISRO and the NASA have jointly developed a forthcoming satellite called NISAR.
    • It will map the most earthquake-prone regions in the Himalaya.

    What is NISAR?

    • NISAR stands for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar.
    • The mission aims to provide global measurements of the causes and consequences of land surface changes using advanced radar imaging.
    • The satellite is equipped with two types of synthetic aperture radars (SAR): L-band and S-band, which will allow for high-resolution, all-weather imaging of the Earth’s surface.
    • The NISAR satellite is expected to be launched in January 2024.

    How it will be used for earthquake monitoring?

    • It will generate data that can potentially give advance warning of land subsidence and identify places that are at greatest risk from earthquakes.
    • The geoscience community can use this to determine how strain is building up in various parts of the Himalayas.
    • Strain refers to the deformation that occurs in rocks when it is under pressure from other rocks.
    • Movements of continental plates that are sliding, colliding, or subducting against each other cause strain.
    • With a frequency of 12 days and the ability to provide images even under cloudy conditions, NISAR would be a valuable tool to study deformation patterns, such as in Joshimath.

    Strain Map already in place

    • In 2021, scientists from the Geological Survey of India published a “strain map” of the Himalayas based on data from 1,252 GPS stations along the Himalayas.
    • It identified regions that had the greatest odds of generating earthquakes of magnitude above 8 and their extent.
    • However, these many stations are still too few, and there’s only one satellite (Sentinel) that we rely on.
    • With NISAR, the costliest space mission ever, we can have a game-changer in earth-science observation.

     

    Seismic Zones of India

    nisar

    India is divided by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) into 4 seismic zones based on the level of seismicity and the frequency of earthquakes that occur in that particular region.

    These zones are as follows:

    1.      Zone 2: This is a low seismic zone comprising of areas with the lowest risk of earthquakes. It includes regions like the northeastern states of India, parts of J&K, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

    2.      Zone 3: This is a moderate seismic zone comprising of areas that are at moderate risk of earthquakes. It includes regions like Gujarat, Haryana, Delhi, parts of UP, Bihar, West Bengal, and parts of Jharkhand.

    3.      Zone 4: This is a high seismic zone comprising of areas that are at high risk of earthquakes. It includes regions like the A&N Islands, parts of Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Uttarakhand, and the entire northeastern region.

    4.      Zone 5: This is a very high seismic zone comprising of areas that are at the highest risk of earthquakes. It includes regions like the entire state of J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, the entire northeastern region, parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and the A&N Islands.

     

     

     

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  • Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

    What is Magnetoresistance?

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Magnetoresistance

    Mains level: NA

    magnet

     

    Researchers in the UK, led by Nobel laureate Andre Geim, have discovered magnetoresistance in graphene – a single-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms bonded in a honeycomb pattern – that further distinguishes this ‘wonder’ material.

    Graphene’s anomalous Giant Magnetoresistance (GMR)

    • Graphene displayed an anomalous giant magnetoresistance (GMR) at room temperature.
    • GMR is the result of the electrical resistance of a conductor being affected by magnetic fields in adjacent materials.
    • It is used in hard disk drives and magnetoresistive RAM in computers, biosensors, automotive sensors, micro-electromechanical systems, and medical imagers.

    What is GMR?

    • GMR is a phenomenon where the electrical resistance of a conductor is affected by magnetic fields in adjacent materials.
    • Say a conductor is sandwiched between two ferromagnetic materials (commonly, metals attracted to magnets, like iron).
    • When the materials are magnetised in the same direction, the electrical resistance in the conductor is low.
    • When the directions are opposite each other, the resistance increases.

    Significance of the finding

    • The magnetoresistance observed in the graphene-based device was almost 100 times higher than that observed in other known semimetals in this magnetic field range.
    • In the study, the magnetoresistance in monolayer graphene at 27º C held between two layers of boron nitride increased by 110% under a field of 0.1 tesla.
    • To compare, the magnetoresistance in these conditions increases by less than 1% in normal metals.
    • The team attributed this to the presence of a ‘neutral’ plasma and the electrons’ mobility.

    Try this MCQ

    Which of the following best describes magnetoresistance?

    (a) The magnetic resistance of a conductor to electrical current flow

    (b) The phenomenon where the electrical resistance of a conductor is affected by magnetic fields in adjacent materials

    (c) The ability of a conductor to produce a magnetic field when an electrical current is passed through it

    (d) The resistance of a magnet to demagnetization by an external magnetic field

     

    [wpdiscuz-feedback id=”pez2u7d573″ question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]

     

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  • Climate Change Impact on India and World – International Reports, Key Observations, etc.

    Bioluminescence observed at Visakhapatnam beach

    Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 1: Climatic Change

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Bioluminiscence

    Mains level: NA

    bio

    The blooms of Noctiluca Scintillans, commonly known as “sea sparkle or bioluminescence” are being witnessed along the coasts of Visakhapatnam, AP.

    Noctiluca Scintillans

    • Scintillans is a bioluminescent specie that brightens the seawater during the night.
    • It grazes on other micro-organisms such as larvae, fish eggs, and diatoms. But the unicellular phytoplankton that lives inside it can photosynthesize, turning sunlight into energy.
    • They help their host cell survive even when food was scarce.
    • Thus, N. Scintillans acts as both a plant and an animal

    Threats posed

    • According to marine experts, the phenomenon is an indicator of climate change.
    • While smaller blooms may be harmless, slow-moving larger blooms may have an impact on deep-sea fishes.
    • The toxic blooms of N. Scintillans were linked to massive fish and marine invertebrate kills.
    • Though the species does not produce a toxin, it was found to accumulate toxic levels of ammonia, which is then excreted into the surrounding waters, possibly acting as the killing agent in blooms.
    • They have displaced microscopic algae called diatoms, which form the basis of the marine food chain. This has deprived food for the planktivorous fish.

    Back2Basics: Bioluminescence

    • It is the property of a living organism to produce and emit light.
    • Animals, plants, fungi and bacteria show bioluminescence. A remarkable diversity of marine animals and microbes are able to produce their own light.
    • It is found in many marine organisms such as bacteria, algae, jellyfish, worms, crustaceans, sea stars, fish and sharks.
    • Luminescence is generally higher in deep-living and planktonic organisms than in shallow species.

     

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  • GI(Geographical Indicator) Tags

    Madhya Pradesh’s Gond Painting gets GI Tag

    Prelims Only | History and Art & Culture | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Gond Painting

    Mains level: Contribution of GI tags in tribal economy

    gond

    The Gond painting of Madhya Pradesh has received the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

    Other recent GI tags awarded in UP

    10 products from UP got GI Tag on March 31:

    • Aligarh Tala
    • Bakharia Brassware
    • Banda Shazar Patthar Craft
    • Pratapgarh Aonla (Amla)
    • Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal)
    • Muzaffarnagar Gur (jaggery)
    • Banarasi Pan
    • Nagina Wood Craft
    • Hathras Hing
    • Banaras Langda Aam

     

    Gond Art

    • Gond painting is a traditional art of Madhya Pradesh and belongs to the Gond tribe.
    • Patangarh village of Dindori district is famous for Gond paintings, where there is an artist in every house.
    • Their work is famous in the state and abroad for its unique style, theme, and motifs.
    • Gond art has been passed down through generations, traditionally adorning the walls of each artist’s home in Patangarh.

    Features of Gond Painting

    • Gond paintings showcase the beauty of nature, including trees, plants, animals, the moon, sun, river, drains, God, and Goddesses.
    • The paintings also portray daily life activities such as food, plough making, and even how the king used to fight.

    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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  • Capital Markets: Challenges and Developments

    Dabba Trading and its impact on the Economy

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Investment Models

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Dabba Trading

    Mains level: Read the attached story

    dabba

    Central idea

    • The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has issued a series of notices warning retail investors about entities involved in ‘dabba trading’.
    • The NSE cautioned investors not to subscribe or invest using these products offering indicative, assured or guaranteed returns in the stock market as they are prohibited by law.
    • The entities involved in dabba trading are not recognized as authorized members by the exchange.

    What is Dabba Trading?

    • Dabba (Box) trading refers to informal trading that takes place outside the purview of the stock exchanges.
    • It involves betting on stock price movements without incurring a real transaction to take physical ownership of a particular stock as is done in an exchange.
    • In simple words, it is gambling centred around stock price movements.

    How does it work?

    • In dabba trading, investors place bets on stock price movements at a certain price point.
    • If the price point rises, they make a gain, and if it falls, they have to pay the difference to the dabba broker.
    • The broker’s profit from the investor’s loss, and vice versa.
    • Transactions are facilitated using cash and unrecognised software terminals or informal records, which helps traders stay outside the regulatory mechanism.

    What are the problems with dabba trading?

    • Since dabba traders do not maintain proper records of income or gain, they are able to escape taxation, which results in a loss to the government exchequer.
    • The use of cash also means that they are outside the purview of the formal banking system.
    • Investors in dabba trading do not have formal provisions for investor protection or grievance redressal mechanisms available within an exchange, which exposes them to the risk of broker defaults or insolvency.
    • Dabba trading also perpetuates a parallel economy, potentially encouraging the growth of black money and criminal activities.

    What is the current scenario?

    • Industry observers have reported that dabba brokers harass clients for default payments and refuse payments upon profit.
    • Potential investors are lured by aggressive marketing, ease of trading using apps with quality interfaces, and lack of identity verification.
    • Brokers keep their fees and margins open to negotiation depending on an individual’s trading profile.
    • The mechanism could potentially induce volatility and cause losses for the regulated bourse when dabba brokers look to hedge their exposures.

    What are the legal implications?

    • Dabba trading is recognised as an offence under Section 23(1) of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act (SCRA), 1956.
    • Upon conviction, it can invite imprisonment for a term extending up to 10 years or a fine up to ₹25 crore, or both.

     

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  • Microfinance Story of India

    What is MUDRA Scheme?

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: MUDRA Scheme

    Mains level: Read the attached story

    mudra

    PM hit out at people ridiculing the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) and said those who gave loans to big businessmen “over phone” never understood the power of microfinance.

    MUDRA Scheme

    • MUDRA (Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency) Scheme is a financial initiative launched by the Government of India in April 2015 to provide financial support to micro-enterprises in India.
    • The scheme is designed to cater to the financial needs of the non-corporate, non-farm sector enterprises in the country.
    • The objective of the scheme is to promote entrepreneurship, employment generation, and to provide access to finance to small and micro-businesses in India.

    Range of loans

    • The MUDRA scheme provides loans ranging from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 10 lakhs to small and micro-businesses.
    • These loans are provided through various financial institutions such as banks, microfinance institutions, and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs).
    • The scheme also offers refinance support to these institutions.
    Category Loan Amount
    Shishu Up to Rs. 50,000
    Kishore Rs. 50,001 to Rs. 5 lakhs
    Tarun Rs. 5 lakhs to Rs. 10 lakhs

    Key features of the MUDRA scheme

    • Refinance support: The scheme offers refinance support to various financial institutions, such as banks, microfinance institutions, and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), to provide loans to small and micro-businesses.
    • Employment generation: The scheme aims to promote entrepreneurship and employment generation in the country.
    • Digitalization of financial transactions: The scheme has helped in promoting the digitalization of financial transactions.
    • Focus on underprivileged and marginalized sections: The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to underprivileged and marginalized sections of the society, especially those belonging to the non-corporate, non-farm sector enterprises in the country.
    • Simplified loan processing: The loan processing under the scheme is simplified and requires minimal documentation.
    • No collateral requirement: The loans provided under the scheme do not require any collateral or security.
    • Competitive Interest rate: The interest rate for the loans provided under the scheme is competitive and affordable.

     

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  • Historical and Archaeological Findings in News

    Uthirameur Inscription: Ancient Tamil proof of Democratic Provisions

    Prelims Only | | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Uthiramerur inscriptions

    Mains level: Democracy since Indian Civilizations

    uthirameur

    PM Modi referred to an over 1,100-year-old inscription found in Uthirameur, Tamil Nadu, which talks about rules for a local body, including provisions for disqualifying a member.

    What are Uthiramerur inscriptions?

    • Uthiramerur inscriptions are a set of ancient Tamil inscriptions found in Uthiramerur, a town in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu.
    • These inscriptions date back to the 10th century CE and were created during the reign of the Chola dynasty, which ruled over a large part of South India.
    • It was crafted under the rule of Parantaka Chola I (907 – 956 AD.)

    What does the inscription say?

    The temple inscriptions of Uthiramerur provide historical descriptions of rural self-governance.

    (1) Sabha and Ur

    • Uthiramerur had two village assemblies: Gram Sabha and Ur.
    • Sabha was exclusively a Brahmin assembly, while the Ur was made up of people belonging to all classes.
    • Sabha managed land sales, endowment fund for dredging a tank, and assigned duties to the Ur for managing deserted land.
    • Sabha assembled in the hall of the local temple and was summoned through beating of the drums.
    • The inscriptions contained references to variyars, the executive officers subordinate to the Sabha.

    (2) Administrative System

    • The executive powers were given to committees called Variyams during the Chola king Parantaka I’s reign (907–955).
    • Each variyam constituted 6 to 12 members, depending on the importance of its functions.
    • The first inscription (dated 919 CE) described the rules for electing committee members.
    • The second inscription (dated 921 CE) described some amendments to these rules to make them more practical.

    (3) Committees and Qualifications

    • The village had 30 kudumbus or wards, from which the members of various committees were selected annually.
    • The inscription lays down the qualifications for a nominee, including ownership of tax-paying land, residence on self-owned land, age between 35 and 70 years, knowledge of mantras and the Brahmanas, and not being associated with certain offenses or activities.
    • The candidates were selected via Kudavoloi (pot of palm leaf tickets) system.
    • The tenure of a committee member was 360 days.
    • Anyone found guilty of an offense was immediately removed from the office.

    (4) Punishments

    • The Uthiramerur inscriptions indicate that parading on a donkey was a punishment for offenses such as incest, adultery, theft, and forgery.

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