Why is it in the News?

Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande on Monday called upon the force to be always prepared for 'black swan' events and "expect the unexpected" even as he identified technology as the new area for strategic competition among nations.

What is the Black Swan Event?

• A black swan is a rare, unpredictable event that comes as a surprise and has a significant impact on society or the world.
• These events are said to have three distinguishing characteristics:
  • They are extremely rare and outside the realm of regular expectations
  • They have a severe impact after they hit; and
  • They seem probable in hindsight when plausible explanations appear.

When did the Term Originate?

• The black swan theory was put forward by author and investor Nassim Nicholas Taleb in 2001 and later popularised in his 2007 book – The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable.
  • In his book, Taleb does not try to lay out a method to predict such events but instead stresses building “robustness” in systems and strategies to deal with black swan occurrences and withstand their impact.
• The term itself is linked to the discovery of black swans.
• Europeans believed all swans to be white until 1697 when a Dutch explorer spotted the first black swan in Australia.
• The metaphor ‘black swan event’ is derived from this unprecedented spotting from the 17th century, and how it upended the West’s understanding of swans.

Implications of Black Swan Events:

• Black Swan events are characterized by their extreme rarity, severe impact, and widespread implications across various sectors.
• These unanticipated occurrences can trigger substantial disruptions, unveiling vulnerabilities in systems once thought resilient and prompting reassessments of risk management practices.
• Disruption: Black Swan events have the potential to disrupt economies, industries, and societies on a global scale.
  • Their unforeseen nature can cause sudden shifts in financial markets, business operations, and everyday life, leaving lasting effects on the overall landscape.
• Uncertainty: The inability to predict Black Swan events using traditional methods injects considerable uncertainty into decision-making and planning for individuals, organizations, and governments.
  • Navigating through such unpredictable circumstances can pose significant challenges for all affected parties.
• Vulnerability: These rare events can expose vulnerabilities in systems that were previously thought to be impervious or resilient.
  • By doing so, Black Swan events emphasize the importance of preparedness and encourage the development of more robust risk management practices.
• Reassessment of Risk: In the aftermath of a Black Swan event, there is often a renewed focus on identifying and mitigating previously overlooked risks.
  • This heightened awareness can lead to changes in investment strategies, regulatory policies, and overall risk management practices.
• Regulatory and Policy Responses: Governments and regulatory bodies may implement new regulations or policies in response to Black Swan events.
  • These measures are designed to prevent or mitigate the impact of similar occurrences in the future, ultimately shaping the economic and social landscape.
• Behavioral and Attitude Changes: Black Swan events can significantly alter behaviors and attitudes as individuals and organizations adapt to the new reality.
  • These shifts may include changes in consumer behavior, investment strategies, and approaches to risk management.

Examples of Black Swan Events:

• The Dot-com Bubble: In 2000, the valuation of many internet-based companies plummeted after a period of rapid growth.
• The 9/11 Terrorist Attacks: The events of September 11, 2001, had far-reaching consequences on global security, politics, and economies.
• The 2008 Financial Crisis: A series of shocks to Wall Street due to the unraveling of subprime lending practices caused significant economic turmoil.
• Brexit: The unexpected decision of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union in June 2016 caught many by surprise and caused the British pound to plummet against the US dollar.
• COVID-19 Pandemic: The ongoing global health crisis continues to significantly affect economies and markets worldwide.
• These instances illustrate the profound and widespread implications of Black Swan events, underscoring the importance of adaptability and resilience in an ever-changing global landscape.

Why is it in the News?

The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has now recommended the imposition of anti-dumping duty on sodium cyanide (NaCN) imported from China, the European Union, Japan, and Korea.

Key Facts About Sodium Cyanide:

• Sodium cyanide (NaCN) is a highly toxic, inorganic compound with a white, crystalline appearance.
• It is a solid at room temperature and has a high affinity for metals, making it useful in various industrial processes.
• Due to its toxic nature, proper handling and safety protocols must be followed when working with sodium cyanide.

Applications of Sodium Cyanide:

• Mining and Metallurgy: Sodium cyanide is widely used in the extraction of gold and silver from ores. It is employed in a technique called "cyanide heap leaching," where a dilute sodium cyanide solution is sprayed onto crushed ore.
  • The cyanide forms a water-soluble complex with the precious metals, enabling their recovery from the ore.
• Electroplating: NaCN is utilized as an electrolyte in electroplating processes, particularly for the deposition of silver, gold, and other metals on various surfaces to improve their appearance, durability, or conductivity.
• Synthetic Fiber Production: Sodium cyanide is used in the manufacturing of synthetic fibers such as acrylic and nylon.
  • It serves as a catalyst in the polymerization process, promoting the formation of long-chain polymers that make up the fibers.
• Pesticides: Due to its toxicity, sodium cyanide has been used as a fumigant to control pests and rodents.
  • However, its use in this field has been largely phased out in many countries due to safety concerns and the development of safer alternatives.
• Dye and Pigment Production: NaCN can be used in the production of certain dyes and pigments, particularly those containing nitrogen.
  • It acts as a precursor for the synthesis of these compounds.

What is Anti-Dumping Duty?

• An anti-dumping duty is a tariff imposed by a domestic government on foreign imports suspected of being sold at prices lower than those in the exporter's domestic market.
• This measure aims to prevent these products from undercutting local businesses and harming the local economy.
• The World Trade Organization (WTO) oversees a framework of international trade rules governing anti-dumping measures.
• Under this agreement, governments are permitted to address dumping practices if they pose a threat of significant harm to a domestic industry.

Calculation of Anti-Dumping Duty:

• The calculation of anti-dumping duty involves determining the difference between the normal value and the export value of the product.
• The normal value represents the market value of the product in the exporter's domestic market, while the export value denotes the price at which the product is sold when exported to India.
• The anti-dumping duty is levied to neutralize this price disparity and safeguard the domestic industry from the adverse effects of inexpensive imports.

Anti-Dumping Mechanism in India:

• India's anti-dumping mechanism is overseen by the Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) under the Ministry of Finance.
• The legal framework for anti-dumping in India is established by the Customs Tariff Act of 1975 and the Customs Tariff Rules of 1995.
• The DGAD conducts investigations to assess whether a surge in below-cost imports has negatively impacted the domestic industry.

Why is it in the News?

Sepoy Mangal Pandey likely didn't anticipate that his shot at the Sergeant Major of his regiment near Kolkata on March 29, 1857, would ignite a significant event in Modern Indian history—the Revolt of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny or the First War of Indian Independence.

Who was Mangal Pandey?

• Mangal Pandey was a prominent historical figure who played a pivotal role in India's struggle for independence from British colonial rule.
• Born in the kingdom of Awadh, which contributed significantly to the East India Company's army, Mangal Pandey joined the 34th Bengal Native Infantry at the age of 22.

Annexation of Awadh:

• In 1856, the British annexed Awadh in a treacherous act that provoked widespread anger and resentment among the local population.
• The deposition of the Nawab and the subsequent confiscation of villages from the taluqdars during the land revenue settlement of 1856 only exacerbated the situation.

Mangal Pandey's Mutiny and Execution:

• The introduction of the Enfield rifle, which used animal fat (beef and pork) in its cartridges, was met with fierce resistance from soldiers like Mangal Pandey.
• They perceived the use of these cartridges as a direct affront to their religious beliefs.
• On March 29, 1857, Mangal Pandey openly revolted, firing at his Senior Sergeant Major in protest.
• His act of defiance led to his capture, and he was subsequently hanged by order of a Court Martial at Lal Bagan in Barrackpore.
• Mangal Pandey's sacrifice and bravery in the face of British oppression have earned him a lasting place in India's history as a symbol of resistance against colonial tyranny.

The Expansion of the 1857 Revolt and Its Lasting Impact:

• The bravery exhibited by Mangal Pandey inspired a wave of resistance among other soldiers, notably those of the 7th Awadh Regiment.

• On May 11, 1857, a group of Sepoys from Meerut refused to use the new cartridges and killed their European officers, marching to the Red Fort in an act of defiance.

The Legacy of the 1857 Revolt:

• The revolt of 1857 had far-reaching consequences and reshaped the dynamics of British rule in India.
• In response to the growing unrest, the British Parliament passed the Government of India Act in 1858, effectively transferring all powers of the East India Company to the Crown.
  • Queen Victoria was subsequently declared the Sovereign of British India.
• The Queen's Proclamation, announced by Lord Canning in 1858, introduced a new policy of perpetual support for the native Princes and pledged non-intervention in matters of religious beliefs in India.
  • This policy was further reinforced in 1877 during the Delhi Durbar, where Queen Victoria assumed the title of Qaiser-e-Hind, reflecting her position as the Empress of India.
• The 1857 revolt, sparked by Mangal Pandey's actions, marked a turning point in India's struggle for independence and continues to be remembered as a pivotal moment in the nation's history.

Why is it in the News?

The rise in satellite launches has led to a new crisis for spacefaring nations: space debris, which ISRO's recent mission successfully mitigated by leaving 'zero orbital debris'.

Context:

• Recently, ISRO announced that its PSLV-C58/XPoSat mission effectively minimized debris in Earth's orbit.
• This achievement was made possible by repurposing the final stage of the PSLV into a novel orbital station termed PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3 (POEM-3), as outlined by ISRO.

What is POEM?

• POEM, developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) is a cost-effective space platform, that repurposes the spent fourth stage of a PSLV rocket into an orbital platform.
• It made its debut during the PSLV-C53 mission in 2022, serving as a stabilized platform for conducting in-orbit scientific experiments with various payloads.
• POEM-3, deployed during ISRO's PSLV C-58 mission in 2024, successfully positioned the XPoSat satellite into its targeted 650 km orbit.
• Subsequently, the fourth stage of the PSLV, functioning as POEM-3, was maneuvered to a circular orbit at 350 km altitude.
• Upon completing all payload objectives, POEM-3 re-entered Earth's atmosphere.

Significance of POEM-3's Achievement:

• The significance of POEM-3's achievement lies in its contribution to mitigating space debris, a pressing concern highlighted in ISRO's Space Situational Assessment Report 2022.
• With the world witnessing a surge in space object placement, reaching 2,533 in 179 launches in 2022, the proliferation of space debris poses substantial risks to space assets.
• Furthermore, it exacerbates the 'Kessler syndrome,' wherein cascading collisions from a single event generate additional debris, intensifying the threat to space operations.

International Law Pertaining to Space Debris:

• Regarding international regulation on space debris, presently, there exists no specific international law governing debris in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
• However, the majority of spacefaring nations adhere to the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines of 2002, which received endorsement from the UN in 2007.

How are Space Agencies Dealing with Debris?

• Various space agencies are actively addressing the issue of space debris.
• NASA initiated its Orbital Debris Program in 1979, while the European Space Agency (ESA) has committed to a 'Zero Debris charter,' aiming for the elimination of space debris by 2030.
• Japan has launched the Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration (CRD2) project to confront space junk.
• Additionally, an Indian startup named Manastu Space is developing technologies such as in-space refueling, deorbiting of defunct satellites, and satellite life extension to contribute to debris mitigation efforts.

Why is it in the News?

SpaceX successfully launched and deployed the TSAT-1A satellite developed by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in partnership with Satellogic Inc.

About TSAT-1A Satellite:

• TSAT-1A is a groundbreaking optical sub-meter resolution Earth observation satellite developed by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in collaboration with Latin American company Satellogic Inc.
• This collaboration began in late 2023, culminating in TSAT-1A's assembly at TASL's Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) plant in Karnataka, India.
• Launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United States, via SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, TSAT-1A has since garnered attention for its advanced capabilities and strategic significance.

Key Features of TSAT-1A:

• Sub-meter resolution imagery: TSAT-1A's primary strength lies in its ability to capture high-resolution military-grade imagery of Earth's surface, providing precision of less than one meter per pixel.
• Multispectral and hyperspectral imaging: This technology enables TSAT-1A to gather data across a wide range of wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum, offering a detailed and nuanced understanding of land, water, and other natural resources.
• Enhanced performance: TSAT-1A offers improved collection capacity, a wider dynamic range, and low-latency data delivery, ensuring efficient and reliable intelligence gathering.

Strategic Applications and Implications:

• Designed for use by Indian defense forces, TSAT-1A is set to play a pivotal role in discreet information gathering, with the potential for data-sharing among friendly nations.
• By enhancing defense forces' preparedness, response capabilities, and strategic decision-making, TSAT-1A represents a significant milestone in India's space industry and a potential game-changer in the realm of defense and security.

About SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket:

• The Falcon 9 is a partially reusable, two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX.
• Known for its reliable and safe transportation capabilities, Falcon 9 is primarily used to launch payloads and crew into Earth orbit.
• Since its first launch in 2010, Falcon 9 has made significant strides in the aerospace industry, becoming the first commercial rocket to launch humans to orbit in 2020 and maintaining a strong safety record with only one flight failure to date.