Why is it in the News?

Indian space startup Agnikul Cosmos on Thursday successfully launched its first sub-orbital test vehicle powered by the world’s first single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine, after calling off its launch at least four times previously.

What is Agnibaan - SOrTeD?

• Agnibaan SOrTeD is a sub-orbital technological demonstrator of the Agnibaan launch vehicle, manufactured by Indian space startup Agnikul Cosmos.
  • A sub-orbital launch reaches outer space but does not complete an orbit around Earth, intersecting the Earth's atmosphere or surface without becoming an artificial satellite or reaching escape velocity.
• This marks Agnikul’s fifth launch attempt since March 22. With this launch, AgniKul became the second private company to achieve a rocket launch in India, following Skyroot's successful flight in 2022.

Features:

• It is a customizable, two-stage launch vehicle capable of carrying up to 300 kg into an orbit approximately 700 km above Earth.
• Semi-Cryogenic Engine: Utilizes a combination of liquid and gaseous propellants, operating at temperatures higher than cryogenic engines but lower than traditional liquid rocket engines.
  • Uses refined kerosene, which is lighter and can be stored at normal temperatures, allowing more propellant to be carried. When combined with liquid oxygen, kerosene provides higher thrust.
• The test flight aims to demonstrate in-house, homegrown technologies, gather crucial flight data, and ensure the optimal functioning of systems for AgniKul's orbital launch vehicle, Agnibaan.
• The rocket is designed for accessing both low and high-inclination orbits and is completely mobile, enabling launches from more than 10 ports.

Agnibaan Acheivments:

• World’s First 3D-Printed Engine: Agnibaan is the first rocket to use a 3D-printed engine.
• First Semi-Cryogenic Engine-Powered Rocket Launch: Pioneering the use of semi-cryogenic engines in rocket launches.
• India’s First Private Launchpad Rocket Launch: The first Indian rocket launch conducted from a private launchpad.
• Unique Engine Configuration: Powered by the only engine in India that uses both gas and liquid fuel (liquid oxygen/kerosene).

Significance:

• Typically, rocket engine parts are manufactured separately and assembled later.
• The 3D-printed manufacturing process is expected to lower launch costs and reduce vehicle assembly time, offering affordable launch services for small satellites.

About 3D Printing:

• 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, creates three-dimensional objects from digital models by adding material layer by layer.
• This process, which uses materials like plastic, composites, or bio-materials, allows for efficient and customized production, contrasting with traditional subtractive manufacturing methods.

Notable Examples of 3D Printing:

• Industry Applications: 3D printing is widely used in industries such as healthcare, automotive, and aerospace.
• Aerospace: In May, Relativity Space launched a test rocket made entirely from 3D-printed parts, standing 100 feet tall and 7.5 feet wide.
  • However, the rocket experienced a failure shortly after takeoff.
• Healthcare: During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, 3D printers were utilized to produce essential medical equipment, including swabs, face shields, masks, and parts for ventilators.

Why is it in the News?

Large parts of the country are witnessing a searing and longer-than-usual heatwave, with record-breaking day temperatures.

What is an Urban Heat Island?

• An urban heat island occurs when a city experiences much warmer temperatures than nearby rural areas.
• The difference in temperature between urban and less-developed rural areas has to do with how well the surfaces in each environment absorb and hold heat.

What is the Urban Heat Island Effect?

• Structures made of concrete — buildings, pavements, roads, and other infrastructure — absorb and re-emit the sun’s heat more than natural features like trees and water bodies.
• Cities, where these structures are concentrated, and greenery is limited, thus become “islands” of higher temperature compared to surrounding, greener, areas.
• This is called the urban heat island effect. And since heat is trapped in built-up structures, greater urbanisation has a direct correlation with the rise in night temperatures.

How do humidity and warm nights impact the human body?

• The rise in temperatures, humidity, and warmer nights together make the summer more deadly for human beings.
• Humans regulate their body temperatures by sweating, the evaporation of sweat from the skin cools our bodies.
• However high humidity prevents this from happening, which can take a toll on the body.
• Reacting to heat, “the heart starts pumping more blood to our skin.
  • This activates the sweat glands which help regulate body temperature.
  • But as a result of sweating, other organs get less blood flow.
• In humid conditions, the body continues to sweat with little avail.
• This not only leads to dehydration and salt imbalances but also takes a toll on organs due to reduced blood flow.
  • And it leads to the body overheating as its temperature-regulation mechanism is not working.
• If the temperatures are too high, the cellular processes in the brain also get affected.
  • This can initially lead to fainting, and in more serious cases, effects such as heat stroke and organ malfunction.

At the very basic level, more humidity and warmer nights do not allow our bodies to rest and recuperate”.

Why is it in the News?

Researchers at the Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, have developed a novel method for the production of recombinant proteins.

What are Recombinant Proteins?

• A recombinant protein is a protein that has been produced by the means of recombinant DNA – DNA that has been modified in order to encode the blueprint of a protein of interest.
• Recombinant proteins are produced in host cells, in which recombinant DNA has previously been inserted so that the cells’ ribosomes are instructed to express the recombinant protein instead of what the cells’ original DNA would have encoded.

What are recombinant proteins in biotechnology?

• In biotechnology, recombinant proteins are proteins that have been produced by host cells, according to artificially modified DNA (recombinant DNA) instead of the cells’ own DNA.
• The recombinant DNA is inserted into host cells by means of a suitable vector, after which protein expression commences according to this blueprint.
• Once harvested, recombinant proteins are used for various purposes within life sciences and medicine, e.g. in research, but also the treatment of several diseases.

What are the techniques in recombinant protein production?

• genetic engineering, DNA cloning and vector design
• transfection of host cells (bacterial, yeast, mammalian)
• protein expression and purification

Recombinant protein examples:

• • human insulin
  • human growth factors
  • factor VIII – treatment for haemophilia
  • therapeutic monoclonal antibodies
  • various research reagents

What are recombinant proteins used for?

• Recombinant proteins are widely used in many fields of life sciences, e.g. for research purposes, but also in the treatment of various diseases.
• This is because they are frequently chosen in the production of biopharmaceuticals, for instance when designing monoclonal antibody therapies.
• In the treatment of diabetes, recombinant proteins are also an essential keystone, being used in the production of human insulin.

Benefits of recombinant proteins:

• High Purity: Recombinant proteins can be produced with a high degree of purity, reducing the risk of contamination or impurities in experimental applications.
• Customization: Researchers can design and produce recombinant proteins with specific modifications, tags, or mutations to suit their experimental needs.
• Scalability: The possibility to scale up recombinant protein production makes it suitable for industrial and therapeutic applications.
• Consistency: The production of recombinant proteins can be tightly controlled, ensuring consistent quality and reproducibility in experiments or drug manufacturing.

Cost-Effectiveness: Compared to traditional methods of obtaining proteins from natural sources, recombinant protein production can be more cost-effective, especially for rare or complex proteins.

Why is it in the News?

A new global report has raised concerns about dietary habits in India, highlighting a significant increase in the consumption of unhealthy foods compared to nutritious options.

Key Highlights of the Global Food Policy Report 2024:

• Diet Quality in India: At least 38% of the Indian population consumed unhealthy foods, while only 28% ate all five recommended food groups: one starchy staple, one vegetable, one fruit, one pulse/nut/seed, and one animal-source food.
• Trends in Food Consumption: The intake of calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods is not only high but increasing, whereas the consumption of vegetables and other micronutrient-rich foods remains low.
• Processed Foods in South Asia: In India and other South Asian countries, the consumption of processed foods is on the rise. After cereals and milk, snacks and prepared foods make up a significant portion of Indian food budgets.
• Malnutrition Rates in India: The proportion of the population suffering from malnutrition in India increased from 15.4% in 2011 to 16.6% in 2021.
• Overweight Prevalence: The prevalence of overweight adults in India rose from 12.9% in 2006 to 16.4% in 2016.
• Packaged Foods: The share of household food budgets spent on packaged, highly processed, calorie-dense foods nearly doubled from 6.5% to 12% during this period.
• Cost of Nutrient-Rich Foods: In the South Asian region, micronutrient-rich foods are expensive, while cereals, fats, oils, sugar, and sugary and salty snacks are relatively inexpensive.

About the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI):

• The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition in developing countries.
• Established in 1975, it is a research centre of CGIAR, the world’s largest agricultural innovation network.

Vision and Mission:

• IFPRI’s vision is a world free of hunger and malnutrition.
• Its mission is to provide research-based policy solutions that sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition.

IFPRI’s research focuses on five strategic research areas:

• • Fostering Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Food Supply
  • Promoting Healthy Diets and Nutrition for All
  • Building Inclusive and Efficient Markets, Trade Systems, and Food Industry
  • Transforming Agricultural and Rural Economies
  • Strengthening Institutions and Governance

Headquarters: Washington, D.C

Why is it in the News?

An Australian cryonics company, Southern Cryonics, sparked a widespread debate after successfully freezing their first client, known as ‘Patient One’.

What is Cryonics?

• Cryonics is the practice of preserving human bodies in extremely cold or cryogenic temperatures (−196°C) with the hope of reviving them sometime in the future.
• Cryonics procedures can begin only after the "patients" are clinically and legally dead.
• When a dead body is cryonically preserved, it is packed with ice and injected with anticoagulants, a treatment to stop blood from clotting.
• The body is then transported to one of three cryonic centres in the world.
• There, in a process known as vitrification, the body is drained of its blood, which is then replaced with chemicals and anti-freeze.
• The body is placed in a sleeping bag and housed in a tank of liquid nitrogen at -196 degrees Celsius.
• The premise of cryonics is based on a possibility rather than a probability of success.
• There is no scientific evidence to suggest that it is possible to revive a person back to a living state.
• Cryobiologists hope that with future technology, including nanotechnology, they will be able to repair cells and tissues that are damaged during the freezing process.

Is cryonics ethical?

• There are some arguments in favour of cryonics, the simplest of which is one of free will and choice.
  • As long as people are informed of the very small chance of success of future re-animation, and they are not being coerced, then their choice is an expression of their autonomy about how they wish to direct the disposal of their bodies and resources after death.
  • In this light, choosing cryonics can be seen as no different to choosing cremation or burial, albeit a much more expensive option.
• However, this case raises several other ethical and problematic concerns.
  • There is the issue of potentially exploiting vulnerable people.
  • Some might argue vulnerable people are trading hype for hope.
• The cryonic process might work, but imperfectly. During the process of re-animation, there may be some brain damage.
• That would mean rather than waking up, one might be unconscious or trapped in some disordered, uncontrollable painful stream of consciousness.

It might be heaven but it might also be hell. The key issue is that people must be made aware of the risks as well as the benefits, and are not exploited.

Why is it in the News?

Around 36% of India’s population is living in cities and by 2047 it will be more than 50%. The World Bank estimates that around $840 billion is required to fund the bare minimum urban infrastructure over the next 15 years.

About Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT):

• AMRUT was launched to enhance the quality of life by providing basic civic amenities, especially benefiting the poor and disadvantaged.
• The mission focuses on infrastructure development to deliver better services to citizens.
• AMRUT covers 500 cities, including all cities and towns with a population of over one lakh that have notified Municipalities.

About AMRUT 2.0:

• AMRUT 2.0 will promote circular economy of water through development of City Water Balance Plan (CWBP) for each city focusing on recycle/reuse of treated sewage, rejuvenation of water bodies and water conservation.
• It will help cities to identify scope for projects focusing on universal coverage of functional water tap connections, water source conservation, rejuvenation of water bodies and wells, recycle/reuse of treated used water, and rainwater harvesting.
• Based on the projects identified in CWBP, Mission envisages to make cities ‘water secure’ through circular economy of water.

The target in the second phase of AMRUT is to:

• • Improve sewage and septic management
  • Make cities water-safe
  • Ensure no sewage drains into rivers
• AMRUT 2.0 focuses on enhancing sewerage and septic management to make all Indian cities water secure.

Aim:

• Achieve 100% coverage of water supply to all households in around 4,700 urban local bodies by providing about 2.68 crore tap connections.
• Achieve 100% coverage of sewerage and septage in 500 AMRUT cities by providing around 2.64 crore sewer or septage connections.

Principles and Mechanism:

• Adopt principles of the circular economy to promote conservation and rejuvenation of surface and groundwater bodies.
• Promote data-led governance in water management and leverage the latest global technologies and skills through a Technology Sub-Mission.
• Conduct 'Pey Jal Survekshan' to encourage competition among cities for better water management.

Coverage:

• Extend coverage from 500 cities in the first phase to 4,700 cities and towns.
• Benefit more than 10.5 crore people in urban areas.

Analysis of the AMRUT Scheme:

Performance of the Scheme:

• As of May 2024, the AMRUT dashboard reports that ?83,357 crore has been disbursed. This funding has facilitated:
  • 58,66,237 tap connections
  • 37,49,467 sewerage connections
  • Development of 2,411 parks
  • Replacement of 62,78,571 LED lights

Criticism of the Sheme:

Despite these achievements, significant issues persist:

• Approximately 2,00,000 people die annually due to inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene.
• In 2016, India's disease burden from unsafe water and sanitation was 40 times higher per person than China's, with minimal improvement since then.
• Large volumes of untreated wastewater increase disease vulnerability.
• Around 21 major cities are expected to run out of groundwater. A NITI Aayog report predicts that 40% of India's population will lack access to drinking water by 2030.
• Nearly 31% of urban households lack piped water, and 67.3% are not connected to a piped sewerage system.
• The average urban water supply is 69.25 litres per person per day, far below the required 135 litres.
• Air quality in AMRUT cities and other urban areas continues to worsen.
• While the National Clean Air Programme was launched in 2019 to address air quality, AMRUT 2.0 focuses primarily on water and sewerage issues.

Challenges:

The AMRUT scheme has faced several fundamental challenges:

• Project-Oriented Approach: The scheme adopted a project-oriented rather than a holistic approach.
• Lack of City Participation: It lacked significant involvement from elected city governments, being driven instead by bureaucrats, parastatals, and private companies.
• Governance Issues: Governance was dominated by non-elected officials, violating the 74th constitutional amendment.
  • The apex committee was led by the MOHUA secretary, and state committees were headed by chief secretaries, excluding people's representatives.
• Private Nexus: The scheme favored a private nexus of consultants and professionals, sidelining local elected officials.
• Water Management: Effective water management in cities requires consideration of climate, rainfall patterns, and existing infrastructure, which the scheme did not adequately address.
• Inefficient Sewage Treatment: Sewage treatment plants were inefficiently designed, with faecal matter traveling longer distances than the average worker's commute.
• Urban Planning: Driven by private players and real estate developers, urban planning often led to the disappearance of water bodies, disrupted stormwater flows, and a lack of proper stormwater drainage systems.

Way Forward:

To improve the AMRUT scheme:

• Nature-Based Solutions: Implement nature-based solutions.
• Comprehensive Methodology: Adopt a comprehensive methodology that integrates all aspects of urban development.
• People-Centric Approach: Focus on a people-centric approach, involving local communities in decision-making.

Empower Local Bodies: Empower local bodies to take a leading role in governance and implementation.

Why is it in the News?

A viral infection can stress cells and change their shapes and sizes. Researchers have built a tool to detect these changes.

About the new Tool:

• A team of researchers has developed an innovative method to detect viral infections in cells using only light and principles of high-school physics.
  • The key insight is that viral infections can stress cells, causing changes in their shapes, sizes, and other features.
  • As the infection progresses and the body becomes diseased, these changes become more pronounced.
• The researchers have found a way to translate these cellular changes into recognizable patterns that can indicate whether a cell is uninfected, virus-infected, or dead.
  • For example, virus-infected cells tend to be elongated and have clearer boundaries compared to uninfected cells.
• By analyzing the patterns of light interacting with cells, this method can non-invasively differentiate between uninfected, virus-infected, and dead cells.
• This approach has the potential to revolutionize viral disease diagnosis and monitoring, providing a simple, cost-effective, and powerful tool for detecting viral infections at the cellular level.

Significance:

• This light-based approach to detecting viral infections offers several significant advantages over the current standard methods:
• Accuracy: The new light-based technique can detect viral infections with equal or even greater accuracy compared to existing standard methods that rely on chemical reagents.
• Cost-effectiveness: The equipment required for this new method costs only around one-tenth of the $3,000 (approximately Rs 2.5 lakh) needed for the standard chemical-based approach, making it a far more affordable option, especially for resource-constrained settings.
• Rapid results: The light-based method can identify virus-infected cells in just about two hours, significantly faster than the 40 hours required by the current standard method.
  • This time efficiency can be crucial in situations where rapid detection is essential, such as during a virulent disease outbreak.
• Early detection: By enabling the early detection of viral infections at the cellular level, this new technique could prove invaluable in containing the spread of highly contagious viral diseases, such as a severe influenza outbreak.

What are Viruses?

• Viruses are microscopic organisms capable of infecting various hosts such as humans, plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi.
• Structurally, they consist of genetic material (DNA or RNA) enclosed in a protective shell called a capsid, with some viruses also possessing an envelope.
• Unable to reproduce independently, viruses rely on host cells to replicate by utilizing the cell's machinery.
• Common types include influenza viruses, human herpesviruses, coronaviruses, human papillomaviruses, enteroviruses, flaviviruses, orthopoxviruses, and hepatitis viruses.
• Viruses are responsible for causing illnesses such as flu, the common cold, and COVID-19.

Why is it in the News?

An Indian peacekeeper who lost his life serving under the UN flag is among over 60 military, police and civilian peacekeepers to be honoured posthumously with a prestigious medal for their service and supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

What is Dag Hammarskjold Medal?

• The Dag Hammarskjold medal is a prestigious honour commemorating the ultimate sacrifice made by United Nations peacekeepers.
• Established in 1997, it pays tribute to those who have lost their lives while serving in UN peacekeeping missions under the organization's operational control and authority.
• This posthumous award is presented annually on Peacekeeper's Day at a solemn ceremony held at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
• Each member state that has had military or police personnel perish during peacekeeping duties receives the medal in recognition of their fallen compatriots.
• The medal bears the name of Dag Hammarskjold, the second Secretary-General of the United Nations, whose own life was tragically cut short in 1961 while working to resolve the Congo crisis.
• In naming this honour after him, the UN commemorates both his exceptional leadership and the courageous individuals who have followed in his footsteps by making the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of global peace and security.

India’s Role in Peacekeeping:

• India is currently the second largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN Peacekeeping after Nepal.
• India is followed by Uganda with 5,764 personnel, and Bangladesh with 5,393.
• These personnel are deployed across 12 UN peacekeeping missions across the world.
• Traditionally, India has always been among the biggest contributors of UN peacekeepers.
• Since 1950, approximately 2, 86,000 Indian soldiers have served in the UN across the globe.
• UN peacekeeping missions are mandated under Article 99 by which the Secretary-General is granted the authority to independently address potential global conflicts or threats.
• Also seen as a very robust diplomatic tool, it is also a way in which the Secretary-General flags the issue to the UN Security Council.
• The functions of UN peacekeeping operations range from maintaining peace and security to escorting humanitarian relief, upholding human rights, supporting the fight against gender-based violence to assist in the restoration of the rule of law and facing the complex crises of today from climate change to pandemic.

Why is it in the News?

A study recently revealed that a gene called SASS6 and its variants have been implicated in a developmental process that causes microcephaly.

What is Microcephaly?

• Microcephaly is a condition where a baby's brain and head do not develop properly during pregnancy or after birth.
• While rare, it can have profound impacts on a child's cognitive and physical abilities.
• Several factors can disrupt normal brain growth, including infections the mother contracts while pregnant, exposure to toxic substances, genetic disorders, lack of proper nutrition, and injuries before or around the time of birth.
• Infants with microcephaly are born with abnormally small heads compared to others of the same age and sex.
• This small head size indicates an undersized brain.
  • As they grow older, many children with microcephaly experience significant developmental delays and disabilities.
• Common symptoms include intellectual disability, impaired motor skills and speech, vision and hearing problems, seizures, and unusual facial features.
• Some cases may show no obvious symptoms at birth, only for challenges to emerge over time.
• Treatment: Unfortunately, there is no cure for microcephaly itself.
  • However, early intervention programs, therapies, and educational supports can help manage symptoms and maximize the child's developmental potential within their abilities.
• While microcephaly's causes are varied, maintaining good health before and during pregnancy gives a baby the best chance for proper brain growth.

Preventing prenatal infections, avoiding toxins, getting prenatal screening for disorders, and ensuring adequate nutrition all reduce microcephaly risk.

Why is it in the News?

External Affairs Ministry, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Common Services Centers eGovernance Services India Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding today to provide the eMigrate services through CSC in the country.

What is the eMigrate Project?

• eMigrate project is undertaken to assist mainly the blue-collar workers going to Emigration Check Required (ECR) countries.
• The project was conceptualized to address issues faced by migrant workers by making the emigration process online seamless and also to bring foreign employers registered recruitment agents and insurance companies on one common platform aimed at promoting safe and legal migration.
  • Over the years, the number of Indians going abroad for employment has been increasing as well as the contribution of remittances sent by them has been significant.
• Under this MoU, the eMigrate Portal of MEA would be integrated with CSC’s portal, to provide the following eMigrate services to the citizens through CSCs:
  • Facilitate registration of applicants on the eMigrate portal through CSCs.
  • Facilitation of uploading and processing of the required documents for the applicants on the eMigrate portal through CSCs.
  • Facilitate and support booking for medical and other services required by migrant workers or applicants registered on the eMigrate portal through CSC.
  • Creating awareness about eMigrate services amongst citizens across India.

About Common Service Centre (CSC):

• Common Services Centers (CSCs) are an integral part of the Digital India mission.
• The CSCs are frontend service delivery points for the delivery of digital services to the citizens, especially in rural and remote areas across the country.
• This helps in contributing towards the fulfilment of the vision of Digital India and the government’s mandate for a digitally and financially inclusive society.
• Currently, more than 5.50 lakh CSCs are delivering more than 700 digital services to citizens in assisted mode with enhanced ease and convenience.
• Apart from delivering essential government and public utility services, CSCs also deliver a range of social welfare schemes, financial services, educational courses, skill development courses, healthcare, agriculture services, digital literacy, etc.

Why is it in the News?

At least 36 people were killed in heavy rains and landslides in four northeastern states on Tuesday under the impact of Cyclone Remal while normal life came to a grinding halt in all the eight states of the region with road and rail links affected.

What are Landslides?

• Landslides in India are one of the major hydro-geological hazards affecting large parts of the landmass of the country.
• It refers to the gravitational movements of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope.
• Landslides are a type of "mass wasting," which denotes any down-slope movement of soil and rock under the direct influence of gravity.
• As per a report from the Geological Survey of India (GSI), 13% of the total land area in India is prone to landslides.
• This covers almost all the hilly regions in the country.
• About 0.18 million square km, or 42% of this vulnerable area is in the Northeastern region, where the terrain is mostly hilly.

What Causes a Landslide in India?

• Deforestation: Removal of trees reduces the binding properties of soil and rocks. This enables the water to seep into the sub-surface, making the topsoil vulnerable. 
  • For example, the Himalayan region has become more vulnerable to landslides due to the indiscriminate cutting of trees.
• Shifting Cultivation: Shifting cultivation is common in hilly regions and Northeast areas.  Every year, residents burn the forests for cultivation purposes.
  • However, this deteriorates the quality of topsoil, causing erosion during heavy rainfall. This makes such regions more vulnerable to landslides.
• Heavy Rainfall and Earthquakes: Heavy rainfall and earthquakes often cause landslides.
  • For example, heavy rain caused landslides in Talai village of Maharashtra in 2021.
• Mining: Human activities like mining or quarrying remove the vegetation cover and soil gravel. This lowers the groundwater retention capacity. Also, it increases the risk of flooding.
  • Therefore, landslides occur due to loose debris or excess floods during an earthquake and heavy rainfall, respectively.
• Urbanisation: Intensive urbanisation and urbanization activities such as establishing commercial housing projects and road construction reduce the vegetation cover which leads to an increasing frequency of landslides.

What Are the Different Types of Landslides?

Landslides in India are divided into four categories:

• Topples: This occurs due to fractures in rocks. It causes tilting for gravitational pull without collapsing.
• Falls: This involves the collapse of rocks or debris from a cliff or slope. It results in the collection of debris at the base of a hill.
• Spread: It occurs in gentle slopes where soft debris or other materials are widely available.
• Slides: It occurs when debris, rocks or soil slide through a slope.

What Are the Impacts of Landslides in India?

• Mud, debris and rocks slide from the slope during landslides.
  • This restricts human movement and creates a traffic barrier on highways and railway lines.
• Loss of human lives is one of the severe effects.
  • Landslide is the primary factor behind the Joshimath sinking crisis which led to mass evacuation in January 2023.
• It damages houses, roads and buildings.
  • This further creates a financial burden for rebuilding infrastructure to rehabilitate the masses.
• The debris sliding down from slopes blocks the river channel fully or partially.
  • This makes it difficult for locals to get the water supply.
• Landslides also increase the risk of floods. This is because the debris increases the river sediment.
  • As a result, irregular course rivers become frequent, resulting in floods.

What Are the Measures Required to Prevent Landslides?

• An increase in forest cover is a must in community lands to reduce the hazard of landslides.
• People must store the excess water in catchment areas.
  • It will reduce the effect of flash floods and also recharge groundwater levels.
• People must restrict the grazing of their animals.
• Reduce the urbanisation activities such as building dams or other commercial projects.

Implementation of public awareness regarding preventive measures during landslides and other hazard management is necessary.

Why is it in the News?

Members states of the world’s largest transnational conservation initiative meet to review progress and strategise the way forward.

About the Kaza TFCA (Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area) Summit:

• The Kaza TFCA (Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area) Summit is a high-level meeting of the heads of state and government representatives from the countries that make up the Kaza TFCA.
• The Kaza TFCA is a conservation area that spans parts of Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Some key points about the Kaza TFCA Summit:

• It brings together the political leadership from the five Kaza member countries to discuss issues related to the conservation and sustainable development of the Kaza transfrontier area.
• Topics discussed include wildlife conservation, tourism development, community involvement, and joint management of shared natural resources across international boundaries.
• The Summit aims to strengthen political support, coordination and collaboration among the Kaza partner countries for effective transboundary natural resource management.
• It provides a platform for the member states to review progress made, agree on priorities, and give strategic direction for the Kaza program going forward.
• The Summits are held periodically, with the last one being hosted by Botswana in 2018 in Kasane.

About the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area:

• The Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area is a 520,000-square-kilometre wetland and spans five southern African countries: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
• It is home to a high concentration of wildlife species, including the largest elephant population.
• The KAZA TFCA was formally established on the 18th of August 2011 when the Heads of State of the five governments signed its Treaty in Luanda, Angola, during the SADC Summit for Heads of States.

The KAZA TFCA was established to:

• Conserve the shared natural resources and cultural heritage of this vast area of southern Africa
• Promote and facilitate the development of a complementary and linked network of protected areas that protect wildlife and provide and restore dispersal corridors and migratory routes
• Develop the KAZA TFCA into a world-class tourism destination offering a variety of breathtaking adventures and luxurious relaxation
• Promote the free and easy movement of tourists across borders
• Implement programmes that ensure the sustainable use of natural resources in ways that improve the livelihoods of communities and reduce poverty in the region
• Harmonise conservation legislation and natural resource management of the TFCA

Why is it in the News?

After analysing the archived data from the space agency’s Magellan mission, scientists suggest that Venus, the almost Earth-sized planet was volcanically active between 1990 and 1992.

What is the Magellan Mission?

• NASA's Magellan mission to Venus was one of the most successful deep space missions launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida in the year 1989.
• It was the first spacecraft to image the entire surface of Venus and made several discoveries about the planet.
• Magellan burned up about 10 hours after being commanded to plunge into the Venusian atmosphere.
• Magellan's primary mission was to use a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to create detailed maps of the surface of Venus.
  • The SAR allowed Magellan to penetrate a thick cloud layer which made it challenging to study Venus from Earth.
• By mapping the planet's surface, scientists aimed to investigate the planet's geology and landforms, including its vast plains, steep mountains, and impact craters.
• Magellan was also sent to measure the planet's gravity and magnetic fields.
• This information was considered important to NASA scientists as it would provide more information about the planet's interior structure and composition.
• Because Venus is a planet close to Earth that compares in size and composition, mapping and studying Venus was considered an important mission as it added to understanding the evolution and geology of rocky planets like Earth.

What is the Magellan Spacecraft?

• The Magellan spacecraft was a space probe launched into space on May 4, 1989, by NASA on the Space Shuttle Atlantis.
• NASA named Magellan after the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who was the first documented person to circumnavigate the Earth.
• The Magellan probe aimed to map the planet Venus and collect data about its atmosphere and physical characteristics.
• Venus is the second planet from the sun in the Milky Way solar system and is, along with Mercury, one of two planets that orbit between Earth and the sun.
• Known for being the first spacecraft to map the surface of Venus, Magellan remained in Venus' orbit for four years before being burned up in its atmosphere in October 1994.

What does the study reveal?

• The study identified a 2.2 square kilometre volcanic vent associated with Maat Mons, the second-highest volcano on Venus, located in the Atla Regio near the planet's equator.
• The vent showed signs of drained lava, and the radar images indicated that it had doubled in size over eight months, with the lava lake seeming to have reached the rim. These changes suggested that the vent had been actively erupting and spewing lava.

This discovery provides new insights into the geology and activity of Venus and highlights the importance of studying the planet's surface features to better understand its history and evolution.

Why is it in the News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari, to meditate between May 30 to June 1, to mark the culmination of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

About the Vivekananda Rock Memorial:

• The Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a monument and a popular tourist destination located approximately 500 metres off the mainland of Vavathurai, Kanyakumari in the state of Tamil Nadu.
• Situated on a big rock, it is surrounded by three water bodies – the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean.
• Vivekananda is said to have arrived here after wandering across the country.
• It is believed that the monk and the philosopher meditated on the rock and attained a vision for a developed India.
• The memorial, designed by renowned architect Eknath Ranade and completed in 1970, is located at the southernmost point of India in Kanyakumari.
  • This is where the eastern and western coastlines of India converge.
• The memorial features two primary structures:
  • The Vivekananda Mandapam, which houses an impressive bronze statue of the revered Swami Vivekananda, and
  • The Shripada Mandapam contains footprints believed to belong to Goddess Kanyakumari.
• This site holds profound cultural and spiritual significance, with legendary tales of Goddess Kanyakumari praying to Lord Shiva on this rock.
• This memorial is right next to a huge monolithic statue of Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar which was created by the Indian sculptor V Ganapati Sthapati.

About Swami Vivekananda:

• Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902), born Narendranath Datta, was a renowned Hindu monk and spiritual leader.
• A foremost disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa, he was recognized as a meditation expert by his guru.
• Vivekananda sought to integrate Indian spirituality with Western material progress, viewing them as complementary.
• He emphasized self-purification through helping others and advocated for selfless service and societal betterment.
• His teachings covered the four yogas, the harmony of religions, the divinity of the soul, and serving humanity as God.
• He gained international recognition by representing Hinduism at the 1893 World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago.

Upon returning to India, he founded the Ramakrishna Order at Belur in 1897.

Why is it in the News?

A court in the Philippines recently revoked biosafety permits for commercial propagation of genetically modified golden rice and Bt eggplant.

What is Golden Rice?

• In the late 1990s, German plant scientists Ingo Potrykus and Peter Beyer developed Golden Rice to combat vitamin A deficiency, a leading cause of infant blindness and increased mortality from infectious diseases like measles.
• Golden Rice is a type of rice that produces beta-carotene, giving it a golden colour, unlike white rice, which lacks these nutrients.
  • Vitamin A deficiencies are prevalent in countries where rice is a staple food.
• The widespread use of Golden Rice is expected to improve health by reducing rates of preventable blindness and mortality, especially among children and pregnant women.

Golden Rice and Vitamin A Deficiency:

• Potrykus and Beyer added two genes to white rice in 2004, creating Golden Rice, which they donated to impoverished nations as a solution to vitamin A deficiency (VAD).
• Governments approve Golden Rice cultivation only after ensuring it is safe for the environment, humans, and animals.
• Golden Rice can replace the daily intake of white rice without adverse effects, providing a natural source of vitamin A and beta-carotene to combat VAD.

Efficacy of Golden Rice:

• Adequate vitamin A levels in mothers support vision, immune health, and fetal development through the placenta and breastfeeding.
• Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of childhood blindness and weakens the body’s ability to fight common diseases, leading to high mortality rates among young children and their mothers.
  • Natural sources of vitamin A include animal products like milk, butter, cheese, eggs, and liver, while plants do not contain vitamin A directly, they contain beta-carotene, which the body can convert into vitamin A.
• White rice is rich in carbohydrates but lacks beta-carotene, an antioxidant and precursor to vitamin A.
• Golden Rice, containing beta-carotene, can help prevent millions of deaths and alleviate suffering from VAD and micronutrient malnutrition in impoverished regions.

Additionally, expanding the cultivation of genetically modified, bio-fortified crops like Golden Rice could further address vitamin deficiencies in developing countries.

Why is it in the News?

Denotified and Nomadic Tribes, a group of marginalised communities across Andhra Pradesh, have been silently suffering neglect and caste-based discrimination for centuries.

Who are Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes?

• Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes are among the most vulnerable and deprived communities in India.
• Denotified Tribes (DNTs): These communities were labelled as 'born criminals' under British colonial laws, starting with the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871.
  • The Independent Indian Government repealed these Acts in 1952, thereby 'de-notifying' these tribes.
• Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes: These groups are characterized by their mobility, moving from place to place rather than settling permanently.
  • Historically, they have not had access to private land or home ownership.

Social and Historical Context:

• Categorization: Many DNTs are classified within Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC), but some remain uncategorized in these groups.

Historical Commissions:

• Criminal Tribes Inquiry Committee (1947): Investigated the status of these tribes in the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh).
• Ananthasayanam Ayyangar Committee (1949): Led to the repeal of the Criminal Tribes Act.
• Kaka Kalelkar Commission (1953): The first OBC Commission.
• B.P. Mandal Commission (1980): Made recommendations concerning these communities.
• National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC, 2002): Highlighted the wrongful stigmatization and exploitation of DNTs, chaired by Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah.

Population and Distribution:

• South Asia: Hosts the largest nomadic population in the world.
• India: Approximately 10% of the population is comprised of Denotified and Nomadic Tribes.
  • There are about 150 Denotified Tribes and around 500 different Nomadic Tribes in India.

Challenges Faced by Nomadic Tribes:

• Lack of Basic Infrastructure: Nomadic tribes often lack access to essential facilities such as drinking water, shelter, sanitation, healthcare, and education.
• Stigma and Treatment: Historically labelled as criminals, these communities still face discrimination and harsh treatment from local authorities and police.
• Lack of Social Security: Due to their frequent movement, nomadic tribes do not have permanent settlements, which makes it difficult for them to obtain social security documents like Ration Cards and Aadhaar Cards.
  • This exclusion prevents them from accessing government welfare schemes.
• Unclear Caste Categorization: The classification of these tribes varies across states, with some being categorized as Scheduled Castes (SC) and others as Other Backward Classes (OBC).
  • Many individuals lack caste certificates, hindering their ability to benefit from government programs.

Developmental Efforts for Nomadic Tribes:

• Dr Ambedkar Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship for DNTs: Launched in 2014-15, this centrally sponsored scheme supports DNT students not covered under SC, ST, or OBC categories.
  • The pre-matric scholarship promotes education among DNT children, especially girls.
• Nanaji Deshmukh Scheme of Construction of Hostels for DNT Boys and Girls: Also launched in 2014-15, this scheme is implemented through state governments, UT administrations, and central universities.
  • It provides hostel facilities for DNT students not covered under SC, ST, or OBC categories, enabling them to pursue higher education.
• Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs: Aim to offer free competitive exam coaching, health insurance, housing assistance, and livelihood initiatives.
  • Allocates Rs. 200 crores to be spent over five years starting from 2021-22.

The Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC) is responsible for its implementation.

Why is it in the News?

The southwest monsoon is progressing normally, and conditions are suitable for its onset on the Kerala coast in the next five days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday (May 27).

What does the ‘onset of monsoon’ Mean?

• The onset of the monsoon over Kerala marks the beginning of the four-month, June-September southwest monsoon season over India, which brings more than 70% of the country’s annual rainfall.
• The onset of the monsoon is a significant day in India’s economic calendar.
• According to the IMD, the onset of the monsoon marks a crucial transition in the large-scale atmospheric and ocean circulations in the Indo-Pacific region, and the Department announces it only after certain defined and measurable parameters, adopted in 2016, are met.

Onset & Advance of Monsoon:

• Broadly, the IMD checks for the consistency of rainfall over a defined geography, its intensity, and wind speed.
• Rainfall: The IMD declares the onset of the monsoon if at least 60% of 14 designated meteorological stations in Kerala and Lakshadweep record at least 2.5 mm of rain for two consecutive days at any time after May 10. In such a situation, the onset over Kerala is declared on the second day, provided specific wind and temperature criteria are also fulfilled.
  • The 14 enlisted stations are Minicoy, Amini, Thiruvananthapuram, Punalur, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Kochi, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Thalassery, Kannur, Kasaragod, and Mangaluru.
• Wind field: The depth of westerlies, prevailing winds that blow from the west at midlatitudes — should be up to 600 hectopascals (1 hPa is equal to 1 millibar of pressure) in the area bound by the equator to 10ºN latitude and from longitude 55ºE to 80ºE.
  • The zonal wind speed over the area bound by 5-10ºN latitude and 70-80ºE longitude should be of the order of 15-20 knots (28-37 kph) at 925 hPa.
• Heat: According to IMD, the INSAT-derived Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) value (a measure of the energy emitted to space by the Earth’s surface, oceans, and atmosphere) should be below 200 watts per sq m (wm2) in the box confined by 5-10ºN latitude and 70-75ºE latitude.
• Northern Limit of Monsoon (NLM): Southwest monsoon normally sets in over Kerala around 1st June.
  • It advances northwards, usually in surges, and covers the entire country around the 15th of July.
  • The NLM is the northernmost limit of monsoon up to which it has advanced on any given day.

In general, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands start receiving monsoon rainfall between May 15 and May 20 every year, and it usually starts raining along the Kerala coast in the last week of May.

Why is it in the News?

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) on Sunday said its flagship Mundra Port has created yet another record by welcoming the largest container ship to call at an Indian port.

About Mundra Port:

• Mundra Port is the largest private and container port in India.
• It is situated on the northern shores of the Gulf of Kutch, near Mundra in the Kutch district of Gujarat.
• It is a deep-draft, all-weather port and a designated special economic zone (SEZ).
• Mundra Port handles 33% of India's container traffic and is a critical hub for the nation's trade.

Ownership and Operations:

• Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ), India's largest commercial port operator, oversees nearly one-fourth of the country's cargo movement.

Handling Capacity:

• Capacity: The port has a capacity of 260 million metric tons (MMT) and handled over 155 MMT in the fiscal year 2022-23, which represents nearly 11% of India’s maritime cargo.
• Facilities: Equipped with 26 berths and two single-point moorings, Mundra Port can accommodate a diverse range of vessels and cargo types, including containers, dry bulk, break bulk, liquid cargo, and automobiles.
• Coal Terminal: It hosts the country's largest coal import terminal, ensuring rapid cargo processing with minimal turnaround time.
• Connectivity: The port's rail network connects seamlessly with the national rail system, facilitating cargo transportation to any location in India.

What is MSC Anna?

• MSC Anna is the largest container ship ever to dock at an Indian port.
  • Size: The vessel measures 399.98 meters in length, approximately the length of four football fields, making it one of the largest container ships globally.
  • Capacity: MSC Anna can carry up to 19,200 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units).

With an arrival draft of 16.3 meters, it can only be accommodated at Adani Ports' Mundra Port, as no other port in India has the capability to berth such a deep-draft vessel.

Why is it in the News?

To address its long-standing economic instability, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has launched a new gold-backed currency called the ZiG, short for Zimbabwe Gold, replacing the Zimbabwean dollar on April 5, 2024.

What is a ZiG Currency?

• Zimbabwe Gold, or ZIG, is the world's newest currency that was introduced by Zimbabwe to replace the Zimbabwe dollar in April.
• It is backed by the country's gold reserves and was launched in an effort to reduce currency instability and hyperinflation.
• It is the sixth currency Zimbabwe has used since the 2009 collapse of the Zimbabwe dollar amid hyperinflation of 5 billion per cent.

Features of ZiG currency:

• Gold-Backed: The ZiG is unique as it is backed by gold reserves, ensuring its value is supported by the physical gold held by the government.
• Denominations: ZiG notes and coins are issued in denominations of 1ZiG, 2ZiG, 5ZiG, 10ZiG, 20ZiG, 50ZiG, 100ZiG, and 200ZiG. This gold backing aims to provide stability and prevent currency devaluation.

Reasons for Launching a New Currency:

• High Inflation: Zimbabwe has struggled with extreme inflation, with rates exceeding 500% in recent years.
• Currency Instability: The Zimbabwean dollar, introduced in 1980, lost its value due to hyperinflation. The country's reliance on various foreign currencies, mainly the US dollar, has limited economic control.
• Historical Collapse: The collapse of the Zimbabwean dollar in 2009, with hyperinflation peaking at 5 billion per cent, is one of the worst currency crashes in history.

Economic Control: Converting the previous national currency, the Zimbabwe dollar, into ZiGs is intended to simplify monetary matters and provide certainty and predictability in the financial system.

Why is it in the News?

The Kerala government issued an order allowing the Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) to plant eucalyptus trees for its financial sustenance in 2024-2025.

What is the Eucalyptus Tree?

• Eucalyptus is an evergreen tree, one of the most widely cultivated trees native to Australia.
  • In Australia, they are commonly referred to as gum trees or stringybark trees.
• The eucalyptus, which is an invasive species of flora, was planted in large numbers by the British in the areas surrounding Nilgiris.
• Many eucalyptus species are cultivated globally as shade trees and in forestry plantations.

Features:

• Bark: Eucalyptus trees have gum-infused bark.
• Leaves: They feature long stems and circular leaves, which are difficult to digest if eaten whole.
• Flowers: Small flowers grow on eucalyptus trees, available in various colours including white, yellow, and shades of red.
• Capsules: Eucalyptus produces small woody capsules that contain seeds.

Uses of Eucalyptus:

• Medicinal Properties: Eucalyptus is widely valued for its medicinal benefits. Some species' leaves contain oil with a strong aroma, primarily composed of cineole (eucalyptol), along with flavonoids and tannins, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Respiratory Relief: Eucalyptus oil is well-known for relieving congestion and easing breathing during colds.
• Pain Relief: The oil is also used as a topical treatment for sore muscles, aching joints, and rheumatism, improving blood circulation when applied.
• Wood: Eucalyptus wood is tough and durable, making it ideal for building furniture and fences.

Eucalyptus Plantations in India:

• Species: The most widely planted eucalypts in India are Eucalyptus tereticornis and Eucalyptus hybrid.
• Regions: It is extensively grown in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Mysore, Kerala, and the Nilgiri Hills.
• Growing Conditions: Eucalyptus thrives in deep, fertile, well-drained loamy soil with adequate moisture.

Dangers of Eucalyptus Tree:

• Water: Eucalyptus trees have a terrible reputation as extensive water users and significant contributors to soil depletion.
  • While they do need copious quantities of water, their colossal taproot can find moisture even in the most barren areas.
  • This voracious appetite helps maintain their incredibly rapid growth.
• Toxicity: Eucalyptus plant foliage is toxic to animals and humans if ingested.
• Exploding: Eucalyptus oil gives off flammable fumes, and these fumes can be ignited by lightning, flying sparks, and cinders, causing the tree to explode.

Fireballs: During brush or forest fires, the eucalyptus species releases great quantities of flammable gas that mix with air to produce fireballs full of sparks and embers exploding out in front of the fire.

Why is it in the News?

Health officials from the 194 member states of the World Health Organization hope next week to complete more than two years of negotiations on new rules for responding to pandemics when they gather in Geneva.

What is the Pandemic Treaty?

• The "Pandemic Treaty" or "Pandemic Accord" refers to an ongoing process at the World Health Organization (WHO) to negotiate an international agreement or convention on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
• The idea was proposed in late 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic to strengthen global coordination and solidarity in addressing future pandemic threats.
• The WHO already has binding rules known as the International Health Regulations (2005) which set out countries’ obligations where public health events have the potential to cross national borders.
  • These include advising the WHO immediately of a health emergency and measures on trade and travel.
  • Adopted after the 2002/3 SARS outbreak, these regulations are still seen as functional for regional epidemics such as Ebola but inadequate for a global pandemic.

Key points about the proposed Pandemic Treaty/Agreement:

• Objective: To establish a global framework and rules to ensure better cooperation, data sharing, and coordinated response during future pandemics.
• Legal Status: It would be a legally binding international instrument, like a treaty or convention, requiring ratification by WHO member states.
• Core Elements: Likely to include provisions on equitable access to countermeasures, strengthening health systems, information sharing, One Health approach (human-animal-environment interface), and funding mechanisms.
• Negotiation Process: In December 2021, the World Health Assembly established an intergovernmental negotiating body to draft and negotiate the instrument through a member-state-led process.
• The goal is to learn from COVID-19 experiences and create a binding global framework that facilitates a more coherent, better-coordinated international response to potential future pandemic threats.

How will the Global Health Rules change?

• The updates to the International Health Regulations (IHR) include:
  • A new alert system to provide different risk assessments for future outbreaks, addressing criticisms that the current system delayed the COVID-19 response.
  • Introducing an intermediary alert stage called “early action alert,” in addition to the existing Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
  • Considering a “pandemic emergency” designation for the most severe health threats, filling a gap in the current system which does not use the term "pandemic."
  • Strengthening state obligations to inform the WHO of public health events, changing the language from “may” to “should.”

How Do Countries View the Pact?

• Negotiations have been marked by significant differences between wealthy and poor countries.
• The talks missed a key May 10 deadline, nearly collapsing and prompting WHO Director-General Tedros to call an emergency meeting to boost morale. Contentious issues include:
  • The sharing of drugs and vaccines.
  • Financing, with debates over setting up a dedicated fund versus using existing resources like the World Bank’s $1 billion pandemic fund.
  • Political pressure, particularly from right-wing groups and politicians concerned about sovereignty, which the WHO denies.

What Happens Next?

• The new IHR rules and the pandemic accord are intended to complement each other, but opinions vary on whether one can exist without the other.
• Sources indicate that IHR negotiations are more advanced and likely to pass, with changes taking effect automatically after 12 months unless countries opt-out.
• In contrast, the pandemic treaty requires ratification, potentially taking years.

Why is it in the News?

The historical Saalu Mantap (pillar line), located on the premises of the Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, collapsed after heavy rain lashed the region on Tuesday night.

What is the Historical Significance of Virupaksha Temple?

• The Virupaksha temple gained prominence and underwent extensive expansion in the 14th century during the Vijayanagara Empire (1336 to 1646).
  • Founded by Harihara I of the Sangama dynasty, the Vijayanagara Empire expanded from a strategic position on the banks of the Tungabhadra River to become one of the most powerful kingdoms of its time.
• The temple was built by Lakkan Dandesha, a nayaka (chieftain) under the ruler Deva Raya II, also known as Prauda Deva Raya of the Vijayanagara Empire.
• The temple flourished under the patronage of the Vijayanagara rulers, who were great builders and patrons of art.
  • It became a vital centre for the religious and cultural activities of its time.
• It is a prime example of Dravidian temple architecture, characterised by its grand gopurams (towering gateways), the shikhara towering over the sanctum sanctorum, its intricate carvings and pillared halls.
• Richly adorned with carvings and sculptures, the gopuram depicts various deities, mythological scenes and animals.
• The sanctum sanctorum houses the Shiva lingam, the main object of worship.
• Historians say all temples had pavilions where traders sold articles, such as those used in worship.
  • Sometimes devotees visiting the temple also camped under the pavilions.
• With several other temples and structures located there, Hampi was the empire’s capital city and stands today as evidence of what is known as the last ‘great Hindu empire’ of South India.
• UNESCO also recognised its uniqueness and categorised the Group of Monuments at Hampi as a World Heritage Site.

Why is it in the News?

Twelve nations have signed the Zero Debris Charter at the ESA/EU Space Council, solidifying their commitment to the long-term sustainability of human activities in Earth orbit.

What is the Zero Debris Charter?

• The Zero Debris Charter is an initiative of the European Space Agency (ESA) and a non-legally binding, technically driven and community-building instrument.
• It is a world-leading effort to become debris-neutral in space by 2030.
• It outlines high-level guiding principles and sets ambitious, collectively defined targets to realize the goal of Zero Debris.
• The charter has been endorsed by countries including Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

What are Space Debris?

• Space debris encompasses all non-functional, man-made objects in Earth's orbit or re-entering the Earth's atmosphere.
• This category includes decommissioned satellites, spent rocket bodies, fragments resulting from spacecraft breakups or collisions, and debris from anti-satellite weapon tests.
• Presently, there are over one million pieces of space debris larger than one centimetre orbiting Earth.

What are the Concerns with Space Debris?

• Threat to Space Infrastructure: Collisions with operational satellites can disrupt navigation and communication systems on Earth.
• Kessler Syndrome: The uncontrolled accumulation of debris can trigger an escalating cascade of collisions, exacerbating the problem.
• Risk on Earth: Large space debris re-entering the atmosphere uncontrollably poses risks to the population on the ground.
• Increased Cost: Expensive collision avoidance manoeuvres must be performed to protect valuable space assets.

Initiatives for Space Debris Mitigation:

Global:

• Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC): A global entity that coordinates activities related to space debris among various space agencies worldwide.
• Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines: Established by the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), these guidelines provide recommendations for reducing the generation of space debris and promoting the long-term sustainability of outer space activities.

India:

• Debris-Free Space Missions (DFSM): An initiative by ISRO aimed at achieving debris-free space missions by 2030, implemented through the ISRO System for Safe & Sustainable Space Operations Management (IS4OM).
• Project NETRA (NEtwork for Space Object Tracking and Analysis): A project focused on enhancing space situational awareness to monitor and manage space debris.

Why is it in the News?

Recently the Indian-American astronomer Shrinivas Kulkarni was awarded the Shaw Prize for Astronomy in 2024 for his work on the physics of astronomical transients.

What are Astronomical Transients?

• Astronomical transients refer to celestial events or phenomena that occur suddenly, brighten or flare up for a brief period of time, and then fade away.
• These events are temporary and transient in nature, lasting from a few seconds to a few years.

Some examples of astronomical transients include:

• Supernovae: These are explosions that mark the end of a massive star's life cycle. They can briefly outshine an entire galaxy before fading away over several weeks or months.
• Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs): These are extremely energetic bursts of gamma-ray radiation that can last from a few milliseconds to several minutes.
  • They are believed to be associated with the collapse of massive stars or the merging of compact objects like neutron stars or black holes.
• Novae: These are smaller explosive events on the surface of a white dwarf star in a binary system, caused by the accretion of material from a companion star.
• Tidal disruption events (TDEs): These occur when a star passes too close to a supermassive black hole and is torn apart by the black hole's gravitational forces, leading to a flare of electromagnetic radiation.
• Fast radio bursts (FRBs): These are intense bursts of radio waves that last only a few milliseconds and originate from distant galaxies. Their exact sources are still being investigated.
• Gravitational wave transients: These are transient events detected as gravitational waves, such as the merging of binary black holes or neutron stars, which produce a brief burst of gravitational radiation.
• Comets and asteroids: The close approach or impact of comets and asteroids can produce transient phenomena like outbursts, flares, or even temporary atmospheres around them.
• Astronomical transients are important for understanding various astrophysical processes, the evolution of celestial objects, and for studying the properties of the universe on different timescales.

Why is it in the News?

The Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS-4) will be convened from May 27-30, 2024.

About Small Island Developing States (SIDS):

• Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are a distinct group of 39 States and 18 Associate Members of United Nations regional commissions that face unique social, economic and environmental vulnerabilities.
• The three geographical regions in which SIDS are located are:
  • The Caribbean
  • The Pacific
  • The Atlantic, Indian Ocean and South China Sea (AIS)
• SIDS were recognized as a special case both for their environment and development at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
• The aggregate population of all the SIDS is 65 million, slightly less than 1% of the world’s population, yet this group faces unique social, economic, and environmental challenges.
• SIDS face a host of challenges including for many, their remote geography.
• As a result, many SIDS face high import and export costs for goods as well as irregular international traffic volumes.
• For SIDS, the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)—the ocean under their control—is, on average, 28 times the country’s land mass.
• Thus, for many SIDS the majority of the natural resources they have access to comes from the ocean.
  • Factors like small population size, remoteness from international markets, high transportation costs, vulnerability to exogenous economic shocks and fragile land and marine ecosystems make SIDS particularly vulnerable to biodiversity loss and climate change because they lack economic alternatives.
• Climate change has a very tangible impact on SIDS.
• Slow onset events such as sea level rise pose an existential threat to small island communities, requiring drastic measures such as relocation of populations, and the related challenges this poses.
• These challenges are compounded by limited institutional capacity, scarce financial resources and a high degree of vulnerability to systemic shocks.
• Industries like tourism and fisheries can constitute over half of the GDP of small island economies.
• However, the importance of these natural resources extends beyond the economy; biodiversity holds aesthetic and spiritual value for many island communities.
  • For centuries, these communities have drawn benefits from biodiversity in the form of food supply, clean water, reduced beach erosion, soil and sand formation, and protection from storm surges.
• At the regional level, SIDS are also supported by inter-governmental organisations, primarily the?Caribbean Community (CARICOM),?the?Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)?and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC).

Why is it in the News?

One hundred and twenty-five years ago on May 25, 2024, a ‘rebel poet’ was born in undivided Bengal who would go on to create about 4,000 songs and several stories to remind his warring and impoverished country folks of the power of humanity to tide over hunger, poverty and disintegration of society.

Who was Kazi Nazrul Islam?

• Kazi Nazrul Islam (1899-1976) was a Bengali poet, writer, and musician whose oeuvre, Nazrulgeeti (Songs of Nazrul), constitutes a musical genre that is perhaps second in popularity to only Rabindrasangeet, the compositions of Rabindranath Tagore.
  • He enjoys iconic status in West Bengal, Bangladesh, and the Bengali diaspora around the world, and is revered as the National poet of Bangladesh.
• Nazrul is known as the Bidrohi Kobi (Rebel Poet) because most of the more than 4,000 songs that he wrote and composed are songs of protest and revolution, which inspired the freedom fighters of Bengal in their struggle against colonialism and imperialism.
  • In 1923, the British arrested Nazrul because of the strongly anti-British content of a magazine that he founded and edited.
• His first poem was published when he was still in Karachi, in the Bangiya Mussalman Sahitya Patrika.
  • Some of the poems he had composed and contributed in Moslem Bharat included Shatil Arab, Moharram, Korbani, Fatiha, Doazdaham, Badal Prater Sharab, and Kheya Parer Tarani, amongst others.
• The political conditions in which Nazrul Islam eventually began his career as a writer were ones conditioned by extreme tensions and conflict including the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and launch of the Non-Cooperation Movement following the special session of the Indian National Congress, and especially in the context of the “divide and rule” policy which was adopted by the British.
  • Several issues that the populace of the subcontinent had to deal with included economic backwardness, racial prejudices, and social inequality.
  • In such circumstances, he joined a Bengali newspaper called Naba-Yug (New Era).
  • His writings were later compiled and published as a book Yugabani (Message of the Age) which was immediately banned by the British government.
• Apart from writing and working for several other newspapers of the times, including Sevak, he had also started his own political weekly in 1922, named, Dhumketu (The Comet).
  • The paper explicitly voiced their opinions against the British government and played an important role in steering the rebellious attitude and voices of the populace.
  • As a result, Nazrul was charged with charges of sedition and he was sentenced to 1 year of rigorous imprisonment in 1923.
  • On this occasion, Rabindranath Tagore had also dedicated a newly composed dance-drama Basanti to Nazrul, which was performed in Calcutta.
• Nazrul Islam was a prolific poet and composed several poems on various themes including themes of social messages, and resistance against the colonial government.
  • He had effectively used his poems as a literary conduit to voice his opinions against British colonial rule.
  • The highest point of his career as a poet was when he composed the poem Bidrohi (The Rebel).
  • The poem was highly appreciated and established him as a well-respected poet.
  • The poem was characterized by a revolutionary spirit and rife with heroic sentiments.
  • It portrayed a revolutionary who had called upon the marginalized sections of the society to rise up and face the British despots.
• The compositions of Kazi Nazrul Islam in the form of songs, poems, and other forms of literature formed a very strong and powerful weapon against British colonial rule.
• The revolutionary themes which were explicit in his writings played an important role during the freedom movement.
• He consistently raised his voice against communalism, imperialism, fundamentalism and exploitation.
• His literary legacy is remembered and acknowledged to this date.
• He had earned the respect of not only his contemporaries but also of the later generations.
• His contributions thus are not limited to the efflorescence of Bengali literature but also extended to the cause of freedom during the Indian Independence Movement.

Why is it in the News?

Recently, scientists have discovered a new planet that they say could "potentially support human life."

What is Gliese 12b?

• Gliese 12 b is a rocky planet just 40 light-years away from Earth.
• It orbits around a star called Gliese 12, a cool red dwarf in the constellation Pisces.
• This star is only 27 per cent of the size of our sun, with about 60 per cent of its surface temperature.
• But it's this lower temperature that makes Gliese 12 b theoretically habitable for humans.
• Gliese 12 b is one of the few known rocky planets where humans could theoretically survive according to scientists.
• The planet was discovered by an international team, in collaboration with NASA and the European Space Agency, using data from NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and ESA's Characterizing Exoplanet Satellite (CHEOPS).
• Gliese 12 b falls into this "Goldilocks zone," with an average temperature of 107 degrees Fahrenheit and a size somewhere between Venus and Earth.
• The researchers hope that by learning more about Gliese 12 b's atmosphere we may be able to answer questions about the evolution of our own solar system and other habitable planets.

About the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS):

• TESS is a NASA mission dedicated to discovering exoplanets around nearby bright stars.
• It was launched on April 18, 2018, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral.
• TESS operates in a unique high Earth orbit with a period of 12 to 15 days.
  • This orbit is designed to keep the telescope's view largely unobstructed by Earth and the Moon.
• The prime mission concluded on July 4, 2020, but TESS continues to operate on an extended mission.
• TESS has identified a wide range of exoplanets, from small rocky worlds to giant planets, highlighting the diversity of planetary systems in our galaxy.
• TESS uses the transit method to find exoplanets. It monitors stars for periodic dips in brightness, which occur when a planet crosses in front of the star along our line of sight.
  • The size of the dip indicates the planet's diameter and the duration of the transit provides information about the planet's orbit.
• The transit method allows scientists to determine the diameter and orbital size of exoplanets.
  • Orbits within certain ranges fall into the "habitable zone," where conditions may allow liquid water to exist on the surface of Earth-like worlds.

Why is it in the News?

The Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge was adopted at the Diplomatic Conference held under the aegis of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) at its headquarters in Geneva recently.

What is the WIPO Meeting 2024?

• The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Meeting 2024 focuses on final-stage negotiations for a proposed treaty on intellectual property, genetic resources, and associated traditional knowledge.
• The aim is to protect the rights of communities that conserve genetic resources and hold traditional knowledge of their use.
• The main goal of the treaty is to enhance the efficacy, transparency, and quality of the patent system regarding genetic resources and traditional knowledge.
  • It aims to prevent patents for non-novel or non-inventive inventions and ensure proper disclosure of genetic resources and traditional knowledge in patent applications.

Key challenges in the negotiations:

• Key challenges include reaching a consensus on mandatory disclosure requirements, addressing biopiracy, deciding on the inclusion of DSI in the treaty, and defining traditional knowledge.
  • Countries like the United States, Japan, and South Korea generally oppose mandatory disclosure requirements, adding complexity to the negotiations.

What are genetic resources and traditional knowledge associated?

• Genetic resources are genetic material of actual or potential value found in plants, animals, and microorganisms.
  • These resources are essential in fields like agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.
• Traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources refers to the knowledge, practices, and innovations of indigenous and local communities, developed and passed down through generations.
  • This knowledge is often related to the use and conservation of genetic resources.

What is Biopiracy?

• Biopiracy refers to the unauthorized use and patenting of genetic resources and traditional knowledge without proper compensation or acknowledgement to the communities that developed and conserved them.
  • The treaty seeks to address biopiracy by requiring the disclosure of genetic resources and traditional knowledge in patent applications and aligning with international agreements like the Nagoya Protocol.

What is Digital sequence information (DSI)?

• Digital sequence information (DSI) refers to the digital representation of genetic material.
  • The treaty currently excludes DSI from its scope, which is a point of contention as it affects the management and protection of genetic resources.
  • Including DSI in the treaty is under debate to ensure comprehensive protection.

Outcomes and Significance of this Meeting:

• Expected outcomes include finalizing the treaty's text, agreeing on substantive intellectual property provisions, and administrative issues.
  • Once finalized, the treaty will be open for signature and aims to provide a robust framework for protecting genetic resources and traditional knowledge.
• The treaty also aims to protect the rights of indigenous and local communities by ensuring they receive fair compensation and recognition for their genetic resources and traditional knowledge.
  • It also promotes the sustainable use and conservation of these resources, benefiting both global and local communities.
• The treaty has broader implications for international intellectual property law, biodiversity conservation, and the rights of indigenous and local communities.
  • It aims to balance the interests of patent holders with the need to protect and sustainably use genetic resources and traditional knowledge.

India’s Role:

• India plays a significant role in the negotiations by advocating for strong disclosure requirements and a clear definition of traditional knowledge.
  • India's participation helps ensure that the treaty provides sufficient policy space for countries to maintain their current stronger disclosure requirements under national laws.

Why is it in the News?

China ended two days of war games around Taiwan, in which it simulated attacks with bombers and practised boarding ships, and Taiwan's defence ministry detailed on Saturday the surge of Chinese warplanes and warships involved.

About the Taiwan Strait:

• Geography: The Taiwan Strait, also known as the Formosa Strait, is a 180 km-wide body of water separating mainland China from the island of Taiwan.
  • It lies between the coast of Fujian Province in China and Taiwan.
• Location: The strait is part of the South China Sea and connects to the East China Sea in the north.
  • The seafloor is primarily a continental shelf extending from the Asian continent, with Taiwan situated on the outer edge.
  • The strait is relatively shallow, with an average depth of about 490 feet and a minimum depth of 82 feet.
• Islands: Major islands on the Taiwan side include Penghu (or Pescadores), Kinmen, and Matsu.
  • On the Chinese side, Xiamen and Pingtan are significant islands.
  • While Xiamen and Pingtan are administered by the People's Republic of China, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu are governed by the Republic of China (Taiwan).
• Shipping Corridor: The Taiwan Strait is a vital global shipping route, with nearly 50 per cent of global container shipping passing through the Taiwan Strait.
  • Key ports in the region include Amoy in mainland China and Kao-hsiung in Taiwan.
• Historical Significance: The strait has been a site of military confrontations between the People's Republic of China and Taiwan since 1949, following the Chinese Civil War.
  • The Kuomintang forces, led by Chiang Kai-shek, retreated across the strait and established their government in Taiwan.
• Median Line: The median line is an informal dividing line in the Taiwan Strait, established during the Cold War to reduce the risk of military clashes between China and Taiwan.
  • Although not formalized by any treaty, it served as a tacit boundary until 2019, when Chinese military aircraft began crossing it.
  • Beijing has since increasingly challenged the existence of the median line by frequently sending warplanes over it.

Why is it in the News?

The World Health Assembly will convene from May 27 to June 1 to discuss amendments to the International Health Regulations, aimed at improving the ability of countries to respond to public health emergencies and prepare a potential new pandemic agreement.

What is the World Health Assembly?

• The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations (UN) agency dedicated to promoting the global population's health and access to the highest levels of healthcare provision.
• Its main functions are to determine WHO's policies, elect the Organization's Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed WHO budget.
• Delegates from WHO member states come together at an annual assembly held at the UN headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, to focus on a specific healthcare agenda created by the organization's Executive Board.
• The Executive Board comprises 34 technically qualified members, each elected for a three-year term.
  • They meet every year in January to agree on the agenda and any resolutions that will be put before the World Health Assembly for consideration.
• Now in its 76th session, the theme for this year’s event is “Health For All: 75 Years of Improving Public Health”.

What does the Assembly do?

• Delegates at the annual World Health Assembly discuss the Executive Board's policy agenda for the coming year and decide which health goals and strategies will guide the WHO's public health work.
• Other functions include voting to appoint the organization's Director-General to serve a five-year term.
  • Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus holds the post currently, having been re-elected in 2022 to serve a second term as head of the world's leading public health agency.

Why is it important?

• Since its inauguration, the Assembly has presided over WHO policies that have helped eradicate deadly diseases like smallpox and the poliovirus and helped foster international collaborations to develop and distribute vaccines for diseases like malaria and COVID-19.

About International Health Regulations (IHR):

• First adopted by the World Health Assembly (WHA) in 1969, the IHR was last revised in 2005. These regulations aim to maximize collective efforts in managing public health events while minimizing disruptions to travel and trade.
• The IHR has 196 State Parties, including all 194 WHO Member States, plus Liechtenstein and the Holy See.
• The IHR provide a comprehensive legal framework that outlines countries' rights and obligations in managing public health events and emergencies with the potential to cross borders.
• The regulations introduce crucial safeguards to protect the rights of travellers and others, covering the treatment of personal data, informed consent, and non-discrimination in the application of health measures.
• Legally Binding Instrument: As an instrument of international law, the IHR is legally binding on 196 countries.

Why is it in the News?

Governments should be using their agriculture extension services to raise awareness among farmers, and consumers about the benefits & practical applications of sweet sorghum in people’s diet.

About Sweet Sorghum:

• Sweet sorghum is the most important millet crop occupying the largest area among the cereals next to rice.
• It is mainly grown for its grain and fodder.
• Alternative uses of sorghum include commercial utilization of grain in the food industry and utilization of stalk for the production of value-added products like ethanol, syrup jaggery and enriched bagasse as fodder and as a base material for cogeneration.
• Sweet sorghum has emerged as a supplementary crop to sugarcane in dry land pockets for the production of ethanol.
• The success rate is high because of the use of existing machinery available in the sugar factories and attached distilleries.
• The advantages of the crop are it can be grown with limited water and minimal inputs and it can be harvested in four months.

Climate and Soil:

• Sweet sorghum can be sown in June with the southwest monsoon, in September-October with the northeast monsoon (500-600 mm rainfall), or in summer with assured irrigation.
• The crop prefers moderate rainfall; excessive moisture or heavy rain after flowering can reduce sugar content.
• With irrigation, early sowing before June can prevent issues with heavy rains during flowering and grain maturation.
• Summer sowing may result in lower biomass and sugar yield. Sweet sorghum thrives in well-drained soils of medium depth (18" and above), with water requirements varying by soil type (red, black, laterite, and loamy).

Multiple Uses of Sweet Sorghum:

• Sweet sorghum is a versatile crop used for grain, animal feed, and sugary juice.
• Its grains are made into steamed bread, porridge, and beer, providing high nutritional value with proteins, carbohydrates, fibre, and essential minerals like potassium, calcium, sodium, and iron.
• Resilient in arid climates, sweet sorghum produces significant biomass, which, along with grains, serves as high-quality animal feed.
  • The sugary juice from its stalks is used for bioethanol production, yielding more ethanol per hectare than maize, second only to sugarcane.
• Notably, sweet sorghum is drought-resistant, capable of dormancy during dry periods and resuming growth later.
• Its tolerance to low water, nitrogen inputs, salinity, and drought stress makes it ideal for arid regions, making it popular in the US, Brazil, and China.

Why is it in the News?

Securing water for the future as the mantra, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) in the latest intervention has taken up the Shallow Aquifer Management (SAM) model on a pilot basis in the city.

What is an Aquifer?

• An aquifer is a body of porous rock or sediment that is saturated with groundwater.
• Groundwater enters an aquifer through precipitation that seeps down through the soil.
• It can then move through the aquifer and emerge at the surface via springs and wells.
• Aquifers are classified into two types:
  • Deep Aquifers
  • Shallow Aquifers

What is Shallow Aquifer Management (SAM)?

• In 2022, the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) launched a Shallow Aquifer Management (SAM) pilot program in ten cities across nine states:
  • Bengaluru (Karnataka), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Dhanbad (Jharkhand), Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh), Hyderabad (Telangana), Jaipur (Rajasthan), Kolkata (West Bengal), Pune and Thane (Maharashtra), and Rajkot (Gujarat).
• The SAM pilot is overseen by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and supported by the Advanced Center for Water Resources Development and Management (ACWADAM) in Pune and the Biome Environmental Trust in Bengaluru.
• Under SAM, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has identified five municipal parks for implementation this year.

How does it work?

• The project involves drilling shallow water injection borewells to depths of 100-120 feet to extract water from shallow aquifers.
• This process helps recharge the underlying layers during rainfall events by collecting water from the surrounding watershed and directing it through recharge pits.
• Consequently, underground water layers are replenished, leading to a rise in the water table.

Why is it in the News?

The first cyclone in the Bay of Bengal this pre-monsoon season, Cyclone Remal, is expected to make landfall between Sagar Island in West Bengal and Bangladesh's Khepupara on Sunday midnight.

About Cyclone Remal:

• The IMD has forecasted that a depression in the Bay of Bengal is likely to concentrate into a severe cyclonic storm and make landfall between Sagar Island in West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh around May 26 midnight.

Name of the cyclone:

• If the cyclone is formed, it will be named 'Remal', which means 'sand' in Arabic.
• The cyclone has been named ‘Remal’, according to a system of naming cyclones in the Indian Ocean region.
• A standard naming convention is followed for tropical cyclones forming in the North Indian Ocean, including the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
• As the IMD is a part of the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMCs), it gives names to the tropical cyclones after consulting 12 other countries in the region.
• The name 'Remal' has been suggested by Oman which means 'sand' in Arabic.

What is a Tropical Cyclone?

• A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating storm system characterized by a low-pressure centre, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain.
• These cyclones develop over warm tropical or subtropical waters and can cause significant damage due to high winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges.

How a Tropical Cyclone is Formed?

• Tropical cyclones form over warm ocean waters near the equator.
• The process begins when warm, moist air rises from the ocean surface, creating an area of low pressure.
• This causes surrounding air with higher pressure to move toward the low-pressure area, warming up and rising as well.
• As this air rises and cools, the moisture condenses to form clouds.
• The system of clouds and wind starts to spin and grow, fueled by the ocean's heat.
• When the wind speeds increase sufficiently, an eye forms in the centre of the cyclone.

Characteristics of a Tropical Cyclone:

• Calm Center: The eye of the cyclone is calm and clear, with very low air pressure.
• High Wind Speeds: The average wind speed of a tropical cyclone is around 120 km/h.
• Closed Isobars: These are lines on a weather map that connect areas of equal atmospheric pressure, leading to greater wind velocity.
• Oceanic Origin: Tropical cyclones develop over oceans and seas.
• Movement: They typically move from east to west under the influence of trade winds.
• Seasonal: Tropical cyclones are seasonal phenomena.

How are Cyclones Classified?

• The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) classifies cyclones based on wind speeds:
  • Depression: Wind speeds between 31–49 km/h
  • Deep Depression: Wind speeds between 50-61 km/h
  • Cyclonic Storm: Wind speeds between 62–88 km/h
  • Severe Cyclonic Storm: Wind speeds between 89-117 km/h
  • Very Severe Cyclonic Storm: Wind speeds between 118-166 km/h
  • Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm: Wind speeds between 166-221 km/h
  • Super Cyclonic Storm: Wind speeds above 222 km/h

Why is it in the News?

In response to the escalating biodiversity crisis, the Global Species Action Plan (GSAP) is designed to support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

About GSAP SKILLS Platform:

• The Global Species Action Plan (GSAP) SKILLS platform, standing for (Species Conservation Knowledge, Information, Learning, Leverage, and Sharing), brings the GSAP’s content online and enables real-time updates of technical tools and resources.
• This platform aims to facilitate global collaboration and partnership by connecting decision-makers, species conservation practitioners, and experts at all levels.
• It ensures accessibility and relevance by providing real-time updates on technical tools and resources.
• Each target within the Global Biodiversity Framework is accompanied by a summary and rationale for species conservation interventions, actions, and sub-actions, along with the actors involved and the technical tools and resources required, facilitating the scaling-up of implementation efforts.
• Managed proactively by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the platform meets the needs of governments and stakeholders to take decisive action for species conservation.
• The development of the GSAP SKILLS platform has been principally supported by the Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea, with additional resources from the Tech4Nature Initiative, launched by IUCN and Huawei in 2020.

What is the Global Species Action Plan?

• It has been developed to support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and to address the increasing biodiversity loss worldwide.
• It outlines strategic interventions and actions to conserve and sustainably manage species while ensuring equitable benefits.

About Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework:

• The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) is an outcome of the 2022 United Nations Biodiversity Conference.
  • Its tentative title had been the "Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework".
• The GBF was adopted by the 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on 19 December 2022.
  • It has been promoted as a "Paris Agreement for Nature".
• It is one of a handful of agreements under the auspices of the CBD, and it is the most significant to date.
• It has been hailed as a "huge, historic moment" and a "major win for our planet and for all of humanity."
• UN Secretary-General António Guterres speaking at the 2022 biodiversity conference in Montreal which led to this treaty
• The Framework is named after two cities, Kunming, which was scheduled to be the host city for COP15 in October 2020 but postponed and subsequently relinquished the hosting duties due to China's COVID policy, and Montreal, which is the seat of the Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat and stepped in to host COP15 after Kunming's cancellation.

Why is it in the News?

The Arab League called recently for a UN peacekeeping force in the "occupied Palestinian territories" at an international summit dominated by the war between Israel and Hamas.

What is the Arab League?

• The League of Arab States was formed in Cairo on 22 March 1945 with six members: Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan (later renamed Jordan), Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Syria, with Yemen joining on 5 May 1945.
  • It currently has 22 member states; Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordon, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
• Four countries have been admitted as observers: Brazil, Eritrea, India and Venezuela.
• Each member state has one vote in the League Council, while decisions are binding only on those states that have voted for them.
• The official language of the Arab League and its 22 member states is Arabic.
• The league seeks to promote the political, social, and military interests of its members.
• The head of the league is known as the secretary-general.
  • The secretary-general is appointed to a five-year term by a two-thirds majority of league members.
• Headquarters: Cairo, Egypt.

Goals:

• The overall aim of the league is to promote Arab interests.
• Its main goals are to strengthen and coordinate the political, cultural, economic, and social programs of its members and to try to settle disputes among them or between them and third parties.
• In 1950 the members also agreed to provide military support to help defend each other.

The Arab League Council:

• The League Council is the highest body of the Arab League and is composed of representatives of member states, typically foreign ministers, their representatives, or permanent delegates.
  • Each member state has one vote.
• The Council meets twice a year, in March and September. Two or more members may request a special session if they desire.
• The general secretariat manages the daily operations of the league and is headed by the secretary-general.
• The general secretariat is the administrative body of the league, the executive body of the council, and the specialized ministerial councils.

Why is it in the News?

Last month, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted above-normal rain in the upcoming monsoon season in India, with “favourable” La Nina conditions expected to set in by August-September.

What are El Niño and La Nina?

• El Niño (meaning “little boy” in Spanish) and La Nina (meaning “little girl” in Spanish) are climate phenomena that are a result of ocean-atmosphere interactions, which impact the temperature of waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean which affects global weather.
• The Earth’s east-west rotation causes all winds blowing between 30 degrees to the north and south of the equator to slant in their trajectory.
  • As a result, winds in the region flow towards a southwesterly direction in the northern hemisphere and a northwesterly direction in the southern hemisphere which is known as the Coriolis Effect.
• Due to this, winds in this belt (called trade winds) blow westwards on either side of the equator.
  • Under normal ocean conditions, these trade winds travel westwards along the equator from South America towards Asia.
  • Wind movement over the ocean results in a phenomenon called upwelling, where cold water beneath the ocean surface rises and displaces the warm surface waters.
• At times, the weak trade winds get pushed back towards South America and there is no upwelling.
  • Thus, warmer-than-usual sea surface temperatures are recorded along the equatorial Pacific Ocean, and this is known as the emergence of El Niño conditions.
• Conversely, during La Nina, strong trade winds push warm water towards Asia.
  • Greater upwelling gives rise to cold and nutrient-rich water towards South America.
  • Thus, climatologically, El Niño and La Nina are opposite phases of what is collectively called the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle.
  • It also includes a third neutral phase.
• El Niño events are far more frequent than La Nina ones.
  • Once every two to seven years, neutral ENSO conditions get interrupted by either El Niño or La Nina.
  • Recently, La Nina conditions prevailed between 2020 and 2023.

How could the incoming La Nina impact global weather?

• La Niña, driven by the cooling of ocean waters due to the ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) cycle, can significantly influence global weather patterns.
• The air circulation loop in the region, affected by these temperature changes, impacts precipitation levels in neighbouring areas and can alter the Indian monsoon.
• Currently, the El Niño event that began in June last year has significantly weakened.
• Neutral ENSO conditions are expected to be established by June.
• Following this, La Niña conditions are anticipated to emerge, with its effects likely becoming apparent from August.

La Nina’s Impact on India:

• With above normal rain forecast, the seasonal rainfall is expected to be 106 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA), which is 880mm (1971-2020 average).
• Except in east and northeast India, all remaining regions are expected to receive normal or above-seasonal rainfall.
  • Heavy rains could result in some regions witnessing riverine and urban flooding, mudslides, landslides and cloudbursts.
• East and northeast India region, during La Nina years, receive below average seasonal rainfall.
  • Therefore, there may be a shortfall in water reserves there this year.
• During La Nina years, incidents of thunderstorms generally increase.
  • “The east and northern India regions could experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning.
• With increased farming activities undertaken during the July and August rainy months, which coincides with the season’s enhanced lightning and thunderstorms, there is a high risk of fatalities in these regions.
• In addition to ENSO, there are other parameters that can impact the monsoon.
• However, in a La Nina year, a deficit monsoon over India can be easily ruled out.

La Nina’s Impact on the World:

• Similar to India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and their neighbouring countries receive good rainfall during a La Nina year.
  • This year, Indonesia has already witnessed floods.
• On the other hand, droughts are common in southern regions of North America, where winters become warmer than usual.
  • Canada and the northwestern coast of the United States see heavy rainfall and flooding.
  • Southern Africa receives higher than usual rainfall, whereas eastern regions of the continent suffer below-average rainfall.
• ENSO has a huge impact on hurricane activity over the Atlantic Ocean.
• During a La Nina year, the hurricane activity here increases.
  • For instance, the Atlantic Ocean churned out a record 30 hurricanes during the La Nina year 2021.

Is Climate Change Affecting ENSO?

• Over India, El Niño is known to suppress the southwest monsoon rainfall and drive higher temperatures and intense heat waves, like the present summer season.
• In the past, monsoon seasons during years following an El Niño were 1982-1983 and 1987-1988, with both 1983 and 1988 recording bountiful rainfall.
  • At present too, a similar situation could play out.
• The 2020-2023 period witnessed the longest La Nina event of the century.
• Thereafter, ENSO neutral conditions developed, which soon gave way to El Niño by June 2023 which has been weakening since December last year.
• Scientists say that climate change is set to impact the ENSO cycle.
• Many studies suggest that global warming tends to change the mean oceanic conditions over the Pacific Ocean and trigger more El Niño events.
• The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has also said that climate change is likely to affect the intensity and frequency of extreme weather and climate events linked to El Niño and La Nina.

Why is it in the News?

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) will now be open to new members and observers after a historic first charter of the grouping came into force on 20 May.

What is BIMSTEC?

• The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a multilateral regional organization that brings together seven member states located in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal, forming a contiguous regional unity.
• Aims: The primary aim of BIMSTEC is to accelerate shared growth and cooperation among littoral and adjacent countries in the Bay of Bengal region.
• Formation: The organization was initially founded as BIST-EC in June 1997, following the adoption of the Bangkok Declaration.
  • The founding members included Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
• With Myanmar's entry in late 1997, the organization evolved into BIMST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand Economic Cooperation).
• In 2004, the inclusion of Nepal and Bhutan led to the formation of BIMSTEC, as we know it today.
• The current member states comprise five South Asian nations: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, and two Southeast Asian nations: Myanmar and Thailand.
• BIMSTEC's Permanent Secretariat is situated in Dhaka, Bangladesh, serving as a hub for regional cooperation and coordination among member states.

Areas of cooperation:

• BIMSTEC functions as a sector-driven cooperative organization, initially focusing on six key sectors: Trade, Technology, Energy, Transport, Tourism, and Fisheries.
• Over time, the scope of cooperation has expanded, and as of now, BIMSTEC has identified 14 priority areas of cooperation.
• The inclusion of Climate Change in 2008 marked the 14th priority area.
• Within these priority areas, each member country takes responsibility for leading specific sectors.
• This allows for focused efforts and utilization of regional expertise.
  • India, for example, is the leading country in several crucial areas, including Transport & Communication, Tourism, Environment & Disaster Management, and Counter-Terrorism & Transnational Crime.
• This leadership role involves coordinating initiatives, sharing best practices, and driving collaborative efforts within these sectors to enhance regional development and cooperation.

Why is it in the News?

Next month, on June 3, there will be a planetary alignment that may actually allow you to witness six planets align in the sky.

What is a Planetary Alignment?

• Planetary alignment is a term used to describe the positioning of planets in the solar system such that they appear to be in a straight line or close to one when viewed from a specific vantage point, for us that's Earth.
• It is an astronomical event that happens when, by coincidence, the orbits of several of the planets of the Solar System bring them to roughly the same side of the Sun at the same time.
• This phenomenon is more an illusion of perspective rather than the planets being in a perfect line in space.
• It’s important to emphasise that the planets aren’t forming a straight line in space – that’s a much rarer astronomical event called a syzygy.
  • However, because all the planets, including the Earth, orbit around the Sun in roughly the same orientation (moving in which we call the “Plane of the Ecliptic”), when they’re on the same side of the Sun as each other, they appear to form a line in the sky when we view them from Earth.”
• Planetary alignments are rather common within themselves, especially when two, three, or even four planets align in the sky.
  • Five or more planets aligning, however, is less common.
• April 8, 2024, was the last time the planets were all in alignment.

Which planets will align?

• Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune will form a near-straight line, offering an extraordinary opportunity to witness this cosmic phenomenon.

Which planets will be visible?

• While six planets align, not all of them will be visible to the naked eye, due to their vast distance from Earth.
• Meanwhile, the Moon will also play a spoilsport as it distorts the visibility.
• Mercury and Jupiter will be tricky to see in the sky due to their proximity to the Sun in their orbit.
• However, Mars and Saturn will be visible to the naked eye, though very dim.
• Meanwhile, keen observers will need telescopes or high-powered binoculars to spot the distant planets Uranus and Neptune.

Why is it in the News?

The Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved a record surplus transfer of Rs 2.11 lakh crore to the Central government for the fiscal year 2023-24, determined based on the Economic Capital Framework (ECF).

What is the Economic Capital Framework (ECF)?

• The Economic Capital Framework (ECF)  is an objective, rule-based, transparent methodology for determining the appropriate level of risk provisions (fund allocation to capital reserve) that is to be made under Section 47 of the Reserve Bank of India Act.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) developed an Economic Capital Framework (ECF) for determining the allocation of funds to its capital reserves so that any risk contingency can be met as well as to transfer the profit of the RBI to the government.
• There are two clear objectives for the ECF.
  • First, the RBI as a macroeconomic institution has the responsibility to fight any disorder especially a crisis in the financial system. Here, to meet such a crisis, the RBI should have adequate funds attached under the capital reserve.
  • Second, is transferring the remaining part of the net income to the government.
• The process of adding funds to the capital reserve is a yearly one where the RBI allots money out of its net income to the capital reserve.
• How much funds shall be added to the capital reserve each year depends upon the risky situation in the financial system and the economy.
• The process of allocation of funds is technically called as provisioning (risk provisioning etc.,) to the reserves.
• After allotting money to the capital reserve, the remaining net income of the RBI is transferred to the government as profit.
• Since the government is the shareholder of the RBI, the latter’s income (means profit) should be transferred to the Government (Section 47 of the RBI Act).
• Previously, there were several attempts to frame an ECF for the RBI. However, under the changed circumstances, the RBI central board constituted a new committee (under Bimal Jalan) to design an ECF in 2018.

What is a Bimal Jalan Committee?

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in November 2018 had constituted a six-member committee, chaired by former governor Dr Bimal Jalan, to review the current economic capital framework (ECF), after the Ministry of Finance asked the central bank to follow global practices.

What did the Bimal Jalan Committee Recommend?

• According to the Committee, a better distinction between the two components of RBI's economic capital, realised equity and revaluation balances, was needed.
  • The realised equity can be used as a buffer in meeting losses, whereas the revaluation balances will be used only during market risks as they are unrealised valuation gains and cannot be distributed.
• The Committee has recommended the adoption of Expected Shortfall (ES) under stressed conditions for measuring the RBI’s market risk and asked to adopt a target of ES 99.5 per cent confidence level.
• It also asked to maintain a Contingent Risk Buffer (CRB) within 6.5 per cent and 5.5 per cent of RBI's balance sheet.
• The Jalan Committee recommended a surplus distribution policy that follows the realised equity maintained by the RBI.
• The panel also suggested that the RBI’s ECF should be reviewed every five years.
• In August 2019, the Central Board of the RBI, chaired by Governor Shaktikanta Das, finalised the RBI’s accounts for 2018-19 using the revised framework to determine risk provisioning and surplus transfer. According to the reports, the RBI had over Rs 9 trillion of surplus capital with it.

Why is it in the News?

Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson has said she was “shocked” and “angered” to hear the voice of GPT-4o, OpenAI’s latest AI model, as it sounded “eerily similar” to her own voice.

What are Personality Rights?

• Personality rights or publicity rights are a subset of “celebrity rights” – a much broader term used to refer to certain rights enjoyed by celebrities.
• Besides personality rights, celebrities also have “privacy rights”, which include the right to be left alone.
• The name, voice, signature, images, or any other feature easily identified by the public are markers of a celebrity’s personality and are referred to as “personality rights.”
• These could include poses, mannerisms, or any other distinct aspect of their public persona.
• Several celebrities register aspects of their personalities as trademarks to use them commercially.
  • For instance, footballer Gareth Bale trademarked the heart shape he makes with his hands as part of goal celebrations.
• The rationale behind such rights is that only the creator or owner of the unique features can gain commercial benefit from them.
• Therefore, unauthorised use could lead to revenue losses.
• In India, actors such as Rajnikanth, Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff have approached the courts over “personality rights” in India.
• Recently, the Delhi HC protected the personality and publicity rights of actor Jackie Shroff while restraining various e-commerce stores, AI chatbots, and social media from misusing Shroff’s name, image, voice, and likeness without his consent.

How are Personality Rights Protected in India?

• Although personality rights or their protection are not explicitly defined in Indian statutes, they usually fall under the right(s) to privacy and property.
• Concepts in intellectual property rights cases, such as passing off and deception, are usually applied in such cases while ascertaining if protection is warranted.
• Protection can be given through damages and injunctions.

Why is it in the News?

International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor recently announced that he has applied for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for crimes against humanity in the ongoing Gaza war.

What is the International Criminal Court (ICC)?

• The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague (Netherlands) is a permanent global court established in 2002.
• The ICC was created as a result of the Rome Statute, a treaty established at a United Nations conference in Italy and signed in 1998 by 120 countries — giving the ICC its power.
  • The ICC is independent of the United Nations (UN) but is endorsed by the UN General Assembly.
  • It also maintains a cooperation agreement with the UN.
• It has the power to prosecute individuals and leaders for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
• Unlike the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is an organ of the UN, the ICC does not prosecute states.

The Court does not have universal jurisdiction:

• Its jurisdiction only applies to crimes committed by nationals of States Parties or Non-States Parties that have recognized its jurisdiction through declaration and crimes committed in such States.
• The Court may also exercise its jurisdiction for crimes that have been referred to it by the United Nations Security Council, in accordance with a resolution adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations.

The Court’s jurisdiction is governed by the principle of complementarity:

• It does not relieve States of their primary responsibility and only intervenes when the States have been unable or did not wish, to try crimes under their jurisdiction.
• The Court is not a United Nations body. However, it is part of the international system to fight against impunity and prevent and handle crises.

How is the ICC governed?

• The Rome Statute created three bodies:
  • The International Criminal Court
  • The Assembly of States Parties
  • The Trust Fund for Victims
• The Assembly of States Parties (ASP) is made up of representatives of States Parties.
• It provides general guidelines while respecting the independence of the Court and makes decisions relating to how it operates (in particular by electing judges and the Prosecutor and by approving the ICC’s budget).
• The Trust Fund for Victims was created by the ASP to grant individual reparations to victims by executing reparations orders handed down by the Court.
  • It also contributes to their rehabilitation through psychological and physical recovery and material support.
  • The Fund has financed projects in Uganda, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The International Criminal Court is made up of four bodies:

• The Presidency (made up of three judges) is responsible for external relations with States, organizes the Divisions’ judicial work and supervises the administrative work of the Registry;
• The Judicial Divisions – the Pre-Trial Division, the Trial Division and the Appeals Division – carry out judicial proceedings;
• The Office of the Prosecutor carries out preliminary analyses, investigations and prosecutions;
• The Registry carries out non-judicial activities related to safety, interpretation, information and outreach or support to lawyers for the defence and victims.

The recruitment process for judges at the ICC:

• Every three years, the ASP elects six new judges, a third of the 18 ICC judges, for a term of nine years.
• The candidates for the position of judge at the ICC are presented by the States Parties.
• The election of judges is governed by a unique procedure that aims to ensure, insofar as possible, that there is a balanced bench with regard to legal expertise, geographical representation and gender.

How does the International Criminal Court differ from the International Court of Justice?

International Criminal Court:

1. Part of the United Nations (UN)?

Ans. No, The International Criminal Court is independent but co-operates closely with the UN.

2. What is its aim?

Ans. To try individuals who are suspected of the crime of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity or the crime of aggression.

3. Where is it located?

Ans. The Hague

International Court of Justice:

1. Part of the United Nations (UN)?

Ans. No, The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.

2. What is its aim?

Ans. To settle legal disputes between states,and to advise the UN on legal questions.

3. Where is it located?

Ans. The Hague

Why is it in the News?

Known as ‘AI agents’, GPT-4o and Project Astra have been touted as far superior to conventional voice assistants such as Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant.

What are AI Agents?

• AI agents are sophisticated AI systems that can engage in real-time, multi-modal (text, image, or voice) interactions with humans.
• Unlike conventional language models, which solely work on text-based inputs and outputs, AI agents can process and respond to a wide variety of inputs including voice, images, and even input from their surroundings.
• AI agents are designed to perceive their environment and take actions in order to achieve specific goals.
  • They perceive their environment through sensors, process the information using algorithms or models, and then take actions using actuators or other means.
• AI agents can range from simple systems that follow predefined rules to complex, autonomous entities that learn and adapt based on their experiences.
• They're utilized in various fields, including robotics, gaming, virtual assistants, autonomous vehicles, and more.
• These agents can be reactive (responding directly to stimuli), deliberative (planning and making decisions), or even have learning capabilities (adapting their behaviour based on data and experiences).

How are they Different From Large Language Models?

• While large language models (LLMs) like GPT-3 and GPT-4 have the ability only to generate human-like text, AI agents make interactions more natural and immersive with the help of voice, vision, and environmental sensors.
  • Unlike LLMs, AI agents are designed for instantaneous, real-time conversations with responses much similar to humans.
• LLMs lack contextual awareness, while AI agents can understand and learn from the context of interactions, allowing them to provide more relevant and personalised responses.
• Also, language models do not have any autonomy since they only generate text output.
• AI agents, however, can perform complex tasks autonomously such as coding, data analysis, etc.
• When integrated with robotic systems, AI agents can even perform physical actions.

What are the Potential Uses of AI Agents?

• AI agents can serve as intelligent and highly capable assistants.
• They are capable of handling an array of tasks, from offering personalised recommendations to scheduling appointments.
• AI agents can be ideal for customer service as they can offer seamless natural interactions, and resolve queries instantly without actually the need for human interventions.
• In the field of education and training, AI agents can act as personal tutors, customise themselves based on a student’s learning styles, and may even offer a tailored set of instructions.
• In healthcare, they could assist medical professionals by providing real-time analysis, diagnostic support, and even monitoring patients.

Risks and Challenges Associated With AI Agents:

• While AI agents showcase immense potential for the future, they are not without risks.
• Privacy and security are a key area of concern as AI agents gain access to more personal data and environmental information.
• Just like any AI model, AI agents can carry forward biases from their training data or algorithms, leading to harmful outcomes.

As these systems become more common, appropriate regulations and governance frameworks should be laid out to ensure their responsible deployment.

Why is it in the News?

The Consumer Affairs Ministry has invited public comments by June 11 on draft rules for microwave Doppler radar equipment used to measure vehicle speeds on roads, according to a circular issued by the ministry.

What are Doppler Radar Speed Guns?

• Doppler radar speed guns are tools that use the Doppler effect to measure the speed of moving objects, such as vehicles.
• They consist of a radio transmitter and receiver that send out a narrow beam of radio waves.
• When these waves bounce off a moving object, their frequency changes due to the Doppler effect.
• This phenomenon occurs when the frequency of a wave changes as its source moves relative to an observer.

The Doppler Effect

• The Doppler effect refers to the change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer moving relative to the wave source.
• In the case of a radar speed gun, the waves in question are radio waves.

How do Doppler Radar Speed Guns work?

• As the object moves toward or away from the radar gun, the frequency of the reflected waves is altered.
  • If the object is approaching the radar, the frequency increases
  • If it's moving away, the frequency decreases
• The radar speed gun analyzes these changes to calculate the object's speed using the following equation:
  • v = Δf/f × c/2
  • where v is the object's speed, Δf is the frequency shift, f is the transmitted frequency, and c is the speed of light.
• Doppler radar speed guns are commonly used by law enforcement to monitor vehicle speeds, ensuring safety on the roads.
• They can also be found in various other applications, such as aviation, navigation, and meteorology.

Advantages

• Non-Contact Measurement: Measures speed without needing to be in contact with the vehicle.
• Quick and Accurate: Provides rapid speed measurements with high accuracy.
• Versatile: Can be used in various conditions and for different types of moving objects.

Why is it in the News?

Wildlife authorities in Himachal Pradesh’s high altitude, cold desert district of Lahaul & Spiti have started surveys as part of the census to estimate the population of blue sheep or bharal and the Himalayan ibex, the main prey of the iconic snow leopard.

About Himalayan Ibex:

• The Himalayan ibex, a subspecies of the Siberian ibex, is native to the Himalayan regions of India, Pakistan, Tibet, and Nepal.
• These sure-footed, sturdy wild goats belong to the genus Capra in the family Bovidae and are typically found in mountainous regions across Europe, Asia, and northeastern Africa.
• Scientific Name: Capra sibirica hemalayanus
• Habitat: Himalayan ibex inhabit the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas, including the Trans-Himalayan areas, at elevations between 3,000 and 5,800 meters.
• In India, they are primarily found in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

Features:

• Size: Adult Himalayan ibex weighs about 90 kg and stands around 40 inches tall.
• Sexual Dimorphism: Males are larger than females and have large, curved horns with front notches that grow each year.
• Coat: Their coat varies from light brown to reddish-brown with a white belly and distinctive black and white markings on their legs.
  • The coat is thick and woolly in winter, shedding in early summer. A darker dorsal stripe is also present.
• Behaviour: They are typically found in small herds, sometimes numbering up to 50 individuals.
  • They are agile and can run at speeds of up to 50 km/h.

Conservation Status:

• IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

About Blue Sheep/Bharal:

• The blue sheep, also known as the bharal, is a caprine species native to the high Himalayas.
• Its scientific name is Pseudois nayaur, and it is the sole member of the genus Pseudois.

Distribution:

• The bharal is found in several countries, including India, Bhutan, China (specifically in Gansu, Ningxia, Sichuan, Tibet, and Inner Mongolia), Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.

Features:

• Size: Medium-sized caprids, measuring 115 to 165 cm (45 to 65 in) in length, with tails ranging from 10 to 20 cm (3.9 to 7.9 in).
• They stand 69 to 91 cm (27 to 36 in) at the shoulder.
• Sexual Dimorphism: Males are slightly larger than females.
• Coat: Their short, dense coat is slate grey, often with a bluish shine. The underparts and backs of the legs are white, while the chest and fronts of the legs are black.
• Horns: The horns grow upwards, curve out, and then back, resembling an upside-down arc.
• Behaviour: Bharal are diurnal, alternating between feeding and resting on grassy mountain slopes.

Conservation Status:

• IUCN Red List: Least Concern
• Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule ICoat: Their short, dense coat is slate grey, often with a bluish shine. The underparts and backs of the legs are white, while the chest and fronts of the legs are black.
• Horns: The horns grow upwards, curve out, and then back, resembling an upside-down arc.
• Behaviour: Bharal are diurnal, alternating between feeding and resting on grassy mountain slopes.

Conservation Status:

• IUCN Red List: Least Concern
• Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule I

Why is it in the News?

A passenger died and many were injured when a Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 777 headed from London to Singapore “severe turbulence” en route.

What is the Aircraft Turbulence

• Turbulence means disruption of airflow over the wings of an aeroplane, which causes it to enter irregular vertical motion.
• These pockets of disturbed air can have many causes, most obviously the unstable weather patterns that trigger storms.
• It is caused by the relative movement of disturbed air through which an aircraft is flying.

There are at least seven kinds of turbulence that an aircraft can run into:

• Wind Shear: It happens when there is a sudden change in wind direction, whether vertically or horizontally.
  • Typically occurs close to thunderstorms, jet streams, etc.; tricky for pilots as tailwinds suddenly change to headwinds or vice versa.
• Frontal: Created in the frontal zone when warm air is lifted by a sloping frontal surface and friction between opposing air masses.
  • Most palpable when warm air is moist; intensity increases with thunderstorms. Most commonly close to thunderstorms.
• Convective: When land surface temperature rises, the air above the ground heats up and rises, creating air pockets around it.
  • Convection currents cause difficulties during approach as they tend to affect the rate of descent.
• Wake: It forms behind an aircraft when it flies through air-creating wingtip vortices.
• Mechanical: This type of turbulence occurs when tall solid objects such as mountains or highrise constructions disrupt the normal airflow, causing the air for planes to fly through to become dirty.
• Clear Air: It occurs when an aircraft crosses from one air mass to another, which has a different direction.
  • Clear air turbulence could also happen when an aircraft moves out of a jet stream. Clear air turbulence is mainly caused by wind or jet streams.
• Mountain View: It is one of the most severe; these are oscillations that form on the downwind side of mountains when strong winds flow towards mountains in a perpendicular fashion.
  • Aircraft tracking perpendicularly across, or downwind of a mountain, may experience a sudden loss of altitude followed by a sudden reduction in airspeed.

Are turbulence incidents dangerous?

• It depends on their nature and intensity.
• Aircraft undergo some form of turbulence on a regular basis and pilots are trained to deal with these.
• However, there have been several instances when turbulence has brought down modern jetliners.

Even in these cases, while intense turbulence has been the main cause of an accident, several other factors — such as lack of proper training, and poor dissemination of weather or wind-related information — have contributed to the accident.

Why is it in the News?

For the second year in a row, an organisation affiliated with the UN human rights office has deferred accreditation for India’s human rights body, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

What are the Paris Principles?

• The Paris Principles, formally Principles Relating to the Status of National Human Rights Institutions, which were adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 20, 1993, set out minimum standards that NHRIs must meet in order to be considered credible and to operate effectively.
• The Paris Principles lay down six main criteria to determine which NHRIs are functioning effectively and would receive accreditation from GANHRI.
• They are
  •  broad mandate based on universal human rights norms and standards
  •  autonomy from the government
  •  independence guaranteed by the statute or Constitution
  •  pluralism, including membership that broadly reflects their society
  •  adequate resources and
  •  adequate powers of investigation
• These Principles also say that NHRIs should be equipped to receive complaints and cases brought by individuals, third parties, NGOs, trade unions, or other organisations representative of professionals such as lawyers and journalists.

Accreditation:

• Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), which represents about 120 national human rights institutions, is responsible for reviewing and accrediting these institutions in compliance with the Paris Principles every five years.
• GANHRI acts through its Subcommittee on Accreditation (SCA), which categorises member NHRIs into two groups, ‘A’ and ‘B’. As of November 29, 2023, 120 NHRIs were accredited by GANHRI, 88 of which were given an ‘A’ rank, indicating full compliance with the Paris Principles; the remaining 32 were put under ‘B’, indicating partial compliance.

 Why has India’s Accreditation Been Put on Hold?

• India’s accreditation status was put on hold after the Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) meeting on May 1 in Geneva.
  • The SCA, which meets twice a year, scrutinizes each country’s human rights institution.
• The May 1 meeting, chaired by New Zealand with participation from South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Spain, highlighted several concerns about the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India.
• Issues raised include a lack of transparency in NHRC appointments, conflicts of interest with police overseeing investigations, and no minority or female representation on the panel.
• Additionally, nine human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, expressed concerns about India’s human rights record, citing increasing restrictions on civic space and discrimination against minorities.
• UN human rights experts also highlighted “attacks on minorities, media, and civil society” in India.

What Happens if India Loses Accreditation?