Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

• India’s population gap over China to widen further, shows data
• India’s urban centres are ailing due to lack of funds

GS Paper 2

• Article 105 of Constitution: The limits to free speech in Parliament, and what Supreme Court has ruled

GS Paper 3

• Girl in Gurgaon: Cases of abuse of domestic workers raise questions about informal employment sector
• India’s law and order matrix needs a reboot

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• Loans to augment PM-ABHIM: Centre to borrow ₹13,879 crore to boost health infrastructure
• ISRO successfully launches SSLV-D2, satellites put in orbit
• Suitability of a candidate cleared by Collegium can’t be subject of judicial review: Supreme Court
• Parts of Rahul Gandhi’s parliamentary speech expunged: What does this mean and when does this happen?
• Centre formulates ‘Action Plan for Champion Sectors in Services’ to give focused attention to 12 identified Champion Services Sectors
• Exercise Tarkash: First time, India-US exercise includes response to nuke & bio terror attacks
• Himalayan plunder: 3 million Indians live in areas that can be swept by glacial lake floods, says study
• Sundarban Bird Festival: 145 bird species spotted during the first bird festival in Sundarbans
• Fire-capped tit bird and European Goldfinch: Wondrous Himalayan birds face the threat of extinction now — but there are signs of hope
• Ring discovered around dwarf planet Quaoar confounds theories
• What is a kilonova?

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

India’s population gap over China to widen further, shows data

News– India is expected to cross China and become the world’s most populous country in April this year.

What are population projections for India and China?

According to United Nations Population Division data, India will surpass China in 2023 by 3 million people and the gap will only widen with time.

The two countries have accounted for around 36% of the world’s population since the 1950s. In 2022, it was 35.6% and is estimated to be 35.5% in 2023. By 2100, India and China will account for 22.2% of the world’s population.

What does the statistics say about the demographic dividend in India?

According to an analysis by Pew Research Center, roughly one-in-five people globally who are under the age of 25 live in India.

Those below 25 years of age accounted for 57.13% share in India’s total population in 1950. By July 2023, it will be 42.7%.

The share of those in the age group of 25-64 will be 50.2% by July 2023. However, the share is projected to change by 2100. Share of those below 25 years of age will further decline to 23.9%. The share of those in the age group of 25-64 will rise to 46.3%.

What does the statistics say about fertility rate in India?

India’s total fertility rate (TFR) was 5.73 compared to a global rate of 4.86 in 1950.

In 2022, India’s rate was estimated to be 2.01 while the global rate is 2.31. China’s TFR declined from 5.81 in 1950 to 1.18 in 2022.

Data from the National Family Health Survey shows that the fertility rate in urban India has fallen from 2.06 in 2005-06 to 1.63 in 2019-21. The decline in rural India was from 2.98 to 2.14 in the same period.

What does the statistics say about migration in India?

In 2022, more than 487,000 people migrated from India. As per the UN projections, the country is likely to face net negative migration till 2100.

Pew Research Center highlights that India’s net migration has not always been negative. In 2016, India gained an estimated 68,000 people due to migration.

India also recorded increases in net migration on several occasions in the second half of the 20th century.

India’s urban centres are ailing due to lack of funds

News– The health of municipal finances in India is in poor state. Revenue losses after GST implementation and the pandemic has further deteriorated it.

What is the scenario of urban financing in India?

As per the RBI, in FY21, at least 141 municipal corporations saw a sharp decline in revenue. Revenue shortfall greater than 25%.

There was a significant increase in expenditure of over 75%.

There was a decline in projected growth in property tax by approximately 11%, and municipal fees by 50%.

Raising municipal revenue is a challenge. Studies by the Indian Institute for Human Settlements have highlighted that urban local bodies’ own revenue was only 47% of their total revenue. Property tax accounts for approximately 29% of it.

Most ULBs were dependent on transfers from the Centre and state governments.

The urban financing challenge is huge. A World Bank estimate suggests that India will need to invest approximately $840 billion in urban infrastructure over the next 15 years.

What are the impacts of lack of urban financing?

This has led to cuts in essential services. Sewerage services have been affected by 55-71% in most cases.

Delayed salary and pension disbursements, and the decline in general upkeep of such cities are other fallouts.

What is the way forward for urban financing in India?

We need a multi-pronged strategy to bridge the gap.

Many urban local bodies and municipal corporations need a fiscal stimulus. Disbursal of external grants from the state and Centre is a concern.

In September 2020, the CAG’s performance audit highlighted a saving of over Rs 5,000 crore due to non-disbursal of grants in Karnataka. The urban local bodies in Karnataka had delayed disbursements.

This needs to change. States and the Centre must ensure that disbursements are made on time.

Additional funding needs to be explored. A revolving fund, which offers budgetary stabilisation measures can be considered. Along with it, the provision of an overdraft facility when revenues and fiscal transfers are delayed can be considered.

Green bonds need to be promoted, along with a joint corpus fund, funded by the Centre and states.

Property taxes also need rationalisation. It can be improved by updating existing databases, reassessing properties using digital tools and imposing taxes on non-compliers and defaulters.

Concessions will need to be rationalised. State and local bodies should be incentivised to move away from fiscally ruinous measures.

Expenditure efficiency needs to be boosted by pushing for outsourcing of services and exploring PPP models, and participatory budgeting.

The Centre can expand incentives given to states under interest-free capex loans to cover aspects of urban development like framing building bylaws, pushing for public transport and pursuing mixed housing schemes.

Innovative financing mechanisms can be pursued. These include asset monetisation, financing from carbon credit generation.

Civic action will be required. There should be a push for user charges for public service delivery. For capital expenditure needs, levies like betterment fees, impact fees and tax increment financing should be explored.

GS Paper 2

Article 105 of Constitution: The limits to free speech in Parliament, and what Supreme Court has ruled

News: Members of Parliament enjoy certain privileges and powers under Article 105. This article provides insights into those privileges and the limitations.

What is Article 105?

Under Article 105, Members of Parliament are exempted from any legal action for any statement made or act done in the course of their duties. For example, a defamation suit cannot be filed for a statement made in the House.

This immunity extends to certain non-members as well, such as the Attorney General for India or a Minister who may not be a member but speaks in the House.

If an MP exceeds its speech limit, then it is duty of the Speaker or the House to deal with it.

However, the article also has restrictions such as Article 121 prohibits any discussion in Parliament regarding the conduct of any Judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court in the discharge of his duties.

How did this idea of privilege originate?

The Government of India Act, 1935 first brought this provision to India with references to the powers and privileges enjoyed by the House of Commons in Britain.

However, unlike India where the Constitution is supreme, Britain follows Parliamentary supremacy.

What are the various judgments of court related to parliamentary privileges?

The SC in ‘Tej Kiran Jain v N Sanjiva Reddy’ (1970), ruled that the word “anything” in Article 105 has wide interpretations.

Further, the SC in the case of ‘P V Narasimha Rao vs. State’ (1998) ruled that the ordinary law would not apply to the acceptance of a bribe by an MP in case of parliamentary proceedings.

The court interpreted Article 105(2) and said that it protects MPs against proceedings in court related to anything said or a vote given in the Parliament.

The court further said that it will allow MPs to participate fearlessly in the Parliamentary debates and they need wider protection of immunity against all civil and criminal proceedings that bear a nexus to their speech or vote.

GS Paper 3

Girl in Gurgaon: Cases of abuse of domestic workers raise questions about informal employment sector

News: Recently, a Gurgaon-based couple was booked for allegedly assaulting and torturing a minor girl who worked for them as a domestic help. An FIR has been registered under sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Juvenile Justice Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

About Domestic work in India

Domestic work in India serves as a major and growing employment avenue, especially for uneducated and unskilled workers from rural areas as well as the urban poor.

According to the government’s e-Shram portal, a national database of unorganised workers, almost 10% of the workers registered are engaged as domestic and household workers.

Over the years, there has been a growth in the number of private agencies that act as a conduit between the demand and supply ends of the market. Employment in this category tends to be dominated by women, with most of them being migrants.

As urbanisation increases, the nuclearisation of families rises, and the pressures on families of old-age care increase the demand for domestic care work is only likely to escalate.

What is the bigger concern associated with domestic work?

The recent issue highlights a) the nature and form of informal employment relationships in India and b) the unequal power equations between the employers and employees that underlie them.

The other challenges faced by domestic workers include a) the work often involves long hours, b) the wages in these occupations in urban areas, especially in the major metropolitan centres, may be higher than in rural areas, c) the implementation of minimum wage rules remains an unaddressed issue across the country, d) these workers have little bargaining power, e) they have little access to social protection and are at times subject to harassment and abuse and f) low state capacity led to implementation issues on the ground.

Though the involvement of private agencies indicates some sort of push towards the formalisation of domestic workers. Their functioning remains mostly informal in nature. Most of them fail to provide any form of support, financial or otherwise, to these girls and women.

What should be done to address the concerns associated with domestic work?

There is a need to address the power imbalance and provide greater protection for domestic workers. The government should also retain a degree of flexibility in work structures.

The government should also ensure detailed documentation and greater transparency in work contracts, along with stricter enforcement of rules and regulations.

India’s law and order matrix needs a reboot

News– The annual All India Conference of Directors General/Inspectors General of Police which was held recently.

What are issues related to the conference of DGPs?

There is a proliferation of subjects up for discussion in recent conferences, and the presence of increasing numbers of delegates to cover the various subjects. It leaves little scope for any in-depth discussion.

Today’s security threats have an all-embracing character. There is a need for in-depth discussions on futuristic themes in policing, such as cyber-crime, the dark web, and unchecked social media.

These are in addition to subjects such as left-wing extremism, counter-terrorism, drug tracking and border issues.

Lack of adequate time to discuss these matters in detail undermine the quality of the debates and possible outcomes.

Hence, decision making in these circumstances needs fundamental changes. There is a need for more purposeful discussion at higher levels.

What are the issues faced by police forces in modern times?

Law and order management today has not been given sufficient attention. This subject

may appear redundant in a world dominated by technology.

It demands a combination of newer skills, in both technology and crowd management. These are not available among security agencies.

The attention of most security forces in the country has essentially been devoted to ongoing threats such as terrorism.

A heavy-handed approach to deal with crowds creates more problems. This only leads to division between law enforcement agencies and the public.

Police forces have not spent enough attention to selection of personnel to security agencies. ‘Open-Source intelligence’ is often neglected by security agencies. The proper utilisation of it can become the critical factor in managing many law and order situations today.

There is a presence of multiple security agencies, including intelligence and investigative agencies. They seldom act with a common purpose.

Their techniques and methodologies tend to be different. It leads to contradictions in approach. They often hinder proper analysis and investigation.

What is the way forward for reform in the police force?

There is a need to bring about changes in intelligence techniques, investigative methodologies, and improving the ground situation.

Decision making in changed circumstances of the 21st century needs to undergo fundamental changes. There is a need for more purposeful discussion at higher levels.

Annual conferences of DGPs/IGPs can be split into two separate conferences. A higher-level conference of DGPs/IGPs should discuss policy related issues. A separate conference should be held of intelligence and security specialists to discuss the methodology, techniques and acquisition of new skills for current and future problems.

In the 21st century, security problems will grow at an exponential rate. The emerging challenges would require greater innovativeness and agility.

A new set of cognitive skills will be needed to meet the challenges posed by swift technological change and the rise of data war.

Managing today’s angry, and unruly mobs requires a fresh set of skills and inherent abilities, apart from technology.

Police and security agencies must be provided with the right attributes. They need to be adequately trained. This needs a top-down approach due to considerable competition of resources within the agencies for other items such weaponry and technology.

The selection of personnel to security agencies, especially the police will require a total makeover.

The police forces must be capable of dealing with modern criminals. They often employ a variety of tactics and skills. Police and security forces must develop a different mind-set. Force cannot be the answer to every situation.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Loans to augment PM-ABHIM: Centre to borrow ₹13,879 crore to boost health infrastructure

Source: The post is based on the article “Centre to borrow ₹13,879 crore to boost health infrastructure” published in The Hindu on 11th February 2023.

What is the News?

The Union government has signed loan agreements to borrow up to ₹13,879 crores to strengthen health infrastructure from international agencies. The loan agreements have been signed to augment PM-ABHIM (Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Infrastructure Mission).

About various loan agreements to augment PM-ABHIM

The loan agreements have been signed with Asian Development Bank (ADB) for $300 million and with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for 50 billion Japanese Yen.

World Bank has also approved $1 billion IBRD loans for PM-ABHIM.

Note: IBRD is the lending arm of the World Bank.

About Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM)

While the government provides “financial assistance to States and Union Territories to set up and upgrade health infrastructure under National Health Mission, the PM-ABHIM was launched in addition to it.

It was launched to fill gaps in health infrastructure, especially in critical and primary care facilities.

The major initiatives planned under the mission include support for a) the construction of rural Health and Wellness Centres, b) the establishment of Urban Health and Wellness Centres, c) the setting up of Block Public Health Units and d) the setting up of Integrated Public Health Labs in all districts.

ISRO successfully launches SSLV-D2, satellites put in orbit

Source: The post is based on the article “ISRO successfully launches SSLV-D2, satellites put in orbit” published in The Hindu on 11th February 2023.

What is the News?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its second developmental flight of a Small Satellite Launch Vehicle — SSLV-D2 — and placed three satellites in a precise orbit.

About SSLV-D2

The SSLV-D2 mission put three satellites a) ISRO’s Earth Observation Satellite EOS 07, b) U.S.-based firm’s Antaris’ Janus-1 and c) Chennai-based space startup SpaceKidz’s AzaadiSAT-2.

Note: SSLV-D1 is considered as a partial failure as it failed to place the satellite in the desired orbit because of a shortfall in velocity. 

What is a Small Satellite Launch Vehicle(SSLV)?

It is configured with three solid propulsion stages and a velocity terminal module.

The SSLVs provide a) low-cost access to space, b) offer low turn-around time, c) provide flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites, and d) demand minimal launch infrastructure.

What is EOS-07?

EOS-07 satellite is designed, developed and realized by ISRO.

Objective: To design and develop payload instruments compatible with microsatellite buses and new technologies, which are required for future operational satellites.

Moreover, it will also design and develop a microsatellite accommodating new technology payloads in a quick turn-around time.

What is Janus-1?

It is a technology demonstrator, smart satellite mission based on the Antaris software platform.

What is Azaadi SAT?

Suitability of a candidate cleared by Collegium can’t be subject of judicial review: Supreme Court

Source: The post is based on the article “Suitability of a candidate cleared by Collegium can’t be subject of judicial review: Supreme Court” published in The Hindu on 11^th February 2023.

What is the news?

The Supreme Court has recently dismissed the petitions seeking to restrain Lekshmana Chandra Victoria Gowri from taking oath as an additional judge of the Madras high court.

What were the reasons behind dismissing the petitions?

The Supreme Court has explained that “suitability” of a candidate cleared by the Collegium for appointment as a judge in a constitutional court cannot be a subject of judicial review.

Therefore, it cannot issue a writ of certiorari quashing the recommendation, or mandamus calling upon the Collegium of the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision.

This would result in evaluating and substituting the decision of the Collegium, with individual or personal opinion on the suitability and merits of the person.

Hence, Ms. Gowri was fit to be a judge and was outside the ambit of judicial review.

Moreover, the Bench distinguished between ‘suitability’ and ‘eligibility’ of a candidate recommended for judge in a High Court.

What is the difference between suitability and eligibility given by the Constitution Bench?

Eligibility was based on “objective factors” given in Article 217(2) of the Constitution like citizenship and 10 years’ experience as a judicial officer or a lawyer in a High Court.

Suitability of a candidate was the domain of the Collegium as it involved a procedure designed to test the fitness of a person, including her character, integrity, competence, knowledge.

What was the reason behind petitions against the Victoria Gowri?

The petitions were filed against the elevation of Advocate Victoria Gowri to the position of a judge in the Madras High Court because she had made hate remarks against Muslims and Christians.

However, SC said that a judge’s pledge and duty is beyond religious, linguistic, regional or sectional diversities.

Parts of Rahul Gandhi’s parliamentary speech expunged: What does this mean and when does this happen?

Source: The post is based on the article “Parts of Rahul Gandhi’s parliamentary speech expunged: What does this mean and when does this happen?” published in Indian Express on 11th February 2023.

What is the News?

A portion of a speech delivered by the opposition leader in the Lok Sabha were expunged from the records of Parliament by the Speaker’s orders.

The decision on which parts of the proceedings are to be expunged lies with the Presiding Officer of the House.

What are the rules on expunging from the record?

Article 105(2) of the Constitution states that no member of Parliament shall be liable to any proceedings in any court in respect of anything said or any vote given by him in Parliament or any committee thereof.

– However, their speeches are subject to the discipline of the Rules of Parliament, the “good sense” of its Members and the control of proceedings by the Speaker.

Rule 380 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha gives the Speaker the discretion to expunge any words or expressions used in the debate that is considered defamatory, indecent, unparliamentary or undignified.

What are Unparliamentary words?

Click Here to read

How is the decision to expunge a word (or portion of a speech) taken?

If a member uses a word that could be unparliamentary or indecent and hurts the decorum or dignity of the House, the head of the reporting section sends it to the Speaker or the Presiding Officer citing relevant rules and precedence with a recommendation to expunge them.

The Speaker has the discretion under Rule 380 to expunge the word or usage. Once the Speaker expunges the word or usage, it comes back to the reporting section which removes the word from the records and mentions it in the proceedings as “expunged as ordered by the chair”.

The expunged portions cease to exist in the records of Parliament and cannot be reported by media houses, although they may have been heard during the live telecast of the proceedings.

However, the proliferation of social media has introduced challenges in implementing expunction orders.

Centre formulates ‘Action Plan for Champion Sectors in Services’ to give focused attention to 12 identified Champion Services Sectors

Source: The post is based on the article “Centre formulates ‘Action Plan for Champion Sectors in Services’ to give focused attention to 12 identified Champion Services Sectors” published in PIB on 11th February 2023.

What is the News?

Centre has formulated an ‘Action Plan for Champion Sectors in Services’ to give focused attention to Champion Services Sectors.

What are Champion Services Sectors?

Champion Services Sectors refers to the 12 identified sectors where the Government wants to give focused attention for promoting their development and realizing their potential.

These sectors are namely: 1) Information Technology & Information Technology enabled Services, 2) Tourism & Hospitality Services, 3) Medical Value Travel, 4) Transport & Logistics Services, 5) Accounting and Finance Services, 6) Audio Visual Services, 7) Legal Services, 8) Communication Services, 9) Construction and Related Engineering Services, 10) Environmental Services, 11) Financial Services and 12) Education Services.

What are the steps being taken by the Government to promote the Champion Service Sectors?

The government of India has formulated an “Action Plan for Champion Sectors in Services” to give focused attention to 12 identified Champion Services Sectors.

It has allocated Rs.5000 Crores to support sectoral initiatives of the Nodal Ministries /Departments identified for these sectors.

It follows a multipronged strategy in order to promote trade in services through the following steps,

Negotiating meaningful market access through multilateral, regional and bilateral trade agreements.

Trade promotion through participation in and organization of international fairs/exhibitions.

Addressing domestic sectoral challenges and difficulties which are identified through periodic consultations with the stakeholders. 

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has set up a dedicated Services Sector Division Council (SSDC) to formulate Indian Standards in various Services Sectors especially Champion Services Sectors. 

Districts as Export Hubs Initiative: Under the initiative, products with export potential have been identified from districts of the country.

Exercise Tarkash: First time, India-US exercise includes response to nuke & bio terror attacks

Source: The post is based on the article “First time, India-US exercise includes response to nuke & bio terror attacks” published in Indian Express on 11th February 2023.

What is the News?

Exercise Tarkash between India and US is currently underway in Chennai.

What is Exercise Tarkash?

It is a counterterrorism Exercise between India’s National Security Guard(NSG) and US Special Operations Forces(SOF).

Objective: To rapidly neutralize the terrorists, rescue the hostages safely and deactivate the chemical weapons being carried by the terrorists.

Significance: For the first time, the exercise included Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) terror response in its drill.

What are Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear(CBRN) weapons?

CBRN weapons which are also classified as weapons of mass destruction (WMD) have been used by States and terror elements in the past. 

The most recent use of CBRN in the form of a sarin gas attack was witnessed in Syria in 2017 when more than 100 people died.

Click here to read more 

Himalayan plunder: 3 million Indians live in areas that can be swept by glacial lake floods, says study

Source: The post is based on the article “Himalayan plunder: 3 million Indians live in areas that can be swept by glacial lake floods, says study” published in Down To Earth on 11th February 2023.

What is the News?

According to a study, three million Indians live in areas where a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) can happen at any time.

What is a Glacial lake outburst flood(GLOF)?

Click Here to read

What are the key findings of the study?

Rapid deglaciation over the last 20 years has led to the growth of many large glacial lakes.

The majority of the globally exposed population living near glacial lakes are located in the region of High-Mountain Asia(HMA).

Just four highly populous countries accounted for more than 50% of the globally exposed population: India, Pakistan, Peru and China.

The population exposed to GLOFs increases with distance from a glacial lake.

Note: It is not the size or number of glacial lakes that determined the risk to people. Instead, it is the number of exposed people that greatly elevated the potential impact of GLOFs globally, especially across HMA and the Andes.

– For instance, the island of Greenland has the highest number and area of glacial lakes. However, nobody resides in such areas, giving it a danger score of zero.

What is the situation in India?

Centre for Science and Environment State of India’s Environment report 2022: found that there has been a 40% increase in water spread area in India, China and Nepal, posing a huge threat to seven Indian states and Union Territories.

Of these, six are Himalayan states / UTs:  Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

What should be the way forward?

The rapid onset and high discharge of GLOFs means there is often insufficient time to effectively warn downstream populations and for effective action to be taken, particularly for populations located within 10-15 km of the source lake.

Hence, improvements are urgently needed in designing early warning systems alongside evacuation drills and other forms of community outreach to enable more rapid warnings and emergency action in these highly exposed areas.

Sundarban Bird Festival: 145 bird species spotted during the first bird festival in Sundarbans

Source: The post is based on the article “145 bird species spotted during the first bird festival in Sundarbans” published in The Hindu on 11th February 2023.

What is the News?

Birders, wildlife enthusiasts and forest officials have sighted 145 different bird species during the first Sundarban Bird Festival.

About Sundarban Bird Festival

It is the first-ever festival organized by the Sundarban Tiger Reserve (STR) division of the West Bengal Forest Department.

The species recorded during the Bird Festival included 78 forest birds and 42 species of waders, raptors etc.

Some of the birds spotted during the festival are Eurasian Curlew (Near Threatened), Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker (Least Concern), Lesser Sandplover (Least Concern) among others.

About Sunderbans

The Sundarbans is a cluster of low-lying islands in the Bay of Bengal, spread across India and Bangladesh, famous for its unique mangrove forests. 

The Sunderban forest in India is divided into the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve and 24 Parganas (South) Forest Division, and together with the forest in Bangladesh is the only mangrove forest in the world where tigers are found.

A publication by the Zoological Survey of India(ZSID) in 2021 recorded 428 bird species in the Sundarbans which is one-third of all the avian species found in the country. 

Despite being home to so many species of birds, the habitats face threats including plantation activity along the chars (river islands) which disturbs the birds, and illegal activities along chars and uninhabited islands.

Fire-capped tit bird and European Goldfinch: Wondrous Himalayan birds face the threat of extinction now — but there are signs of hope

Source: The post is based on the article “Wondrous Himalayan birds face the threat of extinction now — but there are signs of hope” published in TOI on 11th February 2023.

What is the News?

This article talks about the Fire-capped tit bird and European Goldfinch.

What is a Fire-capped tit bird?

The fire-capped tit (Cephalopyrus flammiceps) is a small bird species assigned to the family Paridae.

IUCN Status: Least Concern

It is a summer breeding visitor to the Himalayas.In the winter, it flies down to central India, seen in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra primarily, flying back to the Himalayas in March.

The fire-capped tit is not shy. During migration and in winter, it is usually found in small flocks, but groups of up to 100 may be seen.

What is European Goldfinch?

European goldfinch or simply the goldfinch is a small passerine bird in the finch family that is native to Europe, North Africa and western and Central Asia.

IUCN Status: Least Concern

Threats: European goldfinch is illegally trafficked and can be found in countries worldwide.

Ring discovered around dwarf planet Quaoar confounds theories

Source: The post is based on the article “Ring discovered around dwarf planet Quaoar confounds theories” published in The Hindu on 11th February 2023.

What is the News?

Astronomers have spotted a ring around a dwarf planet called Quaoar in the outer reaches of the solar system.

What is Quaoar?

Quaoar is a dwarf planet in the Kuiper belt. (Kuiper belt is a flat ring of small icy bodies that revolve around the Sun beyond the orbit of the planet Neptune).

Characteristics: Quaoar is roughly one-twelfth the diameter of Earth, one-third the diameter of the Moon and half the size of Pluto. 

– It is greater in volume than all known asteroids combined. 

– Quaoar has its own moon, the 100-mile-wide (160 km) Weywot.

– Its surface is moderately red and composed of low-density ice mixed with rock.

– It takes about 288 years for Quaoar to go once around the sun in a roughly circular orbit.

– Signs of water ice on the surface of Quaoar have been found, which suggests that cryovolcanism may be occurring on Quaoar. A small amount of methane is also present on its surface which can only be retained by the largest Kuiper belt objects.

What is a kilonova?

Source: The post is based on the article “What is a kilonova?” published in The Hindu on 11th February 2023.

What is the News?

Researchers have confirmed the detection of a star system that will one day end in a kilonova. 

Scientists believe that only ten-star systems that exist in the Milky Way will end in kilonova. The newfound one has been labelled as CPD-29 2176 and is located about 11,400 light-years from the earth.

What is Kilonova?

A kilonova is a cosmic event that occurs when a neutron star smashes into another neutron star or a black hole.

It releases heavy metals like gold, silver, and selenium into outer space at tremendous velocities, as well as radiation.

A kilonova radiation also accompanies a gamma-ray burst, one of the most energetic cosmic events ever known.

What is a Neutron Star?

Neutron stars are formed when a massive star runs out of fuel and collapses. The very central region of the star – the core – collapses, crushing together every proton and electron into a neutron. 

If the core of the collapsing star is between about 1 and 3 solar masses, these newly-created neutrons can stop the collapse, leaving behind a neutron star.

Many neutron stars are likely undetectable because they simply do not emit enough radiation.