9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – February 5th, 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• Interrogating the false merit-reservation binary
• Go cold on China: India right to diplomatically boycott Winter Games
• India calling with quite a lot of trade in mind

GS Paper 3

• In 60 years, climate change took seven years of agri-productivity growth
• A budget that overlooks real needs
• Budget disappoints on healthcare

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• Kakoijana Reserve Forest: Villagers resist sanctuary tag for langur habitat
• Confusion in the crypto universe: Budget leaves many unanswered questions
• High wave activity in regions over Bay of Bengal, South China Sea, & South Indian Ocean can pose threat for coastal communities
• Explained: Freedom of religion and attire
• Lok Adalats not courts, no precedent value of settlement decrees, says SC
• Explained: What are Ramsar Sites, and what is the significance of this listing?
• Explained: Fast-tracking Vande Bharat
• Spooky but secure: A big leap for ISRO in quantum communications
• China Pakistan ink new CPEC agreement
• Scientists develop self-disinfecting, biodegradable face masks to combat COVID-19

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

Interrogating the false merit-reservation binary

News:  Recently the Supreme Court has upheld the admissions notice of NEET-2021 in view of implications on public health due to delay in medical admissions and hearing on the validity of the ₹8 lakh limit is listed for March.

What was the case?

The case was related to resolution of the issues around the implementation of Other Backward Classes (OBC) and economically weaker sections (EWS) quotas in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)-All India Quota (AIQ) admissions to medical colleges.

AIQ is a judicially created category where 15% of undergraduate seats and 50% of post graduate seats are filled on a domicile-free, all-India basis.

The Government had decided to extend the existing Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe reservations within this category to provide for OBC reservations.

However, the petitioners had challenged the order on the grounds that the implementation of OBC reservation would affect professional merit.

Moreover, they have also challenged the EWS reservation because of ₹8 lakh income limit for EWS reservation.

What is the significance of the judgement?

First, this judgement has the potential to settle the merit versus reservation debate. The judgement has given more importance to substantive equality rather than formal equality. The intent of the framers was to remove structural barriers that prevented the realization of equality of opportunity.

Second, the court has said that individual difference cannot be used to negate the role of reservation in remedying the structural disadvantage suffered by some groups.

Third, the court has reiterated that reservations under Article 16(4) is not an exception but an extension of the principle of equality under Article 16(1). In K.C. Vasanth Kumar vs State of Karnataka (1985), the court had criticized the purely economic understanding of reservation and the rigid nature of the socio-cultural institution of caste.

Hence, reservations are crucial for achieving the goal of equality of opportunity and status amongst all citizens.

Fourth, it has also recognized the role of cultural capital. The cultural capital ensures that a child is unconsciously trained by the environment to take up higher education or high posts based on family‘s standing.

Hence, it is a disadvantage for first-generation learners and for individuals who come from communities whose traditional occupations are not helping them to perform well in open examination.

Fifth, more focus on merit results in exclusion, legitimize community linkages and reaffirms social hierarchies. The judgement has relied on the judgement in B.K. Pavitra vs State of Karnataka.

It says that efficiency of administration is not an ideal which can be measured by the performance of a qualified open category candidate.

Sixth, the judgement has also questioned examination as a measure of merit. It says that there is an indirect and weak link between what examinations measure and what tasks the candidate is supposed to perform. Hence, exams can only reflect the current competence of an individual but not the range of their potential, capabilities or excellence.

What is the way forward?

First, EWS reservation has fixed the same income limits for ‘creamy layer’ OBC and EWS, but it has not considered the question of cultural capital. Hence constitutionality of it has to be reviewed by the judiciary.

Second, efficiency of administration must be defined in an inclusive sense. The diverse segments of society should find representation in governance. Hence, there is a need to rectify prejudicial stereotypes.

Third, there is a need to redesign examinations to make them free of linguistic, class, school boards, and regional bias. It will help in democratizing access to higher education.

Fourth, the judgement has recognized the existence of social privileges that hide behind merit. Hence, it highlights the need of caste census that can reveal privilege accumulation and warn us against conservative policy demands.

Go cold on China: India right to diplomatically boycott Winter Games

News: India has recently joined leading democracies diplomatically and has decided to boycott the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Why India’s decision is right?

One, China has made PLA regiment commander involved in the 2020 Galwan clashes the torch bearer in the Olympic relay. Therefore, China has politicized the Games.

Two, due to China’s human rights violations, the US and UK, Canada, Australia, Estonia, Lithuania, Belgium, Kosovo and Denmark had announced diplomatic boycotts of the Games. These countries constitute a sizeable 35% of the global GDP.

Three, countries like Japan and ASEAN are well-performing, but their relation with China is also becoming unstable in recent years. It will give a larger message to China that its political and security misadventures will not be costless.

Four, many dignitaries who will attend the winter games will be from authoritarian countries. The clear difference between global appreciation for China during the 2008 Summer Olympics and the differences with important countries in Winter Games will give a message to China that it is going wrong.

What is the way forward?

First, India has aligned with other major democracies on the issue, which shows the future course. India should align with other powers for coordinated responses whenever possible.

Second, Russia and China’s closeness is growing. However, if India need Russia’s weapons, then Russia also needs India’s arms orders. Hence, it is not tough for India to solve this problem and form a strategy for China.

India calling with quite a lot of trade in mind

News: Recently, India and UK formally launched the negotiations for free trade agreement (FTA).

Why India and UK trade deal will be “a new age FTA”?

One, negotiations are aimed at achieving a “fair and balanced” FTA. It covers more than 90% of tariff lines. It will not only cover goods, services and investments, but it will also include intellectual property rights, geographical indications, sustainability, digital technology and anti-corruption.

Two, both countries are respecting sensitive issues of each other. Hence, there can be an interim pact to cover low-hanging fruit, which will be followed by a full-fledged FTA. Since India has a poor record in concluding FTAs, that’s why it can be a good strategy.

Read more: https://forumias.com/blog/ink-india-britain-free-trade-unlock-new-opportunity/

Why concluding FTA with the UK is important for India?

One, since the pandemic has disrupted the supply chains, India cannot afford to lose more time in restructuring. Hence, India is showing new seriousness and negotiating 16 new trade pacts with different countries.

For example, Canada, the United States, the European Union and South Korea. The India-U.K. FTA will be the next in line after FTA with the UAE and Australia.

Two, new trade blocs in the Indo-Pacific such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) are gaining significance. Hence, the government is showing flexibility in engaging with its partners to balance trade pacts.

Three, China’s economic power and influence is increasing. Hence, strategic partnerships without strong economic relations have no meaning in the Indo-Pacific.

Read more: https://forumias.com/blog/india-and-uk-launch-free-trade-agreement-negotiations/

Why UK is interested in finalizing trade deal with India?

 First, to adopt a more robust Indo-Pacific strategy. Also, the U.S. which is U.K.’s closest ally is focusing more on Indo-Pacific and the U.K. also recognizes the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

For instance, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (AUKUS). It has given UK a greater voice in the region.

Second, trading implications of Brexit and changing approach towards China requires a diversification of trading partners. The U.K. is also trying to find out a direction and purpose to its post-Brexit foreign policy through its Indo-Pacific tilt.

Three, the Integrated Review of British foreign, security, development and defence policy was released in March 2021. It underlined that the UK will deepen its engagement in the Indo-Pacific to establish a greater presence. Hence, a trade deal with India is critical to integrate the U.K. economically to the Indo-Pacific.

Four, trade and investment are a key dimension which has necessitated greater access to non-EU markets. And, Indo-Pacific is now largely the force behind global economic growth.

Five, the U.K. is looking to reap the benefits of its historical connections. It also wants to increase its credibility with respect to efforts made to combat climate change. It will help in establishing the UK as a serious player in the region.

Six, Indian economy is rapidly growing, and the trade deal will help UK to increase its access to new market across numerous industries from food and drink to services and automotive.

GS Paper 3

In 60 years, climate change took seven years of agri-productivity growth

News: Recently, Ariel Ortiz-Bobea who is an economist discussed his research findings about climate change and its impact on agricultural productivity with Times Evoke.

This article discusses the rich plant diversity in India, its significance and impact of climate change on Agri-productivity.

What is the significance of plants in India?

One, India has rich plant diversity and has two of the world’s biodiversity hotspots in the Western Ghats and the eastern Himalayas. Then there is Eastern Ghats, the central Indian forests, the western Himalayas, deserts, wetlands and mangrove forests. Each region has its own kinds of plants, and it holds 11% of the world’s flora.

Two, plants have special place in Indian culture. For example, in Biligiri Rangaswamy Tiger Reserve (Karnataka), the Soliga tribe has a ‘dodda sampige mara’, a huge champak tree. It is believed that this tree is 2,000 years old. On the request of locals, a highway was adjusted to prevent the damage to the tree. Villagers have also built a small temple within the tree.

How climate change is impacting economy and agriculture?

First, each plant has its own environmental range or the temperature, humidity and soil within which it grows. Climate change is making the higher parts warmer. New plant varieties can be grown there but many traditional crops can no longer be grown.

Second, forests are growing drier with more frequent forest fires. It is increasing opportunities for invasive plant species like thorny lantana which makes the forest dry and crowd out productive plants. This has implication on food chain as well.

For example, animals have to come out of forest in search of food. In Bannerghata National Park, many farmers have started growing non-food crops like eucalyptus as animals seek food crops to eat. But such nonfood crops are water-hungry, increase soil pollution and do not supply food to animals as well.

 Third, increased warming lowers the agricultural productivity and to produce the same outputs, more inputs are required. The impact is more on countries lying near the equator than temperate regions, which also.

Fourth, agriculture is more sensitive to high temperatures and this increase the slowdown effect. That is why there is need of more investment to build resilience.

Fifth, climate change has serious implication on global food production and their prices. Hence it also impacts food security and employment.

For instance, climate change will reduce food supply and hence food prices will rise. Farmers will try to grow more but increasing inputs to grow more means more fertilizers, more soil pollution and deforestation.

What is the way forward?

First, there is need to protect plant from dangers. For instance, slum inhabitants in Bengaluru live in tin shacks but plant saplings in old paint buckets.

Second, there has to be more investments in research to find a sustainable way to boost agriculture by increasing efficiency.

Third, the problem of climate change requires systemic change. India should take steps to increase water use efficiency and rethink the current water pricing, which encourage more use of water than needed.

A budget that overlooks real needs

News: The recently presented budget has digital technology at its core. It focusses on providing important services like education, health, employment to even the remotest corners of the country with the help of digital initiative. 

However, there are apprehensions that this may not be appropriate to solve the pressing issue of rural India 

What are the issues in rural India? 

Rural India has many complex structural problems like caste-class skewed distribution of land and natural resources, inadequate public institutions of health and education, persisting problems of malnutrition etc.

Why the current budget’s vision is not sufficient to solve problems of rural India? 

There has been a failure to see that the basic services of health and education cannot be met via technology. Health and education in rural areas require brick-and-mortar institutions, with qualified personnel to cater to health and learning needs.

The pressing issue of unemployment should be addressed by the creation of learning, skilling and employment opportunities for rural natural resource restoration, agricultural as these form part of the rural service economy. This will be beneficial for both employment generation and strengthening biodiversity. 

Apart from this, the economic survey proposes a shift from the previous dominant “waterfall” (or detailed study) approach to an “agile” approach for policy implementation. 

How is the current approach different from the previous one? 

The agile approach is based on “feedback loops” and “high frequency indicators” related to data from GST collections, power consumption, mobility, digital payments, satellite imagery, toll collections etc. are drawn on to make budgetary allocations and plans.  

Budget disappoints on healthcare

News: Recently unveiled budget proposes many initiatives for health sector like digitally managed health ecosystem and provisions for mental health.  

But, many expectations for the health sector remain unfulfilled.

What are the limitation in current budget’s approach towards health sector? 

Budget’s emphasis on Digital technology could be a game-changer, but only if the facility, doctors, patients, and systems work in tandem.  

Problem with excessive reliance on digital ecosystem: When it comes to Covid vaccinations, the digital platform has been a runaway success, primarily due to the COWIN platform. It was simple, and the citizen could choose between public and private facilities.

However, management of hospital beds across the country is a different story. Nearly 95% of them are operated by small hospitals or nursing homes. The setting up of a National Digital Ecosystem which “will maintain digital registries of health providers and health facilities,” is a positive move but needs elaboration on how it will manage to include these private facilities.

Also there are apprehensions regarding the consent and compliance cost in maintaining such a database. 

Mental healthcare: Although inclusion of this subject in budget makes society aware that such conditions can afflict anyone, but the disease can be treated, and patients should not be stigmatised.  

Also, the budget speech did not mention if the mental health strategy will focus on all psychological problems or only those that have arisen in the wake of Covid. 

Also, many mental health conditions encompass disorders that are not suited to teleconsultation, which is at the core of digital health strategy envisaged in this budget. 

What is the way forward? 

There is need to substantially raise the overall budgetary contribution to the health sector. It is currently set at 1.8% of the GDP and the push in the budget appears very small.  

During the pandemic, the unorganised middle class was caught without adequate (or even any) health insurance. There is need for some provisions for supporting this lower end of the “missing middle”. 

Ayushman Bharat should be expanded to cover the outpatient costs faced by the poor. The Economic Survey has recognised that such expenditure is huge.  

There is need to address the crisis of non-communicable diseases — hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.  They can be addressed by the same strategy of fiscal measures, incentives, and disincentives that have reduced the incidences related to lethal consequences of smoking. 

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Kakoijana Reserve Forest: Villagers resist sanctuary tag for langur habitat

What is the News?

Villagers in Assam’s Bongaigaon district have opposed a move by the State government to upgrade Kakoijana Reserve Forest to a wildlife sanctuary.

What is Kakoijana Reserve Forest?

Kakoijana Reserve Forest is located in Bongaigaon district of Assam. It was constituted in the year 1966 as a reserve forest. The reserve is one of the better-known homes of the golden langur (Trachypithecus geei).

Note: Golden langur is found only in Assam and Bhutan. It is listed in the world’s 25 most endangered primates.

Why are Villagers opposing the conversion of Kakoijana Reserve Forest into a Wildlife Sanctuary?

Once the Kakoijana Reserve Forest is converted to a wildlife sanctuary, stricter rules will be applied and this will impact the customary and traditional practices and consequently result in villagers losing the rights over the forest. 

Instead, the villagers have demanded that the reserve forest should be converted into a community forest reserve using Forest Rights Act, 2006. This is because some of the areas inside the forest are sacred, and its sanctity should be maintained.

Moreover, the villagers have also said that they can conserve the forest better. They pointed out that the conservation efforts by them had helped the authorities concerned to restore the forest canopy from less than 5% to more than 70%. This in turn helped increase the golden langur population from less than 100 to more than 600 over almost three decades. 

Source: This post is based on the article “Villagers resist sanctuary tag for langur habitat” published in The Hindu on 5th Feb 2022.

Confusion in the crypto universe: Budget leaves many unanswered questions

What is the News?

The Union Budget 2022 has made several announcements related to the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

What are the announcements made by the Government related to the crypto ecosystem?

Read here: Cryptocurrency tax: Budget 2022 unveils norms for virtual digital assets

These announcements have granted some degree of legitimacy to the cryptocurrency. But it has also left many unanswered questions.

What are those unanswered questions related to the crypto announcements in the Budget?

Firstly, the 30% tax rate on transfer of any virtual/ cryptocurrency asset is in line with short-term capital gains on equity, futures trades in commodities and so on. But the Budget did not clarify if this is only being imposed on short-term capital gains or on all capital gains, including long-term. Nor does it clarify if trading losses can be offset, as is the norm with other assets.

Secondly, the announcement of a tax treatment only implies that crypto assets are being granted legitimacy. But it doesn’t guarantee it.

What are the Unanswered Questions regarding digital rupee?

The budget announced the launch of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). But the announcement does not clarify 1) Whether the digital rupee have any interest-bearing or not, 2) How does the RBI treat the digital rupee in its accounting of money supply, 3) Whether the digital rupee can be seamlessly exchanged for the paper rupee at 1:1 or not, 4) Can it be used in a forex transaction or as an instrument of outwards or inwards remittance? And 5) The way the digital note be extinguished if it is to be withdrawn from circulation.

Source: This post is based on the article “Confusion in the crypto universe: Budget leaves many unanswered questions” published in Business Standard on 5th Feb 2022.

High wave activity in regions over Bay of Bengal, South China Sea, & South Indian Ocean can pose threat for coastal communities

What is the News?

A study conducted by Indian Scientists has indicated that regions over the Bay of Bengal, South China Sea, and South Indian Ocean can experience higher wave activity in the future, posing a serious threat for coastal communities in the region.

How does climate change impact coastal communities?

Coastal communities are most vulnerable to the impact of climate change and other environmental drivers due to a) exposure to severe inundation, b) extreme water levels in the nearshore regions and, c) increasing instances of cyclones.

The impact resulting from this coastal inundation can significantly affect the shoreline configuration, damage infrastructure, saltwater intrusion into groundwater, destroy crops and affect the human population with various socio-economic consequences.

What is the study conducted by scientists?

Scientists conducted a detailed investigation on future extreme wind-wave projections and their relationship with wind speed, sea level pressure, and sea surface temperature.

What are the findings of the study?

The study has indicated that regions over the Bay of Bengal, South China Sea, and South Indian Ocean can experience higher wave activity in the future. The projected change in wave heights are maximum for the South China Sea.

Source: This post is based on the article “High wave activity in regions over Bay of Bengal, South China Sea, & South Indian Ocean can pose threat for coastal communities” published in PIB on 4th Feb 2022.

Explained: Freedom of religion and attire

What is the News?

Recently, six students were banned from entering a college in Karnataka’s Udupi district for wearing a hijab. The issue throws up legal questions on reading the freedom of religion and whether the right to wear a hijab is constitutionally protected or not.

How is religious freedom protected under the Constitution?

Article 25(1) of the Constitution guarantees the freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate religion. It is a right that guarantees negative liberty — which means that the state shall ensure that there is no interference or obstacle to exercising this freedom. 

However, like all fundamental rights, the state can restrict the right for grounds of public order, decency, morality, health and other state interests.

What is the Supreme Court’s view on Religious Freedom?

The Supreme Court has evolved a practical test of sorts to determine what religious practices can be constitutionally protected and what can be ignored. 

In the Shirur Mutt case in 1954, the doctrine of “essentiality” was invented by the Supreme Court. The court held that the term “religion” will cover all rituals and practices “integral” to a religion, and took upon itself the responsibility of determining the essential and non-essential practices of a religion.

The essential religious practice test is a contentious doctrine evolved by the court to protect only such religious practices which were essential and integral to the religion.

Where did the Supreme Court apply the essential religious practices test?

In 2004, the Supreme Court held that the Ananda Marga sect had no fundamental right to perform the Tandava dance in public streets since it did not constitute an essential religious practice of the sect.

In 2016, the Supreme Court upheld the discharge of a Muslim airman from the Indian Air Force for keeping a beard. The court essentially held that keeping a beard was not an essential part of Islamic practices.

What are the court’s rulings on Hijab?

In Amna Bint Basheer v Central Board of Secondary Education (2016), the Kerala High Court held that the practice of wearing a hijab constitutes an essential religious practise but did not quash the dress code prescribed by CBSE. It rather provided additional safeguards, such as examining students wearing full sleeves when needed.

In Fathima Tasneem v State of Kerala (2018), Kerala HC held that collective rights of an institution would be given primacy over the individual rights of the petitioner. The case involved two girls who wanted to wear the headscarf. The school refused to allow the headscarf. However, the court dismissed the appeal as students were no more in the rolls of the respondent-School.

Source: This post is based on the article “Explained: Freedom of religion and attire” published in Indian Express on 5th Feb 2022.

Lok Adalats not courts, no precedent value of settlement decrees, says SC

What is the News?

In a recent judgement, the Supreme Court has ruled that Lok Adalat are not courts and their settlement decrees cannot be cited as a precedent before a court of law.

What was the issue?

In 1984, Noida Authority had acquired the land by giving compensation for lower rate. All the landowners accepted the amounts. However, one landowner filed an application and a settlement was made at Lok Adalat in 2016 where Noida Authority agreed to pay a higher amount per square yard.

After this, the other landowners pleaded before the Allahabad High Court arguing Lok Adalat awarded decrees had precedential value.

The High Court took the view that the award passed by the Lok Adalat can indeed form the foundation for exercising power. After this, Noida Authority filed a petition in Supreme Court.

What has the Supreme Court said?

The Supreme Court disagreed with the High Court’s view.

The Supreme Court has ruled that Lok Adalats are not courts as it does not resort to judicial adjudication in resolving disputes. They only encourage the parties to settle amicably.

Hence, their settlement decrees cannot be cited as a precedent before a court of law to claim similar reliefs by others who were not a party to the compromise before the Lok Adalat.

Source: This post is based on the article “Lok Adalats not courts, no precedent value of settlement decrees, says SC” published in TOI on 5th Feb 2022.

Explained: What are Ramsar Sites, and what is the significance of this listing?

What is the News?

On World Wetlands Day, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands designated Khijadia Bird Sanctuary in Gujarat and Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh as wetlands of international importance.

What is Wetland?

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands defines wetlands as “areas of marsh, fen, peat land or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters.”

However, the Indian government’s definition of wetland excludes river channels, paddy fields and other areas where the commercial activity takes place.

Click Here to read more

Wetlands in India

Globally, wetlands cover 6.4% of the geographical area of the world. 

In India, wetlands make up 4.63% of the total geographical area of the country. Among them, inland-natural wetlands account for 43.4% and coastal-natural wetlands 24.3%. India has 19 types of wetlands.

In the state-wise distribution of wetlands, Gujarat is at the top with 22.7% of total wetlands areas of the country. It is followed by Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Ramsar Sites globally and in India

The countries with the most Ramsar Sites are the United Kingdom (175) and Mexico (142). Bolivia has the largest area under Convention protection.

India has a total of 49 designated wetlands spread over 18 states and two Union Territories. Of the 49 sites, 10 are in UP, 6 in Punjab, 4 each in Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir among others.

India’s Wetlands importance in the Central Asian Flyway (CAF)

Dozens of species of birds of Central Asia and Siberia migrate to warmer tropical regions, including India and equatorial regions, to escape harsh winters in their breeding grounds.

Wetlands in India act as foraging and resting grounds for these migratory birds during winter.

What is the significance of Ramsar Listing?

Ramsar secretariat designating a wetland as a wetland of global importance may not lead to any extra funding by the global body. But from the management point of view, it is like an ISO certification.

Moreover, not every Ramsar Site is a notified protected area under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Hence systematic protection and conservation regimes might not be in place there. But a Ramsar tag makes it incumbent upon the authority to strengthen the protection regime.

Source: This post is based on the article “Explained: What are Ramsar Sites, and what is the significance of this listing” published in Indian Express on 5th Feb 2022.

Explained: Fast-tracking Vande Bharat

What is the News?

In Budget 2022, the Finance Minister has announced that 400 Vande Bharat trains will be manufactured in the next three years.

What are Vande Bharat Trains?

Vande Bharat is a semi-high speed train. Currently, two Vande Bharat trains are currently in operation, Delhi-Varanasi and Delhi-Katra.

They are self-propelled trains that do not require an engine. This feature is called a distributed traction power system, which is increasingly becoming the norm the world over for passenger operations.

Note: Distributed power gives the train higher acceleration and deceleration compared to loco-hauled trains, which take a much longer time to reach top speed or to gradually come to a halt.

What are the key features of Vande Bharat Trains?

The current Vande Bharat trains have seating only in two classes — chair car and executive chair car. But Railways is planning to upgrade it.

The trains have fully sealed gangways for a dust-free environment, modular bio-vacuum toilets, rotating seats in Executive Class, personalized reading lights, automatic entry/exit doors with sliding footsteps, diffused LED lighting, mini pantry and sensor-based interconnecting doors in each coach.

What will be the new features in 400 Vande Bharat Trains?

These trains will have improvements in terms of better seating, an anti-bacterial system in AC, less noise, the ability to hit 160 km/h in 140 seconds, less costly among others.

Railways is also looking at making several of these trainsets with aluminium instead of steel. An aluminium body will make each train set around 40-80 tonnes lighter than a current Vande Bharat. This will mean lower consumption of energy as well as better speed potential.

What are the benefits of Vande Bharat Trains? 

1) Cuts Travel Time Drastically 2) Energy Efficient 3) Reduce Turnaround Time 4) Faster Acceleration and Deceleration among others.

Source: This post is based on the article “Explained: Fast-tracking Vande Bharat” published in Indian Express on 5th Feb 2022.

Spooky but secure: A big leap for ISRO in quantum communications

What is the News?

Scientists from the Space Applications Center and Physical Research Laboratory have used quantum entanglement to create a hack-proof communications system.

How was the hackproof communication system achieved?

Scientists used the real-time Quantum Key Distribution(QKD) to conduct hack-proof communications between two places separated by 300 meters. 

They created a channel to share secure text, image transmissions and two-way video calling.

With this demonstration, India is getting ready for satellite based demonstrations of fundamental quantum mechanics experiments as well as quantum communication for future-proof data security.

What is the Space Applications Center (SAC)?

SAC is one of the major centers of the Indian Space Research Organization(ISRO).

Purpose: It focuses on the design of space-borne instruments for ISRO missions and the development and operationalisation of applications of space technology for societal benefits. 

The applications cover communication, broadcasting, navigation, disaster monitoring, meteorology, oceanography, environment monitoring and natural resources survey.

Located in: Ahmedabad, Gujarat

What is ​​Physical Research Laboratory(PRL)?

It was founded in 1947 by Dr Vikram Sarabhai. It is a unit of the Department of Space. It carries out fundamental research in selected areas of Physics, Space & Atmospheric Sciences, Astronomy, Astrophysics & Solar Physics, and Planetary & Geo-Sciences.

Located in: Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Terms Mentioned in the Article

Quantum Communication

Quantum Key Distribution(QKD) 

Quantum Entanglement

Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle: It was articulated in 1927 by the German physicist Werner Heisenberg. According to this principle, it is impossible to know the exact velocity of a particle, and its exact position, at the same time. One can calculate velocity, or position, to precision, but not both at the same time.

Quantum Superposition

Source: This post is based on the article “Spooky but secure: A big leap for ISRO in quantum communications” published in PIB on 5th Feb 2022.

China Pakistan ink new CPEC agreement

What is the News?

Pakistan has signed a new agreement with China to begin the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC).

What is CPEC?

CPEC is a bilateral project between Pakistan and China. It is part of OBOR (One Belt One Road) initiative of China.

The corridor links Xinjiang with Gwadar, and also passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) where China is investing in a number of projects.

Click Here to read more about CPEC

What is the purpose of the second phase of the CPEC?

The second phase of CPEC is aimed at boosting Chinese investment in Pakistan, as well as transferring Chinese industrial capacity.

The agreement will also promote industrialisation and development of economic zones, and initiate, plan, execute, and monitor projects both in the public as well as the private sector.

What are the concerns for Pakistan related to CPEC?

According to US-based international development research lab AidData, a substantial chunk of Chinese development financing under the CPEC consists of loans that are at or near commercial rates as opposed to grants.

Moreover, around 40%  of China’s lending to Pakistan does not appear on the government’s books, for the most part.

Source: This post is based on the article “China Pakistan ink new CPEC agreement” published in The Hindu on 5th Feb 2022.

Scientists develop self-disinfecting, biodegradable face masks to combat COVID-19

What is the News?

Indian scientists have developed a self-disinfecting antiviral mask to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

What is the self disinfecting mask developed by Indian Scientists?

The mask has been developed by Indian Scientists under the Nano Mission Project of the Department of Science and technology.

The mask is coated with copper-based nanoparticles. Copper-based nanoparticles have been developed using Flame Spray Pyrolysis(FSP) facility. FSP process involves the conversion of solution precursors into nanopowders by high-temperature pyrolytic decomposition.

The mask exhibits high performance against the COVID-19 virus as well as several other viral and bacterial infections. It is also highly biodegradable, highly breathable and washable.

What are the advantages of this mask compared to other masks?

Exhibits Antiviral and Antibacterial Properties: This mask has strong antiviral and antibacterial properties when compared to expensive masks that are there in the Indian market that neither exhibit antiviral nor antibacterial properties. 

Multi-Layered Mask: The present-day face masks only retain the viruses by filtering and do not kill them and hence, are prone to transmission if the masks are not properly worn or disposed of. But this multi-layer cloth mask is a good solution for use by the public in reducing COVID-19 transmission in the community.

Biodegradable: Most of the conventional masks effective against COVID-19 are for single-use and are not biodegradable. Thus creating serious environmental concerns and waste-management issues. But this new mask is biodegradable.

Source: This post is based on the article “Scientists develop self-disinfecting, biodegradable face masks to combat COVID-19” published in PIB on 5th Feb 2022.