Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

GS Paper 3

• Synthetic human embryos: All about life
• Germany’s net-zero plan for old vehicles
• How an old report can pave way for central forces to stabilise Manipur
• Shifting sands – on external trade
• How India can lead multilateralism at WTO
• Railway safety — listen to the voices from below

Prelims-Oriented Articles (Factly)

• Explained | What is transcranial magnetic stimulation?
• Why remittance inflows growth could slow to just 0.2% in 2023
• Skill Impact Bond: Initiative skilled nearly 18,000 first-time job seekers
• Union Minister of Heavy Industries Launches “Dugdh Sankalan Sathi Mobile App” to Transform Indian Dairy Industries
• New model for improving high-frequency radio communications, crucial during natural disasters
• India plans to challenge European Union’s carbon border tax at WTO
• NITI Aayog and the United Nations in India sign the Government of India – United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (GoI-UNSDCF 2023-2027)
• India has similar geologic history to parts of South Africa, Australia: Study
• Warming oceans make it harder to forecast cyclones in Arabian Sea
• Common assessment system mooted for all defence officers
• India to buy Predator UAVs from the US: Capabilities, countries which use them

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

Paying for a safety net

Source: The post is based on the article “Paying for a safety net” published in Business Standard on 17^th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes.

Relevance: concerns with freebies

News: Government and politicians are now moving with the old approach to gain votes because economic reforms have failed to achieve the desired results.

What old approach is being adopted by the government?

The government is moving towards the old approach of offering subsidies and cash incentives. This strategy has proven effective in past elections.

For instance, M G Ramachandran expanded a limited programme of free midday meals in schools.

This improved nutrition, better school attendance, and therefore improved literacy, even a lower birth rate. It is now a nationwide programme.

Similarly, the ruling party in recent years has adopted a strategy due to the failure of its macro promises like doubling farmers’ incomes, or a $5 trillion economy.

As a result, it has emphasized its own welfare initiatives, including cash payments to farmers, free foodgrain, free toilets, housing subsidies, and free medical insurance.

Even the Congress has copied the Aam Aadmi Party in the recent Karnataka election by promising monthly payments to jobless diploma-holders and graduates, financial assistance to female heads of households, free electricity, and free grain.

Why are the governments moving towards offering freebies?

Offering freebies attract votes. Freebies are being looked at as an alternative to job creation, improvement in education, etc. This approach serves as a way for the democratic system to manage economic distress and social unrest.

Therefore, India is moving in an unplanned and haphazard way towards setting up a social safety net, with the free provision of grain and medical insurance; public works programmes to create work, etc.

What are the concerns with freebies?

Click Here to Read

What can be the way ahead?

Freebies raises the question of whether India is building a productive economy substantial enough to generate the necessary tax revenue to sustain a welfare system.

This is because the tax-to-GDP ratio has shown little improvement despite a significant increase in per capita income over the past three decades. This in turn has increased public debt, consuming around 40% of tax revenue.

Therefore, there is an urgent need for public debate on this central political-economy question. The NITI Aayog or a private think tank should take the lead.

GS Paper 3

Synthetic human embryos: All about life

Source: The post is based on the article “Synthetic human embryos: All about life” published in Indian Express on 17th June 2023

Syllabus: GS3- Awareness in the field of Biotechnology.

Relevance: About Synthetic human embryos.

News: At the International Society of Stem Cell Research’s annual meeting in Boston, a woman scientist announced that her team has succeeded in creating synthetic human embryos using stem cells, sidestepping the need for egg and sperm.

About synthetic human embryos

Synthetic embryos are embryos, which are created without fertilization. These are also known as artificial embryos.

These embryos do not require an egg or sperm cell to facilitate their creation. Instead, these are the primitive embryos that include cells that go on to form the placenta, the yolk sac and the embryo itself.

These embryos rely on self-assembling stem cell structures to mimic the natural process of early human development.

Note: Last year, the same team demonstrated that the stem cells from mice could be programmed into developing a beating heart and primordial brain. 

What are the challenges associated with synthetic human embryos?

a) It’s not yet clear whether these embryos have the potential to progress beyond the early stage, b) There are ethical concerns related to synthetic embryos, c) Their improvement will also create regulatory challenges, and d) None of the animal embryos has gone on to produce living species in the past.

It is time for global nations to set boundaries, limit research to welfare and alleviate the trauma of patients.

Germany’s net-zero plan for old vehicles

Source: The post is based on the article “Germany’s net-zero plans for old vehicles” published in Business Standard on 17^th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Environment

Relevance: About Germany proposal of adopting carbon-neutral synthetic fuels

News: Germany put forward an interesting proposal when the EU was debating legislation to ensure only zero-emission vehicles would be on European roads by 2035.

What has Germany proposed?

Germany suggested a transition to carbon-neutral synthetic fuels for existing internal combustion vehicles rather than phasing out all internal combustion vehicles.

The proposal has been made due to the fact that even though electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cells have zero-emission during usage, their manufacturing processes have significant environmental impacts.

Approximately 90% of the world’s vehicles are expected to be internal combustion by 2030, and replacing them entirely would not be a zero-carbon solution.

Some calculations suggest that manufacturing an electric vehicle may have slightly higher environmental impacts compared to an internal combustion vehicle.

Hence, Germany proposed the possibility of producing carbon-negative fuels for IC engines, which would result in a net carbon impact of zero or even negative during the fuel cycle.

This can be done by replacing fuels like petrol, diesel, kerosene, and compressed natural gas (CNG) by synthetic hydrocarbon fuels.

Germans have already manufactured synthetic petrol and diesel substitutes from coal in World War II.

How can synthetic hydrocarbon fuel be manufactured?

It can be done by capturing ambient carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This would make the fuel production process carbon-negative.

Additionally, hydrogen can be generated by using green methods such as running an electric current through water.

Producing synthetic fuel could be carbon-negative if the carbon emissions from the fuel are less than the carbon captured during the production process.

Even if there is a net carbon release, it may still be lower than the carbon impact of manufacturing a large number of electric vehicles (EVs).

What are the challenges with manufacturing synthetic hydrocarbon fuel?

First, it may be expensive compared to petrol or diesel. However, production costs would reduce with scale and access to cheap, green electricity.

Second, there are also engineering challenges with capturing carbon. Currently, carbon capture is not an efficient process, and there is a lack of sufficient scale for green hydrogen electrolysis. Therefore, investment in R&D, as well as large-scale implementation, would be needed in addressing these challenges.

How an old report can pave way for central forces to stabilise Manipur

Source- The post is based on the article “How an old report can pave way for central forces to stabilise Manipur” published in the “Business Standard” on 17th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Security

Relevance- Issues related to security of northeastern states

News– In Manipur, security situation has deteriorated due to ongoing conflict among Meitei and tribal; people

What Are the recommendations of Punchhi Commission that are relevant in context of Manipur violence?

It studies the feasibility of supporting legislation under Article 355 for the purpose of suo motu deployment of Central forces in the States. An important recommendation made by the Commission was on Article 355 and 356.

There was general reluctance among political parties to allow the Centre to take over their elected administration even if law and order broke down temporarily. The states considered such measures as political punishment.

Hence, the Commission recommended to adopt “Localised Emergency provisions” under Article 355. It can bring a district or even part of a district under the Central rule. Such take over should not be for more than three months.

Another recommendation was to amend the Communal Violence Bill. It proposed that state consent should not become a hurdle in the deployment of central forces in a serious communal riot.

However, such deployment should only be for a week and post-facto consent should be taken from the state. This was to prevent a Babri Masjid-type of situation.

Had these recommendations been adopted, the Centre could have taken over the administration of only the Kuki dominant areas in Manipur.

What are the historical examples of such a type of action by the central government to tackle the law-and-order problems in a state?

Something like this was done in 1950 by the then Union Home Minister C Rajagopalachari to tackle the second phase of the Telangana insurgency.

The entire administration including law and order of a portion of a state was given to the Central Intelligence Bureau with a mandate to get rid of insurgents “within six months”.

Their area of operations was confined only to Communist strongholds and not the entire Hyderabad state.

Shifting sands – on external trade

Source- The post is based on the article “Shifting sands” published in “The Hindu” on 17th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Indian economy

News- The article explains the scenario of trade in recent times.

What are statistics related to India’s external trade in recent times?

There was a 10.3% decline in goods exports in May. It marks the fourth successive month of contraction in good exports.

Except for electronics exports, other categories of exported goods did not show good performance.

Engineering goods contracted for the 11th month in a row. The textiles sector shrank for the seventh straight month.

There was a 30% decline in petroleum exports. It may largely be due to cooling global prices that are also affecting other commodities’ export values.

After a 6.7% rise in 2022-23, goods exports are now down 11.4% over the first two months of this year.

The current estimate of $25.3 billion for May’s services exports is quite sobering.

Global service exports increased by a mere 0.7% in May. There was a 26.7% boom in services exports last year. The global slowdown now appears to be impacting the services too.

Core imports excluding oil and gems and jewellery have contracted 5.5%  in 2023-24.

May import bill was just 6.6% below 2022 levels and almost 14% over April’s figure which had been the lowest in 15 months. This has lifted the merchandise trade deficit to a five-month high of $22.1 billion.

It is believed the trend may improve from July or August. The World Trade Organization has upgraded the global trade growth from 1% to 1.7% for 2023.

How India can lead multilateralism at WTO

Source- The post is based on the article “How India can lead multilateralism at WTO” published in “The Indian Express” on 17th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Economy

Relevance- Issues related to WTO

News– The recently concluded meeting of the G20 working group on trade and investment focused on the important issue of WTO reform.

How has the approach of the global community towards global economic governance changed in recent times?

Earlier The world favoured economic interdependence. The WTO was aimed at legalising and policing economic interdependence.

Today’s world is dominated by geoeconomic considerations and heightened securitisation of international economic relations.

The pursuit of unilateralism in international economic relations, especially by developed countries like the US, is on the rise. There is little regard for WTO law.

Economic policies such as industrial subsidies and local content requirements have made a comeback. There is a deliberate effort to weaken trade multilateralism in favour of external plurilateral alignments keeping the big power confrontation in mind.

What are the WTO reforms that should be advocated by G20’s “middle powers” such as India, Indonesia, Brazil, and South Africa?

First is related to the special and differential treatment (SDT) principle in WTO agreements. SDT provisions give special rights to developing countries and obligate developed countries to treat the former more favourably.

However, only 21% of the SDT provisions in various WTO agreements oblige developed countries to provide differential treatment to developing countries. SDT provisions need to be given more teeth and effort.

Second is related to the appellate body. It remains paralysed since 2019 because of the US.

The remaining G20 countries need to either persuade the US to change its position or resurrect the appellate body without the US.

Third is related to the consensus-based decision-making in the WTO. It is slowing from 2017 onward. There has been a shift away from this principle toward plurilateral discussions on select issues such as investment facilitation.

While the plurilateral approach is a welcome development for rule-making, there is a need to develop a multilateral governance framework for plurilateral agreements.

This governance framework should include key principles of non-discrimination, transparency, and inclusivity. Forcing plurilateral agreements on non-willing members will increase the trust deficit between developed and developing countries.

Fourth is related to addressing the transparency gap in the WTO, especially in terms of notification requirements.

The WTO member countries are obliged to notify all their laws and regulations that affect trade. But, the compliance with this obligation is poor. This increases the cost of trade, especially for developing countries.

Railway safety — listen to the voices from below

Source- The post is based on the article “Railway safety — listen to the voices from below” published in “The Hindu” on 17th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Infrastructure

Relevance- Issues related to railway safety

News- The triple train collision near Balasore in Odisha on June 2 led to the tragic loss of over 280 lives.

What is the record of railways on safety in recent times?

Statistics show that over the last two decades, the number of derailments has drastically declined from around 350 per year around the turn of the millennium, to 22 in 2021-22. This is a commendable achievement by any standards.

This has been achieved despite a nearly threefold increase in freight loading and more than a doubling of passenger traffic.

What is one aspect of railway safety that has not received sufficient attention?

This concerns the flow of information regarding unsafe practices or situations on a real-time basis.

Unlike many other organisations, the activities of the Railways are spread geographically over a wide area.

It involves a multiplicity of departments. They need to work in close coordination on a real-time basis to ensure the smooth and safe running of trains.

In order to ensure uniformity in the compliance of rules and regulations and safety, a large number of codes and manuals have been evolved for different departments to standardise the procedures.

Periodic field inspections are done by authorities at various levels. It ensures compliance with laid-down procedures and standards of workmanship.

Every department has evolved a set of schedules for the inspection of various work centres and operational procedures for every level of the management. This system suffers from a few drawbacks.

The “top-down” approach places the onus of detecting deviations on the higher authorities. They look down on the lower staff with suspicion and distrust.

It encourages window dressing and sweeping of problems under the carpet. There is a lack of transparency and frankness in such a situation.

This can be counterproductive in matters that concern railway safety. Many accidents are the culmination of unsafe practices or deviations from the norm over a period of time.

How real empowerment of lower staff can be done and how it is useful?

A system called Confidential Incident Reporting and Analysis System (CIRAS) was developed by one of the British universities nearly three decades ago.

This encourages the lower staff to point out deviations on a real-time basis, and the expression of frank view. This is an example of real empowerment of staff. The introduction of a similar reporting system on the Indian Railways is necessary.

The success and effectiveness of a CIRAS-like reporting system depends not only on the physical infrastructure. A total change in the mindset of the management, from the highest to the lower levels is required.

There must be an attitudinal change from the conventional approach of fault-finding and punishment to a shared commitment to ensure safety at all levels. The aim should be to correct, not punish.

What are other reforms needed for the railway?

There is a need for serious rethink on the recently introduced Indian Railways Management Service (IRMS) scheme. It can destroy loyalty and sense of “ownership” towards a particular department amongst the management cadre.

It is perhaps also time to revert to the earlier system of having a full-time Cabinet Minister for the Railways. There is a need for undivided attention at the highest policy-making level.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Explained | What is transcranial magnetic stimulation?

Source: The post is based on the article “Explained | What is transcranial magnetic stimulation?” published in The Hindu on 17th June 2023

What is the News?

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) has shown promise in reversing brain changes and providing rapid relief to severely depressed patients who have not responded to standard treatment.

What is Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)?

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) therapy is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that uses electromagnetic fields to generate electrical impulses in specific regions of the brain that are known to modulate moods. 

How rTMS work?

rTMS is based on the phenomenon of electromagnetic mutual induction, first reported by Michael Faraday in 1831. 

In 1985, Anthony Barker and his colleagues developed the first modern TMS device.

rTMS works by generating electromagnetic pulses through a coil placed on the scalp, which modulates the cortical activity of the brain.

The mechanism of action for rTMS involves increasing neuronal activity and changing the strength of connections between different brain areas. The electromagnetic pulses create electrical currents in the brain tissue and affect the membrane potential of brain cells.

What are the applications of rTMS technique?

Studies have indicated that rTMS may alleviate depression by reversing abnormal signalling patterns between brain regions. It has also been found effective in reducing symptoms of various neuropsychiatric disorders.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved rTMS as a treatment for clinical depression in 2008.

rTMS has also been investigated as a potential treatment for refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Why remittance inflows growth could slow to just 0.2% in 2023

Source: The post is based on the article “Why remittance inflows growth could slow to just 0.2% in 2023” published in Indian Express on 17th June 2023

What is the News?

According to the World Bank’s latest Migration and Development Brief, India is expected to post a growth of just 0.2% in remittance inflows in 2023.

Note: India had registered a growth of more than 24% to reach a record-high $111 billion in remittances in 2022.

Why are remittances important?

In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, remittances are being viewed as a critical financial inflow.

It is an important source of foreign exchange for several countries including those in South Asia.

Remittances are highly complementary to government cash transfers and essential to households during times of need.

In India, the largest global recipient, remittances represented only 3.3% of GDP in 2022.

Note: Remittance inflows represented very large shares of GDP in countries such as Tajikistan (51% of GDP), Tonga (44%), Lebanon (35%), Samoa (34%), and the Kyrgyz Republic (31%).

What are the top sources of remittances for India?

Almost 36% of India’s remittances are from the high-skilled and largely high-tech Indian migrants in three high-income destinations — the US, the United Kingdom, and Singapore.

Remittance inflows from the GCC countries account for about 28% of India’s total remittance inflows.

Why are remittances expected to grow at a slower pace in 2023?

Slow growth in OECD economies: Slower growth in OECD economies — especially in the high-tech sector in the United States has affected the demand for information technology (IT) workers.

Lower demand for migrants in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries due to declining oil prices. This is expected to slow the growth of the Gulf Region from 5.3% in 2022 to 3% in 2023.

High Base effect: In 2022, India registered a growth of more than 24% to reach a record-high $111 billion in remittances in 2022. The high base in 2022 will significantly affect the growth rate of remittances for India in 2023.

What was the trend for remittances in 2022?

In 2022, India posted more than 24% growth in its inward remittances to reach $111 billion, higher than the World Bank’s earlier estimate of $100 billion. This represented 63% of South Asia’s remittance flows, which grew by more than 12% in 2022 to reach $176 billion.

The top five recipient countries for remittances in 2022 were India ($111 billion), followed by Mexico ($61 billion), China ($51 billion), the Philippines ($38 billion), and Pakistan ($30 billion).

Remittances were supported by the 1) oil surge in member countries of the GCC, which increased migrants’ incomes, 2) large money transfers from the Russian Federation to countries in Central Asia and 3) a strong labour market in the US and the OECD countries.

Skill Impact Bond: Initiative skilled nearly 18,000 first-time job seekers

Source: The post is based on the article “Skill Impact Bond: Initiative skilled nearly 18,000 first-time job seekers” published in Business Standard on 17th June 2023

What is the News?

Skill Impact Bond Initiative has skilled nearly 18,000 first-time job seekers, 72% of whom are women.

What is the Skill Impact Bond Initiative?

Skill Impact Bond (SIB) is India’s first development impact bond for skilling and employment.

Launched by: National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) in collaboration with global partners

Target: To benefit 50,000 young Indians (over 4 years), with a focus on empowering women (60% of beneficiaries).

Significance: It is a public-private partnership (PPP) model that shifts its focus from inputs like training and certification to outcomes like job placement and retention for India’s youth.

What is Impact Bond?

Impact bonds are innovative financing instruments that leverage private sector capital and expertise, with a focus on achieving results. It shifts the focus from inputs to performance and results. 

Rather than a government or a donor financing a project upfront, private investors (risk investors) initially finance the initiative and are repaid by ‘outcome funders’, only if agreed-upon outcomes are achieved.

The outcomes to be measured are agreed upon at the outset and independently verified.

Union Minister of Heavy Industries Launches “Dugdh Sankalan Sathi Mobile App” to Transform Indian Dairy Industries

Source: The post is based on the article “Union Minister of Heavy Industries Launches “Dugdh Sankalan Sathi Mobile App” to Transform Indian Dairy Industries” published in PIB on 16th June 2023

What is the News?

The Union Minister of Heavy Industries has launched the “Dugdh Sanakalan Sathi Mobile App”.

What is Dugdh Sanakalan Sathi Mobile App?

Developed by: Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Limited (REIL), Jaipur, a “Mini Ratna” Central Public Sector Enterprises under the Ministry of Heavy Industries

Aim: To improve the quality of milk, foster transparency among stakeholders, and streamline operations at the grassroots village level, including Milk Cooperative Societies.

Key Features of the App

-Online monitoring of daily milk poured at Milk Cooperative Societies

-Real-time milk price updates from the cloud server, ensuring transparency and eliminating human errors

-Direct beneficiary transfers of milk payments and government subsidies to the milk producers’ bank accounts through the app

-Push notifications for milk collection to the milk producers’ app among others.

New model for improving high-frequency radio communications, crucial during natural disasters

Source: The post is based on the article “New model for improving high-frequency radio communications, crucial during natural disasters” published in PIB on 16th June 2023

What is the News?

Scientists have developed a model for high frequency (HF) radio wave propagation through the ionosphere which helps in studying the impacts of space weather effects on the ionosphere and Sky wave communication systems.

What is Ionosphere?

The ionosphere is a region of Earth’s upper atmosphere ranging from about 100 – 1000 km and acts as a gateway for radio communication between the ground and space. 

Radio waves of certain frequencies (HF band) are reflected back to the ground by the ionosphere which facilitates long-distance HF communications beyond the horizon, known as Skywave communications. 

Despite the increasing use of satellite communications, traditional long-distance high-frequency (HF) radio communication remains a vital means of communication during situations like natural disasters, mid-ocean surveillance, over-the-horizon target detection, and so on.  

Severe ionospheric disturbances that arise due to a range of space weather events like Solar flares, Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), and Geomagnetic storms significantly affect Skywave communications.  

This variability of the ionosphere due to disturbances in space weather can significantly limit the usage of Skywave communications.

What have the scientists developed?

Scientists have developed a model for high frequency (HF) radio wave propagation through the ionosphere which helps in studying the impacts of space weather effects on the ionosphere and Sky wave communication systems.

The HF radio propagation model developed by scientists has important applications in planning the right strategies for the operation of Sky wave communication systems during active space weather periods.

India plans to challenge European Union’s carbon border tax at WTO

Source: The post is based on the article “India plans to challenge European Union’s carbon border tax at WTO” published in Business Standard on 17th June 2023

What is the News?

India and South Africa along with some other nations have planned to challenge certain provisions of the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

What is Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)?

Click Here to read

Why is India and other developing countries planning to challenge the EU’s CBAM?

Firstly, CBAM compromises the “common but differentiated responsibilities” principle established under the Paris Agreement on climate change in 2015.

– According to the principle, all countries have a shared obligation to address environmental hazards. However, they are not “equally” responsible as far as environmental protection is concerned, considering that every country is at a different stage of development. 

Secondly, at the WTO there are special provisions for developing nations, allowing — them to avail themselves of a longer time frame to implement certain commitments or agreements. 

– The CBAM is not compliant with this principle of the WTO because it will be applicable to all the partners of the trade bloc without any exemption for developing nations.

NITI Aayog and the United Nations in India sign the Government of India – United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (GoI-UNSDCF 2023-2027)

Source: The post is based on the article “NITI Aayog and the United Nations in India sign the Government of India – United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (GoI-UNSDCF 2023-2027)” published in PIB on 16th June 2023

What is the News?

NITI Aayog and the United Nations in India have signed the Government of India – United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027.

What is the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027?

Signed between: NITI Aayog and the United Nations 

Purpose: The framework serves as a strategic roadmap for achieving the country’s sustainable development targets, with a specific focus on gender equality, youth empowerment, human rights, and overall sustainable development. 

Pillars: The framework is built upon four pillars—People, Prosperity, Planet, and Participation.

Outcome areas: It encompasses six key outcome areas including health and well-being, quality education, economic growth, environment and climate, and empowerment of individuals and communities.

Implementation of the framework: The implementation, monitoring and reporting of the framework will be co-led by the Government of India and the United Nations, India through a Joint Steering Committee.

India has similar geologic history to parts of South Africa, Australia: Study

Source: The post is based on the article “India has similar geologic history to parts of South Africa, Australia: Study” published in The Hindu on 17th June 2023

What is the News?

According to a study, India hosts remarkably well-preserved volcanic and sedimentary rocks as old as 3.5 billion years and has a similar geologic history to parts of South Africa and Australia.

About the study

Researchers examined volcanic and sedimentary rocks from the Daitari greenstone belt in the Singhbhum Craton in east India which was formed approximately 3.5 billion years ago.

Note: Cratons are pieces of ancient continents that formed several billions of years ago. Their study provides a window into how processes within and on the surface of Earth operated in the past.

– Greenstones are rock assemblages that are primarily composed of sub-marine volcanic rocks with minor sedimentary rocks. They are the best archives to study early Earth surface processes.

What did the researchers find out?

The researchers discovered that the Daitari greenstone belt shares similar geological characteristics with the greenstones found in South Africa’s Barberton and Nondweni areas, as well as those in Australia’s Pilbara Craton.

This similarity suggests a common geologic history for these regions.

Submarine volcanic eruptions were common between 3.5 and 3.3 billion years ago, which are largely preserved as pillowed lava within the greenstones of the Singhbhum, Kaapvaal and Pilbara cratons. 

Hence, these ancient continents may have been subjected to geologically similar processes 3.5 billion years ago.

What is the significance of these findings?

The current research has led to a broader understanding of the ancient volcano-sedimentary rocks exposed in the Daitari area in India. 

This study has also resulted in unique recognition of felsic magmatic processes that are common to the Archaean cratons of India, South Africa and Australia respectively during the Palaeoarchaean times.

Warming oceans make it harder to forecast cyclones in Arabian Sea

Source: The post is based on the article “Warming oceans make it harder to forecast cyclones in Arabian Sea” published in The Hindu on 17th June 2023

What is the News?

Experts say cyclones in the Bay of Bengal are far more frequent and were better understood. But in recent times, the Arabian Sea is heating up more than average. This might create greater and increasingly stronger cyclones like Biparjoy.

About the IMD forecast of cyclones in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal

IMD forecast of cyclones in the Bay of Bengal: Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal, being far more frequent, were better understood. Cyclone Mocha in 2023, Cyclone Yaas in 2021, Cyclone Mandous in 2022 and Cyclone Gulab in 2021 in recent years have made landfall and followed recurring paths predicted by the IMD at least four or more days in advance.

IMD forecast of cyclones in the Arabian Sea: Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal, being far more frequent, were not better understood in comparison to Bay of Bengal cyclones. For instance, in the recent forecast of Biparjoy, the IMD earlier predicted it might reach land in either Kutch, Gujarat or Pakistan. Only four days before IMD first suggest that the storm would strike India.

What are the challenges in the IMD forecast of cyclones in the Arabian Sea?

IMD’s forecast of cyclones in the Arabian Sea is impacted by many reasons. Such as

a) Nearly 48% of cyclones here never reached land, as opposed to 13% in the Bay of Bengal,

b) Steering winds are the winds present in the upper reaches of the atmosphere. They influence the direction and recurving of cyclones. Heat within the ocean layers also determines the strength and duration of cyclones. IMD’s prediction models fully capture the heat within the ocean but not the  steering winds.

c) There are factors unique to the Arabian Sea that influence a cyclone’s intensity and movement. For example, The Arabian Sea has a much deeper — up to 40 metres – layer of warm water compared to the Bay of Bengal. These sub-surface values aren’t captured in the IMD’s prediction models

Common assessment system mooted for all defence officers

Source: The post is based on the article “Common assessment system mooted for all defence officers” published in The Hindu on 17th June 2023

What is the News?

As India is working on creating integrated theatre commands, a common Annual Confidential Report (ACR) for all defence officers has been mooted.

About the common Annual Confidential Report (ACR)

Need:

-Presently, for postings in combined or tri-services appointments, the selection system is based on parent service-specific parameters.

-Over a period of time, employment of officers in tri-service organisations and environment will increase as the armed forces move towards joint structures and organisations.

So, there is a need to synergise the appraisal system for undertaking the tasks in tri-service  or combined appointments.

Implementation: Initially, a common ACR for two- and three-star officers of armed forces has been approved to be implemented. The implementation timeline is approximately three to four months.

Advantages: a) It will bring in integration and jointness within the three armed forces, b) It will help in achieving commonality in procedures, assessments and lead to better outcomes before the creation of theatre commands, and c) It will lead to better identification and selection of officers for tri-services appointments in the command, staff or instructional channels, based on their suitability

What is Integrated Theatre command?

India to buy Predator UAVs from the US: Capabilities, countries which use them

Source: The post is based on the article “India to buy Predator UAVs from the US: Capabilities, countries which use them” published in the Indian Express on 17th June 2023

What is the News?

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has recently approved the procurement of armed Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) from a United States-based company. The procurement is now awaiting the final nod from the Cabinet Committee on Security.

About Predator UAVs

The MQ-9 Reaper, also known as Predator B, is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations. These are High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones.

It is remotely operated by a two-person team consisting of a pilot and an aircrew member who operates sensors and guides weapons.

The US uses the MQ-9 Reaper for both surveillance and strikes.

Key specifications:

-It has an endurance of over 27 hours and can operate up to 50,000 feet. The maritime variant of the MQ-9 UAV, known as Sea Guardian, has an endurance of over 30 hours.

-It can carry 500 per cent more payload and has nine times the horsepower in comparison to the earlier MQ-1 Predator.

-MQ-9 UAV provides long endurance, persistent surveillance, and strike capability for the warfighter.

How will Predator UAVs help the Indian Armed Forces?

If the deal comes through, India will have 31 MQ-9s for Armed Forces, including 15 for the Navy and eight each for the Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Note: In the aftermath of the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020, the Navy had leased two MQ-9 UAVs and the lease was since extended.

These can a) carry out and boost the Indian Armed Forces’ Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, b) strike strategic targets in mountains and the maritime domain during long-endurance missions and c) provide a unique capability to perform strike, coordination, and reconnaissance against high-value, fleeting, and time-sensitive targets

Note: At present, the UK, Spain, Italy and France have acquired these UAVs.