9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 29 May, 2024

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 1

Enhanced Participation of Women in Politics

Source-This post on Enhanced Participation of Women in Politics has been created based on the article “How women party workers are reshaping Indian politics” published in “The Indian Express” on 29 May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus–GS Paper-1– Role of Women and Women’s Organization and GS Paper-2– Devolution of Powers and Finances up to Local Levels and Challenges Therein.

Context– The article emphasizes how ordinary women in political parties, often ignored, play an important role in shaping India’s politics and making democracy stronger.

Before 2009, men were mainly in charge of reaching out to male voters during campaigns. However, since then, due to quota elections and better grassroots organization, women campaign workers have started reaching out to both men and women more equally. Enhanced Participation of Women in Politics

What is the significance of ordinary women party worker in deepening Indias grassroot democracy?

Over the last three decades, since the 73rd amendment for panchayat and municipal elections, women have not only contested but also won these elections.

1) Women party workers at the grassroots level, often called “party women,” are leading the way in connecting women voters to political parties. They are heavily involved in activities at polling booths and during campaigns.

2) Grassroots organizing efforts by ordinary women party workers have led to more equal reach to both men and women during voter mobilization.

3) They have strengthened local party organizations, ending the era when women’s wings were led exclusively by elites. Today’s women’s wings include district heads, ward leaders, booth-level managers, and panna pramukhs (polling booth managers), indicating a more granular and robust organization.

Read more- Women Empowerment- Economic Political and Social

What is the impact of this enhanced participation of women in India politics?

1) India has witnessed a remarkable phenomenon where women’s electoral turnout has not only matched but surpassed that of men.

2) It allows women to secure party tickets before elections because it’s usually simpler for women to take credit for rallying other women. This leads to their greater representation in assemblies and Parliament.

3) It has led to the growing list of distributive promises and welfare schemes targeted at women voters. For ex- recent passing of the women’s reservation bill in Parliament.

4) It has prompted parties to make targeted electoral offers to woo women voters. This is a direct result of the labor of women’s party workers.

What is the role of women party workers beyond elections?

1) Women party workers organize numerous events, ranging from planting drives to dharnas and seva abhiyans (service campaigns), mobilizing women from various social groups like Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Anganwadi workers.

2) They keep women engaged in politics between election cycles, contributing to the increased participation of women in protests. For ex-recent farmers’ protests.

The growing participation of women raises questions about whether it makes India’s democracy stronger or weaker. However, it is evident that women’s political agency is indispensable to India’s democratic future.

Question for practice

What is the significance of ordinary women party worker in deepening Indias grassroot democracy?

GS PAPER - 2

Status of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) individuals in India

Source: The post Status of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) individuals in India has been created, based on the article “Still no sign of the language of equity and inclusion” published in “The Hindu” on 29th May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2-social justice- mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Context: The article discusses the challenges faced by Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) people in India due to societal and systemic ableism. It highlights the lack of sign language use and accessibility in education, employment, and public information. Status of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) individuals in India

What is the current status of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) individuals in India?

1. In India, there are significant discrepancies in the count of hearing-impaired individuals: the 2011 Census reported five million, the National Association of the Deaf counts 18 million, and the World Health Organization estimates nearly 63 million.
2. Despite these numbers, only 5% of deaf children are in school, and deaf adults struggle to secure employment.
3. The education system heavily relies on oralism, which focuses on teaching deaf people to use their voices and lip-read rather than communicating through sign language.

How does the government address deafness?

1. National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness: The government launched this program to prevent and treat hearing impairment through medical interventions. However, it mainly focuses on screening and hearing aids without addressing the broader quality of life or integrating Indian Sign Language (ISL).
2. Lack of Official Recognition for ISL: Despite setting up the ISL Research and Training Centre in 2015, ISL is not recognized as an official language in India. This lack of recognition limits accessibility in education and public communication.
3. National Education Policy 2020: This policy recommends the teaching of ISL across schools. Despite this recommendation, the use of ISL remains sparse, especially in schools for the deaf, which predominantly use oralism (teaching deaf individuals to speak and lip-read rather than sign).

What are the challenges in everyday life for DHH individuals?

1. Educational Barriers: Only 5% of deaf children are enrolled in bschool, facing challenges with an oralist education system that emphasizes speaking and lip-reading over sign language.
2. Employment Difficulties: Deaf individuals often struggle to find jobs, with limited opportunities primarily in roles like housekeeping and data entry. Protests in 2020 highlighted recruitment biases favoring those with less than 40% hearing impairment.
3. Accessibility Issues in Public Information: Public transport announcements, TV shows, and directions in public facilities lack sign language interpretation, making daily navigation and information access extremely challenging for the DHH community.

What should be done?

1.Official Recognition of ISL: Recognize Indian Sign Language as an official language to enhance accessibility in education, media, and public communications.

2.Integration of ISL in Education: Implement the National Education Policy 2020’s recommendation to standardize ISL teaching across all schools, ensuring both hearing and DHH students can learn it.

3.Improve Media Accessibility: Extend efforts like Doordarshan’s weekly news segment in ISL across more channels and include ISL interpretation or subtitles for all public broadcasts and media content.

4.Accessible Healthcare: Increase the number of ISL interpreters in hospitals and integrate sign language training into healthcare professional education.

Question for practice:

Discuss the current status of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) individuals in India, highlighting key challenges they face and the government’s efforts to address them.

Resurgence of Nuclear Factors in Global Politics

Source-This post on Resurgence of Nuclear Factors in Global Politics has been created based on the article “C Raja Mohan writes Election rhetoric, nuclear weapons and Pakistan — the need to expand debate” published in “The Indian Express” on 29 May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2-International Relations- Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Context– The article emphasizes that nuclear factors have regained prominence in the strategic calculations of major powers and significant regional arenas such as Europe, the Middle East, and Asia

The UN cautioned that increasing tensions between the US and Europe, as well as Russia and China, are leading the world toward a possible nuclear conflict. Resurgence of Nuclear Factors in Global Politics

What factors are prompting a reassessment of nuclear deterrence globally?

1) Nuclear Dynamics in Europe-The war in Ukraine and Russia’s nuclear actions are making the West reconsider how deterrence works. They’re considering ideas like making NATO’s nuclear and conventional forces stronger, increasing cooperation between France and Britain, and creating a separate European deterrent led by France.

2) Nuclear Dynamics in Asia –

A) China’s assertiveness and the fear of American isolationism under a potential second Trump term are nudging Beijing’s Asian neighbours to reconsider their atomic abstinence.

B) Japan and South Korea are discussing ways to enhance the protection provided by the American nuclear umbrella. However, if Trump wins the November election, the discussion about having their own nuclear weapons may become more serious in Northeast Asia.

3) Nuclear Dynamics in Middle East– Concerns about Iran developing nuclear weapons are making Arab countries more interested in increasing their own atomic capabilities. Reports suggest that civil nuclear technology cooperation is included in the security agreement being discussed between Saudi Arabia and the US.

What are the emerging challenges to traditional nuclear deterrence?

1) The rise of AI and robotic weapons is raising questions about the dangers of automating nuclear decision-making and its consequences for strategic stability between major powers.

2) The US has voiced concern that China and Russia might rely on algorithms to decide when to deploy nuclear weapons.

3) There are concerns in the US that Russia plans to deploy anti-satellite nuclear weapons to undermine Washington’s dominance in outer space.

What are the issues with India’s traditional ideas of nuclear deterrence?

1) Pakistan’s Nuclear Challenge for India–

A) Ignoring Pakistan’s nuclear threat would be imprudent. As Pakistan’s overall strength diminishes compared to India’s, India should understand that Rawalpindi will intensify its nuclear weapons program as a last resort against the perceived dominance of India in the region.

B) Pakistan has a longstanding focus on developing nuclear weapons and currently holds an advantage over India in terms of both the size and sophistication of its arsenal. Its ongoing strategic partnership with China indicates the potential to maintain this advantage against India.

Read more- India’s nuclear doctrine after 25 years of Pokhran

2) China’s Growing Nuclear Arsenal– China’s nuclear threat is growing as Beijing is expanding its nuclear arsenal. Western estimates suggest that by 2030, China could have around 1,000 nuclear weapons, and by 2035, this number could increase to 1,500.

What should be the way forward for India?

1) It’s crucial to focus on building defenses against China’s growing nuclear weapons. This should be a priority for the nation, which means developing nuclear and missile capabilities with clear intent.

2) The next Indian government must order a comprehensive review of the changing global nuclear dynamic and regional atomic challenges and find ways to modernize India’s atomic arsenal and doctrine.

3) The review must also explore ways to accelerate India’s civilian nuclear energy programme.

4) India should completely   revamp the legal and institutional structures that govern its atomic energy advancement

Question for practice

What factors are prompting a reassessment of nuclear deterrence globally? In this context, highlight the issues with India’s traditional ideas of nuclear deterrence?

GS PAPER - 3

The landslide risk in India

Source: The post the landslide risk in India has been created, based on the article “Explained: Danger from landslides” published in “Indian express” on 29th May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3-disaster management and GS Paper 1- Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.,

Context: The article discusses the devastation caused by cyclone Remal in West Bengal and the Northeast of India, highlighting the significant damage and fatalities, particularly from landslides. It emphasizes the need for better disaster preparedness and the development of early warning systems to manage and mitigate the risks associated with natural disasters like landslides. The landslide risk in India

For detailed information on National Landslide Susceptibility Map read this article here

How severe is the landslide risk in India?

1. Extensive Risk Area: Approximately 13% of India’s landmass, spanning over 15 states and four Union Territories, is vulnerable to landslides, highlighting the widespread nature of the risk.
2. Concentration in the Northeast: The Northeastern region alone accounts for 42% of the landslide-prone area, emphasizing its significant vulnerability due to its mostly hilly terrain.
3. Historical Data: Between 2015 and 2022, the Northeast recorded 378 major landslide events, representing 10% of all major landslides in India. Additionally, Kerala experienced the highest number of landslides in the country with 2,239 incidents, most of which occurred after the 2018 floods.

What are the reasons for landslides?

1. Heavy Rainfall: Most landslides in India are caused by heavy rainfall. Sustained heavy rain over several days can trigger land displacement, as seen during Cyclone Remal in the Northeast.
2. Earthquakes: Earthquakes are another major trigger for landslides, particularly in hilly regions. The Northeastern region is prone to both earthquakes and landslides.
3. Human Activities: Unregulated construction, infrastructure development, and certain agricultural practices increase landslide risks. The lack of building regulations in hilly areas exacerbates the problem.
4. Geological Factors: The hilly terrain itself, especially in regions like the Northeast, is inherently prone to landslides due to its geological characteristics.

What efforts are being made to manage landslide risks?

1. National Strategy: The National Landslide Risk Management Strategy, finalized in 2019, focuses on vulnerability mapping, early warning systems, and mountain zone regulations.
2. Early Warning Systems: Early warning systems, based on rainfall forecasts, are being trialed in Nagaland, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Kerala. These systems predict potential landslides by combining rainfall data with soil and terrain information.
3. Institutional Involvement: Organizations like the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) and IIT Roorkee are involved in setting up these warning systems.
4. Ongoing Projects: CBRI and IIT Roorkee are installing early warning systems at locations in Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Kerala. IIT Mandi is also working on these systems.

How effective are the early warning systems?

1. Current Status: Early warning systems are still in trial phases at a few locations, such as Nagaland, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Kerala.
2. Rainfall-Based Predictions: These systems use rainfall forecasts combined with soil and terrain data to predict landslides effectively.
3. Successful Trials: The system set up in Nagaland to protect the state’s legislative Assembly shows positive results.
4. Reliability: Reliable rainfall predictions are available a day in advance, and warnings are issued if the forecast exceeds the threshold for land movement.
5. Challenges: Earthquake-triggered landslides cannot be predicted, as earthquakes themselves are unpredictable.

Question for practice:

Examine the effectiveness of early warning systems in managing landslide risks in India.

Factors influence the RBI’s decision on rate cuts

Source: The post factors influence the RBI’s decision on rate cuts has been created, based on the article “Food or the Fed – what will drive the RBI’s monetary policy?” published in “Indian express” on 29th May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3– Economy- mobilisation of resources

Contest: The article discusses the Reserve Bank of India’s decisions to adjust interest rates in response to inflation trends and external influences like U.S. Federal Reserve policies. It questions whether future rate decisions will be based on domestic inflation, specifically food prices, or external economic pressures. Factors influence the RBI’s decision on rate cuts

For detailed information on Inflation In India read this article here

For detailed information on RBI’s approach to controlling inflation read Article 1, Article 2

What is the current inflation situation in India?

1. Current Inflation Rate: As of April, the consumer price index (CPI) in India stood at 4.83%.
2. Core Inflation: Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and fuel prices, is at a multi-year low of 3.2%, indicating subdued underlying demand.

3, Food Inflation: Despite lower core inflation, food inflation remains high at 8.7%. This reflects significant price increases across several food groups.

4. RBI’s Inflation Forecast: The Reserve Bank of India forecasts that inflation will average around 4.5% in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2024-25, based on current trends and expected conditions.

What is the global context of interest rates?

1.US Federal Reserve: Initially, there were expectations of three rate cuts in 2023, but recent inflation data and Fed commentary suggest only one cut might occur. The Fed aims to keep rates higher for longer.

2. European Central Bank (ECB): The ECB plans to cut rates this summer, emphasizing a data-dependent approach that is independent of the Fed’s decisions.
3. Bank of England: Similar to the ECB, the Bank of England is likely to reduce rates soon, focusing on domestic growth and inflation dynamics.
4. Influence on RBI: These international trends raise questions about whether the RBI will align its policies more with global changes or domestic economic conditions.

How did external factors influence the RBI’s decision?

1. Interest Rate Differential: The RBI’s decision to raise rates in May 2022 might have been influenced by the need to maintain the interest rate differential with the U.S., following a significant rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve on the same day.
2. Exchange Rate Stability: By adjusting interest rates, the RBI likely aimed to stabilize the exchange rate and prevent the rupee’s depreciation.
3. Global Economic Trends: The global context, especially the U.S. Fed’s actions, appears to have played a role in the RBI’s decision-making, reflecting concerns over external economic pressures and their potential impacts on India.

1What will be the RBI’s decision on rate cuts?

1. Inflation Projections: With the RBI projecting inflation to average around 4.5% by the fourth quarter of 2024-25, and core inflation currently at a low of 3.2%, there might be room for monetary easing if trends hold.
2. Food Price Expectations: An above-normal monsoon is expected, which could moderate food prices and help align headline inflation with RBI targets, supporting the case for rate cuts.
3. Interest Rate Comparison: The current repo rate is 6.5%; with projected inflation at 4.5%, this suggests a real rate of 2%, which might be adjusted downwards to stimulate economic growth, according to external member Jayanth Varma’s views on aligning inflation to the target.

Question for practice:

Examine how external factors, such as global interest rate trends and the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policies, have influenced the Reserve Bank of India’s decisions regarding adjusting interest rates and managing inflation.

Rising Heat Stress in Urban India

Source-This post on Rising Heat Stress in Urban India has been created based on the article “More concrete, more heat: Why our cities are hotter than ever” published in “The Indian Express” on 29 May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus–GS Paper-3– Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation

Context– Large parts of the country are experiencing a brutally hot summer with prolonged heat waves. The article highlights that rising temperatures are not the sole contributing factor to the heat stress being experienced in urban India. Rising Heat Stress in Urban India

What are the other contributing factors to heat stress in India?

A report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) shows that the extreme discomfort during summer months in major cities like Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Hyderabad over the last two decades is caused by a combination of factors:

1) Air temperature

2) Land surface temperature

3) Relative humidity

4) Rapid increase in built-up areas and concretization.

Impact-The heat stress poses a grave risk to lives, especially among vulnerable groups like the elderly, babies, pregnant women, those living in slums, and those working outdoors.

How has climate change aggravated the severity of heat waves in India?

It has led to higher temperatures and increased humidity, which intensifies the discomfort during heat waves.

Further, changes in land use and urban sprawl contribute to the “urban heat island effect,” trapping heat in city centers.

What is the “urban heat island effect”?

It refers to the trapping of heat in densely built urban areas due to materials like concrete, glass, and steel.
Consequences–A) This results in higher temperatures in city centers compared to surrounding areas.

B) Cities don’t cool down at night as quickly as they used to, leading to prolonged heat stress.

What should be the way forward?

1) Many states have collaborated with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to develop heat action plans (HAPs). However, most of these plans remain theoretical because of insufficient funding, detail, and a lasting vision for change. Therefore, there’s a requirement for stronger and more effective HAPs.

Read more-Heat Action Plans

2) There is a need to adopt city-specific management plans that consider local factors. Such plans should prioritize green spaces and water bodies and target all heat generators, including vehicles, industries, and concrete surfaces. For ex- Ahmedabad’s Cool Roofs program, which offers an affordable solution for the urban heat island effect.

3) There is a need to adopt long-term planning, combined with immediate actions during heatwaves to prevent cities from getting hot excessively and ultimately save lives.

Question for practice

What are the other contributing factors to heat stress in India? What steps can be taken to address this issue?

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Campi Flegrei

Source-This post on  Campi Flegrei  has been created based on the article “Campi Flegrei: Volcanic crater near Naples hit with strongest earthquake in decades” published in “Yahoo” on 29 May 2024.

Why in News?

Recently, the most powerful earthquake in decades struck the Campi Flegrei supervolcano region of Italy.

About Campi Flegrei

1. Campi Flegrei, also known as Phlegrean Fields which is an active volcanic area situated near Naples, Italy. Campi Flegrei does not consist of a single volcano but is a complex volcanic system featuring multiple centers within a large caldera.

2. One third of it is located beneath the Tyrrhenian Sea, situated between mainland Italy and the island of Sardinia.

3. The caldera spans approximately 12-15 km (7.5-9.3 miles) in diameter. It was formed around 39,000 years ago following a massive eruption that depleted its magma chambers.

4. It is recognized as the largest active caldera in Europe. Campi Flegrei surpasses Vesuvius in size and activity level.

5. Its last eruption occurred in 1538, which was relatively minor but resulted in the creation of Monte Nuovo, a new mountain.

6. It is classified as a supervolcano which is capable of producing eruptions with global consequences.

About supernova

1. A supervolcano is a volcano that has had an eruption with a volcanic explosivity index (VEI) of 8, which is the largest recorded value on the index.

2. The volume of deposits for such an eruption is greater than 1,000 cubic kilometers (240 cubic miles).

UPSC Syllabus: World geography

INS Kiltan

Source-This post on INS Kiltan has been created based on the article “Indian naval ships complete deployment to South China Sea” published in “The Hindu” on 29 May 2024.

Why in News?

The Indian Naval Ship Kiltan received a warm reception from the Royal Brunei Navy upon its arrival in Muara, Brunei.

About INS Kiltan

Aspects	Description
About	1. INS Kiltan is a state-of-the-art indigenous warship which is set to be commissioned into the Indian Navy. 2. It is the third in the Kamorta-class corvettes built under Project 28. 3. It is named after an island in the Aminidivi group which is part of the strategically important Lakshadweep and Minicoy group of islands.
Designed and constructed by	The Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design and constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata.
Features of INS Kiltan	1. INS Kiltan is the first major Indian warship with a superstructure made from carbon fibre composite material, enhancing stealth, reducing weight, and cutting maintenance costs. 2. INS Kiltan is outfitted with a variety of advanced and largely indigenous weapons and sensors. a) This includes heavyweight torpedoes and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) rockets, which are essential for its role in submarine defense. b) The ship also features a 76 mm caliber medium-range gun and two multi-barrel 30 mm guns, serving as close-in-weapon systems (CIWS) with dedicated fire control systems to protect against incoming threats. c) It is equipped with missile decoy rockets (Chaff) for evasion maneuvers. d) The ship incorporates an advanced Electronic Support Measure (ESM) system, as well as a sophisticated bow-mounted sonar and the Revathi air surveillance radar, enhancing its detection and tracking capabilities.
Future enhancement	It has been planned to install a short-range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system and will be equipped with an integral ASW helicopter.
Strategic Importance	a) It joins the lineage of indigenous warships like the Shivalik Class and Kolkata Class, along with sister ships INS Kamorta and INS Kadmatt. b) It will provide a comprehensive operational picture and bolster the Indian Navy’s combat capabilities.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology (Defence)

Astronomical Transients

Source-This post on Astronomical Transients has been created based on the article “Astronomical transients: bright in the blink of an eye” published in “The Hindu” on 29 May 2024.

Why in News?

Recently, Shrinivas Kulkarni, an Indian-American astronomer, received the 2024 Shaw Prize in Astronomy for his contributions to understanding the physics of astronomical transients.

About Astronomical Transients

1. An astronomical transient is any celestial object that experiences changes in brightness over short periods of time. These phenomena are typically associated with violent events in space.

2. Astronomers study transients to understand the sources and mechanisms of their violent behavior and to gain insights into more stable astronomical events.

Examples of Astronomical Transients

1. Supernovae: It occur when the outer layers of a large star explode and the core implodes, triggered by the star’s exhaustion of fusionable elements. Some supernovae can outshine all other stars in their host galaxy combined, due to their intense brightness.

2. Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN): It was found at the centers of massive galaxies. These are supermassive black holes that actively consume nearby matter. The interaction between the black holes and their surrounding matter causes the latter to gain energy and vary in brightness.

3. Fast Radio Burst (FRB): It was first identified in 2007. It is capable of emitting energy exceeding ten times that of the sun in just a few milliseconds.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology

Article 329(b) of the Constitution

Source-This post on Article 329(b) of the Constitution has been created based on the article “What’s Article 329(b) invoked by EC in SC that restricts judicial intervention in poll process” published in “The Print” on 29 May 2024.

Why in News?

The Election Commission (EC) recently cited Article 329(b) of the Constitution, which prevents courts from interfering with the commission’s operations during an ongoing election.

About Article 329(b) of the Constitution

1. Article 329(b) is part of Part XV of the Constitution, which specifically addresses electoral issues.

2. Judicial Role in Electoral Matters:

a) Article 329(a) restricts the judiciary from questioning the constitutionality of laws concerning electoral district boundaries or seat allocation.

b) Article 329(b) as amended by the Constitution (19th Amendment) Act of 1966, states that elections to either house of Parliament or state legislatures can only be challenged through an election petition as outlined by law.

3. Legal Framework for Election Petitions: The Representation of the People Act, 1951, specifies that high courts are the authorities empowered to hear and decide election petitions.  Decisions from these petitions can be appealed to the Supreme Court.

4. Supreme Court Interpretations

a) Ponnuswamy Judgment (1952): The Supreme Court in “Ponnuswami v. Returning Officer, Namakkal” clarified that the term “election” in Article 329(b) encompasses the entire electoral process, from the notification of election to the declaration of results. It established that the courts cannot interfere with the electoral process once it has begun, until its completion.

b) Venkatachalam vs. A. Swamickan (1999): The Court determined that Article 329(b) does not apply to matters related to Articles 191 and 193, which deal with disqualifications and penalties for members of Parliament and legislative assemblies.

UPSC Syllabus: Polity and nation

Evacuation Slides 

Source-This post on Evacuation Slides has been created based on the article ” Passengers evacuated from Indigo flight after bomb scare: What are ‘evacuation slides’?” published in “Indian Express” on 29 May 2024.

Why in News?

Recently after a bomb threat was reported on an Indigo flight heading to Varanasi at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, the 176 passengers were quickly evacuated using evacuation slides.

About Evacuation Slides

1. An evacuation slide is an inflatable slide designed to help passengers exit an aircraft safely during an emergency, especially when the aircraft door is significantly elevated above the ground.

2.Types of Evacuation Slides

a) Inflatable Slide: It allows passengers to descend directly to the ground from the aircraft exit door.

b) Inflatable Slide/Raft: It functions as both an escape slide and a life raft for water landings.

c) Inflatable Exit Ramp: It facilitates passenger movement from overwing exits to the aircraft wings.

d) Inflatable Exit Ramp/Slide: It is a combination device that helps passengers descend from the wing to the ground.

3. Materials Used: It is made from carbon fibers and nylon coated with urethane to ensure fire resistance. It is constructed with strong fibers to prevent tearing during use.

4. Mechanism: Slides are packed and installed within a cabin door or an external fuselage compartment.

5. Deployment Protocols:

a) It is required when the exit door is six feet or more above the ground.

b) It must inflate between six to ten seconds, depending on the slide’s location.

c) It must function in temperatures ranging from -40°C to +71°C.

d) It is capable of operating in rainfall up to one inch per hour and winds up to 46 km/hr coming from 45-degree angles.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology

Types of online cybercrimes

Source-This post on Types of online cybercrimes has been created based on the article “How criminals based in southeast Asia are trapping Indians online” published in “Indian Express” on 29 May 2024.

Why in News?

Numerous Indians are becoming victims of online financial fraud. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) analyzed trends from January to April, and discovered that 46% of reported frauds during this time came from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia.

About types of online cybercrimes

Types	Description
Trading Scam	Method: Scammers use social media to advertise free trading tips, falsely using well-known stock market experts to lure victims into exclusive groups. Process: Victims are manipulated into downloading unregulated trading apps and making financial investments. They later find out that they cannot withdraw their money until they reach a very high account balance.
Digital Arrest	Method: Victims receive misleading calls claiming their involvement with illegal packages, with impersonators posing as law enforcement officials demanding money to resolve these fabricated issues. Process: In some cases, victims are kept in a ‘digital arrest‘, needing to stay on a video call until they comply with the scammers’ financial demands.
Investment Scam (Task-Based)	Method: Individuals are promised easy money for completing simple online tasks aimed at boosting social media ratings. Process: After completing initial tasks, victims are persuaded to invest more money for greater returns, which never materialize, leading to continuous investment requests.
Romance/Dating Scam	Method: Scammers create fake online dating profiles to establish romantic relationships, then concoct emergencies that supposedly require financial assistance. Process: The scam typically escalates to a crisis where the fictional partner claims to be detained and in need of funds for release.

Read more: Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology