9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 30 May, 2024
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Mains Oriented Articles
GS PAPER - 2
Geo-political impacts of US’s handling of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza
Source: The post Geo-political impacts of US’s handling of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza has been created, based on the articles:
“What the stalemates in Ukraine, Gaza mean for the US – and its place in the world” published in “Indian express” and
“Netanyahu’s actions flout principles of justice and humanity” published in “Indian express” on 30th May 2024.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2-International relations- Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate.
Context: The article argues that the US’s handling of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza shows its strategy of globalizing conflicts has failed. This failure highlights the shift from a unipolar world order to a more regionalized one, changing global geopolitics significantly.
What was the UN Security Council resolution on Gaza?
The UN Security Council passed a resolution on March 25 demanding a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The US did not veto this resolution, which was a change from its previous stance.
For detailed information on UN resolution on the ceasefire in Gaza read this article here
Why is Israel becoming isolated globally?
- Shift in US Stance: The US did not veto the UN Security Council resolution demanding a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, signaling limited support for Israel.
- Civilian Casualties: Israel’s bombing of a refugee shelter, killing 45 people, drew criticism, further isolating it.
- Netanyahu’s Hardline Policies: His refusal to pause attacks and denial of a two-state solution are isolating Israel.
- Global Reactions: Countries like Spain, Ireland, and Norway recognized the Palestinian state, and international courts are addressing accusations of genocide and war crimes against Israel.
- Domestic Unpopularity: Netanyahu’s actions are unpopular at home and sparking protests abroad, especially in the US.
How is the U.S. handling the wars in Ukraine and Gaza?
- The U.S. has chosen war over negotiations in both Ukraine and Gaza. It helps its allies in supplying arms, funding, and diplomatic cover to Ukraine and Israel.
- Despite this support, both wars have reached stalemates and have not achieved Kyiv’s or Tel Aviv’s goals of complete victory.
- In Ukraine, the U.S. supports with arms and financial aid to counter Russian aggression.
- In Gaza, the U.S. backs Israel with military and diplomatic support against Hamas.
- Countries in the Global South, including U.S. allies like Turkey, often refuse to fully side with the U.S., maintaining neutrality.
- The U.S.’s approach highlights a shift towards regional conflicts, challenging the global political order it once dominated.
How does regionalization affect geopolitics?
- Regionalization has led to a shift in how conflicts are viewed and managed globally. Countries like Turkey, despite being part of NATO, refuse to sanction Russia and maintain relations with Israel, showing a trend towards neutrality.
- Middle powers such as China, India, and Brazil focus on regional influence rather than global dominance.
- The failure of sanctions on countries like Iran and Russia demonstrates the limits of global political control.
- Regional conflicts are less likely to expand into global wars due to localized ceasefire calls.
- The U.S. struggles to re-globalize conflicts, as seen in its interventions in Ukraine and Gaza.
- This shift challenges the unipolar international order previously dominated by the U.S.
Question for practice:
Discuss the implications of the shift towards regional conflicts and the failure of the US strategy of globalizing conflicts.
Challenges to Liberalism
Source-This post on Challenges to Liberalism has been created based on the article “India, liberalism and its crisis of legitimacy” published in “The Hindu” on 30 May 2024.
UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2-Indian Constitution- Historical Underpinnings, Evolution, Features, Amendments, Significant Provisions and Basic Structure.
Context– The article highlights the importance of updating and broadening the concept of Indian liberalism. It should address criticisms while staying true to its basic principles of freedom, dignity, and fair representation. These values are deeply ingrained in Indian traditions.
Why is there a decline in liberal values across the globe?
1) Populist and authoritarian leaders are gaining ground globally. This marks a clear decline in liberal democracy from its peak after the Cold War, now existing in only 34 countries.
2) More and more people are losing faith in liberal democracy and values. They’re leaning towards other options like authoritarianism or military rule instead. An example is a Pew survey where 85% of people in India showed a preference for these alternatives.
Read more- Secularism in India
What are the criticisms of liberal ideology?
1) Attacks on Liberalism from the Left –
A) Liberalism is seen as an elitist ideology that favors the interests of a small, privileged group over the needs of the majority. They argue that liberalism’s emphasis on individualism has increased economic inequality and the divide between the rich and poor in society.
B) Liberals are criticized for furthering corporate interests and marginalization of the disadvantaged.
2) Attacks on Liberalism from the Right-
A) The right sees liberalism’s focus on individual freedom as a threat to values that are centered around community, identity, and tradition.
B) They dismiss liberalism in India as a Western colonial import with no connection to traditional values and way of living.
Why is there a need to reform and expand the idea of Indian liberalism?
1) It is important to address issues such as the rise of undemocratic options, loss of faith in equal democracy, restrictions on personal freedoms, weakening of institutions, and the acceptance of prejudiced and narrow-minded viewpoints
2) It is important to bust the myth that liberalism is an imported concept. Contrary to being a Western import, key liberal values like individual liberty, freedom, social justice, and societal harmony have been deeply ingrained in Indian society since ancient times.
3) Liberal values are present in Indian cultural traditions and historical governing systems. These values are also expressed by influential figures like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Vivekananda, M.G. Ranade, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Gurudev Tagore, and B.R. Ambedkar.
What should be the way forward?
1) There is a need to engage with ideas of tradition and identity in a more comprehensive and sustained manner by recognizing oppression and discrimination and addressing feelings of marginalization.
2) There should be a balance between free enterprise and a commitment to social justice and welfare and a focus on equitable distribution of resources.
3) There is a need to usher in an era of political reform and revival of representative institutions to address centralization of power, lack of trust in institutions and prevent government’s overreach.
4) Liberals should come together by agreeing on common ground instead of arguing over differences. This unity is crucial to address serious threats to democracy.
Question for practice
What are the criticisms of liberal ideology? Why is there a need to reform and expand the idea of Indian liberalism?
Reasons Behind Judicial Pendency
Source-This post on Reasons Behind Judicial Pendency has been created based on the article “Blaming court vacation for pendency misses the real problem” published in “The Indian Express” on 30 May 2024.
UPSC Syllabus– GS Paper-2– Structure, Organization and Functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary
Context– The article explores the debate surrounding the work hours of judges and the issue of pending cases in India’s judicial system. It highlights the misconception that longer court sessions and reduced vacations for judges would significantly alleviate the backlog of cases.
According to the India Justice Report, as of June 2020, a case remained pending in subordinate courts for three years and in high courts for five years on average.
What is the current status of judicial vacancies in India?
No state has filled its complete quota of judges, whether in the high courts or the numerous lower courts. On average, high courts have a vacancy rate of 30%, but it can reach nearly 50%. Subordinate courts have an average vacancy rate of 22%. However, Bihar and Meghalaya have vacancy rates exceeding 30%, persisting for over three years.
What are the factors that lead to high judicial pendency?
1) Lack of Judges– India has only 15 judges per 10 lakh population, far below the Law Commission’s 1987 recommendation of 50 judges per 10 lakh population.
2) Lack of Basic Infrastructure– There’s a shortage of courtrooms, and many existing ones aren’t ideal. Nationally, there’s a lack of support staff, averaging 26%.
3) Legal Expertise and Ineffective Communication-Varying levels of skill and knowledge among both lawyers and judges result in continuous procedural delays. Additionally, when there’s a mismatch in language skills, clarity of arguments, and final decisions, it increases the number of appeals.
4) Lack of Legal Ethics and Culture-A culture within the legal profession that is permissive and potentially collusive enables the proliferation of unfounded applications, continuous adjournments, and meritless appeals. Lawyers employ tactics to deliberately prolong the trials.
5) Obstacles to Technological Integration in Court- Adoption of technology in courts is hindered by inconsistent access to electricity, uneven internet bandwidth, and resistance from users.
6) Challenges in Judicial Reform Initiatives -Efforts such as mandatory mediation, Lok Adalats, specialized courts, and prioritizing specific cases have been implemented. However, they face similar structural deficiencies.
Read more- The challenges of criminal justice system in India
What should be the way forward?
Solutions require collaboration between state and central governments. A few solutions are as follows-
1) Government litigation currently constitutes approximately 50% of the caseload in courts. Thus, steps are needed to rationalize and trim this.
2) There is a need to evaluate the potential financial and time consequences of every newly introduced legislation at the pre-legislative stage, and they should be put in the public domain. This may result in better-crafted legislation and reduce the unnecessary burden on the courts.
3) Obsolete laws and procedures should be revised or removed to decrease the number of legal cases.
4) There is a need to appoint long-term court managers who can relieve judges of many routine tasks and help in designing systems for maximum efficiency.
5) There is a compelling need to establish more rigorous criteria at the initial stage before individuals are appointed as judges, irrespective of whether it is for higher or lower courts.
6) The India Justice Report estimates that the overall per capita spending on judiciary stands at less than Rs 150.Thus, the government should enhance budgetary allocation to improve the access and quality of justice delivery.
Question for practice
What are the factors that lead to high judicial pendency in India? What steps can be taken to address this issue?
GS PAPER - 3
India’s economic outlook and strategies
Source: The post India’s economic outlook and strategies has been created, based on the article “Unlocking India’s decadal growth” published in “Business standard” on 30th May 2024.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3– growth and development
Context: The article discusses India’s economic outlook and strategies. It highlights the importance of reforms, investments, and policy changes needed to maintain growth, address unemployment, and improve infrastructure. It emphasizes coordination between government levels and tapping into global markets to sustain long-term economic development.
For detailed information on India’s growth surprise read this article here
How is India’s current economic environment?
- The fiscal year 2024 (FY24) is expected to see a growth rate close to 8%, with the Reserve Bank of India forecasting a 7% growth for FY25.
- Fiscal discipline by the government and a responsive monetary policy are boosting investor confidence in India’s economy.
- Consumer demand is strengthening, as indicated by Q4FY24 results showing improving rural demand.
- Financial metrics like bank credit to MSMEs growing at 20.1% year-on-year as of March 2024 highlight the dynamic economic activity and strong domestic consumption.
What challenges and opportunities does India face?
Challenges:
- Sustaining over 7% growth annually is difficult and requires multiple enablers like effective reforms and resource allocation.
- Unemployment, particularly among youth, is exacerbated by technological advancements. Urban employment data shows only 47.4% salaried or regular wage positions, indicating a need for better job quality.
- Small businesses need enhanced support such as easier credit access and government procurement opportunities. The last economic census was in 2013, pointing to outdated data that hamper effective policymaking.
- The need for significant investment to achieve the net-zero carbon goal by 2070, with a critical demand for global capital.
Opportunities:
- Private Sector Investment: Expected to rise due to lower borrowing costs and deleveraged company balance sheets.
- Export Growth: Aiming for $1 trillion in merchandise exports by 2030, necessitating enhanced market access and new trade agreements.
- Infrastructure Development: Efficient transport and logistics are critical, with the government focusing on projects like Gati Shakti and Bharatmala to support the expected high volume of exports and imports.
Way forward
To sustain economic growth, India must enhance infrastructure, support MSMEs, and improve job quality. Achieving the $1 trillion export target requires expanding global market access and new trade agreements. Also, better coordination between the central, state, and local governments is essential for efficient reform implementation and economic progress.
Question for practice:
What are the key factors influencing India’s current economic outlook and what challenges and opportunities does the country face moving forward?
Negative impacts of Minimum wage laws on workers
Source: The post negative impacts of Minimum wage laws on workers has been created, based on the article “Minimum wage: It’s likely to hurt the very workers it aims to help” published in “Live Mint” on 30th May 2024.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 – Indian Economy – Growth and Employment
Context: The article argues that minimum wage laws can harm the very workers they aim to protect by reducing employment opportunities for less skilled individuals. It suggests that allowing market forces to dictate wages and increasing competition for workers is a more effective way to support them.
For detailed information on Issues with the minimum wage in India read this article here
How does Minimum Wage impact employment?
- Negative Employment Effects: According to a 2006 study and a subsequent review in 2022, there’s a consistent pattern of negative employment effects associated with increase of minimum wage. These studies particularly highlight stronger dis-employment effects for less skilled groups.
- Findings from Randomized Control Trials (RCTs): An RCT examining the impact of minimum wages found that while wages of already hired workers increased, there were notable reductions in hiring and hours worked. The trials also noted that firms shifted towards hiring more productive workers, adversely affecting the less productive ones.
For example, if the minimum wage of domestic help and security guards increases significantly (e.g., ₹1 lakh per month). It would lead most households, except the super-rich, to reduce or eliminate these positions, impacting employment adversely in these sectors.
How have labor laws affected employment in countries like China and India?
- China’s Employment Shift: Over 30 years, China transitioned 35% of its workforce from agriculture to manufacturing and services, significantly boosting economic growth and development.
- India’s Slower Progress: In contrast, India moved only 13% of its workforce into similar sectors in the same timeframe. This slower shift is partially attributed to restrictive labor laws, including mandates for minimum wages that exceed market wages.
- Comparison with Bangladesh: In contrast to India, in Bangladesh, more women have moved from agriculture to factory jobs, helping secure their economic independence. This is implied to be due to the more flexible labor policy in Bangladesh.
What should be done?
- Encourage Market-Determined Wages: Allow wages to be set by market forces rather than government mandates to increase employment opportunities, especially for less skilled workers.
- Increase Competition for Labor: Create more competition among employers for workers’ time and effort, which can drive up wages naturally and improve job availability.
- Focus on Worker Choice: Prioritize policies that maximize worker choice and mobility, which have been effective in countries that have transitioned from low to higher income levels.
- Reduce Regulatory Burdens: Lighten labor laws that restrict employment growth, such as those that set minimum wages above the market rate, to stimulate job creation in manufacturing and other key sectors.
Question for practice:
Examine the potential impact of minimum wage laws on employment, considering evidence from studies, randomized control trials, and comparisons between countries like China, India, and Bangladesh.
Significance of Open Access for Scientific Research
Source-This post on Significance of Open Access for Scientific Research has been created based on the article “Open access is crucial for self-reliance in science” published in “The Hindu” on 29 May 2024.
UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3– Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology; Indigenization of Technology and Developing New Technology.
Context– The article discusses the difficulties in research infrastructure and resource access in India. It suggests moving towards Open Access publishing and making India self-reliant in scientific publishing to ensure long-term access and cost-effectiveness.
India has made impressive growth in science, matching its booming economy. India is now the third-largest contributor to global research and ranks eleventh in research quality, as per the Nature Index.
Despite an increase in the number of universities from 760 to 1,113 between 2014 and 2021, many lack essential resources such as instrumental access, sophisticated labs, and access to scientific literature.
What initiatives have been undertaken to address shortfall in research infrastructure and resources in India?
1) I-STEM-This initiative aims to bridge the gap by cataloging all publicly funded research facilities across the nation, ensuring their availability to researchers based on need.
2) One Nation, One Subscription (ONOS)- This proposes a centralized subscription model to scientific journals, making them universally accessible to all publicly funded institutions in India. Currently, institutions in India spend an estimated ₹1,500 crore annually to access journals and databases, but the benefits are reaped by only a few top institutes.
What are the issues with the ONOS model?
1) High Subscription fees-
A) More articles are now accessible for free online through Open Access (OA). An analysis of Web of Science publications reveals that the global proportion of OA articles rose from 38% in 2018 to 50% in 2022. T
B) Major funding sources like the U.S. and European Union are pushing for OA, with the U.S. mandating immediate open accessibility of all publicly funded research articles by 2025.These raise questions about the need and effectiveness of paying for content that is becoming more freely available.
2) Dominance of Publishers– A small number of big publishers from the global north control the academic publishing market. They can impose tough conditions, which makes it hard to negotiate for ONOS.
3) Limited Impact of ONOS– ONOS doesn’t significantly improve global access to Indian research; instead, it mainly benefits Indian researchers by granting access to journals owned by major publishing companies.
4) Lack of Publisher Responsibility– Even if you pay for subscriptions, there’s no guarantee of continuous access because publishers haven’t committed to preserving the content they profit from in the long term. For instance, when a chemistry journal distributed worldwide by Elsevier stopped in December 2023, over 17,000 research papers vanished, except in Japan.
Read more- Recent Concerns with India’s Science Management in 2024
What should be the way forward?
1) Green Open Access – Green Open Access involves archiving articles authored by Indian researchers and funded by taxpayer money in publicly funded OA repositories. This practice ensures that research outputs are freely accessible to everyone globally, without relying on costly subscription models.
2) Self-Reliance in Scientific Publishing – India should strengthen its own journal system without burdening authors or readers with payments.
3) Global Leadership-By leveraging its capabilities in digital technology, India should lead the global south in creating and sharing low-cost, high-quality scientific publishing infrastructure.
Question for practice
What are the issues with the ONOS model? How can Green Open Access help in ensuring low-cost, high-quality scientific publishing infrastructure?
Disaster Management in India
Source-This post on Disaster Management in India has been created based on the article “Cyclone Remal aftermath shows why it’s necessary to build disaster-resilient infrastructure” published in “The Indian Express” on 30 May 2024.
UPSC Syllabus–GS Paper-3– Disaster Management
Context-The article highlights the urgent need to upgrade and overhaul the disaster management system in the wake of rising frequency and intensity of natural disasters. This comes in the wake of recent cyclone Remal that caused devastation in the northeastern India.
What is the significance of National Disaster Management Authority in managing disasters in India?
Background-The creation of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in 2005 was a timely decision, prompted by the 1999 Odisha super cyclone and the 2004 tsunami.
1) The NDMA has done commendable work in disaster mitigation, risk assessment and reduction, and post-disaster response, rescue, and relief.
2) After the creation of NDMA at the Centre, almost every state has created a disaster management agency, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness.
What is the changing nature of disasters in India?
1) The nature of disasters that India faces has changed drastically in the last 20 years, with disasters becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.
2) Events like heatwaves, which were not considered potential disasters earlier, have emerged as new threats.
3) The rise in multi-hazard disasters, where one event triggers another or a series of disasters, has been a concerning trend. For ex-the recent landslides in the Northeast, which claimed at least 30 lives, were a multi-hazard disaster, triggered by heavy rainfall caused by Cyclone Remal.
What should be the way forward?
1) Upgrading Disaster Management- Disaster management agencies need to be empowered and equipped with more resources. Capacity-building must be focused on dealing with the changing nature of disasters.
Read more-Heat Action Plan
2) Regulation of Construction Activities– It is not possible to prevent natural occurrences like heavy rainfall, cyclones, or heatwaves. Nevertheless, the human-caused effects such as uncontrolled construction must be reduced.
3) Building Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure-India is currently constructing infrastructure for its future, and it’s important to integrate disaster resilience into each of these projects. Additionally, existing infrastructure requires retrofitting.
4) Global Leadership in Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure-India established the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) to advance disaster-resistant infrastructure globally. However, India should develop appropriate models domestically first.
Question for practice
What is the changing nature of disasters in India? What pro-active measures can be adopted to minimize damage to life and property?
Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)
Vivekananda Rock Memorial
Source- This post on Vivekananda Rock Memorial has been created based on the article “PM Modi to meditate at Tamil Nadu’s Vivekananda Rock Memorial to mark culmination of Lok Sabha campaign” published in “The Hindu” on 30 May 2024.
Why in News?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari for meditation.
About Vivekananda Rock Memorial
1. Location- The Vivekananda Rock Memorial is situated on a small island near Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu. It is positioned about 500 meters away from the Vavathurai mainland. The memorial stands atop one of two rocks in the midst of the Laccadive Sea. This location is notably where the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea converge.
2. Historical Significance- The memorial marks the site where Swami Vivekananda is believed to have achieved enlightenment. It was constructed in 1970 as a tribute to his profound impact on Indian philosophy and spirituality.
3. Architectural Features- The memorial features two main structures – the ‘Shripada Mandapam’ and the ‘Vivekananda Mandapam’. It also houses a life-sized bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda, enhancing its spiritual and cultural significance.
About swami Vivekananda
1. Swami Vivekananda was originally named Narendranath Datta. He was a major advocate for Vedanta, which is one of the six schools of Hindu philosophy.
2. He was born in 1863. He became a disciple of the mystic Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa.
3. Vivekananda’s teachings focused on combining the spiritual richness of Indian traditions with the progress-driven approach of the Western world.
4. He is well-known for introducing Hinduism to the Western world at the 1893 World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago, making a profound impact with his speeches. Upon returning to India, he founded the Ramakrishna Order, a religious and philanthropic organization, to continue his mission of service and spiritual development.
5. Swami Vivekananda emphasized the importance of meditation and taught that true understanding comes from realizing the divine nature within each person.
Read more: Teaching of swami Vivekananda
UPSC Syllabus: Personalities in News, art and culture
Himalayan serow
Source-This post on Himalayan serow has been created based on the article “Himalayan serow spotted in Nameri” published in “Times of India” on 30 May 2024.
Why in News?
Recently, Himalayan serow was seen for the first time in the central region of Nameri National Park and Tiger Reserve.
About Himalayan serow
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Aspects | Description |
About | 1. Himalayan serow is a subspecies of the mainland serow (Capricornis sumatraensis). 2. It resembles a cross between a goat, a donkey, a cow, and a pig |
Habitat | 1. They are found at high altitudes between 2,000 metres and 4,000 metres. 2. They are known to be found in the eastern, central, and western Himalayas but not in the Trans Himalayan region. |
Physical Characteristics | It is a medium-sized mammal with a large head, thick neck, short limbs, long, mule-like ears, and a coat of dark hair. It is a very elusive animal. |
Diet | Himalayan serows are herbivores animals. |
Distribution | 1. There are several species of serows in the world. All of them are found in Asia. 2. However, they are restricted to the Himalayan region. |
Conservation Status | IUCN Red List: Vulnerable CITES: Appendix I The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I |
About Nameri Tiger Reserve
Aspects | Description |
About | 1. Nameri Tiger Reserve is located in the northern area of Sonitpur district in Assam, close to the foothills of Arunachal Pradesh. 2. It shares its northern boundary with Pakke Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh, creating a continuous habitat. 3.The reserve has been carved out of two protected areas: Nameri National Park & Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary, and two Reserve Forests: Naduar Reserve Forest & Balipara Reserve Forest. |
River | It is defined by the Jia-Bhoreli river on the west and the Bor-Dikorai river on the east. |
Vegetation | The reserve’s vegetation includes tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests, cane brakes, and some open grassland patches along the rivers. |
Fauna | 1. Its fauna is diverse and notable, especially for the presence of the rare white-winged wood duck. 2. Other species include the leopard cat, common otter, black giant squirrel, Indian mongoose, large clawed shrew, Indian flying fox, slow loris, Assamese macaque, and Rhesus macaque. |
UPSC Syllabus: Environment
RudraM-II air-to-surface missile
Source-This post on RudraM-II air-to-surface missile has been created based on the article “RudraM-II air-to-surface missile flight test successful” published in “The Hindu” on 30 May 2024.
Why in News?
Recently, Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested the RudraM-II air-to-surface missile.
About the RudraM-II air-to-surface missile test
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1. The RudraM-II air-to-surface missile was successfully flight-tested by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).
2. It was tested from a Su-30 MK-I platform of the Indian Air Force (IAF) off the coast of Odisha.
3. The flight test met all the trial objectives. This validated the propulsion system and control & guidance algorithm.
About RudraM-II air-to-surface missile
1. RudraM-II is an indigenously developed solid-propelled air-launched missile system.
2. It is designed for air-to-surface engagement and launched from aircraft.
3. The missile system integrates numerous cutting-edge technologies developed by several DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) laboratories in India.
4. This achievement reinforces India’s commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities and underscores the importance of indigenous research and development in missile technology.
UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology ( Defence)
Magellan Mission
Source- This post on Magellan Mission has been created based on the article “NASA’s Magellan radar suggests volcanoes on Venus are still active” published in “The Indian Express” on 30 May 2024.
Why in News?
Recent research has unveiled new signs of volcanic activity on Venus. This new signs of volcanic activity arise from analyses of data collected by NASA’s Magellan mission, which orbited Venus from 1990 to 1994.
About the Magellan Mission
1. About the Mission- The Magellan mission is an initiative of NASA launched on May 4, 1989, from Cape Canaveral using the space shuttle Atlantis. It is the first interplanetary mission initiated from a Space Shuttle. The mission is named after the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, renowned for being the first to circumnavigate the Earth.
2. Aim- The main purpose of the Magellan mission was to map Venus’s surface. Venus has a very thick atmosphere which obscures optical observation. This makes radar imaging a necessity for studying its surface.
3. Mission Duration- Magellan reached Venus in 1990. The mission provided new insights into Venus, revealing a relatively young surface that might have been shaped by extensive lava flows from widespread volcanic activity.
In October 1994, the Magellan spacecraft was deliberately directed to crash into Venus to collect valuable data on Venus’s atmosphere during its final moments. This marks the first deliberate crash of an operational planetary spacecraft.
Future mission on venus
1. VERITAS Mission 2031: NASA’s upcoming mission, VERITAS (Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography, and Spectroscopy), is set for a 2031 launch.
2. Aim: This mission aims to enhance the understanding of Venus’s surface and interior through more precise observations.
3. Mission Goals: VERITAS will explore why Venus, despite its similarities in size and composition to Earth, has followed a distinct evolutionary path.
UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology (Space)
AMRUT Scheme
Source-This post on AMRUT Scheme has been created based on the article “An overview of the AMRUT scheme” published in “The Hindu” on 30 May 2024.
Why in News?
It has been reported that India continues to urbanize at a rapid pace, with projections indicating that over 50% of the population will reside in cities by 2047. Schemes like AMRUT has been working to make this urbanization more sustainable.
About the AMRUT Scheme
1. AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) is a flagship programme launched in June 2015.
2. The primary goals of the AMRUT scheme are:
a) To provide every household with a tap and a reliable supply of water, as well as sewerage connections.
b) To enhance urban living through the development of green spaces, like parks.
c) To reduce pollution by promoting the use of public transport and facilities for non-motorized transport.
About AMRUT 2.0
1. It was launched in 2021 for the duration of 2021-2022 to 2025-2026
2. Objective: Its objective is to ensure universal water supply via functional tap connections and improve sewerage/septage management in over 500 cities.
3. Key Features of AMRUT 2.0
a) Universal Coverage: It aims to provide functional tap connections to all households in statutory towns.
b) Circular Economy of Water: It encourages recycling and reuse of treated sewage, rejuvenation of water bodies, and water conservation through the development of City Water Balance Plans (CWBP) for each city.
4. Mission Components
a) Pey Jal Survekshan : Assesses equitable water distribution, wastewater reuse, and water body mapping to foster competition among cities.
b) Technology Sub-Mission: Integrates global water technologies.
c) IEC Campaign: Promotes water conservation awareness.
e) Ease of Living Improvements includes reducing non-revenue water, recycling treated water, and enhancing urban planning and finance systems.
Performance of the AMRUT Scheme
Achievements include 58,66,237 tap connections and 37,49,467 sewerage connections. 2,411 parks have been developed and 62,78,571 streetlights were replaced with LED lights under the scheme.
Challenges of the AMRUT Scheme
1. Infrastructure Shortfalls: Many urban households still lack piped water and proper sewerage, with water supply at 69.25 liters per person per day, below the necessary 135 liters.
2. Water Management: Issues include overuse and depletion of groundwater, exagerated by poor sewage treatment and climate variability.
3. Project Execution: Implementation often suffers from lack of comprehensive strategies and limited local government involvement.
UPSC Syllabus: Schemes and programme
Kendu Leaf
Source-This post on Kendu Leaf has been created based on the article “Odisha tribals await forest department nod to sell kendu leaf worth Rs 34 lakh” published in “Down to Earth” on 30 May 2024.
Why in News?
Villagers in Odisha’s Koraput who started the initiative of seeking kendu leaf under the Community Forest Rights (CFR), are now struggling for approvals from the forest department.
About Kendu Leaf
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1. About: It is a species of flowering tree in the family Ebenaceae. It is native to India and Sri Lanka. In various parts of India, it is also known as tendu leaf.
2. States where it is produced: Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
3. Uses: It is used in multiple ways:
a) The Kendu leaves are used to wrap bidis, a popular smoke among the locals. Tribals living in remote forests, pluck it and sell them in the market to earn their livelihood.
b) Traditional medical practitioners use it to treat malaria, diarrhoea, and dysentery. Due to their antimicrobial properties, the leaves are applied to cuts and bruises as well.
Kendu Leaf in Odisha:
1. It is called the green gold of Odisha. It is a nationalized product, like bamboo and the sal seed. It is one of the most important non-wood forest products in Odisha.
2. Odisha is the third-largest producer of tendu leaves, after Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
UPSC Syllabus: Environment