9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 6th June, 2024

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 2

Reason for increasing women-led philanthropy

Source: The post reason for increasing women-led philanthropy has been created, based on the article “Women-led philanthropy will improve the act of giving” published in “Live mints” on 6th June 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-governance-Development processes and the development industry the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders

Context: The article discusses the growing impact of women in philanthropy in India. It highlights how women like Melinda French, MacKenzie Scott, and Rohini Nilekani are using their wealth to support various causes.

Who are the key women leaders in philanthropy?

Global Leaders in Philanthropy:

Melinda French: After divorcing Bill Gates, she founded Pivotal Philanthropies Foundation and plans to focus on gender development with a budget of $12.5 billion.

MacKenzie Scott: Post-divorce from Jeff Bezos, she distributed $16.6 billion to over 2,000 NGOs with a ‘no strings attached’ policy, making a significant impact on global philanthropy.

Indian Leaders in Philanthropy:

Rohini Nilekani: Independent of her family’s Infosys wealth, she has led significant philanthropic efforts, focusing on environmental and climate change issues.

Rajashree Birla: Continued the Birla family’s philanthropic legacy by leading CSR initiatives after her husband’s death.

What is the reason for increasing women-led philanthropy?

1. Financial Independence: Women now have more financial autonomy due to ownership stakes in companies. This shift allows them to redistribute wealth as they wish, influenced by pioneers like Rohini Nilekani and Rajashree Birla.
2. The emergence of women billionaires like Savitri Jindal, Rohiqa Cyrus Mistry, and Rekha Jhunjhunwala has indeed boosted women-led philanthropy significantly
3. Inspirational Role Models: Figures such as Melinda French, MacKenzie Scott, and Rohini Nilekani demonstrate impactful, independent philanthropy, inspiring other women to follow suit.
4. Government and Industry Support: Organizations like the Confederation of Indian Industry help channel CSR funds, often led by women, fostering a supportive environment for philanthropic activities.

What is the benefit of women-led philanthropy?

1. Innovative Giving Approaches: MacKenzie Scott’s “no strings attached” policy allowed NGOs full control over the funds, challenging traditional restrictive practices.
2. Direct Impact on Societal Challenges: Women tend to focus on complex issues with greater accountability. A 2024 Bain and Company-Dasra study shows women donate a larger portion of their wealth to directly achieve better outcomes.
3. Role Model Effect: Leaders like Rohini Nilekani inspire other women, creating a multiplying effect that encourages more female involvement in philanthropy.
4. Increased Accountability: Women show a higher degree of responsibility in fund usage, leading to more effective and impactful philanthropic activities.

Question for practice:

Examine the factors that have contributed to the rise of women-led philanthropy in India.

Findings of National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2021

Source: The post findings of National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2021 has been created, based on the article “Disparities in schooling quality need to end for better outcomes” published in “Live mints” on 6th June 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- governance- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education

Context: The article discusses the importance of not just access to education but also its quality. It highlights disparities in educational outcomes across Indian states and suggests solutions like better teaching practices and targeted interventions to improve learning outcomes for all students.

For detailed information on National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 read this article here

What are the main findings of the National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2021?

1. Decline in Performance: Compared to NAS 2017, student performance has declined significantly across grades.

Class 3 scores dropped by 3.9% in Language, 4.7% in Mathematics, and 4.4% in Environmental Studies (EVS).

Class 10 scores fell by 13.4% in Mathematics, 18.6% in Science, and 9.1% in Social Science.

2. Disparities Across States: States like Punjab, Rajasthan, and Haryana excel, while Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Chhattisgarh lag behind.
3. Performance Drop with Progression: Scores decline as students advance from Class 3 to Class 10.

Language scores fell from 64.6% in Class 3 to 52% in Class 10.

Mathematics scores dropped from 61.2% in Class 3 to 44% in Class 10.

For detailed information on National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2021 read this article here

Why are there declines in performance?

1. Shift in Assessment Style: The move from rote learning to competency-based assessments challenges students not used to this approach.
2. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic: Disruptions in regular schooling due to the pandemic contributed significantly to learning losses.
3. Inadequate Foundational Learning: Students’ foundational skills in early grades are not strong enough, leading to compounded difficulties in higher grades.
4. Insufficient Reinforcement of Concepts: According to Jerome Bruner’s Spiral Curriculum Theory, a lack of regular revisitation and reinforcement of core concepts leads to gaps in knowledge as students’ progress.

How does the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for School Education 2023 address quality disparities?

1. It aims to define learning standards clearly and systematically align educational goals with measurable outcomes, supporting the core vision of the NEP 2020.
2. By detailing specific learning outcomes, the NCF allows for precise assessment and targeted interventions, which help educators identify and close learning gaps effectively.
3. The framework includes operational guidelines for adapting learning outcomes to different contexts and customizing teaching strategies, ensuring that all students meet set competencies.
4. These measures contribute to reducing educational quality disparities, as highlighted by the disparities in NAS 2021 data.

For more information on National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for School Education 2023 read Article 1, Article 2

What should be done?

1. Strengthen Foundational Learning: The NEP 2020 aims to ensure all children achieve foundational literacy and numeracy by Grade 3, with an emphasis on a shift from rote learning to holistic, integrated, and experiential learning approaches.
2. Enhance Teacher Training: The NEP 2020’s focus on continuous professional development and the establishment of National Professional Standards for Teachers to elevate teaching quality.
3. Use Data-Driven Approaches: Utilize NAS data to identify and address specific areas where students are underperforming, ensuring targeted interventions.
4. Promote Competency-Based Education: The NEP 2020 promotes shifting from memorization to competency-based education, ensuring students master essential skills before moving on to more advanced topics.
5. Engage Community and Parents: Actively involve parents and communities in the educational process, making them partners in improving education.
6. Align State Policies with NEP 2020: Ensure that state education policies support the goals of NEP 2020, particularly around foundational learning and teacher training.
7. Implement Bloom’s Mastery Learning: Emphasize mastery of lower-order cognitive skills before advancing to higher-order thinking skills. This approach ensures that students fully understand the material at each stage of their education before moving on to more complex concepts.

Question for practice:

Examine the key factors contributing to the decline in student performance, and what should be done to address this?

 

Impact of Coalition Governments on Governance

Source: The post impact of coalition governments on governance has been created, based on the article “Coalition governments serve the economy well” published in “Live mints” on 6th June 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Polity

Context: The article discusses how coalition governments in India, despite their complexity, have effectively governed and advanced significant economic reforms. It contrasts this with the recent single-party rule, which avoided difficult decisions and suggests that political skill, not just majority, is key to effective governance.

What is the impact of coalition governments on governance?

1. Coalition governments have managed to effectively govern India and push forward major economic reforms.
2. Despite concerns about their potential for conflict and compromise, these governments have often been more productive than single-party rule.
3. For instance, significant reforms in trade, taxation, and digital infrastructure were all initiated or advanced under coalition governments

How have different governments contributed to economic reforms?

1. Narasimha Rao Government (1991): Initiated economic liberalization, including industrial deregulation, opening of trade, and overhauling the securities market.
2. United Front Government (1996-1998): Introduced policies like dematerialization of shares and reduced income tax rates.
3. Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s NDA: Continued economic reforms, developed national highways, and reformed telecommunications.
4. United Progressive Alliance (UPA): Further liberalized telecom, initiated digital infrastructure projects like Aadhaar and UPI, and implemented inclusive policies like the Right to Information.

What are the achievements of the recent single-party rule?

1. The single-party rule of the last decade focused less on major reforms and more on incremental changes like bankruptcy easing and inflation targeting.
2. The significant reform under this regime was the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which required a coalition-style consensus to be enacted.

Conclusion

Coalition governments, despite their perceived fractiousness, excel in negotiating and incorporating diverse perspectives, resulting in effective governance and substantial economic reforms. This underscores the importance of political acumen over a simple majority in achieving successful governance outcomes.

Question for practice:

Discuss how coalition governments in India have been able to effectively govern and advance significant economic reforms, contrasting with the approach of recent single-party rule.

GS PAPER - 3

Issue of Wheat Import by India

Source: The post Issue of Wheat Import by India has been created, based on the article “WILL INDIA IMPORT WHEAT?” published in “Business standard” on 6th June 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3-economy- transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints

Context: India is considering reducing wheat import duties due to lower domestic supplies and high market prices. The government might need to import wheat to stabilize prices, despite having more wheat this year compared to last year. Improving wheat yields is suggested as a long-term solution.

For detailed information on How India’s agricultural exports fell read this article here

What is the current situation in the Indian wheat market?

India is facing high wheat prices in the market, which are much higher than the government’s minimum support price. For instance, prices reached around ₹3,000 per quintal in some parts of Madhya Pradesh, while the official price is ₹2,275 per quintal. Due to this increase, there is a discussion about reducing the 44% import duty on wheat to allow imports and help stabilize prices.

Why might India consider importing wheat?

1. The consideration for importing wheat, potentially 2 to 4 million tonnes, comes as domestic procurement has not met the target of 30 to 32 million tonnes for three years.
2. This shortage in state procurement and the high market prices have led to discussions on easing import norms to bring down prices and discourage hoarding.

What is the government’s strategy?

1. The government might have nearly 8.5 million tonnes of wheat to manage market prices this year, compared to 10 million tonnes last year.
2. This wheat will be used in open market operations and possibly through schemes like the Open Market Sale Scheme to control prices.
3. The overall production is also reported to be better than last year, with an estimate showing an increase of 2.4 million tonnes.

What are the long-term solutions?

1. Increase Wheat Yields: Boost the average yield from the current 3.7-3.8 tonnes per hectare to at least 5 tonnes per hectare. Competing countries like Mexico and China have yields close to 6 tonnes per hectare.
2. Address Agricultural Challenges: Implement measures to combat losses due to weeds and pests, which can reduce potential yield by 20 to 30 percent, and correct nutritional imbalances.
3. Enhance Wheat Varieties: Develop and distribute varieties that can resist terminal heat and other climatic challenges.

Question for practice:

Discuss the reasons behind India’s consideration to import wheat and the expected effects on the domestic market.

Shift in Cropping Patterns

Source-This post on Shift in Cropping Patterns has been created based on the article “Unintended consequence Shift in paddy sowing is not helping” published in “Business Standard” on 6 June 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3– Major Crops – Cropping Patterns in various parts of the country.

Context-India is expecting a normal monsoon this year, which will boost agricultural production. However, groundwater depletion in certain states may limit the impact of the monsoon. The states of Punjab and Haryana have witnessed severe groundwater depletion due to the wheat-paddy cultivation cycle.

Paddy, a water-guzzling crop, occupies around 88% of the kharif cropped area in Punjab and 52% in Haryana. Groundwater extraction rates in Punjab and Haryana are alarmingly high at 163.76% and 135.74%, respectively, compared to the national average of 59.26%.

What environmental legislation have state governments enacted to address groundwater depletion?

To address groundwater depletion, Punjab and Haryana enacted Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act (PPSWA) and the Haryana Preservation of Subsoil Water Act (HPSWA).

Objective- These laws aimed to make sure farmers planted paddy when the monsoon started by stopping them from planting too early.

What are the unintended consequences?

1) They had an unintended consequence of increasing stubble burning and air pollution in northern India.

2) The shift in paddy transplantation by over a month led to a shorter window between harvesting and planting the next rabi crop, forcing farmers to burn crop residue.

3) Stubble burning coincides with low wind speeds in northern India, exacerbating air pollution.

Read more-Challenges faced by Indian Agriculture

Why were these laws rendered ineffective?

1) The laws became ineffective because of the high minimum support prices (MSP) set for paddy and the subsidies on inputs, which encouraged farmers to increase paddy cultivation. This resulted in excessive extraction of groundwater and an increase in stubble generation.

2) The government has taken steps to encourage crop diversification, such as proposing to procure alternative crops like masoor, urad, arhar, maize, and cotton at MSP over the next five years. However, the assured procurement of wheat and paddy for the central pool, coupled with higher returns, prevents farmers from diversifying.

What should be the way forward?

Instead of doing away with the laws, there is a need for crop diversification, adoption of direct seeded rice, paddy straw management, and raising MSP and assured procurement for alternative crops.

Question for practice

Why have environmental legislations aimed at controlling groundwater depletion been rendered ineffective?

The Employment Crisis in India

Source-This post on The Employment Crisis in India has been created based on the article “Filling public employment vacancies & regularising all workers, especially women, should be new government’s priority” published in “Down to Earth”on 1 June 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3– Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.

Context– The article highlights the issue of unemployment in India. As per Periodic Labour Force Surveys, India has one of the lowest employment rates globally, with only 30.5% of people above the age of 15 years receiving remuneration for their work in 2022-23. Among men, the ratio was 48.1%, while shockingly, it was only 13% for women, one of the lowest employment rates for women worldwide.

What is the impact of this rising unemployment?

1) In a rapidly expanding economy with growing inequality, this situation is a crisis. It’s a significant issue in a nation where many people still lack adequate living conditions, and the development efforts are incomplete.

2) It is also becoming a socio-political problem due to an aspirational younger generation being denied opportunities to live up to its potential.

What approach has the government adopted to deal with the issue of unemployment?

 The government’s approach was to incentivize big business in the hope that it would result in more private investment, boosting the real economy and creating employment through a “trickle-down” effect.

What is the impact of this approach?

1) Employment hasn’t grown, and real wages haven’t gone up in the past decade.

2) According to the 2024 India Employment Report by the ILO, certain workers, such as those in construction and regular employment, have experienced declines in their wages.

3) The majority of employment positions are informal, with more than 90% of workers not receiving the advantages of formal legal and social safeguards. Additionally, over half of the workforce are self-employed, earning modest incomes.

4) Women are particularly disadvantaged, whether they’re paid or unpaid workers or self-employed.

Read more- Employment status in India

What are immediate measures for employment generation?

1) There are about 1 million job openings in the central government and likely many more in state governments combined. Filling these vacancies would not only increase employment but also enhance public services in areas like health, education, and sanitation, improving everyone’s quality of life.

2) Regularizing millions of women working in essential public service delivery schemes would benefit them and provide a fillip to domestic demand.

3) Greater emphasis on public spending for care activities would have positive multiplier effects on demand and employment.

4) Reviving the rural employment scheme by clearing arrears, ensuring proper funding, and avoiding partisan approaches that have denied resources to states ruled by Opposition parties.

5) Implementing an urban employment guarantee scheme with components for urban rejuvenation, skill training, and apprenticeships.

What are the medium-term measures?

1) There is a need to develop a package to revive and strengthen micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including access to credit, technology, inputs, and marketing, and providing incentives like those for large firms.

2) There is a need to focus on agriculture by ensuring viable cultivation through policies like legal MSP, public investment in relevant technologies, access to water and inputs, pos-harvest storage and processing etc.

3) The government should consider the influence of increasing temperatures and climate change in all policy decisions.

These employment generation measures are likely to have a positive impact on output and lead to a more sustainable, equitable, and just economic growth trajectory.

Question for practice

What are immediate and long-term measures for employment generation?

Role and Influence of Proxy Advisory Firms in India

Source-This post on Role and Influence of Proxy Advisory Firms in India has been created based on the article “Don’t fear the critic: How proxy advisors improve shareholder decisions in India” published in “The Indian Express” on 6 June 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3– Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.

Context-The article highlights the issues associated with proxy advisors. Recently, Proxy advisors have drawn attention to their recommendations that led to the rejection of resolutions, like Nestle’s royalty payout or the demerger of ITC Hotels.

CEO of JP Morgan Chase has recently flagged concerns about the undue influence of proxy advisors.However,this is not true in case of India. Institutional investors in India tend to conduct their own analysis, with PAs serving as a support system rather than exercising too much power.

What is the role of proxy advisors?

1) They serve as a support system for investors to make informed decisions.

2) They offer criticism and point out flaws, much like doctors diagnosing illnesses, which encourages corrective measures for good governance.

3) They support management’s decisions/actions if they are fair and adhere to governance parameters.

What are some limitations of proxy advisors?

1) They have neither the expertise, vision, nor the information that the board has to determine what’s best for the company.

2) They are not required to have the abilities to outsmart the boards of the numerous companies they track.

3) It’s crucial to draft meeting notices properly, including detailed explanations and disclosures, to prevent PAs from making negative recommendations.

4) They sometimes differ in their interpretation of laws from companies, creating a conflict between regulatory compliance and governance.

5) Proxy advisors sometimes don’t only trust valuer reports; they also do their own valuations. But problems occur when companies disagree with their assessments, especially in cases like Tata Motors and ICICI Securities, where some minority investors object to proposals because of their expectations by not providing solid arguments.

What should be the way forward?

The proxy advisor industry has indeed matured over its decade-long existence. However, there is a need to maintain independence, free it from conflicts of interest, and focus on its role in supporting informed decision-making without being concerned about the outcomes.

Question for practice

What is the role of proxy advisors? What are some limitations of proxy advisors?

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Dnipro

Source-This post on Dnipro has been created based on the article “Russian missile attack on Ukraine’s Dnipro injures seven people, including two children” published in “The Print” on 6 June 2024.

Why in News?

A recent Russian missile attack on the central city of Dnipro injured seven people, including two children, and damaged civilian infrastructure.

About Dnipro

1.  Dnipro is a city of regional significance in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine. It covers an area of 409,718 square kilometers.

2. The city is located along both banks of the Dnieper River, near its confluence with the Samara River.

3. The city center is on the right bank, which is part of the Dnieper Upland, while the left bank is part of the Dnieper Lowland.

4.  Dnipro is Ukraine’s fourth-largest city, following Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa.

5. Industrial Significance:

i)  Dnipro is one of Ukraine’s major industrial centers.

ii)  The city hosts numerous facilities for heavy industries, producing launch vehicles, rolled metal, cast iron, machinery, agricultural equipment, chemicals, and more.

About the Dnieper River

1. The Dnieper River is the fourth-longest river in Europe, after the Volga, the Danube, and the Ural.

2. The river’s name varies by language: Dnepr in Russian, Dnipro in Ukrainian, and Dnyapro in Belarusian.

3. Location: It is located in Eastern Europe, the Dnieper River and its tributaries drain much of Belarus and Ukraine.

4. Course: The river originates in Russia, in the low Valday Hills, west of Moscow. It runs a total length of 1,368 miles (2,201 kilometers) through western Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine before emptying into the Black Sea.

5. The Dnieper passes through several urban centers, including Smolensk and Dorogobuzh in Russia; Mogilev in Belarus; and Kyiv, Cherkasy, Dnipro, and Zaporizhia in Ukraine.

6. Tributaries- The Dnieper River has approximately 32,000 tributaries, including notable rivers such as the Sozh, Desna, Trubizh, Bilozerka, Drut, Berezina, and Prypiat.

UPSC Syllabus: World geography

Revising TB treatment protocols

Source-This post on Revising TB treatment protocols has been created based on the article “Health Ministry reworks protocol as country’s TB elimination drive plateaus” published in “The Hindu” on 6 June 2024.

Why in News?

Recently, Health Ministry official stated that India’s efforts to achieve a rapid decline in tuberculosis (TB) morbidity and mortality and work towards the elimination of TB by 2025 have stalled. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is looking at reworking the protocol.

About revised TB treatment protocols

1. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is revising TB treatment protocols, focusing on medication and treatment duration.

2. Objective: To rejuvenate the TB-free initiative and eliminate deaths, disease, and poverty caused by TB.

3. India has been fighting TB for over 50 years. TB remains one of the country’s most severe health challenges, causing significant mortality and suffering.

4. TB Mortality and Missing Cases:

i) TB kills an estimated 480,000 Indians annually, equating to over 1,400 deaths per day.

ii) Over a million TB cases go unreported annually, often due to under diagnosis or inadequate treatment in the private sector.

5. Technological Advancements: New technologies enhance early TB detection capabilities.  Improved interventions and technologies are available for the diagnosis, treatment, and care of TB.

6. Ongoing Challenges and Required Actions: Despite advancements, more needs to be done to significantly reduce TB incidence. The Health Ministry emphasizes the need for increased efforts to address the ongoing TB crisis effectively.

Read more: India TB report 2024

UPSC Syllabus: Governance

Women Representation in Lok Sabha

Source-This post on Women Representation in Lok Sabha has been created based on the article “The representation of women in the incoming Lok Sabha, how it compares to previous years” published in “The Indian Express” on 6 June 2024.

Why in News?

Over the years, the gender composition of the Lok Sabha has generally trended towards increasing women’s representation.

About Women Representation in Lok Sabha

1. In 2024, India elected 74 women MPs to the Lok Sabha, which is four fewer than in 2019. These 74 women constitute 13.63% of the total strength of the Lower House, significantly below the proposed 33% quota for women.

2. The women MPs come from 14 different parties, with the BJP leading this list with 31 women MPs, followed by Congress with 13, and the TMC with 11.

3. Historical Progression:

i) In 1952, only 4.41% of the members in the Lok Sabha were women. By 1962, this number went up to a little over 6%. However, in 1971, it dropped to less than 4%.

ii) Since then, there has been a slow but steady rise in women’s representation, crossing the 10% mark in 2009 and peaking at 14.36% in 2019. However, in 2024, this representation saw a slight decrease to 13.63%.

4. Comparative Analysis: India’s 13.63% representation of women in the Lok Sabha lags behind several other countries. For instance, 46% of MPs in South Africa are women, 35% in the UK, and 29% in the US.

5. Party-wise Representation:

i) In 2024, women Lok Sabha MPs come from 14 parties. The BJP has the highest number of women MPs at 31, which is 12.92% of its total MPs.

ii) Congress follows with 13 women MPs, making up 13.13% of its MPs, and the TMC has 11 women MPs, representing 37.93% of its total.

iii) The SP has five women MPs, the DMK has three, and both the LJPRV and JD(U) have two each. Seven parties have one woman MP each.

6. New Faces and Experience:

i) Of the 74 women MPs elected in 2024, 43 are first-time MPs, and Misa Bharti of the RJD is a first-time Lok Sabha MP. Women MPs, on average, have 0.76 Lok Sabha terms of experience.

ii) The average age of women MPs is 50 years, compared to 56 years for the overall House. Additionally, 78% of the women MPs have completed their undergraduate education, which is comparable to their male counterparts.

7. Candidates’ Composition:

i) Out of the total 8,360 candidates who stood in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, around 10% were women.

ii) This number has increased over time, from 3% in 1957 to 10% in 2024. Among the major parties, 16% of BJP’s candidates were women, while 13% of Congress’s candidates were women, both higher than the overall average.

UPSC Syllabus: Polity and nation

Fungus Parengyodontium album

Source-This post on Fungus Parengyodontium album  has been created based on the article “Fungus Breaks Down Plastic Polyethylene in the Ocean” published in “Laborotary Equipment” on 6 June 2024.

Why in News?

Researchers discovered that the marine fungus Parengyodontium album can break down the plastic.

About Parengyodontium album

1. Parengyodontium album is a marine fungus capable of breaking down plastic polyethylene (PE) which is the most common plastic found in the ocean.

2. Discovery: This fungus was discovered by marine microbiologists from the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ).

3. Bioremediation Process: During the bioremediation process, PE-derived carbon is converted into the fungal biomass of Parengyodontium album, serving as its energy source.

4. Role of UV Light: Initial photodegradation of PE by UV sunlight is crucial for this process. This makes the fungus effective in degrading floating oceanic plastic litter.

5. Plastic Production: Humans produce over 400 billion kilograms of plastic annually, much of which ends up in the ocean.

6. Potential for Deeper Ocean: Fungi are considered the “masters of degradation” because they utilize a variety of digestive enzymes for breaking down materials, including plastic. Researchers expect that there could be more plastic-degrading fungi in the deeper parts of the ocean.

Minuteman III

Source-This post on Minuteman III has been created based on the article “On Cam: Nuclear-capable Minuteman III ICBM Lights Up U.S. Skies Amid Tensions With Russia” published in “Hindustan Times ” on 6 June 2024.

Why in News?

The US Air Force recently tested an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

About Minuteman III

About	Description
About LGM-30G Minuteman III	1. The LGM-30G Minuteman III is a solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) first deployed by the United States Air Force (USAF) in the 1960s. 2. It is the only land-based component of the U.S. nuclear triad. 3. Originally intended for a ten-year service life, it has been continuously modernized, with its replacement, the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), expected to be available by 2029. 4. It was the first U.S. missile equipped with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs). 5. The U.S. currently has approximately 440 Minuteman III missiles in its arsenal.
Designed and manufactured by	Boeing Corporation.
Features	1. Three-Stage, Solid-Fuel Design: The missile consists of three stages powered by solid fuel. 2. Dimensions: It is 18.2 meters long, with a diameter of 1.85 meters, and a launch weight of 34,467 kilograms. 3. Range and Payload: The Minuteman III has a maximum range of 13,000 kilometers and can carry a payload of three reentry vehicles. 4. Current Warhead Configuration: It now carries a single nuclear warhead in accordance with arms control agreements between the United States and Russia. 5. Reliability and Launch Capabilities: The missile boasts a fast launch time, nearly 100 percent testing reliability, and has backup airborne launch controllers to maintain retaliatory capabilities.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology

Blaze Star

Source-This post on Blaze Star has been created based on the article “A ‘new star’ could appear in the sky any night now. Here’s how to see the Blaze Star ignite” published in “livescience” on 6 June 2024.

Why in News?

The upcoming explosion of “Blaze Star” (T Coronae Borealis) which is a rare celestial event. It will be visible to the naked eye for the first time since 1946. This event highlights the dynamic nature of the universe and the complex processes governing stellar evolution.

About Blaze Star

1. Blaze Star is a dim star located 3,000 light-years away from our solar system.

2.  It is situated in the constellation Corona Borealis, also known as the “Northern Crown.”

3. Blaze Star is a rare example of a recurrent nova, which means it experiences explosive increases in brightness approximately once every 80 years.

4. Stellar Components:

i) The nova involves a binary star system comprising a white dwarf and a red giant.

ii)  The white dwarf draws material from the red giant, leading to periodic explosive increases in brightness.

iii) An explosion occurs when the red giant’s surface temperature escalates dramatically, causing it to shed material onto the white dwarf, which then ignites a thermonuclear explosion.

5. Upcoming Explosion: The next stellar explosion is expected to be visible to the naked eye. It is predicted to shine as brightly as Polaris, the North Star, for about a week. NASA predicts this event will occur sometime between now and September 2024.

6. Historical Eruptions: Past notable eruptions of T CrB were recorded in the years 1946 and 1866. Earlier documented observations date back to 1787 and 1217.

7. Frequency and Impact: Novae like T CrB occur once every few decades to a century. They differ from supernovae in scale, frequency, and consequences. Unlike supernovae, novae do not destroy the star system but allow it to reset and repeat the cycle.

UPSC Syllabus- Science and Technology

Mount Kanlaon

Source-This post on Mount Kanlaon has been created based on the article “Hundreds in emergency shelters after volcano erupts in Philippines” published in “Indian Express” on 6 June 2024.

Why in News?

Recently, Mount Kanlaon on Negros island exploded sending a plume of ash, rocks and gases five kilometres.

Mount Kanlaon

About	Description
About	1. Mount Kanlaon is a stratovolcano located in the north-central part of Negros Island in the Philippines. 2. It is the highest mountain on Negros Island and the 42nd tallest peak on an island worldwide. 3. Kanlaon is one of the active volcanoes in the Philippines and is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. 4. The volcano has several pyroclastic cones and craters.
Geological Features	1. The summit of Kanlaon features a broad, elongated caldera with a crater lake, and a smaller, more active crater to the south. 2. It is made up of tropical volcanic materials, including sheeted lava flows, lahar deposits, airfall tephra, and apron pyroclastic materials. 3. Mount Kanlaon is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. 4. The slopes of Kanlaon serve as headwater catchments for major river systems on Negros Island.
Eruptions	1. Kanlaon has erupted several times since 1886. 2. These eruptions typically involve phreatic explosions of small to moderate size, producing minor ashfalls near the volcano.

About Phreatic Eruption

1. A phreatic eruption is a steam-driven explosion that occurs when water beneath the ground or on the surface is heated by volcanic activity.

2. Process: The heated water begins to boil or can even flash into steam, causing an explosion. Phreatic eruptions can occur before, during, or after a more traditional volcanic eruption.

3. Causes: Groundwater near volcanic vents gets heated as magma rises to the surface, leading to these phreatic eruptions.

UPSC Syllabus: World Geography