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GS Paper: GS3

  • Exercise ‘Poorvi Prahar’

    Why in the News?

    The Indian Army is conducting a high-intensity tri-services exercise named Poorvi Prahar from November 10 to 18 in Arunachal Pradesh’s forward areas.

    About Exercise ‘Poorvi Prahar’

    • It is a joint effort of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force to improve combat effectiveness for Integrated Joint Operations in challenging mountainous terrain.
    • It features a broad range of advanced military platforms:
      • Aircraft and Helicopters: Includes fighter aircraft, reconnaissance platforms, Chinook helicopters, and the Advanced Light Helicopter (Rudra).
      • Artillery: Deployment of M777 Ultra-Light Howitzers.
      • Capabilities: These assets provide high mobility, firepower, and precision suited to the region’s tough terrain.
    • Significance:
      • It emphasizes the Indian Armed Forces’ readiness to conduct multi-domain operations across land, air, and sea, reinforcing India’s strategic deterrence capabilities in the region.

  • Article 6.4 of the Carbon Market

    Article 6.4 of the Carbon Market

    Why in the News?

    • At the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, the adoption of Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement has paved the way for global carbon trading under UN supervision.
      • This new development allows UN member countries to trade carbon credits globally.

    What is Article 6.4?

    • Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement establishes a global carbon market to facilitate carbon credit trading between countries.
      • It is part of Article 6, which outlines mechanisms for international cooperation in achieving net-zero emissions.
    • Objective: Enable countries to offset their emissions by investing in emission reduction projects in other countries.
    • It establishes a global carbon market overseen by a UNFCCC Supervisory Body.
      • This body would develop rules, monitors credit issuance, and ensures compliance with international standards.
    • It allows countries to generate and trade Emission Reduction Credits (ERCs), which represent reductions in CO₂ or equivalent greenhouse gases.
      • Credits are earned from approved climate projects and can be traded globally.
    • Through subsections like Article 6.2, countries can use ITMOs (Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes) to meet their NDCs, which are tradeable units representing emissions reductions.

    Significance of Article 6.4

    • Cost-Effective Climate Action: By enabling global carbon markets, Article 6.4 could save an estimated $250 billion annually in implementing climate plans, providing a cost-efficient path to emission reductions.
    • Support for NDCs: The mechanism helps countries meet their NDC targets under the Paris Agreement, allowing more flexibility and incentivizing investments in green projects worldwide.
    • Economic Growth and Climate Mitigation: Carbon markets foster investments in clean energy, create jobs in climate-focused sectors, and link economic growth with climate action.
    • Encourages Sustainable Development: Article 6.4 incentivizes sustainable projects in developing countries, promoting green technology transfer and supporting local economies.

    Types of Carbon Credit Projects under Article 6.4

    • Emission Reduction Projects
      • Energy Efficiency Improvements: Reducing energy consumption (e.g., efficient lighting, better insulation).
      • Renewable Energy: Replacing fossil fuels with solar, wind, or hydroelectric power.
    • Emission Removal Projects
      • Reforestation and Afforestation: Increasing forest cover to absorb CO₂.
      • Soil Carbon Sequestration: Storing carbon in soil through agricultural practices.
    • Carbon Storage Projects
      • Geological Storage: Storing CO₂ in deep underground formations.
      • Biochar Production: Locking carbon in biochar, enhancing soil fertility.
    • Technological Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
      • Direct Air Capture: Capturing CO₂ from the air and storing it underground or using it industrially.
      • Ocean-Based Solutions: Enhancing ocean CO₂ absorption, such as through algae cultivation.

    Issues with Article 6.4

    • Carbon Offsetting Criticisms: Critics argue that offsetting doesn’t reduce global emissions but shifts responsibility, allowing countries to continue emitting while claiming neutrality.
    • Carbon Accounting Challenges: Unreliable carbon accounting can lead to “phantom credits,” where emissions reductions are overstated or inaccurately recorded, failing to match actual reductions.
    • Greenwashing Risks: Some countries and companies may use carbon credits as a form of greenwashing, claiming carbon neutrality while continuing to pollute.
    • Equity and Climate Justice Concerns: Developing nations, which contribute less to global emissions, are the most vulnerable to climate impacts.
    • Potential for Reversal Risks: Projects that store carbon in natural reservoirs risk releasing it back into the atmosphere. Some standards allow projects to end monitoring if reversal risk is considered “negligible,” which remains undefined and problematic.

     

    PYQ:

    [2011] Regarding “carbon credits”, which one of the following statements is not correct?

    (a) The carbon credit system was ratified in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol.

    (b) Carbon credits are awarded to countries or groups that have reduced greenhouse gases below their emission quota.

    (c) The goal of the carbon credit system is to limit the increase of carbon dioxide emission.

    (d) Carbon credits are traded at a price fixed from time to time by the United Nations Environment Programme.

  • Savannah Elephant populations fell by about 70% on average

    Savannah Elephant populations fell by about 70% on average

    Why in the News?

    Savanna elephants have experienced a significant population decline of around 70% across surveyed sites, primarily due to poaching and habitat loss.

    Decline in African Elephants Population

    • Researchers conducted a comprehensive assessment of these species using data from 475 sites in 37 countries between 1964 and 2016.
    1. Savanna Elephants: Populations declined by about 70% on average at surveyed sites.
    2. Forest Elephants: Populations fell by about 90% on average at surveyed sites.
    • The total population of African elephants decreased by 77% on average at surveyed sites.

    Features of African Elephants:

    • African elephants are the largest land animals on Earth, known for their size, intelligence, and complex social structures.
    • They are divided into savanna (bush) elephants (larger, with bigger tusks and open grassland habitat) and forest elephants (smaller, with straighter tusks and dense forest habitats).
    • Highly intelligent, African elephants display memory, empathy, and intricate social bonds within herds.
    • Conservation status:
      • CITES: Appendix I
      • IUCN: Savanna Elephants (Endangered); Forest Elephants (Critically Endangered)

    Geographical Spread

    • Savanna Elephants: Primarily in eastern and southern Africa, notably in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania.
    • Forest Elephants: Mainly in central and western Africa, including Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and parts of Cameroon.

    PYQ:

    [2020] With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements:

    1. The leader of an elephant group is a female.

    2. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months.

    3. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only.

    4. Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 2 and 4 only

    (c) 3 only

    (d) 1, 3 and 4 only

  • What is the Artificial Reef Project implemented in Kerala?

    Why in the News?

    20,000 pompano fingerlings were released into the sea off Vizhinjam as part of an artificial reef project aimed at replenishing marine fishery resources and promoting sustainable fishing.

    About the Artificial Reef Project in Kerala:

    Details
    Location • Covers 42 fishing villages in Thiruvananthapuram district, from Pozhiyoor to Varkala.
    Aims and Objectives • Enhance fish resources along Kerala’s coast.
    • Support sustainable fishing and improve fishing community livelihoods.
    Structural Mandate and Implementation Funding:

    • ₹13.02 crore project cost under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
    • ₹302 crore allocated for sustainable fisheries in Kerala.

    Implementation:

    • Implemented by KSCADC (Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation).
    • Technical support from CMFRI (Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute).

    Future Expansion Plans:

    • Phase II: Proposed to cover 96 villages in Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, and Thrissur districts (₹29.76 crore).
    • Phase III: Proposed to cover 96 villages in northern districts (₹25.82 crore).
    Significance • Boosts marine biodiversity.
    • Increases fish stocks and supports breeding environments.
    • Promotes sustainable fishing practices.
    • Enhances livelihoods of local communities.

  • New NASA-ISRO Satellite ‘NISAR’ to revolutionise Earth monitoring

    Why in the News?

    • The NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite is aimed at advancing our understanding of Earth’s natural processes and environmental changes.
      • Set to be launched into Low Earth Orbit (LEO), NISAR will act as a comprehensive Earth observation observatory.

    About NISAR Satellite:

    Details
    Collaboration • Joint mission between NASA (United States) and ISRO (India).
    Purpose • Designed to monitor Earth’s natural processes and environmental changes, contributing to disaster preparedness, climate research, and sustainable management.
    Launch Date • Planned for early 2025.
    Launch Location • Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Andhra Pradesh, India.
    Launch Vehicle • ISRO’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark II (GSLV Mk II).
    Orbit • Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
    Dual-Band Radar System • L-band radar (provided by NASA): Penetrates dense vegetation and tracks ground motion.
    • S-band radar (provided by ISRO): Enhances precision for surface monitoring.
    Day and Night Functionality • Operates 24/7, unaffected by weather conditions.
    Large Antenna • Diameter: 12 meters.
    • Structure: 39-foot reflector made from gold-plated wire mesh to focus radar signals effectively.
    Features • Scans Earth’s entire surface every 12 days.

    • Measures surface changes with accuracy down to fractions of an inch.

    • Can penetrate vegetation and soil layers, providing 3D reconstructions of subsurface structures.
    Areas of Study • Ecosystems and Environmental Changes (forest biomass, deforestation, wetlands, agricultural lands, glaciers, and ice sheets).
    • Natural Disasters (seismic shifts, volcanic bulging, landslides, and tsunamis).
    Benefits and Applications • Disaster Preparedness: Early warning data for natural disasters.
    • Infrastructure Monitoring: Tracks structural changes in critical infrastructure.
    • Environmental and Climate Research: Studies carbon storage, vegetation dynamics, and climate change impacts.
    Unique Advantages • Largest collaboration between NASA and ISRO.
    • Successfully tested in thermal vacuum conditions in Bengaluru in 2023.

     

    PYQ:

    [2015] The term ‘IndARC’ sometimes seen in the news, is the name of?

    (a) An indigenously developed radar system inducted into Indian Defence.

    (b) India’s satellite to provide services to the countries of Indian Ocean Rim.

    (c) A scientific establishment set up by India in Antarctic region.

    (d) India’s underwater observatory to scientifically study the Arctic region.

  • Corpse flower

    Why in the News?

    The study of Corpse Flower’s (Amorphophallus titanum) heat generation and odor emission has revealed how it attracts pollinators through unique adaptations for reproduction.

    About the Corpse Flower (Titan Arum):

    Details
    Scientific Name Amorphophallus titanum
    Habitat Rainforests of western Sumatra, Indonesia
    Features
    • Grows up to 10-12 feet in height.
    • Blooms once every 5-10 years; bloom lasts 24-48 hours.
    • Carrion-feeding insects (flies, beetles) are attracted by smell and heat.
    • Strong smell of rotting flesh to attract pollinators;
    • Smells like cheese, garlic, decaying fish, sweaty socks, and feces
    • Odor Compounds: Dimethyl trisulfide, trimethylamine, isovaleric acid, indole, putrescine
    • Produces around 400 red-orange fruits, each containing two seeds
    Structure
    • Spadix: Central phallic structure; grows up to 12 feet tall
    • Spathe: Large, dark red petal-like structure around the spadix
    • Corm: Underground energy storage; can weigh up to 45 kg
    Conservation Status Endangered; fewer than 1,000 individuals left in the wild

     

    PYQ:

    [2018] Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in news?

    (a) Its extract is widely used in cosmetics.

    (b) It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows.

    (c) Its extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides.

    (d) None of the above

  • How AI can help chart pathways of sustainable development for India

    Why in the News?

    With 270 million people set to move to Indian cities in the next 20 years, rapid urbanization will bring major challenges. AI can help tackle these by improving data handling and coordination, supporting India’s vision for a developed nation by 2047.

    How can AI technologies be effectively integrated into India’s sustainable development strategies?

    • AI-Driven Decision Support: AI systems, such as decision support models, can assess impacts of policy decisions (e.g., zoning changes) by simulating various outcomes. This aids urban planning by providing insights into environmental and economic effects.
    • Enhancing Urban Infrastructure: AI can improve last-mile connectivity for public transport, making it more efficient and accessible by continuously analyzing data on transit needs and traffic patterns.
    • Multimodal Urban Transit Systems: AI can support seamless integration of multiple forms of urban transport, allowing coordinated planning for buses, trains, and other transit modes on a digital platform.
    • Digital Twins for Municipal Governance: AI-based digital twins of cities can assist municipal governments in monitoring and predicting urban needs, streamlining operations, and making governance more responsive and data-driven.
    • Energy Distribution and Environmental Monitoring: AI technologies can optimize energy distribution networks, as seen in partnerships like Airawat and Adani, and enable high-precision air and water quality monitoring for real-time governance action.

    What ethical and regulatory frameworks are necessary to ensure responsible AI deployment?

    • Data Privacy and Security: With the vast data required for AI in urban planning, robust data privacy laws are essential to protect individual and community information.
    • Transparency and Accountability: AI decisions, especially those affecting urban infrastructure and environmental policies, should be transparent. Regulatory bodies should ensure AI-driven decisions can be audited, and stakeholders are accountable for outcomes.
    • Equity and Inclusivity: AI systems must avoid biases that could disadvantage marginalized communities. Regulations should mandate fairness, requiring AI models to consider equitable access and outcomes for all socioeconomic groups.
    • Environmental Sustainability Mandates: Given India’s resource constraints, frameworks should prioritize energy-efficient and environmentally conscious AI deployments. Environmental impact assessments should be integrated into the approval process for new AI systems.

    What collaborative efforts are required among stakeholders to maximize AI’s impact on sustainable development?

    • Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Effective collaboration between government, industry, and research institutions, as demonstrated by Airawat’s partnerships with Adani and TCS, can drive advancements in sustainable energy and urban management systems.
    • Government Oversight and Support: Ministries like the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA) play an essential role in offering guidance and oversight, ensuring AI initiatives align with national sustainability objectives and regulations.
    • Research and Academic Collaboration: Involvement of academic institutions such as IITs, as seen with Airawat, brings research rigor and technical expertise to AI solutions, fostering innovation tailored to India’s unique needs.
    • Community Engagement: Collaborating with local communities ensures that AI solutions are grounded in real needs, enhancing acceptance and the relevance of AI in addressing local sustainability challenges.
    • Standardized AI Governance Platforms: Partnerships, such as those with eGovernance Foundation’s DIGIT platform, are essential to create uniform AI governance tools that can be scaled across multiple cities, promoting a cohesive approach to sustainable development across India.

    Mains PYQ:

    Q Major cities of India are becoming vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss. (UPSC IAS/2016)

  • On improving wind energy generation

    Why in the News?

    Tamil Nadu, a leader in wind energy with turbines over 30 years old, introduced a new policy for upgrading old windmills in August 2024. However, wind energy producers opposed it, took the issue to the Madras High Court, and obtained a stay.

    What is Tamil Nadu’s wind power capacity? 

    • Installed Capacity: As of November 2023, Tamil Nadu has an installed wind energy capacity of approximately 10,377.97 MW, making it the second-largest wind energy producer in India after Gujarat. This represents about 23% of India’s total installed wind capacity.
    • Age of Turbines: Many turbines in Tamil Nadu are over 30 years old, which raises concerns about efficiency and technological advancements5.
    • Potential for Repowering: The state has a repowering potential of over 7,387 MW, which could significantly enhance its energy generation capabilities if older turbines are replaced or refurbished.

    What about national wind energy capacity? 

    • Total Potential: The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) estimates that India has a wind power potential of 1,163.86 GW at a height of 150 meters, ranking fourth globally for installed capacity.
    • Current Utilization: At 120 meters (the standard height for modern turbines), India’s potential is around 695.51 GW, with only about 6.5% currently utilized nationally and nearly 15% in Tamil Nadu.
    • Leading States: The states contributing most to India’s wind power include Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh, which collectively account for approximately 93.37% of the country’s installed capacity.

    What does the repowering and refurbishing of wind turbines mean?

    • Repowering involves replacing old turbines with new ones to enhance efficiency and output. Refurbishing includes upgrading components like gearboxes and blades to improve performance without complete replacement.
    • Regulatory Framework: The Tamil Nadu government introduced a new policy aimed at facilitating these processes. However, generators argue that the policy lacks provisions that effectively promote wind energy generation and financial viability.

    Why are wind energy generators opposing the new policy of the TN government?

    • Concerns from Generators: Wind energy generators have opposed the new “Tamil Nadu Repowering, Refurbishment and Life Extension Policy for Wind Power Projects – 2024”, claiming it does not adequately support the promotion of wind energy generation. They have approached the Madras High Court and received a stay on the policy implementation.
    • Financial Viability Issues: The opposition stems from concerns that repowered turbines will be treated as new installations without banking facilities for generated energy, impacting financial returns on investments.
      • Generators emphasize that without a commercially beneficial framework, investments in repowering will decline.

    Way forward: 

    • Revise the Policy to Ensure Financial Viability: The Tamil Nadu government should amend the policy to provide incentives like banking facilities for energy generated from repowered turbines, making the projects financially viable for investors.
    • Promote Technological Advancements and Infrastructure Upgrades: The policy should focus on facilitating the replacement of old turbines with modern, high-capacity ones and improving wind energy transmission infrastructure to harness the full potential of Tamil Nadu’s wind resources.

    Mains PYQ:

    Q Do you think India will meet 50 percent of its energy needs from renewable energy by 2030? Justify your answer. How will the shift of subsidies from fossil fuels to renewables help achieve the above bjective? Explain. (UPSC IAS/2022)

  • [pib] Decline in Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) in Health in India

    Why in the News?

    National Health Accounts (NHA) data for 2021-22 shows a decline in Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) on healthcare due to increased government health expenditure (GHE) and an enhanced public healthcare framework.

    What are NHA estimates?

    • The NHA estimates are based on the globally accepted framework of ‘A System of Health Accounts (SHA), 2011’ which facilitates inter-country comparisons.
    • This report provides a systematic description of the financial flows in India’s health system by different sources, how the money is spent, how healthcare is provided, and the nature of healthcare services that are used.

    Key Observations from the NHA 2021-22 Data:

    Details
    Decline in Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) OOPE has decreased due to increased government investment and improved public healthcare infrastructure, making healthcare more accessible and affordable.
    Rise in Government Health Expenditure (GHE) GHE as a percentage of GDP rose from 1.13% in 2014-15 to 1.84% in 2021-22. GHE’s share of overall government spending increased from 3.94% to 6.12%, reflecting the government’s commitment to public healthcare.
    Increase in Per Capita Health Spending Per capita health spending tripled from ₹1,108 in 2014-15 to ₹3,169 in 2021-22, allowing for more investment in infrastructure, workforce, and services.
    Expansion of Social Security Expenditure (SSE) SSE on healthcare grew from 5.7% to 8.7% of Total Health Expenditure (THE), helping protect individuals from catastrophic health expenses and reducing OOPE.
    Growth of Government-Funded Insurance Schemes Programs like Ayushman Bharat and state-level health insurance schemes increased healthcare access for economically vulnerable populations, reducing reliance on personal funds.
    Foundation for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) The decline in OOPE and increased public health spending are integral to achieving UHC, aiming for equitable healthcare access for all citizens.

     

    PYQ:

    [2021] “Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development.” Analyse.

    [2019] In India, the term “Public Key Infrastructure” is used in the context of:

    (a) Digital security infrastructure

    (b) Food security infrastructure

    (c) Health care and education infrastructure

    (d) Telecommunication and transportation infrastructure

  • Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary

    Why in the News?

    A decomposed carcass of an elephant was discovered in the Khanapara range of the Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary.

    About Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary:

    Details
    Location Eastern fringe of Guwahati, Assam.

    Extends from the Brahmaputra River in the north to the hilly forests of Meghalaya in the south.
    Formation Established in 2004 by combining Amchang, South Amchang, and Khanapara reserved forests
    Flora and Fauna Tropical moist deciduous forest, with semi-evergreen areas in valleys and river depressions.

    • Fauna: Asiatic elephants, Chinese pangolin, slow loris, Assamese macaque, rhesus monkey, hoolock gibbon, leopard,  Leopard cat, jungle cat, sambar, barking deer, red serow, Malayan giant squirrel, Himalayan porcupine.
    • Vultures and raptors: White-backed vulture, Slender-billed vulture, White-cheeked hill partridge, Grey peacock pheasant,
    • Birds: Kaleej pheasant, Greater adjutant stork, Great pied hornbill, Oriental pied hornbill, Green imperial pigeon.
    Conservation Status Recognized as an Important Bird & Biodiversity Area (IBA).

     

    PYQ:

    [2018] In which one of the following States is Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary located?

    (a) Arunachal Pradesh

    (b) Manipur

    (c) Meghalaya

    (d) Nagaland