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GS Paper: GS3

  • What is Raychaudhuri Equation?

    The Raychaudhuri Equation in General Relativity, derived by Raychaudhuri is in the spotlight after 2020 Physics Nobel was awarded to Penrose for throwing light on Black Holes.

    Try this MCQ:

    Q.The Raychaudhuri Equation is sometimes seen in news is related to:

    Artificial Intelligence/Cloud Computing/Quantum Mechanics/Space Sciences

    What is Raychaudhuri Equation?

    • Raychaudhuri (1923–2005) was an Indian physicist, known for his research in general relativity and cosmology.
    • In general relativity, the Raychaudhuri equation is a fundamental result describing the motion of nearby bits of matter.
    • It was discovered independently by the Indian physicist Amal Kumar Raychaudhuri and the Soviet physicist Lev Landau.
    • The equation offers a simple and general validation of our intuitive expectation that gravitation should be a universal attractive force between any two bits of mass-energy in general relativity, as it is in Newton’s theory of gravitation.

  • Species in news: Aenigmachanna Gollum

    Scientists have discovered a new family of bony fish from the Western Ghats and named it Aenigmachannidae.

    A stand-alone species being mentioned in the news for the first time (and that too from Southern India) find their way into the prelims. Make special note here. Usually, note the species and its habitat location (IUCN status if available), in the purview of a generic prelims question.

    Aenigmachannidae

    • Aenigmachanna Gollum has a surprisingly large number of primitive characters, and detailed molecular phylogenetic analyses including of its Mitochondrial DNA suggested an ancient separation from Channidae.
    • Many such species were earlier found in the aquifers of Kerala.
    • Many of these species are blind, pigment-less, and have peculiar morphological characters that are otherwise not seen in species occurring in surface waters.

    Significance of the discovery

    • The presence of two unique endemic families of freshwater fish in a small region like Kerala is unparalleled and indicates the exceptional diversity and endemicity of fishes in this part of the world.
    • The members of Aenigmachannidae are “living fossils” and comprise an ancient Gondwanan lineage that survived the break-up of the supercontinent and the northward drift of the Indian subcontinent.

  • [pib] Bharatmala Pariyojana

    A total of 322 projects in a length of 12,413 km have been awarded under Bharatmala Pariyojana. Further, 2921 Km has been constructed under the Project till the date.

    Try this PYQ:

    Q.Consider the following pairs:

    National Highway: Cities connected

    1. NH 4: Chennai and Hyderabad
    2. NH 6: Mumbai and Kolkata
    3. NH 15: Ahmedabad and Jodhpur

    Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 3 only

    (c) 1, 2 and 3

    (d) None

    Bharatmala Pariyojana

    • It is a centrally-sponsored and funded the Road and Highways project.
    • It is an umbrella program for the highways sector that focuses on optimizing the efficiency of freight and passenger movement across the country by bridging critical infrastructure.
    • The total investment for 83,677 km committed new highways is estimated at â‚č5.35 lakh crore making it the single largest outlay for a government road construction scheme.
    • It works for the development of Economic Corridors, Inter Corridors and Feeder Routes, National Corridor Efficiency Improvement, Border and International connectivity roads, Coastal and Port connectivity roads and Green-field expressways.
    • The ambitious umbrella programme has subsumed all existing Highway Projects including the flagship National Highways Development Project (NHDP), launched in 1998.

  • RBI shifts focus on bond market to transmit policy signals

    The article analyses the implications of the recently concluded MPC meeting and predicts the trends for the future.

    Highlights of the MPC meeting

    • In the October meeting of the monetary policy committee (MPC), repo rate were kept unchanged at 4%, with a continuation of an accommodative stance.
    • It chose to ignore elevated levels of CPI inflation as transitory and maintaining focus on supporting growth.
    • It appears that the MPC would maintain a status quo on rates through this fiscal year.
    • The scope for further easing is anyways limited to 0.50%, as any more easing may affect household financial savings and endanger financial stability.

    Ensuring the rate transmission

    • With unchanged repo rates, the focus of the liquidity measures announced by the RBI is to further improve transmission of previous rate cuts across a spectrum of market rates and other instruments.
    • The RBI Governor assured market participants that the large supply of government bonds in the second half along with a likely pick-up in credit demand, would be accommodated through open market purchases of government bonds.

    Reducing the cost of borrowing

    • The RBI may have to buy bonds worth â‚č1,000 to 1,500 billion in these operations over 2HFY21 keeping pressure on yields [which affects interest rates].
    • In a related move, to reduce the cost of borrowings for state governments, the RBI for the first time will buy state government bonds, as a special case for this year.

    Other measures

    • The extension of enhanced Held to Maturity (HTM) limit of banks on their government bonds portfolio to March 2022.
    • A new on-tap targeted LTRO window was announced, for banks to borrow up to â‚č1,000 billion from the RBI at a floating rate linked to the repo rate, and invest in corporate paper issued by specific sectors and to provide loans to them.
    • In effect, the aim of the central bank is to ensure that lower policy rates determined by the macro-economic fundamentals, are reflected in lower cost of borrowings for the Centre, states and corporates.

    Containing inflation

    • Inflation outlook for this fiscal and projections for next year indicate that CPI inflation would ease, from an average of 6.8% in Q2 to 4.5% in Q4 and 4.1% by Q4FY22.
    • Headline inflation is expected to fall, as supply conditions normalize with progressive unlocking and another year of bumper farm output helps pull down food inflation.
    • Higher fuel taxes and import duties are expected to provide an upward push though.
    • Effective supply management will therefore be crucial in controlling food inflation and ensuring that it does not turn persistent and feeds into non-food inflation.

    Conclusion

    • The role of monetary policy in the is limited and the RBI focus will remain on improving transmission of policy signals through banking, bond and credit market channels.

    Back2Basics: LTRO

    • Long-Term Repo Operation (LTRO) was introduced by the Reserve Bank in February, 2020.
    • Through this policy, the central bank would provide liquidity support to commercial banks for a period of 1 to 3 years at the current repo rate, and would accept government securities as collateral in return.
    • This is in contrast to the other measures it was providing such as Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) and Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) which provide cash to banks for a period of 1 to 28 days only.

  • [pib] Calcium Nitrate and Boronated Calcium Nitrate

    Union Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers has launched an indigenous variety of fertilizers- ‘Calcium Nitrate’ & ‘Boronated Calcium Nitrate’.

    Try this PYQ:

    Why does the Government of India promote the use of ‘Neem-coated Urea’ in agriculture?

    (a) Release of Neem oil in the soil increases nitrogen fixation by the soil microorganisms

    (b) Neem coating slows down the rate of dissolution of urea in the soil

    (c) Nitrous oxide, which is a greenhouse gas, is not at all released into atmosphere by crop fields

    (d) It is a combination of a weedicide and a fertilizer for particular crops

    What is Calcium Nitrate?

    • Calcium nitrate is used as a water-soluble fertilizer in agriculture. In addition, this product is also used in wastewater treatment and to increase the strength of cement concrete.
    • Last year, around 1.25 lakh metric tons (1,23,000 tons) of Calcium Nitrate was imported in the country.
    • Of this, 76% was imported from China and the rest from other countries like Norway and Israel.
    • These indigenous varieties will provide a quality product at a cheaper rate to the farmer community in the country than imported ones.

    Uses of Calcium nitrate

    • The fertilizer grade calcium nitrate is popular in the greenhouse and hydroponics. It is also used to control certain plant diseases.
    • Calcium nitrate is also used in wastewater pre-conditioning for odour emission prevention.

  • [pib] Bio-Pesticide Formulation using Verticillium Lecanii

    Indian researchers have successfully developed new Aqueous Suspension formulation technology of bio-pesticide based on entomopathogenic fungus Verticillium lecanii.

    Try this PYQ:

    Q.Recently, there was a growing awareness in our country about the importance of Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) because it is found to be a sustainable source of

    (a) anti-malarial drug

    (b) biodiesel

    (c) pulp for paper industry

    (d) textile fibre

    Verticillium lecanii

    • This bio-pesticide formulation has been found very effective in controlling various insects in seed spice crops (fenugreek, cumin, and coriander).
    • It has a good shelf life, safe to user & environment and it may be effectively used for controlling different agricultural insects especially in seed spice crops.
    • This bio-pesticide may be used as a safer alternative to chemical pesticides to minimize pesticide residue problem.
    • Besides, it may be used as a key input for crop protection from insects pest in organic agriculture and Integrated Pest Management.

  • Anti Radiation Missile: RudraM-I

    A New Generation Anti Radiation Missile (NGARM), RudraM-I, was successfully flight-tested by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

    Try this MCQ:

    Q.The RudraM-I recently seen in news is an:

    Ans: Anti-satellite missile/ Anti-radiation Missile/ Anti-tank mine/ Submarine Torpedo

    RudraM-I

    • RudraM-I is an anti-radiation missile can locate and target any radiation-emitting source like enemy radars, communication sites and other Radio Frequency (RF) emitting targets.
    • It is being developed by Defence Research Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, as the nodal agency.
    • It is a joint effort involving several DRDO labs, the IAF, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and several public and private sector enterprises.
    • This is the first indigenous anti-radiation missile of the country. It has a range of up to 200 km depending upon the launch conditions.
    • It can be launched from altitudes of 500 m to 15 km and speeds of 0.6 to 2 mach.
    • It can play a key role in neutralizing any jamming platforms of the enemy or take out radar stations thereby clearing a path for own fighters to carry out an offensive and also prevent own systems from being jammed.

    How does it work?

    • Anti-radiation missiles are designed to detect, track and neutralize the adversary’s radar, communication assets and other radio frequency sources, which are generally part of their air defence systems.
    • Such a missile’s navigation mechanism comprises an inertial navigation system — a computerised mechanism that uses changes in the object’s own position — coupled with GPS, which is satellite-based.
    • For guidance, it has a “passive homing head” — a system that can detect, classify and engage targets (radio frequency sources in this case) over a wide band of frequencies as programmed.
    • Once the RudraM missile locks on the target, it is capable of striking accurately even if the radiation source switches off in between.

  • 3 contenders for National Butterfly Status

    A citizen poll to identify the national butterfly concluded with three species garnering the highest number of votes.

    Try this PYQ:

    Q.With reference to India’s Biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet and White-throated redstart are-
    (a) Birds
    (b) Primates
    (c) Reptiles
    (d) Amphibians

    Which are the three species?

    (1) Indian Jezebel

    • Blessed with a vibrant colour pattern, including vermilion (Haldi – kumkum), the Indian Jezebel (or Common Jezebel) is known to deter its predators with its flashy wing colours.
    • Regarded as soldiers of farmers, they also prey on parasites that infest fruit-bearing plants.
    • Widely distributed, the species can be spotted in gardens and other lightly wooded areas.

    (2) Krishna Peacock

    • It is a flagship species for biodiversity and conservation, generally found in large numbers in the Himalayas.
    • Possessing a peculiarly large swallowtail, its iridescent green scales diffract light to coat itself in radiance.

    (3) Orange Oakleaf

    • It is commonly known as ‘dead leaf’ for its ability to camouflage as a dry autumn leaf while striking a stationary pose with its wings closed.
    • The masquerade enables the species to prevent it from being devoured by birds in the moist forests of the northern Western Ghats, central, northern and northeastern parts of India where they are generally found.
    • Besides, the Oakleaf is also known to exhibit polyphenism as it assumes specific colour and size during dry and wet seasons.

  • Reviving the private investment in infrastructure

    Declining private investment in the infrastructure needs policy overhaul. The article suggests the changes in the policy and approach on the part of the government to achieve the sustainable 40 per cent private investment in the infrastructure. 

    Declining private investment in infrastructure

    Currently, private financing into the infrastructure sector has declined to around 20 per cent of the total funding.

    Reasons for the decline are-

    • 1) the crisis in the non-banking finance sector.
    • 2) the financial challenges faced by infrastructure companies.
    • 3) the inadequately developed Indian market for infrastructure financing.
    • The Economic Survey 2017-18 has assessed India’s infrastructure financing needs at $4.5 trillion by 2040.
    • Reviving private investment flows into infrastructure to around 40 per cent will be key to attaining this threshold.

    Actions need to be taken to revive the private investment in infrastructure

    • The Vijay Kelkar committee had put out a balanced report in 2015 on overhauling the PPP ecosystem, including governance reform, institutional redesign, and capacity-building.

    Ramping up private investments in infrastructure will need action on two fronts:

    • 1) Refreshing institutions and policies for channelling financing.
    • 2) Providing a stable, durable, and empowering ecosystem for private players to partner with government entities.

    1) Institutions and policies for channelling financing

    • Due to long-duration profitability cycles of infrastructure projects, successful PPP  requires stable revenue flow assurances and a settled ecosystem to investors over long periods.
    • This could be achieved means of policy stability, assurances possibly secured by law.
    • PPP contracts also need to provide for mid-course corrections to factor in uncertainties including utilisation patterns, as well as the creation of competing infra assets.
    • Government partners in PPP arrangements need to ensure that open-ended arrangement that might entail unforeseeable risk are minimised for the private investor, including aspects such as land availability and community acceptance.

    2) Institution and policies for financing

    • There is a need to change the culture and attitude towards the conjoining of government entities and private partners.
    • Kelkar committee has stated that there needs to be an approach of “give and take” and the Government should avoid a purely transactional approach.
    • Government should avoid trying to minimise risk to themselves by passing on uncertain elements in a project — like the land acquisition risk — to the private partner.
    • This attitudinal change can be achieved by amending the Prevention of Corruption Act to encompass modern-day requirements, including factoring in the need for government agents to take calibrated risks while engaging with the private sector.
    • The private partners also need to be incentivised to focus on project outcomes, with guard-rails in place to discourage rent-seeking behaviour.
    • In sum, risk avoidance by the public entity and rent-seeking by the private partner are the twin challenges that need to be carefully addressed.
    • On the regulatory front, a compelling need would be to promulgate a PPP legislation which can provide a robust legal ecosystem and procedural comfort.

    Consider the question “Declining private investment in the infrastructure has several implications for the economy. In ligh of this, examine the factor for such decline and suggest the measures to boost the private investment in the infrastructure.” 

    Conclusion

    After we emerge out of this pandemic, a focus area for public policy has to be the creation of a modern-day, sustainable and resilient infrastructure. . Designing a fresh approach and creating a stable policy environment that provides comfort and incentives to private investors will be key to attaining this goal.

  • What is Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)?

    The Supreme Court has directed Delhi and neighbouring States to implement air pollution control measures under “very poor” and “severe” category air quality of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

    Note the various measures under the GRAP under various grades of Air Quality.

    Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)

    • In 2014, when a study by the WHO found that Delhi was the most polluted city in the world, panic spread in the Centre and the state government.
    • Approved by the Supreme Court in 2016, the plan was formulated after several meetings that the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) held with state government and experts.
    • The result was a plan that institutionalized measures to be taken when air quality deteriorates.
    • GRAP works only as an emergency measure.

    How does it work?

    • As such, the plan does not include action by various state governments to be taken throughout the year to tackle industrial, vehicular and combustion emissions.
    • When the air quality shifts from poor to very poor, the measures listed under both sections have to be followed since the plan is incremental in nature.
    • If air quality reaches the severe+ stage, GRAP talks about shutting down schools and implementing the odd-even road-space rationing scheme.

    Measures taken under GRAP

    1)Severe+ or Emergency

    (PM 2.5 over 300 ”g/cubic metre or PM10 over 500 ”g/cu. m. for 48+ hours)

    • Stop entry of trucks into Delhi (except essential commodities)
    • Stop construction work
    • Introduce odd/even scheme for private vehicles and minimise exemptions
    • Task Force to decide any additional steps including shutting of schools

    2) Severe

    (PM 2.5 over 250 ”g/cu. m. or PM10 over 430 ”g/cu. m.)

    • Close brick kilns, hot mix plants, stone crushers
    • Maximise power generation from natural gas to reduce generation from coal
    • Encourage public transport, with differential rates
    • More frequent mechanized cleaning of road and sprinkling of water

    3) Very Poor

    (PM2.5 121-250 ”g/cu. m. or PM10 351-430 ”g/cu. m.)

    • Stop use of diesel generator sets
    • Enhance parking fee by 3-4 times
    • Increase bus and Metro services
    • Apartment owners to discourage burning fires in winter by providing electric heaters during winter
    • Advisories to people with respiratory and cardiac conditions to restrict outdoor movement

    4) Moderate to poor

    (PM2.5 61-120 ”g/cu. m. or PM10 101-350 ”g/cu. m.)

    • Heavy fines for garbage burning
    • Close/enforce pollution control regulations in brick kilns and industries
    • Mechanized sweeping on roads with heavy traffic and water sprinkling
    • Strictly enforce a ban on firecrackers

    Has GRAP helped?

    • The biggest success of GRAP has been in fixing accountability and deadlines.
    • For each action to be taken under a particular air quality category, executing agencies are clearly marked.
    • In a territory like Delhi, where a multiplicity of authorities has been a long-standing impediment to effective governance, this step made a crucial difference.