Archives: News

International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

BepiColombo Mission

Prelims Only | | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

BepiColombo

Why in the News?

On Thursday, the ESA-Japan spacecraft “BepiColombo” made its closest approach to Mercury, capturing detailed images of its sunrise-lit surface and revealing the planet’s south pole.

Highlights of the Latest Flyby:

- BepiColombo uses flybys of Earth, Venus, and Mercury to slow down and enter orbit around Mercury. This approach gives scientists new information about Mercury’s south pole and its unusual peak ring craters, which haven’t been studied much before.
Note: Flybys are close passes of a spacecraft near a planet or celestial body

About BepiColombo Mission:

	Details
Collaboration	European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Launch Date	October 20, 2018 Expected to enter Mercury’s orbit by late 2026.
Launch Vehicle	Ariane 5 Rocket
Objectives	Study Mercury’s magnetic field Investigate surface composition and geology Analyze Mercury’s interaction with solar wind Study exosphere and geological history
Spacecraft Components	ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO): Focus on surface and interior study JAXA’s Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MIO): Focus on magnetic field and surrounding space
Planned Flybys	6 (Flybys of Earth, Venus, and Mercury) Ongoing, with 4 out of 6 Mercury flybys completed
Craters Studied	Vivaldi Crater, Stoddart Crater
Significance	Second mission ever to orbit Mercury (after NASA’s Messenger, 2004)
Challenges	Mercury’s proximity to the Sun accelerates spacecraft, requiring multiple flybys to slow down Thruster issues causing mission delay

PYQ:

[2008] What is the purpose of the US Space Agency’s Themis Mission, which was recently in the news?

(a) To study the possibility of life on Mars.

(b) To study the satellites of Saturn.

(d) To build a space laboratory to study the stellar explosions.

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International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

What is Helium and why is it used in Rockets?

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

Why in the News?

Two NASA astronauts aboard Boeing’s Starliner will remain on the International Space Station (ISS) for an extended period due to issues with a faulty propulsion system, including helium leaks.

helium

About Helium

Helium is inert, meaning it does not react or combust when exposed to other substances.
This makes it ideal for pressurization and cooling systems in rockets and spacecraft.
With an atomic number of 2, Helium is second lightest element after hydrogen, helping to keep the rocket’s weight low, which is crucial for achieving the necessary speeds and altitudes to reach orbit.
It has an extremely low boiling point (-268.9°C), allowing it to stay in a gaseous state in super-cold environments, where many rocket fuels are stored.
Though non-toxic, helium cannot be inhaled on its own as it displaces oxygen, which is vital for human respiration.

How is Helium used for space applications?

Fuel Tank Pressurization: Helium pressurizes fuel tanks, ensuring a consistent flow of fuel to the rocket’s engines, even as the fuel is burned.
Cooling Systems: It also plays a key role in cooling systems, particularly in environments where rocket fuel and oxidizer need to be stored at extremely low temperatures.
Maintaining Tank Pressure: As fuel and oxidizer are consumed, helium fills the empty space left behind, ensuring the overall pressure inside the tanks remains stable.

Is Helium prone to leaks?

Helium’s small atomic size and low molecular weight make it prone to leaking through tiny gaps or seals in storage tanks and fuel systems.
Since helium is rare in Earth’s atmosphere, even minor leaks are easily detectable, making it a valuable tool for spotting potential faults in spacecraft fuel systems.

Examples of Leaks:

- In May, hours before Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft attempted its first astronaut launch, sensors detected a small helium leak in one of its thrusters.
- After Starliner launched in June, additional leaks were found in space, prompting NASA to return the spacecraft to Earth without its crew.

Alternatives to Helium

Argon and Nitrogen: Some rocket launches have experimented with other inert gases like argon and nitrogen, which are sometimes cheaper, but helium remains the industry standard.
Ariane 6’s Novel System: Europe’s new Ariane 6 rocket abandoned helium in favor of a pressurization system that converts small amounts of its liquid oxygen and hydrogen into gas for pressurizing the fuel.
- However, during Ariane 6’s debut launch, this system failed in space, adding to the global rocket industry’s pressurization challenges.

PYQ:

[2012] A team of scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory included those from India created the heaviest anti-matter (anti-helium nucleus). What is/are the implication/implications of the creation of anti-matter?

1. It will make mineral prospecting and oil exploration easier and cheaper.

2. It will help prove the possibility of the existence of stars and galaxies made of anti-matter.

3. It will help understand the evolution of the universe.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

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International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

What is the Principle of Planetary Protection?

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

Why in the News?

Planetary protection is a crucial principle in space missions that travel from Earth to other planetary bodies, such as the Moon or Mars.
- The goal is to preserve both Earth’s biosphere and the planetary body’s environment from contamination by alien microbial life.

About Planetary Protection:

	Details
Definition	Safeguarding Earth’s biosphere and other planetary bodies from microbial contamination during space missions.
Objective	Prevent contamination of Earth’s environment and other planets by alien microbes or Earth-origin microorganisms.
Legal Basis	Article IX of Outer Space Treaty (1967) mandates avoiding harmful contamination in space exploration.
Importance	Protects integrity of scientific research on other planets. Prevents potential biological threats to Earth.
Methods of Implementation	Spacecraft sterilization (e.g. baking in a dry room at 120°C for 3 days). Planning missions to avoid cross-contamination.
Key Applications	Missions to Mars, Moon, Europa and other celestial bodies where contamination may disrupt research or pose risks.
Challenges	Increased costs and technical demands for maintaining sterile spacecraft and environments.
Recent Example	China’s Tianwen-3 Mars sample-return mission (2028) confirmed adherence to planetary protection principles.
Global Cooperation	International space agencies follow planetary protection guidelines for sustainable and safe space exploration.

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Land Reforms

Enemy Properties in India

Prelims Only | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

Why in the News?

The Union Home Affairs Ministry has notified the auction of land in Uttar Pradesh previously owned by the family of former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.

Enemy Properties in India

	Details
Definition	Assets (movable and immovable) and properties of individuals or entities from countries at war with India, vested with CEPI.
History	Concept initiated after India-Pakistan wars (1965 & 1971) and the 1962 Sino-Indian war.
Legislation	Enemy Property Act, 1968; Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2017.
Custodian	Custodian of Enemy Property for India (CEPI), under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Total such Properties	12,611 enemy properties; 12,485 from Pakistani nationals, 126 from Chinese citizens.
States with Highest Properties	Uttar Pradesh (6,255), followed by West Bengal, Delhi, Goa, Maharashtra, and Telangana.
Movable Assets	Includes shares, gold, etc. Government has earned over ₹3,400 crore from the disposal of these assets.
Immovable Properties	No immovable enemy property has been sold so far.
Significant Court Cases
Raja of Mahmudabad Case (2005)	Supreme Court ruled in favor of the son of the Raja, allowing him to claim enemy properties. This led to multiple claims by heirs.
2010 Ordinance	In response to the 2005 judgment, the government issued an ordinance to prevent the transfer of enemy properties to legal heirs.
2016 Amendment & Ordinance	The 2016 Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Ordinance nullified previous court orders, ensuring enemy properties remain with the Custodian.

PYQ:

[2017] With reference to the ‘Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988 (PBPT Act)’, consider the following statements:

1. A property transaction is not treated as a benami transaction if the owner of the property is not aware of the transaction.

2. Properties held benami are liable for confiscation by the Government.

3. The Act provides for three authorities for investigations but does not provide for any appellate mechanism.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) 2 and 3 only

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Swachh Bharat Mission

Swachh Bharat Mission averted 70,000 infant deaths a year

Explained | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies
Why in the News?

A new study published in the peer-reviewed “journal Nature” has found that the construction of toilets under the government’s “Swachh Bharat Mission” helped prevent approximately 60,000 to 70,000 infant deaths annually between 2011 and 2020.

Key Highlights of the Report:
- Impact of SBM: The study revealed that districts with over 30% toilet coverage under SBM experienced reductions of 5.3 in the Infant Mortality Rate and 6.8 in the Under Five Mortality Rate per thousand live births.
  - Over 9.5 crore toilets being built across the country since 2014;
  - 564,658 villages being declared Open Defecation Free (ODF);
  - 30 States/UT’s being 100% covered with individual household latrines (as of 2019).
- Unique Approach of SBM: The approach of combining toilet construction with substantial investments in IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) and community engagement represents a marked departure from traditional efforts in India.
- Novel Evidence of Impact: The study provides novel evidence of reductions in infant and child mortality following SBM’s comprehensive national sanitation program, indicating its transformative role in improving public health outcomes.
- Asian Enigma: The report touches on the “Asian Enigma,” which highlights persistently high levels of undernutrition and stunting among children despite sufficient food availability, linking it to poor sanitation practices and open defecation.
Successful Journey since Inception (2014-present):
- Phase I (2014): The SBM 1.0 aimed to make urban centers open-defecation-free and improve sanitation infrastructure, particularly toilets.
  - The mission targeted constructing household, community, and public toilets, converting insanitary latrines, and improving solid-waste management.
- Phase II (2020): The SBM 2.0 commenced in 2020, and is expected to run till 2025-26. It aims to sustain the achievements of phase I and ensure that treatment of both liquid and solid waste is achieved through the help of technology and private sector engagement.
- This will focus on making Indian cities garbage-free by improving scientific waste management systems.
Way forward:
- Global Model for Sanitation: India’s national sanitation campaign under SBM could serve as a model for other low- and middle-income countries where sanitation remains a major public health challenge.
- Focus on Behavioral Change: Alongside infrastructure development, efforts are needed to sustain behavioural changes to eliminate open defecation.
- Expand Sanitation Infrastructure in Rural Areas: Prioritize extending sanitation coverage and scientific waste management systems to underserved rural regions, building on the success of SBM to reduce mortality further and improve public health.
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Capital Markets: Challenges and Developments

House Panel includes SEBI review in agenda, likely to summon Buch

Explained | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth

Why in the News?

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has included a review of SEBI’s performance, amid political controversy surrounding chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch following Hindenburg Research’s allegations.

What are the allegations against SEBI?

Conflict of Interest: SEBI chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch faces conflict of interest allegations due to her past ICICI Bank role amid Adani investigations.
Toxic Work Environment: Reports have surfaced from approximately 500 SEBI employees claiming that the work culture at the regulatory body is “toxic and fearful.” This has led to demands for an impartial inquiry into the alleged workplace issues and the overall management of SEBI.
Response to Allegations: Buch and SEBI have denied wrongdoing, asserting that all necessary disclosures and recusal norms have been followed diligently.

Significance and Functions of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

The PAC was introduced in 1921 after its first mention in the Government of India Act, 1919 (Montford Reforms).

Oversight Role: The PAC serves as a parliamentary watchdog for government spending, ensuring accountability and transparency in the use of public funds. It plays a crucial role in auditing the revenue and expenditure of the government.
Review of Regulatory Bodies: The PAC has the authority to review the performance of regulatory bodies established by the Act of Parliament.
Suo-motu subjects: The PAC can select subjects for in-depth examination beyond the standard audit reports, allowing it to address pressing issues that may arise in the public interest, such as the allegations against SEBI’s chairperson.
Advisory Role: While the PAC can make recommendations based on its findings, it does not have the authority to enforce compliance. Its recommendations are advisory in nature.

How SEBI can improve its regulation considering recent challenges? (Way forward)

Enhanced Disclosure Regulations: SEBI has already made progress with the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2023, but further refinement is needed.
- It should focus on clarifying the scope of disclosures required from companies, particularly regarding financial irregularities and conflicts of interest.
Bolstering Whistleblower Protections: SEBI should strengthen its whistleblower protection framework to encourage the reporting of internal issues or malpractices, ensuring accountability and protection for informants.
Improving Internal Governance and Work Culture: SEBI can address concerns about a toxic work environment by conducting independent reviews of its internal governance, improving employee welfare, and fostering a transparent, positive work culture.
Collaborating with Global Regulatory Bodies: SEBI can work more closely with global financial regulators to align with international best practices and enhance cross-border market oversight, ensuring that India’s markets remain resilient and transparent.

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Tourism Sector

A tourism policy ill-suited for Jammu and Kashmir

Explained | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Governance, Transparency & Accountability, Citizens Charters

Why in the News?

Kashmir’s fragile environment faces severe damage from urbanization, commercialization, and climate change, underscoring the urgent need for a resilient and sustainable tourism model.

Aims and Objectives of J&K Tourism Policy

Promoting all forms of Tourism: The policy aims to promote traditional recreational tourism as well as adventure, pilgrimage, spiritual, and health tourism. This diversification can attract a wider range of tourists.
Sustainable Practices: The policy emphasizes the need for sustainable tourism practices that minimize environmental degradation, conserve water, and protect biodiversity.
Infrastructure Development: It seeks to improve infrastructure, including hotels, roads, and recreational facilities, to accommodate the growing number of tourists.
Community Engagement: The policy aims to include local communities in tourism planning and decision-making processes, promoting their involvement in conservation efforts and sustainable practices.
Diversification of Tourism: By promoting various forms of tourism, such as eco-tourism, adventure tourism, and cultural tourism, the policy aims to reduce over-reliance on traditional tourist spots and distribute tourist footfall more evenly across the region.

What are the effects of the new Policy?

Positive Impacts

Negative Impacts:

Increased Tourist Influx: Since the announcement of the New Tourism policy in 2020, over 40 million tourists have visited Kashmir.
Increase in Employment: The policy helps to generate employment of approximately 50,000 people per year, which can significantly boost the local economy.
Promotes Culture and Festivals: The policy promotes city-wise events and festivals with a pre-defined calendar to attract tourists.
Boosting Exports and Collaborations: The policy helps the handicraft industry, which was earlier limited to select destinations, to directly export and collaborate both nationally and internationally.

Environmental Stress: The rapid increase in tourist activities has led to significant ecological disturbances, including deforestation, waste accumulation, and pollution of water bodies.
Increase in Infra-strain: It also resulted in encroachment on natural habitats and increased pressure on local resources, such as water and electricity.
Climate Change Impact: The region is experiencing accelerated effects of climate change, including glacial depletion and erratic weather patterns, which threaten agricultural sustainability and water availability.

Major Challenge: Fragility of the Region

Natural Disasters: Jammu and Kashmir is prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and landslides, which can be exacerbated by unchecked commercialization and environmental degradation.
Ecological Sensitivity: The region’s delicate ecosystems are highly vulnerable to the impacts of tourism and urbanization, necessitating careful management to prevent irreversible damage.
Resource Depletion: The increased demand for water and energy resources is leading to the depletion of aquifers and heightened reliance on hydroelectric projects, which disrupt local aquatic ecosystems.

Need for a Resilient Tourism Model (Way Forward)

Sustainable Tourism Practices: There is an urgent need to adopt a resilient and sustainable tourism model that prioritizes eco-friendly practices, waste reduction, and conservation of natural resources.
Community Involvement: Engaging local communities in tourism planning and decision-making is crucial for fostering sustainable practices and ensuring that the benefits of tourism are shared equitably.
Infrastructure Resilience: Developing infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events and diversifying tourism offerings beyond peak seasons will help mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Policy Integration: A cohesive approach that integrates sustainable tourism policies with broader economic and environmental strategies is essential for preserving the region’s natural beauty while supporting local economies.

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Tiger Conservation Efforts – Project Tiger, etc.

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

Why in the News?

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the apex body responsible for tiger conservation, recently issued directives urging 19 States to prioritize the relocation of villagers residing in core tiger zones.

NTCA’s Directive:

According to the NTCA, 591 villages, comprising 64,801 families, reside in the core tiger zone, posing a significant concern for tiger conservation.
The core zone refers to the part of a tiger reserve where human activities such as hunting and forest produce collection are PROHIBITED, and tribals CANNOT reside.
- Outside the core zone is the buffer zone, where certain activities are allowed but regulated.

About National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA):

	Details
Constitution	Statutory body under MoEFCC, constituted under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Chairmanship	Chaired by the Minister for Environment and Forests.
Structure	• 8 experts in wildlife conservation and tribal welfare. • 3 MPs. • Inspector General of Forests as ex-officio Member Secretary.
Objectives	• Provide statutory authority to Project Tiger. • Enhance Centre-State accountability in managing Tiger Reserves. • Provide parliamentary oversight. • Address livelihood concerns of local communities.
Powers and Functions	• Approve state-prepared tiger conservation plans. • Prevent unsustainable land use in Tiger Reserves. • Set standards for tourism and tiger conservation guidelines. • Conduct tiger censuses (via M-STrIPES app). • Support biodiversity conservation through eco-development and people’s participation.
Key Initiative	• Project Tiger, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for in-situ conservation of tigers, launched on April 1, 1973.

PYQ:

[2014] Consider the following statements:

1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

2. National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body.

3. National Ganga River Basin Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister.

Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d)1, 2 and 3

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Innovations in Biotechnology and Medical Sciences

Yellow Food Dye can improve Cancer Treatment

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

Why in the News?

Recent research reveals that FD&C Yellow 5, a common food dye, can temporarily make tissue transparent, with potential implications for cancer treatment and medical procedures.

About Yellow Food Dye

FD&C Yellow 5, also known as Tartrazine, is a widely used synthetic food dye found in various snacks, drinks, and processed foods.
Approved by the FDA, it is commonly used to give products a vibrant yellow color.

How does it work?

The dye has the ability to make tissue transparent is based on its interaction with light, specifically through the Kramers-Kronig relations, a principle in physics.
It absorbs blue light, leaving only the red-orange spectrum visible.
This alters the refractive index of water, causing it to match the refractive index of fats and proteins in tissue.
When the refractive indices match, light can pass through tissue with less scattering, creating the appearance of transparency.

Potential Medical Applications of Yellow Food Dye

Cancer Treatment: By making tissues transparent, FD&C Yellow 5 could enhance photodynamic and photothermal therapies, allowing laser light to reach deeper tissues and target cancerous cells more effectively.
Vein Visibility: Transparent tissues could help make veins more visible, aiding in procedures like venepuncture for blood draws or injections, particularly in patients with hard-to-see veins.
Non-invasive Diagnostics: The dye could allow doctors to visualize internal organs and structures without the need for invasive procedures like biopsies or expensive imaging technologies like CT scans or MRIs.

PYQ:

[2018] Consider the following statements:

1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.

2. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is under the charge of Director General of Health Services in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

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Climate Change Impact on India and World – International Reports, Key Observations, etc.

Madeira River in Amazon’s State of Brazil

Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

Why in the News?

Communities near Brazil’s Madeira River in the Amazon rainforest are experiencing record low water levels due to a severe drought.

About Madeira River

	Details
Formation	Formed by the confluence of the Mamore and Beni rivers at Villa Bella, Bolivia. Meets the Amazon River 145 km east of Manaus, Brazil.
Length	3,352 km from the upper reaches of the Mamore.
Geographic Path	Flows along the Bolivia-Brazil border for 100 km, then through Rondonia and Amazonas states in Brazil.
Navigability	Navigable by seagoing vessels for 1,300 km upstream until Cachoeira de Santo Antonio.
Climate	Varies from arid to humid, with the river overflowing during the rainy season, submerging nearby forests.
Historical Inhabitants	Traditionally inhabited by indigenous communities and mestizos; later joined by farmers and ranchers.
Name Origin	Named “Madeira” (Portuguese for “*Wood River*“), previously called the Cuyari River.

PYQ:

[2020] Consider the following pairs?

River: Flows into

1. Mekong: Andaman sea

2. Thames: Irish Sea

3. Volga: Caspian Sea

4. Zambezi: Indian Ocean

Which of the pairs above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(d) None of the above/More than one of the above

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Archives: News

Why in the News?

Highlights of the Latest Flyby:

About BepiColombo Mission:

PYQ:

Why in the News?

About Helium

How is Helium used for space applications?

Is Helium prone to leaks?

Alternatives to Helium

PYQ:

Why in the News?

About Planetary Protection:

Why in the News?

Enemy Properties in India

Significant Court Cases

PYQ:

Why in the News?

Key Highlights of the Report:

Successful Journey since Inception (2014-present):

Way forward:

Why in the News?

What are the allegations against SEBI?

Significance and Functions of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

How SEBI can improve its regulation considering recent challenges? (Way forward)

Why in the News?

Aims and Objectives of J&K Tourism Policy

What are the effects of the new Policy?

Major Challenge: Fragility of the Region

Need for a Resilient Tourism Model (Way Forward)

Why in the News?

NTCA’s Directive:

About National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA):

PYQ:

Why in the News?

About Yellow Food Dye

How does it work?

Potential Medical Applications of Yellow Food Dye

PYQ:

Why in the News?

About Madeira River

PYQ:

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