💥UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (April Batch) + Access XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF

Archives: News

  • Capital Markets: Challenges and Developments

    On the allegations against the SEBI chief      

    Why in the News?

    Hindenburg Research has alleged SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband held stakes in Adani-linked offshore funds, implying bias in SEBI’s Adani investigation.

    Accusations Against SEBI Chairman Madhabi Puri Buch 

    • Hindenburg Research has accused SEBI Chairman Madhabi Puri Buch of conflicts of interest related to offshore funds tied to the Adani Group, financial opacity regarding a consulting firm transferred to her husband, and potential favoritism towards Blackstone, where her husband is a senior advisor. 

    Status of the Ongoing Investigation by SEBI

    • Supreme Court Oversight: The Supreme Court has directed SEBI to investigate the allegations made by Hindenburg Research.
    • Show Cause Notice by SEBI: In June 2024, SEBI issued a show cause notice to Hindenburg Research, indicating that the regulator is actively pursuing the matter.

    About SEBI’s Code on Conflict of Interest:

    According to SEBI’s Code on Conflict of Interest, board members, including the Chairperson, are prohibited from holding any other office of profit or engaging in professional activities that involve receiving a salary or professional fees.It can constitute a number of different things that need to be disclosed by the concerned board member:

    • Certain transactions in shares: The Code says that a member must disclose their, and their family’s (spouse, dependent children below 18 years of age) holdings within 15 days of the assumption of Office, and annually update this disclosure.
    • Outside private activities: SEBI board members are not allowed to hold any other ‘office of profit’.
    • Acceptance of gifts: Board members are not allowed to accept “any gift (whose value exceeds Rs 1,000) by whatever name called, to the extent possible, from a regulated entity”. If they do, they have to hand it over to the General Services Department of the SEBI.
    • Miscellaneous: Members are bound to disclose “any post, other employment or fiduciary position” which they hold or have held in the past five years, in connection with any regulated entity.

    Way forward: 

    • Enhance stricter disclosure requirements:  SEBI should implement stricter disclosure requirements for all board members, including the Chairperson, ensuring transparency about their financial interests, past affiliations, and potential conflicts.
    • Establishing an Independent Ethics Committee: An independent ethics committee should be created to oversee and review any potential conflicts of interest involving SEBI board members.

    Mains PYQ: 

    Q In the light of Satyam Scandal (2009), discuss the changes brought in the corporate governance to ensure transparency and accountability. (2015)

  • Solar Energy – JNNSM, Solar Cities, Solar Pumps, etc.

    [pib] Operational Guidelines for Implementation of ‘Model Solar Village’

    Why in the news?

    • The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has issued operational guidelines for the Implementation of ‘Model Solar Village’ under PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
      • The centre recently allocated ₹800 crore for the same.

    About PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

    Description
    Purpose To provide 300 units of free electricity per month to beneficiaries through an investment of ₹75,000 crores.
    Deadline Extended the deadline from 2022 to 2026.
    Announcement Initially announced in an Interim Budget 2024-25 speech by the Finance Minister.
    Target Aimed to light up 1 crore households.
    Implementation Urban Local Bodies and Panchayats are incentivised to promote rooftop solar systems.
    Financial Support
    Average Monthly Electricity Consumption (units) Suitable Rooftop Solar Plant Capacity Subsidy Support
    0-150 1-2 kW ₹ 30,000  to ₹ 60,000
    150-300 2-3 kW ₹ 60,000  to ₹ 78,000
    > 300 Above 3 kW ₹ 78,000

     

    Features of the ‘Model Solar Village’ Initiative:

    Details
    Comprehensive Solarization
    • Solarize all households and public areas with home lighting, water systems, pumps, and streetlights.
    • Seeks to create one Model Solar Village per district.
    Implementing Agency State Renewable Energy Development Agency (SREDA) or another entity nominated by the State/UT Government will implement the scheme.
    24×7 Solar-Powered Village Develop villages powered entirely by solar energy, promoting self-reliance in meeting energy needs.
    Central Financial Assistance (CFA)
    • ₹1 crore grant per village based on a Detailed Project Report (DPR) by the Implementing Agency.
    • The total financial allocation for this initiative is ₹800 crore.
    Eligibility Criteria
    • Revenue village with a population over 5,000 (or 2,000 in special category states).
    • Based on installed renewable energy capacity, overseen by the District Level Committee (DLC) 6 months after the declaration.
    Fund Disbursement 40% on the award of works, 40% after completion, 20% after 6 months of operation.

     

    PYQ:

    [2018] With reference to solar power production in India, consider the following statements:

    1. India is the third largest in the world in the manufacture of silicon wafers used in photovoltaic units.

    2. The solar power tariffs are determined by the Solar Energy Corporation of India.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) Both 1 and 2

    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

  • Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Global Implications

    Ukraine’s Kursk Operation in Russia

    Why in the News?

    Ukrainian troops have advanced up to 35 kilometers into Russian territory in the Kursk region. 

    What is the Kursk Operation?

    • The Kursk operation marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
    • The operation has been characterized by intense fighting, with reports of casualties.

    About Kursk Region:

    • It is located in the western part of Russia, bordering Ukraine to the southwest.
    • The region holds historical significance Battle of Kursk as the site of the, which took place from July to August 1943 and is recognized as the largest tank battle in history during World War II.
    • The Kursk region is rich in iron ore, which has led to substantial mining operations in the area.
    • The region experiences a continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers.

     

    Significance of the Kursk Operation for Ukraine

    • Strategic Leverage: Strengthens Ukraine’s position in future negotiations by capturing Russian territory for potential land exchanges.
    • Buffer Zone Creation: Enhances security for contested Ukrainian areas by establishing a protective buffer on Russian soil.
    • Military Diversion: Forces Russia to redeploy troops, weakening their main front lines and easing pressure on Ukrainian forces.

    PYQ:

    [2023] Consider the following pairs:

    Regions often mentioned in news Reason for being in news
    1. North Kivu and Ituri War between Armenia and Azerbaijan
    2. Nagorno-Karabakh Insurgency in Mozambique
    3. Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Dispute between Israel and Lebanon

    How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

    (a) Only one

    (b) Only two

    (c) All three

    (d) None

  • Railway Reforms

    What is KAVACH Collision Avoidance System (CAS)?

    Why in the News?

    Indian Railways expects to launch Kavach CAS on Mumbai-Delhi-Kolkata routes by March 2025.

    About Kavach Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)

    Details
    Development
    • Development started in 2011 by Indian Railways and Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO).
    • Key developer: B. Rajaram, known for the Skybus Metro system.
    • Field trials began in 2014, and final approval was granted in 2019.
    Safety Parameters Certified for Safety Integrity Level 4 (SIL-4) operations
    Working Mechanism
    • Components: Trackside RFID tags, onboard locomotive equipment, radio infrastructure.
    • Functionality: Real-time monitoring, driver alerts, and automatic braking to prevent collisions.
    • Data Inputs: Location, direction, time.
    • Event Recorders: Retain records for post-incident analysis.
    Collision Prevention
    • Alert Mechanism: Alerts the locomotive pilot if a ‘red signal’ is missed.
    • Automatic Braking: If speed exceeds 15 kmph after a red signal, Kavach applies brakes to halt the train.
    Issues
    • High Cost: ₹50 lakh per kilometer for deployment.
    • Low Coverage: Covers only 1,500 kilometers out of the total 68,000-kilometer rail network (as of November 2023).

    How does CAS work in ships and aircraft?

    Key Systems Functions
    Ships AIS (Automatic Identification System) Sends and receives data on location, speed, and direction between ships and land-based stations.
    LRIT (Long Range Identification and Tracking)
    • Requires ships to report location, time, and equipment every 6 hours to authorities.
    • Data shared with contracting governments and rescue operators via International LRIT Data Exchange.
    Aircraft Transponders Respond to radio-frequency pings to build a 3D view of surrounding air traffic.
    Alerts and Resolution Issues alert if another aircraft is within 48 seconds (traffic advisory) or 30 seconds (resolution) of a collision.
    Radar Altimeters and Obstacle Detection Monitors distance to the ground and alerts pilots about tall obstacles like towers.

     

    PYQ:

    [2015] With reference to bio-toilets used by the Indian Railways, consider the following statements:

    1. The decomposition of human waste in the biotoilets is initiated by a fungal inoculum.
    2. Ammonia and water vapour are the only end products in this decomposition which are released into the atmosphere.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only
    (b) 2 only
    (c) Both 1 and 2
    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

  • ISRO Missions and Discoveries

    August 23rd declared as National Space Day

    Why in the News?

    The Centre has officially declared August 23rd as “National Space Day” in honor of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission’s historic achievement.

    About the National Space Day:

    • It is set to be celebrated on August 23rd every year.
    • It marks the successful landing of the Chandrayaan-3 mission’s Vikram Lander and Pragyan Rover on the Moon.
    • Theme for 2024:
      • Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga” highlights space exploration’s impact on society and technology.
    • Significance:
      • India became the fourth country to land on the Moon and the first to land near the Moon’s southern polar region.

    About Chandrayaan-3 Mission:

    Details
    Launch
    • India’s third lunar mission, second attempt at soft landing on the Moon.
    • Launched on July 14, 2023. Landed on August 23.
    Landing Site Near the Lunar South Pole (Coordinates: 69.373°S 32.319°E)
    Mission Objectives
    • Demonstrate safe and soft landing on the Moon.
    • Rover mobility on lunar surface.
    • Conduct in-situ scientific experiments.
    Components
    • Propulsion Module: Carries lander and rover to 100 km lunar orbit; includes SHAPE payload.
    • Lander Module (Vikram): Instruments: ChaSTE, ILSA, Langmuir Probe, Laser Retroreflector Array.
    • Rover Module (Pragyan): Instruments: APXS, LIBS.
    Major Findings
    • Lunar Surface Temperature: Recorded up to 70°C, higher than expected.
    • Elemental Composition: Sulphur, aluminum, calcium, iron, chromium, titanium, manganese, silicon, and oxygen confirmed.
    Landing Site Name Named by PM as ‘Shiv Shakti’ (Sanctioned by IAU as “Statio Shiv Shakti”).

     

    PYQ:

    [2016] Consider the following statements:

    The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO

    1. is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission
    2. made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA
    3. made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit the Mars in its very first attempt

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 and 3 only

    (c) 1 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

  • Digital India Initiatives

    What is the Google ‘monopoly’ antitrust case and how does it affect consumers?     

    Why in the news?

    US Federal court ruled Google’s $26 billion payments to default on smartphone browsers violated US antitrust law, blocking competitors and benefiting the Justice Department.

    About Google’s Antitrust Case

    • The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) brought an antitrust case against Google, accusing it of maintaining a monopoly in the online search and advertising sectors.
    • The DOJ argued that Google’s dominance was achieved through exclusive distribution agreements, which prevented competitors from succeeding in the market.

    What Did the Ruling State?

    • Google Monopolistic Practices: Google broke antitrust laws to keep its monopoly on “general search services” and “general search text ads.”
    • Note: The Sherman Antitrust Act is a landmark U.S. federal law enacted in 1890 to promote competition and prevent monopolistic practices.
    • Advantageous position due to the “default” search engine: The Google company has an unseen advantage over its competitors where it’s search engine processes an estimated 8.5 billion queries per day worldwide.
      • The present judgment by US District of Colombia limits itself to the relevant geographic market of the US.
    • Paying billions to smartphone makers: Google was accused of paying billions to smartphone makers like Apple and Samsung to ensure Google was the default search engine on their devices and browsers.

    How Do Monopolistic Practices Harm Consumer Experience?

    • Impact on Competition: Monopolistic practices, like those exhibited by Google, stifle competition by preventing rivals from entering the market and can lead to higher prices and reduced innovation.
    • Unfair Platform for Start-ups: The new start-ups would have to surmount the entry barriers to create a GSE of comparable quality to Google. These barriers would cost high capital, access to distribution channels, and brand recognition.
    • Quality Degradation: A monopolist may lose the incentive to improve the quality of its products, as there is little risk of losing customers to competitors.
      • The ruling highlighted that Google conducted a study in 2020 that showed it would not lose search revenue even if it significantly reduced the quality of its search product.
    • Limites the choices of consumer: When a company holds a monopoly, consumers are often left with few alternatives, allowing the monopolist to exploit its position.

    Government Initiatives taken in India for similar line:

    The Draft Competition Bill 2024: The Ministry of Corporate Affairs’ Bill prevents giant tech companies/ Systemically Significant Digital Enterprises (SSDEs) from participating in anti-competitive practices.

    • The Bill imposes restrictions on SSDEs, barring them from favouring their own products and services, and from using or sharing users’ personal data without their consent.
    • Big tech companies have objected to the Bill because the compliance burdens would shift focus from innovation and research.

    Way forward: 

    • Encouraging Innovation: Governments and regulatory bodies should support the development of alternative search engines and platforms through incentives, grants, and support for startups.
    • Banning Exclusive Agreements: Prohibit exclusive distribution agreements that make one product or service the default, ensuring that consumers have a choice and that competitors can fairly compete.

    Mains question for practice: 

    Q Discuss the significance of India’s Competition Act, 2002 in regulating anti-competitive practices and promoting a fair market environment. 10M

  • Health Sector – UHC, National Health Policy, Family Planning, Health Insurance, etc.

    Hidden dangers of irrational use of antibiotics on microbiome    

    Why in the news?

    While vital for treating infections, antibiotics can disrupt the microbiome by indiscriminately killing both harmful pathogens and beneficial gut bacteria, especially broad-spectrum types.

    Various roles played by Antibiotics (Applications):  

     

    Treatment of Infections

    Antibiotics are essential for treating bacterial infections, significantly reducing mortality rates associated with infectious diseases

    For example, penicillin and other antibiotics, the mortality rate from strep throat dropped dramatically from 1% to less than 0.1%.

    Preventing Disease Spread 

    Treating bacterial infections, antibiotics can prevent the spread of disease to other individuals

    For instance, during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, antibiotics were used to treat secondary bacterial pneumonia, which was a major cause of death.

    Reducing Complications

    Antibiotics can reduce the risk of serious complications from bacterial infections.

    For instance, In the case of urinary tract infections (UTIs), untreated infections can lead to kidney damage or life-threatening conditions like sepsis. However, with prompt antibiotic treatment, the risk of complications is greatly reduced

    Supporting Medical Procedures

    Antibiotics are used prophylactically to prevent infections before certain medical procedures

    For example in surgery

    Concerning Aspects of Antibiotic Use

    • Dysbiosis: The disruption of the microbiome, known as dysbiosis, can lead to severe health issues, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 
    • Increased Infection Risk: Antibiotics can reduce colonization resistance, which is the microbiome’s ability to prevent pathogenic microorganisms from establishing infections. This reduction increases the risk of infections by harmful bacteria, such as Clostridioides difficile.
    • Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Overuse of antibiotics contributes to the development of antimicrobial resistance, making it more challenging to treat infections. The global crisis of antibiotic resistance is exacerbated by the enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes within the gut microbiota due to antibiotic exposure.
    • Long-term Health Consequences: Repeated antibiotic use can prevent full recovery of the microbiome, leading to chronic health issues. Research shows that children who receive multiple courses of antibiotics are at higher risk for developing conditions like IBD later in life.
    • Impact on Other Organ Systems: Dysbiosis can affect various organ systems through gut-organ axes, influencing conditions such as mental health disorders (via the gut-brain axis), liver diseases (via the gut-liver axis), and skin conditions (via the gut-skin axis) due to altered immune responses and increased permeability.

    Government initiatives: 

    1. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has initiated an antibiotic stewardship program (AMSP) on a pilot basis in 20 tertiary care hospitals across India to control the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in hospital wards and ICUs.
    2. ICMR collaborated with the Indian Council of Agriculture Research, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries, and the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to ban the use of Colistin as a growth promoter in animal feed in poultry.
    3. The Government of India launched the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR) in April 2017, focusing on a One Health approach.

    Way forward: 

    • Antibiotic Stewardship Programs: Implement and promote antibiotic stewardship programs in healthcare settings to ensure antibiotics are prescribed only when necessary and with the appropriate dosage and duration.
    • Probiotic Supplementation: Encourage the use of probiotics alongside antibiotic treatments to help maintain a healthy microbiome and mitigate the risks of dysbiosis and related health issues.

    Mains PYQ: 

    Q Can overuse and free availability of antibiotics without Doctor’s prescription, be contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What are the available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss the various issues involved. (2014)

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

    Cold War nuke tests light up a bug in present-day climate models  

    Why in the News?

    A new calculation suggests that climate models might be overestimating how long plants keep carbon before releasing it as per the recent study published in Science by an international research team.

    Study by an International Team of Researchers:

    • A recent study published in Science by an international research team suggests that plants absorb more CO2 from the atmosphere than previously thought but release it back into their surroundings sooner than expected.
    • Researchers utilized climate models to analyze the impact of radiocarbon (carbon-14) from nuclear bomb tests on the carbon cycle. They tracked changes in radiocarbon levels in the atmosphere and how it was absorbed by plants during photosynthesis.
    • The study estimates that plants store around 80 billion tonnes of carbon per year, primarily in leaves and finer roots, which is higher than previous estimates of 43-76 billion tonnes. This indicates that plants may be cycling carbon through the atmosphere and soil more rapidly than previously thought.

    Study from the Relics of the Cold War:

    • The nuclear bomb tests conducted during the Cold War inadvertently provided scientists with valuable data for climate research.
      • The tests released significant amounts of radiocarbon into the atmosphere, allowing researchers to study its movement and absorption by vegetation.
    • The presence of radiocarbon in the atmosphere serves as a marker for understanding carbon dynamics.
      • The study analyzed the radiocarbon levels before and after the 1963 Limited Test Ban Treaty, which halted atmospheric nuclear testing, providing insights into how carbon is cycled between the atmosphere and vegetation.
    • The study highlights that many climate models have not incorporated radiocarbon data, which could lead to inaccuracies in predicting carbon cycling and its impact on climate change.
      • Only one model, the Community Earth System Model 2, has accounted for radiocarbon, but it predicted lower absorption levels than the study found.

    How the Whole System is Cycling Faster?

    • Accelerated Carbon Exchange: The researchers concluded that the entire carbon cycle is operating faster than previously understood.
      • This means that while plants absorb more CO2, they also release it back into the atmosphere more quickly, leading to a more dynamic and less stable carbon storage system.
    • Implications for Climate Mitigation: The findings suggest that strategies relying on plant carbon sequestration to offset fossil fuel emissions may need to be reevaluated.
      • If plants are releasing carbon sooner than expected, the potential for mitigating climate change through natural carbon sinks could be less effective than previously thought.

    Way forward: 

    • Incorporate Radiocarbon Data: Integrate radiocarbon data into existing and future climate models to more accurately predict carbon cycling and the role of vegetation in carbon sequestration. This will lead to more reliable forecasts of climate change impacts and inform better policy decisions.
    • Develop Dynamic Carbon Cycle Models: Improve models to account for the faster carbon cycling observed, ensuring they reflect the actual pace at which carbon is absorbed and released by plants. This will help in refining strategies for climate mitigation.
  • Disasters and Disaster Management – Sendai Framework, Floods, Cyclones, etc.

    What is the Nankai Trough?  

    Why on the News?

    Japanese authorities have warned its citizens of a ‘megaquake’ and large tsunamis along the Nankai Trough.

    What is the Nankai Trough?

    • The Nankai Trough is an extensive subduction zone, nearly 900 km long.
    • It is the place of collision of the Eurasian Plate over the Philippine Sea Plate.
    • This trough has a history of producing large earthquakes approximately every 100 to 150 years.
    • The most recent Nankai Trough quake happened in 1946 with magnitude 8.0 tremor and 6.9 metre tsunami, killing 1,330 people.

    Potential for a Megaquake: 

    • Japan’s researchers estimated in January 2022 that there is a roughly 70% chance of a magnitude 8-9 megaquake striking the Nankai Trough within next 30 years.
    • Such a quake could affect a vast region stretching from central Shizuoka, about 150 km south of Tokyo, to southwestern Miyazaki.

    PYQ:

    [2014] Explain the formation of thousands of islands in Indonesian and Philippines archipelagos.

  • Global Geological And Climatic Events

    What is the Perseid Meteor Shower?

    Why in the News?

    The Perseid meteor shower, which began in July, is currently at its peak activity from August 11 to 13, 2024.

    About Perseid Meteor Shower

    Details
    Origin Named after the constellation Perseus, from which the meteors appear to originate.
    Cause Caused by debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle as it orbits the Sun.
    How It Occurs
    • Consists of ice, rock, and dust particles shed by Comet Swift-Tuttle.
    • Earth passes through this debris field annually between mid-July and late August.
    • Particles enter Earth’s atmosphere at around 214,000 km/h, causing them to heat up and create bright streaks of light.
    Discovery The connection between the Perseid meteor shower and Comet Swift-Tuttle was established in 1862 by Lewis Swift and Horace Tuttle.
    Historical Observations Observed for centuries, with records dating back to ancient Chinese, Japanese, and European civilizations.
    Impact of Earth’s Gravity
    • Earth’s gravity pulls particles from the debris field, causing them to enter the atmosphere.
    • Larger particles can create fireballs—bright meteors that are more intense and last longer.

    Note: In the 1990s, scientists feared comet Swift-Tuttle might hit Earth or the Moon in 2126, but later calculations confirmed safety for two millennia.

    PYQ:

    [2011] What is the difference between asteroids and comets?

    1. Asteroids are small rocky planetoids, while comets are formed of frozen gases held together by rocky and metallic material.
    2. Asteroids are found mostly between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars, while comets are found mostly between Venus and Mercury.
    3. Comets show a perceptible glowing tail, while asteroids do not.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 and 2 only
    (b) 1 and 3 only
    (c) 3 only
    (d) 1, 2 and 3

Join the Community

Join us across Social Media platforms.