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

Civilsdaily

Login

Search results for: “”

  • Forest fire management for positive sustainable forest growth

    forest fireContext

    • Forest fires are becoming more common and wildfires are destroying nearly twice as much tree cover globally as they did in 2001.

    Why in news?

    • Climate change is driving more intense and widespread forest fire by fuelling more extreme heat and deepening drought, which dries out forests.

    How to define forest fire?

    • A wildfire, forest fire, bushfire, wildland fire or rural fire is an unplanned, uncontrolled and unpredictable fire in an area of combustible vegetation starting in rural and urban areas.

    What causes forest fires?

    • Human activities: Forest fires can be caused by a number of natural causes, but officials say many major fires in India are triggered mainly by human activities.
    • Climate change: Emerging studies link climate change to rising instances of fires globally, especially the massive fires of the Amazon forests in Brazil and in Australia in the last two years. Fires of longer duration, increasing intensity, higher frequency and highly inflammable nature are all being linked to climate change.
    • Season: In India, wildfires are most commonly reported during March and April, when the ground has large quantities of dry wood, logs, dead leaves, stumps, dry grass and weeds that can make forests easily go up in flames if there is a trigger.
    • Natural reasons: Under natural circumstances, extreme heat and dryness, friction created by rubbing of branches with each other also have been known to initiate fire.

    forest fire

    Key fact

    7.4 million acres of forest are getting burnt annually now an area roughly the size of Belgium.

    What factors make forest fires a concern?

    • Carbon emission: They act as a sink, reservoir and source of carbon.
    • Livelihood loss: In India, with 1.70 lakh villages in close proximity to forests (Census 2011), the livelihood of several crores of people is dependent on fuelwood, bamboo, fodder, and small timber.
    • Destruction of animals’ habitat: Heat generated during the fire destroys animal habitats. Soil quality decreases with the alteration in their compositions.
    • Soil degradation: Soil moisture and fertility, too, is affected. Thus forests can shrink in size. The trees that survive fire often remain stunted and growth is severely affected.

    Measures to curb Forest fires

    1) National Action Plan on wild fires

    • The MoEFCC has prepared a National Action Plan on wild fire in 2018 after several rounds of consultation with all states and UTs.
    • The objective of this plan is to minimize forest fires by informing, enabling and empowering forest fringe communities and incentivizing them to work in tandem with the State Forest Departments.
    • The plan also intends to substantially reduce the vulnerability of forests across diverse forest ecosystems in the country against fire hazards, enhance capabilities of forest personnel and institutions in fighting fires and swift recovery subsequent to fire incidents.

    2) Forest Fire Prevention and Management scheme

    • The MoEFCC provides wildfire prevention and management measures under the Centrally Sponsored Forest Fire Prevention and Management (FPM) scheme.
    • The FPM is the only centrally funded program specifically dedicated to assist the states in dealing with forest fires.
    • The FPM replaced the Intensification of Forest Management Scheme (IFMS) in 2017. By revamping the IFMS, the FPM has increased the amount dedicated for forest fire work.
    • Funds allocated under the FPM are according to the 90:10 ratio of central to state funding in the Northeast and Western Himalayan regions and 60:40 ratio for all other states.
    • Nodal officers for forest fire prevention and control have been appointed in each state.

    forest fireWay forward

    • Awareness should be created among the villagers residing near the forests with respect to the long-term ill effects of forest fires.
    • Measures to prevent wildfires have to be taken before summer season when fires are prevalent.
    • Local people should be given skills to use online portals or mobile apps in order to monitor the forests for fires and inform forest authorities regarding the same.

    Mains question

    Q. Climate change is driving more intense and widespread forest fires by fueling more extreme heat and deepening drought. Why forest fires are cause of concern? Discuss our preparedness level for the same in the above context.

    UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

  • [Sansad TV] Mudda AapKa – Pakistan Crisis

    UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

    Context: Political Crisis in Pakistan

    • The Pakistani police have charged Imran Khan under anti-terror law, days after the former PM attacked the police and a judicial officer at a huge rally in the capital, Islamabad.
    • He recently said that Pakistan would be de-nuclearized and broken into pieces.
    • These days, the ousted PM got global attention for openly praising India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar for pursuing sovereign foreign policies.

    Pakistan conundrum: A quick recap

    (1) Attempt for a constitutional coup

    • In a high stage political drama, Imran Khan was ousted as the PM after a political and constitutional crisis emerged in Pakistan.
    • Pakistani National Assembly Speaker dismissed a no-confidence motion against PM during a session in which it was expected to be taken up for a vote, alleging foreign country’s involvement.
    • The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) took a suo moto notice of the ongoing situation, creating a constitutional crisis, as effectively, Imran Khan led a constitutional coup.

    (2) Questions over Pak Army’s role

    • Meanwhile, Imran Khan had ordered termination of its Army Chief who was his staunch supporter turned opponent.
    • He has broken that consensus within Pakistan’s political class on deference to the Pakistan army and has demonised his political opponents.
    • Shortly after midnight on 10 April, a majority of members voted and passed the no-confidence motion, removing Khan from office, and making him the first prime minister in Pakistan to be removed from office through a no-confidence motion.

    Geopolitical impacts of the Pakistan Crisis

    The nation of more than 220 million people lies between Afghanistan to the west, China to the northeast and India to the east, making it of vital strategic importance.

    • Defiance from the US: Since coming to power in 2018, Khan’s rhetoric has become more anti-American.
    • Support for Russian invasion of Ukraine: He expressed a desire to move closer to China and, recently, Russia – including talks with President Putin on the day the invasion of Ukraine began.

    Here is what the upheaval, which comes as the economy is in deep trouble, means for countries closely involved in Pakistan:

    [A] INDIA

    • Terrorism: Any regime change in Islamabad has always been monitored closely by New Delhi for potential changes in the border scenario, and militancy.
    • Ongoing Ceasefire: As with Afghanistan, it is Pakistan’s military that controls policy in the sensitive area, and tensions along the de facto border there are at their lowest level since 2021, thanks to a ceasefire.
    • Absence of formal dialogue: There have been no formal diplomatic talks between the rivals for years because of deep distrust over a range of issues, including Khan’s extreme criticism of Indian PM.
    • Push of geo-economics: The Pakistani military has put pressure on the new government in Islamabad to build successful ties for geo-economics and bilateral trade.
    • Change in Kashmir rhetoric: The powerful army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa said recently that his country was ready to move forward on Kashmir if India agrees.

    [B] AFGHANISTAN

    • Ongoing crisis: Now that the Taliban are back in power in Afghanistan, and facing an economic and humanitarian crisis due to a lack of money and international isolation.
    • Row over Durand Line: Tensions have risen between the Taliban and Pakistan’s military, which has lost several soldiers in attacks close to their mutual border.
    • Putting curb on terror activities: Pakistan wants the Taliban to do more to crack down on extremist groups and worries they will spread violence into Pakistan by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) faction.

    [C] CHINA

    • “All weather” friends: Khan consistently emphasised China’s positive role in Pakistan and in the world at large.
    • Continuance of CPEC: The $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which binds them together was actually conceptualised and launched under Pakistan’s two established political parties, both of which are set to share power in the new government.

    [D] UNITED STATES

    • No priority for US: Pakistan’s political crisis is unlikely to be a priority for President Joe Biden, who is grappling with the war in Ukraine, unless it led to mass unrest or rising tensions with India.
    • Pak retreat on alleged US involvement: With the Pakistani military maintaining its behind-the-scenes control of foreign and security policies, the change of government was not a major concern.
    • Damage control over Russian ties: Imran Khan’s visit to Moscow had been a “disaster” in terms of U.S. relations, and that a new government in Islamabad could at least help mend ties “to some degree”.

    Pakistan- the way it is: A rogue State

    • Obsession for Kashmir: Ever since Pakistan came into being, its biggest obsession has been India and Kashmir. Even after losing 3 crucial wars, the saga has never ended.
    • Obsession with India: The deploring economic condition, ever-increasing scarcity of water, dishevelled education system and growing radicalisation take a back seat in the breadth of bleeding India by a thousand cuts.
    • Perceived ‘conspiracy’ in all walks of polity: The only thing that helps the army/govt to stay in power is by vilifying India and delineating India as the biggest threat to their survival.
    • Lack of credible civilian leadership: Pakistan’s founders expected the idea of Pakistan to shape the state of Pakistan; instead, a military bureaucracy governs the state and imposes its own vision of a Pakistani nation. 
    • Army is the Deep-State: This shortcoming gave the army a chance to intervene and take over the functioning of the civilian government.  Ever since its inception, the army has played a decisive role in the internal governance and foreign policy.
    • Demographic bottlenecks: At the time of partition, Pakistan received a large share of military personnel as compared to the share of civilian migrants from India.
    • De-indigenization of own history:  Pakistan has always tried to de-indigenise its history, culture. It has always tried to attach its cultural habits with the Arabs and the invader Turks.
    • Crusade for Islam: Pakistan often stunts to be the khalifa of the Islamic world. It has propagated the rhetoric of Islamophobia despite being a Islamic republic.
    • Terrorism as a diplomatic tool: Pakistan is idiosyncratic to the common notion of diplomacy. Pakistan is the only state in the world that sponsors terrorism as a state policy be it in India or Afghanistan

    Dilemma for India

    • Leadership vacuum in Pakistan: Indian policymakers have not been able to engage in a formal diplomatic talk due to the leadership vacuum and deep distrust.
    • No talks amid Terrorism: India has tried both the diplomatic and the military ways to find a solution to the problem.  But nothing has worked out so far that could deter Pakistan from sponsoring terrorism.
    • Offensive defence: Even after 26/11, India’s responses were mostly limited to diplomatic and covert operations. Indian responses pre-surgical-strike were mostly dictated by the nuclear hangover.
    • Short-lived military deterrence: Surgical strike and Balakot strike manifested change in India’s attitude to take punitive and decisive action. But the deterrence which was expected to have been created have been short-lived.
    • Atomic hangover of Pakistan: It often reiterates the stance of being a potential atomic superpower, whenever reference to the ties with India are invoked.

    Implications for India

    From India’s point of view, two positive developments have taken place in the course of this turmoil:

    • Praise for India: First, Imran Khan, the outgoing prime minister who has alleged a US-led foreign conspiracy to oust his government, has heaped fulsome praise on India for its independent foreign policy.
    • Army wants ties with India: Pakistan’s powerful army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, has yet again reached out to India with a message of peace, which the Modi government must not reject. He regards religious extremism, not India, to be a greater threat to Pakistan’s national security.

    What could be the reasons compelling Pakistan’s military to seek peace with India?

    Ans. Looming Economic Crisis

    • Pakistan is going through an acute economic crisis, which has made its military leaders to do some introspection.
    • Today, Pakistan stands at the crossroads of its economic and strategic goals. It has north-south connectivity (Pakistan to Afghanistan to Central Asia and Russia).
    • It now wants to capitalize the build connectivity from east to west (India to Iran) that will increase trade and benefit Pakistan and the region.

    Do you know?

    Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is the largest militant organization fighting against the state in Pakistan. It was once bred by Pak Army and ISI to wage Jihad in Kashmir Valley.

    This has now become biggest existential threats to Pakistan as a nation.

    Way forward

    • Capitalizing on-going conundrum: India cannot let these tactical advantages go in vain. It will have to capitalise on them.
    • Resumption of dialogue: The visionary Pak army chief will retire this year. Hence, there is a small window of opportunity in which India and Pakistan can resume dialogue and achieve a meaningful breakthrough.
    • Alert policy imperatives: India should respond careful to the peace message from our western neighbour — coming from none other than its army chief.
    • All-factor considerations: India needs to prepare a grand strategy to decipher this Pakistan conundrum which should take into consideration all the facets of the problem.
    • Balancing China: Another important aspect of this grand strategy, which would need greater accentuation, is the bonhomie between China and Pakistan. Pakistan is now a part of India’s larger China problem.

    UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

  • Now Daily Answer Writing Enhancement (AWE) Program comes with 24*7 doubt clearing | Enrollments are open for the months of Aug-Sept-Oct, timetable inside

    Now Daily Answer Writing Enhancement (AWE) Program comes with 24*7 doubt clearing | Enrollments are open for the months of Aug-Sept-Oct, timetable inside

    Download PDF for better visibility – Schedule of Daily AWE for the Months of August and September

    UPSC-CSE Prelims 2022 is over. And this is high time to make sure that the foundation for your Answer writing skills is strong. Our AWE (Answer Writing Enhancement Program) is back again with new features (details below) to sharpen your Answer writing skills.

    In view of the available time till Mains as well as for UPSC 2023-24 aspirants, Daily AWE Program is back for a new batch. We have got you covered with all the conceptual clarity on important topics. CD’s Exam Prep program has curated an exclusive series to help you strengthen the basics for UPSC Mains answer writing. 

    Also, you will get a lot of pointers to polish your writing skills for UPSC-CSE 2022-23. At the end of each session, you get a LIVE 24*7 Doubt-Clearing session with our faculty to get all your doubts cleared.

    Let’s keep the momentum going.

    Answer writing practices through Civilsdaily’s Daily AWE program can reduce test anxiety and helps you ace the GS Mains answer writing. And what could be the better way to practice for UPSC Mains Examinations than attempting Questions which are the closest to the demands of the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination? 

    The more you are accustomed to sitting for a period of time, answering questions, and pacing yourself, the more comfortable you will feel when you actually sit down to take the real UPSC Mains examinations yourself.

    We are working hard to make the program more effective and loaded with features, highlight the best answers, and show the competency levels of students.

    What does the Program include?

    Weekly 20 Questions + Doubt Clearing Session (Newly Added)

    • Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you. A sample 2-week schedule is available below.
    • Doubt clearing 24*7 via WhatsApp. You can also mail at staff@civilsdaily.com for doubt clearing
    • On Day 1 we post the questions with the mentor’s comments and on the next day, we provide the model answers for the previous day.
    • A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.
    • You can write your answer on the same day and attach a scanned copy. Within 72 hours, a review of your answer will be provided.
    • Also, write the Razor payment ID, when you attach your answer.
    • If you are writing answers late, then please tag the mentor, to let him know about your submission. These answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.
    Click here to JOIN the AWE PROGRAM

    SCHEDULE:

    Here is the schedule till Oct to give you an idea about how we will follow the Syllabus:

    AWE Aug-Sep-OctDownload

    NOTE: For GS2 and GS3, we take questions from recent current affairs. This ensures coverage of both static and current affairs.

    Click here to JOIN the AWE PROGRAM

  • How to read The Hindu/IE news and editorials effectively in ’40 mins’ for UPSC IAS 2023-24? Ranadheer sir’s FREE Masterclass on LIVE editorial coverage, note making, and connecting with static.

    How to read The Hindu/IE news and editorials effectively in ’40 mins’ for UPSC IAS 2023-24? Ranadheer sir’s FREE Masterclass on LIVE editorial coverage, note making, and connecting with static.

    Register for important session on 25th August 2022, Thursday | Get Samachar Manthan current week’s module for FREE
    CLICK AND REGISTER FOR THE FREE MASTERCLASS BY ranadheer SIR ON HOW TO READ Hindu/ie news AND WHAT IS THE EXACT WAY TO TAKE NOTES FROM THEM

    How to master Current affairs?

    Current affairs are necessary evil for UPSC IAS exam. If you avoid this, you will make blunder. And if you do everything under the Sun, you will regret.

    The Hindu/IE is essential and the best place to begin your UPSC preparation. They form a fundamental foundation and can help you understand basic and critical concepts more quickly. But, Are all news topics to be read? Finding reliable sources for this information can be extremely difficult.

    CD’ s senior IAS mentor, Ranadheer sir will be taking a Masterclass on Current Affairs
    CLICK AND REGISTER FOR THE FREE MASTERCLASS BY Ranadheer SIR ON HOW TO READ NCERTS AND WHAT IS THE EXACT WAY TO TAKE NOTES FROM THEM

    Masterclass Details: 25th August 2022 (Thursday) At 7 PM

    Grasp the opportunity to get outstanding tips on ‘what are the best strategies to prepare for Current Affairs ’, and ‘how to read & what to read And how to make notes.

    Strategies & Approaches, in This Free Live Webinar by Ranadheer Sir!

    1. Best, minimum Current affairs materials for UPSC-CSE Preparation. So, which news/editorials to actually focus upon.
    1. How to cover newspaper (The Hindu, IE, Etc.) in 40 mins? Do not follow anything regularly. Rather, research a subject/subjects you may not comfortable with and read as much as I could PIB (Feature Section), PRS, IDSA’s ‘Ask an Expert’, Ministry of External Affairs’ ‘In Focus’, Rajya Sabha TV’s ‘Big Picture’ , ‘Science Monitor’, ‘State of the Economy’, ‘India’s World’ are good sources.
    1. How to make notes from the newspaper and magazines? It is critical to understand taking-notes worthy areas in a news. Maps and information about different current issues provided in newspapers. How to keep updating your notes regularly?
    2. How to connect current affairs with GS static part? It’s more vital than anything. UPSC’s pet question areas lies on Current affairs influenced static GK. So, this point will be elaborated in this masterclass.
    3. How to start daily answer writing with daily current affairs? Writing answers is a skill that you must develop as soon as possible. So, how to and where to prioritize current affairs will be discussed thoroughly.
    4. Many more untold experiences that only a topper can explain, will be disclosed in this awesome masterclass
    CLICK AND REGISTER FOR THE FREE MASTERCLASS BY Ranadheer SIR ON HOW TO READ hindu/ie news AND WHAT IS THE EXACT WAY TO TAKE NOTES FROM THEM

    What The Hindu mentioned about Civilsdaily Mentorship

    CLICK AND REGISTER FOR THE FREE MASTERCLASS BY Ranadheer SIR ON HOW TO READ hindu/ie news AND WHAT IS THE EXACT WAY TO TAKE NOTES FROM THEM

  • 25th August 2022| Daily Answer Writing Enhancement(AWE)

    Topics for Today’s questions:

    GS-1        Urbanization, their problems and their remedies

    GS-2        Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting  India’s interests.

    GS-3        Disaster Management

    GS-4        Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world.

    Question 1)

     

    Q.1 Slums in urban areas are a reality of mega cities. Do you agree that India’s urban development is yet to be inclusive? (10 Marks)

     

    Question 2)

    Q.2 It is said that those who hold the pen, write the rules. The time has come for India to both hold the pen and write the rules for a more equitable global economics and governance. Discuss in the context of India’s presidency of G20 summit with challenges and opportunities ahead. (10 Marks)

    Question 3)

    Q.3 India ranks third in the world in terms of number of large dams. Ageing dams poses several challenges for India. In this context, discuss the importance of Dam Safety bill 2021. (10 Marks)

    Question 4)  

    Q.4 The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence. — Rabindranath Tagore. What does this quote mean to you? (10 Marks)

     

    HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?

    1. Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.

    2. A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.

    3. You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.

    4.  Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.

    5. Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.

    6. If you upload the answer on the same day like the answer of 11th  February is uploaded on 11th February then your answer will be checked within 72 hours. Also, reviews will be in the order of submission- First come first serve basis

    7. If you are writing answers late, for example, 11th February is uploaded on 13th February , then these answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.

    8. We encourage you to write answers on the same day. However, if you are uploading an answer late then tag the mentor like @Staff so that the mentor is notified about your answer.

    *In case your answer is not reviewed, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. 

    1. For the philosophy of AWE and payment: 
    CLICK HERE To join Daily AWE

  • Dam safety bill for sustainable water management

    dam safety billContext

    • Integrated risk assessment of dam safety required to prevent human-made disasters: Experts

    Why in news?

    • The recent floods in the Mahanadi basin in Odisha have brought to the fore, the faulty management of dam safety, which were built to mitigate floods and not be the cause of them.

    What is a dam?

    • A dam is a barrier that stops the flow of water and results in the creation of a reservoir. Dams are mainly built in order to produce electricity by using water. This form of electricity is known as hydroelectricity.
    • Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, aquaculture, and navigability.

    Key facts

    India has 5,745 large dams according to the National Register of Large Dams, 2019, prepared by the Central Water Commission. Some 5,334 of them are operational and the remaining 411 are under construction.

    What is the Dam Safety Act, 2021?

    • The Act comprehensively postulates for surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of dams to prevent disasters.

    Features

    • National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS): It will be constituted and will be chaired by the chairperson, Central Water Commission. Its’ functions will include formulating policies and regulations regarding dam safety standards and prevention of dam failures, analyzing the causes of major dam failures, and suggesting changes in dam safety practices.
    • National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA): It will be headed by an officer, not below the rank of an Additional Secretary, to be appointed by the central government. The main task of this authority includes implementing the policies formulated by the NCD, resolving issues between State Dam Safety Organisations (SDSOs), or between an SDSO and any dam owner in that state, specifying regulations for inspection and investigation of dams.
    • State Dam Safety Organisation (SDSO): Its functions will be to keep perpetual surveillance, inspection, monitoring the operation and maintenance of dams, keeping a database of all dams, and recommending safety measures to owners of dams.
    • Dam Safety Unit: The owners of the specified dams are required to provide a dam safety unit in each dam. This unit will inspect the dams before and after the monsoon session, and during and after any calamity or sign of distress.
    • Emergency Action Plan: Dam owners will be required to prepare an emergency action plan, and carry out risk assessment studies for each dam at specified regular intervals.
    • Certain offences: The act provides for two types of offences – obstructing a person in the discharge of his functions, and refusing to comply with directions issued under the proposed law.

    dam safetyDam rehabilitation and improvement programme DRIP

    • Government of India, with financial assistance from the World Bank initiated Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) in April 2012 with an objective to improve the safety and operational performance of selected existing dams along with dam safety institutional strengthening with system wide management approach. It was a State Sector Scheme with Central component.

    Do you know?

    Four dams — Mullaperiyar, Parambikulam, Thunakkadavu and Peruvaripallam — located in Kerala but owned, operated and maintained by the Tamil Nadu Government.

    Conclusion

    • The bill aims to help all States and Union Territories to adopt uniform dam safety procedures which will ensure safety of dams and safeguard benefits from such dams. In order to iron out the differences and issues in the bill, central government should take the state governments into consideration and hold talks with all the stakeholders. This will go a long way in ensuring the safety of dams in India, which ranks third in the world in terms of number of large dams.

    Mains question

    Q. India, which ranks third in the world in terms of number of large dams. Ageing dams poses several challenges for India. In this context discuss the importance of dam safety bill 2021.

     

    UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

  • 24th August 2022 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

    24th August 2022 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

    [WpProQuiz 1094]

    [WpProQuiz_toplist 1094]

    UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

  • In news: James Webb Space Telescope

    The James Webb Space Telescope, NASA’s latest and most powerful telescope, has captured new images of our solar system’s largest planet, Jupiter, presenting it in a never before seen light.

    What is so special about snapping Jupiter?

    • The photographs have captured a new view of the planet, presenting in detail its massive storms, colourful auroras, faint rings and two small moons — Amalthea and Adrastea.
    • While most of us are familiar with the yellow and reddish-brown gas giant.
    • The JSWT’s Near-Infrared Camera, with its specialized infrared filters, has shown Jupiter encompassed in blue, green, white, yellow and orange hues.
    • Jupiter’s famous Great Red Spot, a storm so big that it could swallow Earth, appeared bright white in the image, since it was reflecting a lot of sunlight.
    • The brightness here indicates high altitude — so the Great Red Spot has high-altitude hazes, as does the equatorial region.
    • The numerous bright white ‘spots’ and ‘streaks’ are likely very high-altitude cloud tops of condensed convective storms.

    About James Webb Space Telescope

    • JWST is a space telescope jointly developed by NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
    • It is planned to succeed the Hubble Space Telescope as NASA’s flagship astrophysics mission.
    • It will conduct a broad range of investigations across the fields of astronomy and cosmology, including:
    1. Observing some of the most distant events and objects in the universe such as the formation of the first galaxies
    2. Detailed atmospheric characterization of potentially habitable exoplanets

    How is it different from other telescopes?

    • JWST is much more powerful and has the ability to look in the infrared spectrum, which will allow it to peer through much deeper into the universe, and see through obstructions such as gas clouds.
    • As electromagnetic waves travel for long distances, they lose energy, resulting in an increase in their wavelength.
    • An ultraviolet wave, for example, can slowly move into the visible light spectrum and the infrared spectrum, and further weaken to microwaves or radio waves, as it loses energy.
    • Hubble was designed to look mainly into the ultraviolet and visible regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
    • JWST is primarily an infrared telescope, the first of its kind.

    Special features of JWST

    (1) Time machine in space

    • Powerful space telescopes, like JWST or the Hubble Telescope, are often called time machines because of their ability to view very faraway objects.
    • The light coming from those objects, stars or galaxies, which is captured by these telescopes, began its journey millions of years earlier.
    • Essentially, what these telescopes see are images of these stars or galaxies as they were millions of years ago.
    • The more distant the planet or star, the farther back in time are the telescopes able to see.

    (2) Farthest from Earth

    • JWST will also be positioned much deeper into space, about a million miles from Earth, at a spot known as L2.
    • It is one of the five points, known as Lagrange’s points, in any revolving two-body system like Earth and Sun, where the gravitational forces of the two large bodies cancel each other out.
    • Objects placed at these positions are relatively stable and require minimal external energy to keep them there. L2 is a position directly behind Earth in the line joining the Sun and the Earth.
    • It would be shielded from the Sun by the Earth as it goes around the Sun, in sync with the Earth.

    (3) Engineering marvel

    • JWST has one large mirror, with a diameter of 21 feet (the height of a typical two-storey building), that will capture the infra-red light coming in from the deep universe while facing away from the Sun.
    • It will be shielded by a five-layer, tennis court-sized, kite-shaped sunscreen that is designed to block the heat from Sun and ensure the extremely cool temperatures that the instruments are built to operate at.
    • Temperatures on the sun-facing side can get as high as 110°C, while the other side would be maintained at –200° to –230°C.
    • The extremely cold temperatures are needed to detect the extremely faint heat signals from distant galaxies.
    • The mirror as well as the sunscreen is so large they could not have fit into any rocket. They have been built as foldable items and would be unravelled in space.

     

    UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

  • Automatic Number Plate Reader (ANPR) cameras for toll collection

    In light of congestion at toll plazas, the Road Transport and Highways Ministry is now moving ahead with a plan to replace toll plazas with cameras that could read number plates, also known as Automatic Number Plate Reader (ANPR) cameras.

    ANPR cameras

    • The plan is to remove toll plazas on national highways and instead rely on ANPR cameras, which will read vehicle number plates and automatically deduct toll from the linked bank accounts of vehicle owners.
    • The model is simple: Entry and exit of toll roads will have cameras capable of reading number plates, and toll will be deducted based on these cameras.

    Can all number plates be read by the cameras?

    • Not all number plates in India can be read, and only those that have come after 2019 will be registered by the cameras.
    • The government, in 2019, had come up with a rule mandating passenger vehicles to have company-fitted number plates, and only these number plates can be read by cameras.
    • The government plans to come up with a scheme to replace older number plates.
    • A pilot of this scheme is underway and legal amendments to facilitate this transition are also being moved to penalise vehicle owners who skip toll plazas and do not pay.

    Current model for toll collection: FASTags

    • Currently, about 97 per cent of the total toll collection of nearly Rs 40,000 crore happens though FASTags — the remaining 3 per cent pay higher than normal toll rates for not using FASTags.
    • With FASTags, it takes about 47 seconds per vehicle to cross a toll plaza.
    • There’s a marked throughput enhancement – more than 260 vehicles can be processed per hour via electronic toll collection lane as compared to 112 vehicles per hour via manual toll collection lane, according to government data.
    • While FASTags have eased traffic at toll plazas across the country, congestion is still reported as there are toll gates that need to be crossed after authentication.

    Why such move?

    • Congestion at toll plazas on national highways continues to impact commuters despite 97 per cent of tolling happening through FASTags.
    • Apart from ANPR helping to ease congestion, the government is also looking at GPS technology as one of the options for toll collection.

    Are there issues with ANPR?

    • The success of ANPR cameras will depend on creating an ecosystem that is in sync with the requirements of the camera.
    • The biggest problem being faced during the trials is when things are written on number plates, beyond the nine digit registration number, such as ‘Govt of India/Delhi’ etc.
    • Another problem that ANPR cameras face is in reading number plates on trucks, as most of the time they are hidden or soiled etc.
    • A pilot on a key expressway has found that about 10 per cent of vehicles with such number plates are being missed by the ANPR cameras.

    Back2Basics: What is ‘FASTag’?

    • As per Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, since 1st December 2017, the FASTag had been made mandatory for all registered new four-wheelers and is being supplied by the Vehicle Manufacturer or their dealers.
    • It has been mandated that the renewal of fitness certificate will be done only after the fitment of FASTag.
    • For National Permit Vehicles, the fitment of FASTag was mandated since 1st October 2019.
    • FASTags are stickers that are affixed to the windscreen of vehicles and use Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to enable digital, contactless payment of tolls without having to stop at toll gates.
    • The tags are linked to bank accounts and other payment methods.
    • As a car crosses a toll plaza, the amount is automatically deducted, and a notification is sent to the registered mobile phone number.

    How does it work?

    • The device employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for payments directly from the prepaid or savings account linked to it.
    • It is affixed on the windscreen, so the vehicle can drive through plazas without stopping.
    • RFID technology is similar to that used in transport access-control systems, like Metro smart card.
    • If the tag is linked to a prepaid account like a wallet or a debit/credit card, then owners need to recharge/top up the tag.
    • If it is linked to a savings account, then money will get deducted automatically after the balance goes below a pre-defined threshold.
    • Once a vehicle crosses the toll, the owner will get an SMS alert on the deduction. In that, it is like a prepaid e-wallet.

     

    UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

  • What is Floor Test?

    Bihar Chief Minister has won the floor test in the Assembly.

    What is a floor test?

    • A floor test is a measure to check whether the executive is enjoying the confidence of the legislature.
    • It is a constitutional mechanism under which a Chief Minister appointed by the Governor can be asked to prove majority on the floor of the Legislative Assembly of the state.

    How is it conducted?

    • As per the Constitution, the Chief Minister is appointed by the Governor of the state.
    • When a single party secures the majority of the seats in the house, the Governor appoints the leader of the party as the Chief Minister.
    • In case the majority is questioned, the leader of the party which claims majority has to move a vote of confidence and prove majority among those present and voting.
    • The Chief Minister has to resign if they fail to prove their majority in the house.
    • This happens both in the parliament and the state legislative assemblies.
    • In situations when there are differences within a coalition government, the Governor can ask the Chief Minister to prove majority in the house.

    Can a floor test be postponed?

    • The Supreme Court recently had given some respite to some rebel leaders in Maharashtra to respond to the disqualification notice issued by the Speaker.
    • Citing this as the reason, the original party leaders and loyalists have stated that it is ‘unlawful’ to initiate a floor test when the disqualification decision of the rebel leaders is pending.
    • However, the previous judgments of the Supreme Court had ruled that the floor test needs not to be deferred even if the decision to disqualify the members is pending.
    • In the 2020 Shivraj Singh Chouhan v/s Speaker case, the court had clarified the same.
    • Additionally, the top court had allowed the rebel leaders to skip the floor test during the political crisis in Karnataka in 2019.

    What is composite floor test?

    • There is another test, Composite Floor Test, which is conducted only when more than one person stakes claim to form the government.
    • When the majority is not clear, the governor might call for a special session to see who has the majority.
    • The majority is counted based on those present and voting. This can also be done through a voice vote where the member can respond orally or through division voting.
    • Some legislators may be absent or choose not to vote.
    • In division vote, voting can be done through electronic gadgets, ballots or slips.
    • The person who has the majority will form the government. In case of tie, the speaker can also cast his vote.

    Governors’ discretion

    • When no party gets a clear majority, the governor can use his discretion in the selection of chief ministerial candidate to prove the majority as soon as possible.

    Issues with the floor test

    • Sometimes ruling party MLAs are lured with rewards, political or otherwise.
    • Thus, the “floor test” becomes constitutionally immoral and unjust.
    • This will amount to circumventing the Tenth Schedule through engineered defections through the judicial process.

    Back2Basics: No Confidence Motion

    • The process is explained under rule 198 of the Lok Sabha.
    • Though there is no mention of the term ‘No confidence motion’ or ‘floor test’ in the Constitution, Articles 75 and 164 do mention that the executive both at the Centre and state is collectively responsible to their respective legislatures.
    • Any member from the Opposition can move the no-confidence motion against the ruling government.
    • The motion has to receive the backing of at least 50 members before it is accepted and subsequently.
    • A date for the discussion of the motion is announced by the Speaker, which has to be within 10 days from the date of acceptance.

     

    UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

More posts