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

Dead Coral Skeletons hinder Reef Regeneration

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

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Coral Bleaching and Coral Regeneration

Why in the News?

A study conducted at Moorea, French Polynesia, has revealed that the network of dead coral skeletons left behind by bleaching events prevents reefs from regenerating.

About Corals

Corals are marine invertebrates made up of genetically identical organisms called polyps.
Polyps have a mutualistic relationship with microscopic algae called zooxanthellae that live within their tissues.
Zooxanthellae perform photosynthesis, providing the corals with carbohydrates, while the corals offer compounds needed for photosynthesis.
Corals have calcium carbonate skeletons, which help in building the reef structure.
Thousands of polyps combine to form coral colonies, which multiply and grow over time.
Coral reefs are underwater ecosystems formed by the accumulation of calcium carbonate skeletons from corals.
Known as the “rainforests of the seas”, they provide habitat and protection for a wide variety of marine life.
Coral reefs are built by both hard and soft corals and grow over time as more corals attach to the reef structure.
They are the largest living structures on the planet, vital for marine biodiversity.

Challenges due to Dead Corals

Shelter for Seaweed: Dead coral skeletons create a complex structure that offers protection to macroalgae (seaweed) from herbivores. This allows seaweed to colonize the reef quickly, outcompeting young coral.
Impeded Herbivory: The complex landscape of dead corals prevents herbivores, which normally graze on algae, from accessing the macroalgae effectively. This leads to unchecked algae growth.
Increased Competition: Macroalgae grow faster and reproduce more frequently than coral, leading to increased competition for space, light, and nutrients, which further inhibits young coral from settling and growing.
Annual Coral Reproduction: Coral typically spawns only once a year, while algae reproduce continuously. This gives algae a competitive advantage in newly available spaces left by dead coral skeletons.
Altered Ecosystem Balance: The presence of dead coral shifts the balance between herbivores, algae, and coral, making it difficult for the reef to regenerate naturally.

Conditions for Reef Regeneration

Flat Substrate: After events like cyclones, which remove coral but leave behind a flat surface, reefs tend to recover more easily, as young coral can settle and regrow without much competition from macroalgae.
Herbivore Activity: Active herbivory is crucial for reef recovery, as herbivores control the growth of macroalgae, allowing space for coral recruits to settle and thrive.
Clear Space for Coral Recruits: To regenerate effectively, coral needs open space free from excessive algae. Removing dead coral skeletons might help create these conditions.
Frequent Disturbances: Coral reefs are better adapted to recover from frequent but non-lethal disturbances like storms, which scrape off coral and allow for fresh regrowth, compared to bleaching events, which leave the dead coral structure intact.
Water Quality and Temperature: Coral recovery depends on optimal water conditions, including the absence of pollutants and suitable temperatures.

PYQ:

[2018] Consider the following statements

Most of the world’s coral reefs are in tropical waters.
More than one-third of the world’s coral reefs are located in the territories of Australia, Indonesia and Philippines.
Coral reefs host far more number of animal phyla than those hosted by tropical rainforests.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

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

Arogya Sanjeevani Policy

Prelims Only | Indian Society | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Arogya Sanjeevani Policy

Why in the News?

The “Arogya Sanjeevani Policy” serves as a reference point for choosing health insurance for hospitalisation.

About Arogya Sanjeevani Policy:

	Details
Launch Date	April 2020
Issued by	Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)
Objective	To provide basic and affordable health insurance coverage to all citizens
Sum Insured	₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh per policy year
Coverage	Hospitalization, pre and post-hospitalization expenses, daycare procedures, AYUSH treatments, COVID-19 coverage
Pre-Existing Conditions	Coverage after 4 years of continuous policy renewal
Co-Payment	5% co-payment on all claims
Premium	Varies based on age, sum insured, and insurer
Waiting Period	30 days for new policies; 48 months for pre-existing diseases
Daycare Procedures	Covers over 50+ daycare treatments
Room Rent Limit	Up to 2% of the sum insured per day (maximum ₹5,000 per day)
ICU Room Rent	Up to 5% of the sum insured per day (maximum ₹10,000 per day)
AYUSH Treatments	Covers Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy treatments
Maternity Coverage	Not covered
Network Hospitals	Cashless facility in network hospitals
Eligibility	Individuals aged 18 to 65 years

PYQ:

[2019] Performance of welfare schemes that are implemented for vulnerable sections is not so effective due to the absence of their awareness and active involvement at all stages of the policy process – Discuss.

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Foreign Policy Watch: United Nations

UK backs permanent seat in UNSC for India

Prelims Only | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: UNSC, Permanent Membership

Why in the News?

UK PM Keir Starmer has expressed strong support for India’s bid for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

About United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

	Details
Establishment	By the UN Charter in 1945 as one of the *six principal organs* of the United Nations.
Other UN Organs	General Assembly, Trusteeship Council, Economic and Social Council, International Court of Justice, Secretariat
Primary Responsibility	Maintaining international peace and security
Headquarters	New York City, USA
Members	15 members: 5 permanent members (US, UK, Russia, China, France) and 10 non-permanent members (elected for two-year terms)
Permanent Members	US, UK, Russia, China, France
Non-permanent Members	10 elected members; require two-thirds majority in the General Assembly to be elected
Presidency Rotation	Every month among the 15 members
Voting and Veto Power	Permanent members have veto power; non-permanent members have no veto but resolutions require at least 7 non-permanent members’ votes for approval, even with unanimous permanent support
India’s Participation	India has been elected as a non-permanent member of the UNSC eight times: 1950-51, 1967-68, 1972-73, 1977-78, 1984-85, 1991-92, 2011-12, 2021-22
Responsibilities & Powers	Mediation, dispatching UN missions, appointing envoys, issuing ceasefire directives, peacekeeping, sanctions, arms embargo, and issuing binding resolutions
UNSC Reforms Process	Stage 1: Requires a two-thirds majority (128 votes) in the General Assembly (193 member states) for approval. Stage 2: Amended Charter must be ratified by at least two-thirds of member states, including all five permanent members, who may exercise veto power. Their national parliaments also influence the ratification process.

PYQ:

[2009] The Security Council of UN consists of 5 permanent members, and the remaining 10 members are elected by the General Assembly for a term of:

(a) 1 year

(b) 2 years

(d) 5 years

[2015] Discuss the impediments India is facing in its pursuit of a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

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Innovation Ecosystem in India

Param Rudra Supercomputer

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Achievements Of Indians In S&T

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Param Rudra Supercomputer

Why in the News?

PM has dedicated three “PARAM Rudra” Supercomputers along with High-Performance Computing (HPC) systems, ‘Arka’ and ‘Arunika’, to the nation.

What are High-Performance Computing (HPC) Systems?

HPC systems are powerful computational systems that perform large-scale and complex computations at incredibly high speeds.
HPC Arka system at IITM has 11.77 Peta Flop capacity and will, for the first time, help improve the country’s horizontal resolution of its global weather prediction models to 6 km from the existing 12 km.
HPC Arunika comes with 8.24 Peta Flop capacity. This HPC will prove beneficial in upgrading weather forecast resolution at block levels.

What is PARAM Rudra?

PARAM Rudra is a high-performance computing (HPC) system and part of India’s PARAM series of supercomputers.
It is developed indigenously by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM).

Applications of PARAM Rudra

Astronomy: Used by the Giant Metre Radio Telescope (GMRT) in Pune to study Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) and other astronomical phenomena.
Atomic Physics and Material Science: The Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) in Delhi uses PARAM Rudra for research in these areas.
Physics, Cosmology, and Earth Sciences: The supercomputer at the SN Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences in Kolkata supports advanced studies in these domains.
Weather Forecasting and Agriculture: The supercomputers enhance weather forecasting, benefiting industries like agriculture, where improved predictions help farmers make informed decisions.

Back2Basics: National Supercomputing Mission (NSM):

	Details
Launch Year	2015
Objective	To enhance India’s research capacities by creating a Supercomputing grid supported by the National Knowledge Network (NKN) To position India as a global leader in supercomputing technology by boosting research, development, and innovation
Nodal Agency	Department of Science and Technology (DST); Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
Implementation Agencies	C-DAC, Pune and IISc, Bengaluru
Phases	1. Phase I: Assembling supercomputers 2. Phase II: Manufacturing components in India 3. Phase III: Designing an indigenous supercomputer
Historical Context	India’s supercomputer program began after the USA’s technology embargo in the late 1980s, leading to the creation of C-DAC and the unveiling of PARAM 800 in 1991 (second-fastest globally at the time)
Notable Supercomputers	AI Supercomputer’ AIRAWAT’ and PARAM Siddhi – AI are currently the fastest supercomputers in India. AIRAWAT has been ranked 75th in the world as of June 2023.
Global Context	Frontier (USA) is the world’s fastest supercomputer since December 2023.

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Air Pollution

SC raps CAQM over failure to curb Delhi’s Pollution

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

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: CAQM

Why in the News?

The Supreme Court has criticized the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for its lack of concrete action to curb stubble burning in states neighboring Delhi.

Key issues as per SC:

Non-Compliance and Ineffectiveness: The Supreme Court criticized the CAQM for failing to enforce the CAQM Act, highlighting a lack of concrete measures against stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana.
Lack of Accountability: The Court questioned the CAQM’s accountability, emphasizing the need for concrete actions and consequences for officials who fail to enforce anti-pollution laws.
Staffing and Representation Issues: The Court expressed concerns over staffing shortages in pollution control boards and inadequate representation in CAQM sub-committees, hindering effective operation.
Scepticism on Pollution Reduction Claims: Despite claims of improved air quality and reduced stubble burning, the Court remained doubtful, citing ongoing instances of stubble burning and demanding detailed explanations from the CAQM.

About the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM):

	Details
Formation	Established in 2021; Statutory body under the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021
Objective	To manage air quality in the NCR and adjoining areas comprehensively
Composition	Headed by a full-time chairperson, with members from various states, ministries, and sectors like agriculture, industry, transport, and construction
Powers	Authority to issue directions, inspect industries, entertain complaints, restrict industries, and shut down non-compliant units
Jurisdiction	National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan
Functions	Coordinates and monitors air quality, sets pollution control parameters, identifies violators, monitors industries, and can overrule state directives

PYQ:

[2018] How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)?

1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an executive order of the Government.

2. The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells and aims to improve the quality of air in the country.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

[2022]The most significant achievement of modern law in India is the constitutionalization of environmental problems by the Supreme Court.” Discuss this statement with the help of relevant case laws.

[2015] Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three Mega cities of the country but the air pollution is much more serious problem in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so?

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[pib] WAVES Anime & Manga Contest

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

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: WAM! Contest, WAVES Summit

Why in the News?

In an effort to promote anime and manga culture in India, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has launched the WAVES Anime & Manga Contest (WAM!).

About the WAVES Anime & Manga Contest

The WAM! is an innovative initiative launched by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in collaboration with the Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI).
The contest is part of Create in India Challenge and is aimed at nurturing local creative talent in anime and manga production.
It provides a unique platform for Indian creators to produce localized versions of Japanese art styles, targeting both domestic and global audiences.
The contest offers marketing support and opportunities for global recognition, helping creators showcase their talent in manga, webtoon, and anime.

WAM! features 3 key categories:

Manga (Japanese style comics): Individual participation for both students and professionals.
Webtoon (Vertical comics for digital mediums): Individual participation for students and professionals.
Anime (Japanese style animation): Team participation (up to 4 members) for students and professionals.

About the Create in India Challenge

The Create in India Challenge aligns with Prime Ministers vision of “Design in India, Design for the World”, emphasizing the development of creative industries in India.
It is part of the broader effort to make India a global hub for design, innovation, and creative production.
It is a precursor to the WAVES Summit, a large-scale event aimed at promoting creativity and technology in media and entertainment.

PYQ:

[2014] Though 100 percent FDI is already allowed in non-news media like a trade publication and general entertainment channel, the government is mulling over the proposal for increased FDI in news media for quite some time. What difference would an increase in FDI make? Critically evaluate the pros and cons.

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Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

Kolkata Tram

Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Kolkata Tram

Why in the News?

West Bengal has announced the discontinuation of the iconic 150 year old Kolkata trams, India’s last functioning tram system.

About Kolkata Tram

Introduced in 1873 in Calcutta (now Kolkata), the first trams were horse-drawn and operated along a 3.8 km route between Sealdah and Armenian Ghat Street.
In 1874, horse-drawn trams reached Bombay (now Mumbai), followed by their introduction in Nashik and Patna.
However, their dependency on horse labor made them unsustainable.

Revival and Modernization of Kolkata’s Trams

Lord Ripon revived trams in Calcutta in 1880 by experimenting with steam locomotives.
While the steam-powered trams improved speed, they introduced issues like pollution, which discouraged other states from adopting this technology.
In 1895, Madras (now Chennai) launched the country’s first electric tramcars, reducing noise and pollution.
Following this, Calcutta also transitioned to electric-powered trams by 1902, with routes between Esplanade and Kidderpore, and Esplanade and Kalighat.

Significance of Trams

Kolkata’s trams hold historical significance as India’s oldest running tram system, symbolizing the city’s colonial past and cultural identity.
They provide an environmentally friendly and affordable mode of transport, making them relevant even today.
As a symbol of resilience, Kolkata’s trams have survived while other cities phased them out.
They also serve as a unique tourist attraction, offering a nostalgic glimpse of the city.

PYQ:

[2020] Which of the following statements correctly explains the impact of Industrial Revolution on India during the first half of the nineteenth century?

(a) Indian handicrafts were ruined.

(b) Machines were introduced in the Indian textile industry in large numbers.

(d) Heavy duties were imposed on the import of British manufactures.

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Wetland Conservation

In news: Dhanauri Wetland

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

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Dhanauri Wetland

Why in the News?

The NGT has ordered the UP government to remove water hyacinth from “Dhanauri wetlands” and questioned its failure to designate the wetland as a Ramsar site.

Dhanauri Wetland

About Dhanauri Wetland

	Details
Location	Dhanauri village near Dankaur, Uttar Pradesh; Floodplains of Yamuna.
Key Species	Home to over 120 Sarus Cranes (state bird of Uttar Pradesh) and 217 bird species
Ecological Significance	Important birding and nesting site; recognized as an Important Bird Area by Bird Life International
Bird Population	Hosts over 50,000 waterfowls during migratory seasons (November to March)
Ramsar Criteria	Fulfills 2 Ramsar criteria: 1. Hosts over 1% of biogeographic Sarus Crane population 2. Congregation site for 20,000+ waterfowls
Conservation Status	Documented by BNHS (Bombay Natural History Society); crucial for supporting endangered species

Ramsar Wetlands

The Ramsar Convention, also known as the ‘Convention on Wetlands,’ is an intergovernmental environmental treaty founded by UNESCO in 1971.
It derives its name from the city of Ramsar in Iran, where it was initially signed.
Ramsar sites are wetlands of global significance recognized under this treaty.
The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the brink of ecological changes and in need of close monitoring under the Ramsar Convention.

Ramsar Site Designation Criteria:

Ramsar site designation hinges on several factors:

Representing rare or unique natural wetland types.
Supporting endangered species or threatened ecological communities.
Maintaining biodiversity in specific biogeographic regions.
Offering refuge during adverse conditions.
Regularly accommodating 20,000 or more waterbirds.
Sustaining 1% of a population of a single water-bird species.
Serving as a critical source of food, spawning grounds, nurseries, and migration paths for fish.
Regularly supporting 1% of a population of non-avian wetland-dependent animal species.

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Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

Bhagat Singh (1907-1931)

Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Bhagat Singh

Why in the News?

September 28th marks 117th birth anniversary of the legendary freedom fighter “Bhagat Singh”.

Who was Bhagat Singh?

	Details
Birth	September 28, 1907; Banga, Punjab (now in Pakistan)
Family	Came from a family involved in anticolonial activities; his father Kishan Singh and uncle Ajit Singh were active freedom fighters.
Affiliations	• Hindustan Republican Association (1924) • Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (1928) • Naujawan Bharat Sabha (1926)
Revolutionary Actions	• Played a key role in the Lahore Conspiracy Case (1928) by avenging Lala Lajpat Rai’s death and mistakenly killing J.P. Saunders • Threw a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly on April 8, 1929, with B.K. Dutt, to protest oppressive British laws.
Ideologies and Principles	• Advocated Marxist and socialist ideologies • Rejected religion in his essay Why I Am an Atheist • Emphasized rationalism, equality, and justice.
Arrest and Trial	Arrested in 1929 for throwing a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly; later rearrested for the Lahore Conspiracy Case (murder of J.P. Saunders). Jinnah opposed a 1929 Bill allowing trials in absentia, delivering a strong speech in the Central Assembly.
Execution	Hanged on March 23, 1931, along with Sukhdev and Rajguru, in Lahore for his revolutionary activities. Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose visited Bhagat Singh in prison.
Literary Works	Bhagat Singh was fluent in Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, and English, and familiar with Sanskrit. His jail notebook referenced thinkers like Karl Marx, Thomas Jefferson, Mark Twain, and others, reflecting his intellectual diversity. At 17, he wrote *Vishwa Prem* (Universal Love), advocating for universal brotherhood and equality. He urged the oppressed classes to rebel against the social order and spoke about the philosophy of revolution in his writings, such as *What is Revolution?* (1929). In his series *What is Anarchism?* he described organized religion and the state as forms of mental and physical slavery. He wrote about the *power of love* in a 1929 letter to Sukhdev, emphasizing its role in personal and political strength.

PYQ:

[2020] Since the decade of the 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and thereby expanded its social base. Discuss.

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	Details
Origin	Devarasanahalli village near Nanjangud, Mysore district, Karnataka
Unique Features	Unique taste, aroma, *small size*, buttery soft texture 5-8 cm in length, 2-3 cm in diameter
Cultivation	In 2006-07, 180 farmers cultivated on 100 hectares; dropped to 15 farmers on 10 hectares by 2019-20. By the end of 2023-24, 200 farmers cultivating on 75 hectares.
Soil	Black saline alluvial soil along the banks of the Kapila River
Significance	Popular in traditional festivals, religious ceremonies, and Kannada literature
Cultural Reference	Mentioned in *Kayyar Kinhanna Rai’s* poem, a notable Kannada literary work
Challenges	Decline in quality due to heavy use of chemical fertilizers
Economic Impact	Significant for local farmers, high demand due to limited availability

Type: Prelims Only

Why in the News?

About Corals

Challenges due to Dead Corals

Conditions for Reef Regeneration

PYQ:

Why in the News?

About Arogya Sanjeevani Policy:

PYQ:

Why in the News?

About United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

PYQ:

Why in the News?

What are High-Performance Computing (HPC) Systems?

What is PARAM Rudra?

Applications of PARAM Rudra

Back2Basics: National Supercomputing Mission (NSM):

Why in the News?

About Nanjangud Rasabale Banana

PYQ:

Why in the News?

Key issues as per SC:

About the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM):

PYQ:

Why in the News?

About the WAVES Anime & Manga Contest

WAM! features 3 key categories:

About the Create in India Challenge

PYQ:

Why in the News?

About Kolkata Tram

Revival and Modernization of Kolkata’s Trams

Significance of Trams

PYQ:

Why in the News?

About Dhanauri Wetland

Ramsar Wetlands

Ramsar Site Designation Criteria:

Why in the News?

Who was Bhagat Singh?

PYQ: