Forest Conservation Efforts – NFP, Western Ghats, etc.

Indian Laurel Tree (Terminalia tomentosa)

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

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Konda Reddi Tribe, Indian Laurel Tree , PVTGs, Papikonda NP

Mains level: NA

Why in the news?

Forest Department officials’ examination of an Indian laurel tree (Terminalia tomentosa) in Papikonda National Park has showcased its remarkable water storage capability.
This discovery sheds light on the indigenous knowledge shared by the Konda Reddi tribe regarding the tree’s unique attributes.

Konda Reddi Tribe

The Konda Reddis are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) residing in the Godavari riverbanks and the hilly forest areas of Godavari and Khammam districts in Andhra Pradesh.
The family structure is patriarchal and patrilocal, with monogamy as the norm with some exceptions.
The Konda Reddis are primarily Hindus with folk customs, which involves local traditions and worship of community-level deities.
They have their own social control institution called ‘Kula Panchayat’.
Each village has a traditional headman known as ‘Pedda Kapu’, whose role is hereditary.
Their primary occupation is shifting cultivation, relying on forest flora and fauna for sustenance.
Jowar cultivation is prevalent, serving as their staple food.
They collect and sell non-timber forest products like tamarind, adda leaves, myrobolan, and broomsticks to supplement their income.

About Papikonda NP

Papikonda NP is located in the East Godavari and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh.
It was established as a national park in the year 2008.
It is characterized by hilly landscapes, dense moist deciduous forest.
The presence of the Godavari River cuts through the Papikonda hill range of Eastern Ghats.

About Indian Laurel Tree

	Description
Scientific Name	Terminalia tomentosa
Common Names	Indian Laurel Tree, Crocodile Bark Tree, Anjan Tree
Habitat	Found in Deciduous forests
Bark	Scissored and cracked bark, resembling crocodile skin (From November to February)
Water Storage Ability	Only 5-10% of trees observed to store water in the stem
Water Storage Mechanism	Development of lateral ridge, known as a wing, on trunk, indicating water presence
Water Collection	4-6 litres of potable water can be collected from a fully grown tree by making a small hole in the wing
Traditional Use	Used by tribal communities, such as the Konda Reddi Tribe, as a water source during dry seasons
Adaptability	Thrives in various conditions, including harsh weather and drought

PYQ:

2015:

In India, in which one of the following types of forests is teak a dominant tree species?

(a) Tropical moist deciduous forest

(b) Tropical rain forest

(d) Temperate forest with grasslands

Practice MCQ:

The Indian Laurel Tree (Terminalia tomentosa) recently seen in news is famous for its:

(a) Ability to store water in its trunk

(b) Therapeutic use in the treatment of Cancer

(d) Pulp for paper industry

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor

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

[pib] Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA)

Prelims Only | Indian Society | Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA), AB-PMJAY

Mains level: NA

Why in the news?

This newscard is an excerpt from an explainer published in the PIB.

Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA)

ABHA, an integral part of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), serves as a link for all health records of an individual.
It is a sub-component of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission launched in September 2021.
It is a 14-digit id employed to uniquely identify individuals, verify their identity, and connect their health records (with their consent) across various systems and stakeholders.

Features of ABHA

Cashless Transactions: ABHA enables cashless transactions for eligible beneficiaries, reducing the financial burden during medical emergencies.
Electronic Health Records (EHR): It integrates electronic health records, facilitating storage, and retrieval of patient information for streamlined healthcare delivery.
Portability: ABHA accounts are portable across various healthcare providers under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, ensuring seamless access to services.
Real-time Monitoring: Incorporating real-time monitoring mechanisms to track fund utilization, ABHA ensures efficient allocation and prevents misuse.

Various Components

Beneficiary Identification: ABHA involves the identification and registration of eligible beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, assigning a unique health identification number (UHID).
Funds Management: It manages the allocation and disbursement of funds for healthcare services, ensuring prompt and secure transfers.
Claim Settlement: ABHA processes and settles claims submitted by healthcare providers, verifying authenticity, and disbursing payments.
Audit and Oversight: Incorporating audit mechanisms to monitor fund utilization, ABHA ensures compliance with regulations and maintains system integrity.

Back2Basics: Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)

	Details
Umbrella Scheme	Ayushman Bharat Incepted in National Health Policy 2017, to achieve the vision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
Launch Year	2018
Components	Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)	Offers a sum insured of Rs. 5 lakh per family for secondary and tertiary care Provides cashless and paperless access to services at any empanelled hospital across India Portable scheme, allowing beneficiaries to avail treatment at any PM-JAY empanelled hospital
Coverage	3 days pre-hospitalisation and 15 days post-hospitalisation Includes diagnostic care and expenses on medicines No restriction on family size, age, or gender Covers all pre-existing conditions from day one
Beneficiaries	Identified through Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data
Funding	Shared funding: 60:40 for states and UTs with legislature, 90:10 in Northeast states and J&K, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, 100% central funding for UTs without legislature
Nodal Agency	National Health Authority (NHA) Autonomous entity under the Society Registration Act, 1860 Responsible for effective implementation of PM-JAY in alliance with state governments State Health Agency (SHA) Apex body of the State Government responsible for the implementation of AB PM-JAY in the State

PYQ:

2021:

“Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development.” Analyse.

Practice MCQ:

Consider the following statements about the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY):

1. 3 days pre-hospitalisation and 15 days post-hospitalisation.

2. Includes diagnostic care and expenses on medicines.

3. No restriction on family size, age, or gender.

4. Beneficiaries are identified from national family health survey.

How many of the above discussed features is/are correct?

(a) One

(b) Two

(d) Four

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor

RBI Notifications

Digital India Trust Agency (DIGITA) to check Illegal Lending Apps

Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Digital India Trust Agency (DIGITA)

Mains level: NA

Why in the news?

To address the rising threat of cyber fraud, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is planning to establish a Digital India Trust Agency (DIGITA).

About Digital India Trust Agency (DIGITA)

DIGITA aims to tackle the proliferation of illegal lending apps by verifying and maintaining a register of authenticated digital lending platforms.

Role of DIGITA:

Public Register: It will maintain a public register of verified apps, providing transparency and aiding law enforcement agencies in identifying unauthorised platforms.
Verification Hub: It will serve as a central agency for vetting digital lending apps, ensuring their authenticity and compliance with regulations.

Regulatory Implications

Apps lacking the ‘verified’ signature from DIGITA will be deemed unauthorized, enhancing law enforcement efforts against financial crimes in the digital domain.
Verification processes will promote transparency and accountability within the digital lending sector, curbing fraudulent activities.

Progress made so far

The RBI has shared a list of 442 digital lending apps with the IT Ministry for whitelisting with Google.
Google has removed over 2,200 digital lending apps from its PlayStore, aligning with RBI and DFS directives to only allow apps from regulated entities or their partners.

PYQ:

2016:

Regarding ‘DigiLocker’, sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is a digital locker system offered by the Government under Digital India Programme.

2. It allows you to access your e-documents irrespective of your physical location.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Practice MCQ:

Consider the following statements about RBI led Digital India Trust Agency (DIGITA):

1. It aims to tackle the proliferation of illegal lending apps.

2. Apps lacking the ‘verified’ signature from DIGITA will be deemed unauthorized.

Which of the given statements is/are correct?

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor

Global Geological And Climatic Events

Taiwan’s Earthquake and the Pacific Ring of Fire

Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 1: Salient Features Of World’S Physical Geography

Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
- Taiwan was struck by its most powerful earthquake in at least 25 years.
- Its susceptibility to earthquakes is attributed to its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where a majority of the world’s seismic activity occurs.
- Taiwan is primarily influenced by the collision of the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate.
What is the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’?
- The Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’ or Pacific Rim, or the Circum-Pacific Belt, is an area along the Pacific Ocean that is characterized by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes.
- Volcanic arcs and oceanic trenches partly encircling the Pacific Basin form the so-called Ring of Fire.
- It is home to about 75 per cent of the world’s volcanoes – more than 450 volcanoes.
- Also, about 90 per cent of the world’s earthquakes occur here.
Its spread
- Its length is over 40,000 kilometres and traces from New Zealand clockwise in an almost circular arc covering Tonga, Kermadec Islands, Indonesia.
- It is moving up to the Philippines, Japan, and stretching eastward to the Aleutian Islands, then southward along the western coast of North America and South America.
Seismic activity of the region
- The area is along several tectonic plates including the Pacific plate, Philippine Plate, Juan de Fuca plate, Cocos plate, Nazca plate, and North American plate.
- The movement of these plates or tectonic activity makes the area witness abundant earthquakes and tsunamis every year.
- Along much of the Ring, tectonic plates move towards each other creating subduction zones.
- One plate gets pushed down or is subducted by the other plate.
- This is a very slow process – a movement of just one or two inches per year.
- As this subduction happens, rocks melt, become magma and move to Earth’s surface and cause volcanic activity.
PYQ:

2020: Discuss the geophysical characteristics of Circum-Pacific Zone.
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor

Wildlife Conservation Efforts

Caracals on the brink of extinction in India

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

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Caracals and their habitat in India

Mains level: NA

Why in the news?

With only an estimated 50 individuals remaining, predominantly in western India, the caracal (Caracal caracal schmitzi) is on the verge of extinction in the country.
Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan and Kutch in Gujarat are the last strongholds for caracals in India, hosting around 28 and 20 individuals, respectively.

About Caracals

Caracals are small wild cats known for their long ears with tufts and a reddish-tan or sandy-brown fur. It is called Siya Gosh in India.
It is nocturnal animal typically preys upon small mammals, birds, and rodents.
They live naturally in India, especially in Northwestern India. They are also found in Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
They are found in Aravalli hill range, semi-deserts, savannahs, scrublands, and dry forests.
Caracals used to live all over Central India and the Indo-Gangetic plains, but they haven’t been spotted in those areas for 40 years.

Conservation Status

Caracals are listed as ‘Least Concern‘ on the IUCN Red List globally.
It is listed as Near Threatened in India,
It falls in the Schedule-I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Protection Efforts

In 2021, the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) announced a plan to recover and increase the population of 22 species in India, including caracals.
Areas like Kutch, Aravalli mountains, Malwa plateau, and Bundelkhand region have been identified as potential habitats, with the Ranthambore-Kuno Landscape being a key conservation site.

PYQ:

2017:

In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply?

(a) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger.

(b) It no longer exists in the wild, a few individuals are under captive protection; and now it is impossible to prevent its extinction.

(d) Both B and C stated above are correct in this context.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor

Innovations in Biotechnology and Medical Sciences

OptiDrop platform for studying Single Cells

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

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: OptiDrop, C-MAP, Cytometry

Mains level: NA

Why in the news?

The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) in Bengaluru has unveiled OptiDrop platform designed to simplify and significantly reduce the cost of studying single cells.

About C-CAMP

C-CAMP Initiative was established in 2009 under the aegis of the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science, Technology, and Earth Sciences.
It stands as India’s premier biosciences research and innovation hub.

What is OptiDrop?

OptiDrop presents a cost-effective alternative to traditional flow cytometry methods, making single-cell analysis more accessible to a broader range of researchers and institutions.
OptiDrop simplifies single-cell analysis by encapsulating individual cells within droplets, facilitating easier manipulation and analysis compared to traditional methods.

Key features such as affordability, live data visualization, compact design, and closed-system architecture enhance its suitability for diverse clinical applications.

Cytometry is the measurement of number and characteristics of cells. Variables that can be measured by cytometric methods include cell size, cell count, cell morphology (shape and structure), cell cycle phase, DNA content, and the existence or absence of specific proteins on the cell surface or in the cytoplasm.

Applications of OptiDrop

Expansive Utility: OptiDrop unlocks various downstream applications, including drug screening, environmental monitoring, immunotherapy, and single-cell genomics, revolutionizing research across multiple domains.
Advanced Research Capabilities: Researchers can leverage OptiDrop to study individual cell behavior during drug screenings, identify and monitor environmental contaminants, sort specialized cell populations, and explore genetic heterogeneity within cell populations.

Benefits offered by OptiDrop

Accessible Technology: Unlike conventional cytometers, which can cost up to Rs 40 lakh or more, OptiDrop offers a cost-efficient solution likely priced around Rs 10 lakh, making it accessible to a broader range of research labs and institutions.
Affordable Scalability: OptiDrop’s affordable pricing and scalable design allow institutions of varying sizes to adopt the technology, democratizing access to cutting-edge single-cell analysis capabilities.
Long-Term Sustainability: By reducing the barrier to entry for single-cell analysis, OptiDrop paves the way for sustainable and impactful research initiatives, driving innovation and discovery in the life sciences.

PYQ:

2020:

Which of the following statements are correct regarding the general difference between plant and animal-calls?

1. Plant cells have cellulose cell walls whilst animal cells do not.

2. Plant cells do not have plasma membrane unlike animal cells which do.

3. Mature plant cell has one large vacuole whilst animal cell has many small vacuoles.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Practice MCQ:

The OptiDrop equipment recently seen in news finds application in:

(a) Cytometry

(b) Astronomy

(d) Radiometry

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor

Global Geological And Climatic Events

Mother of Dragons Comet: A Rare Celestial Phenomenon

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

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Mother of Dragons Comet, Its features

Mains level: NA

Why in the news?

The “Mother of Dragons” comet, officially named Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, is making a rare appearance in the Northern Hemisphere skies.
This Halley-type comet, completing its orbit every 71 years, has emerged marking its first sighting since 1954.

What is a Comet?

A comet is a celestial object composed primarily of ice, dust, and rocky particles that orbit the Sun in elongated, elliptical paths.
These icy bodies originate from the outer regions of the solar system, specifically from two regions: the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud.
Comets are often referred to as “dirty snowballs” or “icy dirtballs” due to their composition.
Halley’s Comet is a short-period comet visible from Earth every 75–79 years.
It was last seen in Earth’s skies in 1986 and was met in space by an international fleet of spacecraft. It will return in 2061 on its regular journey around the Sun.

About Mother of Dragons Comet

It is named by the European Space Agency (ESA).
The comet’s name is inspired by its link to the annual “kappa-Draconids” meteor shower, active from November 29 to December 13 each year.
It has a width of 17 km. the comet features an elliptical orbit adorned with a mysterious spiral of luminous light enveloping its icy nucleus.
It is comprised of ice, dust, rock, and diatomic carbon molecules.
It dissipates a radiant emerald hue when illuminated by the sun, captivating observers with its bright green appearance.

Display Features of the Comet

Renowned for its cryovolcanic eruptions, the comet periodically ejects material from its icy core into space, resulting in breath-taking luminosity.
Its most recent eruption in July 2023, after 69 years, earned it the moniker “devil comet” due to its dramatic outburst, resembling horns likely caused by internal features.

PYQ:

2014:

What is a coma, in the content of astronomy?

(a) Bright half of material on the comet

(b) Long tail of dust

(d) Two planets orbiting each other

Practice MCQ:

With reference to the “Mother of Dragons” Comet, consider the following statements:

1. It is named by the NASA.

2. It is comprised of ice, dust, rock, and diatomic carbon molecules.

3. It makes appearances after every 10 years.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) One

(b) Two

(d) None

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor

Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Nuclear Fusion: KSTAR reaches a temperature of 100 million Celsius

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

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Tokamak Technology, Nuclear Fusion

Mains level: NA

Why in the news?

South Korean scientists at the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE) achieved a significant milestone by producing temperatures of 100 million Celsius for 48 seconds in the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) fusion reactor.
KSTAR maintained the high confinement mode (H-mode) for over 100 seconds, demonstrating stability in plasma conditions crucial for sustained fusion reactions.
This is a world record.

What is Tokamak Technology?

Scientists utilize a tokamak, a donut-shaped reactor, to heat hydrogen variants to extreme temperatures, creating plasma.
This reactor replicates the Sun’s fusion reaction, generating immense heat energy.

What is Nuclear Fusion?

Nuclear fusion involves fusion of hydrogen and other light elements to release massive energy, akin to the process that powers the Sun and stars.
It is a process where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy in the process.
This occurs under extremely high temperatures, typically in the range of tens of millions of degrees Celsius, and pressure, similar to those found in the core of stars.
In a tokamak reactor, hydrogen variants are heated to extreme temperatures to create a plasma, mimicking conditions found in the Sun’s core.
1 kg of fusion fuel contains about 10 million times as much energy as a kg of coal, oil or gas.

Significance of KSTAR’s achievements

Achieving sustained fusion reactions in laboratory conditions unlocks the potential for unlimited, zero-carbon electricity generation.
By extending the duration of high-temperature fusion, scientists aim to sustain plasma temperatures of 100 million degrees for 300 seconds by 2026, pushing the boundaries of fusion research.
Progress in fusion research at KSTAR contributes to international efforts, supporting projects like the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in France.

ITER Project

ITER is a unique partnership of nations jointly responsible for the construction, operation, and decommissioning of an experimental fusion facility.
It was founded in 2007 and is based at Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France.
ITER being an experimental reactor, it will allow the study of fusion reaction which governs the Sun and other Stars.
Nuclear fusion will take place in the form of Plasma in a Tokamak.

ITER is run, funded and designed by 7 members:

European Union (EU)
India
China
Japan
Russia
South Korea
United States

Benefits offered by Nuclear Fusion Energy

Clean Energy: Fusion reactions produce minimal radioactive waste compared to nuclear fission, which generates long-lived radioactive waste. Fusion also emits no greenhouse gases, making it an environmentally friendly energy source.
Safety and Controlled Nature: Fusion reactions are inherently safer than nuclear fission reactions. Fusion reactors have a lower risk of accidents and do not produce runaway chain reactions like fission reactors.
Energy Security: Fusion provides a reliable and secure source of energy, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and volatile energy markets. It offers a sustainable solution to meet global energy demand.
High Energy Density: Fusion reactions release a vast amount of energy compared to other energy sources. This high energy density makes fusion power compact and efficient, enabling it to meet large-scale energy needs.
Scalability: Fusion reactors can be designed to scale up or down to meet varying energy demands. They can serve as base-load power plants or complement renewable energy sources, providing flexibility in the energy mix.
Minimal Environmental Impact: Fusion power plants have a small footprint and do not require large mining operations or fuel transportation, reducing their environmental impact. They also produce no air pollution or carbon emissions during operation.

PYQ:

2016:

India is an important member of the ‘International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor’. If this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage for India?

(a) It can use thorium in place of uranium for power generation

(b) It can attain a global role in satellite navigation

(d) It can build fusion reactors for power generation

Practice MCQ:

The Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) fusion reactor has recently set a world record. In this regard, consider the following statements:

1. It produced a temperatures of 100 million Celsius for 48 seconds.

2. It achieved sustained fusion reactions in laboratory conditions.

Which of the given statements is/are correct?

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor

RBI Notifications

90 years of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: RBI, its regulatory functions, major achievements

Mains level: NA

Why in the news?

Recently, the RBI celebrated its 90th year in Mumbai, marking a significant milestone.

Dr. Ambedkar’s Role in the Establishment of RBI:

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s contributions were particularly notable during the Hilton Young Commission discussions in 1926, where he presented his recommendations based on his book “The Problem of the Rupee – Its Origin and Its Solution.”
These discussions laid the foundation for the establishment of the RBI on April 1, 1935.

About Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

The RBI is the central bank and monetary authority of India.
It was established on April 1, 1935, under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
Its idea was incepted from the recommendations of the Hilton Young Commission.
Sir Osborne Arkell Smith, an Australian, served as the inaugural Governor.
He was succeeded by Sir C D Deshmukh, the first Indian to hold the position.
It is a centralized institution for India to effectively regulate its monetary and credit policies.
RBI had its initial headquarters in Kolkata, later moving permanently to Mumbai in 1937.
Initially, the RBI operated as a privately owned entity until its full nationalization in 1949.

Functions and Initiatives:

Monetary Authority: The RBI controls the supply of money in the economy to stabilize exchange rates, maintain a healthy balance of payment, and control inflation.
Issuer of Currency: Sole authority to issue currency and combat circulation of counterfeit notes.
Banker to the Government: Acts as a banker to both the Central and State governments, providing short-term credit and financial advisory services.
Lender of Last Resort: Provides emergency liquidity assistance to banks during crises.
Custodian of Foreign Exchange Reserves: Manages foreign exchange reserves and administers the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA).
Regulator and Supervisor of Payment and Settlement Systems: Oversees payment and settlement systems in the country, ensuring efficiency and security.
Credit Control and Developmental Role: Promotes credit availability to productive sectors and fosters financial infrastructure development.

Transformative Reforms initiated by the RBI

Green Revolution (1960s-1970s): Supported agricultural growth through credit facilities and rural credit accessibility enhancements.
Banks Nationalization (1969): Aimed at aligning banking sector objectives with national policy goals.
Priority Sector Lending (1972): Ensures timely credit flow to key sectors of the economy.
Economic Liberalization (1991): Opened up the economy to global markets, fostering market-oriented growth.
Unified Payment Interface (UPI), 2016: Enabled seamless and instant transactions across India.
Inflation Targeting Framework, 2016: Set inflation targets to guide monetary policy decisions.
Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS), 2019: Launched an integrated bill payment system for customer convenience.
Aadhar-based eKYC (2019): Streamlined customer authentication processes for financial institutions.
Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS), 2020: Provided credit assistance to SMEs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Central Bank Digital Currency (2022): RBI is actively exploring the issuance of a CBDC known as e₹ (digital Rupee).
Cryptocurrency Regulation (2022): RBI has maintained a consistent stance against cryptocurrencies, advocating for an outright ban on them (after China and El Salvador imposed the complete ban). In 2020, the Supreme Court of India removed the ban on cryptocurrencies imposed by RBI.
Payment Vision 2025 Document (2023): The goals and vision of the RBI, are categorised in the Payments Vision 2025 documents into five anchor goalposts – Integrity, Inclusion, Innovation, Institutionalisation and Internationalisation.

PYQ:

2012:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) acts as a bankers’ bank. This would imply which of the following?

1. Banks retain their deposits with the RBI.

2. The RBI lends funds to the commercial banks in times of need.

3. The RBI advises the commercial banks on monetary matters.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 2 and 3 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

2013: Consider the following statements:

1. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government.

2. Certain provisions in the Constitution of India give the Central Government the right to issue directions to the RBI in public interest.

3. The Governor of the RBI draws his power from the RBI Act.

Which of the above statements are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor

Global Geological And Climatic Events

Negative Leap Second: Climate Change’s Impact on Timekeeping

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

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Leap Second, Leap Year, UTC, TAI

Mains level: NA

Why in the news?

A recent publication in the science journal Nature highlights how climate change-induced melting of glaciers and ice sheets is altering the Earth’s rotation, potentially disrupting our timekeeping systems.
Leap seconds were added almost every year between 1972 and 1999 to adjust for Earth’s slowing rotation. But there have only been four added in the last 23 years, and the last time a leap second was added was in 2016.

What is a Leap Second?

A leap second is a one-second adjustment that is occasionally applied to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) in order to synchronize atomic time with astronomical time, particularly with the Earth’s rotation.
The purpose of adding or subtracting a leap second is to keep International Atomic Time (IAT) (which is extremely precise) in close alignment with astronomical time, which is based on the Earth’s rotation and is subject to slight variations.

There are two types of leap seconds:

Positive Leap Second:
- A positive leap second is added to UTC when the Earth’s rotation slows down slightly, causing the length of a day to exceed 86,400 seconds.
- This type of leap second is necessary to bring UTC back into alignment with the Earth’s rotational time.
- Positive leap seconds are rare and occur less frequently than negative leap seconds.
Negative Leap Second:
- A negative leap second, also known as a deletion or removal of a second, occurs when the Earth’s rotation speeds up slightly, causing the length of a day to be less than 86,400 seconds.
- Negative leap seconds are extremely rare and have only been proposed but never implemented. They are considered hypothetical and have not yet been needed to adjust UTC.
- The concept of negative leap seconds is controversial and requires international agreement and coordination among timekeeping organizations.

International Atomic Time (TAI)

TAI is a high-precision time scale based on the weighted average of atomic clocks (usually involving caesium or rubidium atoms) from various laboratories around the world.
It is one of the primary time scales used for scientific and technical purposes, providing a continuous and uniform time reference that is independent of the Earth’s rotation.
TAI is maintained since 1958 by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) in Paris, France.
Unlike UTC, which is adjusted periodically to account for the Earth’s irregular rotation, TAI is a continuous time scale that does not include any corrections for Earth’s rotation.

How Climate Change causes Negative Leap Second?

Glacial Melting: Accelerating melt rates in Greenland and Antarctica are redistributing weight across the planet, causing a slight deceleration in the Earth’s rotation.
Historical Context: Timekeepers have periodically added leap seconds to clocks worldwide to account for the Earth spinning faster than usual, with 27 instances recorded since the 1970s.
Planned Adjustment: The proposed “negative leap second” adjustment, scheduled for 2026, may be postponed until 2029 or later due to the recent deceleration in the Earth’s rotation.Top of Form

Practice MCQ:

What is a Leap Second?

(a) It is a periodic adjustment added to International Atomic Time (TAI) to compensate for irregularities in Earth’s rotation.

(b) It is an extra second added to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) to synchronize atomic time with astronomical time.

(d) It is a term used to describe the synchronization of atomic clocks with the oscillations of subatomic particles.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor

Type: Prelims Only

Why in the news?

Konda Reddi Tribe

About Papikonda NP

About Indian Laurel Tree

PYQ:

Practice MCQ:

Why in the news?

Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA)

Features of ABHA

Various Components

Back2Basics: Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)

PYQ:

Practice MCQ:

Why in the news?

About Digital India Trust Agency (DIGITA)

Role of DIGITA:

Regulatory Implications

Progress made so far

PYQ:

Why in the news?

What is the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’?

Its spread

Seismic activity of the region

PYQ:

Why in the news?

About Caracals

Conservation Status

Protection Efforts

PYQ:

Why in the news?

About C-CAMP

What is OptiDrop?

Applications of OptiDrop

Benefits offered by OptiDrop

PYQ:

Practice MCQ:

Why in the news?

What is a Comet?

About Mother of Dragons Comet

Display Features of the Comet

PYQ:

Practice MCQ:

Why in the news?

What is Tokamak Technology?

What is Nuclear Fusion?

Significance of KSTAR’s achievements

ITER Project

Benefits offered by Nuclear Fusion Energy

PYQ:

Practice MCQ:

Why in the news?

Dr. Ambedkar’s Role in the Establishment of RBI:

About Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

Functions and Initiatives:

Transformative Reforms initiated by the RBI

PYQ:

Why in the news?

What is a Leap Second?

International Atomic Time (TAI)

How Climate Change causes Negative Leap Second?

Practice MCQ: