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Type: Prelims Only

  • [pib] Sangam: Digital Twin Initiative

    sangam

    Introduction

    • Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has introduced the ‘Sangam: Digital Twin’ initiative, inviting Expressions of Interest (EoI) from industry pioneers, startups, MSMEs, academia, innovators, and forward-thinkers.

    What is Digital Twin Technology?

    • A digital twin is a digital representation of a physical object, person, or process, contextualized in a digital version of its environment.
    • Digital twins can help an organization simulate real situations and their outcomes, ultimately allowing it to make better decisions.

    About Sangam: Digital Twin Initiative

    • Context: The initiative aligns with the technological advancements of the past decade in communication, computation, and sensing, in line with the vision for 2047.
    • Proof of Concept (PoC) in Two Stages: The initiative will be distributed in two stages, conducted in one of India’s major cities.
      1. First Stage: An exploratory phase focusing on clarifying horizons and creative exploration to unleash potential.
      2. Second Stage: A practical demonstration of specific use cases, generating a future blueprint for collaboration and scaling successful strategies in future infrastructure projects.
    • Objectives:
      1. Demonstrate practical implementation of innovative infrastructure planning solutions.
      2. Develop a model framework for facilitating faster and more effective collaboration.
      3. Provide a future blueprint for scaling and replicating successful strategies in future infrastructure projects.

    Features

    • Sangam: Digital Twin represents a collaborative leap towards reshaping infrastructure planning and design.
    • It integrates 5G, IoT, AI, AR/VR, AI native 6G, Digital Twin, and next-gen computational technologies, fostering collaboration among public entities, infrastructure planners, tech giants, startups, and academia.
    • Sangam brings all stakeholders together, aiming to translate innovative ideas into tangible solutions, bridging the gap between conceptualization and realization, and paving the way for groundbreaking infrastructure advancements.

  • In news: Nohar Irrigation Project

    nohar

    Introduction

    • The Nohar irrigation project, supplying water to the agricultural fields in Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan, is getting a boost with the repairing of Ferozepur feeder in neighbouring Punjab.

    About Nohar Irrigation Project

    Description
    Location Located in the Nohar region of the Hanumangarh district in the state of Rajasthan, India.
    Purpose To improve irrigation facilities in the region, thereby increasing agricultural productivity and supporting the livelihoods of local farmers.
    Irrigation Methods Canal irrigation and the construction of check dams, reservoirs, and water storage facilities.
    Water Source Indira Gandhi Canal
    Rivers Situated near the Ghaggar-Hakra River

    A seasonal river originating in the Shivalik Hills

    Back2Basics: Indira Gandhi Canal

    Description
    Origin Harike Barrage, Punjab
    History Conceived by hydraulic engineer Kanwar Sain in the late 1940s, construction began in 1960
    Length 612 km

    Longest canal in India
    Rivers Utilizes water from the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers
    Location Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan
    Purpose Irrigation and water supply
    Renaming Renamed from Rajasthan Canal to Indira Gandhi Canal in 1984 after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi

  • British-era Act invoked to Block Internet in Punjab

    Introduction

    • The Union government invoked its authority under a colonial-era Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services Rules, 2017 to suspend mobile Internet in select districts of Punjab during Farm Protests 2.0.

    Mechanisms allowing Internet Shut-downs

    Authorities Purpose
    Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017 Home Departments in the states, state government review committee, central government (under this law, but rarely used) Enforces shutdowns for public emergency or safety reasons.
    Section 144 of the CrPC Local law enforcement authorities Enables shutdowns, particularly before 2017, to maintain public order and safety.
    The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, Section 5(2) Home Secretary of the Union or state governments Allows blocking of messaging during a public emergency, safeguarding public safety, or protecting sovereignty and integrity.

     

    Constitutional Provisions for Right to Internet

    Constitutional Provision Explanation
    Anuradha Bhasin vs. Union of India and Ors. (2020) Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression under Article 19(1)(a) Grants the right to freedom of speech and expression, which encompasses access to information and the Internet.
    Faheema Shirin RK vs. State of Kerala and others (2019) Right to Education under Article 21A Guarantees the right to education for children aged 6 to 14;

    Internet access is crucial for modern education.
    K.S. Puttaswamy (Privacy) vs. Union of India (2017) Right to Privacy under Article 21 Protects the fundamental right to privacy, and Internet access is often used for secure communication.
    Anuradha Bhasin vs. Union of India and Ors. Freedom to Practice Any Profession or Carry on Any Trade, Business, or Occupation under Article 19(1)(g) Ensures the freedom to conduct various trades, businesses, and professions, often requiring Internet access.

    Landmark Precedence: Anuradha Bhasin Judgment (2020)

    • Supreme Court’s Ruling: In January 2020, the Supreme Court of India recognized access to the Internet as a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution.
    • Restrictions Guidelines: The Court mandated that any government-imposed Internet restrictions must be temporary, limited, lawful, necessary, and proportionate. It also emphasized judicial review.

  • Horseshoe Crab: Living Fossils of the Sea

    Horseshoe Crab

    Introduction

    • Environmental groups have petitioned the U.S. government to grant endangered species protection to the American horseshoe crab.
    • Horseshoe crabs, often called “living fossils,” have existed since before the age of dinosaurs.

    About Horseshoe Crab

    Description
    Habitat Shallow coastal waters with soft sandy or muddy bottoms;

    Spawns primarily on intertidal beaches during summer-spring high tides.
    Taxonomic Division Chelicerata, a division of Arthropoda, comprising spiders, scorpions, harvestmen, mites, and ticks; characterized by segmented body and limbs, and a chitinous exoskeleton.
    Status Referred to as a marine “living fossil” due to minimal evolutionary changes over time.
    Geographic Range American horseshoe crab: Eastern coast of the USA and the Gulf of Mexico.

    Indo-Pacific species (Tri-spine, Coastal, Mangrove): Mainly in coastal waters of India, Southeast Asia, China, and Japan.
    Habitat in India Odisha serves as the largest habitat for horseshoe crabs in India.
    Conservation Status Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
    IUCN Status American horseshoe crab: Vulnerable.

    Tri-spine horseshoe crab: Endangered.

    Other two are not listed yet.

  • Hastsal Minaret: The Mini Qutub Minar

    Hastsal minar

    Introduction

    • The Hastsal Minar, also known as the Mini Qutub Minar or Chhota Qutub Minar, stands as a Grade A heritage monument in Delhi, silently narrating stories of an era marked by grandeur and mystery amidst ruins and encroachment.

    About Hastsal Minaret

    Description
    Name Mini Qutub Minar (Chhota Qutub Minar, Mini Minar, Kaushal Minar, Hastsal ki Laat)
    Location Hastsal village in Uttam Nagar, West Delhi, India
    Built 1650
    Builder Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan
    Original Height 5 storeys, topped with a domed Chhatri pavilion
    Current Height 3 storeys, 16.87 meters (55 feet) tall
    Structure Built with Lakhori bricks and clad with red sandstone
    Significance Grade A listed, protected heritage monument with the Department of Archaeology, India
    History Originally built as a hunting lodge tower for Shah Jahan

    Used to have a tunnel connecting it to the royal hunting lodge nearby
    Architecture Resembles Qutub Minar in Delhi, octagonal platform, narrow staircase
    Threats Endangered due to neglect, lack of conservation, encroachment by new constructions, surrounded by urbanization

  • Invasive Species:  Cuscuta Dodder

    Cuscuta Dodder

    Introduction

    • An invasive weed, Cuscuta dodder, is gradually strangling the Chengalpet forests and Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, posing a severe threat to local vegetation, ecology, and the habitat of migratory birds.

    About Cuscuta Dodder

    • Parasitic Nature: It is a parasitic vine devoid of roots, already infesting acres of trees in reserve forests and beginning to spread within India’s oldest bird sanctuary.
    • Origin: Native to North America.
    • Modus Operandi: As a holoparasitic plant, it forms a canopy on the host plant and extends thousands of tendrils, eventually forming a dense spectacle before strangling and killing the host.

    Persistence and Germination

    • Seed Characteristics: Cuscuta seeds are spheroid with a hard coat, enabling them to survive up to 50 years in dry storage and at least 10 years in the field.
    • Germination: Unlike root parasites, Cuscuta seeds do not require a specific stimulant to induce germination, enhancing their ability to spread rapidly.

    Impact and Spread

    • India: According to a technical paper by the National Research Centre for Weed Science, Cuscuta poses a significant problem in oilseeds, pulses, and fodder crops across various states, including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Orissa, West Bengal, and parts of Madhya Pradesh under both rain-fed and irrigated conditions.
    • Global Legislation: It is listed as a ‘declared noxious weed’ in 25 countries, with seeds and plant material restricted from entry. In the United States, it is the only weed seed whose movement is prohibited in every state.
  • In news: Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah’s Tomb

    In news: Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah’s Tomb

    Introduction

    • A digital twin of the Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah’s tomb was unveiled by a reality technology company, Hexagon in Hyderabad.

    Who was Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah?

    • Parentage: Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah was born on April 4, 1565, as the third son of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah Wali and his Hindu mother Bhagirathi.
    • Literary Talent: He was not only an able administrator but also a skilled poet who composed verses in Persian, Telugu, and Urdu.

    Contemporaries of Quli Qutb Shah

     

    • Akbar (1556–1605): Mughal Emperor known for his religious tolerance and administrative reforms.
    • Rani Durgavati (1550–1564): Queen of the Gondwana Kingdom in central India, renowned for her bravery in resisting Mughal expansion.
    • Maharana Pratap (1572–1597): Rajput ruler of Mewar, famous for his defiance against Mughal Emperor Akbar and his valor in battles.
    • Chand Bibi (1550–1599): Regent of the Ahmednagar Sultanate in Deccan, known for her role in defending Ahmadnagar against Mughal forces.
    • Guru Ram Das (1574–1581): Fourth Sikh Guru who established the city of Amritsar and contributed significantly to Sikhism’s growth.
    • Sher Shah Suri (1540–1545): Founder of the Sur Empire in North India, celebrated for his administrative reforms and construction of the Grand Trunk Road.

    Key Accomplishments

    [A] Reign and Accomplishments

    • Ascension to the Throne: Muhammad Quli succeeded his father in 1580 at the age of 15 and ruled for 31 years.
    • Military Campaigns: Despite facing rebellions, he effectively led troops and quelled disturbances, ensuring stability in his realm.

    [B] Foundation of Hyderabad

    • Urban Planning: Concerned about overcrowding in Golkonda, Muhammad Quli initiated the construction of Hyderabad in 1591.
    • Land Selection: While folklore suggests a romanticized version of land selection, Muhammad Quli’s vision for Hyderabad’s development aimed at relieving congestion and promoting growth.

    [C] Architectural Marvels and City Planning

    • Charminar: As the architectural centrepiece, Charminar was built under Muhammad Quli’s patronage, symbolizing the city’s grandeur.
    • City Layout: Hyderabad was meticulously planned with a gridiron layout, featuring significant landmarks like Darulshafa, Mecca Masjid, and Badshahi Ashurkhana.

    [D] Support for Arts and Literature

    • Calligraphic Art: Under Muhammad Quli’s rule, calligraphy flourished, with various scripts adorning buildings such as the Mecca Masjid.
    • Literary Contributions: Muhammad Quli’s poetic works in Urdu and Dakhni languages reflected his diverse interests and cultural appreciation.
    • Taraqqi: He was a poet himself and composed poetry in Persian and Telugu under the pen name “Taraqqi”.

    [E] Medical and Literary Contributions

    • Intellectual Hub: Hyderabad became a centre for medical and literary pursuits, with scholars producing notable works during Muhammad Quli’s reign.
    • Preservation of Culture: Muhammad Quli’s literary legacy, including his Diwan, is preserved in institutions like the Salar Jung Museum, showcasing his contribution to cultural heritage.

    Legacy and Influence

    • Cultural Integration: Muhammad Quli’s reign represents a period of cultural fusion, blending Hindu and Islamic traditions in the Deccan region.
    • Symbol of Unity: His efforts to promote harmony and coexistence endure as a testament to the inclusive ethos of his administration.

  • Untapped Potential of Stem Cells in Menstrual Blood

    stem cells

    Introduction

    • Approximately 20 years ago, biologist Caroline Gargett embarked on a quest to uncover remarkable cells within hysterectomy tissue.
    • Dr. Gargett discovered two types of cells in the endometrium through rigorous microscopy examination, suspected to be adult stem cells due to their regenerative capabilities.
    • The discovery of these cells, known as endometrial stromal mesenchymal stem cells, opened new avenues for research in tissue repair and disease treatment.

    What are Endometrial Stem Cells?

    • Potential for Regeneration: Endometrial stem cells possess the ability to differentiate into various cell types, including neurons, cartilage, fat, bone, heart, liver, and skin cells.
    • Collection Methods: These stem cells can be obtained through a biopsy procedure or harvested from menstrual blood, offering a less invasive and more accessible means of procurement.

    Application in Women’s Health

    • Understanding Endometriosis: Endometrial stem cells have been linked to endometriosis, a condition affecting millions of women worldwide, providing insights into its etiology and potential therapeutic targets.
    • Diagnostic and Therapeutic Potential: Differences in menstrual stem cells between healthy individuals and those with endometriosis offer promising avenues for diagnostic tests and targeted treatments.
    • Treatment Innovations: Clinical trials exploring the transplantation of menstrual stem cells have shown potential for treating pelvic organ prolapse and other gynecological conditions.

    Beyond Gynecological Diseases

    • Wider Therapeutic Applications: Research indicates the potential of menstrual stem cells in treating diseases beyond gynecological disorders, including diabetes and wound healing.
    • Clinical Trials and Future Prospects: Small-scale trials have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of stem cell transplantation in humans, paving the way for further exploration and application in diverse medical fields.

    Challenges and Biases

    • Underrepresentation in Research: Despite their therapeutic potential, menstrual stem cells constitute a minuscule fraction of stem cell research, attributed to cultural taboos and biases surrounding menstruation.
    • Funding and Investment: Limited funding and gender bias in research funding pose significant challenges to advancing research on menstrual stem cells, necessitating greater advocacy and support.

    Way Forward

    • Addressing Bias: Tackling sex and gender bias in research funding is crucial for fostering equitable investments in women’s health research.
    • Recognition and Validation: By overcoming cultural taboos and biases, menstrual stem cells can be recognized as a valuable resource in regenerative medicine, transforming perceptions of menstruation from inconvenience to scientific opportunity.

  • RuPay and UPI rolled out in Mauritius, Sri Lanka

    Introduction

    • RBI has announced the establishment of RuPay card and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) connectivity between India and Mauritius, as well as UPI connectivity between India and Sri Lanka.
    • This initiative aims to deepen financial integration and facilitate digital payments among citizens of the three countries.

    Discussion: Rupee Integration with Neighbours

    • UPI in Mauritius: Indian travellers visiting Mauritius can now pay merchants in Mauritius using UPI, while Mauritian travellers can utilize the Instant Payment System (IPS) app for payments in India.
    • RuPay Adoption: The MauCAS card scheme in Mauritius will leverage RuPay technology, allowing banks to issue RuPay cards domestically. These cards can be used at ATMs and Point of Sale (PoS) terminals in Mauritius and India.
    • First Adoption: Mauritius becomes the first country outside Asia to implement RuPay technology, enabling acceptance of Indian RuPay cards at ATMs and PoS terminals within Mauritius.
    • QR Code Payments in SL: Indian travellers can make QR code-based payments at merchant locations in Sri Lanka using their UPI apps.

    About RuPay and UPI

    [A] RuPay Debit Cards

    Details
    Launch Year 2012
    Conceived by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
    Key Features First global card payment network of India

    Wide acceptance at ATMs, POS devices, and e-commerce websites
    Security Measures Highly secure network against anti-phishing

    Supports electronic payments at all Indian banks and financial institutions
    International Acceptance NPCI maintains ties with Discover Financial, JCB for international acceptance
    Issuers More than 1100 banks including public sector, private, regional banks, and cooperatives
    Core Promoter Banks SBI, PNB, Canara Bank, BOB, Union Bank of India, Bank of India, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Citibank, HSBC

     

    [B] Unified Payments Interface (UPI)

    Details
    Launch April 11, 2016
    Developed by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
    Key Features Enables simple, easy, and quick transactions using Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
    Payment Methods Direct bank payments using UPI ID or QR code scanning

    Requesting money from a UPI ID
    Working Transfers using UPI ID, mobile number, QR code, or Virtual Payment Address.

    Offers consistent transaction PIN across apps, enhancing cross-operability.

    Supports push and pull transactions, over-the-counter payments, and recurring payments such as utility bills and subscriptions.

     

    Countries where UPI works

    Details
    Bhutan Launched in July 13, 2021.

    Partnership between NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) of Bhutan.

    First country to adopt UPI.
    Oman Launched on October 4, 2022.

    Enables acceptance of Indian RuPay cards at all OmanNet network ATMs, POS & E-commerce sites.

    Allows reciprocal acceptance of Oman cards/MPCSS in the networks of NPCI in India.
    Mauritius Connectivity allows Indian visitors in Mauritius to use UPI for local payments, and vice versa for Mauritian tourists in India using the Instant Payment System (IPS) app.

    Enables issuance of RuPay cards by banks in Mauritius through the MauCAS card network.
    Sri Lanka Digital payments connectivity enables Indian travellers to make QR code-based payments at merchant locations in Sri Lanka using their UPI apps.
    Nepal Nepali users can make bank transfers to India using a unified payment interface (UPI) ID through mobile banking.
    France UPI service launched at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France this year.

    Partnership between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Lyra, a French leader in securing e-commerce and proximity payments.
    Southeast Asia Agreement signed between NIPL and Liquid Group to enable QR-based UPI payments in 10 countries: Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

     

    Why such move?

    • Tourism Promotion: Facilitating digital payments through RuPay and UPI encourages tourists from India to visit Mauritius and Sri Lanka by providing them with convenient payment options.
    • Financial Integration: The rollout of RuPay and UPI fosters closer economic ties between India, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka by enabling cross-border transactions and financial services.
    • Diversification (away from Maldives): By providing modern payment infrastructure and options comparable to those in popular tourist destinations like Mauritius and Sri Lanka can attract more tourists and diversify their tourism sectors.
  • Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) confirms Black Hole Shadow

    Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) confirms Black Hole Shadow

    Introduction

    • Scientists have revealed new insights into a colossal black hole located 53 million light-years away, initially captured by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) in 2017.
    • This groundbreaking achievement provided the first visual confirmation of the existence of black holes, validating a key prediction of Einstein’s theory of general relativity.

    Key Findings by EHT

    • The new data, obtained with improved telescope coverage and resolution, reiterated the previous discovery of the black hole’s ‘shadow’.
    • The findings confirmed the presence of an asymmetric ring structure consistent with strong gravitational lensing effects.
    • Observations indicated a stable ring formation process over time, with subtle changes suggesting variations in the magnetic field structure.

    About Event Horizon Telescope (EHT)

    Description
    About A large telescope array consisting of a global network of radio telescopes.

    Uses Very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI).

    Resolution of 25 micro-arc-seconds
    Collaboration International collaboration involving over 300 members and 60 institutions across 20 countries and regions
    Launch Year Initiated in 2009
    First Image Published April 10, 2019 (First image of a black hole, M87*)
    Objective Observation of objects the size of a supermassive black hole’s event horizon
    Key Targets Black holes including M87* and Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*)
    Recent Developments First image of black hole (March 2021), first image of Sgr A* (May 12, 2022)
    Reconstructive Algorithms Includes CLEAN algorithm and regularized maximum likelihood (RML) algorithm
    Scientific Implications Verification of general relativity, measurement of black hole mass and diameter, study of accretion processes

     

    Back2Basics: Black Holes and Related Concepts

    Definition
    Black hole A region in space where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape from it.
    Event horizon The boundary surrounding a black hole beyond which nothing can escape its gravitational pull.
    Singularity A point within a black hole where gravity becomes infinitely strong and spacetime curvature becomes infinite.
    Gravitational collapse The process by which massive stars collapse under their own gravity to form black holes.
    Schwarzschild radius The radius of the event horizon of a non-rotating black hole.
    Hawking radiation Radiation emitted by black holes due to quantum effects near the event horizon, predicted by physicist Stephen Hawking.
    Accretion disk A rotating disk of matter that forms around a black hole as it pulls in surrounding gas and dust.
    Supermassive black hole A black hole with a mass millions or billions of times greater than that of the Sun, found at the center of most galaxies.
    Quasar A luminous object powered by an active galactic nucleus, thought to be fueled by the accretion of material onto a supermassive black hole.
    Neutron star A highly compact star composed primarily of neutrons, formed from the collapsed core of a massive star.
    White dwarf A small, dense star composed of electron-degenerate matter, formed from the remnants of a low to medium mass star.
    Gravitational waves Ripples in spacetime caused by the acceleration of massive objects, such as black holes or neutron stars.
    Black Hole Information Paradox The theoretical problem concerning the loss of information about the initial state of matter swallowed by a black hole, which contradicts the principles of quantum mechanics.