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

Civilsdaily

Login

Type: Prelims Only

  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    What is Ambergris?

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

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Ambergris

    Mains level: NA

    amber

    Central Idea

    • The discovery of a sperm whale carcass on the shore of the Canary Island of La Palma has led to an extraordinary find.
    • During the post-mortem examination, a pathologist found ambergris, a highly valuable substance often referred to as “floating gold,” stuck in the whale’s colon.
    • The estimated worth of the retrieved lump of ambergris is around €500,000 (Rs 4,47,62,500).

    What is Ambergris?

    • Origin: Ambergris is a waxy substance formed in the digestive system of protected sperm whales.
    • Formation: One theory suggests that ambergris is produced in the gastrointestinal tract of sperm whales to aid the passage of hard objects ingested during feeding.
    • Appearance and Odour: Freshly passed ambergris is light yellowish and fatty, but it ages and turns waxy, taking on red-brownish colors. It possesses a mild, earthy, sweet smell with hints of marine odor.

    Uses and Rarity of Ambergris

    • Perfume Industry: Traditionally, ambergris is used in the production of perfumes, adding a musky note.
    • Historical Uses: In the past, ambergris was utilized to flavor food, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco in certain cultures.
    • Rarity and Value: Ambergris is a scarce substance, contributing to its high demand and significant price in the international market.

    Legal Restrictions in India

    • Wildlife Protection Act: Sperm whales, the source of ambergris, are a protected species under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife Protection Act in India.
    • Illegal Possession and Trade: The possession and trade of ambergris and its by-products, including in India, are prohibited under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
    • Smuggling and Trade Routes: Smuggling networks involved in ambergris trade often procure the substance from coastal areas in India and transport it through countries with comparatively less stringent sea trade regulations.

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

  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-SCO

    Iran Joins Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

    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: SCO

    Mains level: Not Much

    Central Idea

    • Prime Minister Modi welcomed Iran as the newest member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) during the virtual summit of the grouping.
    • Iran’s membership has been discussed for years, and recent geopolitical shifts have made it more relevant.

    About SCO

    • The SCO, formed in 2001, aims to enhance regional cooperation in combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism in Central Asia.

    Expansion of the SCO

    • Previous membership: The SCO consisted of eight member countries, including China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and the Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
    • Observer and Dialogue Partner status: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia have Observer status, while Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, Nepal, Turkey, and Sri Lanka hold Dialogue Partner status.

    Importance of Iran’s Membership

    • Nuclear deal context: After signing the nuclear deal (JCPOA) in 2015, Iran’s path to SCO membership was facilitated.
    • Changing geopolitical landscape: The US withdrawal from Afghanistan has created opportunities for increased Chinese influence in the region.
    • Expanding alliances: Iran has sought to establish closer ties beyond its traditional ally Russia, including reaching out to Saudi Arabia and opening a border market with Pakistan.

    Geopolitical Implications

    • China’s interests: Iran’s energy resources and cooperation in areas like oil are beneficial to China as it seeks to counter the US.
    • Russia’s alliances: Russia aims to strengthen its position by building alliances within the SCO, including potential full membership for Belarus.
    • US-India relations: India’s growing partnership with the US and their shared democratic values contrast with Chinese authoritarianism, creating a delicate balancing act for India.

    India’s Balancing Act

    • Maintaining partnerships: India has strengthened ties with the US through significant technology and defence agreements, emphasizing shared democratic values.
    • Historical ties with Iran: India has had traditional commercial ties with Iran, primarily in the import of crude oil.
    • Challenges in balancing: India’s shifting alliances with the US and historical ties with Iran pose challenges as the dynamics of the SCO evolve.

    Conclusion

    • Iran’s membership in the SCO signifies the changing geopolitical landscape and the increasing influence of China and Russia in the region.
    • India faces the challenge of balancing its partnerships with the US and historical ties with Iran while navigating the evolving dynamics within the SCO.

     

    Also read

    PM Modi to host SCO 2023 Summit

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

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

    Leptospirosis: A disease that surges in monsoons

    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: Leptospirosis

    Mains level: Not Much

    lepto

    Central Idea

    • Leptospirosis has emerged as an important infectious disease in the world today.
    • It is a potentially fatal zoonotic bacterial disease that tends to have large outbreaks after heavy rainfall or flooding.

    What is Leptospirosis?

    • Leptospirosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease that poses a significant global health threat, particularly after heavy rainfall or flooding.
    • It affects millions of people annually, with a high mortality rate, and its burden is expected to increase in the future.
    • The disease is caused by the bacterium Leptospira interrogans, primarily transmitted from animals to humans.

    Disease Transmission and Risk Factors

    • Disease transmission: Leptospira is shed in the urine of infected animals, contaminating soil and water.
    • Carriers: Both wild and domestic animals, including rodents, cattle, pigs, and dogs, can transmit the disease.
    • Human exposure: Direct contact with animal urine or indirectly through contaminated soil and water poses a risk.
    • Occupational hazards: Agricultural workers, animal handlers, and those in sanitary services are at an increased risk.
    • Recreational activities: Engaging in water-based activities in contaminated lakes and rivers can also raise the risk.

    Symptoms and Misdiagnosis

    • Range of symptoms: Leptospirosis symptoms vary from mild flu-like illness to life-threatening conditions affecting multiple organs.
    • Misdiagnosis challenges: Symptoms mimic other diseases like dengue, malaria, and hepatitis, leading to underreporting and limited awareness.
    • Limited access to diagnostics: Lack of reliable diagnostic tools hinders accurate disease detection.
    • Lack of environmental surveillance: Insufficient monitoring of the environment contributes to underestimating the disease burden.

    Misconceptions and Preventive Measures

    • Reservoir hosts: Rats are not the sole cause; various animals act as reservoir hosts.
    • Environmental factors: Humidity and extreme weather events like floods increase the risk of exposure.
    • Sanitary conditions: Poor waste management, high density of stray animals, and inadequate sanitation facilities contribute to the disease spread.
    • Prevention strategies: Adopting a ‘One Health’ approach involving humans, animals, and the environment is crucial.
    • Personal protective equipment: People working with animals or in flooded areas should use gloves and boots.
    • Animal health and prevention: Ensuring sanitary animal-keeping conditions reduces the risk of leptospirosis transmission.
    • Health education and awareness: Promoting proper hygiene practices, educating about the disease, and improving health literacy are essential preventive measures.

     

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

  • Capital Markets: Challenges and Developments

    GIFT NIFTY: Connecting India and Singapore’s Capital Markets

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: GIFT NIFTY

    Mains level: NA

    gift

    Central Idea

    • GIFT NIFTY (formerly known as SGX NIFTY) commenced trading from GIFT City in Gujarat, marking the first cross-border initiative between India and Singapore’s capital markets.
    • The trading session witnessed over 30,000 trades, signifying the growing significance of this collaboration.

    What is GIFT NIFTY?

    • The migration to GIFT NIFTY was initiated by PM Modi in July 2022.
    • GIFT NIFTY plays a crucial role in expanding GIFT IFSC’s reach to foreign investors and enhancing the capital market ecosystem in GIFT City.
    • The collaboration between SGX and NSE strengthens the connection between two rapidly growing economies.
    • NSE IX is restricted from entering similar arrangements with other exchanges, providing stability to the partnership.
    • The initial five-year contract can be extended for an additional two years.

    Operating time

    • GIFT NIFTY establishes a trading link where trading and matching take place in India, while clearing and settlement occur in Singapore.
    • It operates from 6:30 am to 3:40 pm in the Asia time zone.
    • The second session, from 4:35 pm to 2:45 am (next day), targets investors from the United States and Europe.

    Deal between SGX and NSE

    • Revenue sharing: The five-year contract establishes a 50:50 revenue-sharing arrangement between Singapore Exchange (SGX) and NSE International Exchange (NSE IX).
    • Initial revenue split: For Singapore-generated business, SGX will receive 75% of the revenue, while NSE will receive the remaining 25%.
    • IFSC business: NSE will retain 75% of the International Financial Service Centre (IFSC) business, with the remaining 25% going to SGX.
    • Future volume-based sharing: Once a “threshold volume” is reached, the revenue sharing will be equally split between both entities.

    Shift to GIFT NIFTY

    • Ceasing SGX NIFTY: On June 30, trading on SGX NIFTY in Singapore ended, with the entire trading volume and liquidity transitioning to GIFT IFSC.
    • Rechristened GIFT NIFTY: The trading platform was renamed GIFT NIFTY, offering four products: GIFT Nifty 50, GIFT Nifty Bank, GIFT Nifty Financial Services, and GIFT Nifty IT derivatives contracts.

    Back2Basics: GIFT City, Gandhinagar

    • GIFT city is India’s first operational smart city and international financial services centre (much like a modern IT park).
    • The idea for GIFT was conceived during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor Summit 2007.
    • The initial planning was done by East China Architectural Design & Research Institute (ECADI).
    • Currently approximately 225 units/companies are operational with more than 12000 professionals employed in the City.

    Key features

    • The entire city is based on the concept of FTTX (Fibre to the home/office).
    • The fiber optic is laid in fault-tolerant ring architecture so as to ensure maximum uptime of services.
    • Every building in GIFT City is an intelligent building.
    • There is piped supply of cooking gas. India’s first city-level DCS (district cooling system) is also operational at GIFT City.

     

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

  • Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

    Who was Alluri Sitarama Raju?

    Prelims Only | | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Alluri Sitarama Raju

    Mains level: Tribal revolts

    raju

    Central Idea

    • The President of India, Draupadi Murmu, honoured the freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju during the closing ceremony of his 125th birth anniversary celebrations in Hyderabad.
    • The President highlighted the significance of Alluri Seetharama Raju’s struggle against injustice and exploitation in India’s freedom struggle.

    About Alluri Sitarama Raju

    • Raju was believed to be born in 1897 or 1898 in Andhra Pradesh.
    • He became a sanyasi (ascetic) at the age of 18 and gained a mystical aura among the hill and tribal people due to his austerity, knowledge of astrology and medicine, and his ability to tame wild animals.

    Revolutionary Activities of Alluri Sitarama Raju

    • Raju channelled the discontent of the hill people in Ganjam, Visakhapatnam, and Godavari into effective guerrilla resistance against the British.
    • The Forest Act of 1882 and other colonial policies threatened the tribals’ traditional podu cultivation and forced them into labor.
    • The tribals and muttadars (village headmen) who were affected by the curtailment of their powers by the British government joined together in armed resistance against colonial rule in August 1922.

    Contribution to the Freedom Struggle

    • Raju’s guerrilla war, known as the Rampa or Manyam Rebellion, continued until May 1924.
    • The rebellion coincided with Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement.
    • Raju admired Gandhi and promoted his ideas of wearing khadi (homespun cloth) and giving up alcohol.
    • However, Raju believed that India could only be liberated through the use of force, contrary to Gandhi’s principle of non-violence.

    Capture and Execution of Alluri Sitarama Raju

    • Raju’s resistance came to an end when he was captured by the British in May 1924.
    • He was executed for his involvement in the rebellion.
    • Raju became known as the ‘Manyam Veerudu’ or Hero of the Jungle, and his efforts are remembered as a significant contribution to India’s freedom struggle.

    Conclusion

    • Overall, Alluri Seetharama Raju played a crucial role in leading a guerrilla resistance against British colonial rule, fighting for the rights of tribal communities, and advocating for India’s independence through forceful means.

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

  • Economic Indicators and Various Reports On It- GDP, FD, EODB, WIR etc

    Greedflation and its Counter Arguments

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Greedflation

    Mains level: NA

    greedflation

    Central Idea: Greedflation

    • The concept of “Greedflation” has emerged, suggesting that corporate greed for higher profits is a significant cause of the high inflation experienced in the United States since the pandemic.
    • Proponents of this theory argue that increased corporate profit margins have contributed to rising prices.
    • However, many economists question the validity of this narrative and offer alternative explanations for inflation.

    Inflation and Business Pricing

    • Pricing Dynamics: Businesses set prices based on consumer willingness to pay, aiming to maximize profits.
    • Consumer Influence: Consumers ultimately determine the market price through their buying decisions.
    • Market Competition: Businesses unable to sell products at high prices must lower prices to clear their stock.

    Inflation as a Macro-Level Phenomenon

    • Widespread Price Rise: Inflation refers to a general increase in the price level across the economy.
    • Corporate Influence on Prices: Corporations can impact overall prices by reducing supply, but there is no evidence of deliberate output reduction.
    • Monetary Policy and Inflation: The expansionary monetary policy of the U.S. Federal Reserve, combined with supply-chain disruptions, explains recent inflation.

    Rising Corporate Profit Margins

    • Rising Costs vs. Consumer Prices: Input costs have risen faster than consumer goods prices, leading to unexpected profit margin growth.
    • Corporate Profits vs. Wider Economy: Large corporations may have benefited from smaller business closures during the pandemic, but they represent a small portion of the overall economy.
    • Profit Margins and Inflation: Rising profit margins do not directly cause high inflation; prices are determined by buyers, not sellers.

    Critique of “Greedflation” as Cost-Push Inflation

    • Cost-Push Inflation Comparison: Greedflation is likened to cost-push inflation theories that attribute price increases to rising input costs.
    • Consumer Influence on Costs: The cost of inputs is indirectly determined by consumers through competitive bidding in the market.

    Conclusion

    • The notion of greedflation, attributing high inflation to corporate greed, lacks support from economists who emphasize the influence of consumer behaviour and macroeconomic factors.
    • While rising profit margins of corporations may indicate market dominance, they do not directly drive inflation.
    • Instead, factors such as monetary policy and supply disruptions better explain the recent inflationary pressures experienced in the United States.

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

  • International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

    CH3+: A Life-Giving Molecule Detected in Space

    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: CH3+

    Mains level: Not Much

    ch3

    Central Idea

    • The recent discovery of the CH3+ molecule, also known as methyl cation, by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has provided significant insights into the building blocks of life.
    • This simple organic molecule, consisting of one carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms, has been found in the Orion Nebula.
    • This reveals the potential for the formation of complex organic molecules necessary for life.

    What is CH3+?

    • The methyl cation, also known as the carbocation CH3^+, is an organic molecular ion consisting of a positively charged carbon atom (C+) with three hydrogen atoms (H) attached to it.
    • It is the simplest carbocation and belongs to the alkyl cation family.
    • The methyl cation is highly reactive due to its positive charge and the electron-deficient nature of the carbon atom.
    • Due to its reactivity, the methyl cation tends to undergo reactions to achieve greater stability by accepting a pair of electrons.
    • It can react with nucleophiles, which are electron-rich species, to form new chemical bonds.

    How does it support life?

    • Carbon-Based Organic Molecules: In biological processes, carbon atoms typically exist in stable organic molecules, such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, which are essential for life.
    • Importance of CH3+: The detection of the CH3+ molecule in space indicates the presence of basic building blocks for life beyond Earth.

    Significance of discovering CH3+ in Space

    • Molecular Fingerprints: Scientists analyze light emitted or absorbed by atoms and molecules to identify their unique spectroscopic signatures.
    • Spectroscopy with JWST: The JWST observed the Orion Nebula, a swirling disk of dust and gas surrounding a young star, and detected the distinctive fingerprints of CH3+ in its light.

     

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

  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Diversity for Restoration (D4R) Tool

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

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: D4R Tool

    Mains level: NA

    Central Idea

    • The Diversity for Restoration (D4R) tool, has been modified to adapt to the Indian context by researchers from Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE).
    • The tool aims to support restoration programs in India by improving decision-making and promoting sustainable development.

    What is D4R tool?

    • The Diversity for Restoration (D4R) tool is a tool developed by Bioversity International.
    • It is designed to assist in promoting effective agroforestry and ecosystem restoration.
    • The tool aims to improve decision-making in restoration programs by providing information on tree species selection and their ecological benefits.

    Key features and functions of the D4R

    • Species Identification: Helping users identify tree species that align with their restoration objectives.
    • Geographic Suitability: Assisting in determining which plant species are best suited for specific geographic locations.
    • Resilience and Adaptation: Identifying species that can withstand local stresses and adapt to changing environmental conditions.
    • Seed Procurement: Providing information on areas and regions to obtain seeds for the required species.
    • Plant Functional Traits: Incorporating information on economic and ecological uses of tree species to guide selection.
    • Habitat Suitability Modeling: Predicting suitable habitats for specific tree species based on present and future climate scenarios.
    • Comprehensive Information: Providing details on commercial benefits, physiological resilience, windbreaking capabilities, nitrogen-fixing, and pollinator support of tree species.

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

  • Parliament – Sessions, Procedures, Motions, Committees etc

    PRISM: 24-hr hotline for MPs Research

    Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Parliament & State Legislatures

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: PRISM Hotline

    Mains level: NA

    Central Idea

    • Lok Sabha Speaker has established ‘PRISM’ a 24-hour research reference telephone hotline for Members of Parliament (MPs) to provide assistance with policy issues.

    What is PRISM?

    • The Parliamentary Research and Information Support for Members of Parliament (PRISM) offers round-the-clock services, including weekends during Parliament Sessions.
    • It aims to support first-term MPs and those without extensive secretarial teams who may find it daunting to speak in Parliament on policy matters.
    • A team of 30-32 officers serves on the hotline on a rotational basis to provide research and reference support.

    Usage and Enquiries

    • Between 2019 and 2023, 87% of MPs have utilized either online or offline reference services, which are also shared through WhatsApp and email.
    • Enquiries mainly focused on bills such as the Juvenile Justice Bill, Wildlife Protection Bill, and short-duration discussions on topics like climate change, drug abuse, and price rise.

    Need for PRISM

    • First-term MPs often face challenges when asked to speak on bills without extensive research support.
    • The hotline and reference services have proven invaluable in assisting MPs, allowing them to contribute effectively to debates and discussions.
    • The initiative has particularly aided MPs who may not be proficient in English or Hindi, enabling them to raise pertinent issues in Parliament.

    Significance

    • Parliament can be a fragmented environment, with various cliques and clubs forming over the years.
    • Backbenchers, in particular, often spend much time in obscurity.
    • The research and reference services provided by PRISM can make these years on the backbench more productive by facilitating informed participation in policy debates.

     

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

  • Water Management – Institutional Reforms, Conservation Efforts, etc.

    Har Ghar Jal Initiative to miss 2024 target

    Prelims Only | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Har Ghar Jal Initiative

    Mains level: NA

    har ghar jal

    Central Idea

    • The Har Ghar Jal initiative, part of the Jal Jeevan Mission, aims to provide potable water connections to all rural households in India by 2024.
    • However, multiple sources and data analysis indicate that the initiative is likely to fall short of its target, with only 75% of village homes expected to have drinking water taps by April 2024.

    Har Ghar Jal Initiative: A quick recap

    • Har Ghar Jal (translation: Water to Every Household) is a scheme initiated by the Ministry of Jal Shakti under Jal Jeevan Mission in 2019.
    • It aimed to provide tap water to every rural household by 2024.
    • Finance Minister announced the scheme in 2019 Union budget.
    • In August 2022, Goa and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu became the first ‘Har Ghar Jal’ certified State and UT respectively with 100% tap-water access.
    • As of January 2023, other states and UTs Gujarat, Puducherry and Telangana have also achieved 100% tap-water access.
    • Since its inception, the scheme has significantly improved household clean tap water availability in India.

    Challenges Faced by the Initiative

    • Delayed Progress: The COVID-19 pandemic and a lack of qualified manpower in states have contributed to the delayed implementation of the scheme.
    • Shortages of Essential Materials: The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war resulted in major shortages of steel and cement, crucial for manufacturing and connecting metal pipes, leading to delays and price revisions.
    • Manpower Shortage: Some states faced challenges in finding skilled workers to construct tanks, cisterns, and water connections of acceptable quality.
    • State-Specific Issues: Certain states, such as Rajasthan, face challenges in ensuring the availability of water, while West Bengal and Kerala struggle with water contamination issues.
    • Certification Gap: While the states report high coverage figures, there is a significant gap between reported and verified connections.

    Expectations and Progress

    • Revised Expectations: The officials now expect about 75% of households to be covered by March 2024 and 80% by December 2024.
    • Work Yet to Begin: Around one crore households (5% of the total) have not even begun work under the scheme.
    • Timeframe Challenges: Connecting all households in villages that already have access to water sources takes an average of eight months, making it unlikely to finish in some places before 2025-26.

    Political Factors and Connection Status

    • Political Angle: Some states, like Bihar and Telangana, did not rely on central funds and did not certify their connection status due to political considerations.
    • Significance of Certification: “Har Ghar Jal” villages certified as 100% compliant prominently display the images of the Prime Minister and Chief Minister, especially if Central funds were used.

     

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