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Type: Prelims Only

  • Bharat Tap Rating System for Water Fixtures

    bharat tap

    Central idea: The Centre is in the process of bringing in a star rating system for water fixtures similar to the ratings of electrical appliances.

    Bharat Tap Rating

    • The star rating system would come under one umbrella called Bharat Tap, which was formulated under AMRUT 2.0 to drive water efficiency.
    • The initiative aims to promote and adopt water-efficient fixtures.
    • It would have 3, 4, and 5-star water fixtures based on their water efficiency.
    • This would help consumers make informed decisions while purchasing sanitary equipment.

    Collaborators of the initiative

    • The Indian Plumbing Association and all manufacturers have been roped in to adopt and promote the new standards for water-efficient fixtures.

    Why such move?

    • Data derived from this initiative showed that on average over 30% of water can be saved.
    • However, there was not enough data available to consumers to assist them in making informed decisions when purchasing sanitary fixtures.

    Back2Basics: AMRUT 2.O

    • Water management: It will build upon the progress of AMRUT to address water needs, rejuvenate water bodies, better manage aquifers, reuse treated wastewater, thereby promoting circular economy of water.
    • Water supply: It would provide100% coverage of water supply to all households in around 4,700 ULBs.
    • Sewerage: It will provide 100% coverage of sewerage and septage in 500 AMRUT cities.
    • Rejuvenation of water bodies and urban aquifer management: It will be undertaken to augment sustainable fresh water supply.
    • Recycle and reuse of treated wastewater: It is expected to cater to 20% of total water needs of the cities and 40% of industrial demand.
    • Pey Jal Survekshan: It will be conducted in cities to ascertain equitable distribution of water, reuse of wastewater and mapping of water bodies.

     

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  • Over 19,000 Seamounts discovered

    seamount

    Central Idea: Scientists have reported finding 19,325 new seamounts after poring through new high-resolution data. A study had already mapped 24,000 seamounts across the world’s oceans.

    Why study this?

    • The recent discovery of new seamounts was made possible by advancements in altimetry for gravity-field mapping, which improved spatial coverage.
    • The CryoSat-2, Envisat, Jason-1 geodetic missions, and the SARAL satellite developed by India and France contributed to these advancements.

    What are Seamounts?

    • Seamounts are underwater mountains formed through volcanic activity.
    • They are recognised as hotspots for marine life.
    • Most seamounts are formed near mid-ocean ridges, intraplate hotspots, and oceanic island chains with volcanic and seismic activity called island arcs.
    • They can be active, extinct or dormant volcanoes.

    Importance of Seamounts

    • Seamounts provide information about the mantle’s composition and how tectonic plates evolve as they are formed when molten rock comes up from below the tectonic plates.
    • Oceanographers study seamounts to understand their influence on how water circulates and absorbs heat and carbon dioxide.
    • Seamounts are home to diverse biological communities as they can cause localised ocean upwelling, which brings nutrient-rich water from deep within the ocean to the surface.

    How were they mapped?

    • Surveyors map seamounts using either echo sounders or multibeam sonar on ships for topographic mapping or using satellite altimetry for gravity-field mapping.
    • The hi-res maps produced by multibeam sonar mapping are often incomplete, whereas the low-res maps produced by satellite altimetry have better coverage.

     

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  • What is Ningaloo ‘Hybrid’ Solar Eclipse?

    ningaloo

    A ‘hybrid’ solar eclipse called the Ningaloo Eclipse recently happened on April 20, 2023.

    Ningaloo ‘Hybrid’ Solar Eclipse

    • It was a rare astronomical event that occurred on April 20, 2023.
    • The Moon passed directly between the Sun and the Earth, casting a shadow on a narrow strip of land in Western Australia.
    • It was a “hybrid” eclipse, starting as an annular eclipse and transitioning into a total eclipse.
    • The path of the eclipse crossed over the Ningaloo Reef, a world heritage site in Western Australia.
    • It offered a unique opportunity to view the eclipse against the backdrop of the reef and the Indian Ocean.

    How rare are such events?

    • During a solar eclipse, the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth’s surface.
    • However, solar eclipses do not occur every month because the Moon’s orbit is tilted by about 5 degrees relative to Earth’s orbit around the Sun.
    • Therefore, the Moon’s shadow usually misses Earth, but occasionally the alignment is just right for a solar eclipse to occur.
    • In the case of the Ningaloo Hybrid Solar Eclipse, the alignment was such that the Moon was at the right distance from Earth to create both an annular and a total eclipse as it moved across the Sun.
    • This type of eclipse is quite rare, occurring only about once every 400 years.

    Back2Basics:

    ningaloo

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  • India’s sustainable jet fuel may get ASTM certified in 2023

    fuel

    Central idea

    • The Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) has developed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using home-grown technology from cooking oil and oil-bearing plants.
      • SAF is also being produced from non-petroleum-based renewable feedstocks, municipal solid waste, woody biomass, fats/greases/oils, and other feedstocks.

    About ASTM certification

    • ASTM International is an international standards organization that develops and publishes technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services.
    • It was formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials and is based in the United States.
    • The organization has over 30,000 members from more than 140 countries, including scientists, engineers, and industry professionals.
    • The standards cover industries such as construction, petroleum, medical devices, and consumer products.

    SAF under ASTM Certification

    • Two of ASTM standards related to aviation fuel are ASTM D4054 and ASTM D7566.
    • ASTM D4054 sets the requirements for qualifying aviation turbine fuels.
    • ASTM D7566 sets the requirements for certifying fuels for use in commercial aviation.

    Present use of SAF

    • The Indian Air Force received provisional certification in November 2021 to use SAF on their test flights, subject to case-by-case approval by the aircraft manufacturer concerned.
    • However, it is yet to be internationally certified for use in commercial airlines in India.

    SAF production in India

    • The Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd is setting up the first SAF plant, which is expected to come online by early 2025.
    • However, two more SAF plants are expected to be set up by other refineries, probably by 2025-26.
    • The Mangalore Refinery can produce 20 tonnes of SAF per day, meaning about 7,000 tonnes per year.
    • However, to achieve even a per cent of blending of SAF in India, around 60,000 tonnes per year are required.

    Way forward

    • Demand for bio-jet fuel must be increased through a national policy, along the lines of the National Biofuel Policy, for it to be commercially scaled and to accelerate production.
    • A nodal agency to implement this policy should be formed to bring together energy, transportation and agriculture sectors together under one roof.
    • Mapping the sources of the various feedstock could aid this policy.

     

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  • Only half PMJDY insurance claims settled in 2 years

    pmjdy

    Central idea: In an RTI reply, it is revealed that only 329 claims out of 647 filed were settled in the last two financial years under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY).

    What is PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)?

    • The PMJDY is a financial inclusion program launched by the Indian government in 2014.
    • It is National Mission for Financial Inclusion to ensure access to financial services, namely, a basic savings & deposit accounts, remittance, credit, insurance, pension in an affordable manner.
    • Under the scheme, a basic savings bank deposit (BSBD) account can be opened in any bank branch or Business Correspondent (Bank Mitra) outlet, by persons not having any other account.

    Benefits under PMJDY

    • One basic savings bank account is opened for unbanked person.
    • There is no requirement to maintain any minimum balance in PMJDY accounts.
    • Interest is earned on the deposit in PMJDY accounts.
    • Rupay Debit card is provided to the account holder.
    • Accident Insurance Cover of Rs.1 lakh (enhanced to Rs. 2 lakh to new PMJDY accounts opened after 28.8.2018) is available with RuPay card issued to the PMJDY account holders.
    • An overdraft (OD) facility up to Rs. 10,000 to eligible account holders is available.

    Why in news?

    • In the financial year 2021-22, 341 claims were received for accident insurance cover under the PMJDY scheme.
    • Out of these, 182 claims were settled and 48 were rejected.
    • No information was provided on the status of the remaining 111 claims.

    Is PMJDY a success?

    • Dormancy of accounts: The PMJDY scheme has led to an increase in the number of bank accounts in rural areas, but this has not necessarily led to a corresponding increase in transactions due to limited transaction history of many account holders.
    • Low or no transactions: Insurance coverage for the account holder is linked to their transaction history, and many accounts remain frozen due to lack of transactions, taking several weeks or months to reactivate.
    • False promise of overdraft: The promised overdraft facility of Rs 5000 for new account holders has not been provided as promised, leading to scepticism about the scheme’s success.
    • Payments bottleneck: The lack of proper connectivity, electricity, internet, and ATM facilities in rural areas has hindered the activation of RuPay cards and PIN numbers, which should have been considered before implementing such a large-scale program.

     

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  • Tamil Nadu’s Manamadurai Pottery gets GI Tag

    pot

    The Manamadurai pottery recently earned a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

    Manamadurai Pottery

    • The Vaigai river enriches the clay used for the Manamadurai pottery. Pot making requires expertise as the bottom has to be perfectly round.
    • The right proportion of mud, clay and heating makes this product very strong. The main raw materials for making these pots are soil and water.
    • The sand, collected from different places of the district, is used for making pottery and dried for two days. The particles of the mud get separated by sieving.
    • The slurry is mixed with the sand and lead and graphite are added to the mixture to improve the quality.
    • This mixture is now rich in calcium lime, ash, red lead, sodium silicate, manganese, iron, and plasticizing. The pot is also painted in different colours.

    What makes these pots unique?

    • A unique type of clay is sourced from water bodies like Nedunkulam, Nathapurakki, Sundaranadappu, Seikalathur to make these pots.
    • While making these pots, the five elements of nature namely earth, water, fire, sun and air are used.
    • The basic material for pottery is mud, which represents the earth. Mud is mixed with water, another element of nature.
    • This is followed by baking in fire, adding the third element.
    • The air percolates through the pores in the clay, marking the fourth element.
    • And finally, the cavity enclosed by the pot or any related article represents space.

    Back2Basics: Geographical Indication (GI)

    • A GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
    • Nodal Agency: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry
    • India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 w.e.f. September 2003.
    • GIs have been defined under Article 22 (1) of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.
    • The tag stands valid for 10 years.

     

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  • Zero Shadow Day: What is it, why does it happen?

    shadow

    Central idea: Many cities across India are experiencing Zero Shadow Day since the sun was directly overhead at that time.

    What is Zero Shadow Day?

    • Zero Shadow Day is a phenomenon that occurs twice a year at every point on Earth located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
    • During Zero Shadow Day, vertical objects appear to cast no shadow at local noon, when the sun is at its zenith directly above the object.
    • It occurs when the sun’s location moves from 23.5°N to 23.5°S of Earth’s equator and back, causing the shadow to disappear beneath objects at local noon.

    Why does it happen?

    • It occurs due to the movement of the sun from south to north during the Uttarayan and back from north to south during Dakshinayan.
    • This movement is caused by Earth’s rotation axis being tilted at an angle of roughly 23.5° to the axis of revolution around the sun.
    • All places whose latitude equals the angle between the sun’s location and the equator on that day experience Zero Shadow Day, with the shadow disappearing at local noon.

    Try this PYQ:

    On 21st June, the Sun-

    (a) Does not set below the horizon at the Arctic Circle

    (b) Does not set below the horizon at Antarctic Circle

    (c) Shines vertically overhead at noon on the Equator

    (d) Shines vertically overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn

     

    [wpdiscuz-feedback id=”bqrtq7d9ey” question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]

     

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  • Understanding Temperature Anomalies

    temperature

    Central idea: Global warming does not mean that each month or each year will be warmer than the previous month or the previous year.

    What is Temperature Anomaly?

    • This is a measure of how much the actual temperature deviates from the long-term average temperature for a particular location and time period.
    • Anomalies are calculated by taking the difference between the actual temperature and the long-term average temperature, and then averaging this difference over a specified period.
    • The anomalies are due to land-ocean-atmosphere processes that dynamically determine the weather and climate.
    • It is a useful tool for understanding changes in climate over time, as they allow scientists to compare temperatures from different time periods and locations.
    • For example, a temperature anomaly of +2°C in a particular region in a given year means that the temperature in that region was 2°C higher than the long-term average for that region and time period.

    Why study this?

    • Long-term trend: By analyzing temperature anomalies over time, scientists can identify long-term trends in climate change and predict future changes.
    • Track extreme weather event: These are also used to monitor extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, and floods, which can have significant impacts on human health, agriculture, and natural ecosystems.

    Recent context: Second warmest March on record

    • The fact that March 2023 was the second warmest March on record suggests that the planet is experiencing long-term warming.
    • It is a clear indication of the impact of human activities on the planet.
    • The burning of fossil fuels and deforestation have led to an increase in greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and contribute to global warming.
    • This warming trend is expected to continue and worsen in the coming years, leading to more extreme weather events, sea level rise, and other negative impacts on the planet.

    What does this mean for local weather?

    • The second warmest March on record can have significant impacts on local weather patterns.
    • As mentioned earlier, the warming over the northwest to the west of India caused cooler than normal weather over Mumbai and excess pre-monsoon rains over the northwest.
    • On the other hand, Kerala and Odisha experienced scorching heatwaves.
    • These weather anomalies can have serious implications for agriculture, water resources, and public health.

    Implications

    • Crop yields decline: This can be affected by extreme weather events, and changes in precipitation patterns can lead to water shortages or flooding.
    • Heatwaves: This can cause heat stress and other health problems, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and young children.

     

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  • Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct

    banglore

    The Supreme Court of India has directed the Registrar General of the Calcutta High Court to investigate an alleged interview given by a judge to a news channel in which he made remarks against a politician. This is cited against Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct.

    What are Bangalore Principles?

    • The Bangalore Code of Judicial Conduct was drafted in 2001 for the Judicial Group on Strengthening Judicial Integrity and presented to the Round Table Meeting of Chief Justices in November 2002.
    • Resolution 23 of the United Nations Social and Economic Council promotes implementation of the Bangalore Principles by the judiciaries of Member States.
    • The principles are intended to establish standards for ethical conduct of judges.
    • They are designed to provide guidance to judges and to offer the judiciary a framework for regulating judicial conduct.

    Six core values recognized

    S. No. Principle Description
    1. Independence Judges must be free to make impartial decisions based on the law and facts, without any influence or pressure from external sources.
    2. Impartiality Judges must be unbiased and treat all parties equally, without any favoritism or discrimination.
    3. Integrity Judges must have high moral and ethical principles, be honest, and act with transparency and fairness.
    4. Propriety Judges must avoid any impropriety or appearance of impropriety, such as conflicts of interest or inappropriate behavior.
    5. Equality Judges must uphold the principle of equality before the law, treating all people with respect and dignity.
    6. Competence and diligence Judges must have the necessary knowledge, skills, and qualities to perform their duties effectively, and must work diligently and efficiently.

     

    Significance of these principles

    • The principles define their meaning and elaborate in detail on what kind of conduct is to be expected in concrete terms of the persons concerned in order to put the respective value into practice.
    • A number of specific instructions are given under each of the values.
    • Not only have some States adopted the Bangalore Principles but others have modelled their own Principles of Judicial Conduct on them.

     

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  • Places in news: Thirunelly Temple

    thirunelly

    The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has urged the government to conserve the historically significant structures, including the 600-year-old ‘Vilakkumadom’, an exquisite granite structure, at the Sree Mahavishnu Temple at Thirunelly in Wayanad district.

    About Thirunelly Temple

    • The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is also known as Sahyamala Kshetram.
    • It is also referred to as the ‘Kashi of the South’ and is considered as an important pilgrimage center for Hindus.
    • It is located at the confluence of three rivers – Papanasini, the holy river, which is believed to have the power to wash away sins, Kudamurutti, and Koothappuzha.
    • The temple has a unique circular structure made of granite stones, which is believed to have been constructed by Lord Brahma himself.
    • It has beautiful architecture and features intricate carvings, mural paintings, and sculptures.
    • The temple celebrates several festivals throughout the year, including Vishu, Navaratri, and Thirunelli festival.

    Renovation plan

    • The renovation works include the reconstruction of the chuttambalam or the structure around the sanctum sanctorum, except for the balikkalpura structure on the front side.
    • The renovation work also includes the completion of the vilakkumadam, an exquisite granite structure that has a history dating back to the 15th century AD.
    • The renovation works also include the renovation of the panchatheertham pond and the pathway to the papanasini bath ghat where devotees perform the bali ritual.

    Why in news?

    • The temple structure has a history dating back to the 15th century AD, and stories related to the architecture and style of the temple are associated with it.
    • In guise of renovation, there is a concern over the loss of valuable precincts and the destruction of heritage.
    • The incomplete structure that stood as testimony to a rich cultural heritage has been remodelled in an insensitive way.

     

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