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Type: Prelims Only

  • Industrial Sector Updates – Industrial Policy, Ease of Doing Business, etc.

    C295 and India’s aircraft industry

    2 November 2022 | Prelims Only | Internal Security
    Mains GS3: GS3-23.Security Challenges and their Management in Border Areas – Linkages of Organized Crime with Terrorism.

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: C-295

    Mains level: Aerospace industry in India

    c295

    Recently, PM laid the foundation stone for the C-295 transport aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara to be set up by Airbus Defence and Space and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL).

    Why is it making headlines?

    • This is the first time a private sector company would be manufacturing a full aircraft in the country.
    • This is a huge step forward for India in the global aircraft manufacturing domain.

    What is the C-295MW transporter?

    • The C-295MW is a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity which will replace the legacy Avro aircraft in the Indian Air Force (IAF) procured in the 1960s.
    • It was originally produced by a Spanish aircraft manufacturer.
    • This company is now part of Airbus and the aircraft’s manufacturing takes place at Airbus’s plant in Spain.

    Why c-295MW?

    • The C-295 has very good fuel efficiency and can take off and land from short as well as unprepared runways.
    • As a tactical transport aircraft, the C295 can carry troops and logistical supplies from main airfields to forward operating airfields of the country.
    • It can operate from short airstrips just 2,200 feet long and can fly low-level operations for tactical missions flying at a low speed of 110 knots.
    • The aircraft can additionally be used for casualty or medical evacuation, performing special missions, disaster response and maritime patrol duties.

    A boost to domestic aircraft manufacturing

    • Over the last two decades, Indian companies, both public and private, have steadily expanded their footprint in the global supply chains of major defence and aerospace manufacturers.
    • They do supply a range of components, systems and sub-systems.

    India’s collaboration with top firm

    • Boeing’s sourcing from India stands at $1 billion annually, of which over 60% is in manufacturing, through a growing network of 300+ supplier partners of which over 25% are MSME.
    • Tata in a joint venture (JV) with Boeing, manufactures aero-structures for its AH-64 Apache helicopter, including fuselages, etc.
    • It also makes Crown and Tail-cones for Boeing’s CH-47 Chinook helicopters.
    • Similarly, Lockheed Martin has joint ventures with TASL in Hyderabad which has manufactured crucial components for the C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft.

    How this has become possible?

    • The US is simplifying its export regulations for India, through a series of measures.
    • As US and India together pursue the Indo-Pacific strategy and are enhancing technology prowess.

    Boost to India’s civil aviation sector

    • India has a much bigger footprint in civil aviation manufacturing than defence, in addition to being a major market itself.
    • Both Airbus and Boeing do significant sourcing from India for their civil programmes.
    • According to Airbus every commercial aircraft manufactured by them today is partly designed and made in India.
    • India now has world’s fastest-growing aviation sector and it is about to reach the top three countries in the world in terms of air traffic.
    • Another major growing area is Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) for which India can emerge as the regional hub.

    Conclusion

    • The private defence sector is still nascent and a conducive and stable regulatory and policy environment will be an important enabler.

     

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  • Fertilizer Sector reforms – NBS, bio-fertilizers, Neem coating, etc.

    Centre restricts use of common weedicide Glyphosate

    2 November 2022 | Prelims Only | Science and Technology
    Mains GS3: GS3-17.Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights.

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Glyphosate

    Mains level: Not Much

    Glyphosate

    The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has restricted the use of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, citing health hazards for humans and animals.

    What is Glyphosate?

    • Glyphosate is an herbicide. It is applied to the leaves of plants to kill both broadleaf plants and grasses.
    • The sodium salt form of glyphosate is used to regulate plant growth and ripen specific crops.
    • Glyphosate is one of the most widely used herbicide.
    • In India, glyphosate has been approved for use only in tea plantations and non-plantation areas accompanying the tea crop.
    • Use of the substance anywhere else is illegal.

    How does glyphosate work?

    • Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide, meaning it will kill most plants.
    • It prevents the plants from making certain proteins that are needed for plant growth.
    • Glyphosate stops a specific enzyme pathway, the shikimic acid
    • The shikimic acid pathway is necessary for plants and some microorganisms.

    What is the recent ban?

    • Only authorized Pest Control Operators are allowed to use it.
    • Earlier, state governments of Maharashtra, Telangana, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh have tried similar steps but failed.
    • The ban notification was based on a 2019 report by the Government of Kerala on prohibiting the distribution, sale and use of glyphosate and its derivatives.

    Is it banned elsewhere?

    • Some 35 countries have banned or restricted the use of glyphosate.
    • These include Sri Lanka, Netherlands, France, Colombia, Canada, Israel and Argentina.

    Hazards of Glyphosate

    • Health impacts of glyphosate range from cancer, and reproductive and developmental toxicity to neurotoxicity and immune toxicity.
    • Symptoms include irritation, swelling, burning of the skin, oral and nasal discomfort, unpleasant taste and blurred vision.

     

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  • GI(Geographical Indicator) Tags

    GI tag in news: Kashmir Saffron

    2 November 2022 | Prelims Only | Agriculture
    Mains GS3: Major Crops & Cropping Patterns

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Kashmir Saffron

    Mains level: Not Much

    saffron

    The Directorate of Tourism, Kashmir has organised a saffron festival in the Karewa of Pampore.

    Saffron

    • Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the “saffron crocus”.
    • The vivid crimson stigma and styles, called threads, are collected and dried for use mainly as a seasoning and colouring agent in food.

    Kashmir Saffron

    • It is cultivated and harvested in the Karewa (highlands) in some regions of Kashmir, including Pulwama, Budgam, Kishtwar and Srinagar.
    • It has been associated with traditional Kashmiri cuisine and represents the rich cultural heritage of the region.
    • Its cultivation is believed to have been introduced in Kashmir by Central Asian immigrants around 1st Century BCE. In ancient Sanskrit literature, saffron is referred to as ‘bahukam’.
    • In 2020, the Centre issued a certificate of Geographical Indication (GI) registration for Saffron grown in the Kashmir Valley.

    Major types

    The saffron available in Kashmir is of three types —

    • ‘Lachha Saffron’, with stigmas just separated from the flowers and dried without further processing;
    • ‘Mongra Saffron’, in which stigmas are detached from the flower, dried in the sun and processed traditionally; and
    • ‘Guchhi Saffron’, which is the same as Lachha, except that the latter’s dried stigmas are packed loosely in air-tight containers while the former has stigmas joined together in a bundle tied with a cloth thread

    Whats’ so special about Kashmir Saffron?

    • The unique characteristics of Kashmir saffron are its longer and thicker stigmas, natural deep-red colour, high aroma, bitter flavour, chemical-free processing, and high quantity of crocin (colouring strength), safranal (flavour) and picrocrocin (bitterness).
    • It is the only saffron in the world grown at an altitude of 1,600 m to 1,800 m AMSL (above mean sea level), which adds to its uniqueness and differentiates it from other saffron varieties available the world over.

    Policy moves

    • The National Saffron Mission (launched as a part of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana) was sanctioned by the central government in the year 2010 in order to extend support for creation of irrigation facilities.
    • It seeks to facilitate farmers with tube wells and sprinkler sets which would help in production of better crops in the area of saffron production.
    • North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) under Saffron Bowl Project has identified few locations in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya for saffron cultivation.

     

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  • Parliament – Sessions, Procedures, Motions, Committees etc

    What is the Doctrine of Pleasure?

    31 October 2022 | Prelims Only | Polity
    Mains GS2: GS2-01. Indian Constitution-Historical underpinnings & evolution; Features, amendments, significant provisions, basic structure of Constitution

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Doctrine of Pleasure

    Mains level: Not Much

    The Kerala Governor has sought dismissal of a minister from the Cabinet, declaring that he has withdrawn the pleasure of having him in the Council of Ministers.

    Doctrine of Pleasure: The concept behind

    • The pleasure doctrine is a concept derived from English common law.
    • It says is that a civil servant of the Crown holds office during the pleasure of the Crown.
    • This means his services can be terminated at any time by the Crown, without assigning any reason.

    How is it practised in India?

    • In India, Article 310 of the Constitution says every person in the defence or civil service of the Union holds office during the pleasure of the President.
    • Similarly, every member of the civil service in the States holds office during the pleasure of the Governor.
    • However, Article 311 imposes restrictions on the removal of a civil servant.

    How arbitrary is this doctrine?

    • It provides for civil servants being given a reasonable opportunity for a hearing on the charges against them.
    • There is also a provision to dispense with the inquiry if it is not practicable to hold one, or if it is not expedient to do so in the interest of national security.
    • In practical terms, the pleasure of the President referred to here is that of the Union government, and the Governor’s pleasure is that of the State government.

    Is the governor entitled to exercise his/her displeasure?

    • Under Article 164, the Chief Minister is appointed by the Governor; and the other Ministers are appointed by the Governor on the CM’s advice.
    • It adds that Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the Governor.
    • In a constitutional scheme in which they are appointed solely on the CM’s advice, the ‘pleasure’ referred to is also taken to mean the right of the CM to dismiss a Minister, and not that of the Governor.

    Why in news now?

    Ans. Issue over appointment of Vice-Chancellor

    • The latest controversy has arisen after the Governor sought the resignation of several vice-chancellors following a Supreme Court judgment.
    • The V-C’s appointment of a technical university was contrary to the regulations of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
    • The appointment Committee had identified only one candidate and recommended the name to the Chancellor for appointment.
    • However, under UGC regulations, a panel of three to five names should be recommended so that the Chancellor has a number of options to choose from.

    How is Governor involved in this?

    • The Governor, in his capacity as Chancellor of universities, responded by directing the V-Cs of nine universities to resign the very next day.
    • He contended that the infirmities pointed out by the Supreme Court in one case also vitiated their appointments.

     

     

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  • Innovations in Biotechnology and Medical Sciences

    GI in news: Kalanamak Rice

    31 October 2022 | Prelims Only | Agriculture
    Mains GS3: Major Crops & Cropping Patterns

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Kalanamak Rice

    Mains level: NA

    kalanamak

    Kalanamak, a traditional variety of paddy is all set to get a new look and name.

    Kalanamak Rice

    • Kalanamak rice is a paddy with black husk and strong fragrance, which is considered a gift from Lord Buddha to the people of Sravasti when he visited the region after enlightenment,
    • It is grown in 11 districts of the Terai region of northeastern Uttar Pradesh and in Nepal.
    • The traditional Kalanamak rice is protected under the Geographical Indication (GI) tag
    • It’s recorded in the GI application that Lord Budhha gifted Kalanamak paddy to the people of Sravasti so that they remembered him by its fragrance.

    What is the upgrade?

    • The traditional paddy has been prone to ‘lodging’, a reason for its low yield.
    • Lodging is a condition in which the top of the plant becomes heavy because of grain formation, the stem becomes weak, and the plant falls on the ground.
    • Addressing the problem, the Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) has successfully developed two dwarf varieties of Kalanamak rice.
    • They have been named Pusa Narendra Kalanamak 1638 and Pusa Narendra Kalanamak 1652.

    Back2Basics:  Geographical Indication

    • 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.
    • GI is granted for a term of 10 years in India. As of today, more than 300 GI tags has been allocated so far in India (*Wikipedia).
    • The tag stands valid for 10 years.

     

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  • Air Pollution

    What is Air Quality Index (AQI)?

    29 October 2022 | Prelims Only | Environment
    Mains GS3: GS3-18.Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Air Quality Index

    Mains level: Not Much

     

    air

     

     

    Air Quality Index (AQI)

    • AQI measures how safe the air around you is for breathing. Organizations that report AQI measure the density of various pollutants in the air (such as PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, etc) at different monitoring stations.
    • The widely-used National Air Quality Index (NAQI) given by the Central Pollution Control Board is a 24-hour average.
    • Its unit is micrograms per cubic meter.
    • A particular amount of one pollutant may not be as harmful as the same amount of another pollutant.
    • So, each pollutant’s quantity in the air is adjusted to a common scale (say, 0 to 500) that works for all pollutants.
    • Finally, the pollutant with the worst sub-index determines the AQI for that time and location.

    What are NAAQ standards?

    • The mandate provided to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act empowers it to set standards for the quality of air.
    • Hence the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards were notified in November 2009 by the CPCB.
    • Prior to this, India had set Air Quality standards in 1994, and this was later revised in 1998.
    • The 2009 standards further lowered the maximum permissible limits for pollutants and made the standards uniform across the nation.
    • Earlier, less stringent standards were prescribed for industrial zones as compared to residential areas.

    Pollutants covered:

    • Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
    • Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2),
    • Particulate Matter (size less than 10 µm) or PM 10
    • Particulate Matter (size less than 2.5 µm) or PM2.5
    • Ozone (O3)
    • Carbon Monoxide (CO)
    • Ammonia (NH3)

    (Air Pollutants that most of us NEVER heard of)

    • Lead
    • Benzene (C6H6)
    • Benzo(a)Pyrene (BaP)
    • Arsenic(As)
    • Nickel (Ni)

    What are Initiatives taken by India for Controlling Air Pollution?

    • System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) Portal
    • Air Quality Index: AQI has been developed for eight pollutants viz. PM2.5, PM10, Ammonia, Lead, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, ozone, and carbon monoxide.
    • Graded Response Action Plan
    • For Reducing Vehicular Pollution: BS-VI Vehicles, Push for Electric Vehicles (EVs),Odd-Even Policy as an emergency measure
    • New Commission for Air Quality Management
    • Subsidy to farmers for buying Turbo Happy Seeder (THS) Machine

     

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  • Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News

    Arts in news: Tambo Art

    29 October 2022 | Prelims Only | History
    Mains GS1: GS1-01.Indian Culture- Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Tambo Art

    Mains level: NA

    tambo

    Wayanad farmer creates Ashoka Chakra using Tambo art.

    What is Tambo Art?

    • Tambo art is an artistic technique that consists of creating a design with different varieties of rice directly in a rice field.
    • The origin of this art can be traced to Japan where people plant paddy of various varieties and hues to create the desired images.
    • The image of Ashoka Chakra has been created using four varieties of paddy seeds such as Nazar bath, Kala bath, Kaki sala and Ramlee.
    • They will ripen in shades that range from brown to golden, light brown to black, green to black and green to white and black.

     

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  • Climate Change Negotiations – UNFCCC, COP, Other Conventions and Protocols

    Two Lakshadweep beaches get Blue Flag Certification

    28 October 2022 | Prelims Only | Environment
    Mains GS3: GS3-18.Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Blue Flag Certification

    Mains level: Not Much

    blue

    The globally recognised and coveted international eco-label ‘Blue Flag’ has been accorded to two new Indian beaches — Minicoy Thundi Beach and Kadmat Beach, both in Lakshadweep.

    What is Blue Flag?

    • The Blue Flag is an exclusive eco-label or certification that is given to coastal locations around the world as a badge of environmental honour.
    • The programme is run by the Copenhagen, Denmark-headquartered Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), a non-profit organization.
    • It seeks to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.
    • It started in France in 1985 and has been implemented in Europe since 1987, and in areas outside Europe since 2001 when South Africa joined.
    • Certification is awarded annually. A total 5,042 beaches, marinas, and tourism boats in 48 countries have been awarded the label so far.

    Criteria for certification

    It has 33 stringent criteria under four major heads for the beaches, that is-

    1. Environmental Education and Information
    2. Bathing Water Quality
    3. Environment Management and Conservation and
    4. Safety and Services

    Total blue beaches in India

    India now has 12 blue beaches. The other 10 Indian beaches on the list, according to the FEE site, are-

    1. Shivrajpur in Gujarat’s Devbhumi Dwarka district
    2. Ghogla beach in Diu
    3. Kasarkod (Uttara Kannada) and
    4. Padubidri (Udupi) in Karnataka;
    5. Kappad (Kozhikode) in Kerala
    6. Eden beach in Puducherry
    7. Kovalam (Chennai) in Tamil Nadu
    8. Rushikonda (Visakhapatnam) in Andhra Pradesh
    9. Golden beach in Puri, Odisha; and
    10. Radhanagar Swarajdeep in Andaman and Nicobar

    About the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)

    • The FEE is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark.
    • It was founded in 1981 as the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe (FEEE).
    • Currently, it has 77 member countries.

    Its other programmes include:

    • Green Key
    • Eco Schools
    • Young Reporters for the Environment
    • Learning about Forests
    • Global Forest Fund

     

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  • Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

    India’s first indigenous Overhauser Magnetometer

    28 October 2022 | Prelims Only | Science and Technology
    Mains GS3: GS3-16.Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Overhauser Magnetometers

    Mains level: Not Much

    magnet

    Indian scientists have developed an indigenous Overhauser Magnetometer, one of the most accurate magnetometers extensively used by all magnetic observatories around the world.

    What are Overhauser Magnetometers?

    • A magnetometer is a scientific instrument used to measure the strength and direction of the magnetic field.
    • OVH magnetometers are known for their higher accuracy, higher sensitivity, and efficient power consumption.
    • They find applications in all magnetic observatories worldwide as well as in international space programs.
    • It has so far been imported for such purposes in India.

    Feats achieved

    • The performance of this indigenously made magnetometer is at par with a commercial OVH sensor that is currently installed at the magnetic observatories of IIG.
    • The Indian OVH sensor reproduced the geomagnetic diurnal variations accurately and precisely.
    • It showed the signatures of various space weather events such as geomagnetic storms, sudden impulses, etc.
    • It would also be of potential help to develop a sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) instrument.

    Benefits of OVH magnetometers

    • OVH magnetometers reduce the cost of sampling and sensing experiments essential for geomagnetic sampling.
    • It can reduce India’s dependence on commercial OVH magnetometers for performing geomagnetic field measurements.

     

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  • Tribes in News

    Mangarh Massacre of 1913

    27 October 2022 | Prelims Only |
    Mains GS1: GS1-02.Modern Indian History- Mid-18th century – Present (significant events, personalities, issues);

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Mangarh Massacre of 1913

    Mains level: Tribal revolts in India

    mangarh

    Ahead of PM Modi’s visit to Mangarh Dham in Banswara district, Rajasthan CM has sought the declaration of the memorial for tribals as a monument of national importance.

    About Mangarh Massacre

    • Mangarh Dham is known for the massacre of tribals by the British Indian Army in 1913.
    • This place is widely referred to as Adivasi Jallianwala.
    • About 1,500 Bhil tribals and forest dwellers were killed at Mangarh on November 17, 1913, when the British Indian Army opened fire on the protesters.
    • The people were gathered to demand abolition of bonded labour system and relaxation in heavy agricultural taxes imposed by the rulers of princely states.
    • The tribals in the southern Rajasthan region were led by social reformer Govind Guru.

    Course of events

    • Govind Guru started his movement among Bhils in the early 1890s.
    • The movement had, as its religious centrepiece, the concept of a fire god, which required his followers to raise sacred hearths in front of which Bhils pray while performing the purifying havan called dhuni.
    • In 1903, the guru set up his main dhuni on Mangadh Hill.
    • Mobilised by him, the Bhils placed a charter of 33 demands before the British by 1910 primarily relating to forced labour, high tax imposed on Bhils and harassment of the guru’s followers by the princely states.
    • The Bhil struggle for justice under Govind Guru took a serious turn after the British and local rulers refused to accept the demands and tried to break the Bhagat movement in 1913.

    Try this PYQ:

    Q. Which amongst the following provided a common factor for tribal insurrection in India in the 19th century?

    (a) Introduction of a new system of land revenue and taxation of tribal products.

    (b) Influence of foreign religious missionaries in tribal areas.

    (c) Rise of a large number of money lenders, traders and revenue farmers as middlemen in tribal areas.

    (d) The complete disruption of the old agrarian order of the tribal communities.

     

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

     

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