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Type: Prelims Only

  • Tourism Sector

    Skal International Asia Area (SIAA)

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3:

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Skal International Asia Area (SIAA)

    Mains level: NA

    The UT of Jammu and Kashmir has won the bid to host the 50th annual Skal International Asia Area (SIAA) Congress in 2021 during the annual general meeting recently against four other cities.

    Note: Skal International is not an affiliate of the United Nations. This is where a prelims  question can pull a nerve.

    Skal International

    • Skal International is a professional organization of tourism leaders around the world, promoting global tourism and friendship.
    • It is a Spain-based tourism body with 15,000 members and 150 chapters across the world.
    • The word Skal comes from Scandinavia and has a long tradition. The “Skal” is a bowl containing a welcome drink that is offered to visitors when entering a home.
    • Its members, the industry’s managers and executives meet at local, national, regional and international levels to discuss and pursue topics of common interest.
    • It is the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry.

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  • Gravitational Wave Observations

    What is Raychaudhuri Equation?

    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: Raychaudhuri Equation

    Mains level: Not Much

    The Raychaudhuri Equation in General Relativity, derived by Raychaudhuri is in the spotlight after 2020 Physics Nobel was awarded to Penrose for throwing light on Black Holes.

    Try this MCQ:

    Q.The Raychaudhuri Equation is sometimes seen in news is related to:

    Artificial Intelligence/Cloud Computing/Quantum Mechanics/Space Sciences

    What is Raychaudhuri Equation?

    • Raychaudhuri (1923–2005) was an Indian physicist, known for his research in general relativity and cosmology.
    • In general relativity, the Raychaudhuri equation is a fundamental result describing the motion of nearby bits of matter.
    • It was discovered independently by the Indian physicist Amal Kumar Raychaudhuri and the Soviet physicist Lev Landau.
    • The equation offers a simple and general validation of our intuitive expectation that gravitation should be a universal attractive force between any two bits of mass-energy in general relativity, as it is in Newton’s theory of gravitation.

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  • Indian Missile Program Updates

    Anti Radiation Missile: RudraM-I

    Prelims Only | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: Indigenization Of Technology

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: RudraM-I

    Mains level: India's missile arsenal

    A New Generation Anti Radiation Missile (NGARM), RudraM-I, was successfully flight-tested by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

    Try this MCQ:

    Q.The RudraM-I recently seen in news is an:

    Ans: Anti-satellite missile/ Anti-radiation Missile/ Anti-tank mine/ Submarine Torpedo

    RudraM-I

    • RudraM-I is an anti-radiation missile can locate and target any radiation-emitting source like enemy radars, communication sites and other Radio Frequency (RF) emitting targets.
    • It is being developed by Defence Research Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, as the nodal agency.
    • It is a joint effort involving several DRDO labs, the IAF, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and several public and private sector enterprises.
    • This is the first indigenous anti-radiation missile of the country. It has a range of up to 200 km depending upon the launch conditions.
    • It can be launched from altitudes of 500 m to 15 km and speeds of 0.6 to 2 mach.
    • It can play a key role in neutralizing any jamming platforms of the enemy or take out radar stations thereby clearing a path for own fighters to carry out an offensive and also prevent own systems from being jammed.

    How does it work?

    • Anti-radiation missiles are designed to detect, track and neutralize the adversary’s radar, communication assets and other radio frequency sources, which are generally part of their air defence systems.
    • Such a missile’s navigation mechanism comprises an inertial navigation system — a computerised mechanism that uses changes in the object’s own position — coupled with GPS, which is satellite-based.
    • For guidance, it has a “passive homing head” — a system that can detect, classify and engage targets (radio frequency sources in this case) over a wide band of frequencies as programmed.
    • Once the RudraM missile locks on the target, it is capable of striking accurately even if the radiation source switches off in between.

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  • Nobel and other Prizes

    What is World Food Programme?

    Prelims Only | Trivia | Mains Paper 1: Population & Associated Issues

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: World Food Programme

    Mains level: Not Much

    The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the World Food Programme (WFP) for feeding millions of people from Yemen to North Korea, with the coronavirus pandemic seen pushing millions more into hunger.

    Tap here to read more about Nobel Prizes here at:

    Nobel and other Prizes

    World Food Programme

    • The WFP is the food-assistance branch of the United Nations and the world’s largest humanitarian organization focused on hunger and food security.
    • Founded in 1961, it is headquartered in Rome and has offices in 80 countries.
    • In addition to emergency food aid, WFP focuses on relief and rehabilitation, development aid, and special operations, such as making food systems more resilient against climate change and political instability.
    • It is an executive member of the United Nations Development Group, which collectively aims to fulfil the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), and has prioritized achieving SDG 2 for “zero hunger” by 2030.

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  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    3 contenders for National Butterfly Status

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

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: National butterflies

    Mains level: Not Much

    A citizen poll to identify the national butterfly concluded with three species garnering the highest number of votes.

    Try this PYQ:

    Q.With reference to India’s Biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet and White-throated redstart are-
    (a) Birds
    (b) Primates
    (c) Reptiles
    (d) Amphibians

    Which are the three species?

    (1) Indian Jezebel

    • Blessed with a vibrant colour pattern, including vermilion (Haldi – kumkum), the Indian Jezebel (or Common Jezebel) is known to deter its predators with its flashy wing colours.
    • Regarded as soldiers of farmers, they also prey on parasites that infest fruit-bearing plants.
    • Widely distributed, the species can be spotted in gardens and other lightly wooded areas.

    (2) Krishna Peacock

    • It is a flagship species for biodiversity and conservation, generally found in large numbers in the Himalayas.
    • Possessing a peculiarly large swallowtail, its iridescent green scales diffract light to coat itself in radiance.

    (3) Orange Oakleaf

    • It is commonly known as ‘dead leaf’ for its ability to camouflage as a dry autumn leaf while striking a stationary pose with its wings closed.
    • The masquerade enables the species to prevent it from being devoured by birds in the moist forests of the northern Western Ghats, central, northern and northeastern parts of India where they are generally found.
    • Besides, the Oakleaf is also known to exhibit polyphenism as it assumes specific colour and size during dry and wet seasons.

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  • New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

    Species in news: Abortelphusa Namdaphaensis

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

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Abortelphusa Namdaphaensis

    Mains level: Eastern Himalayas and its biodiversity

    A crab specie was recently named after Arunachal Pradesh’s pristine forests on the edge of a small stream in Namdapha Tiger Reserve.

    Try this question from CSP 2020:

    Q.With reference to India’s Biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet and White-throated redstart are:

    (a) Birds
    (b) Primates
    (c) Reptiles
    (d) Amphibians

    Abortelphusa Namdaphaensis

    • The species, a small freshwater crab species, is a tribute to Namdapha, the largest protected area in the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot and the Abor Hills.
    • It is the first Gecarcinucidae to be found in the Himalayan region. Freshwater crabs are divided into two families/categories: Potamidae and Gecarcinucidae.
    • Both differ in abdomen shape and size. Potamidae species have a broad triangular abdomen, whereas, in Gecarcinucidae, the abdomen is mostly T-shaped.
    • While the Gecarcinucidae is found in the peninsular region, the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats, Potamidae are found in the Himalayan region.

    What makes it special?

    • The new species was found in a dry area, despite being a “freshwater” crab.
    • Freshwater crabs use their gills to absorb dissolved oxygen from water, but for food, breeding, and other purposes, they do not need water, and thus roam on the land near water.
    • The only reason it was possible to spot this on land is that the habitat around the water body has been preserved, untouched even.
    • Of the 125 freshwater crabs in India, the north-east accounts for 37. Arunachal Pradesh has 15 and Assam has 21.
    • The discovery highlights the potential of Arunachal Pradesh as one of the richest biodiversity hotspots in the country.

    Back2Basics: Namdapha

    • Namdapha (named a National Park in 1983) is known for its rich biodiversity and believed to be the rare area that harbours four large cats: tigers, snow leopards, clouded leopards and leopards.
    • The Abor Hills, bordered by the Mishmi Hills and Miri Hills, is historically known for the Abor Expedition.
    • It is a punitive expedition against the Abors in the North-Eastern Frontier Agency (which corresponds to parts of present-day Assam and Arunachal Pradesh) from October 1911 to April 1912.
    • The expedition had thrown up a plethora of new floral and faunal species, making it a zoological and botanical expedition as well.

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  • Monsoon Updates

    What is Global Warming Hiatus (GWH)?

    Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 1: Important Geophysical Phenomena

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Mascerene High, Global Warming Hiatus (GWH)

    Mains level: Impact of global warming on Indian Monsoon

    A new study on variability in the Mascarene High (MH) in the Southern Indian Ocean during global warming hiatus (GWH) has revealed that the region experienced significantly increased sea surface temperature (SST) during this period (1998-2016).

    Try this PYQ:

    Q.With reference to Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT), which of the following statements is/are correct? (CSP 2020)

    1. OMT is measured upto a depth of 26 degree Celsius isotherm which is 129 meters in the south-western Indian Ocean during January-March.
    2. OMT collected during January-March can be used in assessing whether the amount of rainfall in monsoon will be less or more than a certain long-term mean.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    (a) 1 only
    (b) 2 only
    (c) Both 1 and 2
    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

    What is Global Warming Hiatus (GWH)?

    • A global warming hiatus is referred to a global warming pause, or a global warming slowdown, which is a period of relatively little change in globally averaged surface temperatures.
    • The hiatus, however, can result in an increase in the SST.

    What is Mascarene High (MH)?

    • The Mascarene High (MH) is a semi-permanent subtropical high-pressure zone in the South Indian Ocean.
    • It is also called the Indian Ocean subtropical high, which is a high-pressure area located between 20° to 35° South latitude and 40° to 90° East longitude.
    • It is a region from where the cross-equatorial winds blow to India.
    • It has been named after the Mascarene Islands, in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar consisting of the islands belonging to Mauritius as well as the French Réunion Islands.
    • Apart from its large influence on African and Australian weather patterns, it also helps in driving the inter-hemispheric circulation between the Indian Ocean in the south and subcontinental landmass in the north.

    Role of MH

    • The warming in SST due to global warming has resulted in a decrease in the pressure gradient between the MH and the Indian landmass.
    • This in turn suppressed the intensity of low-level cross-equatorial winds over the western Indian Ocean affecting the onset of the monsoon over the Indian subcontinent and rainfall over East Asia.

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  • Indian Missile Program Updates

    Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) System

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

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: SMART

    Mains level: Indian navy's arsenal

    DRDO successfully conducted the flight test of its Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) system.

    Try this MCQ:

    Q.The SMART system recently tested by the DRDO is essentially a-

    a)Radar

    b)Torpedo

    c)UAV

    d)Missile

    What is the SMART system?

    • Torpedoes are self-propelled weapons that travel underwater to hit a target but are limited by their range.
    • In the mid-2010s, DRDO undertook a project to build capacity to launch torpedoes assisted by missiles; Monday’s was the first known flight test of the system.
    • This SMART system comprises a mechanism by which the torpedo is launched from a supersonic missile system with modifications that would take the torpedo to a far longer range than its own.
    • For example, a torpedo with a range of a few kilometres can be sent a distance to the tune of 1000 km by the missile system from where the torpedo is launched.

    Why is it significant?

    • SMART is a game-changing technology demonstration in anti-submarine warfare.
    • India’s anti-submarine warfare capacity building is crucial in light of China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean region.
    • Assets of such warfare consist of the deployment of submarines, specialised anti-submarine ships, air assets and state-of-the-art reconnaissance and detection mechanisms.
    • The Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capability got a boost in June after the conclusion of a contract for Advanced Torpedo Decoy System Maareech, capable of being fired from all frontline warships.
    • India has been indigenously developing and building several anti-submarine systems and vessels in the recent past.

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  • Roads, Highways, Cargo, Air-Cargo and Logistics infrastructure – Bharatmala, LEEP, SetuBharatam, etc.

    Kozhikode-Wayanad Tunnel Project

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc.

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: About the Tunnel, EIA

    Mains level: NA

    Kerala CM has launched a tunnel road project that would connect Kozhikode with Wayanad.

    Try this PYQ:

    Q.From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats?

    (a) Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve

    (b) Nallamala Forest

    (c) Nagarhole National Park

    (d) Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve

    Kozhikode-Wayanad Tunnel Project

    • The 7-km tunnel, being described as the third-longest in the country, is part of an 8-km road cutting through sensitive forests and hills of the Western Ghats.
    • Its endpoints are at Maripuzha in Thiruvambady village panchayat (Kozhikode) and Kalladi in Meppadi panchayat (Wayanad).
    • The tunnel is an outcome of a decades-long campaign for an alternative road as the Thamarassery Ghat Road is congested and gets blocked by landslides during heavy monsoon.

    How will the road impact the ecology?

    • The Forest Department has identified the proposed route as a highly sensitive patch comprising evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, marshlands and shola tracts.
    • This region is part of an elephant corridor spread between Wayanad and Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu.
    • Two major rivers, Chaliyar and Kabani that flows to Karnataka, originate from these hills in Wayanad.
    • Eruvazhanjipuzha, a tributary of Chaliyar and the lifeline of settlements in Malappuram and Kozhikode, begins in the other side of the hills.
    • The region, known for torrential rain during the monsoon, has witnessed several landslides, including in 2019 at Kavalappura near Nilambur and at Puthumala, Meppadi in Wayanad.

    Environmental clearance issues

    • Proponents of the project have been stressing that the tunnel will not destroy forest (trees).
    • The MoEFCC guidelines state that the Forest Act would apply not only to surface area but the entire underground area beneath the trees.
    • For tunnel projects, conditions relating to underground mining would be applicable.
    • As the proposed tunnel is 7 km long, it will require emergency exit points and air ventilation wells among other measures, which would impact the forest further.

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  • Innovations in Biotechnology and Medical Sciences

    2020 Nobel for Hepatitis C Virus discovery

    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: Hepatitis

    Mains level: Not Much

    Americans Harvey J Alter and Charles M Rice, and British scientist Michael Houghton were awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology on Monday for the discovery of the hepatitis C virus.

    Try this PYQ:

    Q.Which one of the following statements is not correct? (CSP 2019)

    (a) Hepatitis B virus is transmitted much like HIV.

    (b) Hepatitis B. unlike Hepatitis C, does not have a vaccine.

    (c) Globally, the number of people infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses arc several times more than those infected with HIV.

    (d) Some of those infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses do not show the symptoms for many years.

    Hepatitis C Virus

    • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a bloodborne virus and causes liver diseases. It refers to an inflammatory condition of the liver.
    • The novel virus caused several deaths in the 1960s and 1970s — but remained unknown until its discovery in the late 1980s.

    What are other Hepatitis Viruses?

    • Before the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus, two other viruses were known to cause hepatitis in patients.
    • The Hepatitis A virus was known to spread mainly through contaminated food and water and caused a relatively milder form of liver inflammation.
    • Hepatitis B, discovered in the 1960s, was known to transmit mainly through infected blood and caused a more serious form of the disease.
    • Incidentally, the discovery of the Hepatitis B virus too was rewarded with a Nobel Prize in Medicine, given to Baruch Blumberg in 1976. There are vaccines available for this disease now.

    How Hepatitis C came to observation?

    • The discovery and identification of the Hepatitis B virus facilitated the development of a diagnostic test to detect its presence in blood.
    • Thereafter, only blood sanitized from this virus would be given to patients, but it was observed that even this sanitized blood was able to prevent only 20% of the blood-borne hepatitis cases.
    • It was then that the search for the new virus began.

    How is Hepatitis C treated?

    • Presently there is no vaccine available for HCV. However, it can be treated with antiviral medication.
    • Hepatitis A and B are preventable by vaccine.

    Back2Basics:

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/in-news-nobel-prize/

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