Daily Prelims Notes 1 August 2023

Daily Prelims Notes

1 August 2023

Table Of Contents

1. Fiscal deficit
2. At 8.2%, June core output hits 5­month high as coal, cement, steel shine
3. GST evasion and measures taken
4. Cheetah deaths at Kuno National Park troubling but not unduly alarming: NTCA to SC
5. The Atlantic is at risk of circulation collapse – it would mean even greater climate chaos across Europe
6. India among the 12 countries responsible for 52% of the world’s mismanaged plastic waste: Report
7. Who are the Paharis and Paddaris, proposed for ST status in J&K?
8. G20’s Culture Unites All campaign: Shared heritage, mutual respect
9. The Hybrid EV Imperative
10. Akira Ransomware
11. Space debris and Rules governing

1. Fiscal deficit

Subject: Economy

Section: Fiscal Policy

High capital expenditure coupled with lower growth in tax collection widened fiscal deficit during the first three months (April-June) of fiscal year 2023-24 to a little over 25 per cent of the annual target of ₹17.87-lakh crore, data made public by the Controller General of Accounts on Monday showed. The fiscal deficit for the corresponding period of the previous fiscal was 21 per cent.

Fiscal Deficit

• The government describes fiscal deficit of India as “the excess of total disbursements from the Consolidated Fund of India, excluding repayment of the debt, over total receipts into the Fund (excluding the debt receipts) during a financial year”.
• The government that has a fiscal deficit is spending beyond its means.
• It is calculated as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), or simply as total money spent in excess of income.
• In either case, the income figure includes only taxes and other revenues and excludes money borrowed to make up the shortfall.

Formula:

• Fiscal Deficit = Total expenditure of the government (capital and revenue expenditure) – Total income of the government (Revenue receipts + recovery of loans + other receipts).
• Expenditure component: The government in its Budget allocates funds for several works, including payments of salaries, pensions, etc. (revenue expenditure) and creation of assets such as infrastructure, development, etc. (capital expenditure).
• Income component: The income component is made of two variables, revenue generated from taxes levied by the Centre and the income generated from non-tax variables.
• The taxable income consists of the amount generated from corporation tax, income tax, Customs duties, excise duties, GST, among others.
• Meanwhile, the non-taxable income comes from external grants, interest receipts, dividends and profits, receipts from Union Territories, among others.
• It is different from revenue deficit which is only related to revenue expenditure and revenue receipts of the government.
• The government meets the fiscal deficit by borrowing money. In a way, the total borrowing requirements of the government in a financial year is equal to the fiscal deficit in that year.
• A high fiscal deficit can also be good for the economy if the money spent goes into the creation of productive assets like highways, roads, ports and airports that boost economic growth and result in job creation.
• The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003 provides that the Centre should take appropriate measures to limit the fiscal deficit upto 3% of the GDP by 31st March, 2021.
• The central theme of the Budget 2022-23 was investment in infrastructure, and development.
• Sitharaman announced capital expenditure at ₹7.5-lakh crore. That’s about 2.9 per cent of GDP.
• Together with grant-in-aid to States, the effective capital expenditure for 2022-23 is projected to be about 4.1 per cent of GDP. The nominal GDP growth assumption of

What is Capital Expenditure-?

• Capital expenditure (Capex) is the money spent by the government on the development of machinery, equipment, building, health facilities, education, etc.
• Capital expenditure includes money spent on the following:
  • Acquiring fixed and intangible assets
  • Upgrading an existing asset
  • Repairing an existing asset
  • Repayment of loan

2. At 8.2%, June core output hits 5­month high as coal, cement, steel shine

Subject :Economy

Section: National Income

Context: India’s core industries output hits 5-month high at 8.2% in June 2023

Core Sector

• Core industry can be defined as the main industry which has a multiplier effect on the economy.
• In most countries, there is particular industry that seems to be backbone of all other industries and it qualifies to be the core industry.
• The eight Core Industries in decreasing order of their weightage: Refinery Products> Electricity> Steel> Coal> Crude Oil> Natural Gas> Cement> Fertilizers.
• The Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

IIP

• It is a composite indicator that measures the short-term changes in the volume of production of a basket of industrial products during a given period with respect to that in a chosen base period.
• It is compiled and published monthly by the National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation six weeks after the reference month ends.
• CSO revised the base year of the all-India Index of Industrial Production (IIP) from 2004-05 to 2011-12.
• The IIP number measures the industrial production for the period under review, usually a month, as against the reference period.
• IIP is a key economic indicator of the manufacturing sector of the economy.
• There is a lag of six weeks in the publication of the IIP index data after the reference month ends.
• Sectoral Composition of the IIP in decreasing order of weight: Manufacturing> Mining>Electricity.
• Electricity, crude oil, coal, cement, steel, refinery products, natural gas, and fertilizers are the eight core industries that comprise about 40 per cent of the weight of items included in the IIP.
• The eight core industries in decreasing order of their weightage: Refinery Products (28.04 %)> Electricity (19.85 %)> Steel (17.92 %) > Coal (10.33 %)> Crude Oil (8.98 %)> Natural Gas (6.88 %)> Cement (5.37 %)> Fertilizers (2.63 %).
• Refinery Products has the highest weightage followed by electricity generation

3. GST evasion and measures taken

Subject: Economy

Section :Fiscal Policy

In News: GST evasion of a total Rs 2.68 lakh crore has been detected in 43,516 cases between 2020-23.

Key Points:

• GST evasion worth Rs 1.32 lakh crore was detected in 15,562 cases in the 2022-23 financial year, an increase of 44 per cent over the previous financial year, as per data tabled in the parliament.
• With the availability of information in electronic form, the Income Tax Department has developed a wide range of non-intrusive methods for detecting tax evasion.
• GST is taking a multi pronged approach to address the problem of evasion:
  • Information technology and data analytics tools are being used in identification of high-risk cases, fast e-verification of suspect cases and enforcement actions in appropriate cases.
  • GST department is also sharing data with partner law enforcement agencies for more targeted interventions (see box2)
  • Reduction in threshold limit for issue of e-invoice for B2B transactions from Rs 10 crore to Rs 5 crore from August 1, 2023.
• Some of the specific tools being used are:
  • Computer Assisted Scrutiny Selection (CASS) for selection of cases for Scrutiny;
  • Non-filers Monitoring System (NMS) to prioritise action on non-filers;
  • Income Tax Business Application (ITBA)

4. Cheetah deaths at Kuno National Park troubling but not unduly alarming: NTCA to SC

Subject: ENVIRONEMNT

Section :Environment legislation

Context: e Ministry of Environment and Forests and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) have told the Supreme Court the death of five adult cheetahs and three cubs at KNP is troubling but not “unduly alarming”, and the surviving big cats are being captured and medically examined as a precautionary measure.

NTCA

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change constituted under enabling provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2006, for strengthening tiger conservation, as per powers and functions assigned to it under the said Act.

NTCA has been fulfilling its mandate within the ambit of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 for strengthening tiger conservation in the country by retaining an oversight through advisories/normative guidelines, based on appraisal of tiger status, ongoing conservation initiatives and recommendations of specially constituted Committees.

The ‘Project Tiger’ is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, providing funding support to tiger range States for in-situ conservation of tigers in designated tiger reserves, and has put the endangered tiger on an assured path of recovery by saving it from extinction, as revealed by the recent findings of the All India tiger estimation using the refined methodology.

The objectives of NTCA are:

1. Providing statutory authority to Project Tiger so that compliance of its directives become legal.
2. Fostering accountability of Center-State in management of Tiger Reserves, by providing a basis for MoU with States within our federal structure.
3. Providing for an oversight by Parliament.
4. Addressing livelihood interests of local people in areas surrounding Tiger Reserves.

Powers and functions of the National Tiger Conservation Authority as prescribed under section 38O (1) and (2) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2006 are as under:-

1. to approve the tiger conservation plan prepared by the State Government under section 38 O (1) (a) of this Act
2. evaluate and assess various aspects of sustainable ecology and disallow any ecologically unsustainable land use such as, mining, industry and other projects within the tiger reserves
3. lay down normative standards for tourism activities and guidelines for project tiger from time to time for tiger conservation in the buffer and core area of tiger reserves and ensure their due compliance
4. provide for management focus and measures for addressing conflicts of men and wild animal and to emphasize on co-existence in forest areas outside the National Parks, sanctuaries or tiger reserve, in the working plan code
5. provide information on protection measures including future conservation plan, estimation of population of tiger and its natural prey species, status of habitats, disease surveillance, mortality survey, patrolling, reports on untoward happenings and such other management aspects as it may deem fit including future plan conservation
6. approve, co-ordinate research and monitoring on tiger, co-predators, prey habitat, related ecological and socio-economic parameters and their evaluation
7. ensure that the tiger reserves and areas linking one protected area or tiger reserve with another protected area or tiger reserve are not diverted for ecologically unsustainable uses, except in public interest and with the approval of the National Board for Wild Life and on the advice of the Tiger Conservation Authority
8. facilitate and support the tiger reserve management in the State for biodiversity conservation initiatives through eco-development and people\’s participation as per approved management plans and to support similar initiatives in adjoining areas consistent with the Central and State laws
9. ensure critical support including scientific, information technology and legal support for better implementation of the tiger conservation plan
10. facilitate ongoing capacity building programme for skill development of officers and staff of tiger reserves, and
11. perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act with regard to conservation of tigers and their habitat.

(2) The Tiger Conservation Authority may, in the exercise of its powers and performance of its functions under this Chapter, issue directions in writing to any person, officer or authority for the protection of tiger or tiger reserves and such person, officer or authority shall be bound to comply with the directions.

5. The Atlantic is at risk of circulation collapse – it would mean even greater climate chaos across Europe

Subject: Geography

Section :Physical geography

Context:

• New findings suggest the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, or AMOC, could collapse within the next few decades — maybe even within the next few years — driving European weather to even greater extremes.

Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC):

• The AMOC is a large system of ocean currents.
• It is the Atlantic branch of the ocean conveyor belt or Thermohaline circulation (THC).
  • THC is a part of the large-scale ocean circulation that is driven by global density gradients created by surface heat and freshwater fluxes.
• AMOC distributes heat and nutrients throughout the world’s ocean basins.
• It carries warm surface waters from the tropics towards the Northern Hemisphere, where it cools and sinks.
• Collapse of AMOC:
  • AMOC is also only one part of the wider Gulf Stream system, much of which is driven by winds that will continue to blow even if the AMOC collapses. So part of the Gulf Stream will survive an AMOC collapse.
  • Larger ocean temperature extremes may alter the character of weather systems that are powered by heat and moisture from the sea.
• Implications:
  • A prominent cooling over the northern North Atlantic and neighbouring areas,
  • Sea ice increases over the Greenland-Iceland-Norwegian seas and to the south of Greenland.
  • A significant southward rain-belt migration over the tropical Atlantic.
• Previous events of slowdown of AMOC:
  • Northern Europe experienced successive severe winters in 2009-10 and 2010-11, subsequently attributed to a brief slowdown of the Amoc. At the same time heat had built up in the tropics, fuelling an unusually active June-November hurricane season in 2010.
  • In the mid 2010s a “cold blob” formed in the North Atlantic, reaching its most extreme in the summer of 2015 when it coincided with heatwaves in central Europe and was one of the only parts of the world cooler than its long-term average.
  • The cold blob suggested the persistence of a week AMOC.

Significance of AMOC for Europe:

• During northern winters, AMOC keeps the temperature of north europe higher than the average temperature of that latitude by as much as 20^oC.
• The northeast Pacific — and therefore western Canada and Alaska — enjoys a more modest 10°C warming from a similar current, while prevailing westerly winds mean the northwest Atlantic and northwest Pacific are much colder, as are the adjacent land masses of eastern Canada and Siberia.

How ocean temperatures are linked to weather:

• Due to increase in sea surface temperature from tropics to arctic regions, temperatures have persisted 1°C-2°C above or below normal levels, for months or even years on end. These patterns appear to exert a strong influence on the atmosphere, even influencing the path and strength of the jet stream.

6. India among the 12 countries responsible for 52% of the world’s mismanaged plastic waste: Report

Subject: ENVIRONEMNT

Section :Pollution

Context:

• On July 28, 2023, the Earth saw its first Plastic Overshoot Day: The point at which the amount of plastics exceeds the global waste management capacity, according to Swiss-based research consultancy Earth Action (EA).

Details:

• Report: 2023 Plastic Overshoot Day
• Published by: Earth Action (EA)
• Major finding:
  • Nearly 68,642,999 tonnes of additional plastic waste will end up in nature this year.
  • India is among the 12 countries, along with China, Brazil, Indonesia, Thailand, Russia, Mexico, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran and Kazakhstan, which are responsible for 52 per cent of the world’s mismanaged plastic waste.
  • The researchers categorised countries into 10 archetypes to carry out the analysis: The transactors, the self-sustainers, the strugglers, the overloaders, the toxic exporters, the waste saviours, the waste sponges, the selective exporters, the exporting polluters and the small-scale inward polluters.
  • Among these, plastic pollution particularly impacts developing countries without mature waste management systems, including India. These countries have been categorised as ‘waste sponges’.
    • Waste sponges have a low plastic consumption yet a high level of plastic pollution.
• Report suggestions:
  • Strict adherence to the Extended producer responsibility (EPR)
  • Phase out of plastics which are not designed for circular use.

Increased plastic pollution:

• The imbalance between the volumes of plastic that are produced and used, as well as the world’s ability to manage those volumes when they become waste, is the root cause of plastic pollution. The gap in waste management capacity and plastic consumption is called Mismanaged Waste Index (MWI).
• Under current scenarios, despite pledges and increased waste management capacity, increased production of plastics will lead to global plastics pollution tripling by 2040.
• Of the 159 million tonnes of plastics (which can be used only for a short time) to be produced globally in 2023, 43 per cent (68.5 million tonnes) will end up causing pollution.
• Plastic Overshoot Day (28 July 2023) is four days ahead of Earth Overshoot Day (2 August 2023).

Per Capita plastic consumption:

• Highest in Iceland, with annual consumption of 128.9 kg per person.
• This is 24.3 times higher than the yearly consumption per person of 5.3 kg in India.
• The global average consumption of plastic per person per year is 20.9 kg.
• Overshoot Day for India, or the date when the amount of plastic waste outweighed the country’s ability to manage it, was January 6 2023. Plastic Overshoot Day is determined based on a country’s Mismanaged Waste Index (MWI).
• Three countries (followed by India) with the highest mismanaged waste — Mozambique (99.8 per cent), Nigeria (99.44 per cent) and Kenya (98.9 per cent) — belong to Africa.
• India ranks fourth in the MWI, with 98.55 per cent of generated waste being mismanaged and fares poorly in the management of plastics waste.

Criticism of the report:

• The report does not mention the source of the information that it has published especially with respect to the mismanaged waste index of India.
• According to CSE’s report, The Plastic Life Cycle, India recycles 12.3 per cent of its plastic waste and incinerates 20 per cent.
• The centralised EPR portal developed by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change also suggests India has a cumulative capacity to process 14.2 million tonnes of plastic waste annually. This includes recycling and incineration, indicating that the country has the capacity to process 71 per cent of all the primary plastic that is produced.

UN Plastic Treaty:

• In March 2022, UNGA adopted the Global Treaty to end plastic pollution by 2040.
• The UNEA resolution 5/14 titled “End plastic pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument” calls for the international legally binding instrument to promote a comprehensive lifecycle approach to chemicals and waste through sustainable production and consumption of plastics by adopting sound product design, and environment-friendly waste management.

7. Who are the Paharis and Paddaris, proposed for ST status in J&K?

Subject : Geography

Section: Human geography

Context:

• The government has brought a bill to include four communities in the list of Scheduled Tribes (STs) in J&K, ‘Gadda Brahman’, ‘koli’, ‘Paddari Tribe’, and ‘Pahari Ethnic Group’.

Details:

• The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023 is one of the four Bills relating to the Union Territory that were introduced in Lok Sabha.
• Gujjar- Bakarwals are protesting against the order as they are saying that Gadda Brahmins are a branch of the Gaddis and Kolis are a sub-caste of Sippis– both these communities are already in the ST list.

ST communities now:

• The dominant communities in J&K are the Gujjars and Bakerwals, who mainly live in the districts of Rajouri, Poonch, Raesi, Kishtwar, Anantnag, Bandipora, Ganderbal, and Kupwara.
• Most of them specially the Bakerwals are nomadic– they migrate with their livestock to the higher reaches in the summer, and return before the onset of winter.
• Gujjar- Bakarwals are the third largest group in J&K after the Kashmiris and Dogras.
• They were given ST status in 1991, along with the two smaller groups of Gaddis and Sippis.
• In 2019, they were given the reservation of 10% in Lok Sabha and Assembly seats of J&K.

Pahari ethnic group:

• The Paharis are Hindus (some upper caste), Muslims (some are from Pakistan occupied Kashmir), and Sikhs, and include people of Kashmiri Origin who settled in the districts of Rajouri and Poonch over a period of time.
• In 2012-13 J&K government commissioned a study by Prof Amin Peerzada of Kashmir University, which supported the ST status of Paharis. Though the centre rejected the demand at that time.
• The Paharis finally got 4% reservation in jobs and educational institutions in 2019.
• Also in 2019, Justice (retd) G.D. Sharma commission was appointed to identify groups that were socially, educationally and economically backward.
• The commission in its report recommended the ST status for Gadda brahmins, kolis, Paddari Tribe and Pahari ethnic Group.

Paddari Tribe:

• They live in the remote Paddar area of the hilly Kishtwar district.
• The Paddari homeland borders Zanskar (Ladakh) in the north and the east, Pangi in Himachal Pradesh in the south, and the rest of J&K in the west.
• As per 2011 census, Paddari population was 21548, comprising 83.6% hindus, 9.5% buddhists, and 6.8% muslims.
• The people of that area speak Paddari language.

What is the Process of Inclusion in the ST List?

• The process to include tribes in the ST list begins with the recommendation from the respective State governments, which are then sent to the Tribal Affairs Ministry, which reviews and sends them to the Registrar General of India for approval.
• This is followed by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes’ approval before the list is sent to the Cabinet for a final decision.

8. G20’s Culture Unites All campaign: Shared heritage, mutual respect

Subject : History

Section: Art and culture

Context:

• As a part of its hallmark campaign “Culture Unites All”, the Culture Working Group (CWG) under India’s G20 Presidency set a Guinness World Record for “the largest display of Lambani items”.

Details:

• Nearly 450 women crafts persons created over 1,755 Lambani embroidered patches that formed a beautiful art installation in the Yeduru Basavanna complex close to the famous Virupaksha temple in Hampi, the capital of the 14th century Vijayanagara kingdom on the banks of the Tungabhadra.
• This record aligns with the third priority articulated by the CWG of India’s G20 Presidency, “Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries and Creative Economy”.
• The CWG, under India’s G20 presidency, strives to position culture at the heart of policymaking.

Culture Unites All Campaign:

• The “Culture Unites All” campaign launched during the first G20 CWG meeting in Khajuraho.
• It is a call for action to celebrate the commonalities across the myriad cultures of the world that are distinct yet so connected.
• It advocates for cultural diversity as a strength to be valued and a magnetic force holding societies together.

Lambani embroidery:

• Regional embroidery traditions — kantha, kashida, phulkari, chikankari etc. — are vibrant facets of India’s creative economy. As repositories of centuries-old cultural expressions, these traditions not only fulfil social and economic needs but also narrate stories of our collective wisdom.
• The exquisite lambani embroidery tradition that thrives in numerous villages across the Karnataka region is also a recipient of the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
• It is practised and led by women of the Lambani community, serves as a significant source of livelihood and sustenance for the community.
• The uniqueness of this craft lies in the process of piecing together patches of discarded fabric through intricate stitching patterns, which are embellished manually.
• Lambani embroidery uses a total of fourteen types of stitches, namely – Kilan, Vele, Bakkya, Maki, Suryakanti Maki, Kans, Tera Dora, Kaudi, Relo, Gadri, Bhuriya, Pote, Jollya and Nakra.
• The Lambani patchwork embroidery exemplifies the many traditional sustainable living heritage practices of India and strongly resonates with the “Culture for LiFE” initiative of the G20 CWG of India, promoting an environmentally conscious lifestyle and concerted action towards sustainability.
• The techniques and aesthetic sensibilities of the embroidery traditions of the Lambanis recur across Eastern Europe, West Asia and Central Asia.

9. The Hybrid EV Imperative

Subject : Science and technology

Section: Msc

What is an electric vehicle (EV)?

Any vehicle propelled by an electric drivetrain, taking electric power from a portable, electrical energy source.

What are different types of EV?

1. Full EV

• also known as plug-in or battery EV.
• No IC engine so no tail-pipe emissions
• Larger battery of 20 – 120 kWh.
• Only be charged from grid.

2. Hybrid EV

• IC engine is used to produce electricity using electric generator.
• Small battery of 1 – 5 kWh is used as energy buffer.
• Battery cannot be charged from the grid.

3.   Plug-in hybrid EV

• Hybrid EV with much larger battery of 5 – 15 kWh.
• Battery can also be charged from grid.
•  Can operate as full EV.

4.   Fuel-cell EV

•  Uses fuel-cell to produce electricity
•  A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy of a fuel (often hydrogen) and an oxidizing agent (often oxygen) into electricity.

What are the different measures of emissions for EVs?

1.   Wheel to wheel Emissions

• Tail-pipe emissions
  •  Amount of pollutants from exhaust gases of IC engine.
  • A full EV or Plug-in EV has no ICE hence no tail pipe emission
• From fuel production – electricity or fossil fuels
  • Depending on whether source is renewable or no-renewable

2.   Life-cycle emissions

• More comprehensive index
• Includes emissions due to –

1. Wheel to wheel emissions
2. vehicle and battery production
3. maintenance
4. end-of-life recycling

How EVs are better compared to conventional ICE?

1.   Environmental impact: Zero tailpipe emissions, reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
2.   Higher efficiency in converting energy to power at the wheels.
3.   Lower operating costs
4.   Quiet and smooth operation
5.   Reduced dependence on fossil fuels
6.   Regenerative braking
7.     Capturing energy during braking to increase efficiency and extend range.
8.   Renewable energy integration
9.   Public health benefits
10.     Improved air quality, especially in urban areas
11.   Reduced noise pollution.

What are the challenges to transitioning to EVs?

1.   Lack of fast charging infrastructure
2.     Range – anxiety of people for longer distances
3.   High capital and installation cost of charger
4.     High variations in capacity (generally, 50 – 350 kWh for cars and up to 1000 kWh for heavy-duty vehicles
5.   Requirement of high-capacity connections (new transformer)
6.   Non availability and accessibility of grid in developing nations
7.   Mass-market point of cars are much lower in developing nations compared to developed nations due to –
8.     Higher battery costs.
9.   Sub-optimal battery technology
10.   Persistent resistance to change due to lack of awareness

How hybrid EVs and Plug-in hybrid EVs is a better option for this transition?

1. Better fuel economy
   1. Hybrid EV – 1.5-2x times higher than conventional IC engine
   2. Plug-in Hybrid EV –
      • 3-4x times higher fuel economy as it can cover short, day to day commutes in full electric mode
2. Lower net emissions
   1. Depending on extent of decarbonisation of grids of different countries
   2. According to International council of clean transportation, the lifecycle emissions of hybrid EVs with that of conventional EVs in Europe has 20-23% lower emissions
3. No need of new infrastructure
4. purchase price is only 5 – 15% higher than conventional vehicles and is independent of the vehicle range
5. Quieter operation, especially in electric-only mode.
6. No range anxiety
7. No need of large batteries

What are the challenges of Hybrid EVs in particular?

1.   Higer emissions compared to full EVs charging through renewable energy.
2.   Limited all electric range
3.   Lack of innovation and development due to future market focus on full EVs.
4.   Complex electronics and higher cost of repairs
5.   Reduced fuel economy over time

How to overcome these challenges?

1.   Regenerative braking for hybrid EVs
2.   An engine start-stop mechanism to save fuel at traffic junctions and in heavy traffic.

10. Akira Ransomware

Subject : Science and technology

Section: Awareness in IT

Context:

The Computer Emergency Response Team of India has issued an alert for the ransomware dubbed “Akira.”

What is Ransomware?

Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts a victim’s files or computer system and demands a ransom for decryption.

For example, WannaCry: A widespread ransomware attack that occurred in 2017, affecting hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide.

What is Akira Ransomware?

• Target both Windows and Linux devices
• Forces victims to pay double ransom for decryption and recovery
• Designed to encrypt data, create a ransomware note and delete Windows Shadow Volume copies on affected devices.
• Modifies file name with ‘.akira’
• Close processes on system which may keep it from encrypting
• Uses VPN services
• Deletes the Windows Shadow Volume copies on the affected device

What is VSS Services?

• Volume shadow copy services (VSS) can create backup copies or snapshots of computer files or volumes, even when they are in use.

How does Akira ransomware work?

1. Terminates active Windows services preventing any interference with the encryption process.
2. Does not encrypt system files and components essential for stability of system.
3. Once sensitive data is stolen, leaves behind a note containing –
   1. Information about attack
   2. Link to leak and negotiation site
4. Each victim is given a unique negotiation password to be entered into the threat actor’s Tor site to negotiate with ransomware gang.

What is dark web and tor site?

1. The dark web is a hidden part of the internet, accessible only through specialized software like the Tor browser, known for its anonymity and hosting illegal activities.
2. Tor—short for the Onion Routing project—is an open-source privacy network that enables anonymous web browsing.

How ransomware infects devices?

1. Phishing emails with malicious attachments.
2. Drive-by-download
   1. a cyberattack that unintentionally downloads malicious code onto a device.
3. Specially crafted web links in emails – downloads malicious code.
4. Exploiting Software Vulnerabilities
5. Malvertising
   1. use of malicious advertisements (malvertising) on legitimate websites to redirect users to sites hosting ransomware
6. Infected Software
7. Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Attacks
8. External Devices
9. File-sharing Networks

How to protect against ransomware?

1.   CERT-In has advised users to follow basic internet hygiene and protection protocols
2.   Includes maintaining up to date offline backups of critical data, to prevent data loss in the event of an attack.
3.   Use of Reliable Security Software
4.   Keeping Software Updated
5.   Exercising Caution with Email
6.   Enabling Macro Security
7.   Avoiding Suspicious Websites
8.   Backup Data Regularly
9.   Using Strong and Unique Passwords
10. Disabling Remote Desktop Services (if not needed)
11. Educating Users about Ransomware Risks
12. Staying Informed about Latest Threats and Security Best Practices.

11. Space debris and Rules governing

Subject: Science and  technology

Section: Space technology

Context:

The Australian Space agency has verified that the debris discovered on the shores of western Australia belongs to an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) rocket.

What is space debris?

Space debris, also known as space junk, refers to defunct human-made objects in Earth’s orbit that no longer serve any useful purpose and pose a risk to operational spacecraft and satellites.

What are different types of space debris?

1. Fragmentation Debris – Result of collisions or explosions, varying in size
2. Non-Functional Satellites – Defunct or non-operational satellites
3. Rocket Bodies – Spent stages of launch vehicles left in orbit
4. Mission-Related Debris – Lost or released items during space missions
5. Paint Flecks and Micrometeoroids – Small particles that pose threats due to high velocities
6. Dust and Thermal Blankets – Fine particles and insulation materials
7. Payload Fairings – Protective covers jettisoned after launch
8. Spent Rocket Motors – Casings left from used solid rocket propellants
9. Nuclear Debris – Debris from nuclear-powered satellites or reactors

What are the threats posed by space debris?

1. In Space –
   1. Collision Risks – Space debris can collide with satellites and spacecraft, causing damage and disruptions
   2. Debris Generation – Collisions can create more debris, leading to a dangerous chain reaction – Kessler Syndrome
   3. Interference – can hinder space operations and spacewalks
2. On Earth –
   1. Re-Entry Hazards – Larger debris may pose risks upon re-entry, potentially damaging property or endangering lives
   2. Aviation Risk – collisions with aircraft pose threats to aviation safety
   3. Environmental Impact – Debris falling into oceans can harm marine life, and hazardous materials may cause pollution
   4. Liability – Launching states are “absolutely liable” for damage caused by their space debris.

How damage caused by space debris can be prevented?

1. In Space –
   1. Active Debris Removal – technologies for removing hazardous space debris, Remove DEBRIS project of Airbus
   2. Deorbiting – deorbiting of defunct satellites and stages
   3. Space Traffic Management – Improve coordination to avoid collisions
   4. Spacecraft Design – Implement measures for debris survivability
   5. Collision Avoidance – Use manoeuvres to avoid potential collisions
2. On Earth –
   1. Controlled Re-Entry – Ensure safe re-entry of larger objects
   2. Education – Raise awareness about responsible space practices
   3. Regulations – Establish guidelines for responsible space operations
      1. Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, 1971
   4. Monitoring – Track space debris for timely warnings, Project NETRA of ISRO
   5. Environmental Considerations – Design spacecraft with eco-friendly materials

What is space situational awareness (SSA)?

• Ability to detect, track, and predict the positions and movements of objects in space, including satellites and space debris
• Involves monitoring the space environment, enabling collision avoidance manoeuvres and ensuring safe and efficient space operations
• Project Netra of ISRO aims to achieve SSA for India.

Is there any law regulating space junk?

The Space Liability Convention of 1972 defines responsibility for damage caused by space objects

• Also known as Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects
• Launching states are “absolutely liable” for compensation for damage to Earth’s surface or aircraft caused by their space objects
• Cover damages in space as well as on earth
• The launching state is required to pay compensation for damage caused by its space objects
  • resulted in compensation payment only once so far – Canada received CAD 3 million from Soviet Union in 1978 for a satellite with radioactive substance that fell into an uninhabited region
• No-Fault Liability – The launching state is automatically liable for any harm caused by its space object