Daily Prelims Notes 10 March 2025

March 10, 2025
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

10 March 2025

Table Of Contents

1. ‘Alarming regression’ in path to peace in South Sudan, UN commission warns

Sub : IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has warned of an “alarming regression” in the country’s peace process due to recent clashes in the northeast.
The violence, primarily between security forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and an armed group allegedly linked to Vice President Riek Machar, threatens the fragile power-sharing agreement reached in 2018. This agreement was meant to end the civil war but has seen little progress.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has played a role in monitoring peace efforts, providing humanitarian assistance, and attempting to mediate between the warring factions.

Background:

South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, gained independence in 2011. However, the country descended into a devastating civil war by 2013, resulting in more than 400,000 deaths and over 1 million displaced persons.
South Sudan’s conflict is deeply rooted in ethnic divisions and political struggles for power between the Dinka (Kiir’s group) and Nuer (Machar’s group).

Peace Agreement:

In 2018, both sides signed the Revitalised Agreement on Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). The agreement aimed to establish peace by:
- Uniting the warring factions under a single army.
- Drafting a new constitution.
- Preparing for general elections and conducting a census.
- Disarming other armed groups.
However, despite the peace deal, the implementation of these reforms has been sluggish, and tensions persist between the two leaders and their respective factions.

Recent Clashes and Escalating Violence:

February 2025 saw violence erupt in Nasir County in Upper Nile State between Sudanese armed forces and a youth militia. The violence is believed to have been triggered by rumours of forced disarmament.
Armed clashes involving heavy weaponry have spread to other regions, including Western Equatoria.
President Kiir’s government has accused Riek Machar’s party, the SPLM-IO, of supporting the violence. Specifically, the White Army, a Nuer militia, was allegedly working with Machar’s faction.

About South Sudan:

South Sudan is a landlocked country in East-Central Africa.
It gained independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011, after decades of civil war and struggles for autonomy.
The country is bordered by Sudan to the north, Ethiopia to the east, Kenya, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the south, and the Central African Republic to the west.
The country is home to more than 60 different ethnic groups, with the largest groups being the Dinka, Nuer, and Shilluk.

2. Thakkolam temple, a treasure trove of Tamil history, needs restoration

Sub : History

Sec: Art and Culture

Context:

The Jalanatheswarar Temple in Thakkolam, is an important historical site, particularly from the Chola period, has suffered severe deterioration, and its structural condition is in urgent need of restoration.

About the temple:

The Jalanatheswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva located in Thakkolam, in the Ranipet district of Tamil Nadu.
Lord Shiva the Presiding Deity is known as Jalanatheeswarar and His Consort Goddess Parvathi is called as Giriraja Kannikambal.
The temple is a significant historical monument, particularly from the Chola era, and has deep roots in Tamil history, dating back to the reign of the Pallavas and Cholas.
The temple was constructed by the Pallavas in the 6th century.

Current Condition of the Temple:

The northern outer wall of the temple, situated on the banks of the Kosasthalaiyar River, has collapsed, and the temple tank is in a derelict state, surrounded by overgrown vegetation and debris.
The wall’s collapse was reportedly caused by rainfall, and the last kumbabishekam (consecration) of the temple took place over 15 years ago.

History of Thakkolam:

The original name of Thakkolam was Thiruvural, as evidenced by hymns from Saivite Minstrels (traveling composers and saints who spread the philosophy of Shaivism).
A total of 51 inscriptions are found in the Jalanatheswarar Temple, including references to Pallava King Aparajita and Chola rulers. These inscriptions shed light on the town’s history and its role during various reigns.
Kalaikovan, a historian, mentions that during the reign of Chalukya King Vimaladitya, who married Kundavai, the daughter of Rajaraja Chola, the town’s name evolved from Thiruvural to Thakkolamana Thiruvuralpuram.
According to epigraphist Padmavathi, the town’s ancient name was Aparajita-Chaturvedimangalam, a name that was used during the reign of Pallava King Aparajitavaraman.
Recently, the town made news when the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) renamed its Recruits Training Centre (RTC) in Arakkonam to Rajaditya Chola RTC, in honour of Rajaditya Chola, a Chola prince who died in a battle against the Rashtrakutas in 949 CE.

Historical significance:

Historians have used the Thakkolam inscriptions to estimate the dates of key events during the Chola rule.
The 24th year of Rajakesari in the inscriptions refers to Aditya I and records a solar eclipse that occurred in D. 894 or 895. This helps to calculate the reign of Aditya I to have started around A.D. 870 or 871, lasting approximately 36 years until A.D. 907.
This analysis also provides an estimate of the reign of Vijayalaya Chola, which likely began around D. 850.
Rajaditya Chola, the son of Parantaka Chola, was killed during a battle in Thakkolam, when an arrow struck him in the chest.

3. Madhav National Park becomes India’s 58th Tiger Reserve

Sub : History

Sec: Art and Culture

Context:

The Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh has been designated as India’s 58th tiger reserve, marking it as the ninth tiger reserve in the state.

About Madhav National Park:

Madhav National Park is located in Shivpuri district, in the Chambal region of Madhya Pradesh, India. It lies on the northern fringe of the Central Highlands of India and forms part of the Upper Vindhyan Hills.
Gained the status of a National Park in 1958.
The park features Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous Mixed Forests and Dry Thorn Forests.
The park is home to antelopes like Nilgai, Chinkara, and Chowsinga, deer species such as Chital, Sambar, and Barking Deer, and other animals including Leopard, Wolf, Jackal, Fox, Wild Dog, Wild Pig, Porcupine, and Python.
The park contains Sakhya Sagar and Madhav Sagar lakes, crucial for aquatic biodiversity.

Tiger Population and Reintroduction efforts:

Currently, the park has a population of five tigers, including two cubs born recently.
As part of the state’s tiger reintroduction project, three tigers (including two females) were introduced to the park in 2023.
The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Mohan Yadav, indicated that two more tigers might be released into the reserve soon, further strengthening the reserve’s tiger population.

What is a tiger reserve:

A tiger reserve in India is a designated area established under the Project Tiger initiative of 1973 to ensure the conservation of tigers and their habitats.
These reserves are crucial for maintaining biodiversity, restoring ecological balance and protecting the endangered tiger species.

A tiger reserve consists of a core area and a buffer zone:

Core Area: Legally declared as a National Park or Sanctuary.
Buffer Zone: A mix of forest and non-forest areas, allowing some human activity but still prioritizing conservation. Buffer zones act as transition areas for wildlife.

Process of declaring a Tiger Reserve:

Identification: A suitable area is identified based on the presence of a viable tiger population and suitable habitat.
Ecological Assessments: Detailed studies on prey base, vegetation, and ecosystem suitability are conducted.
Proposal Submission: The state government prepares a comprehensive proposal with maps and management plans, which is submitted to the NTCA and then to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change for approval.

Notification:

Following the submission of proposal, the state government issues a preliminary notification under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, declaring the identified area as a tiger reserve.
After addressing any objections or modifications, the state issues a final notification under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, formalising the reserve.
Once declared, the area receives central funding and technical support for conservation activities under Project Tiger.

4. Revolutionary Dual-Fluorescent Security Ink Developed by Indian Scientists

Sub: Sci

Sec: Msc

Why in News

Scientists from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, have developed a novel security ink using strontium bismuth fluoride (Sr2BiF7) nanoparticles. This new ink fluoresces under both, enhancing security against counterfeiting.

Security Printing:

Security printing is a critical measure to prevent counterfeiting in banknotes, passports, cheques, and branded consumer goods.

Security Features in Printing:

Optically Variable Ink: Changes colour when viewed from different angles.
Watermarks and Holograms: Provide authentication layers.
Security Threads: Embedded in currency notes to enhance protection.
Raised Textures and Shapes: Allow tactile verification.
Digital Watermarks and Barcodes: Require electronic scanning for verification.
RFID Chips in Passports: Enable machine-readable authentication.

Nanoparticle-Based Fluorescent Ink:

A major security feature in Indian banknotes is the number panel printed with fluorescent ink, visible only under UV light.
The newly developed ink by INST and BARC scientists offers an advanced level of security due to its dual fluorescence.
Properties of Nanoparticles:
Size Below 100 nm: Allows unique interactions with light and magnetic fields.
High Reactivity: Enhances chemical stability and durability.
Improved Optical Properties: Alters fluorescence behaviour under different wavelengths.
Composition: The ink is formulated using strontium bismuth fluoride (Sr2BiF7) nanoparticles doped with lanthanide ions (erbium and ytterbium).
The coprecipitation technique was employed for synthesis, wherein metal salts were dissolved in a solvent and precipitated using a chemical agent under stirring.
The synthesized nanoparticles were blended with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ink and used in screen printing to produce security markings.
Under 395-nm UV light, it fluoresced magenta, while 980-nm near-IR light triggered an orange-red emission.
This dual fluorescence makes it highly secure against forgery attempts.
INST-BARC Ink: Uses Sr2BiF7 doped with lanthanides, exhibiting dual fluorescence.
CSIR-NPL Ink: Uses gadolinium vanadate (GdVO4) doped with europium, emitting red and green fluorescence.
Researchers noted that extremely high quantum yield is not essential for security applications, as the ink exhibits sufficient brightness under different lighting conditions.

About Quantum Yield:

Quantum yield quantifies the efficiency of a photophysical or photochemical process.
It is defined as the ratio of the number of specific events (e.g., photon emission, chemical reactions) to the number of photons absorbed by the system.

Applications:

Fluorescence Spectroscopy: Measures the efficiency of the fluorescence process. Crucial in designing fluorescent probes and dyes for biological imaging and analytical applications.
Photochemical Reactions: Determines the number of molecules undergoing a photochemical transformation per absorbed photon.
Photosynthesis Research: Quantum yield is used to model the efficiency of photosynthetic organisms in converting light energy into chemical energy.
Material Science and Nanotechnology: Quantum yield is essential in evaluating the performance of materials like quantum dots and nanoparticles, especially in applications involving light emission, such as display technologies and photovoltaic cells.

About Counterfeiting:

Counterfeiting refers to the act of imitating, reproducing, or fabricating goods, currency, documents, or trademarks without authorization, with the intent to deceive consumers or gain illicit financial benefits.
Currency Counterfeiting: Producing fake banknotes, coins, or digital currencies to circulate them as genuine money.
Product Counterfeiting: Manufacturing fake versions of branded goods, including luxury items, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and consumer products.
Document Counterfeiting: Forging passports, identity cards, educational certificates, and legal documents.
Intellectual Property (IP) Counterfeiting: Copying patented designs, trademarks, or copyrighted content without authorization.

5. How, why apex court limited the power of arrest in GST act, Customs act

Sub: Polity

Sec: Legislation in news

Context

The Supreme Court, in Radhika Agarwal v. Union of India, ruled that officials under the Customs Act, 1962, and the CGST Act, 2017, exercise powers “analogous” to police officers and must adhere to the restrictions under the CrPC.
The ruling aims to curb the misuse of arrest provisions under these laws.

Supreme Court’s Reasoning

Though officers under the Customs Act and CGST Act are not police officers, they possess powers similar to police, including arrest, search, seizure, and interrogation.
These officers cannot exercise powers beyond that of a police officer in charge of a police station.

Applicability of CrPC

Sections 4 and 5 of the CrPC apply to all laws unless explicitly excluded.
Restrictions imposed on police officers regarding arrests will also apply to officers under the Customs Act and CGST Act.
This includes:
- Presenting an arrested person before a magistrate within 24 hours.
- Informing a family member or friend about the arrest.
- Allowing the arrestee to have an advocate present during interrogation.

Provisions for Arrest under the Customs Act and CGST Act

Customs Act
- Section 104(4): Certain offences (e.g., dealing with prohibited goods, evading duty above ₹50 lakh) are cognizable, allowing arrest without a warrant.
- Section 104(5): All other offences are non-cognizable and require a magistrate’s approval for arrest.
CGST Act
- Section 132 classifies offences as cognizable or non-cognizable based on severity, with corresponding punishments.

Reference to Kejriwal Case (2025)

In Arvind Kejriwal v. Directorate of Enforcement, the SC ruled that an arrest without a warrant under the PMLA must meet strict conditions.
The SC extended the same conditions to arrests under the Customs and CGST Acts.

Safeguards against Arbitrary Arrests

Material in Possession

Arrest can only be made if there is sufficient evidence or material enabling the officer to conclude, with recorded reasons, that the arrestee is guilty.
Officers must consider both incriminating and exonerating materials.

Reasons to Believe

Officers must record in writing their “reasons to believe” that a person is guilty, based on case material.
Reasons must be clear and linked to the case material to avoid arbitrariness.

Providing Grounds of Arrest

The arrested person must be informed of the grounds of arrest, including the reason for belief in their guilt.
This ensures that the arrestee can challenge the arrest or apply for bail.

Misuse of Power of Arrest

The SC acknowledged concerns that taxpayers are coerced into paying dues under the threat of arrest.
The court ruled that coercion for tax recovery is illegal.
Individuals forced to pay under threat can seek a refund.
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) was directed to frame guidelines to prevent such misuse.

6. Gully Erosion & Land Degradation in India

Sub: Geo

Sec: Indian Physical Geo

Introduction

India must intervene in controlling gully erosion across 77 districts (mostly in eastern & southern India) to meet the United Nations (UN) target of land degradation neutrality by 2030.
A 2025 scientific report (Nature) highlights the severity of land degradation, a global issue affecting 20-40% of the world’s total land (UNCCD).

Understanding Land Degradation

Definition (UNCCD): Loss of biological or economic productivity of land in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas.
Definition (IPCC): Long-term reduction in biological productivity of land.

Gully Erosion & Its Impact in India

Gully erosion is a serious obstacle in India’s land degradation neutrality mission
It is a major cause of land degradation affecting agriculture, water stress, and migration.
It leads to badlands formation (deeply dissected landscapes).
Three major forms:

Gully systems
Badlands: Prolonged gully erosions produce deeply dissected landscapes known as ‘badlands’,
Denuded hill slopes

Eastern India is more affected than central & western India.

Mapping & Management of Gully Erosion

First detailed spatial inventory of gully erosion in India using high-resolution satellite imagery (≤1m).

Aims to assess:

Extent of erosion
Management conditions
Rehabilitative intervention needs

Key Findings from the Report

77 high-priority districts require urgent intervention.
Worst-affected states:

Jharkhand (highest priority for gully management)
Chhattisgarh
Madhya Pradesh
Rajasthan

Western India: More badlands.
Eastern India: More gully features, posing greater threats.

Policy Recommendations

Need for a clear land management policy distinguishing between badlands & gullies.
Climate change will increase rainfall intensity, leading to higher gully erosion rates.
Urgent rehabilitation measures required for sustainable land conservation.
District-level spatial maps will be key to future gully erosion management strategies.

Conclusion

India must prioritize gully erosion control through scientific mapping, policy reforms, and sustainable land management to achieve land degradation neutrality by 2030.