Daily Prelims Notes 11 March 2025

Daily Prelims Notes

11 March 2025

Table Of Contents

1. WHO working on accord to tackle future pandemics
2. Cosmic Particle Accelerator Near Earth
3. India: The Second-Largest Arms Importer After Ukraine
4. The End of Cheap Palm Oil
5. Vanuatu’s Citizenship Programme and Rejection of Lalit Modi & Nirav Modi’s Applications
6. Gene-Edited Bananas and Their Role in Reducing Food Waste
7. EBI may rejig short-selling norms
8. Income levels of salaried class have stagnated in recent years

1. WHO working on accord to tackle future pandemics

Sub :IR

Sec: Int Org

Context:

• Five years ago, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic, a wake-up call for the world.
• The WHO had earlier issued a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) five weeks prior, but it didn’t use the word ‘pandemic,’ leading to delayed action.
• The COVID-19 pandemic also exposed significant gaps in international health regulations and response capabilities, underscoring the need for a more robust global framework.

Future Pandemic risks and Preparations:

• According to the WHO, it is not a matter of “if” but “when” the next pandemic will occur, highlighting the necessity for continued vigilance and preparedness.
• In December 2021, WHO member countries began drafting a new Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Accord. This accord aims to establish global frameworks for better handling future pandemics.
• The treaty will outline protocols for a coordinated global response, including rapid deployment of health resources, personnel, and equipment.
• One final negotiation session for the accord is scheduled for next month, after which the text will be finalized during the WHO’s annual assembly in May.

Key Objectives of the Treaty:

• Equitable access: Ensuring fair access to medical solutions, including vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics, especially for low- and middle-income countries.
• Preparedness: Enhancing global readiness through improved surveillance, early warning systems, and resource mobilization.
• Response Coordination: Establishing unified protocols for rapid response to health emergencies, minimizing delays and inefficiencies.
• International Collaboration: Strengthening cooperation among nations, international organizations, and stakeholders to build resilient health systems.
• One Health Approach: Recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health to prevent zoonotic diseases.
• Supply chain preparedness: Establishing mechanisms to ensure timely and fair distribution of medical products globally during pandemics.

Binding obligations for countries:

• Although there is some debate about whether the treaty will be legally binding, it is expected that countries will agree to certain mandatory provisions related to data sharing, preparedness, and response actions.

Strengthening WHO’s Authority:

• The WHO has planned to grant its Director-General greater authority.
• Starting in September, the WHO head will have the ability to declare a “pandemic emergency”, a higher-level PHEIC with pandemic potential, ensuring that such declarations get more global attention and prompt timely action.

What is a pandemic:

• A pandemic is defined as an epidemic of a disease that has spread across a wide geographic area, affecting multiple countries or continents.
• It typically involves a new infectious disease to which most people have little or no pre-existing immunity, leading to widespread illness and potentially high rates of mortality.

2. Cosmic Particle Accelerator Near Earth

Sub : Sci

Sec: Space sector

Why in News

• Recent research has provided crucial insights into one of astrophysics’ long-standing mysteries—how subatomic particles, such as electrons, attain ultra-high energy in space. Using data from NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission, the THEMIS mission, and the ARTEMIS mission, scientists observed an extraordinary energy surge in electrons within Earth’s foreshock region.

Details:

• One of the major unsolved questions in astrophysics is how electrons travel vast distances and acquire extreme energy.
• The study suggests that collision less shock waves, commonly found in space, serve as natural particle accelerators.
• These shock waves were detected in the Earth’s foreshock, the region where the solar wind collides with the planet’s magnetosphere.
• Plasma, a state of matter composed of charged particles, plays a crucial role in this acceleration process.
• Unlike sound waves in the atmosphere, shock waves in plasma transmit energy through electromagnetic forces rather than particle collisions.
• Such waves are prevalent near celestial bodies like pulsars, magnetars, and black holes.
• The findings suggest that shock waves in plasma may be responsible for generating cosmic rays, which are high-energy particles that travel through space.
• Traditionally, supernova shocks have been considered the primary sources of cosmic rays, but this study introduces the possibility that planetary shock waves may contribute as well.

About Shock Waves:

• A shock wave is a type of propagating disturbance that moves faster than the local speed of sound in a medium.
• It is characterized by an abrupt change in pressure, temperature, and density of the medium.
• Shock waves are strongly irreversible processes, leading to an increase in entropy and a decrease in the energy that can be extracted as work.
• Examples: The sonic boom heard as a supersonic aircraft passes is due to shock waves.

Electrons in Foreshock and Bow Shock Regions:

• Bow Shock: The bow shock is the area where the solar wind—a stream of charged particles emitted by the Sun—slows down abruptly upon encountering Earth’s magnetosphere.
• Foreshock: The foreshock is the region upstream of the bow shock, characterized by turbulent magnetic fields and reflected particles.
• It’s a zone where particles from the solar wind interact with Earth’s magnetic field before reaching the bow shock.
• Electron Acceleration: In the foreshock region, electrons can gain significant energy through interactions with plasma waves and magnetic field fluctuations.
• These accelerated electrons can reach speeds close to that of light.
• Understanding electron dynamics in these regions is crucial for insights into space weather, which can impact satellite operations, communication systems, and power grids on Earth.

Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) Mission:

• To study magnetic reconnection in Earth’s magnetosphere, a process where magnetic fields from different sources connect and release energy.
• Consists of four identical satellites flying in a tetrahedral formation to provide three-dimensional observations.
• Launched in 2015, aboard an Atlas V 421 rocket.
• First direct detection of magnetic reconnection in Earth’s magnetosphere in 2016.
• Observed magnetic reconnection in the magnetosheath in 2018, a region previously considered too turbulent for such events.

Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) Mission:

• To investigate the onset of substorms in Earth’s magnetosphere, which are brief disturbances causing auroras and affecting space weather.
• Originally consisted of five identical satellites (THEMIS-A through THEMIS-E) placed in various Earth orbits to monitor different regions of the magnetosphere.
• Launched in 2007, aboard a Delta II rocket.
• Identified the location and timing of substorm onsets, linking them to magnetic reconnection events in the magnetotail.

Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence, and Electrodynamics of the Moon’s Interaction with the Sun (ARTEMIS) Mission:

• To study the Moon’s interaction with solar wind and Earth’s magnetosphere, focusing on phenomena like plasma acceleration, magnetic reconnection, and turbulence.
• Repurposed two of the original THEMIS satellites (THEMIS-B and THEMIS-C) into lunar orbiters, renamed ARTEMIS-P1 and ARTEMIS-P2.
• The transition from Earth orbit to lunar orbit began in 2009, with both spacecraft successfully entering lunar orbit in 2011.
• Conducted the first simultaneous two-point measurements of the lunar environment.
• Studied how the Moon’s presence affects Earth’s magnetotail and plasma sheet.

3. India: The Second-Largest Arms Importer After Ukraine

Sub : Sci

Sec: Defence

Why in News

• The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released a report on global arms transfers for the period 2020-24.India emerged as the second-largest arms importer, following Ukraine.

Key Findings from SIPRI Report:

• Ukraine became the largest importer of major arms globally during 2020-24 due to its ongoing war with Russia, recording a nearly 100-fold increase compared to 2015-19.
• Ukraine accounted for 8.8% of global arms imports during 2020-24.
• India ranked second in global arms imports, although its overall arms procurement declined by 9.3% between 2015-19 and 2020-24.
• India remained the largest arms export destination for both Russia and France, but the volume of imports from Russia has declined.
• China dropped out of the top 10 global arms importers for the first time since 1990-94, reflecting its growing domestic defence industry.

India’s Major Arms Suppliers:

• Russia remained the largest arms supplier to India, accounting for 36% of total imports, a sharp decline from 55% (2015-19) and 72% (2010-14).
• France became India’s second-largest arms supplier, providing 28% of India’s total imports, making India the largest recipient of French arms exports.
• Other key suppliers include the United States and Israel, although their shares were comparatively smaller.

Global Arms Trade Trends:

• Pakistan’s arms imports grew by 61% between 2015-19 and 2020-24.
• China dominated Pakistan’s arms supplies, contributing 81% of Pakistan’s imports in 2020-24, up from 74% (2015-19).
• The United States strengthened its position as the largest arms exporter, increasing its global share to 43%.
• Russia’s global arms exports declined by 64%, dropping to 7.8% of total exports.
• France overtook Russia as the second-largest arms exporter, holding a 9.6% share of the global market.
• European nations increased arms imports by 155% during 2020-24 due to regional rearmament.
• The total volume of global arms transfers remained stable, comparable to levels in 2015-19 and 2010-14, but 18% higher than in 2005-09.
• Italy increased its global arms export share to 4.8%, rising from 10th to 6th position among arms exporters.
• France’s arms exports to European nations tripled (187%) during this period, primarily due to deliveries of combat aircraft to Greece and Croatia, and weapons supplies to Ukraine post-2022 invasion.

About SIPRI:

• SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament.
• Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public.
• Based in Stockholm, SIPRI is regularly ranked among the most respected think tanks worldwide.
• SIPRI was established on the basis of a decision by the Swedish Parliament and receives a substantial part of its funding in the form of an annual grant from the Swedish Government.

4. The End of Cheap Palm Oil

Sub :Geo

Sec: Eco geo

Why in News

• Palm oil prices, which have traditionally been lower than other vegetable oils, are increasing due to production stagnation and a surge in biodiesel demand. Indonesia, the world’s top producer, has increased its biodiesel mandate, reduced export availability and driving up global prices.

Rising Palm Oil Prices:

• Indonesia increased the mandatory palm oil blend in biodiesel to 40% in 2024 and is considering a 50% blend by 2026.
• The biodiesel expansion will significantly reduce palm oil exports, from 29.5 million metric tons in 2024 to an estimated 20 million metric tons by 2030.
• Historically, palm oil was cheaper than other vegetable oils, with discounts exceeding $400 per ton.
• In recent months, crude palm oil (CPO) has traded at a premium over crude soybean oil, sometimes exceeding $100 per ton.
• In India, palm oil prices have surged to $1,185 per ton, up from below $500 in 2019.
• Higher vegetable oil prices contribute to inflation, affecting both consumer economies and governments trying to manage food costs.

Palm Oil:

• Native Region: Palm oil is derived from the oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis), which is indigenous to West Africa.
• Growth Conditions
• Oil palm trees thrive in tropical climates, particularly within 20 degrees of the equator, requiring high humidity and temperatures ranging from 24°C to 32°C.
• They prefer deep, well-drained soils rich in organic matter.
• Oil palm trees are highly productive, with yields as high as 7,250 liters per hectare per year.
• Indonesia is the leading producer, accounting for approximately 60% of global palm oil production.
• The second-largest producer, Malaysia contributes a significant portion to the global supply.
• Countries like Thailand and Nigeria also have notable palm oil production.
• Palm Oil Production in India: India has been promoting oil palm cultivation, with significant plantations in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Kerala.
• The Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research, located near Pedavegi in Andhra Pradesh, is dedicated to enhancing oil palm cultivation across the country.
• Under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), efforts are underway to boost oil palm cultivation to achieve self-reliance in edible oil production.
• The expansion of palm oil plantations has been linked to deforestation and biodiversity loss, leading to global discussions on sustainable production practices.

Challenges in Palm Oil Cultivation:

• Aging Plantations and Low Replanting Rates: Oil palms lose productivity after 20 years and must be replaced after 25 years, leaving land unproductive for 3-4 years. Farmers are reluctant to replant due to loss of short-term earnings.
• Environmental challenge: Deforestation concerns have restricted new plantation expansion in Indonesia.
• Labor Constraints: Labour shortages and the spread of Ganoderma fungus are further reducing yields.
• Limited Expansion in Other Countries: While countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria have increased palm oil production, their growth is insufficient to meet global demand.

5. Vanuatu’s Citizenship Programme and Rejection of Lalit Modi & Nirav Modi’s Applications

Sub: Polity

Sec: Citizenship

Context:

• Vanuatu, a Pacific island nation, has a Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme, which allows foreign nationals to acquire citizenship through financial contributions.
• Recently, Vanuatu rejected the citizenship application of Lalit Modi and previously denied the same to Nirav Modi due to concerns over financial irregularities and money laundering.

Vanuatu’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme

• Vanuatu offers citizenship to foreign applicants in exchange for a non-refundable donation or investment.
• The Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) requires:
  • $1,55,000 (₹1.3 crore) for single applicants, making it one of the most affordable citizenship programmes.
• The programme has been used by individuals seeking alternative nationality, sometimes to evade legal proceedings in their home countries.

Why Was Lalit Modi’s Citizenship Revoked?

• Lalit Modi, former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman, was granted Vanuatu citizenship, but it was later cancelled.
• Vanuatu PM Jotham Napat stated that:
  • Interpol screenings during his application process showed no criminal convictions.
  • However, new information revealed that Interpol twice rejected India’s request for an alert notice due to lack of substantive judicial evidence.
  • If an alert had been issued, Modi’s application would have been automatically rejected.
• Reason for revocation: Modi sought citizenship to avoid extradition, which is against Vanuatu’s rules.

Why Was Nirav Modi’s Citizenship Request Rejected?

• Nirav Modi, accused in the ₹13,600-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, attempted to acquire Vanuatu citizenship before the scam became public.
• He transferred $195,000 in November 2017 to an authorised agent of Vanuatu’s CBI programme.
• Vanuatu’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) found adverse findings against him, leading to the rejection of his application.

Why Has Vanuatu Tightened Its Citizenship Programme?

• Due to global concerns over money laundering, Vanuatu has strengthened background checks in the last four years.
• New rules include:
  • Triple-agency checks, including Interpol verification.
  • Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) scrutiny.
• International response:
  • European Union revoked Vanuatu’s visa-free travel agreement in December 2024.
  • Financial Action Task Force (FATF) highlighted risks of criminals misusing citizenship programmes to hide assets and evade extradition.

Case of Mehul Choksi

• Mehul Choksi, co-accused in the PNB scam, acquired Antigua & Barbuda’s citizenship through an investment programme.
• He has been fighting extradition to India since then.

Lalit Modi: Allegations and Legal Issues

• Modi is accused of:
  • Forex violations related to the ₹425-crore IPL 2009 TV rights deal with World Sports Group.
  • Misconduct and financial irregularities in IPL franchise bids.
• Legal developments:
  • He fled to the UK in May 2010 after one interrogation by ED and Income Tax authorities.
  • BCCI banned him for life in 2013 after finding him guilty of financial misconduct.

Conclusion

• Vanuatu’s CBI programme has faced scrutiny for being misused by financial offenders.
• To prevent criminals from evading justice, Vanuatu has tightened background checks.
• The international community, including the EU and FATF, has raised concerns over such pay-for-citizenship schemes.
• Cases of Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi, and Mehul Choksi highlight the misuse of citizenship-by-investment programmes as a means to escape legal accountability.

6. Gene-Edited Bananas and Their Role in Reducing Food Waste

Sub: Sci

Sec: Biotech

Introduction

• Tropic, a UK-based biotech company, has developed genetically engineered bananas that remain fresh and yellow for 12 hours after being peeled.
• These bananas are also less likely to turn brown when bumped during harvesting and transportation.

Why Do Bananas Turn Brown?

• Bananas undergo a ripening process due to the hormone ethylene.
• They produce large amounts of ethylene even after being harvested, triggering genes linked to the production of polyphenol oxidase (PPO).
• PPO, upon exposure to oxygen, breaks down the yellow pigment, turning the banana brown.
• Bruising during handling increases ethylene production, accelerating ripening and browning.

How Was a Non-Browning Banana Produced?

• Scientists made precise genetic changes to disable the production of PPO.
• This modification does not stop ripening but slows down browning, maintaining the fruit’s visual appeal.
• Similar genetic modifications were made in Arctic apples by Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc., which have been commercially available since 2017.
• The technique has also been successfully applied to tomatoes, melons, kiwifruits, and mushrooms.

Why Does This Matter?

• Banana wastage: Up to 50% of the global banana crop is lost annually due to spoilage.
• Financial and environmental impact: In the UK alone, 1.4 million edible bananas are discarded daily.
• Climate impact: Food waste contributes significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, exacerbating global warming.
• Potential reduction in CO2 emissions: According to Tropic, these non-browning bananas could help cut emissions equivalent to removing 2 million passenger vehicles from the road each year.

Conclusion

• The development of non-browning bananas offers a potential solution to food waste and its associated environmental and economic challenges.
• This innovation aligns with global efforts to reduce food waste and mitigate climate change.

7. EBI may rejig short-selling norms

Sub : Eco

Sec: Capital Market

Why in News?

• SEBI is set to release a consultation paper on revamping short-selling regulations in the stock market.
• The proposed changes aim to increase market efficiency by removing certain restrictions and penalties on short sales.

Key Proposals

• Expansion of Short-Selling Eligibility
  • All stocks (except those in the Trade-to-Trade (T2T) segment) may be allowed for short selling. Currently, short selling is restricted to stocks in the Futures & Options (F&O) segment.
• Relaxation in Disclosure Norms
  • Institutional investors may no longer be required to disclose short sales upfront.
  • Retail investors might not have to report short sales at the end of the trading day.

8. Income levels of salaried class have stagnated in recent years

Sub : Eco

Sec: Unemployment and Inflation

Why in the News?

• According to Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) reports, while employment in India is rising, real wages for salaried workers have stagnated since 2019.

Key Reasons Behind Wage Stagnation (2019-2024)

Inflation Outpacing Wage Growth

• Rising consumer prices (CPI) have eroded purchasing power despite nominal wage increases.
• Real wages for salaried workers declined by 1.7% in June 2024 compared to June 2019 (PLFS data).

Excess Labour Supply & Declining Returns to Education

• Oversupply of qualified workers has reduced the premium for higher education, limiting salary growth.
• Shift to self-employment due to lack of salaried job opportunities:
  • Self-employed workers increased from 53.5% in 2019-20 to 58.4% in 2023-24.

Reduced Private Sector Investment

• Slower corporate investments have led to weak job creation and wage stagnation.
• Private sector investment-to-GDP ratio fell from 28% in 2011-12 to 21.1% in 2022-23 (RBI data).

Policy Shocks (Demonetisation & GST Impact)

• The stagnation of real wages points to a deep crisis in the informal sector. It is doubtful that there are many other examples of an economy growing at 6-7% per year for 10 years without much increase in real wages. The informal sector experienced three successive shocks during this period: demonetisation, hectic rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), and the Covid-19 crisis
• Disruptions in SMEs weakened formal employment.
• Salaried employment share dropped from 22.9% in 2019-20 to 21.7% in 2023-24 (PLFS data).

Shift Toward Informal & Contractual Work

• Companies increasingly rely on gig and temporary workers, offering lower wages & fewer benefits.
• Casual labour wages increased by 12.3% (real terms) from 2019 to 2024, while salaried wages stagnated.

Potential Impact & Outlook

• Lower real wages impact consumption demand, hindering economic growth.
• Short-term wage recovery unlikely due to weak private investment & job quality concerns.
• Policy interventions needed to boost quality employment & wage growth.

 Way Forward

• Enhance Formal Employment & Skill Development – Encourage labour-intensive sectors & reduce compliance burdens to promote formal jobs.
• Strengthen Social Security & Wage Policies – Expand social protection for informal workers to ensure income stability & healthcare benefits.