Daily Prelims Notes 12 July 2024

July 12, 2024
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

12 July 2024

Table Of Contents

1. Record-high temperatures in western US due to ‘heat domes’: What is the phenomenon?

Sub: Geo

Sec: Climatology

Places across the southwest and eastern parts of the United States recorded temperatures as warm as those seen in late June or early July, and the unusual warming was caused by a phenomenon known as ‘heat domes’
‘Heat domes’ are natural phenomena that have also been associated with unusually warm periods in India, Bangladesh, China and some other Asian countries.
This season’s first heat dome set off heatwaves in as many as 48 states in the US and fears of wildfires loom large.
Over the years, heat domes have created some of the most fatal heat waves in North America, among other regions. Creating records for some of the highest temperatures ever recorded in the continent, these waves have caused thousands of deaths.
Stopping heat domes from forming altogether is not possible, as they are a natural weather phenomenon. But as the threat of climate change continues to creep up, heat domes are getting more intense.

Heat Dome:

A heat dome is a type of high-pressure system that forms over a large area in the atmosphere, and causes extremely hot and dry weather conditions. The system traps hot air and prevents it from flowing to rise and cool.
This air then becomes compressed and heats up, leading to a dome-shaped area of hot air that can persist for several days or even weeks.
Heat domes can cause dangerous heat waves causing the temperatures to shoot up.
Due to climate change, heat domes have not only become more frequent but also a lot more intens The rising temperatures and changes in weather patterns are creating conditions that are assisting their formation.

Causes of Heat Dome:

Change in Atmospheric Pressure: Heat waves begin when high pressure in the atmosphere moves in and pushes warm air toward the ground.
- High-pressure systems often bring clear skies, which means there is less reflection of sunlight and more absorption of heat. Locations with a lot of land and relatively dry air, such as plains and deserts, serve as a favourable condition for heat domes to form as well.
Change in Ocean Temperature:
- In the process known as convection, the gradient causes more warm air, heated by the ocean surface, to rise over the ocean surface.
- As prevailing winds move the hot air east, the northern shifts of the jet stream trap the air and move it toward land, where it sinks, resulting in heat waves.
Climate Change: Climate change has led to warmer background temperatures, exacerbating the high-pressure system.

Impact of Heat Dome:

Heat-related illnesses: Heat domes can cause a spike in heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heatstroke. Vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing medical conditions are at a higher risk.
Wildfires: The high temperatures and dry conditions caused by heat domes can increase the risk of wildfires. The heat can also exacerbate the spread of fires.
Crop damage: Heat domes can cause crop damage due to high temperatures and drought conditions. This can lead to lower crop yields and economic losses for farmers.
Infrastructure damage: High temperatures can cause damage to infrastructure such as roads, buildings, and power lines.
Water shortages: Heat domes can lead to drought conditions, which can cause water shortages and impact water supplies for both people and wildlife.
Air pollution: High temperatures can lead to increased levels of air pollution, which can exacerbate respiratory problems and other health issues.

Combating Heat Dome:

Reducing greenhouse emissions: Transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency and promoting sustainable transportation, can be measures in achieving a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, as it is critical to mitigating the impacts of heat domes in long terms.
Investing in green infrastructure: Cities can invest in green infrastructure, such as parks, green roofs, and tree planting, which can help reduce the urban heat island effect and provide cooling benefits.
Implementing building codes and standards: Building codes and standards can help ensure that new buildings are designed to withstand extreme heat and maintain indoor comfort during heat waves.
Reducing heat-trapping surfaces: Cities can take steps to reduce the amount of heat-trapping surfaces, such as asphalt and concrete, which can exacerbate the urban heat island effect.
Enhancing public education and outreach: Educating the public about the risks of extreme heat and how to stay safe during heat waves can help reduce the incidence of heat-related illness and mortality.

What is the relationship between heat domes and the jet stream?

The heat dome’s formation is related to the behaviour of the jet stream — an area of fast-moving air high in the atmosphere.
- The jet stream is believed to have a wave-like pattern that keeps moving from north to south and then north again.
- When these waves get bigger and elongated, they move slowly and sometimes can become stationary.
This is when a high-pressure system gets stuck and leads to the occurrence of a heat dome.
With the rising temperatures, it is expected that the jet stream will become more wavy and will have larger deviations, causing more frequent extreme heat events.

About Zika Virus:

Zika is a viral infection, which is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which also spreads dengue and chikungunya.
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne pathogen belonging to the flavivirus family of viruses which also includes dengue.
It is a contagious disease where infected people can transmit Zika virus sexually.
The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) of Zika virus disease is estimated to be 3-14 days.
It was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in monkeys, Zika was detected in humans five years later.
In India, Zika virus was first recorded in 1952-53. The latest major outbreak was in 2018, when 80 cases were reported in Rajasthan.
It results into microcephaly, especially when pregnant women are infected.
Clinical symptoms of Zika infection in many cases could be mild and indistinguishable from other infectious diseases including dengue.
For pregnant women, the Zika virus poses a significant risk as it can be transmitted from mother to child, potentially leading to microcephaly in the offspring.

2. India hosts BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers amid raging Myanmar crisis

Sub: IR

Sec: Int grouping

Context:

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasised that BIMSTEC should find solutions to regional challenges within its framework during the 2nd BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ retreat on July 11 in New Delhi.
The first edition was held in Bangkok, Thailand in

Details:

This retreat is the first event since the BIMSTEC Charter came into effect on May 20, marking a significant milestone for the organization. The meeting is significant due to recent developments in Myanmar, where the military junta is facing setbacks against Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs), affecting regional projects.
Instability in Myanmar threatens developmental and connectivity projects among BIMSTEC countries like Nepal, Bhutan, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand.

About BIMSTEC:

BIMSTEC is a regional organisation comprising 7 member states – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and
It was formed in 1997 with the aim of promoting multifaceted technical and economic cooperation among the countries of the Bay of Bengal region.
The region covered by BIMSTEC is home to around 5 billion people, with a combined GDP of over USD 3.8 trillion.
The BIMSTEC Charter was signed and adopted during the Fifth BIMSTEC Summit held in virtual format in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 30 March 2022. It came into force on 20 May 2024.
Origin:
- The sub-regional organisation was established in 1997 with the adoption of the Bangkok Declaration.
- Initially consisting of 4 Member States, it was known as ‘BIST-EC’ (Bangladesh, India, Sri-Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation).
- In 1997, it was renamed ‘BIMST-EC’ after Myanmar
- The admission of Nepal and Bhutan in 2004 led to another name change to the ‘Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation’ (BIMSTEC).

Key Features of the BIMSTEC Charter:

International Recognition: BIMSTEC gains official standing as a legal entity, allowing it to interact directly with other international organisations on matters of diplomacy and cooperation.
Shared Goals: The Charter outlines BIMSTEC’s objectives, which focus on building trust and friendly relations among member states, and accelerating economic development and social progress in the Bay of Bengal region.
Structured Organisation: A clear framework is established for BIMSTEC’s operation, outlining regular meetings at the Summit, Ministerial, and Senior Officials’ levels.
Expanding Membership: The Charter paves the way for future growth by allowing new countries to join BIMSTEC and for other nations to participate as observers.
Re-constitution and reduction in the number of sectors of cooperation to 7 and each member-state will serve as a lead for a sector.
- Bangladesh in Trade, investment and development; Bhutan in environment and climate change; India in security, including energy; Myanmar in agriculture and food security; Neopal in people-to-people contacts; Sri Lanka in science, technology and innovation and Thailand in connectivity.

Source: TH

3. Massive fish kill in Periyar river attributed to industrial pollution

Sub: Environment

Sec: Pollution

Context:

The Periyar River witnessed a severe fish mortality event in May, due to which fishers and cage fish farmers incurred heavy financial losses.

Details:

Upon inspection, they found that fish showed signs of distress and later died due to polluted water from nearby factories entering the river when the regulator shutters were opened.
The pungent odour from dead fish made living conditions difficult, and no proper action or compensation was provided.
The Periyar River serves 5 million residents of central Kerala for various needs.
The fish kill significantly affected residents of industrial areas, including Edayar, Eloor, and others.
Causes of mass fish mortality:
- The fish mortality was caused by the opening of the gates at the Pathalam regulator bridge upstream, leading to the release of polluted water.
- The discharged water contained toxic substances which reduced oxygen levels in the water, leading to a significant number of fish dying downstream.
- The pollution led to the production of harmful gases and elevated levels of hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, and heavy metals.

Government Response:

The Kerala government directed the Department of Irrigation to develop a protocol for lifting the regulator-bridge shutters at Pathalam.
A coordination committee was formed, and a total compensation of Rs. 13.55 crores was announced for the affected fish workers, though it has not yet been received.

Periyar river:

Source: Chokkampatti Mala, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala.
Mouth: Arabian Sea, Vembanad Lake, Kerala.
It is the longest river and the river with the largest discharge potential in the Indian state of Kerala.
It is one of the few perennial rivers in the region and provides drinking water for several major towns.
Idukki dam is on Periyar river.
Tributaries:
- Left- Cheruthoni
Right- Mullayar, Perinjankutti, Muthirapuzha, Edamala

4. Central India’s land-use patterns, roads fragmenting gaur & sambar populations, threatening genetic diversity

Sub: Env

Sec: Biodiversity

Context:

Land use patterns and roads in central India are disrupting the genetic connectivity of Gaur and Sambar.
The study by the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) indicated high genetic differentiation, suggesting small populations with little gene flow.

Study and Findings:

Researchers collected samples from tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh and
Using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and genetic tools, they identified 921 samples as gaur and 504 samples as sambar.
The study found that gaur was most impacted by land-use changes, roads, and dense infrastructure, showing low genetic diversity.
Sambar, also affected by human presence, showed less differentiation but had low genetic diversity, likely due to their large population size.

Threats to Connectivity:

Central India faces threats from growing linear infrastructure like highways, railway lines, mining activities, and other development projects.
Such infrastructure creates fragmented populations confined within small habitat patches.

Conservation Implications

Gaur and sambar are crucial prey species for large carnivores like
Both species face threats from habitat fragmentation, habitat loss, illegal poaching, and other anthropogenic impacts.

Sambar deer:

The sambar (Rusa unicolour) is a large deer native to the Indian subcontinent, South China and Southeast Asia that has been listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List since 2008.
Distribution: South Asia as far north as the south-facing slopes of the Himalayas in Nepal, Bhutan and India, in mainland Southeast Asia including Burma, Thailand, Indochina, the Malay Peninsula, Indonesia (Sumatra and Borneo), Taiwan, and South China, including Hainan.
Prefers the dense cover of deciduous shrubs and grasses.
Sambar are nocturnal or crepuscular.

Gaur:

The gaur is a bovine native to South Asia and Southeast Asia and has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since
The global population was estimated at a maximum of 21,000 mature individuals in 2016, with the majority of those existing in India.
It is the largest species among the wild cattle and the The domesticated form of the gaur is called gayal (Bos frontalis) or Mithun.
IUCN status: Vulnerable

Protected Areas:

Kanha Tiger Reserve- Madhya Pradesh
Pench Tiger Reserve- Madhya Pradesh
Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary- Khaksi, Maharashtra
Nagzira-Nawagaon Tiger Reserve- Maharashtra
Bor Tiger Reserve- Maharashtra
Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve- Maharashtra

Source: DTE

5. IUCN Red List update: Invasive species and illegal trade push reptiles and cacti closer to extinction

Sub: Env

Sec: Biodiversity

Context:

The IUCN Red List highlights severe threats to island reptiles from invasive species.

Invasive Species and Reptile Declines:

The Ibiza wall lizard (Podarcis pityusensis) is now endangered due to a 50% population decline caused by the invasive horseshoe whip snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis).
The Gran Canaria giant lizard (Gallotia stehlini) and Gran Canaria skink (Chalcides sexlineatus) found in Gran Canaria, an island in Spain, face extinction from the introduced California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae), with population declines of over 50% since 2014.
Both species have been reclassified from least concern to

Illegal Trade and Cactus Endangerment:

The illegal trade of ornamental cacti poses a significant threat to species in Chile’s Atacama desert.
82% of Copiapoa cacti species are now critically endangered, up from 55% in 2013, driven by high demand in Europe and
Climate change exacerbates the threat, disrupting the oceanic fog crucial for their hydration.
Poached cacti are distinguishable by their grey tone and dusty bloom, unlike the greener cultivated plants.

IUCN Recommendations

International collaboration is necessary to prevent the transportation of poached plants.
Greenhouses offer a sustainable alternative for cultivating Copiapoa cacti.
Urgent action is needed to address the rising extinction risk of Copiapoa cacti, with 82% now at risk compared to 55% in the last major assessment.

Source: DTE

6. As ocean surfaces acidify, a deep-sea acidic zone is expanding: Marine habitats are being squeezed

Sub: Env

Sec: Climate change

Carbon compensation depth (CCD):

In the deepest parts of the ocean, below 4,000 metres, the combination of high pressure and low temperature creates conditions that dissolve calcium carbonate, the material marine animals use to make their shells.
This zone is known as the carbonate compensation depth (CCD) – and it is expanding causing more areas where calcium carbonate dissolves.
Rising carbon dioxide levels lower ocean pH, increasing ocean acidity and raising the lysocline, where calcium carbonate becomes unstable.

Impact on Ocean Floor:

The lysocline has risen nearly 100 meters since pre-industrial times and is expected to rise several hundred meters more this century.
Millions of square kilometres of ocean floor will transition to chemically unstable, leading to sediment dissolution.

Distinct Habitats and Rising Boundaries:

The calcite saturation depth (upper limit) and calcite compensation depth (lower limit) define zones with and without calcium carbonate.
Currently, 41% of the ocean floor is below the calcite compensation depth, a figure that could increase to 51% with a 300-meter rise.
Different species dominate habitats above and below the calcite compensation depth, with more calcified organisms above and non-calcified ones below.

Additional Climate Change Effects:

Marine habitats are shrinking due to rising calcite compensation depth and warming waters at low latitudes.
Decreased oxygen levels and rising temperatures further threaten marine species.

Island Nations Most Affected:

Island nations’ exclusive economic zones (EEZs) will be significantly impacted by rising calcite compensation depth.
Bermuda’s EEZ could see 68% of its seabed affected, compared to 6% of the US EEZ and 39% of the Russian EEZ.

Global Implications:

Currently, 41% of the deep sea is effectively acidic, a figure that may reach 50% by the century’s end.
The first study on the effects of this acidity on marine life was published only recently.

Source: DTE

7. ‘Patriots for Europe’: Hungary’s Orban announces new EU Parliament alliance

Sub: IR

Sec: Int grouping

Context:

Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPO), Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s Fidesz, and the Czech ANO party led by Andrej Babis are forming a new alliance in the European Parliament, called “Patriots for Europe.”

About the new alliance- “Patriots for Europe”:

The alliance requires backing from parties in at least a quarter of the EU’s 27 member states to be officially recognized.
The three leaders signed a “patriotic manifesto” promising “peace, security and development” as opposed to the “war, migration and stagnation” they attribute to the “Brussels elite.”
- FPO is currently part of the Identity and Democracy group, while ANO recently left Renew Europe. Fidesz has remained outside larger groupings since leaving the European People’s Party (EPP) in 2021.
This new alliance coincides with Hungary taking over the six-month rotating presidency of the EU, during which it can influence the agenda, despite having little real power.
- Hungary has been known to block or delay key EU decisions, including those on Ukraine, Russia, and
Orban’s presidency motto, “Make Europe Great Again,” has caused concern among European politicians.
The formation of this alliance follows gains by nationalist parties in recent European Parliament elections, where they capitalized on voter concerns over rising prices, migration, and the green transition.

8. ISRO’s plans to venture into planetary defense.

Sub : Science and tech

Sec: Space

Context:

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S Somanath said last week that “we should be able to go and meet” the asteroid Apophis when it passes by Earth at a distance of 32,000 km in 2029.

What is Apophis?

99942 Apophis is a near-Earth asteroid and a potentially hazardous object with a diameter of 450 meters at its widest, that caused a brief period of concern in December 2004 when initial observations indicated a probability up to7% that it would hit Earth on April 13, 2029.
Some scientists compared the potential impact to the event that wiped out dinosaurs and most other extant life some 66 million years ago.

What are the possible incoming threats from space?

Earth’s gravity attracts more than a hundred tons (more than 90 metric tons) of small objects and dust from space daily, according to NASA.
Most of this material burns up in the atmosphere without any effect on the planet.
Asteroids of 1 kilometer [0.62 miles] in size or larger have the potential of causing a global disaster if they were to hit the Earth.
While no known comet represents an impact threat for the foreseeable future, comet impacts are possible, albeit extremely rare.

What factors affect whether an object is considered a threat to Earth?

The two main factors are the object’s orbit and its size.
If the trajectory of the object has no chance of intersecting Earth, then it’s not a threat and we need to consider its size.
Small impactors of a few meters in size or less will disintegrate in the atmosphere and cause no damage to the ground.
Objects of tens of meters in size could cause localized damage, 100 meters or more regional scale damage, and 1 km or more global damage.

What is a Planetary Defence System?

Planetary defense is the effort to monitor and protect Earth from asteroids, comets and other objects in space.
In 2022, NASA demonstrated technology that has long been a science fiction staple.
A spacecraft launched in the previous year crashed into an asteroid named Dimorphos, and changed both its shape and its trajectory.
Dimorphous did not pose a threat to Earth, and was circling the Sun some 11 million km away from our planet. But this showed the beginning of a planetary defense programme.
NASA has already redirected one of its spacecraft, one that previously studied the asteroid Bennu, to track Apophis.

9. SJM Seeks ‘Robot Tax’ for AI-Induced Job Loss

Sub : Eco

Sec: National Income

The Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has proposed a ‘robot tax’ to mitigate job losses caused by the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Robot Tax:
- Purpose: To cross-subsidize employees who lose jobs due to AI adoption.
- Usage: The tax proceeds would create a fund to help displaced workers upskill and adapt to new technologies.
- Rationale: While not opposing AI and cutting-edge technology, acknowledges the short-term job displacement caused by such technologies and seeks economic measures to address the human cost.
Incentives for Job Creation:
- Proposal: Tax incentives for industries generating more employment, assessed based on an employment-output ratio.
- Objective: To encourage industries to create more jobs, addressing the unemployment concerns highlighted during the recent Lok Sabha election campaign.
Subsidies for Small Farmers:
- Proposal: Subsidies for micro-irrigation projects to boost productivity on small farms.
- Objective: To combat food inflation by increasing agricultural productivity.
Wealth Tax on Vacant Land:
- Proposal: Imposition of a wealth tax on individuals holding vacant land.
- Objective: To discourage unnecessary land holding and address housing shortages by making more land available for development.

Context and Justification

Economic Measures for AI Impact: Need for economic measures to cope with AI-induced job losses, highlighting the importance of upskilling workers to adapt to technological changes.
Job Creation and Unemployment: Aim to stimulate job creation through fiscal incentives and support for labour-intensive industries.
Food Inflation: By providing subsidies for micro-irrigation, the proposal seeks to support small farmers and enhance food production, thereby stabilizing food prices.
Housing for All: The proposed wealth tax on vacant land is intended to make land available for housing projects, contributing to the government’s goal of housing for all.

Robot Tax: An Overview

The concept of a robot tax emerged in response to the increasing automation driven by advanced robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). This wave of automation is expected to replace a significant portion of human labor, potentially leading to widespread job displacement and economic disruption.

A robot tax is a proposed tax on companies that use robots and AI to replace human workers. The idea is to generate revenue that can be used to mitigate the negative impacts of automation on the workforce and the broader economy.

Rationale Behind the Robot Tax

Income Displacement:
- Automation can lead to job losses, reducing the income of individuals who are replaced by robots.
- Consequently, governments may lose income tax revenue from these individuals.
Fiscal Necessity:
- A robot tax can provide governments with the necessary funds to support social programs, such as welfare for the elderly, education, and retraining programs for displaced workers.

10. Why dengue cases are on the rise

Sub : Science and tech

Sec: Health

Context: In the past few weeks, cases of dengue have been rising in some parts of the country. Karnataka, in particular, has been experiencing a rapid surge in cases in the last few days, while the cases have been climbing up in Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well.

What is dengue?

Dengue (break-bone fever) is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people. It is more common in tropical and subtropical climates.
Most people who get dengue will not have symptoms. But for those who do, the most common symptoms are high fever, headache, body aches, nausea, and rash. Most will get better in 1–2 weeks. Some people develop severe dengue and need care in a hospital.
In severe cases, dengue can be fatal.
You can lower your risk of dengue by avoiding mosquito bites especially during the day.
Dengue is treated with pain medicine as there is no specific treatment currently.

What is the global situation of dengue?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of April 30, over 7.6 million cases of dengue were reported in 2024. This included 3.4 million confirmed cases, over 16,000 severe cases and over 3,000 deaths.
In an update on the global scenario dated May 30, it said that 90 countries have known active dengue transmission, adding that “not all of which have been captured in formal reporting”. WHO pinpointed that the actual burden of dengue is underestimated as many endemic countries did not have strong detection and reporting mechanisms.
The WHO noted that at least five countries, including India, were grappling with the onset of monsoon season, which created suitable conditions for the breeding and survival of Aedes mosquito. Urbanisation and population movements have also played a pivotal role in the increasing burden in the region.
WHO observed that the incidence of dengue has grown dramatically around the world in recent decades. “About half of the world’s population is now at risk of dengue with an estimated 100-400 million infections occurring each year. Dengue is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas,” it pointed out.
Dengue is endemic in more than 100 countries in the WHO regions of Africa, the Americas, the Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia and Western Pacific. The Americas, South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions were the most seriously affected, with Asia accounting for around 70% of the global disease burden. However, it also went on to note that dengue is spreading to new areas in Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean and South America.

How does dengue spread and how is it treated?

Dengue virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes, with the primary vector that transmits the disease being Aedes aegypti. While cases are mostly asymptomatic or mild, some may develop severe dengue that could include shock, severe bleeding or organ impairment.

According to the National Guidelines for Clinical Management of Dengue Fever, an acute febrile illness of two to seven days duration with two or more of the following manifestations – headache, retro-orbital pain, myalgia, arthralgia, rash and haemorrhagic manifestations – were the clinical features of dengue fever.

What are the emerging patterns in dengue?

Among the several factors associated with an increasing risk of dengue epidemics were changing distribution of Aedes aegypti vector, urbanisation and human activities fostering conducive environments for vector-host interaction and climate change-induced shifts in weather patterns, according to WHO.
Public health officials said that the first epidemic of clinical dengue-like illness was recorded in erstwhile Madras in 1780. Dengue virus was isolated in India during 1945 for the first time. The first evidence of the occurrence of dengue fever in the country was reported in 1956 from Vellore district in the State, they said.
Noting that dengue was once considered to be an arboviral disease of the urban environment infecting populations in municipalities, corporations and cities, they said the infection has spread to all geographic regions including rural and urban due to rapid increase in urbanisation, expanding travel patterns and climatic changes.

11. Quality Control Orders (QCOs) on man-made fibres (MMF)

Sub: Eco

Sec: External Sector

Industry players report that the market prices of PSF and VSF increased in FY24 following the implementation of QCOs on these inputs early on in the financial year.

Downstream synthetic textile manufacturers are urging the government to revoke Quality Control Orders (QCOs) on man-made fibres (MMF), which have undermined the competitiveness of the MMF supply chain by limiting access to affordable and specialised raw materials.

What is Quality Control Order?

A QCOs areregulatory measures introduced by the government to establish quality standards for specific products or product categories. These orders are designed to ensure that products meet certain prescribed quality, safety, and performance requirements before they can be manufactured, imported, stored, or sold in the country.
A QCO mandates foreign exporters to obtain Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification to sell products covered under it in India. It is aimed towards curbing the import of poor quality products into the country.
BIS is responsible for certifying products that meet the prescribed standards, both for domestic and international manufacturers.
With the QCOs, manufacturing, storing and sale of non-BIS certified products are prohibited as per the BIS Act, 2016.”
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the National Standards Body is a statutory body functioning under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India.

About Viscose Fibre:

Viscose is a type of rayon. Originally known as artificial silk, in the late 19th century, the term “rayon” came into effect in 1924.
The name “viscose” is derived from the way this fibre is manufactured; a viscous organic liquid used to make both rayon and cellophane.
It is a biodegradable fibre and an alternative to silk and cotton.
It is versatile, Highly absorbent and Inexpensive fibre.
Viscose is made from tree wood pulp, like beech, pine, and eucalyptus, but can also be made from bamboo.
As a manufactured regenerated cellulose fibre, it is neither truly natural (like cotton, wool or silk) nor truly synthetic (like nylon or polyester) – it falls somewhere in between.
Chemically, viscose resembles cotton, but it can also take on many different qualities depending on how it is manufactured.