Daily Prelims Notes 12 June 2024

Daily Prelims Notes

12 June 2024

1. UNSC endorses ceasefire resolution to end Gaza war

Sub: IR

Sec: Int Org

Context:

• The UN Security Council overwhelmingly approved its first resolution endorsing a ceasefire plan aimed at ending the eight-month war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza Strip.

Details:

• The U.S.-sponsored resolution welcomes a ceasefire proposal announced by President Joe Biden that the United States says Israel has accepted.
• It calls on the militant Palestinian group Hamas to accept the three-phase plan.
• The resolution — which was approved with 14 of the 15 Security Council members voting in favour and Russia abstaining — calls on Israel and Hamas “to fully implement its terms without delay and without condition.”

What is the UNSC Gaza ceasefire resolution?

• It divides the ceasefire into three phases:

Phase one entails six weeks of negotiations and the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

• “An immediate, full and complete ceasefire” would come into force during this phase.
• Additionally, Palestinian civilians would be able to return to their homes across Gaza, including the north. This phase would also focus on humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians in need.
• Moreover, Israeli forces would withdraw from the “populated areas” of Gaza.
• If the negotiations exceed the six-week period, the ceasefire would continue.

Phase two calls for a permanent end to hostilities, the release of any remaining captives and a “full withdrawal” of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Phase three would involve the reconstruction of Gaza over multiple years and the return of the remains of any deceased captives still in Gaza.

• The resolution rejects any demographic or territorial change in Gaza, “including any actions that reduce the territory” of Palestine.
• A previous draft of the revolution specified that this included “buffer zones” in Gaza, but the language was amended.
• Palestinians and activists have expressed fears that Israel is planning to expel Palestinians from Gaza, similar to what happened during the Nakba in the late 1940s during the creation of Israel.

For details of Israel- Hamas war

Source: TH

2. IISc researchers develop sustainable method to remove heavy metal contaminants from groundwater

Sub: Environment

Sec: Pollution

Context:

• Indian Institute of Science (IISc) researchers have created an innovative method for removing heavy metals like arsenic from groundwater.

Collaborations and Field Testing:

• NGO Partnerships:
  • IISc collaborates with the INREM Foundation and Earthwatch.
  • Systems are being tested in rural areas such as Bhagalpur (Bihar) and Chickballapur (Karnataka).

Features of the New Method:

Three-Step Process:

• Designed to effectively extract heavy metals from groundwater.
• Ensures that the extracted heavy metals are disposed of sustainably.
• Prevents untreated heavy metal sludge from contaminating landfills and re-entering groundwater.

Environmental Focus:

• Emphasizes the safe disposal of contaminants, addressing a common oversight in existing methods.
• This method prevents the re-entry of arsenic into the environment after its removal.

System Characteristics:

• Ease of Use:
  • Simple assembly and operation.
  • Manufacturing the adsorbent material involves an uncomplicated process.
• Pilot Testing:
  • A pilot-scale adsorption column system in the lab produced WHO-standard safe drinking water for two people for three days.
• Toxicity Reduction:
  • Organic species used are approximately 50 times less toxic than the inorganic forms typically found in groundwater.

Arsenic and Fluoride Contamination:

• 113 districts in 21 states in India have arsenic levels exceeding 0.01 mg/l.
• 223 districts in 23 states have fluoride levels above 1.5 mg/l.
• These levels surpass the limits set by the Bureau of Indian Standards and WHO, posing significant health risks.

Source: TH

3. India’s Looming Financial Crisis

Sub: Economy

Sec: National Income

Rapid Credit Growth and Its Consequences

• Rapid credit growth is akin to a siren song, promising prosperity but often leading to financial crises.
• The narrative of “this time is different” is driven by India’s digital infrastructure hype, promoting financial innovation and inclusion, but also leading to a poorly regulated financial sector and consumers living beyond their means.

Applauding the Surge

• In December 2023, the IMF Board of Directors praised the performance of India’s financial sector, noting robust growth in bank lending and low levels of non-performing assets.
• The National Council of Applied Economic Research in March 2024 highlighted a 20% increase in bank lending over the previous year, with a significant increase in personal loans while lending to industry lagged.

The House of Cards

• The financial sector appears healthy as long as new loans can pay off old ones. The IMF knows this well: when lending slows, households and businesses reduce spending to repay debt, causing an economic crunch.

Household Debt Boom

• Financial intermediaries have expanded household lending at between 25% and 30% a year.
• Unsecured household loans make up almost a quarter of total household loans.
• As of January 2024, Indians owned almost 100 million credit cards, up from 20 million in 2011.
• Indian household debt is 40% of GDP, which is low by international standards
• The household debt-service-to-income ratio is 12%, is among the highest in the world because of high interest rates and predominantly short duration loans. Indeed, the Indian household debt-service ratio is alarmingly similar to that in the United States and Spain just before their 2008 financial crises, when high household debt-service burdens precipitated major economic downturns

Financial Services Industry

• India’s financial services industry is large and chaotic, with 30-odd large providers and thousands of smaller players, including fly-by-night NBFCs and fintechs.
• After COVID-19, lending shifted towards households, with fintechs offering loans at high-interest rates.

The Looming Crisis

• Despite buoyant credit growth, household consumption is increasing slowly.
• Defaults on loans will lead to more defaults due to the interconnected nature of banks, NBFCs, and fintechs, causing a cascading economic contraction.

Preventing the Crisis

• Preventing the crisis requires downsizing the financial services industry to match lending capacity with productive borrowing needs.
• Weakening the rupee is necessary to expand exports and cushion the downturn when it comes.
• Indian policymakers have committed to the notion that finance will spur growth despite the risks, and they view a strong exchange rate as a metric of national strength.

In conclusion, India’s rapid credit growth, while currently celebrated, carries significant risks that could lead to a severe financial crisis. Addressing these issues requires careful policy adjustments and a shift away from the current reliance on credit-driven growth.

4. The International Year of Quantum Science and Technology

Sub: Science and tech

Sec: Awareness in IT and Computer

The United Nations has proclaimed 2025 as the “International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.”

This initiative aims to increase public awareness and understanding of quantum science and its applications through year-long, worldwide activities. The resolution was spearheaded by Mexico and later supported by numerous countries and international scientific unions.

Significance of the Proclamation

• Historical Context: 2025 marks a century since Werner Heisenberg published his seminal paper that laid the groundwork for quantum mechanics. This recognition underscores the importance of quantum science in shaping modern physics.
• Global Endorsement: The resolution has received widespread support, with over 70 countries backing it, highlighting the global significance of quantum science.
• Scientific and Educational Impact: The year-long celebration will involve various activities aimed at engaging the public, educational institutions, and policymakers, fostering a deeper understanding of quantum technologies.

These organizations have endorsed the proclamation, indicating a broad consensus in the scientific community about the importance of quantum science.

Quantum Science and Technologies

• Quantum Computing: Quantum computers, though not fully operational yet, promise revolutionary advances in computing power, potentially transforming fields like cryptography, materials science, and complex system simulations.
• Quantum Communication: Secure communication methods, such as quantum key distribution, leverage the principles of quantum mechanics to provide unprecedented security.
• Quantum Sensing and Metrology: Quantum sensors and measurement technologies offer ultra-precise detection capabilities, impacting areas like navigation, medical imaging, and fundamental physics research.
• Quantum Materials and Devices: Development of new materials with quantum properties can lead to innovations in electronics, superconductivity, and energy storage.

National Initiatives

• India’s National Quantum Mission: Launched in April 2023, this mission aims to advance quantum technologies in computing, communication, sensing, and materials, with a budget of Rs 6,000 crore over eight years.

Conclusion

The designation of 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology by the United Nations signifies a pivotal moment for global scientific collaboration and public engagement. This initiative aims to elevate the understanding and application of quantum science, paving the way for technological advancements and fostering international cooperation in this transformative field.

National Quantum Mission (NQM)

About:

• The National Quantum Mission (NQM) will implemented by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Science & Technology.
• The mission is planned for 2023-2031 and aims to seed, nurture, and scale up scientific and industrial R&D, creating a vibrant and innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology (QT).
• With the launch of this mission, India will become the seventh country to have a dedicated quantum mission, following the US, Austria, Finland, France, Canada, and China.

Salient Features of NQM:

• Development of Quantum Computers:
  • Target: Develop intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-100 physical qubits in 5 years and 50-1000 physical qubits in 8 years.
  • Qubits, or quantum bits, are the basic units by which quantum computers process information, similar to how bits (1 and 0) are used in classical computers.
• Magnetometers and Precision Timing:
  • Development of magnetometers with high sensitivity for precision timing (atomic clocks), communications, and navigation.
• Quantum Materials:
  • Support design and synthesis of quantum materials such as superconductors, novel semiconductor structures, and topological materials for the fabrication of quantum devices.
• Quantum Communications:
  • Development of satellite-based secure quantum communications between ground stations over a range of 2000 km within India.
  • Long-distance secure quantum communications with other countries.
  • Inter-city quantum key distribution over 2000 km.
  • Creation of a multi-node quantum network with quantum memories.
• Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs):
• Establishment of four Thematic Hubs in top academic and National R&D institutes focusing on:

1. Quantum computation
2. Quantum communication
3. Quantum Sensing & Metrology
4. Quantum Materials & Devices

What is Quantum Technology?

• Field of Science and Engineering: Deals with the principles of quantum mechanics, which studies the behavior of matter and energy at the smallest scales.
• Quantum Mechanics: Branch of physics that describes the behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic levels.

Advantages of Quantum Technology:

• Increased Computing Power: Quantum computers are significantly faster and capable of solving complex problems beyond the reach of classical computers.
• Improved Security: Quantum encryption techniques are much more secure than traditional methods due to the principles of quantum mechanics.
• Faster Communication: Quantum communication networks can transmit information faster and more securely, with potential for completely unhackable communication.
• Enhanced AI: Quantum machine learning algorithms can enable more efficient and accurate training of AI models.
• Better Sensing and Measurement: Quantum sensors can detect extremely small environmental changes, useful in medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and geological exploration.

Disadvantages of Quantum Technology:

• Expensive: Requires specialized equipment and materials, making it costlier than traditional technologies.
• Limited Applications: Currently useful for specific applications like cryptography, quantum computing, and quantum communication.
• Sensitivity to Environment: Highly sensitive to environmental interference (temperature changes, magnetic fields, vibrations) which can disrupt qubits and cause calculation errors.
• Limited Control: Difficult to control and manipulate quantum systems, which can lead to unintended consequences in quantum-powered AI systems.

5. Portable Optical Atomic Clock for Maritime Applications

Sub: Science and tech

Sec: Nuclear sector

A recent study published in Nature introduces a groundbreaking portable optical atomic clock designed for use on ships. This innovative clock, while trading some accuracy for portability and robustness, still surpasses existing vessel-borne timekeeping options in precision.

Importance of Atomic Clocks

• GPS Backbone: Atomic clocks are crucial for the Global Positioning System (GPS), essential for navigation, emergency response, and military operations.
• Accuracy: Traditional atomic clocks, such as those using caesium (Cs-133), offer unparalleled accuracy, losing or gaining only a second over 1.4 million years.

Advancements in Optical Atomic Clocks

• Higher Precision: Optical atomic clocks, operating at optical frequencies, are even more accurate, with stability enhanced by lasers and coherent light.
• Smaller Increments: Higher operating frequencies allow these clocks to measure smaller time increments more accurately.
• Narrow Linewidths: The narrow linewidths of optical transitions enable precise frequency tuning, further enhancing accuracy.

Portable Optical Atomic Clock Design

• Miniaturization: Researchers created a compact clock using molecular iodine as the frequency standard, fitting it into a standardized rack.
• Components: The clock’s design includes a miniaturized spectrometer (2.5 liters), a laser system (1 liter), and a frequency comb (0.5 liters).
• Autonomous Operation: Equipped with software for autonomous initialization and operation, the clock monitors temperature, activates components, and maintains stability.

Performance and Testing

• Laboratory Tests: Initial tests at the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) demonstrated superior performance compared to traditional hydrogen maser and rubidium atomic clocks.
• Maritime Tests: The clock was tested on a boat at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, maintaining stability despite environmental challenges like motion, temperature fluctuations, and humidity changes.

Applications and Implications

• Maritime Navigation and Communication: The portable optical atomic clock can enhance precision in maritime navigation and communication systems.
• Scientific Research: Potential applications include monitoring underwater seismic and volcanic activity and conducting space-based experiments to test theories of relativity.
• Reduced Satellite Costs: Improved timekeeping accuracy could reduce the cost and enhance the precision of satellite-based navigation.

Conclusion

The development of a portable optical atomic clock represents a significant advancement in timekeeping technology, offering improved accuracy and robustness for maritime and scientific applications. This innovation paves the way for more precise and reliable navigation, communication, and research capabilities, both at sea and in space.

About Atomic Clocks

• An atomic clock is a highly accurate clock that functions by utilizing specific resonance frequencies of atoms, typically cesium or rubidium.
• Invention: Invented in 1955 by Louis Essen.
• Precision: Atomic clocks are so precise that they lose only one second approximately every 100 million years.

Types of Atomic Clocks:

1. Cesium Atomic Beam: Known for high accuracy and good long-term stability.
2. Hydrogen Maser: Best stability for periods of up to a few hours.
3. Rubidium Gas Cell: Commonly used type of atomic clock.