Daily Prelims Notes 13 February 2025

February 13, 2025
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

No Comments

Daily Prelims Notes

13 February 2025

Table Of Contents

1. Scientists discover ‘Einstein ring’ around nearby galaxy: What it is, its significance

Sub: Sci

Sec: Space sector

Context:

In September 2023, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Euclid space telescope made an extraordinary discovery of a rare phenomenon known as an Einstein ring. This ring of light surrounds the galaxy NGC 6505, located 590 million light-years away from Earth.
The images were released to the public in February 2025, showcasing a bright ball of light at the centre with a cloudy ring surrounding it.

What is an Einstein Ring:

An Einstein ring is a ring-like structure formed when light from a distant galaxy or celestial object is bent and magnified by a massive object, such as another galaxy, cluster, or dark matter. This occurs due to a process known as gravitational lensing.
Einstein rings are extremely rare, with fewer than 1% of galaxies exhibiting such a phenomenon.
They are named after mathematician and physicist Albert Einstein. His general theory of relativity predicted that light could bend and brighten around objects across the cosmos.
The first Einstein ring was discovered in 1987, and since then, more have been found, but their exact number in the universe remains unclear.
They are not visible to the naked eye and can only be observed through space telescopes, such as Euclid.

Formation of an Einstein Ring:

Normally, light from distant sources travel in a straight line towards Earth. However, if a large galaxy lies between the light source and Earth, its immense gravitational field can bend the path of the light.
The foreground galaxy then acts as a “gravitational lens,” focusing the light from the background galaxy and distorting it into a highly magnified, ring-shaped image.
For an Einstein ring to form, there needs to be a massive galaxy in the foreground that can bend the light. Additionally, the foreground galaxy must be precisely aligned with the background galaxy from the perspective of the telescope observing them. Only under these ideal conditions can the gravitational lensing effect create the distinct ring-shaped image of the distant galaxy.

Gravitational Lensing:

Gravitational lensing happens when a massive object distorts the fabric of space-time and bends light traveling from a distant source. The object creating the distortion is called the gravitational lens.
In the case of the Einstein ring discovered around NGC 6505, the galaxy itself acted as the gravitational lens, bending and amplifying the light from a more distant galaxy located 4.42 billion light-years away.

Significance of Einstein Rings:

Einstein rings are crucial for understanding various cosmic phenomena, especially the mysterious dark matter.
Dark matter is thought to account for 85% of the total matter in the universe, but it cannot be directly observed since it does not interact with light.
Gravitational lensing, including Einstein rings, provides scientists with a means of detecting and studying the effects of dark matter indirectly through its gravitational influence.
They also help study distant galaxies that would otherwise be invisible due to their great distance and gain insight into the expansion of the universe, as light from distant galaxies stretches over time due to cosmic expansion.

About Euclid telescope:

Euclid is a space telescope launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) to study the geometry of the universe and dark energy. It was launched in July 2023.
Euclid is named after the Greek mathematician Euclid of Alexandria, who lived around 300 BC and founded the subject of geometry.
Euclid is designed to explore the evolution of the dark Universe. It will make a 3D-map of the Universe (with time as the third dimension) by observing billions of galaxies out to 10 billion light-years, across more than a third of the sky.
It will remain operational for a minimum of six years.

2. Would Trump break the capital controls taboo with a Tobin tax?

Sub: Eco

Sec: External sector

Context:

The topic of investment barriers has long been avoided by U.S. policymakers, primarily due to concerns that even mentioning such barriers could cause panic in the global financial market.
However, under Donald Trump’s economic agenda, the discussion about imposing restrictions on inward investment has become more open.

Investment barriers:

Investment barriers are obstacles that prevent individuals or organizations from making investments or accessing certain markets.
Financial Barriers: High costs, large capital requirements, and illiquidity.
Regulatory Barriers: Government restrictions, high taxes, and legal limitations.
Psychological Barriers: Risk aversion, lack of knowledge, and behavioural biases.

Zero-Sum Trade Rivalry:

President Trump’s economic strategy is grounded in a worldview that views international trade through a zero-sum lens.
A zero-sum trade refers to a situation in which one participant’s gain or loss is exactly balanced by the losses or gains of other participants.
This view suggests that U.S. trade deficits in goods are due to trading partners undervaluing their currencies. Countries with trade surpluses then invest their savings in U.S. assets, pushing up the value of the U.S. dollar. The rising dollar increases U.S. consumption of foreign goods and reduces U.S. competitiveness in manufacturing.

U.S. Trade Deficit:

The U.S. has a large current account deficit. To balance the national accounts, a corresponding surplus in the capital account (foreign investment in U.S. assets) is required.
The U.S. has experienced capital surpluses for years, leading to a higher dollar. These surpluses have benefited American investors, contributing to rising stock portfolios and lowering capital costs for U.S. businesses. However, it has also lead to widening of trade deficit.

Tariffs as an Economic Weapon:

Tariffs on imports are one way President Trump attempts to address the trade deficit.
However, tariffs have raised the value of the U.S. dollar, worsening the trade competitiveness issue.
Tariffs do not address the core issue: the relentless global demand for U.S. assets, which keeps pushing up the value of the dollar.

Tobin Tax:

In response to the issue of capital inflows, some experts propose controlling cross-border capital flows.
This idea comes from James Tobin’s proposal in the 1970s for a “Tobin tax” on currency transactions to regulate international capital movements.
Yale economist and Nobel Laureate James Tobin proposed a tax on currency transactions to slow down excessive cross-border capital flows.
Some economists argue that taxing inward investment could be a more effective tool than tariffs if the goal is to raise revenue.
A Tobin tax on currency transactions could generate substantial revenue without significantly reducing global capital flows.

Potential Negative Impacts:

Impact on the Dollar: The mere possibility of the U.S. imposing barriers on foreign investment could lead to a sharp decline in the value of the dollar, causing instability in both U.S. financial markets and the broader global economy.
Impact on U.S. Markets: If foreign investment were restricted, it could lead to a massive downturn in U.S. stock and bond markets, causing significant economic disruption.

3. AI-Driven Drug Testing: Enhancing Precision and Human Relevance

Sub: Sci

Sec: Health

Why in News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed draft guidelines regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in evaluating drug safety and effectiveness. This marks a significant step in integrating AI into pharmaceutical research, addressing the limitations of conventional animal-based drug testing methods.

Challenges in Conventional Drug Development:

Traditional drug development, reliant on animal models, takes approximately 10 years and costs over $1 billion per drug.
The success rate of drugs developed using animal models is only 14%.
Animal metabolism differs significantly from humans. For example, rats eliminate some drugs faster than humans, skewing dosage and efficacy predictions.
Population Diversity: Human drug responses vary based on age, sex, genetic factors, and pre-existing conditions, which homogeneous lab-bred animal models fail to predict accurately.

AI in Drug Development:

AI scans vast compound databases to shortlist promising drug candidates.
AI models simulate drug responses, reducing reliance on animal trials.
AI enhances data analysis, ensuring accurate patient risk assessment.
AI monitors real-world drug effects, identifying adverse reactions efficiently.
AI models analyse human physiological data to predict drug absorption, distribution, and elimination patterns.
AI-driven “safety toolboxes,” as demonstrated in a 2024 U.K. study, predict potential side effects on unintended organs, improving risk assessment.

Challenges in AI-Driven Drug Testing:

AI models are only as effective as the data they are trained on. Poor-quality or biased data can compromise predictions.
The “garbage in, garbage out” principle underscores the importance of diverse and representative datasets.
Many AI models operate as “black boxes,” lacking transparency in decision-making processes.
Limited access to training data makes independent validation of AI models challenging.
AI models continuously evolve, making regulatory monitoring complex.
Ethical concerns arise regarding the inclusion of vulnerable populations, such as children, in AI-driven studies.

Global Regulatory Initiatives:

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) have issued similar guidelines.
India’s New Drugs and Clinical Trials (Amendment) Rules, allow AI-generated data to supplement traditional safety assessments, reducing dependence on animal trials.

About International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH):

Founded in 1990, ICH is a unique project that brings together regulatory authorities and the pharmaceutical industry to discuss scientific and technical aspects of drug registration.
Formulates guidelines to harmonise technical requirements across member regions, covering areas like quality, safety, efficacy, and multidisciplinary topics.
Encourages the adoption of these guidelines by regulatory authorities and industry to ensure consistent application.

About New Drugs and Clinical Trials (Amendment) Rules, 2024:

India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced significant amendments to the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019, aiming to enhance the clinical trial framework in the country.
Recent Amendment in 2024:
- Definition of Clinical Research Organisation (CRO): Introduced a clear definition, encompassing sponsors or entities responsible for conducting clinical trials or bioavailability / bioequivalence studies.
- CROs must register with the Central Licensing Authority (CLA) before initiating any clinical trials or related studies.
- Submission of application in Form CT-07B along with a fee of INR 5,00,000 is required.
- Grant and Validity of Registration: The CLA reviews applications within 45 working days, granting registration via Form CT-07C if criteria are met. Registration is valid for five years, with provisions for renewal.
- Operational Conditions for CROs:
  - Maintain requisite facilities and qualified staff as per the Ninth Schedule.
  - Obtain protocol approval from an Ethics Committee and permission from the CLA before commencing studies.
  - Register all studies with the Clinical Trial Registry of India prior to enrolling participants.
  - Adhere to approved protocols, Good Clinical Practice guidelines, and relevant regulations.
  - Report any serious adverse events to the CLA within 14 days.
  - Provide appropriate medical management and compensation in cases of injury, disability, or death during a study.
  - Allow inspections by authorized officers and maintain study-related data for specified durations.

4. NASA Adjusts Spacecraft Schedule to Expedite Starliner Astronauts’ Return

Sub: Sci

Sec: Space sector

Why in News

NASA has decided to swap the spacecraft for its upcoming Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), which will facilitate the earlier return of two astronauts who have been on the ISS longer than expected due to issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule.

Details:

NASA has opted to use a previously flown SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, Endeavor, instead of a newly manufactured one.
The decision was taken due to delays in the production of the new Crew Dragon capsule.
NASA will conduct a flight readiness assessment for the Endeavor capsule before the mission.
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who reached the ISS aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule, have remained in space much longer than planned.
Their return is contingent upon the arrival of Crew-10’s four-member team, ensuring the station’s American segment remains adequately staffed.
NASA reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring astronaut safety, stating that Wilmore and Williams would be brought home “as soon as practical.”

Impact on Other Space Missions:

The Crew Dragon Endeavor was initially planned for a private astronaut mission, Fram2, led by Maltese entrepreneur Chun Wang.
Due to the Crew-10 schedule change, Fram2 will now use a different Crew Dragon capsule.
The Crew-10 change is likely to affect Axiom Space’s upcoming mission, which includes astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary.

About SpaceX’s Fram2 Private Mission:

Fram2 is a planned private human spaceflight mission operated by SpaceX, scheduled for March 2025. It aims to be the first crewed mission to fly over Earth’s polar regions.
Mission Objectives:
- Conduct scientific research related to Earth’s polar regions.
- Capture high-resolution imagery and video of polar areas.
- Study aurora-like phenomena such as STEVE and green fragments.
- Perform experiments on the human body, including the first X-ray of a human in space.
Utilizes SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, equipped with a panoramic cupola attachment for enhanced observation.
The mission will be a free-flight, not docking with any space station.
Planned low Earth polar orbit with an inclination of 90°.

Axiom’s International Astronaut Mission:

Axiom Space is a Houston based private company specializing in human spaceflight, offering missions to the International Space Station (ISS) and planning to build the world’s first commercial space station.

5. Should Convicted Persons Be Allowed to Contest Elections?

Sub: Polity

Sec: Elections

Context: The Supreme Court is currently hearing petitions seeking a lifetime ban on convicted persons from contesting elections. The issue revolves around legal provisions, judicial precedents, and the broader implications of criminalization in politics.

Legal Provisions Under the Representation of the People Act, 195

Disqualification Based on Conviction
- Section 8(3): A person convicted of a criminal offense and sentenced to at least two years of imprisonment is disqualified from contesting elections.
- This disqualification lasts for six years after the person’s release.
Disqualification for Specific Offenses
- Section 8(1): Certain heinous crimes lead to disqualification regardless of the duration of the sentence. These include:
  - Rape
  - Offenses under the Protection of Civil Rights Act (untouchability)
  - Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)
  - Prevention of Corruption Act,etc.
- The disqualification period extends to six years beyond the release from prison.

Election Commission’s Power to Remove Disqualification

Section 11: The Election Commission (EC) has the authority to reduce or remove the disqualification period.
In 2019, the EC controversially reduced the disqualification period of Prem Singh Tamang, allowing him to contest elections despite a conviction under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Key Supreme Court Judgments on Decriminalization of Politics

Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) Case (2002)
- Mandated that candidates must disclose their criminal records.
CEC vs. Jan Chaukidar (2013)
- The Patna High Court ruled that undertrial prisoners are not eligible to contest elections since they are not ‘electors.’
- The Supreme Court upheld this decision, but Parliament later overturned it through an amendment.
Lily Thomas Case (2013)
- Struck down Section 8(4) of the RP Act, which allowed sitting legislators to continue in office despite conviction if they filed an appeal.
- As a result, a sitting legislator is now immediately disqualified upon conviction.