Daily Prelims Notes 23 August 2024

Daily Prelims Notes

23 August 2024

Table Of Contents

1. Tripura dam didn’t cause Bangladesh floods: India
2. NDMA to monitor 189 high-risk glacial lakes to prevent disasters
3. Pacific regions facing climate ‘annihilation’, says UN chief Antonio Guterres
4. Portugal: Tourists stranded as wildfires in Madeira endanger world-heritage forests
5. Ministry bans 156 ‘irrational’ fixed dose combination drugs with immediate effect
6. Centre talks to States on new mechanism to gather crop data
7. What is vaccine-derived polio and what are the available vaccines against poliovirus?
8. Impact of Climate Change on Food Inflation in India: A Growing Concern
9. China’s Crude Oil Imports: Has the Peak Been Reached?
10. India’s Space Programme: Achievements Since Chandrayaan-3 and Future Plans for ISRO
11. ICAR and Penn State Collaborate on Advanced Plant Genome Editing Tool
12. How Chandrayaan 3’s Initial Discoveries Are Transforming Our Understanding of the Moon
13. Magnetic Fields in the Sun’s Atmosphere: A New Discovery
14. Earth whistles when lightning strikes, and there’s a new melody

1. Tripura dam didn’t cause Bangladesh floods: India

Sub: Geo

Sec: Mapping

Context:

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) denied that floods in Bangladesh were caused by the opening of the Dumbur dam in Tripura.

Details:

• India and Bangladesh share 54 cross-border rivers, making river water cooperation a critical part of their bilateral engagement.
• The MEA clarified that recent heavy rainfall in western Tripura and parts of Bangladesh caused the flooding, not the release of water from the Dumbur dam.
• The Dumbur dam had been “auto-releasing” water due to excessive rainfall, which is a standard feature to ensure reservoir stability.
• The catchment areas of the Gumti River, which flows through India and Bangladesh, witnessed the heaviest rains of the year, contributing to the floods.

Gumti river:

• Source– Dumur, Tripura
• Mouth– Meghna River
• The Gumti, Gomti, Gumati or Gomati is a river flowing through the north-eastern Indian state of Tripura and the district of Comilla in Bangladesh.
• A dam has been constructed near Dumbur on the river that has formed a 40 square kilometres (15 sq mi) lake.

Source: TH

2. NDMA to monitor 189 high-risk glacial lakes to prevent disasters

Sub: Geo

Sec: Climatology

Context:

• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has identified 189 high-risk glacial lakes in the Himalayas for targeted mitigation efforts.

Details:

• Measures include investigating these lakes and implementing “lake-lowering measures” to prevent overflows and mitigate potential downstream damage.
• The initiative follows disasters like the South Lhonak Lake overflow in Sikkim, which resulted in significant loss of life and infrastructure damage.
• India has approximately 7,500 glacial lakes, some monitored via remote sensing, though full assessments require difficult site visits during limited accessible months (July-September).
• The Central Water Commission (CWC) is monitoring 902 glacial lakes and water bodies via satellite.

Ongoing Efforts:

• Arunachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority has dispatched teams to study six high-risk lakes in the Tawang and Dibang Valley districts.
• The program includes technical hazard assessments, installation of Automated Weather and Water Level Monitoring Stations (AWWS), and Early Warning Systems (EWS).
• So far, 15 expeditions have been completed across regions like Sikkim, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir, with seven more expeditions ongoing.

National Glacial Lake Outburst Floods Risk Mitigation Programme (NGRMP):

• The Indian government launched a ₹150 crore NGRMP to address the risks associated with glacial lakes in the Himalayan region.
• The NGRMP action plan is likely to have four components:
  • Component 1 will focus on Glof hazard and risk assessment. 15% of the programme budget will go towards creating and updating a glacial lake inventory and its classification in terms of hazard, vulnerability and risk assessment.
  • Component 2 will focus on ‘Glof monitoring and early warning system. 35% of the allocation will go towards remote sensing techniques, advanced seismometers, water level sensors, cameras and trigger lines to monitor risk-prone lakes and the designing of a warning system backed with smartphones and sirens downstream to prevent loss of life and property.
  • Component 3 will focus on Glof mitigation measures. It will have a maximum outlay of 40% of the budget and will look at site-specific interventions such as reinforcing unsafe moraine dams at glacial lakes, draining of lake waters through siphoning, controlled blasting, and excavation of artificial drainage channels.
  • The fourth component will be dedicated to awareness generation and community-centric capacity building involving multiple stakeholders. The idea will be to prepare contingency plans. This component will also encourage more R&D on the phenomenon of glacial recession and Glof.

Source: TH

3. Pacific regions facing climate ‘annihilation’, says UN chief Antonio Guterres

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that Pacific territories face severe threats from climate-induced cyclones, ocean heatwaves, and rising sea levels.

Details:

• During his visit to Samoa, he stressed that the fate of these islands hinges on limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, as outlined in the 2015 Paris climate agreement.
• Despite the Pacific region contributing just 0.02% of global carbon emissions, it is disproportionately affected by the climate crisis, with rising sea levels posing an existential threat to millions of Pacific Islanders.

Pacific ISLAND Forum

• The Pacific Islands Forum brings the region together to address pressing issues and challenges, and foster collaboration and cooperation in the pursuit of shared goals. Founded in 1971, it comprises 18 members: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
• The group’s 18 member states, mostly low-lying islands and atolls, sometimes just a few feet above sea level, are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Predicted rises in water levels are set to leave much of the region uninhabitable by the middle of this century.

Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF)

• Among their most ambitious mitigation efforts is the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), which aims to provide financial support to communities often overlooked by international donors. The “Pacific-owned and led” financial institution is scheduled to commence operations in 2025 and will help communities become more resilient to climate change and natural disasters.
• A regional financing facility with a target capital of US$1.5 billion, established by the Pacific Islands Forum to build community preparedness and resilience against the impacts of climate change and the frequent and intense disasters that hit the region every year.
• The leaders will probably endorse an earlier recommendation to host the facility in Tonga at next week’s meeting, but raising the funding for the facility remains a major hurdle.
• Pacific nations aim to raise $500m for the PRF by 2026 but have so far only secured $116m – $100m of which has been pledged by Australia, with the United States, China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey committing a total of $16m.
• These countries have come up with far-reaching 2050 Strategy for a Blue Pacific Continent.

Pacific Islands

• Three major groups of islands in the Pacific Ocean are Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.
• The indigenous inhabitants of the Pacific Islands are referred to as Pacific Islanders.
• The Pacific Island region covers more than 300,000 square miles (800,000 square km) of land—of which New Zealand and the island of New Guinea make up approximately nine-tenths—and millions of square miles of ocean.
• Most Pacific islands are coral formations, although all of these rest on volcanic or other cores.

It excludes the following –

• the neighbouring island continent of Australia,
• the Asia-related Indonesian, Philippine,
• Japanese archipelagoes, and the Ryukyu, Bonin, Volcano, and Kuril island arcs that project seaward from Japan
• the Aleutian chain or such isolated islands of the Pacific Ocean as the Juan Fernández group off the coast of South America.

Melanesia

• The great arc of islands located north and east of Australia and south of the Equator is called Melanesia (from the Greek words melas, “black,” and nēsos, “island”) for the predominantly dark-skinned peoples of New Guinea island, the Bismarck Archipelago, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu (the New Hebrides), New Caledonia, and Fiji.

Micronesia

• North of the Equator and east of the Philippines are the islands of Micronesia, which form an arc that ranges from Palau, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands in the west eastward through the Federated States of Micronesia (the Caroline Islands), Nauru, and the Marshall Islands to Kiribati.

Polynesia

• In the eastern Pacific, largely enclosed within a huge triangle formed by the Hawaiian Islands to the north, New Zealand to the southwest, and Easter Island (Rapa Nui) far to the east, are the many (“poly”) islands of Polynesia.

Samoa:

• Independent State of Samoa (formerly Western Samoa until 1997).
• Due to the Samoans’ seafaring skills, early European explorers referred to the island group as the “Navigator Islands.”
• A Polynesian island country consisting of:
  • Two main islands: Savai’i and Upolu.
  • Two smaller inhabited islands: Manono and Apolima.
  • Several smaller uninhabited islands, including the Aleipata Islands (Nu’utele, Nu’ulua, Fanuatapu, and Namua).
• Capital and Largest City: Apia.
• Location:
  • 64 km (40 mi) west of American Samoa, 889 km (552 mi) northeast of Tonga, 1,152 km (716 mi) northeast of Fiji, 483 km (300 mi) east of Wallis and Futuna, 1,151 km (715 mi) southeast of Tuvalu, 519 km (322 mi) south of Tokelau, 4,190 km (2,600 mi) southwest of Hawaii, 610 km (380 mi) northwest of Niue.

Historical and Cultural Background:

• Early Settlement: The Lapita people discovered and settled the Samoan Islands around 3,500 years ago, developing the Samoan language and cultural identity.
• Colonial History:
  • Samoa was a colony of the German Empire from 1899 to 1915.
  • It then came under joint British and New Zealand colonial administration until it gained independence on 1 January 1962.
• Political Status:
  • Samoa is a unitary parliamentary democracy with 11 administrative divisions.
  • It is a sovereign state and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
  • Western Samoa was admitted to the United Nations on 15 December 1976.

Source: TH

4. Portugal: Tourists stranded as wildfires in Madeira endanger world-heritage forests

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

• The southern part of Madeira has been experiencing forest fires since last week, devastating over 5,000 hectares of wilderness.

Details:

• The wildfires pose a severe threat to the world’s largest surviving laurel (Laurus nobilis) forests, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Madeira is a popular tourist destination in the Iberian Peninsula.
• NASA satellite imagery indicates that the fire began in the mountains of Serra de Água on August 14 and quickly spread eastward toward Curral das Freiras and Câmara de Lobos.

Madeira island:

• Madeira, officially the Autonomous Region of Madeira, is an autonomous region of Portugal located in the North Atlantic Ocean, part of the Macaronesia region.
• The archipelago is situated just under 400 kilometers (250 mi) north of the Canary Islands and 520 kilometers (320 mi) west of Morocco.
• Despite being on the African Tectonic Plate, Madeira is culturally, politically, and ethnically tied to Europe, with a population predominantly descended from Portuguese settlers.
• Capital: Funchal, located on the main island’s south coast.
• The archipelago consists of the islands of Madeira, Porto Santo, and the Desertas, administered alongside the separate Savage Islands archipelago.
• The region is part of the European Union as an outermost region.
• Laurisilva of Madeira- a UNESCO World Heritage Site:
  • The Laurisilva of Madeira is an outstanding relict of a previously widespread laurel forest type.
  • It is the largest surviving area of laurel forest and is believed to be 90% primary forest.
  • It contains a unique suite of plants and animals, including many endemic species such as the Madeiran long-toed pigeon.

Source: DTE

5. Ministry bans 156 ‘irrational’ fixed dose combination drugs with immediate effect

Sub : Sci

Sec: Health

Context:

• The Union Health Ministry has banned 156 “irrational” fixed dose combination (FDC) medicines with immediate effect.

Reason for the ban:

• An expert committee found “no therapeutic justification” for these combinations and they may pose risk to the patients.

Fixed dose combination (FDC) drugs:

• Fixed dose combination drugs are combinations of two or more active drugs in a single dosage form.
• FDCs are also called ‘cocktail drugs’ as they combine two or more active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in fixed ratios.
• While such combinations may help patients with illnesses such as tuberculosis and diabetes consume fewer pills, they also end up delivering ingredients to patients that they may not need.
• For example, patients may end up taking an antibiotic combination for fever when they only require paracetamol.
• The FDC may involve risk to human beings. Hence, in the larger public interest, it is necessary to prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution of this FDC under section 26 A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940.
• One of the reasons for the crackdown was due to some state licensing authorities issuing manufacturing licenses for several FDCs without prior clearance from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), leading to the availability of untested and potentially unsafe FDC combination drugs.
• This action follows previous bans. India banned 344 combination drugs in March 2016 and, most recently, 14 FDCs in June 2023.
• According to the notification issued by the health ministry, the government has banned ‘Aceclofenac 50mg + Paracetamol 125mg tablet’. The list also includes Mefenamic Acid + Paracetamol Injection, Cetirizine HCl + Paracetamol + Phenylephrine HCl, Levocetirizine + Phenylephrine HCl + Paracetamol, Paracetamol + Chlorpheniramine Maleate + Phenyl Propanolamine, and Camylofin Dihydrochloride 25 mg + Paracetamol 300mg.
  The Centre also banned the combination of Paracetamol, Tramadol, Taurine, and Caffeine. Tramadol is an opioid-based painkiller.

6. Centre talks to States on new mechanism to gather crop data

Sub : Schemes

Sec: Agri

Context:

• Ahead of the nationwide implementation of the Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES), the Centre has convened a national conference with the States to discuss the improvement in crop production statistics.
• The conference discussed the need for integrating cutting-edge technologies like remote sensing, geospatial analysis and artificial intelligence in generating crop production statistics through revamped FASAL scheme.

Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES):

• DGCES has been initiated to calculate yield based on scientifically designed crop cutting experiments for all major crops across the country.
• It will provide plot-level data with geotagged areas of crops and act as a single source of truth.

Revamped FASAL programme:

• FASAL (Forecasting Agricultural output using Space, Agro-meteorology, and Land-based observations) programme was launched by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ welfare in 2006.
• The updated version leverages remote sensing technology to generate accurate crop maps and area estimations for 10 major crops.
• The programme is currently operationalized by Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC) with technology support from ISRO.
• Nine crops are assessed under FASAL: Rice, Wheat, Tur, Rabi Pulses, Rapeseed & Mustard, Rabi Jowar, Cotton, Jute and Sugarcane.

7. What is vaccine-derived polio and what are the available vaccines against poliovirus?

Sub: Sci

Sec: Health

Context:

• A two-year-old child in Tikrikilla, Meghalaya has been infected with vaccine-derived polio.
• This is not a case of wild poliovirus, but an infection that presents in some people with low immunity, the Union Health Ministry said.

About Polio/Poliomyelitis:

• Polio is a viral infectious disease that affects the nervous system, potentially causing irreversible paralysis and even death.
• It mostly affects children under 5 years of age.
• Poliovirus is an RNA virus belonging to the Picornaviridae
• India received polio-free certification by the WHO in 2014, after three years of zero cases.

Types of polio virus:

• There are three variations of polio virus: Wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), Wild poliovirus type 2 (WPV2) and Wild poliovirus type 3 (WPV3)
• In 2019, WHO declared that WPV3 has been eradicated worldwide.
• However, more than 90% of vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreaks are due to the type 2 virus present in oral polio vaccines.

Transmission:

• Polio is transmitted from person to person through oral-faecal route or through contaminated food or water.

Vaccines for Polio:

• The first successful polio vaccine for poliovirus was made by Jonas Salk in 1950s.
  • Salk inactivated the virus using formaldehyde and injected it into the muscles of test subjects. This inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) induced systemic immunity in the subjects.
• After Salk, Albert Sabin developed another vaccine that contained live polio strains, weakened by growing them serially in macaque cells, making them unfit for human infection.
  • Since this vaccine contained the live virus, it had to be administered through its natural mode of infection – in this case, oral. This is what we today know as the OPV.

OPV vs IPV:

• OPV is usually preferred over IPV because of its ease of administration.
• The weakened virus in OPV can occasionally revert, causing the disease it is meant to prevent.
• IPV, on the other hand, is a less potent vaccine, but contains inactivated virus particles and hence no risk of causing vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP) – a rare, adverse reaction to OPV.

About Vaccine-derived polio:

• Vaccine-derived polio is a rare condition that occurs when the weakened (also called attenuated) strain of poliovirus used in the oral polio vaccine (OPV) mutates and regains the ability to cause paralysis.

How Vaccine-derived polio spreads:

• OPV contains a live, attenuated virus, which triggers an immune response when administered, thus protecting people from the disease.
• The attenuated virus replicates in the intestines for a limited period and is excreted in the stool.
• In rare cases, the virus can mutate enough to cause the disease again, and circulate in areas where either immunisation is low, or where immunocompromised persons reside, or regions with poor sanitation and hygiene.

Circulating Vaccine-derived polio virus:

• According to WHO, the virus is classified as “circulating” (cVDPV2) if it is detected in at least two different sources and at least two months apart, that are genetically linked, showing evidence of transmission in the community.

8. Impact of Climate Change on Food Inflation in India: A Growing Concern

Sub: Eco

Sec: Inflation

• Introduction:
  • Climate change is significantly contributing to endemic food inflation in India, shifting food price dynamics from being temporary to a persistent issue.
• Disruption of Traditional Demand-Supply Mechanisms:
  • Erratic weather patterns and extreme climatic events are causing supply disruptions, leading to rising food prices.
  • The usual demand-supply matrix is no longer the primary factor in determining food prices, as climate change impacts crop production and supply.
• Rising Food Inflation Trends:
  • Average food inflation increased from 2.9% (2016-2020) to 6.3% in the 2020s, primarily due to climate-related supply shocks.
  • The incidence of multiple, overlapping climate events is now the dominant factor driving this increase.
• Monsoon Distribution and Its Impact:
  • Even during periods of normal monsoons, the distribution has been highly skewed, negatively impacting crop growth and contributing to food inflation.
• Endemic Nature of Food Inflation:
  • Over the last 48 months (June 2020-June 2024), food inflation was reported above 6% in 57% of the months, indicating that food inflation is becoming endemic rather than transitory.
• Impact on Nutrition and Public Health:
  • High food prices restrict access to nutritious diets, particularly among economically marginalized populations, leading to worsening nutrition and health outcomes.
  • A 5% increase in food prices has been linked to a 1.6% increase in stunting and a 2.4% increase in severe stunting in children aged 24-59 months.
• Future Implications:
  • By 2035, climate change is projected to increase food inflation by 2% and overall inflation by 1% in India.
  • The cost of living crisis, exacerbated by climate change, could lead to widespread malnutrition and deteriorating public health.

Inflation and Its Types

Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power over time. It indicates how much more expensive a set of goods and services has become over a period, usually a year. Inflation can be classified into several types based on its causes, intensity, and persistence.

Types of Inflation Based on Causes

Demand-Side Inflation: This occurs when the demand for goods and services exceeds the economy’s ability to produce them, leading to higher prices.

Causes:

• Increased consumer spending due to higher incomes or lower interest rates.
• Increased government expenditure.
• Export growth outpacing supply.

Key Concept: Often referred to as Demand-Pull Inflation because the higher demand “pulls” prices up. 

Supply-Side Inflation: This happens when production costs increase, leading to a decrease in the overall supply of goods and services, pushing prices higher.

Causes:

• Rising costs of raw materials, labor, or energy.
• Supply chain disruptions (e.g., natural disasters, geopolitical events).
• Regulatory changes or increased taxes.

Key Concept: Known as Cost-Push Inflation since the higher costs’ “push” prices up.

Types of Inflation Based on Intensity 

a. Creeping Inflation

• A mild and gradual rise in prices, typically at a rate of 1-3% per year.
• Impact: Generally considered manageable and often seen as a sign of a growing economy.

b. Walking Inflation

• Moderate inflation with prices rising at a rate of 3-10% per year.
• Impact: Can be concerning as it may start to erode purchasing power more noticeably.

c. Galloping Inflation

• Rapid inflation with prices increasing by double digits, often between 10-50% per year.
• Impact: Can lead to significant economic disruption, reducing the real value of money rapidly.

d. Hyperinflation

• Extremely high and typically accelerating inflation, with prices rising by more than 50% per month.
• Impact: Causes severe economic instability, often leading to the collapse of the currency and economy.

Types of Inflation Based on Persistence

Core Inflation

• Measures the long-term trend in the price level by excluding volatile items like food and energy prices.
• Purpose: Used to gauge the underlying inflation trend and guide monetary policy.

Headline Inflation

• Includes all items in the consumer basket, including food and energy.
• Purpose: Provides a broader picture of inflation but can be more volatile due to the inclusion of food and energy prices.

9. China’s Crude Oil Imports: Has the Peak Been Reached?

Sub: Eco

Sec: External Sector

• Introduction:
  • China’s crude oil imports have historically increased but recent trends suggest that imports may have peaked, with potential implications for future oil demand.
• Recent Trends:
  • Record Imports in 2023: China’s crude oil imports reached an all-time high of 11.29 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2023.
  • Decline in 2024: In the first seven months of 2024, imports fell to 10.90 million bpd, 320,000 bpd less than the same period last year.
• Structural Changes in Oil Demand:
  • Shift to New Energy Vehicles (NEVs):
  • NEVs Sales Surge: For the first time, NEV sales exceeded internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in July 2024.
  • Government Incentives: Beijing’s trade-in program offers subsidies for replacing older vehicles with NEVs, further reducing the demand for gasoline and diesel.
• Diesel Demand Softening:
  • Switch to LNG: Diesel demand is decreasing, partly due to the increased use of LNG in trucks.
  • Construction Slowdown: The reduction in construction activity has also contributed to lower diesel demand.
• Limiting Factors for Future Crude Imports:
  • Strategic Stockpiles: China may reduce crude purchases for strategic reserves, as it nears its desired stockpile levels.
• Refinery Capacity Cap:
  • Capping at 20 Million bpd: China plans to cap refinery capacity, limiting the need for additional crude imports.
  • Underutilized Refineries: Refineries processed 13.91 million bpd in July 2024, the lowest since October 2022.
• Domestic Oil Production:
  • Increase in Domestic Output: Domestic production rose by 2.1% in 2024, displacing some crude imports.
• Reducing Import Dependency:
  • Strategic Considerations: China aims to reduce reliance on imported fuel to cut costs and avoid supply disruptions.
• Potential Factors for Increased Demand:
  • Economic Growth: If China’s economy accelerates, diesel demand could rise, boosting crude imports.
  • Refined Product Exports: Higher export quotas for refined products could lead to increased crude imports.
• Conclusion:
  • While there are potential speculative factors that could boost crude imports, the structural changes already in place—such as the shift to NEVs, LNG usage, and capping refinery capacity—are likely to limit future growth in China’s crude oil imports.

Peak Oil Concept:

Peak Oil refers to the point in time when the maximum rate of extraction of crude oil is reached, after which production is expected to enter a terminal decline.

It is based on the idea that oil, being a finite resource, will eventually reach a production peak, followed by a decrease in availability and an increase in price.

• Origin of the Concept:
  • The concept was first introduced by M. King Hubbert in the 1950s. He predicted that U.S. oil production would peak in the early 1970s, which it did in 1971.
• Global Peak Oil:
  • The global peak oil theory suggests that worldwide oil production will reach its maximum output, after which it will decline. This decline is expected to lead to increased oil prices and economic consequences due to reliance on oil.
• Factors Influencing Peak Oil:
  • Resource Depletion: As oil reserves are finite, they will eventually be depleted.
  • Technological Advancements: Innovations in extraction and exploration may delay the peak by making previously inaccessible oil reserves available.
  • Economic Factors: Changes in demand, driven by economic growth or decline, can influence the timing of peak oil.
  • Alternative Energy: The shift towards renewable energy sources can reduce oil demand, potentially delaying or mitigating the impact of peak oil.

10. India’s Space Programme: Achievements Since Chandrayaan-3 and Future Plans for ISRO

Sub: Sci

Sec: Space

In the wake of a bustling 2023, Sriharikota, India’s spaceport, has experienced a relative quiet. Nonetheless, this calm period does not signify a halt in the progress of India’s space program. Following the successful lunar landing of the Chandrayaan 3 mission’s Vikram lander, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has continued to advance its initiatives. In honor of this milestone, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially recognized August 23 as India’s National Space Day.

Recent Achievements in India’s Space Program

Aditya-L1: Building on its lunar success, India launched the solar science mission Aditya-L1 on September 2, 2023. The mission, utilizing ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), initially achieved orbit around the first Earth-Sun Lagrange point (L1) on January 6, 2024.

Aditya-L1 completed its first orbit on July 2, 2024, and studied a solar storm in May 2024, in collaboration with ground observatories and lunar orbiting spacecraft.

Gaganyaan TV-D1: On October 21, 2023, ISRO conducted its first abort test for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission using a modified L-40 Vikas engine.

This test validated the Crew Escape System’s (CES) capability to safely separate from the Test Vehicle (TV), protect the crew module, and ensure its controlled descent into the Bay of Bengal. The recovered crew module was retrieved by the Indian Navy vessel INS Shakthi.

XPoSat: ISRO commenced the new year with the launch of the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) on January 1, 2024.

Designed to study the polarization of radiation from celestial objects, XPoSat is the second space-based X-ray polarimetry observatory after NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IPEX) from 2021.

Its onboard instruments, XSPECT and POLIX, began operations on January 5 and 10, respectively.

INSAT-3DS: On February 17, ISRO launched the meteorological satellite INSAT-3DS aboard a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).

This mission aimed to validate the GSLV’s performance ahead of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, scheduled for early 2025.

The GSLV had previously achieved success with the NVS-01 satellite launch in 2023.

RLV-TD: ISRO tested its downscaled Reusable Launch Vehicle, Pushpak, through two landing experiments—LEX-02 and LEX-03—on March 22 and June 7 at its Aeronautical Testing Range in Challakere, Karnataka.

These tests, involving simulated space landing conditions from a Chinook helicopter, demonstrated the vehicle’s landing capabilities and paved the way for the upcoming Orbital Return Flight Experiment.

SSLV: On August 16, ISRO conducted the third and final development flight of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), successfully placing the EOS-08 and SR-0 Demosat satellites into orbit. With two successful test flights, the SSLV’s development was completed, and it was approved for transfer to industry.

EOS-08 featured three payloads: an infrared earth observation sensor, a satellite navigation system demonstration, and an ultraviolet dosimeter for future use in the Gaganyaan crew module.

Next-Generation Launch Vehicle

To support its ambitions for both the BAS and an advanced lunar program, India is developing the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV). This new rocket aims to deliver heavier payloads than the current PSLV or GSLV.

Led by S. Sivakumar, an ISRO team presented a project report to the Union Cabinet in February, detailing funding needs and manufacturing requirements for the NGLV.

The vehicle will feature three stages: a semi-cryogenic engine, a liquid engine, and a cryogenic engine. Once operational, the NGLV will replace the GSLV, though the PSLV continues to be produced by a consortium led by Larsen & Toubro and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. Meanwhile, ISRO is enhancing the LVM-3 rocket with a semi-cryogenic engine, having successfully tested its pre-burner ignition on May 2 and 21.

NSIL Missions

The NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is tasked with managing missions and commercial activities. On May 1, ISRO transferred all commercial aspects of Indian Remote Sensing satellite data to NSIL.

NSIL has engaged SpaceX to launch the GSAT-20/GSAT-N2 satellite in August 2024, as the LVM-3 cannot accommodate the 4,700-tonne satellite. Additionally, NSIL issued a request for qualifications for LVM-3 production via public-private partnerships and secured a launch service agreement with an Australian private space company for the SSLV.

Private Space Missions

Agnikul Cosmos made history on March 21 with the successful launch of its SoRTeD-01 vehicle, the first semi-cryogenic engine-powered launch from Indian soil.

Skyroot Aerospace is advancing towards launching its Vikram 1 rocket, following solid-fuel engine tests between May and July 2024 and a test vehicle launch on November 18, 2022. Dhruva Space and Bellatrix Aerospace conducted experiments on the PSLV-C58 mission’s fourth stage on January 1.

IN-SPACe Developments

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) has made several significant policy updates. On May 3, it released new guidelines for space activity authorization.

On November 21, it granted India’s first satellite broadband license to Eutelsat OneWeb and, on July 15, issued the first license for a ground station service to Dhruva Space. Additionally, on February 21, the Indian government amended its foreign direct investment (FDI) policy to permit 100% direct FDI in all space sectors, with exceptions for 74% in satellite manufacturing and operations and 49% in launch infrastructure.

ISRO’s Strategic Roadmaps

Research and Future Planning:

Following the transfer of operational responsibilities to NewSpace India Ltd. (NSIL), ISRO has shifted its focus to research and long-term planning.

In December 2023, ISRO Chairman S. Somanath unveiled a 25-year roadmap extending to 2047, outlining plans for the Gaganyaan mission. This plan intersects with lunar exploration goals, targeting an Indian moon landing by 2040. The lunar roadmap includes crewed missions, sample-return missions, long-duration lunar surface stays, docking with NASA’s Lunar Gateway (part of the Artemis program), and the construction of lunar habitats.

Gaganyaan Mission:

ISRO is concentrating on training its astronaut candidates, known as Gaganyatris, for the Gaganyaan mission. On February 27, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the names of the candidates:

Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla and Group Captains Prashanth Nair, Ajit Krishnan, and Angad Pratap. Recently, Shukla and Nair traveled to the U.S. for advanced training in preparation for a mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Shukla is expected to participate in this mission, with Nair as his backup. Scheduled for 2025, this mission will be conducted by Axiom Space with NASA’s support and SpaceX’s launch vehicle and crew capsule.

Additionally, ISRO plans to conduct at least four more abort tests using its Test Vehicle before the first crewed Gaganyaan flight, which is anticipated in late 2024. The roadmap also envisions the construction of an Indian space station, named the ‘Bharatiya Antariksh Station,’ by 2035.

Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) 2035

Overview

The Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) is India’s ambitious plan for a space station, slated for launch by 2035. It aims to establish a permanent human presence in low Earth orbit and drive forward India’s space capabilities.

11. ICAR and Penn State Collaborate on Advanced Plant Genome Editing Tool

Sub: Sci

Sec: Space

Context:

Researchers from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Penn State University have successfully developed a novel tool for plant genome editing. This innovative technology leverages a protein derived from the bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans, renowned for its ability to endure extreme environmental conditions. The new tool, named ISDra2TnpB, is poised to overcome the limitations associated with CRISPR’s Cas9 and Cas12 systems, marking a significant advancement in plant genetic engineering.

Understanding Genome Editing Technology

Genome editing is a cutting-edge technology that enables scientists to make precise alterations to an organism’s DNA. This can result in changes in physical traits, such as eye color, and can also influence an organism’s susceptibility to certain diseases.

The technology acts like molecular scissors, cutting the DNA at specific locations. Following this cut, scientists can remove, add, or replace segments of DNA to achieve the desired genetic modifications.

The Evolution of Genome Editing

The journey of genome editing began in the late 20th century, introducing the first technologies capable of manipulating DNA at specific sites. A significant breakthrough came with the advent of CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats), which mimics a natural defense mechanism in bacteria against viral attacks. CRISPR, using the Cas9 protein, revolutionized genome editing by making it simpler, faster, more affordable, and highly accurate.

Introducing TnpB: The Next-Generation Tool

Significance of TnpB in Plant Genome Editing

The development of TnpB offers several potential benefits:

• Enhanced Crop Resilience: This new genome editing tool could enable the creation of crops that are more resistant to pests, less vulnerable to damage from extreme weather events like cyclones, and free from harmful anti-nutrient factors.
• Targeting Unique Genomic Regions: TnpB can access unique regions in the genome that Cas9 cannot, expanding the possibilities for genome engineering.
• Fusion Protein Creation: TnpB facilitates the creation of fusion proteins, or chimeric proteins, by combining genes that originally coded for separate proteins. This broadens the scope of genome engineering applications.
• Effectiveness Across Plant Types: TnpB has shown effectiveness in both monocots (such as rice, which have one seed leaf) and dicots (such as Arabidopsis).

The collaboration between ICAR and Penn State University has resulted in a significant advancement in plant genome editing with the development of TnpB. This tool not only addresses the limitations of existing technologies but also opens new avenues for agricultural innovation, potentially leading to more resilient and nutritionally enhanced crops.

12. How Chandrayaan 3’s Initial Discoveries Are Transforming Our Understanding of the Moon

Sub: Sci

Sec: Space

Why This Article Is in the News

India’s recent Chandrayaan 3 mission has captured global attention for several reasons. Not only did it mark India’s entry into an exclusive club of Moon-landing nations, but it also made history by landing near the lunar south pole. The mission’s findings are providing new insights into the Moon’s early history and potential future missions.

Significant new findings have emerged from the mission. Released by Ahmedabad’s Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) on August 21, these findings offer valuable insights into the Moon’s composition and history.

Key Findings from Chandrayaan-3

1. Evidence of a Magma Ocean:
   • Historical Theory Supported: Data suggests that an ocean of molten rocks once covered the Moon’s south pole, supporting the theory that magma formed the Moon’s surface about 4.5 billion years ago.
2. Mineral Discovery:
   • Sulphur Confirmed: The Pragyan rover identified minerals, including sulphur, on the lunar surface.
3. Elemental Analysis:
   • Preliminary Findings: Analysis detected Aluminium (Al), sulphur (S), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), and titanium (Ti).
   • Further Measurements: Additional readings revealed manganese (Mn), silicon (Si), and oxygen (O).
4. Seismic Readings:
   • Surface and Natural Activity: Seismic data recorded mild rumbles from the rover and scientific instruments, as well as what appeared to be a “natural event” on the Moon.

• India’s Historic Achievement

• Historic Landing:
  • On August 23, 2024, India became the fourth country to land on the Moon and the first to land near the lunar south pole.
• Significant Milestone:
  • Chandrayaan 3’s success is hailed as a remarkable achievement for India, highlighting its growing prowess in space exploration.

Future Plans

1. Upcoming Missions:
   • Designs for Chandrayaan-4 and -5 are complete and await government approval.
2. Space Station and Lunar Goals:
   • ISRO is aiming to set up India’s first space station by 2035 and land an Indian astronaut on the Moon by 2040.

Chandrayaan 3: Key Facts for UPSC Prelims

1. Launch Date:
   • July 14, 2023: Chandrayaan 3 was launched.
2. Landing Date:
   • August 23, 2023: The mission successfully achieved a lunar landing.
3. Landing Location:
   • Lunar South Pole: Chandrayaan 3 became the first mission to land near this region.
4. Mission Objectives:
   • Soft Landing and Experiments: Demonstrated the capability for a soft landing and conducted scientific experiments on the Moon’s surface.
5. Mission Components:
   • Lander and Rover: The mission included a lander (Vikram) and a rover (Pragyan) but did not carry an orbiter.
6. Scientific Discoveries:
   • Magma Ocean Hypothesis: Provided evidence supporting the presence of a magma ocean in the Moon’s early history and indicated potential lunar crust disturbances.

The success of Chandrayaan-3 has marked a pivotal moment for India’s space program, leading to increased investments and significant policy changes aimed at expanding the space sector.

Key Developments in India’s Space Sector

1. Impact of Chandrayaan-3:
   • Watershed Moment: The mission’s success has significantly boosted India’s space program, marking a new era of achievement and progress.
2. Increased Investments:
   • Government Funding: There has been a notable increase in investments into the space sector, reflecting the government’s commitment to advancing space exploration and technology.
3. New Space Policy (2023):
   • Opening to Private Players: The Centre’s New Space Policy, released in 2023, has paved the way for private sector involvement in the space industry.
   • Defined Roles: The policy outlines specific roles for stakeholders, including private partners, in areas such as satellite building, technology development, and infrastructure.

13. Magnetic Fields in the Sun’s Atmosphere: A New Discovery

Sub: Sci

Sec: Space

Why It’s in the News

A recent breakthrough has been achieved in understanding the Sun’s atmosphere by examining the magnetic fields across its various layers. The Kodaikanal Tower Tunnel Telescope provided crucial data that has opened new avenues for exploring solar phenomena.

Overview of the Solar Atmosphere

• Composition: The solar atmosphere consists of several layers, all interconnected by magnetic fields.
• Role of Magnetic Fields: These fields act as channels, transferring energy and mass from the Sun’s inner layers to its outer layers. This process is integral to understanding the “coronal heating problem” and the generation of solar wind.

Importance of Magnetic Field Measurements

• Understanding Solar Processes: Measuring the magnetic fields at different heights within the solar atmosphere is vital for deciphering the physical mechanisms driving solar phenomena.
• Magnetic Field Strength: The intensity of these magnetic fields can be deduced from precise measurements of spectral line intensities across the Sun, conducted in full polarization.

Techniques Used

• Simultaneous Multiline Spectropolarimetry:
  • This observational technique allows scientists to capture the magnetic field at different layers of the solar atmosphere simultaneously.
  • Recent studies have shown its effectiveness in detailing the magnetic structures associated with sunspots, umbral flashes, and chromospheric variations during solar flares.

Significance of the Findings

The new method provides a deeper understanding of the Sun’s magnetic structure, offering insights into long-standing solar mysteries such as coronal heating and solar wind generation. This advancement enhances our ability to predict solar activity and its effects on space weather.

Study Overview

• Institution Involved: The study was conducted by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• Focus Area: The study examined a sunspot characterized by multiple umbrae and a penumbra, highlighting the intricate nature of this active solar region.
• Observational Techniques:
  • Simultaneous Observations: Observations were made using the Hydrogen-alpha line at 6562.8 Å and the Calcium II 8662 Å line.
  • Telescope Used: Data were gathered using the Kodaikanal Tower Tunnel Telescope at the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KoSO).

Significance of the Study

• Magnetic Field Stratification: The study provided insights into the magnetic field’s stratification at different heights within the solar atmosphere. This was made possible by the simultaneous observation of multiple spectral lines.
• Contribution to Solar Physics: The findings enhance our understanding of the magnetic structures associated with sunspots, which play a crucial role in solar activity.

Key Takeaways from the Telescope’s Mirror Setup and Findings

1. Mirror Setup:
   • The Tunnel Telescope uses a three-mirror system where the primary mirror (M1) tracks the Sun.
   • The secondary mirror (M2) redirects sunlight downwards.
   • The tertiary mirror (M3) makes the sunlight beam horizontal.
2. Coelostat Mechanism:
   • The setup, where the primary mirror rotates to track the Sun, is known as a Coelostat.
   • An achromatic doublet with a 38 cm aperture focuses the Sun’s image at a distance of 36 meters.
3. Probing the Chromospheric Magnetic Field:
   • Traditional diagnostic probes like the Calcium II 8542 Å and Helium I 10830 Å lines are used to infer the chromospheric magnetic field but have limitations in diverse solar features.
   • The Hydrogen-alpha (Hα) line, however, is more effective in probing the chromospheric magnetic field as it is less sensitive to local temperature fluctuations.
   • This makes the Hα line particularly useful in studying solar phenomena like flaring active regions, where sudden temperature changes occur.

Importance of a Multi-Line Approach

• Magnetic Field Stratification: The study emphasizes the need for a multi-line approach to fully understand the complex stratification of magnetic fields in the Sun’s chromosphere.

Call for Advanced Observations

• Future Observational Needs:
  • The study calls for further spectropolarimetric observations of the Hα line using cutting-edge telescopes with superior spatial and spectral resolution.
  • Potential Telescopes:
    • Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST): Currently operational.
    • European Solar Telescope (EST): A future facility in development.
    • National Large Solar Telescope (NLST): A proposed 2-meter class optical and near-infrared telescope to be built in Merak, Ladakh, India.

National Large Solar Telescope (NLST):

1. Purpose: The NLST is designed as a ground-based 2-meter class optical and near-infrared (IR) observational facility aimed at studying the Sun’s magnetic fields and other solar phenomena with high precision.
2. Location: The proposed site for the NLST is Merak village in Ladakh, India. This location is chosen for its high altitude and clear skies, which are ideal for solar observations.
3. Research Focus: The NLST will focus on studying the solar atmosphere, particularly the chromosphere and photosphere, to understand magnetic field stratification and solar activity, such as flares and sunspots.
4. Technological Advancements: The telescope will feature advanced spectropolarimetric capabilities, allowing for high-resolution observations of the Sun’s magnetic fields across different atmospheric layers.
5. Global Collaboration: The NLST is expected to collaborate with other leading solar telescopes worldwide, such as the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) and the European Solar Telescope (EST), contributing to global efforts in solar research.

Understanding the Solar Cycle

• The Solar Cycle: A solar cycle is a roughly 11-year cycle in which the Sun’s magnetic activity increases and decreases. This cycle influences various solar phenomena, including sunspots, solar flares, and the solar wind.

Phases of the Solar Cycle

Sunspots and the Solar Cycle

• Sunspot Count: The number of sunspots on the Sun’s surface is a key indicator of the solar cycle. Sunspot numbers rise during the solar maximum and decline during the solar minimum.

Impact on Earth

• Space Weather: The solar cycle affects space weather, which can influence satellite operations, communication systems, and even power grids on Earth.
• Auroras: Increased solar activity during the solar maximum can lead to more frequent and intense auroras (Northern and Southern Lights).

Historical Observations

• First Observed: The solar cycle was first observed by scientists in the 18th century, and it has been systematically studied since then.
• Current Cycle: As of 2024, we are in Solar Cycle 25, which began in December 2019 and is expected to peak around 2025.

Understanding the solar cycle is crucial for predicting space weather and preparing for its potential impacts on modern technology.

14. Earth whistles when lightning strikes, and there’s a new melody

Sub: Sci

Sec: Space

• Recent research found that lightning energy can generate a new type of whistler wave by reflecting from the ionosphere into the magnetosphere.
• This challenges previous beliefs and may double the lightning energy entering the magnetosphere, affecting Van Allen belt calculations.

Why does the Earth whistle when lightning strikes?

• Earth’s magnetosphere protects the planet by trapping charged particles from the Sun and cosmic radiation in the Van Allen radiation belts.
• Lightning strikes release electrical energy as electromagnetic waves, some of which are known as whistler waves.
• These waves travel along Earth’s magnetic field lines, moving between the northern and southern hemispheres.
• The frequencies of whistler waves are within the human hearing range (20–20,000 Hz) and can travel at speeds up to a tenth of the speed of light.

New Research:

• Recent research from the University of Alaska Fairbanks discovered a new type of whistler wave generated by lightning energy reflected from the ionosphere into the magnetosphere.
• This new wave mechanism suggests that more lightning energy may enter the magnetosphere than previously thought.
• The finding could impact calculations of lightning’s effects on the Van Allen belts and has implications for space exploration.

Van Allen belts

• The Van Allen radiation belt is a zone of energetic charged particles, most of which originate from the solar wind. The particles are captured by and held around a planet by that planet’s magnetic field. It surrounds Earth, containing a nearly impenetrable barrier that prevents the fastest, most energetic electrons from reaching Earth.
• The outer belt is made up of billions of high-energy particles that originate from the Sun and become trapped in Earth’s magnetic field, an area known as the magnetosphere. The inner belt results from interactions of cosmic rays with Earth’s atmosphere.
• Discovered by James Van Allen in 1958, these belts protect Earth from solar and cosmic radiation by confining particles within them.
• They play a crucial role in space weather, influencing satellite operations and astronaut safety.

Can you see the Van Allen radiation belt?

Although images of the Van Allen radiation belts make them look visible and colorful, this is actually just a representation. The radiation belts themselves are so dilute that astronauts don’t even see or feel them when they are outside in their spacesuits. In fact, scientists only detect them using sensitive instruments inside satellites and spacecraft.