Daily Prelims Notes 23 March 2025

March 23, 2025
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

23 March 2025

Table Of Contents

1. No Mismatch Between Circulating Influenza Strains and Vaccine Strains

Sub :Sci

Sec :Health

Why in News

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the influenza vaccine composition for the 2025-2026 northern hemisphere flu season. Concerns were raised after reports of a surge in influenza cases in the Delhi-NCR region, but there is no mismatch between circulating flu strains and vaccine strains this time.

Surge in Influenza Cases in India:

NCDC’s Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) reported 516 influenza cases and six deaths in January 2025.
A 2023 study in the Indian Journal of Medical Research highlighted that influenza causes substantial disease burden and deaths annually.
High mortality is observed among children under five and adults over 65 years.

About Influenza:

Influenza is a viral disease. It is caused by Orthomyxovirus (influenza virus) pathogen.
It is a contagious disease, which means it can be spread easily from person to person.
Viruses that cause influenza spread from person to person mainly by droplets of respiratory fluids sent through the air when someone infected with the virus coughs or sneezes.
Influenza A viruses infect humans and many different animals. Influenza type A viruses are of most significance to public health due to their potential to cause an influenza pandemic.
Influenza type A viruses are classified into subtypes according to the combinations of different virus surface proteins hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA).
Fever, respiratory symptoms like cough and runny nose, as well as other symptoms including body aches, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea, are some of the prominent symptoms of the virus.
WHO recommends influenza strains months in advance based on currently circulating strains.
Vaccine development methods include egg-based, cell-based, and recombinant vaccines.
Influenza vaccines are formulated based on the previous year’s circulating strains.
Influenza vaccination is not part of India’s Universal Immunisation Programme.
Ministry of Health guidelines (2018) classify flu vaccines as:
- Mandatory for healthcare workers.
- Recommended for pregnant women, children, and adults with chronic illnesses.
- Desirable for adults over 65 years and children under five, despite their high mortality risk.
A 2022 study found that only 1.5% of Indian adults aged 45 and above had ever received an influenza vaccine.

Recent Trends:

Influenza vaccine coverage remains below 5% in India.
Despite year-on-year market growth, public awareness remains low.
In 2025, flu vaccine demand increased by 21% compared to 2024, according to Sanofi.
Serum Institute produces 3-4 lakh doses annually and can scale up production based on demand.

2. Indo-French Naval Exercise Varuna 2024

Sub :Sci

Sec :defence

Why in News

The Indo-French bilateral naval exercise Varuna 2024 was conducted off the coast of Goa. This edition of the exercise saw the participation of aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and Charles de Gaulle, with a significant focus on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations.

About Varuna 2024:

The exercise witnessed the participation of India’s INS Vikrant and France’s Charles de Gaulle.
Various aircraft, including Rafale-M fighters, MiG-29Ks, and maritime patrol aircraft, were actively involved in the operations.
Emphasis on Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW): ASW exercises were a key component, with one Indian submarine acting as the aggressor while Indian and French frigates safeguarded high-value units.
The French oiler Jacques Chevallier played a pivotal role in protection drills.
Operations were conducted across all three domains: sub-surface, surface, and aerial warfare.
Replenishment-at-sea (RAS) drills were conducted to improve logistical cooperation and extended operational endurance.
The French Carrier Strike Group (CSG) has been deployed in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) since November 2024 as part of the Clemenceau 25 mission.

Rafale-M Fighter Jets:

The Rafale M, developed by Dassault Aviation, is a naval adaptation of the Rafale fighter jet specifically designed for carrier-based operations.
Key Features of Rafale M:
- Reinforced Nose and Tail: Strengthened to withstand the stress of catapult launches and arrested landings on aircraft carriers.
- Landing Gear: Specially designed to endure the high-impact forces during carrier landings.
- Operates seamlessly on carriers equipped with CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) Used on the French Navy’s flagship carrier, Charles de Gaulle.
- Maximum speed: Mach 1.8, enabling rapid interception and engagement.
- Combat radius: 1,000+ km, suitable for long-range naval operations.
- Features an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for tracking multiple targets simultaneously.
- Capable of carrying a diverse range of armaments, including air-to-air missiles, precision-guided bombs, and anti-ship missiles. Compatible with nuclear payloads, adding to its strategic significance.
- Corrosion-resistant coating to withstand the harsh marine environment.
- Folding wings for efficient storage aboard aircraft carriers.

3. Tavasya: The Fourth Krivak-Class Stealth Frigate Launched

Sub: Sci

Sec: defence

Why in News

The fourth and final follow-on Krivak-class stealth frigate, Tavasya, was launched into the water at Goa Shipyard Ltd. (GSL).

Krivak-Class Frigate Deal:

India and Russia signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) in October 2016 for four follow-on Krivak-class frigates.
Tavasya is the second Krivak-class frigate constructed at GSL under Russian technology transfer.
First Frigate (Triput): Launched in July 2023.
The first Indian-built frigate will be delivered to the Indian Navy in 2026.
Russian-Made Frigates:
- INS Tushil was commissioned on December, 2024, at Kaliningrad, Russia, and reached its home port in Karwar on February, 2025.
- INS Tamal is currently in advanced trials and is expected to be commissioned by June 2025.

Technical Specifications:

Class: Krivak IV (Follow-on Talwar-class Frigate)
All ships are powered by Zorya-Mashproekt gas turbine engines from Ukraine.
Advanced stealth technology for reduced radar visibility.
Equipped with state-of-the-art weapon systems and sensors.
Designed for multi-role operations including anti-submarine warfare, anti-aircraft, and surface combat missions.

4. Fertilizers Committee Warns Against Under-Funding of Nutrient Subsidy Schemes

Sub :Schemes

Sec :Agri

Introduction

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilizers, chaired by Kirti Azad, has raised concerns over the under-funding of nutrient subsidy schemes.
The committee has urged the Union Fertilizers Ministry to seek additional funds to prevent a negative impact on farmers.

Budget Allocation and Reduction in Funds

The Department of Fertilizers had projected an outlay of ₹1,84,704.63 crore for 2025-26.
However, the Ministry of Finance reduced this allocation by 7.38% to ₹1,71,082.44 crore.
This reduction has affected both the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme and the Urea Subsidy Scheme, impacting the smooth implementation of these programs.

Call for Expanding Nano Fertilizers Production

The committee recommended expanding the production capacity of Nano Urea and Nano Diammonium Phosphate (Nano DAP).
It urged the government to ensure the timely establishment of production units.
Additionally, a strategy to popularise nano fertilizers among farmers was suggested.

Need for Securing Raw Material Supply

While agreements between Indian fertilizer companies and resource-rich countries exist, there are no efforts to secure mining lease agreements for:
- Extraction
- Exploration
- Refining
- Production
The committee emphasized that without physical measures and public-private investments, achieving self-sufficiency in fertilizers would be difficult.

Underutilisation of Funds in 2024-25

The committee pointed out underutilisation of funds in various categories:
- 20% under indigenous phosphorus and potassium (PK) fertilizers.
- 12% under imported PK fertilizers.
- 14.76% under indigenous urea.
- 59.57% under Market Development Assistance (MDA).
It recommended ensuring full utilisation of allocations in a planned manner.

Impact of Nano Fertilizers on Crop Yield

The combination of Nano Urea with conventional Urea resulted in an increase in crop yield.
Highest yield improvement observed:
- Peas: 6.14% to 14.82%
- Sugarcane: 1.65% to 4%
Field trials of Nano DAP indicated that its use for seed treatment and foliar application could reduce the requirement for conventional granular DAP.
The committee recommended expanding Nano Urea and Nano DAP production capacities in a timely manner.

Conclusion

The committee has urged the government to prioritise fertilizer subsidy schemes, secure raw materials, and expand nano fertilizer production to ensure self-sufficiency and better agricultural productivity.

5. Challenges in Uploading Voting Data

Sub :Polity

Sec : Elections

Context:

In May 2024, in the middle of the Lok Sabha elections, the Supreme Court of India considered a petition by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), seeking the publication of the first part of Form 17C.
This includes booth-wise voter turnout data, on the Election Commission of India’s (EC) website, within 48 hours of polling.

Election Commission’s Stand

The Election Commission (EC) maintains that Form 17C is legally required to be shared only with polling agents and not the general public.
EC has expressed concerns that “indiscriminate disclosure” could create chaos and lead to misinformation.
The EC has now agreed to meet petitioners to discuss the demand for transparency.

What is Form 17C?

As per the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, Form 17C is a two-part document recording voter turnout and vote count at each polling station.
Part 1: Account of Votes Recorded
- Filled by the presiding officer at each polling station.
- Includes EVM identification number, number of electors, votes cast, rejected votes, and tendered ballots.
- Signed by the presiding officer and polling agents before sealing.
Part 2: Result of Counting
- Filled by the returning officer on counting day.
- Lists candidates and the votes received by each.
- Checks if the total matches the votes recorded in Part 1 or if discrepancies exist.

Why Do Opposition Parties Demand Online Publication of Form 17C?

Discrepancies in Vote Count:
- Analysis by ADR found that in only 5 constituencies, the votes polled matched the votes counted.
- In 538 constituencies, mismatches were observed:
  - 362 seats: 5.5 lakh fewer votes counted than polled.
  - 176 seats: 35,000 extra votes counted.
Delayed Voter Turnout Updates:
- In Phase 1 of the Lok Sabha elections, the final turnout was published 11 days late and was up to 5% higher than the initial announcement.
- EC provides voter turnout data in percentages, not absolute numbers.
Challenges in Accessing Form 17C:
- Not all candidates have polling agents at every booth.
- Possible manipulation or lack of representation of Opposition parties.

Difficulties Faced by the EC

Concerns Over Misuse:
- Images of Form 17C could be morphed to spread misinformation.
Practical Challenges:
- Errors by polling officials due to pressure and stress.
- Data verification process by returning officers and observers takes time.
Political and Administrative Implications:
- Mistakes can lead to disciplinary actions against poll workers.
- Political parties can collect and publish Form 17C themselves.