Daily Prelims Notes 24 June 2024

Daily Prelims Notes

24 June 2024

1. Pushpak, ISRO’s reusable launch vehicle, clears test

Sub: Science and tech

Sec:  Space sector

Context:

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) completed the third Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Landing Experiment (LEX) on June 23 at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Chitradurga, Karnataka.

More about the launch:

• This is the third and final test in the series of LEX (03).
• Following the success of the RLV LEX-01 and LEX-02 missions, RLV LEX-03 re-demonstrated the autonomous landing capability of the RLV under more challenging release conditions (cross range of 500 m against 150 m for LEX-02) and more severe wind conditions.
• The winged vehicle, Pushpak, was released from an Indian Air Force Chinook Helicopter at an altitude of 4.5 km.
• ISRO said that from a release point 4.5 km away from the runway, Pushpak autonomously executed cross-range correction maneuvers, approached the runway and performed a precise horizontal landing at the runway centreline.
• This mission simulated the approach and landing interface and high-speed landing conditions for a vehicle returning from space, reaffirming ISRO’s expertise in acquiring the most critical technologies required for the development of a Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV).
• The advanced guidance algorithm catering to longitudinal and lateral plane error corrections, which is essential for the future Orbital Reentry Mission, has been validated.
• The RLV-LEX uses multisensor fusion including sensors like the Inertial sensor, Radar altimeter, Flush air data system, Pseudolite system and NavIC.
• The RLV-LEX-03 mission reused the winged body and flight systems as such without any modification, from the LEX-02 mission, demonstrating the robustness of ISRO’s capability of design to reuse flight systems for multiple missions.

2. New research heralds breast cancer diagnosis with just a drop of blood

Sub: Science and tech

Sec: Health

Context:

• The CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) scientists in association with clinicians of the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) in Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) have identified a potentially cost-effective and non-invasive method to detect various kinds of breast cancer from just a drop of blood.

Key Highlights of the Research:

• The researchers have analyzed microRNA signatures in hundreds of human cancer samples and identified 439 microRNAs (miRNAs) that are associated with invasive breast cancer, of which 107 qualified to be potential biomarkers for the stratification of different types, grades and stages of invasive ductal carcinoma.
• Most of the cellular processes in a body are regulated by miRNAs molecules which are 23-25 base small non-coding RNA molecules.
• The scientist explained that cancer cells shed DNA/RNA into the circulation called ‘Circulating Nucleic Acids (CNAs) and tumor-specific genetic changes, including DNA, RNA, and proteins, which are detectable in plasma or other body fluids of cancer patients to identify the earlier stages of cancer development.
• Based on this principle, the identified biomarkers could be made into a liquid biopsy system that might prove to be a boon for developing countries, where cancer could be detected from one drop of blood.
• Nine international patents have already been granted for these biomarkers as a testimony to the application of results of this study, which got published recently in a prestigious journal called “Cell Communication and Signaling (CCS).

Benefits of the Diagnosis:

• Affordable, quick and robust early detection protocols for breast cancer diagnosis using miRNAs could strengthen the healthcare system majorly because breast cancer is a hidden epidemic in third world countries with most rural women in India and elsewhere reluctant to go for a physical examination.
• The discovery of biomarkers has become essential for early detection, classification, and monitoring of cancer.

What is “Circulating Nucleic Acids =CNA”?

• CNA  refers to segments of DNA or RNA found in the bloodstream.
• CNAs offer a non-invasive approach to a wide range in diagnostics of clinical disorders that will allow the basic information necessary not only for use in predictive medicine but also for direct use in acute medicine.

3. How is methanol procured and used as liquor?

Sub: Science and tech

Sec: Health

Context:

• The Kallakurichi illicit liquor tragedy that has so far claimed more than 50 lives is entirely familiar in its cause, sequence of events, and aftermath.
• It is possible that methanol formed during the crude distillation process, adopted by the bootleggers at Kallakurichi, wasn’t removed, leading to methanol poisoning.

Ethanol and its uses:

• Ethanol is legal liquor for consumption.
• It is produced biologically using edible material.
• Molasses, which are a by-product of the sugar making process, form the starting material of distilleries manufacturing ethanol.

Methanol and its uses:

• Methanol is produced from fuels such as coal in India.
• During ethanol production in responsible distilleries, methanol is also produced but is carefully removed since the processes are highly controlled.
• It is needed to produce a range of products that are highly useful.
• Just like ethanol, methanol is a highly controlled substance.
• Methanol is widely used in paint industries.
• Most of the hooch tragedies in India occur due to methanol contamination in liquor.
• Potent poison that is methanol, if diluted enough, could provide the same effect as ordinary liquor — a state of intoxication or ‘kick’ for consumers.

Efforts taken:

• The periodic occurrence of methanol poisoning suggests the need for strong central legislation that can work with State legislation.
• Various laws such as the Poisons Act that involve State governments can tighten the inter-State methanol supply chain.
• The implementation of laws holds the key, especially when there are plans to ramp up the production of both ethanol and methanol for use as cheaper, eco-friendly alternatives to petrol and diesel for transportation.

4. What are the duties of a Speaker?

Sub: Polity

Sec: Parliament

Context:

• The President has appointed seven-time MP Bhartruhari Mahtab as the ‘Speaker pro tem’ of the 18th Lok Sabha.

More on news:

• The election of the full-time Speaker is scheduled for June 26.
• There are also reports of the Deputy Speaker being offered to one of the allies of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), a post that has been held by the Opposition since the 10th Lok Sabha (1991).
• In the 18th Lok Sabha, Bhartruhari Mahtab of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been appointed as Speaker pro tem.

Who is Speaker pro tem?

• Article 94 of the Constitution states that the Speaker of the Lok Sabha shall not vacate his/her office until immediately before the first meeting of the Lok Sabha after its dissolution. This is to ensure that the office of the Speaker is never left vacant.
• Article 95(1) of the Constitution provides that when the post of Speaker and Deputy Speaker is vacant, the President shall appoint a member of the Lok Sabha to perform the duties of the Speaker.
• This would be the situation when the first meeting of a new Lok Sabha commences.
• The President appoints ‘Speaker pro tem’ under this provision till the full-time Speaker is elected. The term ‘pro tem’ means ‘for the time being’ or ‘temporary’.
• The President is pleased to appoint Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, Member, Lok Sabha as Speaker Pro term under Article 95(1) of the Constitution to perform the duties of Speaker till election of the Speaker.
• The President of India appoints the Protem Speaker.
• The first meeting after the election when the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker are selected by members of the Parliament is held under the pro tem Speaker.
• The newly elected members of the 18th Lok Sabha will make oath or affirmation before the pro tem Speaker.
• As per convention, the MP who has served the maximum terms is appointed pro tem Speaker for the first two days when oath is administered to all newly elected MPs.
• This term is not found in the Constitution or rules of Lok Sabha but is a conventional term which finds mention in the ‘Handbook on the working of Ministry of Parliamentary affairs.’
• As per tradition, one of the senior-most members of the Lok Sabha is selected by the government, who is then administered oath by the President.
• The Speaker pro tem administers oath of office to other MPs and presides over the election of full-time Speaker.

How are the Speaker and Deputy Speaker elected?

• Article 93 of the Constitution states that the Lok Sabha shall choose two members to be its Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
• The election of the Speaker is held on a date fixed by the President.
• All the Speakers in independent India have been elected unopposed.
• The election of Deputy Speaker is held on a date fixed by the Speaker.

What is the importance of the Speaker?

• Apart from the conduct of business, the Speakers perform two important constitutional functions of certifying a Bill to be a Money Bill (over which the Rajya Sabha has limited role), and deciding on disqualification under the Tenth Schedule for defection.
• In discharging these roles in the past, the Speakers have invariably favoured the ruling dispensation, something that should be avoided.
• The Lok Sabha rules provide the Speaker with the powers of referral of Bills introduced to Standing Committees and suspension of members for grave disorder up to a maximum of five days.
• Referral of Bills to committees have declined from 71% during 2009-14 to 16% during 2019-24.
• With the return of a coalition government, it is expected that the Speaker would refer important Bills to Standing committees for scrutiny.
• There were also large-scale suspensions of Opposition MPs during the winter session of 2023.

What are the conventions?

• In Britain, the Speaker once elected to his/her office, resigns from the political party to which he/she belonged.
• In subsequent elections to the House of Commons, he/she seeks election not as a member of any political party but as ‘The Speaker seeking re-election’.
• While the Tenth Schedule allows a Speaker to resign from their political party on being elected to their office, it has never been done by any Speaker till date.
• Resignation from their political parties on being elected as Speaker could be a first step towards demonstrating independence.
• The Deputy Speaker is an important constitutional officer who steps in during the vacancy or absence of the Speaker.
• The convention of offering the post of Deputy Speaker to the Opposition started in the year 1991.
• Till the 16th Lok Sabha this has been followed without a break.
• It was a travesty of the Constitution that no Deputy Speaker was elected in the 17th Lok Sabha.

5. 18th Lok Sabha session begins today: How do MPs take oath? What happens if an MP is in jail?

Sub: Polity

Sec: Parliament

Context:

• THE FIRST session of the 18th Lok Sabha starts today (24 June 2024). Before the House can begin its legislative functioning, the newly elected members will have to take the oath of Members of Parliament (MP), which is provided in the Constitution.

First Session of the 18th Lok Sabha and Parliamentary Oath:

• Commencement and Oath-Taking:
  • Newly elected MPs must take the constitutional oath before legislative work begins.
  • Bhartruhari Mahtab (elected for the seventh consecutive time from Cuttack, Odisha) will be the first to take the oath in front of President Droupadi Murmu.
  • Mahtab will act as Speaker pro tem (under Article 95(1) of the Constitution) until a new Speaker is elected.
• Term of an MP:
  • An MP’s five-year term begins when the Election Commission of India (ECI) declares results, according to Section 73 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
  • MPs start receiving salary and allowances from the date of ECI notification, which was June 6 after the 2024 general elections.
  • If MPs change their party allegiance after this date, their political party can request the Speaker to disqualify them under the anti-defection law.
• Significance of Parliamentary Oath:
  • Winning the election and starting the term does not automatically allow an MP to participate in House proceedings.
  • To debate and vote in Lok Sabha, an MP must take the prescribed oath or affirmation under Article 99 of the Constitution.
  • Participating or voting without taking the oath incurs a financial penalty of Rs 500 under Article 104.
  • Ministers can participate but not vote in House proceedings for up to six months without being elected to Parliament.
• Parliamentary Oath Text:
  • Found in the third schedule of the Constitution: “I, A.B., having been elected (or nominated) a member of the Council of States (or the House of the People), do swear in the name of God / solemnly affirm that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established, that I will uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India and that I will faithfully discharge the duty upon which I am about to enter.”
• Evolution of the Oath:
  • The original draft Constitution did not include God in the oaths.
  • Amendments by K.T. Shah and Mahavir Tyagi added God to the oath, providing liberty for those who do not believe in God to solemnly affirm instead.
  • Dr. B.R. Ambedkar supported these amendments.
  • The Constitution (Sixteenth Amendment) Act, 1963, added a pledge to uphold India’s sovereignty and integrity, based on recommendations from the National Integration Council.
• Oath Taking Process:
  • MPs must submit their election certificate to Lok Sabha staff before taking the oath.
  • Parliament added this safeguard after an incident in 1957 when a mentally unsound individual posed as an MP.
  • MPs can take the oath in any of the 22 languages specified in the Constitution.
  • Roughly half the MPs take their oath in Hindi or English; Sanskrit has also been popular in recent Lok Sabhas.
  • MPs must use the name on their election certificate and adhere to the text of the oath. Deviations are corrected by the presiding officer.
• Special Cases:
  • MPs in jail can be allowed by courts to take the oath to avoid vacating their seat due to non-attendance under constitutional provisions.
  • Example: Atul Kumar Singh, allowed to take the oath in January 2020 while in jail.
• The session begins with these procedures to ensure all MPs are formally inducted and eligible to participate in legislative duties.

Source: IE

6. Is the EU’s Chat Control law undermining online privacy?

Sub: Science and tech

Sec: Awareness in IT and computer

EU’s Proposed “Chat Control” Law:

• The law, proposed in May 2022 by European Commissioner Ylva Johansson, aims to combat online child sexual abuse but has been criticized and termed “Chat Control.”
• France, Germany, and Poland oppose the clause allowing mass scanning of private messages, fearing it breaks end-to-end encryption.
• Tech companies, trade associations, and privacy experts also oppose the regulation.
• Spain and Ireland’s Interior Ministers support the proposal, while children’s rights advocates criticize EU leaders for not effectively tackling online child sexual abuse.

Concerns Against the Proposal:

• Scanning end-to-end encrypted messages is controversial due to the creation of backdoors that third parties could exploit, compromising privacy.
• Apple faced backlash in 2021 for its NeuralHash feature designed to scan iCloud photos for child sexual abuse material (CSAM), leading to its abandonment in 2022 due to privacy concerns and potential misuse by authoritarian governments.
• UK’s similar attempt through the Online Safety Bill faced pushback from messaging app owners like WhatsApp and Signal, leading to the postponement of the proposal.

Status of EU’s Chat Control Law:

• A new draft, to be reviewed on June 30, omits scanning text messages and audio, focusing instead on photos, videos, and URLs.
• The proposal includes a controversial consent mechanism where users refusing scanning would be blocked from sending/receiving images, videos, and links.
• The European Commission proposed a temporary derogation of the E-Privacy Directive, allowing specific service providers to scan messages for CSAM, set to expire in early August, with plans for extension stalled.
• Concerns about government surveillance are echoed, noting the potential impact on democracies and autocracies alike.

Source: TH

7. Nuclear study provides major update on plutonium isotope fission

Sub: Science and tech

Sec: Nuclear Energy

Context:

• On March 4, India advanced to the second stage of its nuclear power programme by starting core-loading of the prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR) at Madras Atomic Power Station, Kalpakkam.

Details:

• The first stage used uranium isotopes in heavy-water reactors to produce plutonium-239 (Pu-239) and energy.
• The second stage focuses on plutonium fission, with Pu-239 capturing neutrons and becoming Pu-240 or undergoing fission.

Understanding Pu-240 Fission:

• When Pu-240 captures a neutron, it can turn into Pu-241 or undergo fission, but predicting the energy of fission products is complex.
• The prompt fission neutron spectrum (PFNS) measures neutrons emitted immediately after neutron capture by Pu-240.
• Only two studies have measured PFNS in Pu-240; the latest used higher-energy neutrons and found significant deviations from theoretical predictions.

Implications and Uses of New Findings:

• The PFBR uses plutonium from the CANDU reactor spent fuel, which contains Pu-240, making new data on Pu-240 behaviour relevant.
• Pu-240, considered a contaminant in weapons-grade plutonium, is harder to separate from Pu-239 and accumulates predictably.
• The recent study by researchers at Los Alamos Neutron Science Centre used a pure Pu-240 sample to measure neutron energies and fission products, identifying higher-than-expected second-chance fission rates.
  • So far there has only been one study that attempted to study the PFNS of induced fission in Pu-240, where neutrons that bombarded the Pu-240 nuclei had an energy of 0.85 mega-electron-volt (MeV).

Impact on Nuclear Data Libraries:

• Discrepancies between predicted and observed PFNS data suggest updates are needed in nuclear data libraries like ENDF, JEFF-3.3, and JENDL-5.0.
• These libraries are crucial for reactor design, radiation shielding, nuclear medicine, and other applications.
• The study found that only JENDL-5.0 included both multi-chance fission and pre-equilibrium neutron emission processes, highlighting areas for improvement in other libraries.

Important terms:

Source: TH

8. Hawaii settles climate case with young litigants: what was the lawsuit — and the settlement?

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Hawaii Lawsuit Settlement on Transportation and Climate Change:

• Hawaii settled a lawsuit with 13 young plaintiffs, agreeing to decarbonize the state’s transportation system over the next 21 years.
• The lawsuit, filed in 2022, was the first youth-led constitutional climate case targeting transportation sector emissions.

Lawsuit Background:

• Navahine v. Hawaii Department of Transportation argued the state violated the constitutional right to a clean environment by prioritizing fossil fuel-based transportation infrastructure.
• Hawaii’s transportation sector is projected to contribute 60% of the state’s emissions by 2030.
• Fossil fuel burning leads to greenhouse gas emissions, causing global warming and extreme weather events, affecting agriculture and other sectors in Hawaii.
• Settlement Requirements:
  • Achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions across all transportation modes by 2045.
  • Publish a greenhouse gas reduction plan within a year.
  • Complete pedestrian, bicycle, and transit networks within five years.
  • Allocate at least $40 million to expand the public electric vehicle charging network by 2030.
  • The state will be accountable to a judge for enforcing the agreement.
• Challenges:
  • The Department of Transport oversees airports and harbours, where current technologies rely heavily on fossil fuels, making the net-zero goal difficult to achieve.

Source: IE

9. Russia approves draft logistics agreement to be signed with India

Sub: IR

Sec: Msc

India-Russia Mutual Logistics Agreement:

• The India-Russia mutual logistics agreement, delayed for several years, is now ready for conclusion with Russia approving the draft agreement.
• The agreement will simplify military-to-military exchanges for exercises, training, port calls, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts.

Agreement Features:

• Known as the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS), it will be valid for five years and renew automatically unless terminated by either party.
• Defence cooperation between India and Russia includes interaction between troops and the development and supply of military equipment, guided by a military-technical cooperation agreement for 2021-2031.
• Strategic Importance:
  • The agreement will provide India access to Russian facilities in the Arctic region, crucial as new shipping routes open and India‘s investments in Russia’s eastern regions increase.

Comparison and Mutual Benefits:

• India has signed similar logistics agreements with countries including the U.S., France, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam.
• These agreements facilitate access to military facilities for fuel and provisions, enhancing logistical support and operational turnaround.
• The Indian Navy has significantly benefited from such agreements, improving interoperability and operational efficiency.
• The agreements with the U.S., Australia, and Japan have been particularly advantageous due to common military platforms.
• The U.K. has also leveraged its logistics agreement with India to expand maritime cooperation, benefiting Royal Navy and Royal Air Force operations in the region.

Russia:

• Bordering countries: Along the 20,139-kilometre land frontier, Russia has boundaries with 14 countries: Poland and Lithuania (both via Kaliningrad Oblast), Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, and North Korea.
• Approximately two-thirds of the frontier is bounded by seawater.

Source: TH

10. Industry’s Call for Revisiting Chinese FDI Curbs and High Import Tariffs

Sub: Economy

Sec: External Sector

Context:

• Current Situation: India’s electronics sector is heavily dependent on imports for vital components, leading to high manufacturing costs due to tariffs.
• PLI Scheme: The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, introduced in April 2020 to offset some cost disadvantages, is now seen as insufficient in countering the high tariff-induced costs.

Key Points from CII Report:

• Inadequate Support: The 4%-6% fiscal support under the PLI scheme is inadequate to negate the overall cost disadvantages compared to China and Vietnam.
• Restrictions on FDI: The restrictions on foreign direct investment (FDI) from countries sharing land borders with India, aimed at preventing predatory acquisitions during the pandemic, are now considered outdated and need reconsideration.
• Non-restrictive Approach: CII advocates for a non-restrictive approach towards investments, component imports, technology transfer, ease of inward movement of skilled manpower, and easing non-trade tariffs.

Proposals:

• Rationalize Import Tariffs: The import tariffs on priority sub-assemblies and components should be rationalized to 5% or lower to make Indian product manufacturers competitive.
• Increase Fiscal Support: A scheme to provide fiscal support in the range of 6%-8% for critical components production should be introduced.
• Balance Between Imports and Exports: A balance between imports and exports of higher value-added products is essential for long-term industrial sustainability.

Current Import Duties:

• High Tariff Ranges: India’s import duties on 118 electronic-related tariff lines range from zero to 27.5%, with the majority falling in the 10%-15% range.
• Zero Tariff Lines: About 47.2% of the electronic imports pass through under zero tariff, while the remaining 52.8% are subjected to tariffs largely over 10%.

Priority Components and Sub-assemblies:

• Import Dependence: Batteries, camera modules, mechanicals, displays, and printed circuit boards are either nominally produced in India or are heavily import-dependent.
• Demand Projections: In 2023, India’s demand for components and sub-assemblies was $45.5 billion to support $102 billion worth of electronics production. This demand is expected to touch $240 billion for $500 billion worth of electronics output by 2030.

Recommendations:

• Tariff Comparison: India should aim to align its tariff rates with those of key competing economies like China and Vietnam to make its electronics sector more competitive.
• Investment Environment: Creating a friendly investment environment by revisiting FDI restrictions and rationalizing tariffs is crucial for the growth of India’s electronics manufacturing sector.

Conclusion: The industry urges the government to revisit and revise the existing FDI curbs and high import tariffs to enhance the competitiveness of India’s electronics sector.

This involves rationalizing tariffs, increasing fiscal support, and fostering a non-restrictive investment environment to transition from an import-dependent assembly-led manufacturing to a component-level value-added manufacturing ecosystem.

Overview of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme

Purpose:

• To scale up domestic manufacturing capability.
• To promote import substitution.
• To generate employment.

Launch:

• Date: March 2020.
• Initial Target Industries:
  • Mobile and allied component manufacturing.
  • Electrical component manufacturing.
  • Medical devices.

Coverage:

• 14 Key Sectors:
  • Mobile manufacturing.
  • Medical devices.
  • Automobiles and auto components.
  • Pharmaceuticals.
  • Drugs and specialty chemicals.
  • Telecom and networking products.
  • Electronic products.
  • White goods (ACs and LEDs).
  • Food products.
  • Textile products.
  • Solar PV modules.
  • Advanced chemistry cell (ACC) battery.
  • Drones and drone components.

Mechanism:

• Incentives: Financial rewards for manufacturing in India.
• Criteria: Based on a percentage of revenue over up to five years.
• Eligibility: Both domestic and foreign companies.

The PLI scheme is a cornerstone in India’s strategy to boost domestic manufacturing, reduce import dependency, create employment, and integrate Indian manufacturers into global value chains.