Daily Prelims Notes 26 November 2024

Daily Prelims Notes

26 November 2024

Table Of Contents

1. All about Proba-3, the advanced European solar mission that ISRO will launch
2. Illegal GM maize detected in processed and unprocessed food products in India
3. New breakthrough battery material could increase EV range by 70%
4. Kerala’s ambitious seaplane project might raise livelihoods but it surely raises environmental concerns
5. Supreme Court Upholds Inclusion of ‘Secular’ and ‘Socialist’ in the Constitution’s Preamble
6. Status of Labour Code Implementation: Five States Yet to Publish Draft Rules
7. MACE Telescope in Ladakh: India’s Frontier in Gamma-Ray Astronomy
8. How scientists developed pills that can replace injections
9. On this day over 500 years ago, the Portuguese conquered Goa: Here are 3 key parts of that story
10. PAN 2.0: How the new PAN card would affect you? Check details on how to apply or update
11. Why India’s Trade Deficit Reflects Strength of the Country’s Service Sector

1. All about Proba-3, the advanced European solar mission that ISRO will launch

Sub : Sci

Sec :Space sector

Context:

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the European Space Agency’s Proba-3 mission on its PSLV rocket to study the solar corona, the outermost and hottest part of the Sun’s atmosphere, from Sriharikota.

Details of the Proba-3 mission:

• The mission will also attempt the first-ever “precision formation flying”, where two satellites will fly together and maintain a fixed configuration in space.
• Proba-3 is part of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba missions.
• Predecessors: Proba-1 (2001) and Proba-2 (2009)
• Collaborators: Scientists from Spain, Belgium, Poland, Italy, and Switzerland.
• Mission Life: 2 years.
• Orbit: Highly elliptical, 600 x 60,530 km, with a 19.7-hour orbital period.
• Satellite Configuration:
  • Two satellites will separate post-launch and fly in tandem to form a solar coronagraph, an instrument that blocks the Sun’s bright light for better observation.

Scientific Goals:

• Why Study the Solar Corona?

1. The corona’s temperature can exceed 2 million °F, making it challenging to observe.
2. Understanding the corona is crucial as it is the origin of space weather phenomena like solar storms and winds, which impact:
   • Satellite communications
   • Navigation systems
   • Power grids on Earth.

• Onboard Instruments:

1. Association of Spacecraft for Polarimetric and Imaging Investigation of the Corona of the Sun (ASPIICS) (or Coronagraph): Observes the Sun’s inner and outer corona, usually visible only during solar eclipses.
   • Equipped with a 4-metre occulting disk to block sunlight.
2. DARA (Digital Absolute Radiometer): Measures the Sun’s total energy output (solar irradiance).
3. 3DEES (3D Energetic Electron Spectrometer): Measures electron fluxes in Earth’s radiation belts for space weather studies.

Unique Features:

• Eclipse Simulation:
  • The Occulter Satellite (200 kg) creates a shadow that allows the Coronagraph Satellite (340 kg) to observe the solar corona.
  • Satellites maintain a precise 150-metre separation to simulate a stable eclipse for 6 hours at a time.
  • Mimics 50 solar eclipses annually (compared to ~1.5 natural eclipses per year, lasting ~10 minutes each).
• If done successfully, the Occulter will create an artificial yet stable eclipse, by masking large parts of the Sun. As a result, the Sun’s blinding light will get blocked and only the solar corona will be visible to the coronagraph, which will photograph and facilitate studies of the lesser-known features.
• Formation Flying:
  • Autonomous positioning and precise flight coordination ensure continuous solar observation.

India’s Role and Benefits

• Launch Partner: Demonstrates India’s reliable and cost-effective launch capabilities.
• Scientific Collaboration:
  • Indian solar physicists contributed to the mission’s goals.
  • Post-launch collaboration with ESA to merge data from Proba-3 and Aditya L1 (India’s 2023 solar mission).
• Exclusive Data Access: Strengthens India’s research capabilities in solar studies.

Source: IE

2. Illegal GM maize detected in processed and unprocessed food products in India

Sub : Sci

Sec :Biotech

Detection of Genetically Modified (GM) Maize in India:

• GM maize, which is illegal in India, was found in both processed and unprocessed maize products sold commercially.
• Researchers at the National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management, Thanjavur (NIFTEM-T) used attenuated total reflectance-fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR spectroscopy) and polymerase chain reaction to confirm its presence.
• Study Details:
  • 34 maize samples analyzed, including popcorn, corn flour, puffcorn, corn soup, canned corn, maize grains, and cornflakes.
  • 15.39% of samples tested positive for GM maize; 84.61% were negative.
  • GM maize traced to locations in Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.

Background on GM Foods in India:

• GM crops involve genetic alterations to enhance traits like pest resistance.
• India’s regulatory stance:
  • GM foods are not approved for commercial sale by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
  • Since March 2021, FSSAI mandates a GM-free certification for 24 food imports.
• India cultivates some GM crops, including HT Bt cotton, but commercial cultivation of GM maize and other foods remains illegal.

Coalition for a GM-Free India: Concerns and Demands

• The Coalition for a GM-Free India has flagged illegal GM crop cultivation, including:
  • HT Bt cotton (reported 15+ years ago).
  • Bt brinjal (found in Haryana).
  • GM soybean (identified in Gujarat).
• Criticisms of regulators:
  • Lack of active surveillance mechanisms and failure to address illegal GM crop cultivation.
  • No accountability or liability fixed in previous incidents.
• Potential causes of GM maize contamination:
  • Leaks during field trials or from seed stocks stored with approval by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
  • Import of contaminated maize seeds from the US and other nations.

Impact on India:

• Biosafety concerns: Illegal GM crop cultivation and product distribution threaten biosafety and biosecurity.
• Policy gaps:
  • Alleged foreign influence on GM crop policies remains under-investigated.
  • Calls for stricter monitoring of transboundary GM product movements.

What are GM Crops?

• Genetically modified crops are plants whose DNA has been altered using genetic engineering techniques to introduce new traits not naturally occurring in the species. These modifications can:
  • Increase crop resistance to pests
  • Enhance nutritional content
  • Improve drought or disease tolerance
  • Boost agricultural productivity

Key Benefits

1. Increased Agricultural Productivity

• Higher crop yields
• Better resistance to environmental stresses
• Reduced crop loss from pests and diseases

2. Environmental Advantages

• Potential reduction in pesticide use
• More efficient land use
• Crops that require less water or can grow in challenging conditions

3. Nutritional Improvements

• Biofortified crops with enhanced nutritional profiles
• Examples: Golden Rice with increased Vitamin A content
• Potential to address malnutrition in developing regions

Concerns and Challenges

Environmental Risks

• Potential impact on biodiversity
• Risk of gene transfer to non-GM crops
• Potential emergence of pesticide-resistant insects

Health Concerns

• Long-term health effects still being studied
• Potential allergenicity of modified proteins
• Uncertainty about potential unforeseen consequences

Socioeconomic Issues

• Intellectual property rights
• Dependence on multinational agricultural corporations
• Economic challenges for small-scale farmers

Source: DTE

3. New breakthrough battery material could increase EV range by 70%

Sub : Sci

Sec :Msc

Context:

• Developers of a new battery material claim that it could boost an electric car’s range by up to 70 per cent.

Structural Battery:

• Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden have developed what they call a structural battery.
• This breakthrough material not only stores energy but can also bear loads, essentially doubling as a part of the vehicle’s structure.
  • Could increase electric vehicle (EV) range by up to 70%.

Benefits of Structural Batteries in EVs:

• Weight Reduction:
  • Batteries account for 25% of an EV’s total weight.
  • Integrating batteries into the structure reduces overall weight, boosting efficiency and range.
• Efficiency Gains:
  • Lighter vehicles consume less energy, extending driving range on a single charge.

Material Composition:

• Made from: Carbon fiber composite.
• Tensile Strength: Comparable to aluminum.
• Energy Density:
  • 30 Wh/kg, lower than traditional lithium-ion batteries (e.g., NMC: 150–250 Wh/kg, LFP: 90–160 Wh/kg).
  • However, weight savings from replacing structural components compensate for the lower density.

Comparison with Traditional Batteries

• Lithium-ion batteries:
  • Focus on energy storage, requiring heavy materials like casings and management systems.
  • Cells make up 60–75% of battery weight; the rest comes from ancillary materials.
• Structural battery advantage: Eliminates the need for additional support materials, reducing overall weight.

Applications Beyond EVs:

• Portable Electronics:
  • Laptops: Potential to reduce weight by half.
  • Smartphones: Could become as slim as credit cards.
• Other devices: Endless possibilities for lighter, more efficient designs.

Challenges and Future Prospects:

• Current Limitations:
  • Lower energy density compared to conventional batteries.
  • Requires further research to meet long-term commercial viability.
• Potential Savings:
  • Up to 20% weight reduction in vehicles by replacing structural sections like the frame.
• Vision: A lighter and more efficient future for EVs and portable electronics.

Source: DTE

4. Kerala’s ambitious seaplane project might raise livelihoods but it surely raises environmental concerns

Sub : Env

Sec :Msc

Kerala Seaplane Project:

• The Kerala government’s seaplane project, aimed at enhancing domestic tourism under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, has drawn criticism from environmentalists, fishers, and opposition parties. While the project promises economic benefits, it faces challenges due to ecological concerns and social opposition.

Key Developments:

• A 17-seater amphibious aircraft successfully flew from Kochi to Mattupetty Dam, Idukki.
• Expected benefits include increased tourist arrivals, job creation, and better connectivity to remote areas.

Criticism and Opposition:

• Environmental Concerns:
  • Impact on Wildlife:
    • Mattupetty Dam is surrounded by forests, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries.
    • Wild elephants frequently traverse the reservoir, raising fears of disrupted wildlife routes and increased human-animal conflicts.
    • The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) highlighted risks to endangered wildlife like elephants.
  • Ecological Impact:
    • Noise and water pollution could harm sensitive ecosystems, especially in forest reservoirs.
    • Critics argue trial runs were conducted without necessary environmental studies, violating Supreme Court directives.
  • Fishers worry about disruptions to fishing activities, especially in areas like Vembanad and Ashtamudi Lakes.

UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) Regional Connectivity Scheme

• Launched by the Government of India in 2016, the UDAN scheme aims to enhance regional connectivity and make air travel affordable for the common citizen.
• It is a key component of the National Civil Aviation Policy and focuses on linking underserved and unserved airports with larger cities to boost economic development and tourism.

Key Features:

• Affordable Airfares:
  • Ticket prices are capped at ₹2,500 per hour of flight for select routes.
• Subsidies and Financial Support:
  • The government provides Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to airlines to cover operational losses on less-profitable routes.
  • Funds for VGF are shared between the central and state governments.
• Development of Airports:
  • Revitalises underused and non-operational airports by improving infrastructure.
  • Focus on tier-2 and tier-3 cities for inclusive growth.
• Route Allocation:
  • Routes are awarded through a competitive bidding process for airlines.
• Public-Private Partnership (PPP):
  • Encourages private participation in airport operations and development.

Phases of Implementation

• UDAN 1.0 (2017):
  • Focused on connecting unserved and underserved airports.
  • 27 proposals were awarded, covering 31 underserved and unserved airports.
• UDAN 2.0 (2018):
  • Expanded to include heliports and water aerodromes for increased regional connectivity.
• UDAN 3.0 (2019):
  • Focused on international connectivity from regional hubs.
• UDAN 4.0 (2020):
  • Prioritised routes in northeastern and hilly regions for better inclusivity.

Achievements:

• Over 400 routes have been operationalized under the scheme, connecting 66 underserved airports and water aerodromes.
• Boosted domestic tourism and economic growth in remote areas.
• Increased participation of private airlines in regional aviation.

Source: DTE

5. Supreme Court Upholds Inclusion of ‘Secular’ and ‘Socialist’ in the Constitution’s Preamble

Sub: Polity

Sec: Constitution

Why in News

• The Supreme Court recently reaffirmed the inclusion of the terms ‘secular’ and ‘socialist’ in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. This decision came in response to a batch of petitions filed in 2020 that challenged the addition of these words through the 42nd Amendment of 1976, with retrospective effect from 1949.

Background:

• The 42nd Amendment to the Indian Constitution in 1976 introduced the terms ‘secular’ and ‘socialist’ into the Preamble.
• A series of petitions were filed in 2020. They argued that the retrospective application of these terms, dating back to the Constitution’s adoption on November 26, 1949, was unjust.
• It was contended that the word ‘secular’ was intentionally excluded by the original Constituent Assembly.
• Petitioners argued that including the term ‘socialist’ restricted the economic policies of the elected government, limiting the people’s will.
• The petitioners described the retrospective insertion as a “fraud on the Constitution.”
• Supreme Court’s Verdict: The Supreme Court, in its ruling, dismissed the petitions as lacking merit, noting significant flaws in the arguments.
• The court emphasized that the Constitution evolves to meet the needs of the time, implying flexibility in interpretation.

SECULARISM:

• Secularism is defined as a separation of religious institutions from the institutions of state, and no domination of the political sphere by religious institutions.
• It is the belief that religion should not influence or be involved in the organization of society, education, government, etc.

Secularism may be categorized into two types, “hard” and “soft”.

• “Hard” secularism considers religious propositions to be epistemologically illegitimate and seeks to deny them as much as possible.
• The “soft” variety emphasizes tolerance and liberalism.

Indian philosophy of secularism is related to “Sarva Dharma Sambhava”  which means equal respect to all religions.

India does partially separate religion and state. For example, it does not have an official state religion and state-owned educational institutions cannot impart religious instructions.

INDIAN CONSTITUTINAL PROVISIONS REGARDING SECULARISM:

• Article 25: guarantees freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.
• Article 26: every religious denomination has the freedom to manage its religious affairs.
• Article 27: Freedom from payment of taxes for promotion of any particular religion.
• Article 28: Freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in certain educational institutions.
• Article 15: Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
• Article 16: Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment and no citizens shall be ineligible for employment on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth.
• Article 29: Protection of distinct language, script or culture of minorities Article 30: Rights of all minorities, whether based on religion or language, to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.

The Preamble of India states that India is a secular country (added after 42nd Amendment Act, 1976).

SOCIALISM:

• Socialism is a political and economic system advocating for collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods. It emphasizes reducing income inequality and ensuring social welfare and equality of opportunity.

Types of Socialism and India’s Approach

• Democratic Socialism: Balances social welfare with private sector participation, allowing for both government and private enterprises to coexist. This form focuses on social justice, regulation, and welfare policies without eliminating private ownership.
• Communist Socialism: Advocates for state ownership of all means of production and elimination of private property.
• Type Followed in India: India follows a Democratic Socialist model, where the government plays a key role in welfare and economic planning, but private enterprises are encouraged to contribute to growth and development.

Constitutional Provisions:

• Preamble of the Constitution: Defines India as a “Socialist” nation, emphasizing social, economic, and political justice for all.
• Article 38: Mandates the State to secure a social order for the promotion of the welfare of the people.
• Article 39: Calls for the State to ensure equitable distribution of resources and provide adequate means of livelihood for all citizens.
• Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV): Incorporates socialist principles, guiding the State to work towards the well-being of all citizens, particularly underprivileged sections.

Constitutional Amendments:

• 42nd Amendment (1976): Introduced during the Emergency period, it added the terms ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ to the Preamble, emphasizing India’s commitment to a just and equitable society.
• 44th Amendment (1978): Enacted post-Emergency to restore civil liberties and reduce the power given to the State during the 42nd Amendment.
• Basic Structure Doctrine: Established that the core values of the Constitution, including ‘socialism,’ cannot be altered by any amendment.

6. Status of Labour Code Implementation: Five States Yet to Publish Draft Rules

Sub: Polity

Sec: Legislation in news

Why in News

• The issue of implementing India’s new Labour Codes has gained attention, as the Union Labour Ministry recently revealed that several states and union territories have not yet published the required draft rules. These codes, passed between 2019 and 2020, aim to streamline India’s complex labour laws.

New Labour Codes: India’s labour laws were consolidated into four major codes:

• Code on Wages, 2019
• Industrial Relations Code, 2020
• Code on Social Security, 2020
• Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020

Code of Wages 2019:

• It regulates the wages and bonus payments in all employment areas where any industry, trade, business, or manufacturing is being carried out.
• It subsumes the following four labour laws:
• • The Payment of Wages Act, 1936
  • The Minimum Wages Act, 1948
  • The Payment of Bonus Act, 1965
  • The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976
• It universalizes the provisions of minimum wages and timely payment of wages to all employees irrespective of the sector and wage ceiling and seeks to ensure “Right to Sustenance” for every worker and intends to increase the legislative protection of minimum wage.
• It has been ensured that employees getting monthly salary shall get the salary by 7th of next month, those working on a weekly basis shall get the salary on the last day of the week and daily wagers should get it on the same day.
• The Central Government is empowered to fix the floor wages by taking into account the living standards of workers. It may set different floor wages for different geographical areas.
• The minimum wages decided by the central or state governments must be higher than the floor wage.

Industrial Relations Code 2020:

• Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946 makes it obligatory for employers of an industrial establishment where 100 or more workers are employed to clearly define the conditions of employment and rules of conduct for workmen, by way of standing orders/services rules and to make them known to the workmen employed.
• The new provision for standing order will be applicable for every industrial establishment wherein 300 or more than 300 workers are employed or were employed on any day of the preceding twelve months.
• It proposes that workers in factories will have to give a notice at least 14 days in advance to employers if they want to go on strike.
• No person employed in any industrial establishment shall go on strike without a 60-day notice and during the pendency of proceedings before a Tribunal or a National Industrial Tribunal and sixty days after the conclusion of such proceedings.
• It also introduces new conditions for carrying out a legal strike. The time period for arbitration proceedings has been included in the conditions for workers before going on a legal strike as against only the time for conciliation at present.
• Besides, every industrial establishment employing 20 or more workers will have one or more Grievance Redressal Committees for resolution of disputes arising out of employees’ grievances.
• The code also proposes setting up of a reskilling fund to help skill retrenched workers.

Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code 2020:

• It spells out duties of employers and employees, and envisages safety standards for different sectors, focusing on the health and working condition of workers, hours of work, leaves, etc.
• The code also recognises the right of contractual workers.
• The code provides employers the flexibility to employ workers on a fixed-term basis, on the basis of requirement and without restriction in any sector.
• More importantly, it also provides for statutory benefits like social security and wages to fixed-term employees at par with their permanent counterparts.
• It also mandates that no worker will be allowed to work in any establishment for more than 8 hours a day or more than 6 days in a week.
• In case of overtime, an employee should be paid twice the rate of his/her wage. It will be applicable to even small establishments, which have upto 10 workers.
• The code also brings in gender equality and empowers the women workforce.Women will be entitled to be employed in all establishments for all types of work and, with consent, can work before 6 am and beyond 7 pm subject to such conditions relating to safety, holidays and working hours.
• For the first time, the labour code also recognises the rights of transgenders. It makes it mandatory for industrial establishments to provide washrooms, bathing places and locker rooms for male, female and transgender employees.

Code on Social Security 2020:

• Replaced nine social security laws, including Maternity Benefit Act, Employees’ Provident Fund Act, Employees’ Pension Scheme, Employees’ Compensation Act, among others.
• The code universalizes social security coverageto those working in the unorganised sector, such as migrant workers, gig workers and platform workers.
• For the first time, provisions of social security will also beextended to agricultural workers also.
• The code also reduces the time limit for receiving gratuity payment from the continuous service of five years to one year for all kinds of employees, including fixed-term employees, contract labour, daily and monthly wage workers.
• It proposes a National Social Security Boardwhich shall recommend to the central government for formulating suitable schemes for different sections of unorganized workers, gig workers and platform workers.
• Also, aggregators employing gig workers will have to contribute 1-2% of their annual turnover for social security, with the total contribution not exceeding 5% of the amount payable by the aggregator to gig and platform workers.

Labour as a Concurrent Subject:

• Labour falls under the Concurrent List of the Indian Constitution, meaning both the Centre and State governments share responsibility. This makes the cooperation between the two crucial for the effective implementation of labour reforms.
• Article 39 (Directive Principles of State Policy): Focuses on the welfare of workers, ensuring equal pay for equal work, humane working conditions, and protection against exploitation.
• Article 43: Encourages the State to secure a living wage, fair working conditions, and social security for workers, contributing to their well-being.
• Article 43A: Added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, mandates participation of workers in management, promoting industrial democracy.

India Employment Report 2024:

• The India Employment Report 2024, published by the Institute for Human Development and the International Labour Organisation (ILO)
• Global Unemployment Trends: According to the ILO’s “Global Report Trends for Youth 2022”, the worldwide youth unemployment rate stood at 15.6% in 2021. This highlights the challenges faced by young job seekers internationally.
• The unemployment rate in India stands at around 5% in 2024, with youth unemployment higher at approximately 13%, reflecting challenges in absorbing the growing working-age population.
• The unemployment rate for women is higher than that of men, indicating a gender disparity in the job market.
• The Labour Force Participation Rate has remained stable at 2% in 2024, reflecting limited changes in the overall number of people actively participating in the labour market.
• Female Labour Force Participation continues to be a concern, remaining below 25%, indicating the need for more inclusive employment policies.
• The services sector remains the largest employer, accounting for about 50% of the total employment.
• The agriculture sector has seen a decline in employment share, now employing around 40% of the workforce, while contributing to a smaller share of GDP.
• Manufacturing and industry sectors employ approximately 10%, showing slower growth compared to services.
• Informal employment continues to dominate the Indian job market, with about 80% of the workforce employed in informal jobs lacking social security and benefits.

7. MACE Telescope in Ladakh: India’s Frontier in Gamma-Ray Astronomy

Sub: Sci

Sec: Space sector

Why in News

• The Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) telescope was recently inaugurated in Hanle, Ladakh, marking a significant milestone in India’s astronomical research. It is now the highest imaging Cherenkov telescope in the world and aims to provide unprecedented insights into high-energy gamma rays and cosmic phenomena, including dark matter.

About MACE Telescope:

• The MACE telescope is stationed in Hanle, Ladakh, at an altitude of about 3 km above sea level, making it the highest of its kind globally.
• It features a 21-meter-wide dish, the largest in Asia and the second-largest globally.
• This strategic high-altitude location minimizes atmospheric disturbances, enhancing the clarity of data.
• MACE is a collaborative effort involving the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), the Electronics Corporation of India Ltd., and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics.
• The telescope’s development emphasizes India’s growing capability in high-energy astrophysics.
• MACE’s light collector consists of 356 mirror panels, each with smaller segments arranged in a honeycomb pattern to maximize reflective area and minimize weight.
• These mirrors focus Cherenkov radiation onto a high-resolution camera with 1,088 photomultiplier tubes, which amplify faint signals for detailed analysis.
• The telescope weighs 180 tonnes and is mounted on a 27-meter-wide curved track.
• A specialized altitude-azimuth mount allows MACE to move both vertically and horizontally, scanning different regions of the sky.
• Its open-air structure, without a dome, allows continuous sky monitoring, with mirrors coated in silicon dioxide for protection against the elements.
• MACE is designed to detect gamma rays with energies above 20 billion eV, focusing on emissions from cosmic sources such as black holes, pulsars, and blazars.
• A significant objective for MACE is to search for dark matter, which constitutes over 85% of the universe’s mass but remains undetected.
• The telescope aims to identify weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), a potential dark matter candidate. WIMPs are hypothesized to emit high-energy gamma rays when they collide.
• Discovering these gamma rays could validate the existence of WIMPs or challenge existing theories about dark matter.

What are Gamma Rays?

• Gamma rays are a form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation with the shortest wavelengths and the highest energy.
• They are emitted by extreme cosmic phenomena such as pulsars, supernovae, black holes, and gamma-ray bursts.
• With energies exceeding 100,000 electron volts (eV), gamma rays are not visible to the human eye and can be hazardous due to their potential to damage living cells.
• While Earth’s atmosphere blocks gamma rays, ground-based telescopes use indirect detection methods.
• When cosmic gamma rays hit the atmosphere, they produce a cascade of particles that emit a faint Cherenkov radiation, a blue light detectable by specialized instruments like MACE.
• The MACE telescope is an Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescope (IACT), designed to capture these flashes of light and study them.

About Cherenkov Radiation:

• Radiation emitted when a charged particle travels faster than the speed of light in a medium.
• Occurs only if the particle exceeds the local light speed in materials like air or water.
• Appears as a faint blue glow due to radiation in the visible and ultraviolet spectrum.
• Similar to a sonic boom, but for light, creating an electromagnetic shockwave.
• Commonly seen in nuclear reactors and in detecting high-energy cosmic particles.
• Used in atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes to study cosmic gamma rays.

8. How scientists developed pills that can replace injections

Sub : Sci

Sec: Health

Context:

• A team of researchers has developed ingestible capsules that release a burst of drugs directly inside the stomach or digestive system. These capsules offer an alternative method of drug delivery, potentially replacing injections for medications such as insulin.

Importance of the new drug delivery system:

• Alternative to injections: Injections are commonly used to administer drugs like hormones, vaccines, antibodies, or cancer treatments. However, injections can cause discomfort, skin irritation, infection risks, and other side effects. Furthermore, they are often more challenging for patients compared to oral pills.
• Limitation of pills: Pills can sometimes be ineffective for larger biological molecules as they are broken down by digestive enzymes or the liver before they can be absorbed. This reduces the drug’s efficacy and may increase side effects.
• Significance of the capsules: The newly developed capsules offer a more efficient method for delivering macromolecule drugs orally as it gives high bioavailability (the degree to which a drug is absorbed and utilized by the body).

Inspiration from Cephalopods:

• The researchers took inspiration from cephalopods like squids and cuttlefish. These animals use jet propulsion to move and shoot ink, adjusting pressure and direction for effective movement. The same mechanism was applied to the capsules, allowing the drug to be jetted into the gastrointestinal tract.
• By jetting the medication directly into tissues, the system ensures that more of the drug is absorbed before the body has the chance to break it down, improving the drug’s effectiveness and reducing waste.

Mechanism of Action:

• The researchers used two methods to generate the necessary force to propel the drugs.
• One method involves compressing carbon dioxide within the capsule to propel the drug. The other method uses tightly coiled springs to generate force.
• When the capsule is exposed to the acidic environment of the stomach or the humidity within the gastrointestinal tract, the carbohydrate trigger dissolves, allowing the gas or spring to expand and propel the drug out of the capsule.

9. On this day over 500 years ago, the Portuguese conquered Goa: Here are 3 key parts of that story

Sub : History

Sec: Medieval India

Context:

• On 25^th November 1510, the Portuguese marked the conquest of Goa, establishing their presence as the first European power to hold territory in India.
• Goa remained under Portuguese control for 400 years, until 1961 when they became the last European colonial power to leave India.

Initial Contact with India:

• The Portuguese first reached India when explorer Vasco da Gama landed at Calicut (modern-day Kozhikode) in May 1498.
• The Portuguese were motivated by the pursuit of wealth as they sought to counter the dominance of Muslim powers along the route, particularly in the spice trade, which made India a valuable target for Portuguese expansion.
• He had travelled around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope, which was a significant maritime achievement.

Expansion of power:

• By 1505, they had established the Portuguese State of India, with Kochi as its base.
• The Portuguese went on to establish several territories. Among the Portuguese possessions in India was the island of Bom Bahia, later Bombay (modern-day Mumbai), which they controlled until 1661 when it was ceded to England as part of the dowry of Catherine de Braganza.

Conquest of Goa:

• Alfonso de Albuquerque, who succeeded Francisco de Almeida as Viceroy in 1509, was initially tasked with conquering Hormuz, Aden, and Malacca.
• However, Albuquerque recognized that Goa, under the Sultan of Bijapur, would be a crucial base for controlling maritime trade routes.
• Albuquerque’s first conquest of Goa in early 1510 was easy, as the Hindus supported the Portuguese against the unpopular Sultan.
• However, the Sultan’s forces soon expelled them. After enduring a tough monsoon stranded at the Mandovi River, the Portuguese returned in November, reinforced with more men and ships, and successfully retook Goa.

Who was Timoji (Timmayya):

• Timmayya, also known as Timoji, was a key figure in Albuquerque’s conquest of Goa.
• He is often described as a pirate from the Malabar region, but some sources suggest he was of noble birth and held a high position in the Vijayanagara Empire.
• Timmayya’s motivations for helping the Portuguese are debated. One theory is that he was following orders from the Vijayanagara Empire to weaken Goa, which had been lost to the Bahmanis in 1472. Another possibility is that local Hindus, who were discontented with Muslim rule, reached out to Timmayya to liberate Goa from the Sultan’s control.
• After the conquest, Albuquerque did not reward Timmayya with the territory he had hoped for. Instead, Timmayya was given a relatively small position.

10. PAN 2.0: How the new PAN card would affect you? Check details on how to apply or update

Sub : Eco

Sec: Fiscal Policy

Context:

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the implementation of PAN 2.0, a major technology-driven overhaul of the Permanent Account Number (PAN) and Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number (TAN)

About PAN 2.0:

• The PAN 2.0 project aims to modernize the entire process of taxpayer registration, improving service delivery, data accuracy, and cybersecurity measures.
• The initiative involves a complete overhaul of the existing PAN system, revamping the IT infrastructure, and establishing PAN as a universal business identifier across specified government agencies’ digital platforms.
• It is part of the broader Digital India initiative, which seeks to digitize and streamline government services.
• The project will introduce a unified digital platform for PAN-related services and a QR-code feature on all new and existing PAN cards.

What happens to existing PAN cards:

• Current PAN cards remain valid. The upgrade seeks to improve functionality without impacting the validity of existing cards.
• However, taxpayers can opt to upgrade to the new system for free, gaining features like the QR code.

11. Why India’s Trade Deficit Reflects Strength of the Country’s Service Sector

Sub: Eco

Sec: External sector

Context: India’s persistent trade deficit

Goods Deficit vs. Services Surplus

• Goods Deficit Reflects Service Strength:
  • India’s trade deficit in goods is not necessarily a weakness. It highlights India’s relative strength in services and its attractiveness as an investment destination.
  • India is a net importer of goods but a net exporter of services, balancing the overall trade.
• Competitive Edge in Services:
  • India outcompetes countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh in service exports.
  • India’s comparative advantage lies in high-value service sectors like IT and professional services.
• Why Do We Import More Than We Export?
  • India imports items where it lacks a comparative advantage.
  • Simultaneously, India exports goods and services where it excels.
• Examples:
  • A large proportion of goods consumed in countries like the US are manufactured in India, showcasing India’s manufacturing capabilities in certain areas (e.g., auto components, specialized goods).
• We will export those things in which we have the greatest advantage and we will import other things (where our advantage is smaller). India’s greatest advantage lies in services —consequently, we are a net exporter of services.
• However, given that overall we have to be a net importer (of total goods and services), the fact that we are a net exporter of services inevitably means that we are a net importer of goods.
• India’s manufactured goods exports have been enough to keep the current account deficit at the desired level. This has been achieved by exporting goods where India’s advantage is the greatest (over 1/3 of pharmaceuticals consumed in the US are made in India; similarly, India has a solid export base in automobiles and auto components).
• • In economic theory, this is the notion of comparative advantage (as distinct from absolute advantage). That Indian exports of some goods are smaller than Vietnam’s or Bangladesh’s only means that India has a greater advantage over these countries in services than it does in these goods. It does not necessarily mean that Indian manufacturing is less productive, in absolute terms, than Vietnam’s or Bangladesh’s.

Sustaining the Current Account Deficit

• Indicator of Economic Strength:
  • A persistent current account deficit at sustainable levels (~2% of GDP) is a sign of a growing, attractive economy for foreign investment.
• Interdependence of Deficit and Capital Flows:
  • The current account deficit is supported by inflows of foreign capital, which boosts growth and domestic investment.

Capital Inflows and Their Role

India wants to attract foreign investment (i.e., have an inflow on the capital account), which is desirable as it supplements the domestic savings pool and helps us invest more and grow faster.

• Foreign Investment Impact:
  • Drives economic growth by supplementing domestic savings and fostering investment.
  • Capital inflows ensure the balance of financial flows and support a growing economy.
• Reserves as Cushion:
  • Reserves are held as a buffer for external shocks  e.g. oil shock
  • Given that holding reserves involves a cost, India should keep adequate reserves for emergencies, but not more. A simple way to think about this is that, as a country we are raising funds from foreigners and using part of those funds to build reserves — and we are offering a higher return to foreigners than we are earning on these reserves.
  • The difference between the return earned by foreigners on their investments in India and the return earned by India on its reserves is the cost of holding reserves.
  • Given that we don’t need to accumulate much more reserves, the current capital inflows will be equal to the current account deficit. Essentially, capital inflows and current account deficits are two sides of the same coin. When we say that we want to attract foreign investment, we are implicitly saying that we are willing to run an equivalent current account deficit (i.e., be a net importer of goods and services in aggregate).
  • This current account deficit is, in effect, a feature of an economy that is an attractive investment destination. India has had a very sensible policy of maintaining a current account deficit of ~ 2% of GDP and attracting an equivalent amount of capital flows.

Implications for Policy and Economy

• Focus on Domestic Demand:
  • If India’s manufacturing were stronger, the current account deficit could reduce without compromising growth.
  • An important implication of these fundamental factors is that for Indian manufacturing to grow faster, it must be driven by domestic demand, not exports.
• Conclusion:
  • India’s trade deficit highlights its strength in services rather than a weakness in manufacturing. This balance reflects the country’s position in the global economic framework.

Key Concepts Explained

• Current Account Deficit: A measure of a nation’s trade where the value of imports exceeds exports.
• Capital Inflows: Money coming into the country through foreign investments, which funds the deficit and promotes growth.
• Comparative Advantage: A country’s ability to produce goods or services at a lower opportunity cost than other countries.