DAILY PRELIMS NOTES 27 JANUARY,2025

  • January 27, 2025
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN
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                                                            DAILY PRELIMS NOTES

                                                                      27TH JAN ,2025

1.Health Crisis Among Assam Tea Workers: Post-TB Fungal Infection and Nutritional Challenges

Sub : Sci

Sec :Health

Why in News

A recent study has brought to light the alarming prevalence of Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CPA), a life-threatening fungal infection, among tuberculosis (TB) survivors in Assam’s tea plantations. This follows earlier concerns about epidemic dropsy in the region, highlighting critical public health issues affecting tea workers.

Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CPA):

  • CPA is a severe lung infection caused by the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus.
  • It primarily occurs in individuals with compromised immunity and is commonly associated with pre-existing lung conditions, particularly TB.
  • CPA shares similar clinical features with TB, such as chronic cough, haemoptysis (coughing blood), weight loss, and fatigue.
  • Assam’s CPA prevalence of 60 cases per 1,00,000 people exceeds the global average of 42 cases per 1,00,000.
  • CPA prevalence in Assam is higher than countries like Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the range is 20 to 50 cases per 1,00,000 people.
  • Epidemic Dropsy: A condition caused by consuming edible oils contaminated with oil from Argemone mexicana (Mexican poppy).
  • A two-year-old study published in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science flagged epidemic dropsy as another major health concern in Assam’s tea belt.

Risk Factors for CPA:

  • Workers often face economic hardships that lead to inadequate diets.
  • Overcrowded housing increases the risk of TB transmission.
  • Prolonged exposure to smoke from traditional cooking methods weakens respiratory health.
  • TB spreads easily among workers living in close quarters.

About Aspergillus fumigatus:

  • It is a ubiquitous mold species found in various environments, including soil, decaying plant matter, and household dust. It plays a significant role in breaking down organic materials in the ecosystem.
  • This fungus reproduces by forming airborne spores known as conidia, which are microscopic and easily dispersed through the air. Humans and animals inhale these conidia daily, often without adverse effects.
  • While generally harmless to healthy individuals, fumigatus can cause diseases in people with weakened immune systems or pre-existing lung conditions.
  • In such cases, inhaled spores can lead to infections collectively termed aspergillosis. The most common pathogenic species causing aspergillosis is A. fumigatus.
  • Individuals at higher risk for A. fumigatus infections include:
  • Those with compromised immune systems due to conditions such as leukemia, organ transplantation, or prolonged corticosteroid therapy.
  • Patients with chronic lung diseases, including COPD, tuberculosis, or cystic fibrosis.
  • People undergoing treatments that suppress the immune system, like chemotherapy.

About Tea Tribes of Assam:

  • The tea garden workers, now known as the “tea tribes” or “ex-tea garden tribes,” were originally brought to Assam by British colonialists during the mid-19th century.
  • These workers were primarily from regions such as Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal, and they were employed as indentured labourers in Assam’s tea plantations. Over time, many of them permanently settled in Assam, forming a distinct community.

 

 

2.India’s Space Programme Enters Mission Mode in 2025

Sub : Sci

Sec :Space sector

Why in News

The year 2025 marks a transformative phase for India’s space programme as it embarks on a mission-driven trajectory. Building upon its achievements in 2024, India is advancing towards significant milestones.

Key Highlights of India’s Space Programme:

PSLV-C60 Mission:

  • Delivered SpaDeX satellites into a 475-km circular orbit.
  • Achieved India’s first in-orbit rendezvous and docking, marking a major milestone in satellite and lunar docking technology.
  • Supported by Indian private firm Kepler Aerospace for ground station services.
  • Swiss company s2a systems provided real-time satellite separation updates.

POEM4 Orbital Testbed:

  • After deploying SpaDeX satellites, the PSLV-C60’s fourth stage (POEM4) transitioned to a 350-km circular orbit for experimental use.

Key Experiments Conducted:

  • Relocatable Robotic Manipulator: Demonstrated movement and relocation capabilities.
  • Debris Capture Robotic Arm Manipulator: Tested debris collection potential.
  • CROPS Module: Successfully germinated cowpea seeds and studied plant growth in orbit.
  • Green Propulsion Systems:
    • Manastu Space’s Vyom 2U used eco-friendly fuel MS289 for manoeuvres.
    • Bellatrix Aerospace’s RUDRA payload conducted a 60-second test to achieve angular rotation.
  • Communications and Imaging:
    • N Space Tech’s SwetchaSAT-V0 successfully tested UHF to Ku-band communication.
    • GalaxEye created Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images using GLX-SQ payload.
  • AI-Powered Payloads:
    • TakeMe2Space’s MOI-TD demonstrated in-orbit AI capabilities despite camera hardware failure.
  • Plant Experiments:
    • Amity University’s APEMS yielded positive results for controlled plant growth in space.

Third Launch Pad at Sriharikota:

  • The Union Cabinet sanctioned ₹3984.86 crore for constructing a third launch pad at SDSC, expected to be completed by 2029.
  • Sriharikota is a spindle-shaped island on the east coast of Andhra Pradesh.
  • The Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) is the country’s only spaceport from where spacecraft and satellites are launched.
  • It became operational on October 9, 1971, with the flight of ‘Rohini-125’, a small-sounding rocket, and was initially known as SHAR (Sriharikota Range).
  • But in September 2002, the space centre was renamed Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR to honour mathematician and former ISRO’s Chairman Satish Dhawan.
  • Why was Sriharikota chosen?
    • There were two primary reasons for selecting Sriharikota as the launch site.
    • One, it is on the east coast which facilitates the launching of the rockets in an easterly direction.
    • Two, its proximity to the equator.
    • By launching a rocket eastward, one can take advantage of Earth’s rotation.

Testing of Vikas Engine:

  • Successfully tested restart capability of the Vikas engine, critical for atmospheric operations.
  • Significance: The fourth-stage engine of PSLV already demonstrates restart capabilities in the vacuum of space.

Participation in SpaceX’s Transporter-12 Mission:

  • Pixxel Space: Launched three hyperspectral satellites as part of its private satellite constellation.
  • Digantara: Deployed its Space Camera for Object Tracking for space situational awareness. Aims to augment tracking of low-earth orbit objects.
  • XDLINX Labs: Delivered Elevation 1, a miniaturized communications satellite, built in collaboration with US-based Almagest Space Corporation.

 

 

3.Rebels close in on key Congo city as 13 officials killed and thousands displaced

Sub : IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

  • The ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has seen heightened violence in recent weeks, particularly in and around Goma, a major city in the region.
  • The M23 rebel group, composed mostly of ethnic Tutsis, has been advancing towards the city, which is crucial for both security and humanitarian efforts in the region.

Regional Instability:

  • The region is home to over 100 armed groups, and the conflict has become one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world, fuelled by competition over resources, ethnic tensions, and external involvement.
  • The rebels recently captured Sake, a town just 27 km from Goma, raising fears that Goma itself could fall soon.
  • The violence, which has resulted in at least 13 peacekeepers and foreign soldiers’ deaths, has displaced thousands of civilians.
  • Scores of displaced children and adults fled the Kanyaruchinya camp, one of the largest in eastern Congo, right near the Rwandan border.

About M23 Group:

  • The M23 group is a rebel military group based in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The group was originally part of the Congolese Army but broke away more than a decade ago.
  • It is primarily made up of Tutsis and is accused of receiving backing from Rwanda, though Rwanda denies this claim.
  • It operates mainly in the province of North Kivu, which borders both Uganda and Rwanda.

Rwanda’s Involvement:

  • Rwanda has been accused by both the United States and the United Nations of supporting the M23 rebels. However, Rwanda has consistently denied direct involvement in the conflict.
  • Rwanda acknowledges its presence in eastern Congo, stating that its forces are deployed to secure the border against perceived threats from Congolese forces.
  • The DRC recently severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda, expelling diplomats and pulling its own diplomatic staff from Kigali.

Peacekeeping Efforts:

  • SAMIDRC Involvement: South African and other African forces within the Southern African Development Community Mission (SAMIDRC) have played a key role in countering M23’s offensive.
  • UN Peacekeeping Efforts: The United Nations peacekeeping force in Congo has around 14,000 troops deployed, although the increasing violence is making it difficult to maintain stability in the region.

Democratic Republic of Congo:

  • The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as DR Congo or Congo-Kinshasa, is a country in Central Africa.
  • DRC is bounded to the north by the Central African Republic and South Sudan; to the east by Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania; to the southeast by Zambia; and to the southwest by To the west are the country’s short Atlantic coastline, the Angolan exclave of Cabinda, and Congo.

 

 

4.The Role of Governor as Chancellor of State Universities

Sub : Polity

Sec: Executive

 

Background

  • The role of the Governor as Chancellor originated during British colonial rule, with the first universities established in 1857 (Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras).
  • Governors of presidencies acted as ex-officio Chancellors to maintain control over universities.
  • This colonial model continued post-Independence, embedded in State university laws, not the Constitution.

Governor’s Dual Role

  • Constitutional Powers: Must act on the advice of the State Council of Ministers as per Article 163(1).
  • Statutory Powers as Chancellor: Can act independently unless mandated otherwise by university statutes.
  • The Supreme Court has upheld this distinction

Governor and the President

Despite similar legal frameworks, the Governor’s role as Chancellor of State universities and the President’s role as Visitor of Central universities differ significantly.

President’s Role:

  • Functions through the Ministry of Education, ensuring consultation for appointments of Vice-Chancellors, nominations to university bodies, and approval of statutes.
  • Central university laws require that statutes, ordinances, and regulations be laid before Parliament, ensuring legislative oversight.

Governor’s Role:

  • Acts unilaterally in State universities, often bypassing the State’s Ministry of Higher Education, particularly in Opposition-ruled States.
  • State university laws do not mandate laying delegated legislation (statutes, ordinances, and regulations) before the Legislature, a flaw rooted in colonial practices.

Challenges with the Current Model

  • Lack of Accountability: Governors wield substantial power over State universities, despite State governments funding these institutions(Dual Authority)
  • Administrative Delays: Disagreements between Governors and State governments delay key decisions like the appointment of Vice-Chancellors.
  • Inadequate Qualifications: Many Governors lack the academic background to effectively oversee universities.
  • Political Interference: Governors often prioritize Central government agendas, undermining university autonomy and federalism.

Insights from Commissions

  • Rajamannar Committee (1969-71): Advocated Governors acting on ministerial advice in statutory roles.
  • Sarkaria Commission (1983-88): Recognized the statutory nature of the Chancellor’s role and recommended consulting Chief Ministers.
  • M.N. Venkatachaliah Commission (2000-02): Called for political neutrality, clearer role definitions, and greater university autonomy.
  • M.M. Punchhi Commission (2007-10): Recommended removing the Governor from statutory roles like Chancellor to preserve office dignity.(Recommended State-appointed Chancellor Model)

Proposed Reforms

  • Governor as Ceremonial Chancellor Model:
    • Removes discretionary powers,Universities in U.K. follow this model.
    • Implemented in Gujarat (1978), Karnataka (2000), and Maharashtra (2021).
  • Chief Minister as Chancellor Model:
    • Adopted in West Bengal and Punjab (2023 Bills awaiting Presidential assent).
  • State-Appointed Chancellor Model:
    • Adopted by Telangana (2015) and proposed by Kerala (2022 Bill pending assent).
  • University-Elected Chancellor Models:
    • Used in global universities like Oxford and Cambridge, uses bodies or executive councils to elect Chancellors.

 

5.A.P. govt. panel looking at developing tourism facilities in reserve forests 

Sub : Env

Sec: Protected Area

Context:-

Andhra Pradesh Minister for Tourism and Cinematography Kandula Durgesh on Sunday said that a three-member Cabinet Sub-committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan was studying the possibility of developing tourism facilities in the reserve forests and endowment sites in the State.

About Reserve Forests and Protected Forests;-
Reserve Forest

  • Reserve forests are protected areas notified under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, aimed at conserving forests and wildlife.
  • They are declared by the respective State governments under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act of 1927

Features:

  • There is Strict regulations on activities like hunting, grazing, and deforestation.
  •  Development and human interventions are regulated, ensuring sustainability.

Protected Forests: –

  • Protected forests are also notified under the Indian Forest Act, but with relatively less stringent regulations than reserve forests.
  • They are also declared by a state government under the provisions of section 29 of the Indian forest act 1927

Features:

  • Limited Human Activities: Grazing and wood collection may be allowed with permissions.
  • Community Involvement: Local communities may play a role in their conservation and sustainable use.
  • Conservation Value: Serve as buffer zones for reserve forests and wildlife sanctuaries, supporting ecological balance.

Tourism in Reserve Forests and Endowment Sites

The Andhra Pradesh government is evaluating the potential to develop tourism facilities in reserve forests and endowment sites.

Key Challenge:

  • Development of these sites is complicated due to regulations under the Forest and Endowment Departments.

The new sites that are located in the Reserve Forest and Endowment lands will be developed based on the recommendations to be made by the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Tourism