Daily Prelims Notes 28 August 2024
Daily Prelims Notes
28 August 2024
Table Of Contents
- Enhancing India’s Weather Forecasting Capabilities: A Strategic Upgrade
- Unveiling the Perils of Rub al-Khali: The World’s Most Dangerous Desert
- Supreme Court stays Ministry of Ayush notification related to drugs, cosmetic rules
- Supreme Court overrules Delhi court verdict to grant bail to Kavitha: Why it criticised the HC’s reasoning
- The two new US-India agreements signed as part of growing defence ties
- Why a new homegrown missile can be a game-changer for Ukraine’s fight against Russia
- After nano urea, research finds dip in yield and plant growth with nano DAP
1. Enhancing India’s Weather Forecasting Capabilities: A Strategic Upgrade
Sub: Geo
Sec: Climatology
Why in News?
India’s weather department, the India Meteorological Department (IMD), is set to undergo a significant upgrade, aimed at improving its ability to forecast localized and extreme weather events.
With a proposed budget of at least Rs 10,000 crore, this mission will build on the progress made since the launch of the Monsoon Mission in 2012.
The Need for an Upgrade
Despite improvements over the past decade, IMD still struggles with accurate local-level predictions. This was evident in July when IMD’s rainfall forecasts for Mumbai were off the mark on about 40% of the days.
The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, driven by climate change, has further exposed these limitations, necessitating a major upgrade in forecasting capabilities.
The Science of Weather Forecasting
Forecasting in tropical regions like India is inherently complex due to the high variability of weather phenomena.
Larger weather systems, such as cyclones and monsoons, are easier to predict than localized or sudden events like cloudbursts.
This inherent uncertainty is compounded when attempting to make more precise or earlier predictions.
Need for Precision in Forecasts
IMD currently forecasts weather over a 12 km x 12 km grid, which is too broad for accurate city-specific predictions. The goal is to achieve hyper-local forecasts for areas as small as 1 km x 1 km. These would be crucial for disaster preparedness and daily planning.
Infrastructure and Technological Advancements
Previous upgrades focused on infrastructure, including the installation of high-performance computing systems and Doppler radars.
The current upgrade will focus on developing India-specific weather models that can better simulate local conditions. This will require research and regional assessments of climate change.
About IMD:
Formation: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) was established in 1875.
Location: The headquarters of IMD is located in New Delhi, India.
Motto: The motto of IMD is “Weather Services for Safety and Prosperity.”
Head: The current Director General of IMD is Mrutyunjay Mohapatra (as of 2024).
150 Years of Service: IMD will complete 150 years of service in 2025, marking a significant milestone in its history.
Significant Contributions:
- Development of the Monsoon Mission in 2012
- Installation of Doppler radars for improved observation and monitoring of weather patterns.
- Ongoing mission with a proposed budget of Rs 10,000 crore to enhance localized and extreme weather predictions.
- Accurate cyclone forecasting since 2013, significantly reducing loss of life.
- Continuous improvement in the accuracy of monsoon forecasts over the past decade.
Future Goals:
- Achieving hyper-local forecasts for 1 km x 1 km grids.
- Enhancing disaster early warning systems through advanced modelling and simulations.
About Mission Monsoon:
Launched in 2012, the Monsoon Mission aimed to improve the accuracy of long-range monsoon forecasts, which are crucial for India’s agriculture, water resources, and disaster management.
Key Features:
Advanced Forecasting Models: Introduced dynamical models for better prediction of monsoon patterns.
Improved Accuracy: Significantly increased the accuracy of seasonal monsoon forecasts, aiding in better planning and decision-making.
Enhanced Monitoring: Strengthened India’s ability to monitor and predict monsoon variability, helping mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Doppler Radars:
Doppler radars are advanced weather observation tools that use the Doppler effect to measure the velocity and movement of precipitation particles, such as rain or snow.
How They Function:
Signal Emission: The radar emits radio waves that bounce off precipitation particles.
Signal Return: The radar receives the reflected signals, which are analyzed to determine the speed and direction of the particles.
Weather Monitoring: This data helps in detecting the intensity, location, and movement of storms, aiding in accurate weather forecasts and warnings, especially for severe weather events like cyclones and thunderstorms.
About 1 km x 1 km Grid:
A 1 km x 1 km grid is a small, localized area on the Earth’s surface, measuring 1 kilometer on each side. This grid size is used in meteorological models to provide very detailed weather forecasts.
Benefits:
- Hyper-Local Forecasting: By dividing a region into 1 km x 1 km grids, weather models can provide highly specific forecasts for each grid, allowing for precise predictions of weather events in very small areas.
- Accuracy: It improves the accuracy of weather predictions, such as pinpointing exactly where in a city rainfall or extreme weather might occur.
- Disaster Management: Crucial for early warning systems, helping authorities and individuals prepare more effectively for localized weather events like flash floods or thunderstorms.
What is a Cyclone?
Cyclones are intense low-pressure systems with circular air circulation, rotating counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
The term “cyclone,” from the Greek cyclos meaning “coil,” was coined by Henry Piddington, who likened tropical storms to coiled serpents.
Classification of Cyclones:
Tropical Cyclones: Form over warm tropical oceans, with winds exceeding 63 km/h and causing heavy rainfall and storm surges.
Extra-Tropical Cyclones: Occur in temperate and polar regions, often associated with frontal systems.
Formation of Tropical Cyclones: Tropical cyclones require:
- Sea surface temperatures above 27°C
- Coriolis force for rotation
- Minimal vertical wind shear
- A pre-existing low-pressure area
- Upper-level atmospheric divergence
2. Unveiling the Perils of Rub al-Khali: The World’s Most Dangerous Desert
Sub: Geo
Sec Mapping
Why in News?
Recently, the Rub al-Khali, also known as the Empty Quarter, gained attention after a tragic incident involving two men from Telangana. They perished in this inhospitable desert after their GPS malfunctioned, their vehicle ran out of fuel, and they lost all means of communication. This event underscores the extreme dangers associated with one of the world’s most perilous deserts.
Overview of Rub al-Khali
The Rub al-Khali, or Empty Quarter, is recognized as the largest contiguous sand desert in the world, spanning approximately 250,000 square miles.
This vast and arid expanse is notorious for its harsh conditions, including extreme heat, shifting sand dunes, and a lack of water and food sources.
Historical Context and Exploration
Historically, the desert was first traversed by explorers Bertram Thomas (1931) and Harry St. John Philby (1932), but it was Wilfred Thesiger’s extensive exploration between 1946 and 1948 that brought significant attention.
Thesiger’s travels were marked by hardship and self-imposed challenges, reflecting the desert’s brutal nature.
Challenges of the Desert
Geographical Features: The Rub al-Khali’s landscape is characterized by vast sand dunes and sabkhas (salt flats).
These salt flats, remnants of ancient seas, can trap vehicles and create dangerous conditions for navigation.
Modern-Day Obstacles: Even with modern technology, the desert remains formidable. The absence of reliable communication and navigation systems in the Empty Quarter can turn routine travel into life-threatening situations, as evidenced by recent events.
Rub al-Khali Desert:
Location: The Rub al-Khali, also known as the Empty Quarter, is situated in the Arabian Peninsula, extending across parts of Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
The Rub al-Khali is called the “Empty Quarter” due to its vast, desolate expanse with minimal human habitation, scarce resources, extreme aridity, and historically uncharted, isolated nature.
Size: It is the largest contiguous sand desert in the world, covering approximately 250,000 square miles (650,000 square kilometers).
Geographical Features: The desert is characterized by vast sand dunes, some of which reach heights of over 500 feet (150 meters). It also contains extensive salt flats known as sabkhas.
Climate: The Rub al-Khali experiences extreme temperatures, with daytime highs often exceeding 50°C (122°F) and nighttime lows dropping significantly.
It has very low annual rainfall, typically less than 3 cm (1.2 inches).
Flora and Fauna: Despite its harsh conditions, the desert supports some life, including species like scorpions, horned vipers, and small rodents. Vegetation is sparse, consisting mainly of drought-resistant plants.
Historical Exploration: The desert was crossed by explorers Bertram Thomas in 1931 and Harry St. John Philby in 1932. Wilfred Thesiger’s extensive exploration between 1946 and 1948 is particularly notable.
Economic Importance: The Rub al-Khali is rich in hydrocarbons, with significant oil reserves discovered in the region. This has made it a focus for exploration and extraction in the oil industry.
Sabkhas:
Definition: Salt flats or pans in arid regions.
Formation: They are formed from the evaporation of water bodies, such as ancient lakes or seas. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind accumulated salts, which create the distinctive salt flats.
Surface: Crusty, saline, and variable; can be hard or soft.
Ecology: Supports minimal plant and animal life due to high salinity.
Navigation: Difficult for vehicles; risk of getting stuck in soft, salty surfaces.
Examples: Found in the Rub al-Khali (Saudi Arabia), Atacama Desert (Chile), and Kutch (India).
3. Supreme Court stays Ministry of Ayush notification related to drugs, cosmetic rules
Subject: Polity
Sec: Legislation in news
Context:
The Supreme Court stayed the July 1, 2024 notification issued by the Ministry of Ayush, omitting Rule 170 of the Drug and Cosmetic Rules, 1945 that deals with prohibition of advertisements of Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani drugs without licensing authority’s approval.
More on News:
- The issue arose in the context of the hearing on a 2022 plea by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) against Patanjali Ayurved Ltd and its officials accusing them of making misleading claims and statements critical of modern medicine.
- Till further orders, the effect of the notification dated 1 July 2024 omitting Rule 170 shall stand stayed.
- In other words, till further orders are passed, Rule 170 shall remain in the statute book’, the bench ordered.
Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945:
- The Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 are the set of rules under The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
- It contains provisions for the classification of drugs under given schedules.
- It also contains the guidelines of drugs for their storage, sale, display, and prescription of each schedule.
Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO)
- CDSCO is the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) of India.
- Headquarters : Delhi.
- The Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and rules 1945 have entrusted various responsibilities to central & state regulators for the regulation of drugs & cosmetics.
- It envisages the uniform implementation of the Act & Rules for ensuring the safety, rights and wellbeing of the patients.
Under this act, CDSCO is responsible for:
- Approval of Drugs
- Conduct of Clinical Trials
- Laying down the standards for Drugs
- Control over the quality of imported Drugs in the country
- Coordination of the activities of State Drug Control Organizations
- Bring out the uniformity in the enforcement of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
Rule 170 of the Drug and Cosmetic Rules, 1945:
- State/UT Governments are empowered to enforce the provisions of Drugs & Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 & Rules there under and Rule 170 of the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945 pertaining to control and prohibition of misleading advertisements and exaggerated claims of drugs.
Subject: Polity
Sec: Legislation in news
Context:
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (August 27) granted bail to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) cases against her in the Delhi Excise policy case. The bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan criticised the Delhi High Court’s decision to deny the application of a key exception for women in the bail provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) when it rejected Kavitha’s bail plea in April.
Law and exception
- Section 45 of the PMLA provides for bail on money laundering charges.
- This provision in the law, like the stringent bail standard in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA), puts the onus on the accused to prove that there is no prima facie case against them while seeking bail.
- Section 45(1) : “No person accused of an offence under this Act shall be released on bail or on his own bond unless
- the Public Prosecutor has been given an opportunity to oppose the application for such release; and
- (ii) where the Public Prosecutor opposes the application, the Court is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that he is not guilty of such offence and that he is not likely to commit any offence while on bail.”
Crucial Exception of Section 45 of PMLA:
- While Section 45 imposes strict criteria for bail, it also includes a vital exception, particularly for women.
- According to this exception, individuals who fall under certain categories, such as women, minors, or those who are sick or infirm, may be granted bail if directed by the Special Court.
- This provision mirrors exemptions found in the Indian Penal Code concerning women and minors.
Precedent Cited by Delhi Court:
- A notable legal precedent of Preeti Chandra v. Directorate of Enforcement (2023)covered the exception for women under Section 45 of PMLA.
5. The two new US-India agreements signed as part of growing defence ties
Subject: IR
Sec: India and world
Context:
- India and the US have signed two new agreements, the latest in a series of bilateral military agreements that have enhanced defence and security cooperation between the two countries over the past decade.
- The new agreements are: Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) and a Memorandum of Agreement regarding Assignment of Liaison Officers.
Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA):
- Under SOSA, the US and India will provide reciprocal priority support to each other for goods and services that promote national defence.
- It will enable both countries to acquire the industrial resources they need from one another to resolve unanticipated supply chain disruptions to meet national security needs.
- India is the 18th SOSA partner of the US.
- SOSA is a legally non-binding agreement.
Reciprocal Defence Procurement (RDP) Agreement:
- India and US have been working to conclude another agreement, the Reciprocal Defence Procurement (RDP) Agreement, which will be binding.
- RDP Agreements are intended to promote rationalisation, standardisation, interchangeability, and interoperability of conventional defence equipment.
- The US has signed RDP Agreements with 28 countries so far.
MoU on liaison officers:
- The Memorandum of Agreement is a progression on a decision taken earlier to increase information-sharing between India and the US, and to post Indian armed forces officers in key strategic US Commands.
- India will deploy the first Liaison Officer to the US Special Operations Command headquarters in Florida.
India-US cooperation milestones on defence
- The vision for India – US bilateral defence cooperation was encapsulated in the 2013 Joint US-India Declaration on Defence Cooperation and the 2015 Framework for the US-India Defence Relationship.
- 2023 roadmap for defence industrial cooperation envisioned the conclusion of SOSA and the RDP Agreement.
- The roadmap identified priority areas of cooperation: Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Undersea Domain Awareness, Air Combat and Support etc.
- US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), 2023: The initiative aims to expand the strategic technology partnership, including critical and emerging technologies, and defence industrial cooperation.
- India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) was launched to build a defence innovation bridge under iCET, by facilitating partnerships among Indian and US defence companies.
Foundational Agreements:
- General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA):
- Signed in 2002 to facilitate sharing of military information.
- Industrial Security Annex (ISA) to the GSOMIA was signed in 2019 to facilitate the exchange of classified information between the defence industries of the two countries.
- Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), 2016:
- It is a modified India-specific version of the Logistics Support Agreement (LSA), which US signs with countries of close military cooperation.
- It gives access to designated military facilities on either side for refuelling and replenishment.
- The agreement primarily covers four areas — port calls, joint exercises, training and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.
- Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA):
- It is an India-specific version of the Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA).
- COMCASA aims to secure military communication between the two countries
- The agreement facilitates access to advanced defence systems, and enable India to optimally utilise its existing US-origin platforms.
- Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA), 2020:
- Facilitates the sharing of military information including maps, nautical charts, and other unclassified imagery and data.
- BECA will allow the United States to share satellite and other sensor data with India in order to improve the Indian military’s targeting and navigation capabilities.
Other deals:
- In 2016, the US designated India as a Major Defence Partner.
- In 2018, India was elevated to Strategic Trade Authorisation tier 1 status, which gave it licence-free access to a range of military and dual-use technologies regulated by the US Department of Commerce.
- There is also a Memorandum of Intent between the US Defence Innovation Unit (DIU) and the Indian Defence Innovation Organization-Innovation for Defence Excellence (DIO-iDEX).
- Indian military procurements from the US include MH-60R Seahawk multirole helicopters, Sig Sauer Rifles, and M777 ultra-light howitzers.
6. Why a new homegrown missile can be a game-changer for Ukraine’s fight against Russia
Subject: Sci
Sec: Defence
Context:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the existence of a new homegrown long-range weapon, a missile-drone hybrid which can strike deep into Russia.
- Named Palianytsia, the weapon was used for the first time to target a Russian military installation.
About Palianytsia:
- Long-range (700 km range) missile-drone hybrid weapon, indigenously developed by Ukraine.
- The missile uses a solid-fuel booster and a jet engine.
Why Ukraine needs long-range weapons?
- Currently, US and other western allies provide long-range weapons to Ukraine but restrict their usage deep into Russian territory out of fears of further escalation.
- According to the Institute for the Study of War, there are more than 250 significant military targets in Russia were within range of the ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) missiles, but current restrictions allow Ukraine to strike only 20 of them.
How it can be a game-changer?
- The Palianytsia with a 700-km range, comparable to the ATACMS, will allow Ukraine to bypass western restrictions.
- If the weapon is used to strike deep into Russian territory, Russia will be unable to produce enough air defence systems to protect such a large territory.
About Army Tactical Missile Systems:
- ATACMS missile is a precision-guided, surface-to-surface missile system capable of striking targets well beyond the range of existing Army cannons, rockets, and other missiles.
- It is manufactured by the US defence company Lockheed Martin.
- The missile was first used during the 1991 Persian Gulf War.
- Propulsion: Single-stage, solid propellant.
- ATACMS missiles are fired from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)
- It has the ability to carry cluster munitions, which destroy a targeted area by releasing hundreds of bomblets instead of a single warhead.
7. After nano urea, research finds dip in yield and plant growth with nano DAP
Subject: Geo
Sec: Eco Geo
Context: A two-year field experiment on the efficacy of nano diammonium phosphate (DAP) by scientists from the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has found a substantial decrease in wheat yields compared to conventional nitrogen fertiliser application.
More about the study
- A decline in plant height and nutrient content in wheat grain and straw, which is essential for protein production, was also observed.
- This research revealed that the efficiency of nano DAP is still unclear, similar to concerns raised about the benefits of nano urea.
- There was a 16.1 per cent decline in wheat grain yield with two sprays of nano DAP and zero application of recommended dosage of phosphorous (RDP) i.e. traditional DAP — grain yield was 47.61 quintals / hectare (q / ha) in the first treatment compared to 56.75 q / ha in the latter.
- Plant height at maturity was 78.63 cm in the first scenario and 79.53 cm in the second.
- The government claimed that nano DAP contains 8 per cent of nitrogen and 16 per cent of phosphorus, which can replace a 50 kg bag of traditional DAP.
- Incidentally, the yield was almost similar in a scenario where 100 per cent RDP was combined with two sprays of nano DAP.
- The research was done by Rajeev Sikka, Jeevanjot Dhaliwal and Mandeep Kaur in 2022 and 2023 on nano DAP released by Coromandel International Ltd, which is one of the three companies which have been granted permission to manufacture nano DAP by the government. The other two are Zuari Farm Hub Limited and Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO).
- PAU soil scientists evaluated foliar application of nano DAP and traditional DAP under 12 different scenarios at the research farms of the Department of Soil Science, PAU Ludhiana. Apart from only traditional DAP and only nano DAP treatments, they also examined grain yield and plant height under a combination of both, like 50 per cent or 75 per cent RDP with one or two sprays of nano DAP.
- The total plant uptake of nitrogen and phosphorous was 17.58 kg / ha when two sprays of nano DAP were done, compared to 26.60 kg / ha in case of traditional DAP.
DAP
- DAP is the second-most consumed fertiliser in the country after urea and thus also the second after urea to be promoted by the government in liquid form in order to substantially reduce imports, cut down fertiliser subsidy bill and promote efficient use of chemical fertilisers.
- Out of the estimated annual consumption of around 10-12.5 million tonnes of DAP, domestic production is around 4-5 million tonnes and the rest is imported.
Nano Urea
Context: In 2021, the government had launched nano urea but there have been continuous questions about its scientifically proven efficiency in being a better substitute for traditional granular urea.
Concept :
- Nano Urea (Liquid) is a source of nitrogen which is a major essential nutrient required for proper growth and development of a plant. Nitrogen is a key constituent of amino acids, enzymes, genetic materials, photosynthetic pigments and energy transfer compounds in a plant. Typically, nitrogen content in a healthy plant is in the range of 1.5 to 4%.
- Foliar application of Nano Urea (Liquid) at critical crop growth stages of a plant effectively fulfils its nitrogen requirement and leads to higher crop productivity and quality in comparison to conventional urea.
- Nano Urea (Liquid) contains nanoscale nitrogen particles which have more surface area (10,000 times over 1 mm Urea prill) and number of particles (55,000 nitrogen particles over 1 mm Urea prill).which makes it more impactful.
- In comparison to Urea the uptake efficiency of Nano Urea is more than 80 %. It is thus, required in lesser measure compared to the conventional urea fertiliser to fulfil plant’s nitrogen requirement.
- Nano Urea (liquid) increases crop productivity and can reduce the requirement of conventional Urea by 50%.
- Application of nano urea (liquid) improves yield, biomass, soil health and nutritional quality of the produce.
- Nano Urea (liquid) has been tested for biosafety and toxicity as per the guidelines of Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India and OECD international guidelines.
- Nano Urea (liquid) is completely safe for human, animals, birds, rhizosphere organisms and environment at the recommended levels of application.
- Nano Urea (Liquid) does not involve any government subsidyand will be made available to farmers at a 10% lower price than a bag of subsidised Urea.
- Transportation would be easier and economical, as one 500 ml bottle would be equivalent to one bag of regular urea fertiliser.
Benefits of IFFCO Nano Urea
Nano Urea (liquid) has manifold benefits:
- Reduces the requirement of conventional Urea by 50% or more
- Required less and produces more: Efficacy of one bottle of Nano Urea (500 mL) is equivalent to one bag of urea.
- Environment friendly product, can improve Soil, Air & Water quality thus, helps in addressing the concerns of Global Warming and in meeting the UN SDGs.
- Cheaper than conventional urea.
- Reduce input cost to farmers, leads to increase in farmers’ income.
- Improves crop productivity, soil health and nutritional quality of produce.
Mechanism of assimilation by plants
- When sprayed on leaves Nano Urea easily enters through stomata and other openings and is assimilated by the plant cells.
- It is easily distributed through phloem from source to sink inside the plant as per its need. Unutilised nitrogen is stored in the plant vacuole and is slowly released for proper growth and development of plant.