Daily Prelims Notes 29 May 2023

Daily Prelims Notes

29 May 2023

Table Of Contents

1. Textile PLI 2.0
2. NavIC 2nd Gen
3. Digital India Bill Draft
4. Antarctic overturning circulation
5. Gravitational Waves
6. Rs 75 coin released on new Parliament inauguration day
7. Old Parliament building saw the Supreme Court’s earliest sittings
8. Symbolism of Sengol
9. Model Prisons Act 2023

1. Textile PLI 2.0

Subject: Economy

Section: National Economy

The second edition of the Production linked incentive (PLI) Scheme for textile has been put up for approval of the Cabinet. The highlights are as follows:

• Outlay of Rs. 4,307 crore
• Enhanced coverage to now also include manufacture of garments, textiles and accessories of both natural and man-made fibres. (earlier only man-made fibre fabrics and apparels; and Technical textiles were covered)
• The decision has been made as only Rs. 6,000 crore out of the Rs. 10,683 crore corpuses has been used.
• Enhance larger participation in producing value added finished textiles, which requires low investment but has high employment potential.
• Proposed minimum investment and turn-over criteria to be low so as to encourage MSME participation. Minimum investment likely to be in the 15-45 crore range with 30-90 crore turnover.
• Incentives of 8-10 % are likely.
• Earlier only newly registered companies could participate. This provision is to be relaxed to allow all companies registered in India. For existing companies investment in only new machines will be considered to qualify for the capital required guidelines in addition to maintenance of separate accounts towards production under the PLI Scheme.

Various products of the Textile industry:

Fibre: Is the thread that is used to make fabric or textile. These are classified as follows:

Garment: It is a finished stitched clothing made out of various textiles.

Apparel: It encompasses both garments and accessories like purse, shoes etc.

Textile: It is a broader term applied to all output derived from weaving any fibre. It may be a finished or unfinished product. All fabrics are textiles.

Technical Textile:  These are defined as textile materials and products used primarily for their technical performance and functional properties rather than their aesthetic or decorative characteristics. They are manufactured using natural as well as man-made fibres. Examples are diapers/sanitary pads, conveyor belts, parachutes, surgical masks etc.

2. NavIC 2nd Gen

Subject: Economy

Section: National Economy

The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) also referred to as Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) is a regional satellite navigation system that used 7 satellites for its positioning services. Recently it is being upgraded to the next gen version.

2nd gen satellite (NVS-01) launched. Key changes:

• Heavier than existing satellites
• GSLV Rocket launched. At present 7 satellites being lighter were launched by PSLV rockets.
• Atomic clock onboard (Rubidium atomic clock developed by Space-Application Centre- Ahmedabad). Only a few select countries have this technology.
• Will use L1 frequency in addition to existing L5 and S frequency. L1 is better for wearable devices which run on low power and use single frequency chips.
• 2nd gen satellites will have longer mission life of over 12 years. (10 years at present)

What all IRNSS satellites provide:

• Location services: It provides Standard Position Service (SPS) for civilian users and Restricted Service (RS) for strategic users.
• Messaging services to provide disaster warning or potential fishing zone messages to fishermen.
• Public vehicle safety, power grid synchronization, real time train information systems and fishermen safety
• Following uses to be integrated: common alert protocol based emergency warning, time dissemination, geodetic network, UAV navigation etc.

3. Digital India Bill Draft

Subject: Economy

Section: National Economy

Draft Bill is being prepared, it will replace the Information Technology Act, 2000 (the present ‘Internet Law’). It is a key pillar of framework of technology regulations the which also includes the draft Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022, Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022, and a policy for non-personal data governance

Why new law is needed:

• The IT Act, 2000 is dated as it was passed in the early days of the internet.
• Limited in scope, thus restricting the government from enacting various rules.
• Issues of user harm like cyber bullying; women & child safety; fake news; unfair trade practices.
• Need for global standard Cyber Laws.
• To ensure Open Internet.
• Regulate emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence.
• Required to achieve a $1 trillion digital economy of 2026.

Key Objectives of the Bill:

• Ensure an open and safe Internet to ensure user’s rights and reduce risks for them online.
• Accelerate the growth of technology innovation.
• ‘Safe Harbour’ provision to be re-visited.

4. Antarctic overturning circulation

Subject : Geography

Section: Climatology

Concept :

• Antarctica sets the stage for the world’s greatest waterfall. The action takes place beneath the surface of the ocean.
• Here, trillions of tonnes of cold, dense, oxygen-rich water cascade off the continental shelf and sink to great depths.
• This Antarctic “bottom water” then spreads north along the sea floor in deep ocean currents, before slowly rising, thousands of kilometres away.
• In this way, Antarctica drives a global network of ocean currents called the “overturning circulation” that redistributes heat, carbon and nutrients around the globe. The overturning is crucial to keeping Earth’s climate stable. It’s also the main way oxygen reaches the deep ocean.
• But there are signs this circulation is slowing down and it’s happening decades earlier than predicted. This slowdown has the potential to disrupt the connection between the Antarctic coasts and the deep ocean, with profound consequences for Earth’s climate, sea level and marine life.

Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)

• The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a major ocean current system that transports warm surface waters from the tropics toward the northern Atlantic and colder deep waters that are part of the thermohaline circulation, southward.
• One of the main ways the ocean circulates heat, salt, carbon, and nutrients throughout the world’s oceans is through overturning circulation.

What is thermohaline circulation?

• The thermohaline circulation, also known as the ocean’s conveyor belt, is part of the ocean circulation and is powered by temperature and salinity differences causing density differences. These are deep ocean currents occurring thousands of meters below the sea surface.
• It leads to intermixing of salt and heat. Thus, it effectively describes a driving mechanism.

Working of Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation

• The Atlantic Ocean’s warm water cools as it travels north, and evaporation raises its salt content.
• The water sinks deep into the ocean due to its increased density brought on by a combination of a low temperature and a high salt content.
• Deep below, the chilly, dense water steadily moves southward.
• It eventually returns to the surface, warms up once more, and the circulation is complete.

Significance of AMOC

• AMOC helps to disperse heat and energy throughout the earth (heat budget).
• Because of AMOC, the climate in Western Europe is less severe even during the winter (Gulf Stream, North Atlantic Drift).
• By absorbing and storing carbon from the atmosphere, it serves as a carbon sink.
• Carbon sequestration by AMOC has profound effects on how anthropogenic global warming develops.
• The distribution of heat to the polar regions is largely dependent on thermohaline circulation. As a result, it impacts how quickly sea ice forms at the poles, which in turn affects other components of the climate system (such as the albedo, and thus solar heating, at high latitudes).

5. Gravitational Waves

Subject : Science and technology

Section: Space technology

Concept :

• The collaboration between LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA is crucial for unraveling the mysteries of gravitational waves. These detectors work together to decipher the subtle disturbances in spacetime caused by massive celestial objects.

LIGO Historic Breakthrough Continues:

• After a hiatus, LIGO has recently resumed its operations following a significant upgrade.
• The upgraded version is approximately 40% more sensitive than its predecessor, enabling it to detect fainter and more distant gravitational waves.
• The latest observation run commenced on April 1, 2023, and is expected to span approximately two years.
• During this period, LIGO will actively search for gravitational waves generated by phenomena such as black hole mergers, neutron star collisions, and supernovae.

Collaboration between LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA

• The collaboration between LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA is crucial for unraveling the mysteries of gravitational waves.
• These detectors work together to decipher the subtle disturbances in spacetime caused by massive celestial objects.
• To enhance the sensitivity of the instruments, additional vacuum pipes with mirrors have been constructed as part of the upgrade. These vacuum pipes reduce noise and minimize mirror jitter, enabling more precise measurements.
• While Virgo experienced delays in restarting due to technical issues, KAGRA has resumed its operations on May 24.
• KAGRA will join LIGO’s ongoing experimental run before undergoing further commissioning in the following month. Looking ahead, LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA is anticipated to be joined by LIGO-India later in the decade, with some components of LIGO-India being constructed using spare parts from the original LIGO project.
• This collaborative effort demonstrates the continuous advancements in gravitational-wave research and the promising future discoveries it holds.
• VIRGO:
• Virgo is located near Pisa in Italy. The Virgo Collaboration is currently composed of approximately 650 members from 119 institutions in 14 different countries including Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain.
• KAGRA:
• The Kamioka Gravitational Wave Detector (KAGRA): The KAGRA detector is located in Kamioka, Gifu, Japan. The host institute is the Institute of Cosmic Ray Researches (ICRR) at the University of Tokyo.
• This interferometer is underground and uses cryogenic mirrors. It has 3 km arms.

For further reference, refer – https://optimizeias.com/ligo-and-virgo/

6. Rs 75 coin released on new Parliament inauguration day

Subject : Schemes

Concept :

• To mark the inauguration of the new Parliament building, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a commemorative coin of Rs 75 denomination.
• India has been issuing commemorative coins for several reasons such as paying homage to notable personalities, spreading awareness about government schemes, or remembering key historic events.
• The country released its first commemorative coin in 1964 in honour of Jawaharlal Nehru, who had passed away that year.

Minting of coins                   

• The government has the power to design and mint coins in various denominations. It has been given this right under the Coinage Act, 2011.
• The government decides on the quantity of coins to be minted on the basis of indents received from the RBI on a yearly basis.
• The role of the RBI is limited to the distribution of coins that are supplied by the central government.
• Coins are minted in four mints owned by the Government of India in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Noida.

Printing of currency

• Two of India’s currency note printing presses are in Nasik and Dewas. These are owned by the Government of India.
• Two other printing presses are in Mysore and Salboni. These are owned by the RBI through its wholly owned subsidiary, Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Ltd (BRBNML).

Commemorative coin

• A commemorative coin is a special coin issued to honor and celebrate a particular event, person, or significant milestone.
• These Coins are distinct from regular circulation coins in that they are not intended for everyday transactions but rather serve as collectible items or gifts. These coins are primarily meant for numismatic purposes.

Minting :

• The Government, through the Ministry of Finance, authorizes the issuance of commemorative coins to mark various occasions of national importance.
• These coins are minted by the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL), which operates mints across the country.
• The RBI also issues special commemorative coins in limited quantities, primarily in precious metals, to honor eminent personalities, national achievements, or historical events.

7. Old Parliament building saw the Supreme Court’s earliest sittings

Subject: Polity

Section: Judiciary

Concept:

• After its inauguration on January 28, 1950, the Supreme Court commenced its sittings in a part of the Parliament House. The Court moved into the present building on Tilak Marg in 1958. We take a look at its history.
• The Chamber of Princes in the parliament building was where the Federal Court of India had sat for 12 years, between 1937 ad 1950. The Supreme Court too began its sittings in the Parliament.

Chamber of Princes

• The Chamber of Princes (Narendra Mandal) was an institution established in 1920 by a royal proclamation of King-Emperor George V to provide a forum in which the rulers of the princely states of India could voice their needs and aspirations to the colonial government of British India. It survived until the end of the British Raj in 1947.
• The Chamber had an advisory and consultative role. It was represented by 120 princes out of 565 in all.
• In all its years of existence, only the rulers of Bikaner, Patiala, Nawanagar and Bhopal were chosen as chancellors of the Chamber of Princes.
• The Chamber of Princes usually met only once a year, with the Viceroy of India presiding, but it appointed a Standing Committee which met more often.
• The full Chamber elected from its princely ranks a permanent officer styled the Chancellor, who chaired the Standing Committee.
• The chamber convened at the Parliament House. Today the hall is used as the parliament’s library.

8. Symbolism of Sengol

Subject: History

Section: Art & culture

Context: The inauguration of India’s new Parliament saw an ancient South Indian tradition symbolising a dharmic kingship ceremonially resurrected, when the PM accepted a sengol from priests and installed it near the Lok Sabha Speaker’s chair.

Concept:

• A sengol—or chengol—is a royal sceptre, signifying kingship, righteousness, justice, and authority, among other qualities linked to the correct wielding of power.
• Its origins lie in TamilNadu, and it served as a kingly emblem.
• Among the Madurai Nayakas, for example, the sengol was placed before the goddess Meenakshi in the great temple on important occasions, and then transferred to the throne room, representing the king’s role as a divine agent.
• It was also, therefore, a legitimising instrument: the Sethupatis of Ramnad, for instance, when they first attained kingly status in the seventeenth century, acquired a ritually sanctified sengol from priests of the Rameswaram temple. It marked the ruler’s accountability to the deity in the exercise of power, as well as his graduation from chiefly status to a more exalted kingly plane. As such, the sengol may be described, in its historical context, as a symbol of dharmic kingship.
• Besides, some oral accounts mixed with a few scattered facts say that Nehru was presented a sengol by Hindu leaders from TamilNadu in 1947 as a mark of honour, and he, in turn, received it in good spirit.

9. Model Prisons Act 2023

Subject: Polity

Section: Judiciary

Context: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has prepared a Model Prisons Act, 2023, to replace the existing 130-year-old colonial law governing prisons. The Act is being introduced following the spate of killings and gang violence within prisons, such as the recent murder of Tillu Tajpuriya inside Tihar jail.

Concept:

• Along with the Prisons Act, 1894, the Prisoners Act, 1900, and the Transfer of Prisoners Act, 1950 have also been reviewed by the MHA, and their relevant provisions have been assimilated into the Model Prisons Act,2023.
• According to the provisions of the Constitution, ‘prisons’ and ‘persons detained therein’ fall under the State List. This means that the responsibility of prison management and administration is with the state government, which alone is competent to make appropriate legislative provisions in this regard.

How the new act differs from the existing laws?

Is the new law binding on states?

• Owing to the critical role played by “efficient prison management” in the criminal justice system, the Centre finds it crucial to support the States and UTs in this regard. So, the ministry clarified that the 2023 Act “may serve as a guiding document for the states” so that they may benefit from its adoption in their jurisdictions.