Daily Prelims Notes 8 December 2024

Daily Prelims Notes

8 December 2024

Table Of Contents

1. BSF deployment moved to zero line along Bangladesh border in Murshidabad
2. Tushil Commissioned: Strengthening India-Russia Defence Cooperation
3. Indigenous Nuclear Attack Submarines (SSNs)
4. Advancing Malaria Prevention: Genetically Modified Parasites as a Next-Generation Vaccine
5. UN declares December 21 as World Meditation Day
6. Their unique architecture gives mosques in Kashmir Valley a place in the sun
7. Special Bench to hear Places of Worship Act case

1. BSF deployment moved to zero line along Bangladesh border in Murshidabad

Sub : Geo

Sec :Indian Geo

Context:

• The Border Security Force (BSF) has repositioned its personnel along the zero line of the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, particularly in the char lands along the Padma River.

Current Deployment:

• BSF has deployed forces directly at the zero line along the border.
• Deployment spans from Farakka to Kakmarichar in Murshidabad.
• Three BSF battalions from the South Bengal Frontier are responsible for the deployment: Battalion 73, Battalion 146, Battalion 149.

Benefits of the Move:

1. For Farmers:
   • Farmers can now access their lands without needing prior permission from the BSF.
   • Reduces hardships for farmers working on chars, which lack basic amenities like power and water.
2. Border Security:
   • Improves protection of the border.
   • Eases the process for fencing and surveying the international border.

Background on Char Lands:

• The riverine areas (island) of the river Brahmaputra, locally known as “Char/ Chapori”.
• Chars are temporary land formations of sand and silt created by rivers, which appear and disappear based on river flow.
• These areas are crucial for farming but pose logistical and security challenges due to their dynamic nature.
• The chars follow a peculiar pattern of migration.
• They are subjected to erosion on their upstream and deposition on the downstream, due to which they migrate downstream.
• This affects the geometry and location of the chars during floods almost every year.
• Issues with Char area:
  • The physical, sociological and institutional constraints on development of Char Areas are many and complex.
  • Such as virtual absence of all weather communication with the main banks, reliable means of intra and inter char mobility, inadequate growth of transport and basic infrastructure like surface roads, health and drinking water, delivery systems for farm inputs, marketing, agro-services electricity and education.
  • The problems in the Char Areas are unique in nature, due to constant threat from flood and erosion during the rainy season.
  • The land mass is segregated and cut off from each other, making it very difficult for taking any major scheme for road communication, irrigation, Power supply or setting of educational institutions.

India- Bangladesh Border:

• The Bangladesh–India border, known locally as the Radcliffe line (IB), is an international border running between the republics of Bangladesh and India that demarcates the six divisions of Bangladesh and the Indian states.
• Bangladesh and India share a 4,096-kilometre-long (2,545 mi) international border, the fifth-longest land border in the world, including 262 km (163 mi) in Assam, 856 km (532 mi) in Tripura, 318 km (198 mi) in Mizoram, 443 km (275 mi) in Meghalaya and 2,217 km (1,378 mi) in West Bengal.
• The Bangladeshi divisions of Mymensingh, Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet, and Chittagong are situated along the border.
• West Bengal shares a 2,216-km border with Bangladesh, guarded by three BSF frontiers.
• Key Border Crossings:
  • Prominent land ports include Petrapole-Benapole, which handles significant trade and passenger traffic.
  • Other crossings: Akhaura (Tripura), Hili (West Bengal), and Dawki (Meghalaya).

2. Tushil Commissioned: Strengthening India-Russia Defence Cooperation

Sub : Sci

Sec: Defence

Why in News

• Defence Minister is on a three-day visit to Russia for the commissioning of Tushil, a stealth guided missile frigate. The visit coincides with the 21st India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGCM & MTC), marking a significant milestone in bilateral defence relations.

Commissioning of Tushil:

• Tushil is the first of two stealth guided missile frigates under construction in Russia.
• The frigate belongs to the upgraded Krivak III class (Project 1135.6), which already includes six ships in service:
  • Three Talwar-class ships built in St. Petersburg.
  • Three Teg-class ships built at Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad.

• The frigate is named Tushil, a Sanskrit word meaning “Protector Shield,” signifying its defensive role.
• Part of the P1135.6 class, also known as Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates.

• Built as part of a bilateral agreement between India and Russia.
  • Two ships constructed in Russia at the Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad.
  • Two additional ships are being constructed in India at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).
• Incorporates advanced stealth technology to minimize radar and underwater noise signatures.
• Designed for operations in blue waters (deep seas) and littoral zones (near-shore areas).
• Equipped to conduct air, surface, and sub-surface warfare.
• Capable of independent operations or as part of a naval task force.
• Weapon Systems and Sensors:
  • Surface-to-surface missiles.
  • Advanced sonar systems and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) systems.
  • Surface surveillance radar and communication suites.
  • Surface-to-air missiles.
  • Advanced gun mounts.

About India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC):

• The IRIGC-MTC was established in 2000 as the apex bilateral forum to oversee military and military-technical collaboration between India and Russia.
• It facilitates discussions on various military cooperation projects, including equipment production, joint ventures, and technical upgrades, signifying a shift from a buyer-seller dynamic to joint R&D and manufacturing.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Andrey Belousov will co-chair the meeting in Moscow

3. Indigenous Nuclear Attack Submarines (SSNs)

Sub : Sci

Sec: Defence

Why in News

• India’s indigenous nuclear attack submarine (SSN) program has gained attention following approvals for its design and construction phases. The timeline indicates the design phase will take 4-5 years, with the first submarine expected to be ready by 2036-37. This milestone follows India’s experience with ballistic nuclear missile submarines (SSBNs) and recent advancements in submarine technology.

About Nuclear Submarines:

• SSNs have infinite capacity to stay dived. As they are not propelled by batteries, they need not emerge for charging by a diesel engine.
• Propelled by a nuclear-powered engine, these submarines only need to come to the surface for replenishing supplies for the crew.
• SSNs are also able to move faster underwater than conventional submarines. All this allows a navy to deploy them at farther distances, and quicker. They are like the fighter jets of the underwater world.
• India is among six nations that have SSNs, alongside the US, the UK, Russia, France and China.
• India got its first SSN in 1987 from the Soviet Navy, which it rechristened INS Chakra, which was decommissioned in 1991.
• In 2012, India got another Russian SSN on a ten-year lease, called INS Chakra 2, which has since been returned to Russia.
• The government has also decided that of the 12 submarines to be built indigenously after the P75 and P75i projects, six would be SSNs instead of SSK.
• Types of nuclear submarines:
  • Ship Submersible Nuclear (SSN): one that carries conventional weapons.
  • Guided Missile Submarines (SSGN): capable of carrying guided missiles with conventional warheads.
  • Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN): can carry ballistic missiles that may be nuclear armed.

About INS Aridhman (S4*):

• India’s fourth SSBN, the S4*, was launched into water at the SBC in Visakhapatnam.
• It has significant indigenous content, showcasing the involvement of Indian industry in its construction.
• It has a submerged displacement of around 7,000 tons, which is larger than its predecessor, INS Arihant, and allows for the inclusion of advanced systems.
• The submarine will carry the K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) with a range of 3,500 km, crucial for India’s undersea nuclear deterrence.
• The S4* forms a key part of India’s nuclear triad, enabling second-strike capability from underwater, significantly boosting India’s strategic defence posture.
• It is one of the latest in a line of advanced SSBNs under construction, with plans to eventually integrate the K-5 SLBM, extending the strike range to 5,000 km

About INS Arihant (S2):

• It has a displacement of 6,000 tonnesand is powered by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor with enriched uranium.
• Retains the same reactor and dimensions, but has several technological upgrades.
• The advanced technology project began in the 1980sand its first product, the Arihant vessel, was launched in 2009 by then-Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, and eventually commissioned in 2016.
• The third of these submarines, which is at an advanced stage of construction, is set to be larger and more capable than the current two submarines in the same class.

About INS Arighaat (S3):

• INS Arighaat is a 6,000-tonne Arihant-class ballistic missile submarine.
• Arighaat will be armed with indigenously built K-15 missiles, with a range of more than700km.
• It can reach a speed of 12–15 knots (22–28 km/h) on the surface and up to 24 knots (44 km/h) when submerged.
• It is powered by 83 MW pressurised light-water nuclear reactors, which allow it to remain submerged and undetected for much longer than conventional diesel-electric submarines.
• Compared to Arihant, the indigenisation content has doubled in Arighaat (from 30% to 60%)
• INS Arighaat will enhance the Navy’s nuclear strike capability and will serve as a vital component of India’s nuclear triad.
• Arighaat adds to India’s sea-based nuclear deterrent, which is the most credible and survivable leg of the nuclear triad.

4. Advancing Malaria Prevention: Genetically Modified Parasites as a Next-Generation Vaccine

Sub : Sci

Sec: Biotech

Why in News

• Recent advancements in malaria research have highlighted the use of genetically modified parasites as a novel approach to priming the immune system against malaria. A groundbreaking study demonstrated the efficacy of late-arresting genetically modified parasites in providing enhanced protection compared to conventional methods like radiation-attenuated sporozoites.

Background:

• Use of genetically modified mosquitoes includes:
  • Release of radiation-sterilized males to prevent egg hatching.
  • Slowing parasite growth in mosquito guts to prevent transmission.
  • Genetically engineering mosquitoes to spread resistance to malaria-causing parasites.

Genetic Modification of Parasites:

• Parasites are genetically modified to not cause disease.
• These modified parasites prime the immune system during their liver-stage life cycle before entering the
• Priming the immune system shields individuals when subsequently bitten by infected mosquitoes.

About Malaria:

• A mosquito-borne disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, primarily transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes.
• Five species infect humans: P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale, and P. knowlesi.
• Symptoms: Fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, and severe cases can lead to complications like cerebral malaria and death.
• Endemic in tropical and subtropical regions, with Africa bearing the highest burden.

About Plasmodium falciparum:

• The most virulent malaria-causing parasite, responsible for most malaria-related deaths globally.
• Capable of rapid multiplication in the bloodstream, leading to severe anaemia and cerebral malaria.
• Transmission: Sporozoites from mosquito saliva infect the human liver, then multiply and invade red blood cells.

About T Cells:

• A type of white blood cell critical in adaptive immunity, identifying and killing infected cells or activating other immune responses.
• Types: Includes helper T cells (CD4+) and cytotoxic T cells (CD8+).
• T cells respond to malaria antigens during the liver and blood stages, contributing to immune defence.

About Gamma Delta T Cells: A subset of T cells involved in recognizing and responding to non-protein antigens.

• They play a role in immunity against liver-stage malaria parasites, particularly in experimental late-arresting parasite trials.

About Sporozoites:

• The infectious stage of Plasmodium parasites transmitted by mosquito bites.
• Enter the bloodstream and travel to the liver, where they mature into merozoites.

5. UN declares December 21 as World Meditation Day

Sub: IR

Sec: Int org

Context:

• India was part of a core group of countries, including Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Mexico, and Andorra, that helped guide the adoption of the World Meditation Day resolution at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
• The resolution to mark December 21 as World Meditation Day was adopted unanimously by all 193 member countries.
• The date coincides with the Winter Solstice, which marks the beginning of ‘Uttarayana’ in Indian tradition.

Significance of World Meditation Day:

• The establishment of World Meditation Day aims to raise awareness about the mental, emotional, and physical benefits of meditation.
• It encourages people worldwide to practice meditation as a tool for personal wellbeing and global peace.
• Meditation is recognized for its role in reducing stress, promoting emotional balance, and fostering a sense of unity among diverse populations.

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA):

• The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is one of the six main organs of the United Nations (UN) and serves as its main decision-making body.
• It was established in 1945 under the UN Charter and is headquartered in New York City.
• It is composed of all 193 member states of the UN, each of which has one vote. It provides a forum for all member states to discuss global issues and shape international policy.
• The General Assembly meets once a year in a regular session, typically beginning in September, at the UN Headquarters in New York City.
• While its resolutions are typically non-binding, they carry significant moral authority.

6. Their unique architecture gives mosques in Kashmir Valley a place in the sun

Sub: History

Sec: Art and Culture

Context:

• The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) government has initiated a project aimed at generating renewable energy in the Kashmir Valley by utilizing the multi-tiered roofs of mosques.
• It will help reduce power cuts that are a persistent issue in the region.
• This initiative is part of the larger PM Surya Ghar (Sun House) Muft Bijli Yojana, a free electricity scheme.

Role of Mosques:

• Mosques in Kashmir typically feature wide roof surfaces which can be effectively utilized for installing rooftop solar panels.
• Each mosque can generate between 3 KW and 5 KW of electricity through solar energy.
• However, mosque caretakers have expressed reluctance to adopt solar panels due to low government subsidies.

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana:

• The Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a domestic rooftop solar initiative aimed at promoting renewable energy usage by providing free or subsidized electricity to households through solar energy systems.
• The scheme was first announced by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the Interim Budget 2024-25.
• The scheme aims to supply solar power to one crore households by March 2027.
• The scheme offers a subsidy of up to 40 percent to households. Households can apply for the subsidy through the National Portal.
• Households will have access to collateral-free, low-interest loans at around 7% interest for the installation of residential rooftop solar (RTS) systems up to 3 kW.

Model Solar Village:

• Under the “Model Solar Village” component of the scheme, the focus is on establishing one Model Solar Village per district throughout India to promote solar energy adoption and empower village communities to achieve energy self-reliance.
• To qualify as a candidate village, it must be a revenue village with a population of over 5,000 (or 2,000 in special category states).

7. Special Bench to hear Places of Worship Act case

Sub: Polity

Sec: legislation in news

Context:

• Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has formed a Special Bench to hear petitions challenging the validity of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act of 1991.
• The three-judge Bench will begin hearings on December 12.

Details about the petitions:

• The petitions, led by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, argue that the Act prevents Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs from reclaiming places of worship allegedly encroached upon by historical invaders.

Opposition to the challenges:

• Muslim organizations like the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind oppose these petitions, asserting that the law upholds the constitutional values of fraternity and secularism.

Reference to Ayodhya Judgment:

• The 1991 Act was upheld in the Ayodhya verdict, which stated that history’s wrongs should not be used to oppress the present or future generations.

Places of Worship Act:

• The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, protects the identity and character of religious sites as they existed on August 15, 1947.
• It prohibits conversion of any religious place into a place of worship of a different religion and seeks to maintain communal harmony.
• The Act does not apply to ancient and historical monuments, archaeological sites, and remains covered by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.