The Study IAS

Author: blogweb

  • Women Outnumbering Men in Skills Training

    Context:

     

    Under the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana, women have outnumbered men in acquiring skills training.

     

    More on News: 

     

    • The scheme has trained 0.35 million individuals till date, of which 68.76% are women and 31.3% are men. 
    • Of these, 0.23 million women acquired tailoring skills while the majority of males opted for mason training.
    • Government data showed 1.04 million individuals enrolled for training under the scheme so far, as against the target of training 3 million under the scheme. 
    • The highest number of beneficiaries under the scheme are from Karnataka , followed by Gujarat , J&K , Andhra Pradesh , Assam , Maharashtra , . 
    • However, the scheme has failed to take off in eight states, including Delhi, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal etc.

     

    Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana:

     

    • It was launched by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in 2023. 
    • Aim: Support traditional artisans and craftspeople across India. 
    • Objective: Provides holistic and end-to-end support through various components such as:
        • Access to collateral-free credit: Artisans can avail collateral free loans up to 2 lakh at concessional rates.
        • Skill training: The beneficiaries get five-seven days of basic training while the advanced training can go up to 15 days.
        • Each beneficiary is given ₹500 per day stipend, a Vishwakarma certificate and ID card during the training.
        • Modern tools: Provision of modern tools to improve productivity.
        • Incentive for digital transactions: Encouragement to adopt digital payments.
        • Market linkage support: Assistance in connecting with markets to sell their products.

     

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    According to the World Bank, there are five ways to help skills training programs boost women’s participation in the workforce: provide access to finance, support childcare, prevent sexual harassment, safe transportation and encourage women to enter male occupations.

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    Benefits of Women Skilling on Economy:

     

    • Increased Economic Growth:
        • Higher Workforce Participation: Skilling empowers women, boosting employability and workforce participation.
        • According to the World Economic Forum, the percentage of employable women in India has increased from 41.25% in 2021 to 53.28% in 2023.
        • Increased GDP: Studies estimate that closing the gender gap in the workforce could add trillions of dollars to global GDP.
        • According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), closing the gender gap in the workforce could increase global GDP by 26%.
        • Diversification and Income Equality: When more women contribute to the economy, it leads to a more diversified and inclusive economic landscape. 
    • Empowerment and Social Benefits:
        • Improved Living Standards: It leads to improved living standards, better access to education and healthcare, and a positive ripple effect on society.
        • Reduced Poverty: Women are more likely to reinvest their income in their families and communities.
        • Oxfam reports that from 2000 to 2010, a rise in women’s employment in Latin America contributed to about 30% of the decrease in poverty and income inequality.
        • Greater Gender Equality: Skilling programs break gender norms, empowering women in male-dominated fields, fostering workplace and societal gender equality.
    • Additional Benefits:
        • Enhanced Business Performance: Companies with a diverse workforce benefit from a wider range of perspectives and experiences, leading to better decision-making and improved business performance.
        • Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Skilling can encourage women to start their own businesses, contributing to innovation and entrepreneurial growth within the economy.
        • According to a study, by accelerating the quality and quantity of entrepreneurship among women, they can generate 150-170 million jobs by 2030.

     

    In conclusion, the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana’s success in attracting more women to skills training aligns with UN SDG 5 on achieving gender equality and empowering women, potentially leading to a more inclusive and prosperous economy.

  • Indian Defence University

    Context:

    The lack of the Indian Defence University (IDU) is worrisome, as countries like Pakistan and China have already established theirs to boost academic standards and strategic prowess in their militaries.

     

    Why Professional Military Education (PME)?

    • The changing nature of warfare has justified the need for PME.
    • In conflicts like West Asia’s, military officers must deliver results despite unclear information and swiftly changing dynamics.
    • Officers are equipped to tackle complex challenges through a robust PME continuum, enhancing their capabilities to adapt to evolving roles and growing responsibilities throughout their careers.

     

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    The development of Professional Military Education (PME) in the U.S. is relevant because it resembles India’s theaterisation goals. ‘Ike’ Skelton’s report to Congress significantly reformed military education by recommending focused learning objectives, improving faculty quality, establishing a two-phase officer education system, and creating an Institute for National Strategic Studies at the National Defense University, among other measures.

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    Slow progress

    • The need for a comprehensive education system in the Indian armed forces was recognised post-independence, leading to proposals for a Defence Services University as early as 1967. 
    • In 2010, initial approval was granted for the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses (IDU) in Gurgaon, based on post-Kargil conflict committee recommendations.
    • Despite some positive developments, progress on establishing the IDU has been slow.
    • While India’s armed forces boast world-class training institutions, they lack an integrated Professional Military Education (PME) framework and a multidisciplinary approach to strategic thinking. 
    • For example, Pakistan has created two universities, while China has three.
    • Affiliations with universities for degree courses are seen as suboptimal. 
    • The proposed IDU aims to address these shortcomings by serving as a central institution for higher military learning, with a faculty comprising academics, active and retired military officers, and civil servants.
    • The university’s curriculum would be diverse across its colleges and institutions, offering a range of subjects pertinent to national security and defence in both scientific and humanities disciplines.

     

    Need for IDU

    • After the establishment of the Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) in Gujarat, some experts have suggested that there may not be a need for IDU. 
    • However, the RRU Act does not specify education related to ‘defence’ in its objectives, nor is its curriculum focused solely on military requirements for management of war and execution of plans.
    • Thus, the need of the hour is to operationalise the IDU at the earliest, so that the first building-blocks of joint warfighting can be put in place through a well-calibrated and futuristic military education curriculum.
    • This will augment R & D in military warfare and along with human capital formation specialised in defence education.

  • World Trade Organization (WTO)

    Context:

    India plans to use South Africa’s case against European Union’s (EU) strict food safety regulations on citrus fruit to call for relaxations in standards affecting Indian food exports, including chilies, tea, and chemicals.

     

    More on News:

    • India intends to support South Africa in contesting stringent food safety norms imposed by the EU, aiming to address broader trade concerns.
    • South Africa challenges EU phytosanitary regulations on citrus fruits, citing unfair restrictions that hinder export potential.
    • India’s Basmati rice dispute with Pakistan over EU GI registration adds strain to relations.
    • The EU emphasises strict SPS import rules, maintaining food safety standards regardless of FTAs, while South Africa challenges EU measures at the WTO.

     

    WTO:

    • Established in 1995, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is an international institution regulating global trade rules, succeeding the 1947 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
    • It operates based on agreements ratified by a majority of the world’s trading nations, aiming to facilitate trade among nations.
    • The WTO’s primary role is to assist producers, exporters, and importers in safeguarding and managing their businesses.
    • Currently, the WTO comprises 164 member countries, with Liberia and Afghanistan being the latest additions in July 2016. Additionally, there are 25 “observer” countries and governments.

     

    Objectives of WTO:

    • The WTO’s overarching aim is to assist its members in utilizing trade to enhance living standards, generate employment, and enhance quality of life.
    • By overseeing the global trade framework, the WTO aids developing economies in enhancing their trade capabilities.
    • The establishment of universal trade regulations ensures confidence and stability in international trade relations.

     

    Importance:

    • Serves as a dispute resolution and mediation body.
    • Offers a platform for member governments to negotiate and address trade issues with each other.
    • Facilitates communication and cooperation on trade matters among its members.
    • Spearheads role in reducing trade barriers and fostering increased trade between member countries.

     

    Agreement on Agriculture:

    • The WTO categorises trade subsidies using traffic light colors: green (permitted), amber (to be reduced), and blue (production-limiting).
    • The Agriculture Agreement, unlike other sectors, lacks a red box, but prohibits domestic support exceeding reduction commitments in the amber box.
    • The agreement aims to eliminate trade barriers, ensure transparent market access, and integrate global markets.

     

  • White Dwarfs

    Context:

    White dwarfs challenge traditional stellar models by retaining heavy metals on their surfaces despite their density, where these elements should sink toward the core.

     

    More on News

    • Studies show that heavy metals on white dwarfs originate from accumulated tidally disrupted planetary material, rather than planet-planet interactions after the formation.
    • Understanding stellar metal pollution provides insight into the history of star formation, galactic chemical evolution, and recycling of matter in the universe.

     

    About

    • White dwarfs, the dense remains of low-mass stars, are composed primarily of electron-degenerate matter. Despite their small size, their mass is comparable to that of the Sun. 
    • Their low luminosity results from residual thermal energy emission after fusion. 
    • These stellar remnants, which are prominent in the Milky Way, evolve from the shedding of the outer layers of stars.
    • White dwarfs gradually cool over time and become non-radiating black dwarfs.

     

    White Dwarfs vs Pulsars

    • Composition: White dwarfs is made of carbon and oxygen, while pulsars are made of neutron-degenerate matter, consisting of protons and electrons compressed into neutrons.
    • Density: Pulsars are denser than white dwarfs. 
    • Formation: White dwarfs form from the cores of low-mass stars, while pulsars are the remains of larger stars that exploded as supernovae.
    • Magnetic field: Pulsars have extremely powerful magnetic fields which can accelerate charged particles to almost the speed of light. White dwarfs may also have strong magnetic fields, but not as extreme as pulsars.

     

    LISA Pathfinder:

    • A space mission led by the European Space Agency (ESA) that successfully tested the technology needed for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna.
    • Launched in 2015 to test technologies for the future LISA gravitational wave observatory.
    • Placed two test masses in near-perfect free-fall and precisely measured their motion using advanced systems like LTP and DRS.
    • The full LISA mission is set to launch in 2035. The mission involves European space companies and research institutes from several countries
    • Including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and NASA from the United States.

  • Goldene

    Context:

    Researchers have achieved an unprecedented milestone by creating a free-standing sheet of gold just one atom thick.

     

    More on News

    • Gold is the first metal to be successfully crafted into a 2D material crafting an abundance of new opportunities for numerous companies.
    • The sheets of gold are about 100 nanometers thick.

     

    goldene

     

    The researchers at Linköping University in Sweden developed goldene through a multi-step process:

    • Atomic Monolayer Sandwich: They first sandwiched an atomic monolayer of silicon between layers of titanium carbide.
    • Deposition of Gold: Gold atoms were deposited on top of this sandwich structure, diffusing into the material and replacing the silicon atoms.
    • Etching Away Titanium Carbide: Scientists then etched away the titanium carbide layers, leaving behind a free-standing, one-atom-thick layer of gold.

    Application

    • Electronics Revolution: The creation could revolutionise the electronics industry by enabling more efficient and cost-effective devices through the use of smaller amounts of gold atoms as a catalyst.
    • Sensing and catalysis: The ultra-thin, lightweight nature of gold makes it suitable for these applications. Its ability to capture light in unique ways could lead to innovative sensor designs and better catalytic reactions.

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    Gold (Au )

    gold

    • It is a soft, and shiny metal. 
    • Atomic number: 79 The only naturally occurring isotope of gold is Au-197, though there are more than 50 artificially synthesised isotopes.
    • It is found naturally in the Earth’s crust, often in veins, alluvial deposits, or combined with other metals like silver, lead, and copper.
    • It is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity. 
    • It is highly malleable, ductile, and resistant to corrosion and oxidation.
    • It has been valued since ancient times and is commonly used in jewelry, currency, electronics, dentistry, and various other applications.

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  • India Press Freedom

    Context :

    India ranks at 159 among 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index, 2024.

     

    More on News :  

     

    • India’s score fell to 31.28 from 36.62 over 2023..
    • Norway and Denmark topped the index.
    • India is ranked behind Turkey, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, which are ranked at positions 158, 152, and 150, respectively.

     

    World Press Freedom Index : 

     

    • Ranks countries according to the level of Freedom enjoyed by Journalists.
    • Released By Reporters Without Borders.
    • Index covers 5 categories : 
        • Political Context
        • Legal Framework
        • Economic Context
        • Socio cultural context.
        • Security

     

    Role of Press Freedom : 

     

    • Pillar of democracy: Reinforces democracy, empowers citizens by ensuring accountability and gives space for discussion 
    • Improves Governance: Media keeps citizens engaged in governance by informing, educating and mobilising them. E.g Anna Hazare movement for the Lokpal bill got wide coverage.
    • Giving Free and unbiased news: Media acts  as a platform for diverse voices and viewpoints, with media holding the moral duty of “tell the truth and nothing but the truth”.
    • Voice of poor people: Makes bureaucracy and government come into action.E.g.- Arrangements for travelling during the Covid-19 pandemic to return to one’s hometown. 
    • Brings out uncovered truth: Various incidents like 1991 hit and run case Delhi, Muzaffarpur shelter home sexual assault case 2018 where media bring out actual reality.
    • Disseminating Information: Provides current happenings, Make citizens informed E.g – During covid 19 media plays a critical role, “Do Boond Zindagi Ki”- polio Campaign.

     

    Challenges to press freedom : 

     

    • Legal restrictions : Legal instruments like Information Technology (Amendment) Rules, 2021, bodies like Fact Check Units, Turkey’s Misinformation law restricts press freedom.
    • Ownership by Business Conglomerates : restricts pluralism opinions.
    • Rising Violence against Journalists : According to UNESCO, 117 journalists were killed in 2020-2021. Also, threats, physical intimidation faced by journalists covering mining, environmental issues are on rise.
    • Defamation and lawsuits: Lawsuits and political pressures result in Mentally harassed journalists, who restrain themselves from presenting news, thus, giving a chilling effect.
    • Rise in Yellow Journalism: Partisan agendas, Fake news to attract readers and make sensational headlines.
    • Rise in Totalitarianism : Media becomes more controlled and binds not to present news against the government, thus generating narratives converting “classes into masses”.

    International Convention on the Safety and Independence of Journalists and Other Media Professionals aims to protect freedom of opinion and expression and acknowledge work of a free, independent and impartial press for a healthy democratic society.

     

    Way Forward:

     

    India should learn from countries like Poland and Bulgaria which improved ranking through strengthening  its right to information and Germany which through vigilance reduced attacks on journalists.

  • Nepal to issue new Rs 100 note with disputed Indian territories

    Why in the News?

     

    Nepal cabinet introduces new Rs 100 note featuring disputed territories, drawing criticism from India.

    india-nepal border

    More on News

     

    • New currency note shows the disputed territories of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani of Uttarakhand state of India. 
    • It was termed as artificial enlargement and untenable by India.

    About India-Nepal Relations 

    • Nepal shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states – Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

     

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    Treaty of Sugauli (1815-16): The Treaty of Sugauli was a border treaty signed between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Nepal in 1816 following the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814-16. Under the treaty, Nepal ceded areas west of the Kali River up to the Sutlej River, as well as the Tarai region in the south. 

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    nepal import sources

     

    India and Nepal share a robust partnership characterised by close cultural ties, open borders, and extensive cooperation across various sectors.

    • Political Engagement: Both countries engage in cooperation within international forums and organisations, advocating for their shared interests and addressing collective concerns.
    • In forums such as SAARC and BIMSTEC, India and Nepal collaborate on regional issues.
    • Economic collaboration: They collaborate on trade, investment, and infrastructure projects, including road, rail, and port development.
    • In the fiscal year 2020-21, the volume of bilateral trade between India and Nepal reached over US $ 7.34 billion.
    • Ecological cooperation: Both nations undertake joint initiatives to reduce solid waste and plastic pollution in shared areas, promoting environmental cleanliness and safeguarding water bodies and ecosystems.
    • The Zero Waste Himalaya initiative aims to foster waste reduction and responsible waste management practices across the Himalayan region.
    • In 2024, Nepal and India signed a power trade agreement for Kathmandu to export 10,000 megawatts (MW) of hydroelectricity to India over the next 10 years, drawing a new arena of collaboration in cross-border renewable energy.
    • Humanitarian Assistance: Both nations offer mutual aid during natural disasters and crises, extending assistance and support to each other.
    • In November 2023, India supplied Nepal with essential medical and auxiliary supplies following a 6.4 magnitude earthquake in Jajarkot, Nepal.

     

    Challenges in India-Nepal Relations 

     

    • Land Dispute: Border incidents between India and Nepal, frequently linked to disputes, have resulted in tensions and confrontations among security forces.
    • In May 2020, Nepal unveiled a new political map asserting territorial claims over Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, and Lipulekh in Uttarakhand.
    • Hydropolitics: Change in river course changing land demarcation has also been a major bone of contention between the two countries (say, Gandak, Kali, etc.)
    • Cross-border criminal activities: It is frequently utilised for illicit purposes, such as smuggling goods, human trafficking, and engaging in cross-border criminal endeavours.
    • As per the 2022 National Human Rights Report, approximately 40,300 Nepalis, predominantly women and girls, were trafficked in the last two years.
    • Madhesi issue: Minority insecurity involves tensions over political representation and rights for the Madhesi people in Nepal’s Terai region, bordering India.
    • This has led to protests and occasional diplomatic tensions between Nepal and India, highlighting complexities in ethnic politics and cross-border relations.
    • China issue: India sometimes raises concerns about a perceived strategic encirclement due to the increasing influence of China in Nepal.
    • In 2017, Nepal officially became a part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

     

    Way forward

     

    • China issue: Both countries ought to work together to foster mutual trust and present a unified response to China’s diplomatic actions.
    • Transboundary water dispute: Both nations should seek practical solutions to border disputes, like Kalapani, through diplomatic dialogue guided by international law on transboundary water disputes.
    • Border Management: Both India and Nepal must collaborate to enhance the management and regulation of their open border, which is vulnerable to exploitation by terrorist and criminal organisations.
    • Strengthen Economic Ties: Enhancing trade agreements, increasing investment, and collaborating on development projects can provide mutual economic benefits and deepen interdependence.

  • Skill Drill: From Education To Employment

    Context:

     

    The companies working in the field of skill development and education are adopting innovative solutions for augmenting employability among undergraduates, graduates and informal workers.

     

    Unemployment Status in India:

    The unemployment rate is a key economic indicator that measures the percentage of people in the labour force who are currently unemployed but actively seeking work. 

    unemployment rate

    Source: CMIE

     

    philips curve

    Impacts of High Unemployment Rate:

     

    • Strain on public finances: High unemployment leads to reduced tax revenues and increased government spending on social welfare programs (increased fiscal deficit due to high revenue expenditure), putting a strain on public finances.
    • Reduced consumer spending: Unemployed individuals have less disposable income, leading to lower consumer spending and hindering economic growth.
    • Increased social unrest: High unemployment can lead to social unrest, as people struggle to meet their basic needs and may turn to illegal activities.
    • When the global financial crisis hit Spain in 2010 and the real estate bubble burst, coupled with unemployment soaring, resulting in a budget deficit, massive protests and riots occurred.
    • Loss of human capital and economic potential: Unemployment results in the underutilisation of skills and talents, leading to a loss of human capital and unrealized economic potential, leading to demographic disaster 
    • Negative impact on GDP growth: High unemployment reduces productivity and economic output, which in turn negatively impacts GDP growth. 
    • Exacerbation of poverty and inequality: Unemployment contributes to poverty and widens income inequality, as those without jobs struggle to make ends meet.
    • Hampered skill development and innovation: High unemployment limits opportunities for skill development and entrepreneurship, hindering innovation and long-term economic progress.

     

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    Article 41 of the Indian Constitution, emphasises the state’s responsibility to ensure the right to work, education, and public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, and disablement, as well as other cases of undeserved want.

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    Steps taken by Government: 

     

    • Aatmanirbhar Bharat package: It is to provide stimulus to business and to mitigate the adverse impact of Covid 19. 
    • Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY): This scheme being implemented through the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), seeks to reduce the financial burden of the employers and encourages them to hire more workers. 
    • Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan (GKRA): It is to boost employment and livelihood opportunities for returnee migrant workers and similarly affected persons including youth in rural areas.
    • PM GatiShakti: This is driven by seven engines, namely, Roads, Railways, Airports, Ports, Mass Transport, Waterways, and Logistics Infrastructure.
    • Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP): Provides financial aid to individuals in rural and urban areas to start micro-enterprises, generating self-employment.
    • Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS): Guarantees 100 days of wage employment in public works projects for rural households, focusing on manual labour.
    • Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM): Supports self-help groups and livelihood initiatives for women in urban areas, promoting their economic empowerment.

     

    Steps taken by Companies:

     

    • Work-Linked Degree Programmes: 
        • TeamLease Edtech has started this program in partnership with universities, colleges and employers to provide the internships  to the students.
        • India Staffing Federation (ISF) has also taken the same steps in coordination with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).
    • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programs: Companies often invest in skill development initiatives in communities, providing training in specific trades or digital skills, making individuals more employable.
    • Incubation Centres: Private players set up incubation centres to provide budding entrepreneurs with workspace, mentorship, and funding opportunities, fostering the creation of new businesses and potential job opportunities.
    • Angel Investors and Venture Capitalists: Private investors provide financial backing and guidance to promising startups, fueling innovation and potentially creating new jobs.

    Conclusion:

     

    Addressing unemployment in India requires a multifaceted approach involving government initiatives, corporate contributions, and educational reforms. 

  • Services Exports

    Context:

     

    After registering double-digit growth for two consecutive years, the slow growth rate in services exports can be attributed to both the base effect and lower demand resulting from stagnant growth in developed economies.

     

    More on News:

     

    • India’s services exports decelerated in FY24 to a three-year low.
    • Modest increase of 4.9% to $341.1 billion.
    • Net services exports grew at a robust pace of 13.6%.
    • Services imports contracted by 2%.

     

    What Includes Services?

     

    While purchasing is typically associated with goods, customers also acquire services in a market. Services are defined as intangible products, constituting a transaction transferred from the buyer to the seller in exchange for consideration. Classification of services is basically of three types-

    • Business Services: Examples of such services include banking, warehousing, insurance, communication, and transportation.
    • Personal Services: Personal services encompass various activities such as catering, hospitality and lodging, healthcare, and artistic pursuits like painting and sculpting.
    • Social Services: Social services encompass services provided in education, sanitation, healthcare, housing, and related sectors. 

     

    top exported services

     Impact of Services on Balance of Payment:

     

    • In a country like India, a merchandise trade deficit (Balance of Trade) that results into a Current Account Deficit is eased by service trade surplus, remittance, and capital account. 
    • Reduced Services Imports: Services imports contracted by 2% to $178.3 billion during the financial year, which contributed to the strong growth in net services exports.
    • Positive Services Trade Surplus: The trade surplus in services during March 2024 was $13.4 billion, indicating a positive balance of payments contribution from the services sector.

  • High-Energy Swell Waves

    Why in News:

     

    INCOIS issued alerts for high-energy waves along coastal states.

     

    More in news:  

     

    Leading to the suspension of beach activities, Kerala is on red alert due to the ‘Kallakadal’ phenomenon, which poses flood risks.

     

    swell waves

    Swell Waves:

     

    • Swells are generated by wind blowing over the ocean’s surface.
    • “Storms produce powerful waves due to strong, prolonged winds over vast distances”.
    • The strength, duration, and area of wind determine the size and power of waves.
    • Swell energy diminish as waves move away from the storm source.
    • They Can combine with others, gaining energy or dissipating.
    • Two types of swells: 
        • Groundswell from distant winds, resulting in longer, organized waves; 
        • Windswell from nearby winds, creating shorter, less organized waves.
    • Swell direction is described in degrees from North to South.
    • The angle of the swell and coastline features determine surf conditions.
    • Island blockage can reduce swell energy, affecting surf quality.
    • Swell characteristics, local conditions, weather, and tides interact to create surf conditions.

     

    About the High-Energy Swell Waves:

     

    • It originates from the southern Atlantic Ocean and majorly hit the Indian coastal regions, starting from the southern tip of India.
    • These swells, combined with high tide conditions, could cause coastal flooding, particularly in low-lying areas.

     

    kallakadal

    The Phenomenon ‘Kallakadal’ (Rogue Sea):

     

    • ‘Kallakadal’, a local term, refers to the phenomenon of high-energy swell waves.
    • Kerala, in particular, is on red alert for these waves.
    • Swell waves could reach heights of 0.5 to 1.7 meters, posing a risk to low-lying areas.

     

     

    INCOIS symbol

     

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    About ESSO-INCOIS:

    • It is an autonomous body established in 1999 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
    • It is a unit of the Earth System Science Organisation (ESSO).
    • Functions: 

    a) Provides ocean information and advisory services.

    b) Monitors and warns coastal populations about tsunamis, storm surges, and high waves. 

    c)Offers daily advisories to fisherfolk to locate abundant fish areas.

    d)Issues short-term ocean state forecasts for sectors like shipping, oil, and natural gas industries. 

    e)Manages Ocean Observing Systems for data collection and quality checks.

    f) Generates global ocean analysis data for monsoon prediction.

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  • Oral Cancer

    Why in the News?

     

    A study conducted by Tata Memorial reveals that oral cancer is significantly impacting India’s workforce, resulting in an economic loss of $5.6 billion in 2022.

     

    Impact

     

    The study revealed a significant impact of oral cancer on productivity and economic loss.

    • Demographic dividend loss: Oral cancer undermines India’s demographic dividend by lowering productivity and increasing economic strain.
    • Over three years, 100 patients collectively lost 671 productive years, with 29.8% in early stages and 70.2% in advanced stages.
    • 91 per cent of the deaths or terminal stages were among patients with a median age of 41.5 years.
    • Out of Pocket Expenditure: The substantial economic losses from cancer medication devastate families’ financial well-being.
    • These losses surpassed Rs 57 lakh for men and Rs 71 lakh for women, highlighting the significant financial burden of the disease.
    • Middle class affected: Cancer disproportionately affects India’s middle class, imposing significant financial strain and threatening economic stability.
    • Both early (70%) and advanced (86%) stage cancers predominantly affect the middle class.
    • Over half (53%) of patients require insurance or financial support to complete treatment.

     

    About Oral Cancer

     

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    Symptoms

    • Persistent mouth sores or ulcers.
    • Difficulty or pain while swallowing.
    • Presence of a lump or thickening in the mouth.
    • White or red patches on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth.
    • Changes in voice or speech.
    • Loose teeth

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    • Definition: Oral cancer refers to malignant tumours that develop in the tissues of the mouth or throat.Types: It includes cancers of the lips, tongue, gums, inside lining of the cheeks, roof or floor of the mouth, and the tonsils.
    • Risk factors: Tobacco use, Alcohol consumption, unhygienic oral condition, sustained viral infections that include papillomavirus, Prolonged exposure to sunlight (Lip cancer), etc.

     

    Treatment

     

    • Surgery: To remove cancerous tissue (Glossectomy, Mandibulectomy, Maxillectomy, etc.)
    • Radiation therapy: To target and destroy cancer cells.
    • Chemotherapy: To kill cancer cells or inhibit their growth.
    • Targeted therapy: To employ drugs to pinpoint and attack specific cancer cells, sparing normal cells. 
    • Monoclonal antibodies, lab-created immune system proteins, are utilised for cancer treatment.

  • Eta Aquarid

    Context:

    The Eta Aquarid meteor shower, which has been active since April 15, will peak on May 5 and 6. 

     

    eta aquarid meteor shower

    Digging Deeper: 

    • Eta Aquarid meteor showers originate from the Aquarius constellation.
    • It is known for its rapid speed, giving it long, glowing tails that can last up to several minutes. 
    • It is formed when the Earth passes through the orbital plane of the Halley’s Comet, which takes 76 years to orbit the sun once.  
    • As per NASA, around 30-40 meteors are visbile  in an hour during the peak of the meteor shower in the Southern Hemisphere.
    •  In the Northern Hemisphere,  10 meteors are visible per hour, due to the radiant’s location , which is the position in the sky from where the meteor shower comes.

     

    Meteor Showers: 

    • A meteor shower is an astronomical event where several meteors are observed to radiate, or originate from one point in the night sky.  
    • They come from comets (composed of dust, rocks and ice), which are frozen leftovers from the formation of the solar system. . 
    • They are visible when Earth passes through the clouds of dust left behind in a comet’s orbital plane. 

     

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    Meteors

    A meteor is a space rock that enters Earth’s atmosphere. As it falls towards the earth, the drag of the air on the rock makes it extremely hot, due to which we see it as a “shooting star”. When the earth receives many meteors at once, it is referred to as a meteor shower. In comparison to asteroids, which are large rocks revolving around the sun, the meteors are smaller rocks.  

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  • Brain Stem Death

    Context:

    The Union Health Ministry has directed to identify and monitor cases of brain stem death (BSD) in intensive care units (ICU).

     

    More on News

    • The effort expedites the certification process for BSD and increases the organ’s availability for transplantation.
    • The government has identified BSD cases as a significant challenge to India’s low organ donation rate.

     

    Three-main-brain-oriented-formulations-of-death-have-been-discussed-whole-brain

    About Brain Steam Death (BSD):

    Brain stem death, also known as brain death, refers to the permanent, irreversible, and complete loss of brain function, including the cessation of involuntary activities necessary to sustain life. 

    • Causes: Common causes include hypoxic-ischemic injury from cardiac arrest, shock, respiratory failure, and cardiopulmonary arrest, traumatic brain injury (TBI).
    • The essential functions of life stop leading to the inability to regain consciousness and require life support.
    • It is characterised by the absence of spontaneous breathing. 
    • Unlike BSD, in a vegetative state, some parts of the brain function and recovery is possible.
    • According to UK law (Uniform Determination of Death Act (UDDA) 1981) declaring brain dead also confirms legal death, even if life support can maintain bodily functions including heartbeat and breathing.
    • Careful assessment and management in medical settings are essential to ensure appropriate care for patients with BSD.

     

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    According to the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act 1994, hospitals and healthcare centres must identify all possible brain stem death (BSD) cases admitted to the ICU.

    • In cases of unclear organ donation wishes after brain death, the decision may be challenging for family members. 
    • Hospital staff strive to respect and care for the deceased person’s ability to save life through organ donation.

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  •  Cosmic Glitch in the Theory of Relativity

    Context:

    Recent studies highlight that when gravity is studied at the cosmic scale, inconsistencies appear in the theory of relativity. 

     

    Digging Deeper: 

    • The study on cosmic gravity by the University of Waterloo states that gravity becomes 1% weaker when dealing with distances in the billions of light years, termed as ‘Cosmic Glitch’. 
    • The anomaly is not consistent with the theory of relativity. 
    • This glitch will require an alteration in a value called the gravitational constant.

     

    The Theory of Relativity:

    • This theory was formulated by Albert Einstein in 1915. 
    • It states that gravitational force between two bodies completely depends on their masses and the distance between two bodies. 
    • It also states that time and space are interlinked to each other and are referred to as space-time and all motions must be relative to a frame of reference. 
    • Applications:
        • Global Positioning System (GPS) GPS
        • Colour of gold
        • Electromagnetism 

  • NASA Pathfinding Missions for Studying Soil Moisture and Vog

    Context:

    NASA recently launched two pathfinding missions into Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), showcasing new technologies for monitoring atmospheric gases, measuring freshwater, and detecting possible volcanic eruptions.

     

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    Low Earth Orbit

    This is the innermost orbital region around Earth, typically extending from the planet’s surface to an altitude of about 2,000 kilometres.

    Satellites in LEO complete one revolution every 90-120 minutes.

    Advantages:

    • Lower latency for communication signals (e.g., internet connectivity via satellite constellations like Starlink).
    • Easier and cheaper launch due to the lower altitude.
    • Ideal for Earth observation (gathering high-resolution imagery and data).

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    Signals of Opportunity P-Band Investigation (SNoOPI)

    • It is a low-noise radio receiver.
    • It tests a new technique for measuring root-zone soil moisture.

     

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    Why Soil Moisture?

    • Crop Growth and Irrigation: It can provide valuable insights into crop growth and water needs. 
    • This information can be used to optimise irrigation practices, ensuring efficient water usage and maximising agricultural yield.
    • Global Water Cycle: Accurately measuring soil moisture across vast areas contributes to a better understanding of the global water cycle. 

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    • This measurement is done by harnessing radio signals produced by commercial satellites.
    • The instrument maximises the value of space-based assets already in orbit, transforming existing radio signals into research tools.

     

    Hyperspectral Thermal Imager (HyTI) 

    • It is a 6U CubeSat and measures trace gases linked to volcanic eruptions. 

     

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    6U CubeSat

    It’s a type of miniaturised satellite classified by its size. It offers more payload space compared to smaller CubeSats, allowing for more powerful instruments and experiments. It is used Earth observation,

    Scientific research, Communications relay and Technological demonstrations.

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    • Hyperspectral imagers like HyTI measure a broad spectrum of thermal radiation signatures, and they’re particularly useful for characterising gases in low concentrations. 
    • It will help them quantify concentrations of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere around volcanoes.
    • It can predict when a volcano will erupt and when a volcanic eruption is going to end.

     

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    Volcanoes and sulphur dioxide (SO2)

     

    During a volcanic eruption, a large amount of SO2 is released along with other gases like water vapour and carbon dioxide.

    Impacts of SO2 from Volcanoes:

    • Vog (Volcanic Smog): SO2 reacts with sunlight, moisture, and other atmospheric elements to form a visible haze called “vog.” 
    • This vog can cause respiratory problems and air quality issues in areas downwind of the volcano.
    • Climate Impact: At high altitudes, SO2 can convert into sulphate aerosols, which reflect sunlight back into space. 
    • This can cause a temporary cooling effect on the global climate, especially after large eruptions.
    • Acid Rain: SO2 can react with water vapour in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid, contributing to acid rain. 
    • This acid rain can harm ecosystems and infrastructure.

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