| Topic: GS3 – Science and Technology |
| Context |
|
First-Ever Image of Solar Flare Kernel:
- India’s first space-based solar mission, Aditya-L1, has made a significant breakthrough by capturing the first-ever image of a solar flare ‘kernel.’
- The Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) payload recorded this image in the Sun’s lower atmosphere, specifically in the photosphere and chromosphere.
- On February 22, SUIT observed an X6.3-class solar flare, one of the most intense solar eruptions, in the Near Ultraviolet wavelength (200-400 nm), marking a first in solar observations.
| What is a Solar Flare ‘Kernel’? |
|
Scientific Significance of the Discovery
- This discovery confirms that flare energy spreads across different solar layers and influences plasma temperature in the corona.
- The study also revealed that localized brightening in the lower atmosphere corresponds to an increase in plasma temperature in the corona.
- This confirms the link between flare energy deposition and temperature evolution, providing crucial insights into the physics of solar flares.
| Aditya-L1 Mission: Key Information |
|
| Practice Question: How does the Aditya-L1 mission contribute to the understanding of solar activity and its impact on space weather? Explain its significance for India’s space research. (250 Words /15 marks) |
2. 22 missing after avalanche hits BRO project site
| Context |
|
Causes of Glacier Avalanches:
Glacier avalanches occur due to a combination of natural and environmental factors. These include:
- Heavy Snowfall and Ice Accumulation: Excessive snowfall increases the weight of glaciers, making them unstable.
- Temperature Fluctuations: Rapid warming weakens ice structures, leading to cracks and eventual collapse.
- Seismic Activity: Earthquakes and tremors can trigger ice breakages, causing large avalanches.
- Glacial Meltwater: Water from melting glaciers reduces friction, making ice more prone to sliding.
- Climate Change: Rising global temperatures accelerate glacial melting and increase avalanche risks.
- Steep Slopes and Gravity: Glaciers on steep terrains are naturally prone to collapse under their weight.
Ways to Prevent Glacier Avalanches
- Early Warning Systems: Implementing satellite and sensor-based monitoring to detect glacial movements.
- Controlled Blasting: Triggering small avalanches in a controlled manner to prevent massive collapses.
- Reducing Climate Change Impact: Cutting carbon emissions to slow global warming and glacial melting.
- Restricting Construction: Avoiding infrastructure projects in high-risk avalanche-prone zones.
- Snow Barriers and Retention Structures: Building walls and barriers to stabilize slopes.
- Public Awareness and Training: Educating locals and workers about avalanche risks and emergency responses.
- Improved Forecasting: Using meteorological data to predict heavy snowfall and potential avalanche conditions.
| Practice Question: How can glacier avalanche risks be mitigated in high-altitude regions? Suggest scientific and policy measures to reduce their impact. (150 Words /10 marks) |
3. India must hasten reforms to speed up growth: World Bank
| Topic: GS3 – Indian Economy |
| Context |
|
India’s Path to Becoming a High-Income Country by 2047:
Growth Target and Challenges
- India needs to grow at an average rate of 7.8% over the next 22 years to achieve high-income status by 2047.
- The World Bank states that while this target is possible, achieving it requires major economic reforms and their effective implementation.
- India’s past growth rate of 6.3% from 2000 to 2024 provides a strong foundation for future progress.
Global Integration and Lessons from Other Nations
- Countries like Chile, Korea, and Poland successfully transitioned to high-income economies by deepening their integration into the global economy.
- India can follow a similar path by accelerating reforms and building on past achievements.
Key Requirements for Economic Growth
To reach high-income status, India must:
- Ensure faster and inclusive growth across all States.
- Increase total investment from 33.5% of GDP to 40% by 2035.
- Raise labor force participation from 56.4% to above 65%.
- Boost female workforce participation from 35.6% to 50% by 2047.
- Accelerate productivity growth to sustain long-term development.
Four Key Areas for Policy Action
- Increasing investments in infrastructure and industries.
- Creating better job opportunities to support workforce expansion.
- Encouraging economic transformation through trade, technology, and industrial growth.
- Enabling States to grow together for balanced national development.
India’s progress in these areas will determine its ability to achieve the high-income status by 2047.
| Practice Question: What are the key reforms and policy measures India needs to implement to achieve high-income status by 2047. (150 Words /10 marks) |
4.Union Cabinet Clears Amendments to Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024
| Topic: GS2 – Polity |
| Context |
|
Analysis of the news:
Key Amendments in the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024
- The Union Cabinet has approved all 14 amendments recommended by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
- The Bill, which seeks to modify the Waqf Act of 1995, is expected to be tabled in Parliament during the second half of the Budget session starting March 10.
- The amendments address concerns regarding government oversight, dispute resolution, and representation in Waqf boards.
Extended Timeline for Property Registration
- Initially, the Bill mandated the registration of all waqf properties within six months on a central portal.
- However, an amendment now allows the Waqf Tribunal to grant extensions in select cases where “sufficient cause” is provided.
- Another amendment ensures that waqfs that fail to register within six months can still file legal proceedings if they submit an affidavit explaining the delay.
Revised Role of the District Collector
- Previously, the Bill gave the District Collector powers to determine whether a property is waqf or government-owned.
- This provision faced criticism as it allowed the government to judge its own disputes.
- The JPC accepted amendments to replace the collector with a more senior “designated officer” from the state government for dispute resolution and revenue record updates.
Changes in Waqf Board Representation
- The original Bill allowed non-Muslim officials and members in waqf boards, raising concerns about representation.
- An amendment now mandates that the state government’s representative on the Waqf Board must be a Joint Secretary-level officer handling waqf matters.
- Additionally, the JPC approved a provision requiring at least one tribunal member to have expertise in Muslim law and jurisprudence.
Conclusion
- The amendments reflect a balance between government oversight and community concerns.
- While the Bill still enhances state involvement in waqf matters, the revisions address some contentious issues, particularly regarding dispute resolution and legal safeguards for waqfs.
- The final outcome will depend on the parliamentary debate and potential further modifications before its enactment.
| Practice Question: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 introduces significant changes in the regulation of waqf properties, dispute resolution mechanisms, and government oversight. Discuss the key provisions of the Bill and analyze its potential implications on governance, minority rights, and judicial processes. (150 Words /10 marks) |
Prelims Facts
1. GDP grows 6.2% on rising government, consumer spending
| Context |
|
Analysis of the news:
- Comparison with Previous Periods: This marks an increase from 5.6% in the previous quarter but is lower than the 9.5% growth recorded in the same quarter of 2023.
Growth Target for Full Year: To achieve the annual GDP target of 6.5%, the economy needs to grow by 7.6% in the fourth quarter.
Key Growth Drivers: The economic rebound was driven by improved GST collections, higher public spending, increased electricity generation, and recovering exports.
Government and Private Consumption: Government spending surged by 8.3%, while private consumption grew by 6.9%, contributing significantly to overall growth.
Export Growth: Exports rose by 10.4%, a sharp improvement from the 3% growth in the same period last year.
Imports Decline: Imports fell by 1.1%, partly due to the depreciation of the rupee.
Investment Slowdown: The Gross Fixed Capital Formation (investment rate) grew by 5.7%, down from 9.3% in the previous year’s third quarter.
2. PKK: The Kurdish armed group fighting against Turkey
| Context |
|
Analysis of the news:
The PKK Insurgency and Ocalan’s Call for Peace
- For over four decades, Turkey has battled an armed insurgency by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a militant group advocating for Kurdish rights.
- Recently, PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan called on Kurdish fighters to lay down their arms, but it remains uncertain how impactful his appeal will be or whether Turkey is offering concessions in return.
Who Are the PKK?
- The PKK began its insurgency in the 1980s, originally demanding an independent Kurdish state.
- It targeted Turkish military bases and police stations, leading to intense government crackdowns.
- The conflict later expanded to include bombings in major Turkish cities, causing civilian casualties.
- After Turkey captured Ocalan in 1999, he shifted the PKK’s ideology from full secession to advocating for Kurdish rights within Turkey.
- In recent years, Turkish military operations have significantly weakened the PKK’s presence, especially in southeastern Turkey.
Who Are the Kurds?
The Kurds, an ethnic group of around 40 million people, are spread across Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Despite their large population, they never received an independent state after World War I and have faced political repression across the region.
- In Iraq, Kurds enjoy semi-autonomous rule.
- In Syria, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), influenced by PKK ideology, once helped defeat ISIS but now face uncertainty after Bashar al-Assad’s fall.
Past Peace Efforts and Their Collapse
- Since the 1990s, several attempts at ceasefires and peace talks have failed. A major peace process began in 2011 but collapsed in 2015, with both sides blaming each other.
Uncertain Future
- While Ocalan’s appeal for peace is significant, the long history of mistrust and past failures raises doubts about whether it will lead to a lasting resolution.
- The Turkish government’s response and PKK’s willingness to comply will determine the next chapter of this decades-long conflict.
3. Amir Khusrau: The Syncretic Legacy of a Poet-Musician
| Context |
|
Analysis of the news:
Jahan-e-Khusrau: A Tribute to a Cultural Icon
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the 25th edition of Jahan-e-Khusrau, celebrated Amir Khusrau’s contributions to India’s syncretic culture.
- The annual music festival honors the 13th-century Sufi poet-musician, who played a crucial role in shaping Hindustani music and literature.
Khusrau: The ‘Indian Turk’
- Amir Khusrau was born in 1253 to a Central Asian father and an Indian Muslim mother, embodying a fusion of Persian and Indian traditions.
- His works reflect this dual heritage, and he often referred to himself as an “Indian Turk.” While his birthplace remains debated, his influence on Indian culture is undisputed.
A Poet in the Sultan’s Court
- Khusrau served as a court poet under five Delhi Sultans, writing in Persian and Hindavi.
- His works not only praised rulers but also captured the essence of Indian society. Jalaluddin Khalji conferred upon him the title of ‘Amir,’ highlighting his prominence in medieval Islamic culture.
Spiritual Devotion: Disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya
- Beyond the royal court, Khusrau was a devoted disciple of the Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya.
- His poetry and music bridged the gap between the royal court and the spiritual khanqah, symbolizing the deep interconnection between political power and Sufi traditions.
A Lasting Cultural and Musical Legacy
- Amir Khusrau’s contributions to Indian classical music, qawwali, and poetry remain profound.
- He played a key role in developing Hindavi, a precursor to modern Hindi and Urdu, and enriched the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb.
- His compositions, including Chhaap Tilak and Zehal-e-Maskeen, continue to be performed in both spiritual and popular settings.
4. National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025; set to open new opportunities for private players in IWT sector
| Context |
|
Objective of New Regulations
- These regulations aim to boost infrastructure development, attract private investment, and improve the ease of doing business in the inland waterways sector.
Key Provisions of the Regulations
- Any entity, including private firms, must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NoC) from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to set up a terminal.
- Permanent terminals can operate for a lifetime, while temporary terminals have an initial five-year term with an option for extension.
- Developers and operators will be responsible for designing and constructing the terminals in alignment with their business plans.
Digital Portal for Streamlined Applications
- IWAI is creating an online portal to simplify and digitize the terminal application process.
- The portal will enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility, aligning with the government’s vision for digitalization and Ease of Doing Business (EODB).
Boost to Private Investment and Economic Growth
- Cargo movement on national waterways has increased from 18 million tonnes to 133 million tonnes in FY 2023-24.
- The Jalvahak scheme aims to shift 17% of cargo transport to national waterways, encouraging greater private sector participation.
- These regulations will strengthen the inland waterway sector, making it a key driver of economic growth and sustainable development.
5. ‘Diyaslai’ is not just a book; it is a testament to an inspiring journey: Former President Ram Nath Kovind
| Context |
|
About the Book ‘Diyaslai’:
- Diyaslai is the autobiography of Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and renowned child rights activist.
- Through 24 chapters, he narrates his journey from a humble background in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, to becoming a global advocate for children’s freedom from exploitation.
- The book highlights his relentless struggles against child labor, trafficking, and injustice, emphasizing compassion as the key to solving global issues.
- It reflects on his unwavering dedication to social justice, his sacrifices, and the inspiration behind his movement.
- Diyaslai serves as a powerful testament to his lifelong mission for children’s rights and human dignity.
If you like this Daily Current Affairs Don’t forget to check this –Shocking Germany Election Results