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2023 04 18

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 1:

  1. Heat stroke

GS Paper 2:

  1. Issues in same-sex marriage

GS Paper 3:

  1. The issue of narcotics trade
  2. India Ransomware Report 2022

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

  1. Materials from Plastics
  2. Indore-model waste treatment
  3. Farm Distress Index

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

  1. Global Buddhist Summit
  2. National Panchayat Awards and GS NIRNAY
  3. Trojan Asteroids
  4. Supercritical carbon dioxide
  5. Pralay missiles
  6. Great Pacific Garbage Patch
  7. Mangrove pitta bird

Heat stroke

GS Paper 1

Syllabus: Important geophysical phenomenon/Disaster management

Source: IE

Context: 13 people died due to heatstroke after they attended a large public gathering in the open in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai.
Heat stroke
Meaning Heat stroke/sunstroke/hyperthermia is the result of overheating of the body as a result of exposure to high temperatures and humidity.
Causes The combination of high temperature and high humidity → wet bulb temperature → makes heat waves deadly.

High moisture content in the atmosphere makes it difficult for sweat to evaporate and for bodies to cool down.

As a result of which the internal body temperature increases sharply → 41 degree Celsius or higher within 10 to 15 minutes.
Impact Persons suffering from heat exhaustion/dehydration (which is a milder form of heat-related illness) experience fatigue, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, hypotension (low blood pressure) and tachycardia (increased heart rate).

Heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death if the person does not receive emergency treatment.
Dos and don’ts Stay hydrated, cover yourself well; Use sunglasses, umbrellas or hats; Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee and carbonated soft drinks; Carry ORS and homemade drinks; Avoid high-protein food.
NDMA advisory for political gatherings During election campaigning, parties are supposed to ensure that water, ORS packets, medical kits, and mobile ambulances are readily available at all such events.

During voting, electoral officers were advised to ensure that every polling booth had provisions for drinking water, functional clean toilets, facilities for people to sit, some areas under shade, and essential medical kits.

Why did a heat stroke event happen in Maharashtra?

  • Two different observatories recorded 34.1 and 38 degrees Celsius as the maximum temperatures, which is normal during this time of the year.
  • No heat wave warnings – for coastal stations maximum temperature departure is 4.5 degrees Celsius or more than normal – were issued by the IMD.
  • Long exposure to heat in the open ground, physical exertion, elderly patients, and patients with high cholesterol and cardiac illnesses may have had a role to play.

The sharp decline in heat-related deaths in India:

  • Monitoring and management of heatwaves have undergone a big improvement.
  • Almost every vulnerable state now has a heat action plan (early warning, provision of water/ORS at public places and flexible working hours in offices/education institutions) in place.

Challenges ahead:

  • An excessively hot summer is predicted this year because of the end of the strong La Nina phase in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
  • New forecasts suggest that El Nino is expected to kick in from the May-July period itself → suppressing of monsoon rainfall → exacerbating the effects of a hot summer.
  • Heatwaves are predicted to become more intense, prolonged and frequent because of climate change.

Conclusion: The local administration needs to be vigilant and proactive and the implementation of NDMA advisories needs to be monitored by higher authorities on a daily basis.

Insta Links:

Heat Waves and Climate Change

April 18, 2023 /18 Apr 2023, 18 April CA, climate change, El Nino, GS 1, Heat action plan, Heat stroke/sunstroke/hyperthermia, La-Nina, NDMA, Today's Article, Today’s article

Issues in same-sex marriage

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions and Bodies constituted for the Protection and Betterment of these Vulnerable Sections

Source: IE

Context: A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by CJI will hear a batch of petitions seeking legal recognition for same-sex marriage.

Background:

  • The Court has been hearing multiple petitioners’ requests for legal recognition of same-sex marriages under the Special Marriage Act (SMA) 1954 and making the law gender-neutral.
  • Earlier, the court had referred the pleas to a Constitution Bench because the case involves –
    • An interplay of constitutional rights and specific legislative enactments including the Special Marriage Act on the one hand, and
    • The rights of transgender couples on the other hand.
The issue of same-sex marriage in India
Arguments of petitioners Marriage is a social status which is bestowed by law.

These laws do not recognise the rights of same-sex married couples (right to adopt/have children by surrogacy, rights to inheritance, pension etc) even though the SC held that all adults have the right to marry a person of their choice.

They will not be able to avail of legally accrued benefits of laws. For example,

The Transplantation of Human Organs Act only allows near relatives to object to the use of a deceased’s body for organ donation.

Section 80 of the IT Act 1961 provides for the deduction of certain sums for computing the total income of an assessee when such sums are paid on behalf of a spouse.

Equality must extend to all spheres of life – home, workplace, and public places.

Non-recognition of same-sex marriage violates rights under –

Articles 14 (right to equality before the law),

15 (right against discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth),

19 (freedom of speech and expression), and

21 (protection of life and personal liberty) of the Constitution.

Therefore, structural changes along with attitudinal changes are the need of the hour.

For this to happen, benefits of legislation such as the Special Marriage Act 1954 (which provides for the solemnization of special marriages between any two persons), should be provided to same-sex couples.
Views of the Centre Opposed the petitions and questioned their maintainability.

If the court allows same-sex marriage, it would amount to the “judicial creation of a social institution called ‘marriage’ of a different kind than contemplated in the existing law”.

Only the legislature (repository of democratic representation and reflects the will of the people) has the right to make such changes in the law.

Marriage is not confined to the private sphere – The regulation of marriage is very much an issue of acceptance by society – This rationale is the very basis for state recognition of marriage.
Earlier SC judgments Lata Singh vs State of UP (2006), Shafin Jahan vs Asokan KM (2018) and Laxmibai Chandaragi B vs The State of Karnataka (2021): An adult person has the right to marry a person of their choice under Article 21.

KS Puttaswamy vs Union of India (2017): The rights of LGBTQ are inherent in the right to life, privacy and dignity. They constitute the essence of liberty and freedom.

Navtej Singh Johar vs UOI (2018): The choice of whom to partner, the ability to find fulfilment in sexual intimacies and the right not to be subjected to discriminatory behaviour are intrinsic to the constitutional protection of sexual orientation.
Way ahead The march towards same-sex marriage in a diverse country like India, with well-entrenched traditions will not be easy. Therefore, awareness on sex, gender and constitutional rights from the school level to change things on the ground is the need of the hour.

Insta Links:

What is India’s stand on same-sex marriage?

Prelims Links: UPSC 2019

Which Article of the Constitution of India safeguards one’s right to marry the person of one’s choice?

  1. Article 19
  2. Article 21
  3. Article 25
  4. Article 29

Ans: 2

April 18, 2023 /18 Apr 2023, 18 April CA, GS 2, KS Puttaswamy case, Navtej Johar case, Same Sex Marriage, Section 377 of IPC, the Special Marriage Act 1954, Today's Article, Today’s article

The issue of narcotics trade

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Security Challenges and their Management in Border Areas – Linkages of Organized Crime with Terrorism

Source: IE

Context: The issue of narcotics trade has kept security agencies and law enforcement agencies on the tenterhooks.

Background:

  • Legally speaking, the term “narcotic” has negative connotations – narcotic drugs (such as heroin) are totally prohibited.
  • In the medical community, the term refers to any psychoactive compound (like morphine) with numbing or paralysing properties.
  • The narcotics trade, which is assuming dangerous proportions all over the world, is a social problem that harms youth and families.
  • The money it generates is diverted for disruptive activities that have bearings on national security.

India is no exception:

  • As India has been sandwiched between the Death (Golden) Crescent and Death (Golden) Triangle, it is being flooded with drugs, especially heroin and methamphetamine.
  • Nearly 90% of the world’s demand for these drugs is being met from these two regions and India is both a big market and a transit route for other countries.

Challenges for India:

  • National security challenges:
    • The connection of drug traffickers from across borders with terrorist organisations → illegal money is used for terror activities.
    • India has emerged as a hot destination for cocaine, the supply of which is controlled by South American drug cartels, which have links with local drug lords, gangsters and Khalistani terrorists.
  • Porous borders: These are under the control of terrorist/rebel groups, indirectly supported by Pakistan and China.
  • The maritime route: Has also become very active.
  • The use of drones: To supply drugs and weapons across the border in Punjab is a new phenomenon and law enforcement agencies are working to neutralise this.
  • Anonymity: 62% of the darknet is being used for illicit drug trafficking. Cryptocurrency payments and doorstep deliveries have made darknet transactions attractive.

Measures taken by the government:

Achievements of Indian agencies:

  • The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), in conjunction with the intelligence agencies, has been making big seizures frequently.
  • The Narcotics Control Bureau busted an organised racket of darknet vendors and arrested several Indian nationals and their international counterparts were exposed for the first time.
  • Operation “Gear Box” was started by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) to combat the smuggling of heroin by detecting the hidden drugs in the gear boxes.

Way ahead:

  • Concerted and coordinated efforts of all the agencies will be required to tackle this growing threat.
  • Technical surveillance followed by basic policing methods will lead to the seizure of large consignments of drugs and the arrest of the gang.
  • The nexus between terrorists and organised gangs/underworld is a new and disturbing trend, which has to be tackled effectively by security agencies.

Insta Links:

Kerala has a drug problem: 300% jump in cases over six years; arrests increase 90%

Mains Links:

India’s proximity to two of the world’s biggest illicit opium-growing states has enhanced her internal security concerns. Explain the linkages between drug trafficking and other illicit activities such as gunrunning, money laundering and human trafficking. What countermeasures should be taken to prevent the same? (UPSC 2018)

April 18, 2023 /18 Apr 2023, 18 April CA, Darknet, Golden Crescent, Golden triangle, GS 3, Indian Coast Guard (ICG), NCB, NDPS act, Operation "Gear Box", The issue of the narcotics trade, Today's Article, Today’s article

India Ransomware Report 2022

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Internal Security: Cyberspace

Source: CERT-IN

Context: The Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-In) has reported that ransomware attacks are not only motivated by money but also by geopolitical conflicts.

What is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malicious software or malware that is designed to block access to a computer system, network, or data until a ransom is paid. E.g., WannaCry (2017), Petya/NotPetya (2017); GandCrab (2018)

Major findings of the Report:

[/su_table]
Findings Descriptions
Ransomware incidents The number of reported ransomware attacks in India in 2022 was 53% higher than in 2021
Target Ransomware attacks targeted critical infrastructure organizations to disrupt services and extract ransom payments
Sector most impacted The IT/ITeS sector in India was the most impacted by ransomware attacks, followed by the finance and manufacturing sectors
Most prevalent variants Lockbit was the most prevalent ransomware variant in India, followed by Makop and DJVU/Stop, Makop and Phobos; Vice Society and BlueSky were new variants
RaaS ecosystem The RaaS (Ransomware-as-a-service) ecosystem is becoming more prominent, allowing even non-technical individuals to launch ransomware attacks
Restoration time On average, the restoration time is about 10 days for infections in reasonably large infrastructure networks
Recommendations Organizations should regularly update their contingency plan; have higher cyber awareness among their employees

[/su_table]

How do ransomwares work? (Source: CERT-In)

Various initiatives for cybersecurity:

  • Global:
    • Budapest Convention on Cybercrime (2004, the first international treaty that seeks to address Internet and cybercrime by harmonizing national laws)—India is not a signatory.
  • India:
    • Policies: National Cyber Security Policy 2013; National Cyber Security Strategy 2020
    • Schemes: Cyber Surakshit Bharat Yojana (2018, MeITY+ NeGD+ Industry)—to create awareness programs on cyber security; Cyber Swachhta Kendra (free Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis tools)
    • Institutions: Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre(I4C) (est. in 2018; under Home Ministry)—to combat cybercrime in India in a comprehensive and coordinated manner; National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC); National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC) (under CERT-In)

Conclude:

Continuous efforts are needed to Secure (National Cyberspace), Strengthen (Structures, People, Processes, and Capabilities), and Synergise (Resources including Cooperation and Collaboration) in the field of cyberspace in India.

About CERT-IN:

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (est. 2004; HQ: New Delhi) is an office within the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. It is the nodal agency to deal with cyber security threats like hacking and phishing. It strengthens the security-related defence of the Indian Internet domain.

Insta Links:

Cybersecurity in India

Mains Links:

What is a ‘Ransomware’ attack? How do they compromise and complicate cybersecurity in the country? How can they be tackled?

Prelims Links:

The terms ‘WannaCry, Petya and EternalBlue’ sometimes mentioned in the news recently are related to (UPSC 2018)

(a) Exoplanets

(b) Cryptocurrency

(c) Cyber attacks

(d) Mini satellites

Ans: C

In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cyber security incidents? (UPSC 2017)

  1. Service providers
  2. Data centres
  3. Body corporate

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: D

April 18, 2023 /18 Apr 2023, CERT- In, Cyberspace, GS3, India Ransomware Report 2022, INTERNAL SECURITY, Ransomware, SCIENCE, Today's Article

Materials from Plastics

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Source: TH

Ashaya, a Pune-based firm, has created a process to extract materials from Multi-Layered Plastics (MLP) waste and convert them into high-quality products, starting with sunglasses under the brand name Without.

Usage: It can be used as an example of “Waste to Wealth”. Also, the example values of Environmental Responsibility, Social Responsibility and sustainability.

About Multi-Layered Plastics (MLP):

MLPs are composed of multiple layers of different materials such as plastic, aluminium, paper, and others, which are fused together to create a barrier. They are used in various products such as food packaging, sachets, wrappers, etc

April 18, 2023 /18 Apr 2023, Materials from Plastics, Today's Article

Indore-model waste treatment

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Source: TH

The Indore-model waste treatment is a sustainable and cost-effective way of managing wet waste while also producing clean energy. It involves the bio methanation of wet organic waste, which produces bio-CNG (compressed natural gas) as a by-product. It has been recognized as one of the most effective waste management models in the world and has inspired over 72 countries to replicate it.

Usage: It can also be used as an example of “Waste to Wealth”. This mitigates the issues of waste management as well as energy security.

April 18, 2023 /18 Apr 2023, Indore-model waste treatment, Today's Article

Farm Distress Index

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Source: HBL

Scientists at the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) have developed an early warning system called Farmers Distress Index, which is built on 21 simple questions— based on financial, emotional, and other parameters. The index can sense imminent distress at least 3-4 months ahead of its actual occurrence.

Usage: This innovative tool can be mentioned in Questions related to Farmer’s distress.

About CRIDA: 

Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (est. 1985; HQ: Hyderabad) is an institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The institute was set up with the intention of undertaking agricultural research activities in areas that have low rainfall

April 18, 2023 /18 Apr 2023, Farm Distress Index, Today's Article

Global Buddhist Summit

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

Context: PM will inaugurate the first Global Buddhist Summit in New Delhi on April 20th and 21st.

  • Conducted by: The Ministry of Culture+ International Buddhist Confederation (IBC)
  • Theme: “Responses to Contemporary Challenges: Philosophy to Praxis.”
  • Aim: The summit aims to enhance cultural and diplomatic relationships with other countries and mark the significance and importance of India in Buddhism, as Buddhism was born in India.

About Four Buddhist Councils:
Council First Council Second Council Third Council Fourth Council
Year 486 BC 386 BC 250 BC 72 AD
Location Rajgir Vaishali Pataliputra Kundalavana
King Ajatasatru Kalasoka Ashoka Kanishka
Presiding Priest Maha Kasyapa Sabakami Mogaliputta Tissa Vasumitra
Purpose Preserve Buddha’s teachings and rules for disciples Settle a dispute over Vinaya and Ten Points Rules Reconcile different schools of Buddhism and purify the Buddhist movement Deal with a serious conflict between Sarvasthivada teachers of Kashmir and Gandhara
Outcome Collection of Pali Tipitaka Split of the Buddhist order into Theravada and Mahasanghika Codification of Abhidhamma Pitaka and declaration of Sthaviravada School as orthodox Sarvasthivada doctrines organized into commentaries; the Final division of Buddhism into Mahayana and Hinayana

Note: The Theravada Buddhist Council in 1871 and Theravada Buddhist Council in 1954 are known as the Fifth and Sixth Buddhist Councils respectively.

April 18, 2023 /18 Apr 2023, Four Buddhist Councils, Global Buddhist Summit, Today's Article

National Panchayat Awards and GS NIRNAY

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

Context: President of India inaugurated the National Conference on Incentivization of Panchayats and presented the National Panchayat Awards in New Delhi.

  • It honours the best-performing Panchayats by assessing their performance in the attainment of SDGs. The annual awards were first instituted in 2011.
  • Also, a booklet on ‘Best Practices on Works of Awardee Panchayats’ was also released

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is celebrating National Panchayat Awards Week from 17th to 21st April 2023, as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) 2.0, leading up to National Panchayati Raj Day on 24th April 2023.

GS NIRNAY

Ministry of Panchayati Raj GS NIRNAY (National Initiative for Rural India to Navigate, InnovAte and Resolve PanchaYat decisions) is a mobile application aimed at empowering rural communities.

  • It will provide easy access to critical information discussed during a Gram Sabha; acting as a means of verification of facts where necessary or in case of queries that may arise regarding the resolutions undertaken during the Gram Sabha.

Other Information:

Under the SVAMITVA Scheme, Drone Survey has been completed in more than 2.35 lakh villages whereas 6.57 lakh villages, viz 95% of 6.62 lakh villages have been provided with Bhu-Aadhaar under Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) project.

April 18, 2023 /18 Apr 2023, GS NIRNAY, National Panchayat Awards, Today's Article

Trojan Asteroids

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE

Context: NASA’s Lucy mission has captured its first images of the Jupiter and Trojan asteroids using its high-resolution L’LORRI camera

What are Trojan asteroids?

Trojan asteroids are a group of asteroids that share Jupiter’s orbit around the sun. There are two groups of Trojan asteroids, the “Greeks,” which lead Jupiter in its orbit, and the “Trojans,” which follow behind it.

Significance: These asteroids are believed to be ancient remnants from the early days of the solar system, and studying them can provide insight into the formation and evolution of the planets. They hold clues to the formation of our solar system as they are gravitationally stable for billions of years.

About Lucy mission

The Lucy mission is a 12-year-long solar-powered mission to study eight asteroids, covering a distance of over 6 billion km, to deepen the understanding of the “young solar system”. The mission is named after ‘Lucy’ (a 3.2-million-year-old species of hominins).

The mission is designed to understand the composition of the diverse asteroids that are a part of the Trojan asteroid swarms. It is the first spacecraft to be sent to study these Trojan asteroids up close.

April 18, 2023 /18 Apr 2023, Lucy mission, Today's Article, Trojan asteroids.

Supercritical carbon dioxide

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: HBL

Context: A new research by IIT Madras has suggested the use of Supercritical carbon dioxide to flush out oil from depleting oil and gas reservoirs.

What is Supercritical carbon dioxide?

It is a fluid state of carbon dioxide where it is held at or above its critical temperature (31∘C) and critical pressure (73 atm).

Benefits:

  • Carbon Dioxide Sequestration: Having properties midway between a gas and a liquid, supercritical carbon dioxide helps in simultaneous carbon dioxide sequestration
  • Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) from depleted Oil wells: Supercritical carbon dioxide reduces oil viscosity, induces in situ swelling of the oil and thus enhances oil recovery

Method: ‘Surfactant-Alternating gas (SAG) injection’ approach: In this process, carbon dioxide gas is injected into the reservoir, where it becomes supercritical, followed by injection of water or surfactant solution.

April 18, 2023 /18 Apr 2023, Supercritical carbon dioxide, Today's Article

Pralay missiles

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: First Post

About Pralay Missiles:
Feature Description
Missile Type Quasi-ballistic Surface-to-Surface missile
Range 150-500 km
Propulsion Solid-propellant rocket motor
Capabilities Ability to change path mid-air, evading interceptor missiles
Target Designed to destroy enemy radar, communication centres, airfields, and command centres
Developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Deployment Indian Air Force and Indian Army
Significance Pralay will be India’s first tactical quasi-ballistic missile and will give the armed forces the capability to hit enemy positions and key installations in actual battlefield areas.

April 18, 2023 /18 Apr 2023, Pralay missiles, Quasi-Ballistic Missiles, Today's Article

Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: CNN

Context: A new study published in the Nature Ecology & Evolution journal reveals those dozens of coastal invertebrate organisms, including tiny crabs and anemones, have been able to survive and reproduce on plastic debris in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Key findings:

  • Plastic pollution in the ocean might be enabling the creation of new floating ecosystems of coastal species that are not normally able to survive in the open ocean

April 18, 2023 /18 Apr 2023, Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Today's Article

Mangrove pitta bird

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

Context: A census of mangrove pitta birds was conducted in two coastal districts of Odisha, India, where the nearly threatened species is found.

  • A total of 179 individual mangrove pitta birds were counted, with the highest concentration found in the mangroves near the Mahipura river mouth inside the Bhitarkanika National Park.
About Mangrove Pitta bird The mangrove pitta is a species of passerine bird in the family Pittidae native to the eastern Indian Subcontinent and western Southeast Asia.
Scientific name Pitta megharencha
Conservation status Near Threatened
Habitat Coastal mangrove forests in Eastern India
Characteristics Forages on the ground and rests on trees
First census location Coastal mangrove patches in Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts, Odisha, India

About Bhitarkanika National Park 

Bhitarkanika National Park is the second-largest Mangrove ecosystem in India. It is inundated with waters from rivers Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra and Patasala forming a unique ecosystem. It is the breeding place for the Salt Water Crocodiles. The Gahirmatha Beach which forms the boundary of the sanctuary in the east is the largest colony of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.

April 18, 2023 /18 Apr 2023, Bhitarkanika National Park, Mangrove pitta bird, Today's Article