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2023 06 13

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 1:

  1. India has a similar geologic history to parts of South Africa, Australia

GS Paper 2:

  1. Indo-US Cooperation in Agriculture

GS Paper 4:

  1. Same-sex marriage: Morality vs equality

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

  1. Cubbon Reads
  2. Seed saviours

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

  1. Ram Prasad Bismil
  2. Sebi’s SCORES platform
  3. Taurine 
  4. Captagon pills crisis
  5. Red giant star Betelgeuse
  6. NASA’s Parker Solar Probe

Sports

  1. Squash World Cup
  2. World Test Championship final
  3. Diamond League

Mapping

  1. Renovation of Cochin Port
  2. TAPI gas pipeline (Pakistan and Turkmenistan)

India has a similar geologic history to parts of South Africa, Australia

GS Paper 1

Syllabus: Geography: Geology

Source: TH

Context: A recent study has revealed that India hosts remarkably well-preserved volcanic and sedimentary rocks as old as 3.5 billion years, and has similar geologic history to parts of South Africa and Australia.

  • These rocks, found in the Daitari greenstone belt within the Singhbhum Craton in east India, provide valuable insights into the geological history of the region and shed light on past Earth processes.
  • Cratons are pieces of ancient continents that formed several billions of years ago. Their study provides a window into how processes within and on the surface of Earth operated in the past.

Key Findings:

  • The presence of silicic rocks rich in silica indicated explosive sub-marine to sub-aerial volcanic settings. Furthermore, the researchers determined that sub-marine turbidity current deposits, comprising sedimentary rocks, were formed after the volcanic vent drowned.
  • By studying these ancient greenstones, researchers gain insights into various volcanic processes and uncover well-preserved minor sedimentary rocks that formed under sub-marine conditions.

Significance:

  • The well-preserved greenstones serve as time capsules, providing clues about habitable environments on Earth during its early stages and aiding in the comprehension of the planet’s evolution.
  • It provides evidence for various theories of plate tectonics

Various theories of Plate tectonics:
Theory Description Key Proponents
Continental Drift Suggested that continents were once a supercontinent (Pangaea) and have drifted apart over time Alfred Wegener
Seafloor Spreading Proposed that new oceanic crust forms at mid-ocean ridges and spreads outward Harry Hess
Subduction Theory Described the process of one tectonic plate descending beneath another at subduction zones Charles Darwin, Eduard Suess
Plate Tectonics Integrated the concepts of continental drift and seafloor spreading into a comprehensive theory Tuzo Wilson, Jason Morgan, Dan McKenzie

Key evidence in support of plate tectonics:
Evidence Description
Fit of Continents The coastlines of continents, such as the east coast of South America and the west coast of Africa, fit together like puzzle pieces, indicating their past connection.
Fossil Distribution Similar fossils of plants and animals are found on different continents, suggesting that they were once joined and have since separated.
Rock and Mountain Belts Matching rock types, geological formations, and mountain ranges are found across continents that were once part of the same landmass.
Palaeomagnetism The alignment of iron minerals in rocks, recorded by Earth’s magnetic field, shows that the magnetic poles have moved over time and continents have shifted.
Mid-Ocean Ridges Underwater mountain ranges with a central rift where new crust forms and moves away, supporting the idea of seafloor spreading and the creation of a new oceanic crust.
Subduction Zones Deep ocean trenches where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another, provide evidence of plate convergence and subduction.
Earthquake and Volcanic Activity Distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes along plate boundaries, demonstrating the association between plate interactions and geological activity.

June 13, 2023 /13 June 2023, Daitari greenstone belt, geography, Geology, GS1, Today's Article

Indo-US Cooperation in Agriculture

GS Paper 2/ 3

Syllabus: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and affecting India’s interests/ Agriculture and related issues

Source: IE

Context: A brief history of the US role in independent India’s agricultural development is useful in the context of the Indian PM’s upcoming visit to the US, for strengthening the “global strategic partnership” between the two countries.

Independent India’s agricultural development:

  • Food shortage in pre-independent India: Agriculture was monsoon-dependent and unfavourable rains and natural calamities resulted in crop failures.
  • The planning process in independent India: It identified agriculture as the most prioritised sector and emphasised that ‘everything can wait but agriculture’.
  • Increase in the food grain production: From merely 51 million tons (Mt) in 1950/51 increased over 6 times to over 314 Mt in 2022.
    • The country became the largest producer of milk, pulses and jute and the second-largest producer of rice, wheat, cotton, fruits and vegetables in the world.

Role played by the US in India’s agricultural development:

  • The first Agricultural University:
    • The UP Agricultural University (later renamed B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology) was inaugurated in 1960.
    • It is based on the US land-grant model – which integrated teaching, research and extension.
    • Thereafter 7 more universities received the US Agency for International Development’s assistance for the training of faculty and the provision of equipment and books.
  • The Green Revolution’s seeds:
    • The US aided India’s Green Revolution by supplying seeds with a high output when administered with more inputs (nutrients and water).
    • By 1968, India had transformed from a ship-to-mouth shortage economy to a country that shut down schools and cinema theatres to store surplus food.
  • Recent cooperation: The two countries revived the S.-India Agriculture Dialogue as well as the U.S.-India Agricultural Knowledge Initiative (AKI) to share extensive experience in agricultural research, training, and extension.

Why does the US help India?

  • The Cold War geopolitics and great-power rivalry of those times resulted in competition to extend help to those goods that were viewed as “global public goods”.
    • India’s strategy of “non-alignment” paid off then, just as “multi-alignment” is today.
  • Opportunities for U.S. investors in India’s agri-markets: Today, the Indian market can provide significant new investment opportunities in cold chain transportation logistics and frozen foods distribution.

Cooperation with other countries:

  • India and Israel are implementing the “INDO-ISRAEL Agricultural Project Centres of Excellence” and “INDO-ISRAEL Villages of Excellence”.
  • India and Vietnam agreed to strengthen their specific cooperation to develop a hi-tech agricultural relation in association with environmental protection.
  • An India-ASEAN Working Group on Agriculture has been formed, as agriculture is a critical sector for the economy of India as well as the ASEAN Member States.

Indian agriculture continues to battle several challenges: Such as increasing productivity against the backdrop of –

  • Increasing population,
  • Depleting natural resource base,
  • Aggravating climate change and
  • Reducing farm income.

Targets that India has prioritised:

  • Doubling farmer’s income,
  • Reducing fertiliser use (by 25%) and water use (by 20%),
  • Increasing use of renewable energy (50%),
  • Reducing GHG emission intensity (45%) and rehabilitating degraded land of 26 million ha (Mha).

Way forward:

  • A multi-pronged strategy with integration, diversification, intensification, customisation, and farm mechanisation, to realise the full potential of Indian farming.
  • Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the National Agricultural Research, Education and Extension System (NAREES) are determined –
    • To harness the advances of S&T
    • To infuse pull and push in agriculture for the all-around welfare of society.

Insta Links:

Indian agriculture under the five-year plans

Mains Links:

Explain various types of revolutions, that took place in Agriculture after Independence in India. How have these revolutions helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India? (UPSC 2017)

Prelims Links: (UPSC 2021)

In the context of India’s preparation for Climate-smart Agriculture, consider the following statements:

  1. The ‘Climate-Smart Village’ approach in India is part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme.
  2. The project of CCAFS is carried out under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France.
  3. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centres.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 Only
  2. 2 and 3 Only
  3. 1 and 3 Only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Ans: 4

June 13, 2023 /13 June 2023, 13 June CA, green revolution, GS 2, GS 3, ICAR, Indo-US cooperation in agriculture, Today's Article, Today’s article

Same-sex marriage: Morality vs equality

GS Paper 4

Syllabus: Ethics, Integrity and Attitude

Source: TH

Context: The issue of same-sex marriage has been taken up by the Supreme Court. This article highlights the ethical issues associated with it.
Argument Supporters of Same-Sex Marriage Opponents of Same-Sex Marriage
View on Same-Sex Marriage Argue for equal rights and recognition Consider it a threat to traditional values
Basis of Argument Equality and recognition of love and commitment Moral or religious beliefs
Perspective on Morality Emphasize fairness and equal treatment View Marriage as a sacred institution – Issues with Child-Rearing and Parental Roles
Legal Implications Advocate for expanding marriage definition Advocate for maintaining the traditional definition

What should be the role of the state in regulating personal relationships and defining moral norms:

  • Minimal Intervention
  • Protecting Individual Rights
  • Promoting Public Morality
  • Cultural and Democratic Influence

Global Scenario:

  • In Australia, the Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws – General Law Reform) Act 2008 was enacted to provide equal entitlements for same-sex couples in matters of, inter alia, social security, employment and taxation.
  • In England and Wales, the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 enabled same-sex couples to marry in civil ceremonies or with religious rites.
  • In 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States decided that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples. It held the denial of marriage rights to same-sex couples to be a grave and continuing harm, serving to disrespect and subordinate gays and lesbians.
  • At least 29 countriesin the world have legalised same-sex marriage.

Conclusion:

Ultimately, the resolution of this debate involves balancing competing values, including equality, individual rights, religious freedom, and societal norms. It requires careful consideration of the rights and dignity of all individuals involved, while also respecting diverse perspectives on the meaning and purpose of marriage.

June 13, 2023 /13 June 2023, ETHICS, GS4, LGBTQ, Same Sex Marriage, Today's Article

Cubbon Reads

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Source: PIB

Cubbon Reads, a reading community in Bengaluru, gathers in Cubbon Park every Saturday to enjoy literature amidst nature. This initiative has inspired similar reading communities in 30 cities across India and beyond. The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has appreciated the efforts of Cubbon Reads in promoting the love of reading among people.

Usage: The initiative can be used as an example to show the values of community engagement in promoting a love for reading; Appreciation for Literature; Connection with Nature; and Cultural Exchange.

June 13, 2023 /13 June 2023, Bengaluru, Cubbon Reads, Today's Article

Seed saviours

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Source: DTE

Context: Women farmers in Telangana’s Medak district, are actively preserving native seeds to ensure the nutritional security of their families and adapt to changing weather conditions.

They follow a 1:2 ratio system, saving one seed for the next year and giving away or selling two seeds to other families or the market. They are part of collectives supported by the Deccan Development Society, which promotes seed preservation and ecological farming practices.

Usage: The example can be used in Agriculture question to showcase the importance of preserving Indigenous crops (they have proven to be resilient in red and black soils, requiring less irrigation, and have improved land fertility in the region)

June 13, 2023 /13 June 2023, Seed saviours, Today's Article

Ram Prasad Bismil

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE

June 13, 2023 /13 June 2023, Ram Prasad Bismil, Today's Article

Sebi’s SCORES platform

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: ET

Context: In May, Sebi’s SCORES platform resolved 2,457 complaints against companies and market intermediaries.

About SCORES:

SEBI’s Complaints Redress System (SCORES) portal encourages investors to lodge their complaints on SCORES instead of sending physical letters. SCORES doesn’t deal with complaints against companies including Unlisted/delisted companies, sick companies or a company where a moratorium order is passed, or where the company is struck off by the Registrar of Companies (RoC).

About SEBI:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (est. 1988; HQ: Mumbai) is a statutory regulatory body for securities and commodity markets in India under the ownership of the Ministry of Finance.

June 13, 2023 /13 June 2023, Sebi's SCORES platform, Today's Article

Taurine

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: BBC

Context: A recent study has shown that Taurine – a nutrient found in meat, and fish and sold as a supplement – extends life and boosts health in a range of animal species.

  • Experiments on middle-aged animals showed boosting taurine to youthful levels extended life by over 10% and improved physical and brain health.

About Taurine:

  • Taurine is an amino acid that has a few important roles in your body, including supporting immune health and nervous system function. 
  • The scientific report suggests taurine plays a role in reducing cellular senescence – where cells in the body stop dividing – a hallmark of ageing.
  • The nutrient also appeared to keep mitochondria – the power stations in the body’s cells – functioning.
  • Taurine is virtually non-existent in plants. So the nutrient either comes from the animal protein in the diet or is manufactured by the body.

June 13, 2023 /13 June 2023, Boost Health, GS3, SCIENCE, Taurine, Today's Article

Captagon pills crisis

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE

Context: Reports suggest that the Islamic State (IS) and Syrian fighters widely consumed Captagon to increase alertness and suppress appetite during their gruelling battles.

About Captagon:

  • Captagon is a highly addictive amphetamine-type drug, which is produced mainly in Syria and widely smuggled across West Asia. Several reports over the years have claimed that sales of the drug, estimated to be worth several billion dollars a year, have profited al-Assad, his associates and his family.
  • Captagon is a counterfeit version of medicine with the same brand name that was originally produced in the 1960s to treat attention deficit disorders, narcolepsy, and other conditions.
  • The original Captagon contained fenetylline, a synthetic drug belonging to the phenethylamine family, including amphetamine. It was banned in the 1980s due to concerns about its addictive nature.
  • Amphetamine-based drugs like Captagon stimulate the central nervous system, providing a boost of energy, increased focus, and a feeling of euphoria. However, they do not confer superhuman abilities. Side effects of these drugs can include loss of appetite, heart problems, high body temperature, memory loss, and addiction.

June 13, 2023 /13 June 2023, Captagon Pills Crisis, Defense, GS3, SCIENCE, Terrorism, Today's Article

Red giant star Betelgeuse

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

Context: Recent research on the massive red giant star Betelgeuse suggests that it is in its late carbon-burning stage (near the end of its life) and may explode as a supernova within a few decades.

Life Cycle of a Star:

A star is born from a dense cloud of gas and dust called a nebula. Through the process of nuclear fusion, it converts hydrogen into helium, releasing energy and emitting light. As the star exhausts its hydrogen fuel, it expands and becomes a red giant. In this phase, it fuses helium into heavier elements like carbon and oxygen.

While smaller stars, like our Sun, eventually shed their outer layers and form a white dwarf. Larger stars undergo a supernova explosion, where their cores collapse and release an immense amount of energy. This explosion disperses heavy elements into space and may result in the formation of a neutron star or a black hole.

What is a red giant star?

A red giant star is a large, ageing star that has expanded and cooled down, causing it to appear red in colour. It occurs in the later stages of a star’s life cycle when it exhausts its hydrogen fuel and starts burning heavier elements.

About Betelgeuse

It is a red giant star located in the constellation Orion. It is one of the largest and brightest stars visible to the naked eye.

How have astronomers found the stage of Betelgeuse:

Astronomers have suggested the stage of the red giant star Betelgeuse by studying its pulsations. Betelgeuse undergoes periodic expansion and contraction (similar to a boiling pot releasing steam), causing variations in its brightness. By analysing these pulsations, researchers can infer the star’s current state.

June 13, 2023 /13 June 2023, red giant star Betelgeuse, Today's Article

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Space

Context: NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has discovered that “coronal holes” in the sun’s atmosphere are the source of the fast solar wind, released during the rapid realignment of magnetic fields.

Findings:

  • The probe revealed that coronal holes — darker, cooler regions that open in the sun’s outer atmosphere — are shaped like “showerheads” made up of mostly evenly spaced funnels of material.
  • Magnetic reconnection within funnel structures in coronal holes is responsible for generating the fast solar wind.

Significance of finding: By tracking the solar wind back to its origin, scientists can now better predict solar storms that can impact Earth’s communication and power infrastructure.

What is a Solar storm:

A solar storm refers to a disturbance on the Sun that releases a large amount of energy in the form of solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), or high-speed solar winds. These events can cause disruptions in Earth’s magnetosphere, leading to geomagnetic storms that impact communication systems, power grids, and satellite operations.

About Parker Solar Probe

The Parker Solar Probe is a NASA spacecraft launched in 2018 to study the Sun up close. Its trajectory travel through the Sun’s atmosphere, closer to its surface than any previous spacecraft. The mission aims to unlock the mysteries of the Sun’s atmosphere, understand the solar storm, and investigate the processes that accelerate energetic particles.

Similar to Parker Solar Probe, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) is preparing to launch the Aditya-L1 mission, the first Indian space mission dedicated to studying the Sun and the solar corona. The mission will place a satellite in a halo orbit around the Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth systems, located approximately 1.5 million km away from Earth. The Aditya-L1 mission aims to observe and gather valuable data about the Sun and its corona.

June 13, 2023 /13 June 2023, Aditya- L1 mission, NASA's Parker Solar Probe, Today's Article

Squash World Cup

Sports

Source: TH

Context: The Squash World Cup, set to take place in Chennai, from June 13 to 17, is introducing some exciting changes to attract attention and engage more people in the sport.

Changes introduced:

The tournament will feature a mixed team competition and will be played in the format of a best-of-five game, with each game played to seven points instead of the usual 11. In case of a tie, the winning team will be determined by the greater positive difference between games won and lost. The players believe the new format will bring a more aggressive and thrilling style of play to the tournament.

About Squash:

Squash is a fast-paced racquet sport played by two players (singles) or four players (doubles) on a four-walled court. The objective is to hit a small rubber ball against the front wall, making it difficult for the opponent to return.

June 13, 2023 /13 June 2023, sports, Squash World Cup, Today's Article

World Test Championship final

Sports

Source: TH

Context: Australia convincingly defeated India by 209 runs in the World Test Championship final held at The Oval

With this victory, Australia became the second team, after New Zealand, to win the prestigious Mace. This marks India’s second consecutive loss in the WTC final.

About WTC:

The World Test Championship is a two-year cricket tournament where nine teams compete to become the undisputed World Test champion. Each team plays six series, three at home and three away.

The points system has been revamped (for just completed 2nd edition), with each Test match now offering 12 points for a win, four points for a draw, and six points for a tie. The standings will be determined by the percentage of available points collected, allowing for comparisons between teams regardless of the number of matches played.

Consider the following statements in respect of the ICC World Test Championship: (UPSC 2022)
1. The finalists were decided by the number of matches they won.
2. New Zealand was ranked ahead of England because it won more matches than England.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

[A] 1 only [B] 2 only [C] Both 1 and 2 [D] Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: D

Finalists of ICC World Test Championship are to be decided by percentage of points earned, not by the number of matches won by them.  New Zealand won less matches than England but won more points, thus entering the final.

June 13, 2023 /13 June 2023, sports, Today's Article, World Test Championship

Diamond League

Sports

Source: TH

Context: Recently, Indian long jumper Murali Sreeshankar secured third place in Paris Diamond League

About Diamond League

The Diamond League (started in 2010; organized by the World Athletics body) is a prestigious annual international athletics series consisting of various track and field events held across different cities around the world. It features the world’s top athletes competing in disciplines such as sprints, jumps, throws, and middle-distance races. Neeraj Chopra was the first Indian to win a Diamond League meet.

June 13, 2023 /13 June 2023, Diamond League, Today's Article

Renovation of Cochin Port

Mapping

Source: HT

Context: The Indian government has announced a ₹7,500 crore project for the renovation and modernization of Cochin Port, one of the critical ports for the country’s economy.

The project aims to make Cochin a global hub for fish trade and is funded through the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana-Blue Revolution program and the Sagarmala scheme. The project is part of India’s efforts to achieve ₹1 lakh crore worth of exports from the fisheries sector by 2024-25.

Cochin Port is a major port on the Arabian Sea – Laccadive Sea – Indian Ocean Sea route in the city of Kochi and is one of the largest ports in India. It is also the first and largest transhipment port in India. The port lies on two islands in the Lake of Kochi: Willingdon Island and Vallarpadam, towards the Fort Kochi River mouth opening onto the Laccadive Sea. Cochin Shipyard is the largest shipbuilding as well as maintenance facility in India.

June 13, 2023 /13 June 2023, Cochin Port, Kochi Port, Today's Article

TAPI gas pipeline (Pakistan and Turkmenistan)

Mapping

Source: BS

Pakistan and Turkmenistan have signed a Joint Implementation Plan (JIP) to accelerate the progress of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project. TAPI project aims to export natural gas annually through the pipeline from Turkmenistan (Galkynysh gas field) to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (Fazilka). It is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Pakistan is the world’s fifth-most populous country and has the world’s second-largest Muslim population, just behind Indonesia

Turkmenistan (Ashgabat) is a country in Central Asia bordered by the Caspian Sea and largely covered by the Karakum Desert. It’s known for archaeological ruins including those at Nisa and Merv (part of the ancient trade route the Silk Road).

June 13, 2023 /13 June 2023, Pakistan, TAPI gas pipeline, Today's Article, Turkmenistan