Current Affairs for UPSC Civil Services Exam – September 24, 2024

{GS2 – IR – India-US} India-USA Relations **

• Context (IE|IE|IE): During the visit of the Indian PM to the US, the US administration offered to restart the decade-old plan to transfer jet engine technology to India.

Recent Developments

• Cybersecurity Cooperation: India and the US are enhancing collaboration in cybersecurity, defence, and space, emphasising secure digital infrastructure.
• Drone Procurement: India will acquire 31 MQ-9B drones, enhancing surveillance and intelligence in land, sea, and air operations.
• Defense Co-production: Both nations agreed to co-produce jet engines and precision munitions, strengthening defence industrial ties.
• Semiconductor Plant: A semiconductor facility is being established in India, contributing to national security and technological advancement.

Historical Ties

• Cold War Era: India maintained non-alignment while the US had stronger ties with Pakistan.
• Post-Cold War Engagement: After the Cold War, India and the US began building closer diplomatic ties.
• The US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement in 2005 marked a major milestone in strategic partnership.
• Foundational Agreements:
  • LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement): It enables mutual use of military.
  • COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement): It facilitates secure communication between Indian and U.S. militaries for interoperability.
  • BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement): It allows sharing of geospatial intelligence for enhanced military precision and navigation.
  • GSOMIA (General Security of Military Information Agreement): It protects the exchange of classified information, fostering intelligence collaboration.

Significance of India-USA Relations

• Economic Growth: Strong economic ties enhance bilateral trade and investment, contributing to job creation and economic development in both nations. U.S. is India’s 2^nd largest trading partner in 2023. The bilateral trade between the two countries has risen by 72 per cent between 2017-18 and 2022-23.
• Defense Collaboration: Strategic defence agreements like the LEMOA and COMCASA facilitate deeper military cooperation and interoperability. E.g. Joint military exercises such as Yudh Abhyas.
• Technological Partnership: Collaboration in critical technologies enhances innovation competitiveness. E.g. India–U.S. Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (ICET)
• Cultural Exchange: A vibrant diaspora and educational exchanges enrich cultural ties and foster mutual understanding between the two societies. Example: Over 200,000 Indian students study in the U.S.
• Quad Alliance: The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) enhances regional security cooperation, addressing challenges in the Indo-Pacific and promoting democratic values. E.g. The Quad’s initiatives in vaccine distribution and maritime security.
• Climate Cooperation: Joint efforts in addressing climate change strengthen global environmental governance and sustainable development initiatives. E.g. The U.S. and India clean energy partnership.

Challenges in India-USA Relations

• Trade Imbalances cause friction, affecting sectors like agriculture and manufacturing. U.S. concerns over India’s tariffs on agricultural products have led to trade disputes.
• Data Privacy Concerns: Differing approaches to data protection and cross-border data. The U.S. seeks free data flow, while India emphasizes data localization for privacy
• Defense Procurement Hurdles: Bureaucratic delays and disagreements slow defence collaboration. E.g. The delay in finalizing the Predator drone deal.
• Visa Restrictions: Stricter U.S. visa regulations, particularly for H1-B visas, limit Indian IT professionals’ mobility and affect the tech industry.
• Intellectual Property (IP) Rights: Disagreements over IP protections, particularly in pharmaceuticals, impact trade negotiations.
• Geopolitical Differences: Diverging views on Russia, Iran, and other regional conflicts sometimes challenge bilateral strategic cooperation.

Way Forward

• Resolve Trade Disputes will strengthen bilateral economic ties. E.g. Negotiating lower tariffs on steel and aluminium imports could enhance mutual trade benefits.
• Enhanced Tech Collaboration: Aligning data privacy standards and expanding cybersecurity cooperation. E.g. Establishing a US-India Cybersecurity Forum.
• Streamline Defense Procurement: Simplifying defence procurement processes and speeding up technology transfers will enhance defence cooperation. E.g. Implementing the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) to expedite projects like the Joint Advanced Tactical Ground Station (JATGS).
• Easing H1-B visa restrictions will benefit both countries’ tech industries and professional exchanges.
• Strengthening IP Dialogue through diplomatic channels will support mutual trade benefits. E.g.: Form an India-US IP Working Group.
• Enhance ICET Cooperation: Strengthening the India–U.S. Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (ICET) will promote collaboration in cutting-edge sectors.
• Regional Diplomacy: Closer coordination on geopolitical issues like Indo-Pacific security and terrorism will advance shared strategic goals.

{GS2 – MoHA – Laws} Section 107 of the BNSS

• Context (TH): The BNSS 2023 introduced Section 107, which deals with “proceeds of crime.”

Key Provisions of Section 107

• Attachment and Forfeiture of Property: It grants courts the authority to attach any property believed to be derived from criminal activities upon the request of a police officer (with the approval of the Superintendent or Commissioner of Police).
• No Preconditions for Attachment: Unlike the PMLA, which requires officers to record reasons for believing that property is proceeds of crime, Section 107 does not mandate such documentation.
• Timing of Attachment: Property can be attached during the investigation itself without waiting for the completion of the investigation, which is a significant departure from the CrPC provisions.

In Sunderbhai Ambalal Desai v. State of Gujarat (2003) case, the SC emphasised the need for prompt recording of evidence to avoid tampering and ensure that property is not unnecessarily held in custody.

Comparison with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002

• Documentation Requirements: The PMLA requires officers to document their reasons for believing that property is proceeds of crime and allows provisional attachment for up to 90 days.
• Disposal of Property: Under the PMLA, the Adjudicating Authority disposes of property involved in money laundering only after the trial concludes. However, section 107 of the BNSS is silent on the disposal stage, allowing for potential premature distribution or forfeiture.
• Safeguards and Procedures: The PMLA includes specific safeguards and procedures for attachment and forfeiture, which are not explicitly detailed in Section 107 of the BNSS.

Legal and Practical Concerns

• Lack of Clear Guidelines: Section 107 does not provide clear guidelines for identifying rightful claimants or the stage at which property should be disposed of, leading to potential legal ambiguities.
• Potential for Misuse: The broad powers granted to courts and investigating officers could lead to misuse, with property being attached or forfeited without sufficient evidence or due process.
• Property Rights: Article 300A of the IC states that no person shall be deprived of their property save by authority of law. The lack of clear procedures in Section 107 could lead to violations of it.

Article 300A Right to Property: No person is deprived of their property except by authority of law. Legal Authority: Any deprivation of property must follow legal procedures. Not a Fundamental Right: Unlike the original Article 31, the right to property under Article 300A is not a fundamental right but a constitutional right.

Way Forward

• Establish Criteria: Define what constitutes “proceeds of crime.”
• Mandatory Documentation: Written records of reasons for property attachment are required.
• Law Enforcement Training: Provide specialised training on Section 107.
• Judiciary Capacity Building: Equip judicial officers with the necessary tools and knowledge.
• Awareness Campaigns: Inform citizens about their rights and procedures.

{GS3 – Agri – Crops} Hike in basic customs duty on edible oils

• Context (IE): The government hiked the basic customs duty (BCD) on imported crude palm, soybean, and sunflower oil from zero to 20% and on refined oils from 12.5% to 32.5%.

Edible Oil Production and Consumption in India: Statistics

• Oilseeds account for 14.3% of the gross cropped area in India. Together, soybean (36%), groundnut (32%), and rapeseed mustard (29%) account for 97% of the total edible oilseeds production. Approx. 70% of the oilseeds are cultivated in rainfed ecosystems.
• During the past five decades, the average yield of annual oilseeds has almost tripled.
• Oilseeds account for about 8% of the agricultural exports.
• India is the 4th largest vegetable oil economy next to USA, China and Brazil. It ranks 1st in production of castor, safflower, sesame and niger, 2^nd in groundnut, 3^rd in rapeseed-mustard.
• Total domestic production of edible oils is far below the annual requirement of over 25 million tonnes. In 2022-23, India’s edible oil production from domestic sources amounted to around 10.3 mt (only 38.6%).
• India is the largest importer of vegetable oils (15% share), followed by China and the USA. It imports 55-60% of its edible oil requirements. Of imported edible oils, the share of palm oil is 60%, followed by soybean oil (25%) and sunflower (12%).
• Sunflower oil is imported from Russia (1.5 mt), Romania (0.6 mt), Ukraine (0.5 mt) & Argentina (0.4 mt).
• Soyabean oil is imported primarily from Argentina & Brazil, while palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia.
• Sunflower oil is predominantly consumed in Southern states (70%) followed by Maharashtra (10-15%).
• Soyabean oil is predominantly consumed in the North and East (along with locally-produced mustard), and also in the West (with sunflower and indigenous groundnut and cottonseed oil).

Recent surge in imports: Reasons

• In 2023, India’s edible oil imports hit an all-time high of 16.5 million tonnes (mt). This is attributed to the rise in crude sunflower oil imports, becoming the country’s second-largest imported oil after palm.
• In normal years, palm oil is the cheapest, and sunflower is the most expensive imported vegetable oil. In recent years, the import of sunflower oil has increased due to lower prices.

{GS3 – Envi – CC} Climate Finance Action Fund

• Context (IE): Azerbaijan, the host of COP29, proposed to launch the Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF) for developing countries.

• CFAF will include “voluntary” contributions from fossil fuel-producing countries and companies across oil, gas and coal, with Azerbaijan as a founding contributor.
• It will be headquartered with its secretariat in Baku, Azerbaijan.
• The fund would become operational once it builds up a corpus of at least $1 billion and at least 10 countries commit themselves to become shareholders.
• Half of the funds are proposed to finance climate projects in developing countries, while the other half would help developing countries meet the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
• It will be a catalytic public-private partnership fund, mobilising the private sector and de-risking investment. It will also provide off-take agreement guarantees for small and medium-sized renewable energy producers and first-loss capital for green industrial projects.
• CFAF would dedicate 20% of the revenues from investments to a Rapid Response Funding Facility (2R2F) to help the most vulnerable countries respond to climate disasters.

Why is the fund not enough to plug the gap?

• Ambiguity over the definition of climate finance.
• Double-counting and innovative accounting: Developing countries state that the actual amount of money flowing in for climate action is significantly lower than the claims made by developed countries
• Neglect of adaptation activities: Most climate finance flows are directed at mitigation projects as they bring global dividends, while adaptation results in local benefits.
  • Developing countries have demanded that adaptation receive at least 50% of climate finance.
• Failure to meet the $100 billion target annually for developing countries.

Other funds under the UN financial mechanism

• Global Environment Facility (GEF): It has served as an operating entity of the financial mechanism since the Convention entered into force in 1994.
• Green Climate Fund (GCF): Established at COP16 in 2010, and the next year, they designated it as an operating entity of the financial mechanism.
• Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) and the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) — both managed by the GEF — as well as the Adaptation Fund (AF) established under the Kyoto Protocol in 2001.
• ALTÉRRA: Announced at COP28 by UAE. A US$30 billion commitment to a newly launched catalytic climate vehicle will drive forward international efforts to create a fairer climate finance system.

Read in detail about Climate Finance.

{GS3 – Envi – CC} Greenland Landslide

• Context (IE): Seismic waves from the landslide in Greenland’s Dickson Fjord exhibited a unique pattern, resembling a single frequency rather than typical earthquake signals.

Causes of Greenland landslide

• Glacier Thinning: The Hvide Støvhorn glacier, supporting the mountain slopes, experienced significant thinning—up to 30 meters over recent decades—due to rising global temperatures.
• Melting Permafrost: As temperatures rose, the melting permafrost on the steep mountain slopes reduced their stability, increasing the risk of landslides.
• Heavy Rainfall Events: Increased rainfall from climate change can heighten landslide risks by saturating soils and triggering landslides in areas weakened by melting ice and thawing permafrost.
• Submarine Landslide Trigger: The avalanche triggered a submarine landslide, displacing water and generating a 200-meter mega-tsunami with extended wave oscillations.

Read more > Seismic waves.

{GS3 – Envi – Degradation} South America Wildfires

• Context (IE): South America is currently experiencing its worst wildfire seasons in nearly two decades. It have ravaged millions of acres across several countries, including Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina.

Causes of Wildfires

• Drought: Prolonged dry spells have made forests more susceptible to fires.
• Deforestation: Clearing forests for agriculture and other purposes has reduced the natural barriers preventing fire spread.
• Climate Change: Rising global temperatures have increased the frequency and intensity of wildfires.
• El Niño: Recent El Niño event has exacerbated drought conditions, contributing to the severe fires.

Impact on Ecosystems

• Amazon Rainforest: Home to 60% of the fires, the Amazon is experiencing unprecedented destruction.
• Cerrado and Pantanal: These biodiverse ecosystems are also severely affected, with significant loss of flora and fauna.
• Air Quality: Smoke has caused poor air quality in multiple countries, affecting millions of people.

Brazil has the largest number of fires, with over 11 million hectares burned between January and August 2024. Also, Bolivia has the second-highest number of fires, with more than 3.8 million hectares affected.

{GS3 – Envi – Issues} Pollution Control Board

• Context (IE): Nearly 50% of posts in State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) across India are vacant, with some posts unfilled for decades.

Key findings

• Sanctioned Posts: Out of 11,562 sanctioned posts, 5,671 remain unfilled (49.04%).
• Long-term Vacancies: Some vacancies have persisted for extended periods, including a post in Punjab that has been vacant for over 35 years.
• States with the Most Vacancies: Sikkim (100%), Jharkhand (73.06%), Andhra Pradesh (70.10%), Madhya Pradesh (63.76%), Manipur (63.02%).

Reasons for the high vacancy rates

• Lack of Funding: Many states, such as Sikkim, have cited an inability to allocate sufficient funds for SPCB staffing as a major reason for high vacancies.
• Lengthy Recruitment Processes: Legal delays have stalled recruitment in some states; Madhya Pradesh has 783 of 1,228 sanctioned posts vacant due to court cases (Report from Carboncopy)
• Unattractive Compensation: Low salaries and limited career growth in SPCBs make these positions less appealing, deterring qualified candidates from applying.
• Insufficient Staffing Norms: The current staffing norms for State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) are insufficient to meet their expanding responsibilities, which now encompass monitoring air and noise pollution, waste management, and traditional water pollution control.
• Lack of Priority: Some state governments may not prioritise environmental protection, resulting in neglected SPCB staffing needs and delayed vacancy fillings.

How does the vacancy rate affect the enforcement of environmental laws?

• Ineffective Enforcement Actions: Staffing shortages hinder inspections and sampling necessary for enforcing the Water and Air Pollution Acts, limiting public health safeguards.
• Delayed Responses to Violations: High vacancy rates slow response times to pollution incidents, allowing violations to continue unchecked.
• Increased Legal Challenges: Staffing inefficiencies may lead to legal action against SPCBs for failing to address pollution complaints, diverting resources from enforcement.
• Public Health Risks: Inadequate monitoring of air and water quality due to staff shortages poses significant public health risks, potentially leaving contaminated resources undetected.
• Weak Institutional Capacity: High vacancy rates weaken SPCBs’ ability to fulfill expanded roles under environmental laws, undermining effective governance.

Way forward

• Increased Funding: State governments should prioritise funding for SPCBs to fill vacant positions and cover recruitment and operational costs.
• Streamlined Recruitment: Simplifying recruitment processes by reducing bureaucratic hurdles and establishing clear timelines can enhance efficiency in filling vacancies.
• Incentives for Recruitment: Competitive salaries, benefits, and career advancement opportunities, along with relocation assistance, can attract more candidates to SPCB positions.
• Contractual Appointments: Employing contractual staff temporarily can address immediate staffing needs while permanent recruitment is in progress.
• Collaboration with Educational Institutions: Partnering with universities and technical institutes can create a pipeline of qualified candidates through internships and job fairs.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Promoting the importance of environmental protection and the role of SPCBs can engage potential applicants who are passionate about these issues.

{GS3 – IE – Banking} India’s inflation-targeting framework

• Context (IE): Debate on whether India should modify/abandon its inflation-targeting (IT) framework.

What is Inflation targeting?

• IT is a monetary policy framework where the central bank explicitly sets a publicly announced target for the inflation rate and uses tools like interest rates to steer the economy towards that goal.
• It acts like a “compass for price stability,” aiming to keep inflation within a specific range, ensuring predictable prices and fostering economic confidence.
• Inflation targeting worldwide: While some countries have adopted point targets, others follow a more flexible approach to targeting inflation within a band. Inflation targeting has been adopted in many countries, including New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Finland, Israel, Spain, Sweden, and the UK.

Also, learn about > Types of Inflation.

Pros and Cons of Inflation Targeting

Pros	Cons
Improve credibility & anchor inflation expectations, making economy investor-friendly.	Monetary policy actions take time to impact inflation, risking mistimed responses.
Provide a clear path for the medium-term inflation outlook, reducing the size of inflationary shocks.	It does not remove supply bottlenecks or shortages.
It enables businesses & investors to plan their investments and policies by considering inflation rate changes.	It may overlook asset bubbles or systemic financial risks while focusing solely on inflation.
It helps maintain a transparent monetary policy.	It may limit policy flexibility or constrain policy measures such as fiscal stimulus.
Informed IT have secured Indian banks from the spill-over effect of the Silicon Valley bank collapse.	Uniform inflation targets may not adequately consider regional disparities leading to potential imbalances and uneven development.

History of Inflation Targeting in India

• In the first two decades following independence, there was no formal framework for monetary policy.
• From the 1960s to the mid-1980s, IT was described as “credit planning” during which policy operated via the statutory liquidity and cash reserve ratios.
• Mid-1980s to late 1990s: RBI employed a “monetary targeting with feedback” framework, in which the broad money supply was aligned with projected GDP growth. Price stability was the central objective of monetary policy, with 5-7% as the target range for inflation.
• The Urjit Patel Committee Report (2014) advocated for Flexible Inflation Targeting (FIT) and proposed a target of 4% inflation with a tolerance band of ±2%.
• IT was introduced in 2015 through the Monetary Policy Framework Agreement between the Union Government and the RBI.
  • In 2016, the RBI Act was amended, which gave statutory basis for Monetary Policy Framework and the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). This made inflation targeting a legal mandate for the RBI.
• Target: In consultation with the RBI, the government set an inflation target of 4% (CPI-Combined inflation) with a band of +/- 2% (i.e., between 2% and 6%).

Successes of Inflation Targeting in India

• Lower inflation volatility: Inflation in India has averaged 7.5% since the 1980s, except in the early 2000s when it averaged 4%. Inflation has declined since the adoption of IT, compared to the preceding years and relative to the average inflation of the world and low- and middle-income countries.

Credits: NCAER

• Less volatility: Following the adoption of IT, the exchange rate, the stock market, and the call money rate, Yields on government debt have become less volatile. In contrast, the volatility of portfolio capital flows has not changed.
• Increased investment: Price stability has helped fuel growth, allowing businesses to plan without worrying too much that surging their projections will be upset by surging costs. It has also reduced interest rates because it has improved central bank credibility.

Challenges associated

• Use of headline inflation as the nominal anchor causing “second-round effects” such as spillover of food inflation to non-food inflation through a wage-price spiral.
  • The current CPI series is based on the 2011-12 consumption survey. Though updated in 2015, it still contains obsolete items like DVDs and audio cassettes.
• Policy transmission lag: Transmission to bank lending rates and bond yields of longer-tenure securities is weaker and has not improved with the adoption of IT.
• Growth vs Inflation Dilemma: Tight monetary policy to control inflation can stifle growth, especially during economic downturns, making it hard for the RBI to balance these competing objectives.

Way forward

• Strengthening the analytical framework of RBI, given that its inflation and growth forecasts are frequently subject to significant errors.
• Improving the underlying data that is outdated and has methodological issues.
• Better understanding of agriculture to assess whether food inflation is temporary or a reflection of some deeper, structural issues.
• Strengthening monetary policy transmission to ensure that changes in policy rates are effectively transmitted to the real economy, promoting the desired inflation outcomes.
• Enhancing coordination between monetary policy and fiscal policy to achieve a harmonised and effective approach towards managing inflation and promoting economic stability.

{GS3 – S&T – Defence} India’s Military Preparedness

• Context (IE|ET): India’s Chief of Defence Staff emphasised the need for high military preparedness to tackle both short and long-term conflicts in India. He highlighted operational readiness, modernisation, transformation, and indigenisation as key pillars for national security.

Recent Developments

• Doklam Standoff with China highlighting strategic and military preparedness along the LAC.
• Joint Commanders’ Conference (JCC) Meeting: The recent JCC meeting emphasised jointness among the Army, Navy, and Air Force, focusing on enhanced inter-service cooperation.
• Emergency Military Modernisation: The Ministry of Defence requested INR 20,000 crore for urgent military modernisation post-Doklam, revealing gaps in India’s defence budget.
• Long-Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP): This 15-year plan (2012-2027) outlines India’s structured military modernisation strategy through planned acquisitions.

Challenges for India

• Insufficient Budget Allocations: Defence budgets are inadequate to cover modernisation and essential sustenance, hindering preparedness.
• Procurement Delays: Emergency procurements often bypass procedures, leading to delays and accountability concerns, as observed during the Kargil conflict.
• Equipment Shortages: The Army faces critical shortages in essential equipment due to inefficiencies within the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and Defence Public Sector Units (DPSUs).
• Underutilisation of Defence Budgets: INR 7,393 crore of allocated funds remained unspent in 2016-17, further delaying modernisation efforts.
• Fragmented Procurement Ecosystem: Lack of coordination among OFB and DRDO results in slow and inefficient procurement processes, which affect operational readiness.

Way Forward

• National Security Doctrine: Establishing a national security doctrine will provide a clear framework for India’s strategic goals and guide defence planning.
• Theaterisation of Commands: Implementing theaterisation through unified commands will improve joint operations across all military branches.
• Strengthening the Role of CDS (Chief of Defence Staff): Empowering the CDS to prioritise inter-service modernisation will streamline capability development. Example: U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff model.
• Non-Lapsable Defence Fund to ensure continuous capital for defence acquisition, preventing lapses.

• Self-Reliance in Defence Production (Aatmanirbhar Bharat): Boosting domestic defence manufacturing will reduce reliance on imports and enhance military preparedness. E.g. Tejas LCA.

Read more> Inter-Services Organisations (ISO) Act.

{GS3 – S&T – ISRO} Chandrayaan-3’s Pragyan Rover Discovers Ancient Crater

• Context (IE): Data from Chandrayaan-3’s (CH-3) Pragyan rover led to the discovery of an ancient crater. This crater is one of the oldest structures on the lunar surface, likely predating the SPA basin.

• The CH-3 landing site was found situated inside this crater, buried deep by later ejecta (impact debris).

South Pole-Aitken Basin (SPA)

• One of the largest and deepest impact craters in the Solar System.
• Located on the far side of the moon (the side that does not face the Earth).
• Composition: Higher abundances of iron, titanium, and thorium.
• The Moon’s tallest mountains surround the SPA basin’s rim. Samples from it reveal substantial volcanic and impact activity (Insights provided by Chang’e 6 mission).

{GS3 – S&T – Space} Venus Orbiter Mission

• Context (IE): India‘s first Venus mission is expected to launch in March 2028.

Objectives of the Venus Mission (VOM)

• Study Venus’s surface and subsurface geology.
• Analyze atmospheric processes and composition. Investigate the ionosphere and its dynamics.
• Examine the interaction of Venus with solar radiation.
• Understand the evolutionary differences between Venus and Earth.

Instruments

• Scientific Payloads: Approximately 100 kg, including:
• Synthetic Aperture Radar: For detailed surface imaging.
• Thermal Cameras: To monitor temperature variations.
• Atmospheric Instruments: To study composition and dynamics.

Technical Aspects of the Venus Mission (VOM)

• Aero-Braking Technique:
  • For the first time, ISRO will employ aero-braking to adjust the spacecraft’s orbit around Venus.
  • It involves skimming the outer atmosphere to lower the orbit gradually, conserving fuel.
• Orbit Details:
  • The spacecraft will initially enter a highly elliptical orbit (a satellite orbit around the Earth that follows the path of an ellipse).
  • It will be manoeuvred to a lower orbit for optimal scientific observations.

Importance of Studying Venus

• Earth’s Evolution: Studying Venus, often called Earth’s twin due to its similar size, density and mass, can provide insights into the evolutionary paths of terrestrial planets and factors influencing habitability.
• Climate Change Insights: Venus’s extreme greenhouse effect and climatic history offer valuable lessons on climate change processes that may also apply to Earth.
• Atmospheric Composition and Dynamics: The planet’s thick atmosphere, primarily composed of carbon dioxide, allows scientists to explore atmospheric science and compare it with other celestial bodies.
• Geological Activity: Investigating Venus’s geological features and volcanic activity enhances our understanding of the evolution of rocky planets, particularly processes like volcanism and tectonics.
• Global Interest: The renewed focus on Venus by various space agencies, including ISRO, NASA, and ESA, fosters international collaboration and advances knowledge in planetary science.

{Prelims – In News} Kerala Tops FSSAI State Food Safety Index (SFSI) 2024

• Context (IE): Kerala, for the second consecutive year, has topped the SFSI 2024. This annual ranking, released by the FSSAI, evaluates the food safety performance of Indian states and union territories.

About State Food Safety Index (SFSI)

• Evaluation Parameters include Human Resources and Institutional Data, Compliance with food safety regulations and standards, Food Testing—infrastructure and Surveillance, Training and capacity Building, and Consumer Empowerment.
• New Parameter in 2023: The 2023 index introduced a new parameter, ‘Improvement in SFSI Rank,’ to recognise states and UTs that have shown significant progress in their rankings.
• States and union territories are categorised into Large States, Small States, Union Territories.

{Prelims – PIN} Mary Poonen Lukose

• Context (IE): Mary Poonen Lukose was Kerala’s first woman doctor. She earned an MBBS from the University of London, later specialising in gynaecology and obstetrics.

• Pioneering Achievements:
  • Performed Kerala’s first cesarean section before 1920.
  • Launched a midwifery training program, improving home birth safety.
  • Became the first woman head of Travancore’s Health Department in 1924.
  • Appointed the first woman Surgeon General of Travancore in 1938.
  • Nominated as the First woman member of the Travancore Legislative Council in 1924 by Queen Sethu Lakshmi Bai.
• Honors and Legacy:
  • Titled “Vaidyasasthrakusala” by the Maharaja in the 1940s.
  • Awarded the Padma Shri in 1975, a year before her death.

Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bai was the last regent queen of Travancore. In 1924, upon the death of Mulam Tirunal Maharaja, she assumed the throne of Travancore on behalf of young Chithira Tirunal.

{Prelims – Sci – Bio} Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

• Context (TH): Studies observe the ineffectiveness of vancomycin in treating Deadly MRSA infections.

MRSA

• It is a strain of Staphylococcus aureus resistant to methicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics.
• Transmission: Direct contact with infected wounds or by sharing personal items.
• Symptoms: Skin and soft tissue infections, pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and more severe conditions like endocarditis.

Vancomycin

• Glycopeptide: Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis in gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA.
• First-line treatment for severe MRSA infections for decades, particularly for bloodstream, heart, bone, and lung infections.