Current Affairs – January 08, 2025

{GS1 – A&C – Languages} Deciphering Indus Script

• Context (IE): Tamil Nadu’s CM announced a $1 million prize for deciphering the Indus Valley script.

Indus Valley Civilisation

• Thrived between 3300 BCE and 1300 BCE; peak phase from 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE.
• Covered 800,000 sq km across present-day Pakistan and northwestern India.
• Urban Culture: Known for advanced trade, taxation systems & urban planning with elaborate drainage.

Features of the Indus Script

• Symbols: Found on seals and terracotta tablets; include human & animal motifs and unknown characters.
• Inscription Length: Typically short, with an average of five characters, the longest has 26 characters.
• Signs Count: Varied scholarly estimates – 62 (S.R. Rao), 425 (Asko Parpola), 676 (Bryan K Wells).
• Writing System: Believed to be logosyllabic, where signs represented objects, words or homophones.

  

  Source: OneIndia

Major Theories on Language and Script

• Dravidian Hypothesis: Suggests Dravidian roots based on the rebus principle (e.g., fish sign linked to “star” in Dravidian); Supported by Brahui language in Balochistan and Old Tamil connections.
• Sanskrit Connection: Proposed link to Vedic Sanskrit rejected due to Aryan migration after 2000 BCE.
• Nonlinguistic Symbols Theory: Suggests symbols were used for trade, taxation, or religious purposes rather than encoding language.

Challenges in Deciphering

• No Rosetta Stone: Lack of multilingual inscriptions makes comparisons difficult.
• Short Texts: Inscription brevity hinders pattern recognition.
• Disagreements: Divergent scholarly views on the nature and purpose of the script.

Potential Implications of Deciphering the Indus Script

• Economic Reconstruction: Insights into Harappan trade systems and administrative functions.
• Cultural Heritage: Connection to modern Dravidian and South Asian languages and traditions.
• Academic Impact: Could bridge gaps in early South Asian history.
• Historical Importance: Can redefine understanding of early Indian civilisation and its global interactions.

{GS1 – Geo – PG – Climatology} Polar Vortex and Winter Storms in the US

• Context (IE): The US is experiencing severe winter storms, affecting over 60 million people across 30 states. Seven states have declared emergencies due to extreme conditions caused by the polar vortex.

How the Polar Vortex Causes Extreme Cold

• Weakened Vortex: When the polar vortex weakens, Arctic air breaks free, moving southward and bringing extreme cold to mid-latitude regions like the US, Europe, and Asia.
• Jet Stream Influence: A weak polar vortex destabilises the jet stream, causing it to meander, allowing cold Arctic air to spill southward.

Role of Climate Change

• Jet Stream Destabilization: Weaker temperature gradients disrupt the jet stream, making the vortex prone to southward shifts.
• Warming Poles: Rapid Arctic warming reduces the temperature contrast between the poles and mid-latitudes, weakening the polar vortex.

Historical Impacts of Polar Vortex

• 2013-14 Winter: Severe cold affected the US and Canada, with record snow and ice coverage. 92.5% of the Great Lakes went frozen, with Lake Michigan recording 93.3% ice cover.
• Urban Impact: Cities like New York and Chicago faced record snowfalls and freezing temperatures.

Significance of the Polar Vortex

• Integral Role in global atmospheric circulation: The polar vortex is crucial for global atmospheric circulation, regulating weather and climate in the Northern Hemisphere.
• Prediction and Preparation: Understanding its dynamics aids in forecasting severe weather events and mitigating their impacts.

{GS2 – IR – Groupings} Net-Zero Banking Alliance

• Context (BS): Major U.S. banks, including Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and JPMorgan Chase, have recently exited the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA).
• Only 3 U.S.-based banks in NZBA: Amalgamated Bank; Climate First Bank; Areti Bank.

• Reasons for Exiting: Political pressure from Republican politicians warning that NZBA membership could breach antitrust rules, especially if it reduced fossil fuel companies’ financing.

Implications of Exits

• Concerns among climate advocates about diminishing industry commitment to fossil fuel reduction.
• Potential impact on global efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
• European banks, subject to stricter climate regulations, continue their commitment to NZBA.

{GS2 – IR – Groupings} World Gold Council

• Context (TH): World Gold Council (WGC) report, ‘Central Bank gold Statistics November 2024’, noted that the RBI continued its 2024 buying streak, adding 8 tonnes to its gold reserves in November 2024.

• This lifted RBI‘s year-to-date buying to 73 tonnes and total gold holdings to 876 tonnes, maintaining its position as the second largest buyer in 2024 after Poland.
• The WGC is an international trade association for the gold industry, formed in 1987 by mining companies.
• Currently, 32 gold mining companies are its members.
• It is headquartered in London and has offices in India, China, Singapore, the UAE and the United States.
• It aims to stimulate and sustain demand for gold through market development.

{GS2 – IR – India-US} Strengthening Indo-US Nuclear Collaboration

• Context (IE): The US is easing regulatory barriers to advance the Indo-US nuclear deal, with plans to remove Indian nuclear institutions like BARC and IGCAR from the US Entity List.

Current Challenges

Legal Barriers

• US Regulatory Impediments (10CFR810): Restricts US vendors from manufacturing/designing nuclear equipment in India, hindering joint manufacturing & participation in the nuclear value chain.
• India’s Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010: Channels liability for nuclear accidents to equipment suppliers; Deters foreign companies due to concerns over potential future liabilities.

Technological and Operational Limitations

• Outdated Reactor Technology: India relies on Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), less competitive than globally preferred LWRs.
• High Costs: Nuclear projects require significant investment, less competitive than renewable energy.
• Regulatory and Bureaucratic Delays: Persistent delays in clearances impede project execution.
• Resistance: Safety concerns due to incidents like Fukushima (2011) cause resistance to nuclear expansion.

Opportunities in Collaboration

• Strategic Partnership: Joint efforts enhance competition with China in nuclear reactor markets and deepen bilateral ties under the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).
• Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): India seeks to become a global hub for cost-effective, scalable SMRs (30-300 MWe), countering China’s dominance in the Global South.
• Technological Modernization: Access to advanced Light Water Reactor (LWR) technology for India.
• Regional Peace: Strengthened cooperation fosters peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
• Energy Security: Enhances India’s energy mix with cleaner nuclear power.
• Cost Efficiency: Collaboration leverages India’s low-cost manufacturing to offset US labour costs and protectionist policies.

Way Forward

• Regulatory Reforms: Amendments to 10CFR810 and India’s Civil Liability Act to address legal hurdles.

{GS2 – Polity – Misc} National Anthem Protocol

• Context (TH): Tamil Nadu Governor walked out of the Legislative Assembly without delivering his opening address for the year, citing the absence of the National Anthem before his speech.

About the National Anthem

• Composed by Rabindranath Tagore in Bengali; first sung on December 27, 1911, during the Indian National Congress session in Kolkata.
• Officially adopted on January 24, 1950, the Hindi version uses the first stanza of the original poem.
• Duration: The full version runs 52 seconds when sung or played in its entirety; the shorter version is approximately 20 seconds.

Constitutional and Legal Provisions

• Article 51(A)(a): Enlists respecting the National Anthem as a fundamental duty for all citizens; Does not mandate specific occasions for playing or singing the anthem.
• Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971: Deliberate insult or disturbance during the National Anthem is punishable by up to 3 years of imprisonment, a fine, or both.

Judicial Interpretations

• Madras HC Ruling (2019): Dismissed a petition demanding punishment for non-playing of the anthem, citing no legal mandate for mandatory singing or playing at all official functions.
• SC Observations: Playing the National Anthem in cinemas or other settings is encouraged but not mandatory unless specified.

Government Guidelines on Playing the National Anthem

• Ceremonial Events: Played during civil and military investitures and parades.
• State Events: Played during the arrival & departure of the President/Governor at formal state functions.
• Dignitaries’ Presence: Played during national salutes involving the President, Governor, or dignitaries.
• Naval Ceremonies: Played during flag hoisting in naval ceremonies.
• Flag Hoisting: Mass singing is required during flag hoisting on Independence Day and Republic Day.

Key Practices in Legislative Assemblies

• Tamil Nadu Assembly Protocol: Tamil Thai Vazhthu (State Anthem) is sung at the start of Governor’s address; National Anthem is played at the end. This convention began in 1991 under AIADMK rule.
• Parliamentary Practice: The National Anthem is played as the President enters and exits during the joint session of Parliament.
• Variations Across States: Different conventions exist; some states, like Nagaland, only recently began playing the anthem.

Significance of Playing the National Anthem

• Fostering Unity: Reinforces a sense of national pride, unity, and shared identity, transcending regional and linguistic differences.
• Promoting Constitutional Values: Emphasises respect for national symbols as a cornerstone of civic responsibility and national ethos.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Health – Diseases} Obesity as an NCD Epidemic

• Context (TH): Obesity lies at the heart of the non-communicable disease (NCD) epidemic, requiring urgent lifestyle changes, awareness and preventive measures to curb its impact.

Global and Indian Scenario

• Obesity rates have doubled globally since 1990; adolescent obesity has quadrupled.
• Childhood obesity is a growing concern, with India ranking second globally for the highest number.
• Increased waist circumference with normal BMI is common, with 65% of men & women affected.
• In India, obesity affects about 13% of the population, which is higher than many middle-income nations.
• Normal-weight obesity & sarcopenic obesity (high fat, low muscle mass) are emerging challenges.

Causes of Obesity

• Excessive food intake: Increased availability & high-calorie diets (fast foods, fizzy drinks, sugary snacks).
• Lack of physical activity: Sedentary lifestyles due to tech & urbanisation contribute to obesity.
• Genetic and hormonal factors can play a role in childhood obesity and in people with a predisposition to weight gain.

Challenges of Obesity

• Health Risks: Obesity leads to diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and certain cancers and negatively affects mobility and sleep.
• Psychological impact: Mental health issues such as low self-esteem, mood disorders, and poor body image are common among obese individuals.
• Economic burden: The medical costs, loss of productivity, absenteeism from work, and premature mortality due to obesity strain healthcare systems and economies.
• Under-diagnosis of normal weight obesity: Waist circumference, a critical indicator of health, is often ignored in India.

Steps to Address Obesity

• Lifestyle Changes: Encourage regular physical activity (6,000-8,000 steps daily), avoid high-carb and junk food, and reduce sedentary behaviour like screen time.
• Simple Interventions: Promote walking over driving, using stairs instead of lifts, and regularly monitoring weight and waist circumference.
• Bariatric Surgery: Effective for significant weight loss but is costly & has potential nutritional challenges.
• Awareness Generation: Increase advocacy about obesity prevention and healthy lifestyle choices.
• Corporate Support: Companies should promote physical activity by setting walking goals for employees.
• Regular Monitoring: Frequent weight and waist measurement checks can help manage obesity.

Also refer to ICMR Dietary Guidelines.

{GS3 – IE – Exports} PLI Scheme 1.1 for Specialty Steel

• Context (PIB): Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries launched the second round of PLI scheme for Specialty Steel, termed PLI Scheme 1.1.

Key Features of PLI Scheme 1.1

• Operates within the original allocation of ₹6,322 crore, implemented from FY 2025-26 to FY 2029-30.
• Eligibility: Companies investing in either new mills or augmenting existing capacities are eligible.

Major Changes Introduced

• CRGO Steel Investment Threshold: Reduced to ₹3,000 Cr, capacity creation threshold of 50,000 tonnes.
• Existing Capacity Augmentation: Investment threshold reduced by 50% for capacity expansion.
• Incentive Carry Forward: Companies can carry forward excess production to offset future shortfalls.
• Investor-Friendly Modifications: Changes made based on industry feedback to boost participation.

Strategic Significance of the Scheme

• Promotion of Value-Added Steel: Encourages manufacturing of advanced steel grades domestically.
• Import Reduction: Helps reduce dependency on imports for Specialty Steel, contributing to Make in India and Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
• CRGO Production: Aimed at achieving self-reliance in CRGO, currently not produced domestically.
• Tech Advancement: Facilitates tech improvement & enhances India’s position in global steel value chain.
• Employment Generation: Ensures job creation through new investments and capacity expansion.

{Prelims – In News} BHARATPOL portal

• Context (PIB): The BHARATPOL portal by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will be launched.

• The portal will streamline processing all requests for international assistance through INTERPOL, including issuing INTERPOL Notices.
• CBI is the National Central Bureau (NCB-New Delhi) for INTERPOL in India.
• Through the portal, the country’s law enforcement agencies will be able to access real-time information

{Prelims – In News} Dozer Push Mining Method

• Context (PIB): CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CSIR-CIMFR) has conducted the first trial blast for the Dozer Push Mining Method at Coal Mine in Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh.

  

• The project’s primary objective was to develop a method that optimises the mining process and ensures that vibration and fly rock are controlled within safe limits.
• It introduces a paradigm shift by utilising unmanned, automated machinery for mining operations.
• It offers a viable alternative to conventional truck shovel mining or shovel-dumper and dragline methods.
• It provides advantages such as improved efficiency by enabling faster coal recovery and reducing delays caused by adverse weather conditions such as the monsoon season.
• It is cost-effective, with an estimated 7-10% reduction in operational costs compared to conventional.
• Moreover, the unmanned operation of the Dozer Push Mining method greatly enhances worker safety.

{Prelims – In News} Recent Discoveries and Studies in News

• Context (TP): Recent studies have uncovered key facts about noctule bats, lunar magnetism, ice age wildfires, and cancer metastasis.

Migration Strategy of Noctule Bats (Nyctalus noctula)

Source: NatureRules1 Wiki

• Common noctule bats migrate thousands of kilometres every spring across Europe. Warm storm fronts aid bats in conserving energy during migration. Bats cover up to 400 km in a single night.
• Unique features: Unlike birds, noctule bats do not store significant fat before migration.
• Bats adopt a hopping migration pattern with frequent stops for feeding.
• Conservation Status: IUCN: Least Concern.

Moon’s Magnetic Field History

• Chinese scientists analysed samples from the Chang’e 5 mission and revealed that the Moon had a weak magnetic field until about 2 billion years ago.
• Magnetisation tests revealed a magnetic field intensity of 2 to 4 microtesla in ancient lunar rocks.
• Thermal convection within the Moon may have sustained the magnetic field.

Ice Age Wildfires and Methane Spikes

• The last ice age lasted from approximately 100,000 to 25,000 years ago. Abrupt climate change events during the ice age coincided with increased wildfires.
• Methane bubbles trapped in Antarctic ice revealed spikes in atmospheric methane.
• US and Swiss scientists used mass spectrometry to analyse ancient gas bubbles.
• Forest fires were identified as a major contributor to methane spikes during glacial periods.

Aspartate and Cancer Metastasis to Lungs

• More than 50% of cancer patients develop lung metastasis.
• The presence of aspartate in the lungs facilitates cancer cell growth and spread.
• Aspartate enhances protein synthesis, enabling aggressive cancer growth in the lungs.
• Researchers aim to develop therapies targeting this translation process to reduce lung metastasis.

{Prelims – S&T – Space} Galaxy-sized Gravitational Waves Detector

• Context (TH): Scientists confirmed that the universe’s fabric constantly vibrates due to gravitational waves from supermassive black hole collisions using a galaxy-sized detector.

Detectors Used

• Detector Type: Pulsar Timing Arrays (PTAs) use rapidly spinning neutron stars (pulsars) as detectors.

• MeerKAT is the largest PTA, observing 83 pulsars using South Africa’s MeerKAT radio telescope, which measures timing variations in pulsar signals caused by spacetime distortions from gravitational waves.
• International Pulsar Timing Array (IPTA) is a collaborative effort combining global PTA data for enhanced precision.

Findings

• Gravitational Wave Background (GWB): A cosmic “ocean” of waves from all galactic mergers in history.
• Unexpected Intensity: GWB is louder than predicted, meaning more supermassive black hole mergers.
• Hot Spot Discovery: Anomalous gravitational wave activity identified in the Southern Hemisphere sky.

Implications of the Findings

• Enabled precise mapping of cosmic architecture from gravitational wave signals.
• Potential Origins of GWB: Likely caused by black hole interactions but could include early universe events or exotic phenomena.

Source: Phys