{GS2 – IR – Bangladesh} India-Bangladesh Border Fencing Issue
Context (IE | TH):India summoned a Bangladeshi envoy to explain that border fencing activities comply with bilateral agreements, following objections from Bangladesh regarding its impact & legality.
Background
India-Bangladesh Border: A 4,096.7 km long border, the longest for India with any neighbour.
Land Boundary Agreement (2015): Marked the resolution of many border disputes, aiming to demarcate boundaries and exchange enclaves.
Fencing Activities: India initiated single-row fencing (SRF) in West Bengal to curb cross-border crimes, smuggling, trafficking, and infiltration.
Bangladeshi Concerns
Violation of 1975 guidelinesprohibiting defence structures within 150 yards; fencing disrupts local communities and raises fairness concerns over past treaties.
Inconvenience: It impacts communities in enclaves, creating logistical and social challenges.
Teesta Water Sharing: This unresolved bilateral issue adds to existing border disputes & challenges.
Issues with SRF
Disputes Over Definitions: Bangladesh views fencing as a surveillance threat, raising disagreements over its purpose as a defence structure.
Pending Land Acquisition: Fencing projects face delays due to local resistance and incomplete land acquisition in India.
Border Terrain: Villages and rivers straddling the border complicate demarcation, fencing, and community relocation.
India’s Position/ Significance of Fencing
India claims adherence to bilateral protocols, categorising SRF and smart fencing as security measures enabling better monitoring and rapid response rather than defence structures.
India emphasises using advanced technical surveillance to proactively combat cross-border crimes like cattle smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal immigration.
Way Forward
Inclusive Border Management: Address civilian concerns through participatory approaches and community engagement.
Technology Deployment: Implement non-intrusive smart fencing with mutually agreeable terms.
Strengthening Treaties: Reassess and update bilateral agreements for clarity and equity.
Conflict Resolution: Establish dedicated platforms to discuss civilian casualties and water sharing.
Objective: Transform India into a ‘weather-ready and climate-smart’nation by enhancing weather forecasting and climate resilience capabilities.
Budget: ₹2,000 crore allocated for the initial phase (2024-2026), focusing on infrastructure development, technological upgrades, and capacity building.
Vision 2047: Long-term roadmap aligning with IMD’s Vision–2047 for comprehensive weather resilience and climate change adaptation strategies.
Implementing Agencies:Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) through IMD, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), and National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF).
Key Features
Infrastructure Enhancement: The deployment of advanced weather instruments, including 50 Doppler Radars, 60 Radio Sonde/Radio Wind Stations used for upper-air atmospheric observations, and 135 atmospheric sensors, for enhanced real-time monitoring and data collection.
Technological Advancement:Implementation of next-generation radars, satellites with advanced payloads, and high-performance computing for improved weather data acquisition and analysis.
Forecasting Improvement:Develop high-resolution models and integrate AI/ML techniques to enhance short-term, medium-term, and seasonal forecast accuracy.
Weather Management Research:Focus on cloud physics research for weather modification techniques, including rainfall enhancement or suppression.
State-of-the-Art Cloud Chamber: Establishment of an advanced cloud chamber at IITM Pune.
Data-Driven Methods: Use of advanced data-driven approaches to improve prediction capabilities and support climate research.
Doppler Weather Radar (DWR): A radar system that measures the velocity of precipitation particles, aiding in detecting severe weather phenomena like thunderstorms and cyclones.
Cloud Chamber: A sealed environment where conditions are controlled to study cloud formation and microphysical processes, essential for understanding precipitation mechanisms.
Applications
Agriculture: Accurate weather forecasts to aid farmers in planning sowing, irrigation, and harvesting, thereby improving crop yields.
Disaster Management: Enhanced prediction of extreme weather events like cyclones, floods, and heatwaves to facilitate timely evacuations and minimise loss of life and property.
Aviation and Defense: Improved weather data to ensure flight safety and optimise defence operations.
Public Health: Better air quality monitoring to inform health advisories and mitigate pollution-related health issues.
Context (IE):2024 was the warmest year globally, exceeding pre-industrial temperatures by 1.5°C, with India also experiencing its warmest year, rising 0.65°C above the 1991-2020 baseline, though less than the global average.
Factors Contributing to the Disparity in Warming Patterns
Global vs. Regional Warming: Global land surfaces warmed by 1.6°C, oceans by 0.9°C; India’s warming of 1.2°C is lower due to regional baseline differences and the inclusion of ocean temperatures globally.
Tropical vs. Polar Warming: Polar regions, particularly the Arctic, warm twice as fast as the global average, while India experiences relatively lower warming due to its tropical location.
Aerosol Effect: Higher aerosol and dust concentrations in India partially offset warming by scattering solar radiation, contributing to a cooling effect.
India’s Unique Climate Challenges
Vulnerability Despite Lower Warming: Although India’s warming is lower than the global trend, its vulnerability to climate change is high, primarily due to its large, dense population & diverse geography.
Regional Variations: Warming effects in India vary, with the Himalayas facing climate impacts different from those of coastal regions, amplifying localised challenges.
Way Forward
Strengthening Meteorological Infrastructure Network across land and oceans is vital to address monitoring gaps in India’s surrounding oceans for comprehensive climate trend analysis.
Capacity building: The IMD and agencies like INCOIS must enhance their capacities for better weather predictions and climate change mitigation to support India’s long-term climate goals under Vision 2047.
Long-term Investment: Strengthening India’s climate infrastructure, expanding monitoring stations, and improving data analysis capabilities will be critical for combating the effects of climate change.
Policy Integration: Integrating climate change mitigation strategies into national policies, particularly in agriculture, infrastructure, and disaster management, is crucial for building resilience against future climate shocks.
Context (IE): India’s growth forecast for FY 25 was revised downward to 6.4% from 8.2%, the lowest since the pandemic.
Issues in Economic Growth
Dependence on Public Spending: Overreliance on public expenditure and monsoon-dependent agriculture exposes inefficiencies and limits private sector contributions.
Stagnant Private Consumption: Stagnant private consumption, wages, and capital formation constrain private sector-driven growth.
Inefficient Infrastructure Investments: Capital expenditure focuses on large-scale projects like roads and railways with unclear productivity benefits.
Weak Analytical Framework: Growth projections lack robust tools to predict economic cycles, revealing structural weaknesses in resilience.
Neglect of Smaller Investments: Neglecting smaller, more efficient infrastructure investments undermines overall economic outcomes.
Structural Challenges in the Economy
Temporary jobs from infrastructure projects do not improve long-term skillsets or quality of life.
Lack of Skill Development: Insufficient skills hamper transitions to higher-value employment.
Private Sector Struggles: Companies struggle to find viable investment opportunities despite abundant resources, while declining savings, rising debt defaults, and stagnant wages strain the middle class.
Emerging Investor Concerns
Scheme Failures: Programs like Swachh Bharat and Namami Gange suffer from poor execution and limited systemic impact.
Economic power concentration: Few large corporations dominate, stifling competition and innovation and causing apprehension among investors about mid-sized enterprises being sidelined.
Way Forward
Economic Reforms: Strengthen frameworks for accurate growth and inflation forecasting; prioritise smaller-scale, high-efficiency capital expenditure projects.
Governance and Regulation: Simplify tax structures and reduce regulatory complexity to attract investment; reinforce anti-corruption measures for transparency.
Private Sector Revitalization: Encourage investment by supporting mid-sized enterprises and facilitating skill development for improved human capital and employment.
Balanced Growth Strategy: Reduce dependence on public spending, promote private sector-led growth, and integrate social, economic, and environmental sustainability initiatives.
{GS3 – IE – Budget} Revision in Gold Import Figures
Context (IE):Data migration errors led to a significant revision in 2024 gold import data, correcting a $5 billion overestimation and reducing the trade deficit by the same amount, impacting the Budget.
SEZ Online vs ICEGATE Data: Initially transmitted separately, causing discrepancies.
Ongoing Technical Glitches: Issues persist, with both platforms capturing mutually exclusive data, necessitating ongoing revisions.
Implications
Trade Deficit Reduction: The correction lowered the November trade deficit from $38 billion to $33 bn.
Policy Impact: Reduced the likelihood of increased gold import duties, providing stability to the market.
Smuggling: Up to 25% of gold imports are smuggled into India due to high duties.
Broader Implications for Trade Statistics
Frequent revisions and lack of clear explanations harm the credibility of trade data.
Ensuring accurate trade data is essential for maintaining economic stability and investor confidence.
India, the second-largest gold consumer, imports 800-900 tonnes of gold annually, making accurate data critical for trade policy and economic planning.
Way Forward
Enhanced Data Management: A robust mechanism involving stakeholders from DGCIS, DG Systems (CBIC), and SEZs is being developed to ensure consistent and reliable trade data reporting.
Proactive Review: The government must ensure timely and thorough reviews of trade data to prevent future discrepancies and uphold the reliability of economic statistics.
{GS3 – S&T – Tech} Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Risk in Aviation
Context (TH):IFALPA(International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations) raised concerns about the growing risk of lithium-ion battery fires in aviation.
Issues of Lithium-Ion Batteries in Aviation
Fire Risk: Lithium-ion batteries can cause thermal runaway(a condition where the temperature of a lithium-ion battery increases uncontrollably, often leading to fires) when short-circuited, producing excessive heat and electric current.
Toxic Fumes: When ignited, lithium-ion batteries release toxic fumes, burn intensely, and are difficult to extinguish, requiring firefighters to let them burn out.
Impact on Aircraft Operations: Lithium-ion batteries are used in aircraft components, increasing fire risk in flight decks or cockpits and requiring more robust safety measures.
Current Risks
Increasing Climate Risks: The frequency of such incidents is expected to rise with worsening climate change, necessitating new standards in battery safety.
Flooding Risk: Events like Hurricane Helene highlight that flooding can submerge electric vehicle (EV) batteries, making them prone to fires, especially if the batteries are not waterproof.
Fire Safety Equipment Inadequacy: Existing firefighting kits are insufficient for lithium-ion battery fires, particularly those with higher energy ratings (100 Wh+).
UN Regulations
UN Regulations 3480 and 3481: Lithium-ion batteries are categorised as “miscellaneous dangerous goods,” with specific transport rules.
UN3480: Applies to batteries in bulk and mandates a charge level below 30% for safety.
UN3481: Applies to batteries inside equipment but lacks the 30% charge restriction.
Way Forward
Enhanced Safety Protocols: Updating airport fire safety systems and developing specialised kits for lithium-ion battery fires.
Research and Development: Focus on waterproofing and other technological advancements in battery safety to address flooding and water exposure risks.
IFALPA’s Recommendations
Calls for extending the 30% charge restriction to UN3481 due to rising battery energy density and smaller equipment sizes.
IFALPA urges airports, fire services, and operators to develop purpose-built fire safety protocols and equipment to handle such fires.
{Prelims – Festivals} Maha Kumbh Mela 2025
Context (IE | TG | IE): The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, hosted in Prayagraj, marked the first Amrit Snanon Makar Sankranti, coinciding with the Sun’s transition into Capricorn, heralding Uttarayan and enhancing spiritual merit.
What is Kumbh Mela?
A major Hindu festival and pilgrimage held at Haridwar, Prayagraj, Ujjain, and Nashikevery 12 years.
Astrological Basis: Position of Jupiter, Sun, and Moon in specific zodiac signs determines Kumbh site.
Ardha (half) Kumbh Mela: Takes place every six years in Haridwar and Allahabad.
Purna (full) Kumbh Mela: Takes place every 12 years in all four cities.
Maha Kumbh Mela: Takes place in Prayagraj every 144 years or after 12 Purna Kumbh Mela.
Magh Kumbh Mela (Mini Kumbh Mela): Held annually and only at Prayagraj. Organised in the month of Magh according to the Hindu Calendar.
Rituals and Practices
Holy Dip (Snan): Conducted on astrologically significant days to cleanse sins & gain spiritual purification.
Pilgrims’ Activities: Includes prayers, processions, and spiritual discourses.
Akhadas: Religious camps of monastic sects, including Naga sadhus, who conduct Amrit Snan (royal bath) in elaborate processions and participate in rituals and teachings.
Kalpwasis:Devotees camp near the river for an extended spiritual retreat.
Donations (Daan): Offering items like ghee-filled pots is considered auspicious.
Amrit Snan, formerly known as Shahi Snan, refers to the ceremonial royal bath undertaken by sadhus and devotees during the Kumbh Mela, symbolising spiritual cleansing and linked to the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) and the spilling of Amrit (nectar of immortality).
Historical Evolution of Kumbh Mela
Ancient References: Mentioned in texts like Skanda Puranaand possibly the Rig Veda (debated); Huan Tsang’s 7th-century account of a fair in Prayag may refer to an earlier form of the Kumbh.
Growth with Hinduism:Gupta rulers (4th-6th century CE) elevated its significance.
Medieval Patronage: Believed to have crystallised during the Bhakti movement (12th century CE); Promoted by Adi Shankaracharya,Chola, Vijayanagar dynasties and Mughals.
Colonial Impact: British recorded its socio-religious importance; post-independence, it became a symbol of national unity.
Mobilisation: A platform for religious & nationalist activities during India’s freedom struggle.
Commerce: A historic marketplace for goods and ideas.
Global Recognition: One of the largest peaceful gatherings globally, showcasing India’s heritage.
{Prelims – PIN India} Z-Morh Tunnel
Context (TH): The Z-Morh Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir, recently inaugurated by PM, enhances year-round connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg, with strategic implications for the Ladakh region.
Location: 6.5 kilometres, Two-lane bi-directional road tunnel with a 10-meter width, Situated on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway (NH-1), approximately 2,637 meters (8,650 feet) above sea level.
Safety Features: Parallel 6.426 km escape tunnel gives an advanced ventilation system.
Construction Techniques: Construction used drill-and-blast methods with ANFO explosives for excavation, alongside the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) for tunnelling.
Altitude Challenges: Constructed at high altitudes, addressing issues like heavy snowfall and avalanches.
Traffic Capacity: Designed to handle up to 1,000 vehicles per hour at speeds up to 80 km/h.
Significance of Z-Morh
Strategic Importance
All-Weather Connectivity: Ensures uninterrupted movement in the Ladakh region.
Defense Significance: Enhances logistical support and troop mobility to border areas, strengthening India’s defence capabilities.
Complementary Infrastructure: Part of a broader project including the under-construction 14.2 km Zojila Tunnel, aimed at providing year-round access to Ladakh.
Economic and Tourism Impact
Tourism Development: Transforms Sonamarg into a year-round destination, promoting winter tourism and adventure sports
Economic Growth: Boosts local livelihoods by improving access and attracting regional investment.
{Prelims – PIN} Dulla Bhatti: Folk Hero of Punjab
Context (IE):Lohri, celebrated on January 13th, signifies the end of winter and marks the harvest season, featuring bonfires, songs, sweets, and tales of Dulla Bhatti, a 16th century Punjabi folk hero.
Biography of Dulla Bhatti
Born on July 23, 1547, in Pindi Bhattian, Punjab, as Rai Abdullah Khan Bhatti.
Lineage: Belonged to the Bhatti Rajput clan; his father, Farid Bhatti and grandfather, Sandal Bhatti, opposedMughal EmperorAkbar’s centralized land revenue system & were executed for their resistance.
Rebellion: Led a revolt against Mughal authority, which aimed to centralise tax collection and diminish the power of local chieftains like the Bhattis, engaging in acts of social banditry by looting Mughal caravans and distributing wealth among the poor, earning him the title“Robin Hood of Punjab.”
Demise: Captured and executed by hanging in Lahore in 1599.
Association with Lohri Festival
Folklore: Dulla Bhatti is a central figure in Lohri songs and stories, particularly known for rescuing girls from abduction/arranged marriages involving dowries, symbolising protection and honour.
Cultural Significance: His defiance against the Mughals and acts of generosity have made him a symbol of resistance and social justice in Punjabi folklore during Lohri through songs like Sundar Mundriye.
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