UPSC Daily Current Affairs: 20th February 2025 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS2/Polity

National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)

The Supreme Court has recently instructed a supervisory committee, led by the head of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), to investigate the concerns raised by Tamil Nadu against Kerala regarding the upkeep of the 125-year-old Mullaperiyar dam.

• The NDSA is a statutory body established by the Central Government under the National Dam Safety Act, 2021.
• Its primary functions include the regulation, oversight, and inspection of dams across the country.

Additional Details

• Functions of NDSA: The NDSA is responsible for formulating policies and guidelines that govern the construction, maintenance, and operation of dams.
• Conflict Resolution: A significant role of the NDSA is to mediate and resolve disputes between state dam safety organizations or between these organizations and dam owners.
• Aware and Prepared: The NDSA conducts nationwide awareness programs to educate the public about dam safety and preparedness.
• Emergency Response: In the event of natural disasters or unexpected situations, the NDSA ensures that comprehensive emergency response plans are established.
• The authority is led by a chairman and supported by five members, each overseeing different areas including policy and research, technical aspects, regulation, disaster resilience, and administration.
• The NDSA's headquarters is located in New Delhi.

In conclusion, the NDSA plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and regulation of dams in India, contributing to both policy formulation and public awareness regarding dam safety.

GS3/Science and Technology

What is Nuclear Fusion?

A significant milestone in nuclear fusion has been achieved by the WEST Tokamak reactor located in southern France, which successfully maintained plasma for over 22 minutes, setting a new world record.

• Nuclear fusion combines two light atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing vast amounts of energy.
• Fusion reactions occur in a state of matter known as plasma, which consists of charged gas made up of positive ions and free-moving electrons.
• Tokamaks, often referred to as 'artificial suns', are devices designed to facilitate nuclear fusion on Earth.
• Deuterium-tritium (DT) fusion is the most researched type of fusion due to its high energy yield.

Additional Details

• Nuclear Fusion: This process involves the merging of light atomic nuclei, resulting in a heavier nucleus and the release of energy. The mass of the new nucleus is less than the original nuclei, with the lost mass converted into energy.
• Plasma: Fusion reactions occur in plasma, a unique state of matter distinct from solids, liquids, or gases, characterized by its charged particles.
• Tokamaks: These doughnut-shaped machines are designed to replicate the fusion processes that power the sun. Currently, there are over 200 tokamaks operating worldwide, contributing to advancements in fusion energy.
• Fusion Fuel: The primary fuel for fusion is heavy hydrogen, which is abundant in seawater. This makes fusion a potentially unlimited energy source without the need for uranium mining.
• Advantages: Fusion generates significantly more energy than fission (four times per kilogram of fuel) and does not produce long-lived radioactive waste or harmful carbon emissions. It safely produces inert helium and neutrons.

Nuclear fusion represents a promising avenue for sustainable energy production, with ongoing research focused on harnessing its potential for commercial electricity generation. The advancements in tokamak technology and the pursuit of DT fusion highlight the significant possibilities for future energy solutions.

GS3/Science and Technology

Development of the Vertical Propellant Mixer

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has recently announced the successful development of a 10-tonne vertical planetary mixer, which is the largest of its kind for solid propellants in the world.

• The vertical propellant mixer is the largest solid propellant mixing equipment globally.
• It was developed by the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in collaboration with the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute, a Bengaluru-based research and development organization under the Ministry of Heavy Industries.

Additional Details

• High Capacity Mixing: The mixer is capable of handling large quantities of propellant ingredients in a single batch.
• Precision and Control: It ensures quality consistency and performance through precise operational controls.
• Safety Features: Designed to handle highly hazardous materials reliably and safely.
• World's Largest: The mixer weighs approximately 150 tonnes, making it a significant engineering achievement.
• Advanced Technology: It features multiple hydrostatic-driven agitators that can be remotely operated via a PLC-based control system along with SCADA stations.
• Functionality: The propellant mixer is essential for blending the ingredients of rocket propellants—specifically fuel and oxidizers—to create a uniform and reliable mixture for solid rocket motors.
• The quality of the mixed propellant is crucial as it directly impacts the performance and reliability of rocket motors.

This advancement highlights India's growing capabilities in space technology and solid propellant development, enhancing ISRO's potential for future space missions.

GS2/International Relations

The Emerging Rift in the West - Trump’s Policy Shift and Its Global Implications

The recent return of Donald Trump to the presidency signifies a notable transition in U.S. foreign policy, especially regarding European security, global trade dynamics, and domestic political ideologies. His initiative to engage in peace discussions with Russia concerning Ukraine and critiques of European democracies have alarmed allies in Europe, signaling a potential fracture in the unity of the “Collective West.”

• Trump's direct negotiations with Russia could undermine U.S. commitments to Ukraine and NATO.
• The U.S. is shifting from multilateral trade agreements to bilateral deals, impacting European economies.
• Domestic political values are diverging, with criticisms of liberal policies gaining traction.
• The fragmentation of the West may embolden nations like Russia and China to exploit the situation.
• India is recalibrating its foreign policy amidst these geopolitical changes.

Additional Details

• U.S.-Europe Divide: Trump’s negotiations with Russia signal a reduced commitment to European security, raising alarms about NATO's effectiveness and unity.
• Trade Policies: A move toward unilateral trade agreements may strain traditional economic relationships with Europe, potentially leading to a more fragmented global trade landscape.
• Domestic Political Landscape: The administration's opposition to liberal values such as climate policies and social rights is further complicating U.S.-European relations.
• Geopolitical Dynamics: Russia and China are poised to benefit from a divided West, potentially leading to strategic advantages in negotiations with the U.S.
• India's Role: India's approach emphasizes pragmatism and strategic engagement, aiming to balance its foreign relations in light of the evolving geopolitical context.

In conclusion, the shift in U.S. policy under Trump raises critical questions about the future of the Collective West and its global influence. As relations with Europe become increasingly complex, countries like India are looking to navigate these changes carefully, seeking to protect their national interests amid shifting power dynamics. The implications of this rift, whether it leads to a complete overhaul of alliances or merely a recalibration of existing ties, remain uncertain.

GS2/Governance

Manipur’s Worsening Humanitarian Crisis

The India-Myanmar border region, particularly Manipur, is experiencing a significant humanitarian crisis characterized by armed conflict, displacement, and resource scarcity. Despite its geopolitical importance, the area suffers from a lack of comprehensive research and data, making the extent of the crisis difficult to assess accurately.

• Approximately 58,000 individuals are displaced in Manipur, with many remaining unregistered.
• Physical segregation of communities has led to ineffective data collection and communication breakdown.
• Healthcare access has deteriorated, worsening the humanitarian situation for displaced populations.
• Immediate humanitarian intervention is necessary to address growing needs and challenges.

Additional Details

• Data Deficiency: The official figures of displaced individuals do not include those living with relatives or in temporary shelters, leading to an underestimation of the crisis.
• Healthcare Crisis: Major healthcare facilities are inaccessible to many, forcing individuals to seek medical care through longer, unsafe routes.
• Mental Health Issues: A significant percentage of displaced individuals suffer from PTSD, with increasing rates of anxiety and suicide.
• Relief Camp Conditions: Basic necessities like food, water, and shelter in relief camps are inadequate, impacting over 22,000 children and exacerbating long-term developmental issues.
• Call for Action: Increased humanitarian support, improved water accessibility, and establishment of humanitarian corridors are vital for addressing the crisis.

The ongoing crisis in Manipur requires urgent and coordinated efforts from government bodies, humanitarian organizations, and civil society. Addressing the humanitarian challenges is essential to restoring stability and providing relief to the affected populations, especially the most vulnerable groups.

GS3/Environment

Global Warming Exacerbating Water Gaps

A recent analysis published in Nature Communications highlights the issue of significant water gaps, currently estimated at approximately 458 billion cubic meters per year. These gaps are projected to worsen with climate change, increasing by 6% with a rise of 1.5 degrees Celsius and by 15% with a rise of 3 degrees Celsius.

• Water gaps represent the difference between renewable water availability and consumption while ensuring adequate flows for aquatic environments.
• Regions currently facing water gaps will experience more severe conditions as global temperatures rise.
• Investment in sustainable water management systems is critical to address future water scarcity.

Additional Details

• Projected Impacts: Under 1.5°C warming, regions like the eastern US, Mediterranean, and parts of India may face exacerbated water shortages. In addition, areas that currently have adequate water may begin to see increased scarcity.
• India's Situation: India is anticipated to face the most significant increase in water gaps, with an additional 11.1 km³/yr under a 1.5°C scenario, highlighting the urgency for improved water management practices.
• Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin: This basin is projected to experience the largest increase in water gaps under both warming scenarios, making it a critical focus for water resource management efforts.

In summary, the analysis underscores the urgent need for enhanced water management strategies, including infrastructure resilience, desalination, and effective water distribution to mitigate the projected impacts of global warming on water resources.

GS3/Science and Technology

Evo 2 AI System: A Breakthrough in Genetic Research

Nvidia has introduced a revolutionary AI system named Evo 2, specifically designed for advancing genetic research. This system is a significant step forward in understanding the genetic code across all life forms.

• Evo 2 is the largest publicly available AI model focused on genomic data.
• Developed in collaboration with the Arc Institute and Stanford University, utilizing the NVIDIA DGX Cloud platform.
• Trained on a dataset comprising nearly 9 trillion nucleotides from over 128,000 organisms.
• Early tests show a 90% accuracy in identifying harmful mutations in the BRCA1 gene, associated with breast cancer.

Additional Details

• Foundation Model: Evo 2 is a powerful new foundation model that comprehensively understands the genetic makeup across various domains of life.
• Training Infrastructure: The model was built using 2,000 Nvidia H100 processors on Amazon's cloud, indicating the massive computational resources required for its development.
• Potential Applications: Evo 2 can be utilized in biomolecular research to predict protein structure and function, discover new molecules for healthcare, and assess the impact of gene mutations.
• The model’s versatility extends to scientific fields like healthcare, agricultural biotechnology, and materials science.

The Evo 2 AI system represents a significant advancement in genetic research, with promising applications in several scientific disciplines, potentially transforming how we understand and manipulate genetic information.

GS2/Polity

Manipur’s Worsening Humanitarian Crisis

The ongoing conflict in Manipur has escalated humanitarian needs, making it challenging to document accurate data due to security restrictions and misinformation.

• Restricted access for humanitarian organizations hampers the assessment of humanitarian needs.
• Fragmentation of information due to ethnic divisions complicates the understanding of the crisis.
• Government measures like President's Rule have been implemented to address the situation.

Additional Details

• Restricted Access: Access limitations for humanitarian organizations arise from security concerns, preventing thorough needs assessments. For example, adverse security conditions make it difficult to evaluate needs in affected areas.
• Unaccounted Populations: Many displaced individuals live outside registered relief camps, resulting in underreporting of humanitarian needs.
• Healthcare Access: Conflict has altered how residents seek medical care, particularly in hill districts, complicating the tracking of health issues.
• Misinformation: The spread of inaccurate information obscures the true impact of the conflict, hindering effective response efforts.

In light of these challenges, there is an urgent need for a shift towards governance that emphasizes the greater common good, focusing on reconciliation, inclusive development, and sustainable solutions to stabilize the region.

GS3/Science and Technology

Nocturnal Bull Ants Navigate Using Polarized Moonlight

Recent research conducted by scientists at Macquarie University in Sydney has unveiled that two species of nocturnal bull ants, specifically Myrmecia pyriformis and Myrmecia midas, utilize polarized moonlight as a navigational aid.

• Nocturnal bull ants rely on polarized moonlight for effective navigation.
• Polarized moonlight is a result of the scattering of moonlight in the Earth's atmosphere.
• The stable pattern of polarization in moonlight serves as a reliable celestial cue throughout the night.

Additional Details

• Polarized Moonlight: This refers to moonlight that has been scattered in the atmosphere, causing its waves to oscillate in a specific direction. Unlike direct moonlight, which is unpolarized, the light that scatters becomes linearly polarized, meaning its electric field aligns in a fixed plane. The moon emits unpolarized light, but after interacting with air molecules and dust particles, it becomes polarized. The intensity of polarized moonlight is significantly lower than that of polarized sunlight, making it less detectable for many animals.
• Importance for Navigation: Nocturnal animals often depend on celestial cues for orientation. The polarisation pattern of moonlight remains consistent, even when the moon's position changes due to its phases or cloud cover. This allows ants to maintain effective navigation even during crescent or waning moons where light intensity is reduced.
• E-Vector Pattern: The polarized moonlight creates a specific pattern in the sky called the E-vector pattern. Although this pattern shifts with the moon's position, its orientation remains stable, serving as a natural compass for insects like ants. It aligns at 90° to the moon’s direct light, providing a predictable reference for navigation.
• How Bull Ants Utilize It: Bull ants detect the E-vector pattern using their specialized compound eyes, which are sensitive to polarized light. When exposed to dim conditions, they adjust their movements based on the orientation of the polarized moonlight. Research indicates that when the E-vector was artificially rotated, the ants modified their paths accordingly. Furthermore, during a new moon phase when moonlight is absent, they struggled to navigate, highlighting their reliance on polarized lunar light.

This discovery not only enhances our understanding of the navigational strategies employed by nocturnal species but also underscores the significance of celestial cues in the animal kingdom.

GS2/Polity

President’s Rule and the Road Ahead

The imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur on February 13 signifies a major political shift in India, particularly in light of over 21 months of persistent violence in the state. The decision comes after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh's resignation and indicates a strategic retreat by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), rather than a comprehensive solution to the ongoing turmoil. This situation raises critical concerns regarding governance, state legitimacy, and institutional trust in Manipur.

• President's Rule marks a significant political intervention amid ongoing violence in Manipur.
• The erosion of trust in the state and its institutions has been a critical consequence of the prolonged crisis.
• Challenges include the politicization of law enforcement and the rise of majoritarian narratives.
• Long-term solutions may require decentralization and equitable representation of diverse communities.

Additional Details

• Erosion of Trust: The prolonged crisis has significantly damaged citizen trust in the government, with reports of the state favoring Meitei ultranationalist sentiments, leading to increased communal divisions.
• Challenges to Governance: The concept of ‘infrastructural power’ indicates that the state's ability to maintain control and implement policies has weakened due to perceived biases in addressing ethnic violence.
• Need for Neutrality: To restore order, law enforcement must operate free from political influence, with the deployment of neutral agencies like the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
• Majoritarian Narratives: The rise of majoritarian narratives has exacerbated ethnic tensions, as the government has been accused of favoring the Meitei community, alienating others.
• Administrative Structure Debate: Proposals to declare Manipur a ‘hill state’ require careful consideration of constitutional implications to avoid further alienation of tribal communities.
• Decentralization as a Solution: The period of President's Rule should facilitate an institutional audit to enhance political representation and resource distribution to marginalized groups.

In conclusion, the situation in Manipur under President's Rule represents both a challenge and an opportunity. While it may temporarily stabilize the region, it also highlights the limitations of the BJP’s governance model. For lasting peace, the government must prioritize equitable governance, fair representation, and adherence to constitutional principles to foster genuine trust and legitimacy.

GS3/Environment

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has recently submitted a report to the National Green Tribunal's Principal Bench, highlighting alarming findings regarding the water quality of rivers in Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela.

• The CPCB is a statutory body established in September 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
• It has been granted powers and responsibilities under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
• CPCB advises the Central Government on air and water pollution control and supports State Pollution Control Boards.

Additional Details

• CPCB's Role: The CPCB serves as a field formation that provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, ensuring compliance with the Environment (Protection) Act, 1981.
• Coordination: It coordinates activities among State Pollution Control Boards, offering guidance and resolving conflicts where necessary.
• Delegation of Powers: The CPCB has delegated its powers under various pollution control acts to regional administrations for Union Territories.
• Standards Development: The CPCB is responsible for establishing standards for national ambient air quality and water quality criteria, as well as emission and discharge standards for various industries.
• It formulates Minimal National Standards (MINAS) that State Governments must adopt regarding effluent discharge, air emissions, noise levels, and solid waste management.

The CPCB plays a crucial role in maintaining environmental standards and protecting public health, especially during significant events like the Maha Kumbh Mela, where water quality is of utmost concern.

GS2/Polity

MPID Act - The Law Governing the Torres Scam Investigation in Maharashtra

The Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is preparing to auction seized properties of individuals accused in the Torres Ponzi scam under the MPID Act. This action aims to recover approximately Rs 40 crore for investors who were defrauded, with a targeted timeline of six months for recovery.

In January, thousands of investors protested after Torres abruptly halted promised high-interest payments in December 2024. The company attracted investors with jewellery schemes that offered returns as high as 500% per annum, along with luxury incentives.

The MPID Act enables the attachment and sale of assets belonging to fraudulent entities, similar to legislation in other Indian states.

• A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment scheme where returns to earlier investors are paid using the capital from newer investors, rather than from legitimate profits.
• The MPID Act was enacted to protect investors from fraudulent financial establishments that promise high returns and then default on payments.

Additional Details

• Ponzi Schemes: These schemes collapse when new investments cease, as there are no legitimate profits to pay earlier investors.
• Notable Ponzi Scams in India:
  • Saradha Scam (2013): A multi-crore chit fund scam in West Bengal that defrauded millions of investors.
  • Rose Valley Scam: A larger scam than Saradha, involving more than Rs 15,000 crore.
  • SpeakAsia (2011): A pyramid scheme that posed as an online survey business.
  • PACL (Pearl Agro Corporation Limited) Scam: Collected Rs 49,100 crore from investors under the guise of land investments.
• The MPID Act is essential for swift legal action against fraudulent activities, offering faster mechanisms for asset attachment and distribution among victims compared to conventional legal avenues.
• The Act received Presidential assent in January 2000, following widespread public outrage over financial frauds in Maharashtra during the 1990s.

The MPID Act not only provides a framework for accountability and punishment for fraudsters but also ensures that victims can recover their investments more quickly. The Supreme Court has upheld the Act's constitutionality, emphasizing its necessity for the protection of depositors in light of inadequacies in existing central laws.