Mainstorming ST 2017

A Shankar IAS Academy Initiative
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INDEX
TITLE PAGE NO
1. NOVEMBER 2017 5
1.1 Hyperloop Transportation Technology 5
1.2 Indias membership in CERN 5
1.3 Indigenously Developed SONARS 6
1.4 Indias Space Achievements and Constraints 7
1.5 Hyperloop Transportation Technology 9
1.6 Mcr-1 isolated in India 10
1.7 Aquaponics in India 10
1.8 Significance of Yamanaka genes 12
1.9 Tax on Tobacco 13
1.10 Drones in Disaster Management 13
1.11 E-Paper technology 15
1.12 EM Drive 16
2. DECEMBER 2016 16
2.1 Over-Fortification of Food 16
2.2 Problems over Royalty (Photocopy) 18
2.3 Hurdles for BharatNet 19
2.4 AGNI - 5 20
2.5 Automated control systems in Kudankulam 22
2.6 Privacy debate in Internet of Things 23
2.7 The Fourth Industrial Revolution 24
2.8 Jet Stream in Earth's Core 26
2.9 Dead Zone in Bay of Bengal 27
2.10 DISANET- Disaster Network 28
2.11 Ebola vaccine 30
2.12 Indias first private moon mission 31
2.13 BHIM App 32
2.14 ISRO Private Partnership for Building Satellites 33
3. JANUARY 2017 33
3.1 Indias fight against Leprosy 33
3.2 Weaponization of Space 35
3.3 Envisioning Scientific Social Responsibility 36
3.4 Flue Gas Desulphurization 37
4. FEBRUARY 2017 38
4.1 Why earths inner core doesnt melt? 38
4.2 ISRO 104 Satellites 40
4.3 Exoplanets 42
5. MARCH 2017 43
5.1 Planetary Waves in Sun 43
5.2 Finding Chandrayaan-1 44
5.3 Europa Clipper Mission 45
5.4 Environmental Clearance for INO 46
TITLE PAGE NO
5.5 Addressing Superbug 48
5.6 NASAs Cold Atom Laboratory 50
5.7 Li-Fi A Revolutionary Technology 51
5.8 New Trade Mark Rules 2017 52
5.9 E-waste An Eco-friendly Recycling Technique 54
5.10 Self-Driving Cars 54
5.11 Battling Leptospirosis 56
6. APRIL 2017 57
6.1 Clinical Trails 57
6.2 Electric vehicles and Auto industry 58
6.3 First Global Internet Atlas 60
6.4 Belle-II experiment 61
6.5 Viabilities of Nuclear Power 61
6.6 Sustainable Progress through Application of Research and 63
Knowledge
6.7 Influenza 64
7. MAY 2017 66
7.1 India and RNA Technologies 66
7.2 Mycobacterium indicus pranii 68
7.3 South Asia Satellite 69
7.4 New Layer of Tectonic Plates 70
7.5 New Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors 71
7.6 Svalbard Global Seed Vault 72
8. JUNE 2017 73
8.1 INO Project 73
8.2 Gravitational-Wave Detection 75
8.3 WHO guidelines on Antibiotics 76
8.4 GSAT-19 Indias biggest Hit 77
8.5 NAG missile 78
8.6 Bio-remediation 79
8.7 The F-16 deal 80
9. JULY 2017 81
9.1 Role of Biomarkers in Dengue 81
9.2 New study on Blood cancer 82
9.3 Role of Aerosols in Indian Monsoon 84
10. AUGUST 2017 85
10.1 Concerns with gene editing 85
10.2 Tapping the Space potential 87
11. SEPTEMBER 2017 88
11.1 IRNSS The Failure 88
11.2 Switching Over To VoLTE 90
5
Mainstorming 2017
Science & Technology
1. NOVEMBER 2017
1.1 Hyperloop Transportation Technology
Why in news?
Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT), a US startup has submitted its proposals to the trsanport ministry.
What is Hyperloop technology?
The Hyperloop high-speed travel in pods inside a partial-vacuum tube is the brainchild of Tesla
founder Elon Musk
The basic design of the technology was open sourced in 2013 in the form of a white paper.
It is a capsule, with passengers, travels at the speed of more than 1200 Kmph, inside a vacuum tube.
It uses power from renewable energy sources like solar energy, regenerative braking & wind power.
These tubes stand on pylons that can withstand quakes and crashes.
The company has already signed deals to build a Hyperloop between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
Bullet train vsHyperloop
The first bullet train is expected to run between Mumbai and Ahmedabad and is expected to be built by 2023
at a cost of about $12 billion
Hyperloop technology can be implemented in nearly 3 years. Further it costs around $1 billion.
1.2 Indias membership in CERN
Why in news?
India became an associate member of the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN).
What is CERN?
CERN is a European research organization that operates the largest particle physics laboratory in the world.
Established in 1954, the organization is based in Geneva.
It has 22 member states and four associate member states and other associate members transitioning to full
member status.
It is best known as operator of the Large Hadron Collider, which found the elusive Higgs boson in 2012.
CERNs main function is to provide the particle accelerators and other infrastructure needed for high-energy
physics research.
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What is Large Hadron Collider?
The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is the worlds largest and most powerful particle accelerator.
The LHC consists of a 27-kilometre ring of superconducting magnets with a number of accelerating structures
to boost the energy of the particles along the way.
The collider is a type of a particle accelerator with two directed beams of particles. In particle physics, colliders
are used as a research tool: they accelerate particles to very high kinetic energies and let them impact other
particles.
Analysis of the byproducts of these collisions gives scientists good evidence of the structure of the subatomic
world and the laws of nature governing it.
What is Indias position?
India was inducted as an Observer at CERN in 2004. The latest upgrade allows Indian companies to bid for
lucrative engineering contracts and Indians can apply for staff positions at the organisation.
The associate membership would cost India 11.5 million annually though it still wouldnt have voting rights on
decisions of the Council. India will formally become a member around January after depositing an instrument
of ratification.
What is Indias benefit?
Becoming an associate member of CERN will enhance participation of young scientists and engineers in various
CERN projects.
It will also open opportunities for Indian industries to participate directly in CERN projects. The most
significant outcome is that our industry can bid for developing sophisticated equipment, software and
instruments.
The aim of the LHC is to allow physicists to test the predictions of different theories of particle physics,
including measuring the properties of the Higgs boson and searching for the large family of new particles
predicted by supersymmetric theories.
1.3 Indigenously Developed SONARS
Why in news?
The Government has formally inducted four types of indigenously developed SONARS that will boost its underwater
surveillance capability recently.
What are the NAVAL systems that have been handed over?
Recently, Kochi based Naval Physical Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) of DRDO, has handed over the
following four naval systems to Indian Navy.
Induction of these Systems will increase the underwater surveillance capability of Indian Naval ships.
All these Systems are to be productionised in India.
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ABHAY
Abhay (Compact Hull-Mounted Sonar for Small Ships & Shallow Water Crafts): Induction of Abhay (by replacing the
vintage Russian sonar) enables indigenous sonar system to be installed on small ships, thereby enhancing the ASW
surveillance capability of the fleet to smaller vessel, like Shallows Water Crafts, Light Frigates & Patrol Vessels, which
was hitherto limited to frigates and destroyers.
HUMSA-UG
HUMSA-UG (Upgrade for the Hull-Mounted Sonar Array (HUMSA) Series of Sonar Systems for Ships): It enables
smooth upgrade of the capabilities of the indigenously-developed legacy Sonar System HUMSA, by drastically
minimizing the existing hardware and addressing technology obsolescence issues, which is currently operational on-
board on 18 ships.
NACS
NACS (Near-field Acoustic Characterization System (NACS) for Ship Sonars): It provides a simple and operationally
efficient means to determine the frequency-dependent 3-D transmission and reception characteristics of the hull-
mounted sonar aiding in the optimum performance and maintenance of the sonar.
AIDSS
AIDSS (Advanced Indigenous Distress Sonar System (AIDSS) for Submarines): It is used to signal that a
submarine is in distress and thereby enable quick rescue and salvage.
It is a life-saving alarm system designed to transmit sonar signals of pre-designated frequency and pulse shape
in an emergency situation, so as to attract the attention of Rescue Vessel in the vicinity.
1.4 Indias Space Achievements and Constraints
What demonstrates Chinas aspirations?
Chinas extraterrestrial ambitions are clearly lifting off, even threatening the US-based National Aeronautics
and Space Administration (Nasa).
For instance, two Chinese astronautsor taikonautsare currently aboard an experimental space station
called Tiangong-2.
Also known as the Heavenly Palace, this is the second laboratory to be launched by the worlds second-largest
economy, and the experiments are aimed at creating a permanent space station by 2022.
Since 2011, 11 taikonauts have travelled into space.
What are Indias aspirations?
India is yet to send a manned mission to the moon.
Indias first manned space mission is now being slotted for 2021a crucial step to launch vyomanauts, or
Indian astronauts, on the moon.
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What is the status of Indias space budget?
Budget is clearly a constraint.
Indias space sciences budget, which is meant to fund research into our planet, the solar system and universe,
is a mere $43 million, according to the Isros 2015-16 annual report.
Compare that with Chinas $110 million, Japans $953 million and Nasas $5.24 billion space sciences budgets.
Further, the US had the biggest budget for space exploration, spending over six times more than China,
according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development figures for 2013.
Indias total space budget estimate for 2016-17, according to the ISRO annual report, is pegged at around $1.1
billion.
This includes allocation for space technology, space sciences, space applications, Insat operational and
administration costs. Compare this with the total space budget of Nasa for FY2016 at $18.8 billion.
What are the achievements of ISRO?
Despite budget constraints, ISRO has many achievements to its credit.
Set up in 1969, ISRO built Indias first satellite, Aryabhata, which was launched by the Soviet Union on 19
April 1975.
In 1980, Rohini became the first satellite to be placed in orbit by an Indian-made launch vehicle, SLV-3.
ISRO subsequently built the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) for launching satellites into polar orbits
and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) to place satellites into geostationary orbits.
In January 2014, ISRO successfully used an indigenous cryogenic engine in a GSLV-D5 launch of the GSAT-
14.
ISRO sent a lunar orbiter, Chandrayaan-1, on 22 October 2008, and then the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM),
which successfully entered the Mars orbit on 24 September 2014, making India the first nation to succeed in
doing so on its first attempt.
ISRO became the fourth space agency as well as the first space agency from Asia to successfully send a
spacecraft into the Mars orbit.
And it was really cheap: ISRO reportedly spent only Rs450 crore on MOM.
By June, ISRO had launched 131 satellites using indigenously developed launch vehicles, 74 of them foreign
satellites.
India has also successfully set a record with the launch of 20 satellites in a single payload, one being a satellite
from Google Inc.
India is now rated as one of the top six countries having end-to-end capability in space technology.
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ISRO and its commercial arm, Antrix Corp., is working on developing low-cost reliable space launch vehicles,
similar to what the US, Ukraine, Russia, China and New Zealand are doing.
Moreover, to expand inter-planetary research, ISRO is seeking scientific proposals for aMOM-2.
1.5 Augmented Reality Institute
Why in news?
India will have its first augmented reality education and training institute in Varanasi.
What is augmented reality?
Augmented reality (AR) is a live direct or indirect view of a physical, real-world environment.
The elements are "augmented" by computer-generated or extracted real-world sensory input such as sound,
video, graphics or GPS data.
It is related to a more general concept called computer-mediated reality, in which a view of reality is modified
by a computer.
Augmented reality enhances ones current perception of reality, whereas in contrast, virtual reality replaces
the real world with a simulated one.
It will allow students ranging from skill schools to those pursuing core engineering research to experience a
different kind of learning before entering the real-world workplace.
What are the highlights about the new institute?
It will be a virtual manufacturing shop floor, and train students on virtual versions of equipment which may
not be affordable to the institutions.
The institution is able to create virtual machines of many sectors from car design to the assembly line of an
automobile firm, from textiles to heavy engineering machines.
The institution will be established by the central government in partnership with Eon Reality, an augmented
reality company which is based in the US.
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-BHU) in Varanasi will join in the project, along with NSDC and Eon
Reality.
Each trainee will be able to unpack the machine part by part and learn through virtual dissection.
Like a real machine, it will throw new problems to trainees and, depending on your problem-solving capacity,
it will allow you to move further.
It can dissect aeroplane engines and show how 3D designing works.
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1.6 Mcr-1 isolated in India
Why in news?
The mcr-1 gene, which is responsible for resistance against antibiotic Colistin, has been isolated in India.
What is mcr-1 and Colistin?
This gene was found in the plasmid medium of E. coli bacteria, meaning the infection can spread in hospitals,
and the community.
The emergence of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance heralds the breach of the last group of antibiotics,
known as polymixins.
Mcr-1 has already been detected in China, USA and Brazil.
The gene is believed to build resistance in bacteria against Colistin, a last resort antibiotic to treat infectious
diseases in humans.
It is often used to treat human diseases when no other antibiotic works.
Colistin is a polymixin which are termed critically important by the World Health Organization.
What are the issues with colistin?
Despite its critically important status, in India colistin is used rampantly for non-therapeutic purposes such as
growth promotion and disease prevention in poultry farming and aquaculture.
The Ministry of Agriculture issued a notice in late 2014, advising all state animal husbandry departments to
restrict the use of antibiotics.
However, no mandatory action has been taken by the Indian government so far.
What is the way forward?
Whenever an antibiotic is used/overused/ misused, resistance develops.
A mix of bacteria enters the sewage, contaminates drinking water and enters the gut of a healthy individual,
making him/her resistant to those bugs.
This resistance moves from one level to another, Mcr-1 is therefore, inevitable.
The thing is we must realise that clinical practice depends on colistin.
1.7 Aquaponics in India
Why in news?
First Aquaponic farm in North India has been set in Gurugram.
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What is Aquaponics?
Aquaponics is a system of aquaculture, which allows farmers to raise fishes while also being able to grow
plants in a tank.
The tank has fishes in it and on the sides of the tank there are beds for plants.
The waste produced by the farmed fish or other aquatic creatures supplies nutrients for the plants.
Aquaponics involves recycling water from the fish-growing pond
Vegetables can be harvested throughout the period of fish farming cycle
What area the advantages of Aquaponics?
It reduces the cost and time involved in cultivation and harvesting
It is purely organic, natural form of nutrients are provided to the plants.
By eliminating the soil in vegetable production, elimination of all soil borne disease is possible.
Water conservation is possible and weeds are eliminated.
More plant can be grown in limited space and urban farming is absolutely possible.
Use of pesticides or herbicides is completely excluded, making the end product healthier and safer.
It is possible to grow crops year-round.
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1.8 Significance of Yamanaka genes
What is the issue?
Better understanding of Yamanaka genes may lead to accomplishments in medical treatments and R&D.
What are Yamanaka genes?
They are the four essential genes that can re programme the cells in our body
It is used to regenerate old cells or grow new organs.
Collectively known as OSKM (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and Myc), these Yamanaka genes are named after Japanese
scientist Shinya Yamanaka.
What is the Significance of Yamanaka Genes?
Major significance is that the introduction of these genes can convert adult cells into pluripotent stem cells.
Pluripotent stems are the cells that can propagate indefinitely & can give rise to different types of cells in body
like neurons, heart, pancreatic & liver cells.
They are also called as Induced pluripotent stem cells(IPS cells) & can be used to replace damaged or lost cells.
What are the applications of Yamanaka Genes?
Red blood cells - They can be used for RBC generation as type O red blood cells are synthesized from iPS
cells.
Identification of disease -iPS cells can be derive directly from adult patients & can be used for
investigation of diseases and their drugs.
Cell reprogramming - Skin,blood or others cells can be reprogrammed to iPS cells with the help of
Yamanka genes.
Tissue repair - iPS cells generated from Yamanaka genes can also be used to grow & repair tissues &
vascular vessels.
What are few challenges in its application?
The genes are not very efficient at reversing cell-ageing.
They may also induce a particular type of tumour (known as teratoma) that makes cell reprogramming
incompatible with its potential clinical use.
A pro-inflammatory molecule that may be responsible for reducing the efficiency of the OSKM genes is also
been found.
There is a risk of incomplete reprogramming of genes into iPS cells.
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1.9 Tax on Tobacco
What is the issue?
Indian government had raised taxes on tobacco due to its adverse health effects, it is severely hitting Indian farmers.
What is tobacco farming?
The tobacco is germinated in cold frames or hotbeds and then transplanted to the field until it matures.
It is grown in warm climates with rich, well-drained soil,andcannot stand if rainfall is more than 100cm.
Tobacco can be harvested by pulling individual leaves off the stalk as they ripened.
After harvesting to dry the leaves it requires bright sunshine & dry weather but not less than containing 8%
moisture.
Too dry weather is not suitable as leaves break into small pieces.
It is cultivated for various purposes like Bidi,Cigar filler,Cherrot,Chewing,Hookah
What is the significance of tobacco farming in India?
India is second largest producer of tobacco, it contributes more than Rs 30,000 crore in tax revenue.
It is most profitable crop of south India, Andhra Pradesh tops the production,with an estimated annual
production of 130 million kg
Flue-cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco, which is used in cigarettes and accounts for 40% of the total tobacco
produced in India.
Tobacco Board fixes the crop size for FCV tobacco, which is mostly produced in three states Andhra Pradesh,
Telangana and Karnataka, and is procured through auctions.
What are the challenges for tobacco farmers?
Cultivation of non-FCV tobacco, which accounts for the large chunk of Indian tobacco production and finds
use in bidi and jarda, is not regulated.
There is series of fall in Virginia tobacco production due to drought in tobacco-producing regions of AP.
Farmers partly reducing crop area and shifting to other crops like Bengal gram, chillies but results are poor.
Domestic demand of the tobacco has been shrinking due to high taxes.
1.10 Drones in Disaster Management
Why in news?
NE-SAC of the ISRO has tested unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to assess several regional problems in the North-
east.
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What is the initiative?
The Shillong-based North-Eastern Space Applications Centre (NE-SAC) of the Indian Space Research
Organisation has initiated this.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), popularly known as Drone, is an airborne system or an aircraft operated
remotely.
Drones, generally associated with security agencies, are now being used to collect land details and add to data
from remote sensing satellites.
NE-SAC has made the designing and assembling of UAV based Remote Sensing (UAV-RS) for addressing
various regional problems.
What are its applications?
The imagery obtained from UAVs can support applications ranging from large scale mapping, urban
modelling to vegetation structure mapping.
It can thus find relevance in the fields of agriculture, town planning, disaster management, etc.
Its various applications include:
1. Mapping of landslide affected area and assessment of the damaged caused.
2. Damage assessment of floods and earthquakes.
3. Crop Damage Assessment in diseased paddy fields.
4. Surveys of disaster-prone or physically inaccessible areas.
Earlier successful models include:
1. Mapping of the area affected by landslides along Meghalaya's life line, NH40.
2. Assessment of damage caused to pest-infested paddy fields in Naramari village of Assam.
3. NE-SAC has created a land use map of Meghalaya's Nongpoh town and a 3D terrain model based on
the images given by the drones.
What are the limitations?
This drones based initiative can go a long way in efficiently responding to disasters and enabling timely relief
measures.
However the limitations include:
1. restriction in the size of the study area as compared to the area assessed from space by satellites.
2. constraint in processing of large volume of data.
3. requirement of large data storage space.
4. existing capturing and extraction techniques need to be improved for processing of high dimensional
UAV data.
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1.11E-Paper technology
What is the issue?
Start-ups can efficiently use e-papers technology for making India has an innovation and tech hub.
What is E-paper?
Electronic paper are display devices that mimic the appearance of ordinary ink on paper.
Unlike conventional backlit flat panel displays that emit light, electronic paper displays reflect light like paper.
This may make them more comfortable to read, and provide a wider viewing angle than most light-emitting
displays.
An ideal e-paper display can be read in direct sunlight without the image appearing to fade.
Many electronic paper technologies hold static text and images indefinitely without electricity.
What are the applications of e-papers?
Electronic visual displays include electronic pricing labels in retail shops and digital signage,
Time tables at bus stations.
Electronic billboards.
Mobile phone displays.
E-readers able to display digital versions of books and magazines.
What are the advantages of e-papers?
Low power consumption- It consumes less power, since display is only consuming power whenever the
displayed image changes.
Cheaper publication cost - Due to the rapid technological development the publications costs of books are
made cheaper
Environment friendly - It is not depended on trees for paper and the harmful chemical dyes used for
printing magazines are eliminated.
User friendly - They do not strain the eyes of the users compared to LCD display technologies.
Same readability as print - The images produced are similar with printed materials such as newspapers.
Future technology -It can be used for the development of bendable displays and smartphone with curved
screens.
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1.12 EM Drive
Why in news?
NASA's long-awaited EM Drive paper has finally been peer-reviewed and published.
What is the EM Drive?
Electromagnetic Drive, is a propulsion system first proposed by a British inventor in 1999.
Instead of using heavy, inefficient rocket fuel, it bounces microwaves back and forth inside a cone-shaped
metal cavity to generate thrust.
The EM Drive could be so efficient that it could power us to Mars in just 70 days.
What is the significance of this technology?
It shows that the 'impossible' propulsion system really does appear to work.
EM Drive could produce thrust something that seems impossible according to our current understanding of
the laws of physics.
It defies Newton's third law, which states that everything must have an equal and opposite reaction.
According to the law, for a system to produce thrust, it has to push something out the other way, The EM
Drive doesn't do this.
When it comes to how the drive actually works without messing up the laws of physics, that's a little less clear.
Does it really defies the newtons law?
Recently researchers concluded that EM drive does not in fact emit an exhaust
It is not breaking any laws of physics but the exhaust is completely invisible to almost any form
This is because it has no net electromagnetic field.
This is possible as the photons actually escape the EM drive in opposing pairs rendering them virtually
undetectable.
2. DECEMBER 2016
2.1 Over-Fortification of Food
Why in news?
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a Union Health Ministry body, made public a draft Food
Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations 2016 that specifies that all fortified food,
manufactured, packed, labelled, handled, distributed and sold, ought to adhere to a minimum set of standards.
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What is food fortification?
The fortification of food is the practice of deliberately increasing the content of an essential micronutrient, ie.
vitamins and minerals in a food irrespective of whether the nutrients were originally in the food before
processing or not, so as to improve the nutritional quality of the food supply and to provide a public health
benefit with minimal risk to health.
The enrichment is synonymous with fortification and refers to the addition of micronutrients to a food which
are lost during processing.
What is the need for standards?
The World Banks Nutrition at a Glance research report states that India loses over $12 billion in GDP to
vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
48% of children under the age of five are stunted, 43 per cent are underweight, 20 per cent are wasted, and more
than 1 in 4 infants are born with a low birth-weight.
According to the proposed regulation, the target foods to be fortified also include rice, maida, vanaspati and atta,
which would be enriched in different combinations by iron, iodine, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, folic acid etc.,
What is Over-fortification?
Benefits apart, FSSAIs move comes in the wake of concerns of over-fortification of food.
The U.S.-based Nonprofit Environmental Working Groups review of fortified foods currently on the market found
that young children are at risk of consuming too much of three nutrients vitamin A, zinc and niacin.
In their analysis, the group warned that fortified breakfast cereals were a key source of excessive intake because
the amounts calculated for adults, not children.
Pregnant women and older adults may also be consuming too much vitamin A from other fortified foods.
Vitamin A, zinc, and niacin are all necessary for health, but excessive doses can cause toxic symptoms.
What are the Ill-effects of excessive intake?
Routinely ingesting too much vitamin A from liver-supplements can, lead to liver damage, skeletal abnormalities,
peeling skin, brittle nails and hair loss.
In older adults, high vitamin A intake has been linked to hip fractures.
Taking too much vitamin A during pregnancy can result in developmental abnormalities in the foetus.
High zinc intake can impair copper absorption and negatively affect red and white blood cells and
immune function.
Niacin is less toxic than vitamin A and zinc, but consuming too much can cause short-term symptoms such as
rash, nausea and vomiting.
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What is the issue in implementation?
The permissible range of nutrients that were allowed to be added are well below the bodys maximum tolerable
limits.
So even if a person were to eat just over-fortified food all day, it would still be below the required dietary
allowance.Therefore over-fortification wouldnt be a problem in India.
The problem is when the top manufacturers of processed food can be made to comply with the requirement, it is
difficult to bring cottage industries or smaller manufacturers under it.
2.2 Problems over Royalty (Photocopy)
Why in news?
A new battlefront is opening up between Monsanto and a section of Indian seed companies that are sub-licencees of
the US life sciences giants proprietary Bollgard-II (BG-II) Bt cotton technology.
What NSAI argues?
The National Seed Association of India (NSAI), representing domestic seed firms has claimed that the power
to fix royalty or trait value payable to the developer of any plant genetic modification (GM) technology lies
with the Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers Rights (PPVFR) Authority.
What is their rationale?
The reason for this is that Section 3 of the Indian Patents Act, 1970 specifically excludes from
patentability any method of agriculture or horticulture and plants and animals in whole or any part thereof
other than micro-organisms but including seeds, varieties and species and essentially biological processes for
production or propagation of plants and animals.
On the other hand, Section 2 (za) of the PPVFR Act, 2001 clearly defines a plant variety to include
transgenic (i.e. GM) variety.
GM crops such as Bt cotton, therefore, receive intellectual property protection (IPR) only under the PPVFR
Act.
By implication, trait value payable to the GM technology supplier is a matter to be decided by the PPVFR
Authority.
There is, in fact, a section 26 in the Act relating to the determination of benefit sharing between the supplier of
a unique genetic material and the breeder/seed company who has used this in the development of his variety.
The PPVFR Authority has the powers to stipulate the amount of such benefit sharing, which obviously extends
to prescribing a reasonable trait fee payable by the breeder.
What is Monsantos argument?
The above interpretation has, however, been completely rejected by Monsanto.
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It contends that the PPVFR Act, deals only with providing IPR protection to varieties, which refer to a plant
groupingwithin a single botanical taxon (i.e. species, family or class).
Moreover, varieties excludes micro-organisms that cover bacterium such as Bacillus thuringiensis or Bt,
whose genes have been incorporated into cotton hybrids.
A breeder can develop a hybrid or variety containing the Bt genes and seek IPR protection for the same under
the PPVFR Act. But the GM trait per se (the technology for inserting the Bt or any other alien genes into the
genome of the host plant) is not covered by this Act.
A modified gene sequence cannot be considered as a plant grouping and the PPVFR Act has no provision
conferring the authority the power to protect or regulate GM traits.
Benefit sharing provisions, too, are triggered only for a registered variety/hybrid that may contain GM traits,
but not for the GM traits per se.
Monsanto has sublicensed its BG-II Bt technology which was granted an Indian patent in February 2008
to 49 companies.
According to Monsanto, trait fees are governed by technology licensing agreements bilaterally executed
between it and individual seed companies.
2.3 Hurdles for BharatNet
Why in news?
Parliamentary standing committee on information technology has expressed displeasure over lack of attention of the
Department of Telecommunications (DoT) towards funding of BharatNet project.
What is BharatNet project?
BharatNetis a project to provide an affordable broadband connectivity of 2 Mbps to 20 Mbps for all
households by connecting 2.5 lakh gram panchayats with the optic fibre network
The entire project is being funded by Universal service Obligation Fund (USOF), which was set up for
improving telecom services in rural and remote areas of the country.
The objective of USOF is to facilitate the delivery of e-governance, e-health, e-education, e-banking, Internet
and other services to the rural India.
What is the current status?
As of December, less than 25% of the gram panchayats linked with optic fibrenetwork, had active internet
connectivity.
A survey conducted by a think-tank and IIT-Delhi suggested that the use of BharatNet was in single-digits across
areas surveyed.
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With the current model of BharatNet, while the government may be able to have infrastructure laid as per its
target, it may not be able to provide active connectivity in hinterland areas.
The survey also eveals that only one third of them use internet and nearly 70 per cent of non-users do not have any
intention to use internet in near future.
What are the problems?
Considering the fact that NOFN (national optic fibre network) Project is one of the critical pillars in the
context of the Digital India mission, the DoT cannot afford any delay in implementation of the NOFN Project for
want of funds.
According to the report, less than 40% of the announced fynds are so far allocated for USOF.
Universal Access Levy (UAL) is a percentage of the revenue earned by the telecom operators under various
licenses
Since adequate amount of fund is already available under UAL, the DoT should have taken proactive initiatives for
allocation of sufficient funds from UAL to USOF schemes.
The USOF is funded from two streams 1. budgetary allocation, and 2. UAL.
The UAL had a balance of app. Rs 43000 crore, and in its original report had recommended transfer of a part of
this fund to the USOF.
But the department is completely silent on the recommendation of the committee to pursue transfer.
2.4 AGNI - 5
Why in news?
The Agni-5 intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) was successfully test-fired on Monday morning from APJ
Abdul Kalam Island, off the Odisha coast.
What are its specifications?
It is indigenously-developed surface-to-surface missile.
Range of more than 5,000 km.
Can carry a nuclear warhead of more than one tonne.
How it works?
Ballistic missiles work on the same principle as lobbing a stone at a target.
The launch starts with the boost phase, when the missile is propelled into space.
Canister is a container that protects the deployed missiles, allowing them to be stored for years
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A powerful gas generation system in the canister rapidly builds up 300 tonnes of pressure, popping the missile
out, like a bullet.
When the missile is 10-15 metres above the canister, the first stage ignites, accelerating the missile upwards.
Within 30 seconds, it goes supersonic and, within 90 seconds, when the first stage burns out, the Agni-5
moves upwards at 1.5km/s.
The second stage, which burns for 80 seconds, takes the missile 170 kilometres above earth; and the third
stage, which separates after a minute, carries the payload up to 260 kilometres.
With all three propulsion stages separated, all that is left is the payload --- the tip of the missile.
With the boost phase over, the missile enters its ballistic phase. Like a lobbed stone, it is carried towards
the target purely on momentum.
Ten minutes after launch, it reaches the top of its parabolic path, about 580 kilometres above earth. Then
gravity begins pulling it down towards the impact point.
Course correction is done with small side-thruster rockets, to correct any errors that crept in during the
launch.
It comes downwards at about 5-6 kilometres per second.
As the missile comes in contact with the atmosphere, friction heats its outer surface to 4,000C, while the
payload inside must be maintained at 50C. This is done by building the re-entry vehicle from a thick block of
carbon composite material, compressing it with pressures of up to 1,000 atmospheres.
At the target end radar-equipped naval warships are pre-positioned to monitor where the missile strikes.
There is no scope for error beyond a few hundred metres.
What is its significance?
It is the fourth successive Agni-5 test launch that has gone to plan since the first launch on April 19, 2012.
This test was the second in full operational mode, with the missile launched from its storage canister.
Nuclear deterrence - Its 5,000-kilometre range allows it to deliver a nuclear payload anywhere in China.
Therefore it is ready to enter service with the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) as the backbone of Indias
China-specific nuclear deterrence.
Second Strike Capability - For a nation sworn to no-first-use of nuclear weapons, a reliable second-strike
capability is an absolute necessity. In the worst-case scenario, the country should have the ability to withstand
an enemy nuclear strike on its key locations and launch a successful second strike.
With this test and the recent commissioning of the indigenously built nuclear submarine INS Arihant, India is
inching towards creating a robust and world-class second-strike capability.
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What is a nuclear triad?
A nuclear triad refers to the nuclear weapons delivery via land, air and sea i.e land-based intercontinental
ballistic missiles (ICBMs), strategic bombers, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).
The purpose of having a three-branched nuclear capability is to significantly reduce the possibility that an
enemy could destroy all of a nation's nuclear forces in a first-strike attack and ensures a credible threat of a
second strike, and thus increases a nation's nuclear deterrence.
What should be done?
There is still a long way to go before becoming a competent nuclear triad. e.g The Nirbhay land attack cruise
missile meant to carry nuclear warheads failed for the fourth time during a test.
A credible second-strike capability should also be complemented by a modern, powerful military. The Indian
military is in crying need of modernisation across its three arms.
In a complex global strategic environment, where nations issue nuclear threats based on fake news and global
powers threaten to add to their already bulky arsenal, it is important to be recognised as a responsible
democracy beyond no-first-strike policy.
2.5 Automated control systems in Kudankulam
What are Automated control systems?
Automatic control in engineering and technology is a wide generic term covering the application of mechanisms to
the operation and regulation of processes without continuous direct human intervention.
Automated control systems are key components needed to ensure the safe operation of the nuclear power
plant.
They include a range of special tools for safety and regular operation mode maintenance.
What is being done currently?
The automated control systems for two nuclear power plants in Tamil Nadus Kudankulam will start arriving to
India from Russia 2018 onwards, the Rosatom said.
These systems for the 1,000 MW units 3 and 4 would be manufactured by a Rosatom affiliate.
According to a statement by the Russian company an agreement to supply automated control systems was signed
between Rosatom - Automated Control Systems and Atomstroyexport the latter responsible for nuclear power
plant construction.
After that the installation and setup would begin. All the software and hardware tools are to be manufactured at
Russian factories. Thats the distinguishing aspect of the contract.
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Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant
Indias nuclear power plant operator, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) is setting up 1,000 MW
units at Kudankulam in Tirunelvelli district, around 650 km from here.
At present, the implementation of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) involves the construction of six
power units equipped with Water-Water Energetic Reactor (VVER)-1000 reactors.
The road map for cooperation between Russia and India in the sphere of nuclear power provides for the
construction of a total of 12 power units in different locations in India, including the site of the KNPP.
2.6 Privacy debate in Internet of Things
Whats the news?
Investigations into the murder of a man whose body was found in a bathtub has had American law-enforcement
officials thinking outside the box in collecting evidence.
The victim (Victor Collins), had an Amazon Echo personal assistant device and the police want Amazon to
turn over all recordings from around the time of death.
What is internet of things?
It is the internetworking of physical devices, vehicles, buildings, and other itemsembedded with electronics,
software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity that enable these objects to collect and exchange data.
How does Amazon Echo functions?
Amazon Echo is an Internet-connected speaker that functions just like the digital assistant on your phone. The
technology that powers Amazon Echo is Alexa, which allows you to control the device with your voice.
The device listens to voices and noise in its range, and sends audio data back to Amazon servers for processing,
just like Siri or Google Assistant.
What did the investigators say?
Investigators in the case argue that since an Amazon Echo is always listening, the device may have picked up
conversations that could be crucial to cracking the case.
Amazon, on the other hand, says that user conversations are only streamed once the device gets the wake
command or any another customised command.
The voice-activated device has 7 microphones, and is equipped with sensors to hear users from any direction up to
about 20 feet.
What are the major issues?
So far, Amazon has not shared any recordings with law enforcement which, police say, amounts to obstruction.
The incident brings up two different issues.
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First is the reach that these Internet of Things (or IoT) devices have into our personal lives, opening
up avenues that state agencies can demand to use, or other elements can exploit.
If law enforcement can get Alexa recordings from the Amazon device, whats to stop them from trying to do so
again for another crime?
The second issue is While Amazon says that the Alexa device does not stream any audio until it is given the
command to wake up,it has not explicitly told law enforcement that it simply does not have the
recordings.
This keeps alive the possibility that Amazons personal assistant does indeed stream all audio, even when it has
not been given the wake command.
If this is found to be the case, the company would be in gross violation of user trust.
Amazon does say that users can log into the dashboard and delete either specific or all recordings however, it
also says that doing so may hamper the effectiveness of the device.
Irrespective of the final outcome of the Victor Collins case, what is already clear is that there is a strong need for
policy and governance in the Internet of Things.
Common appliances are becoming smart devices that are constantly gathering data yet, there is no
framework yet for how this data is used, and how it should be handled in the event of a crime.
While handing over of email data by companies to law enforcement is commonplace, it does not happen without
precedence and a proper legal order.
One could argue that data collected by other digital devices should also fall under the same purvie
2.7 The Fourth Industrial Revolution
What is the current scenario?
The future of jobs has become a major issue of concern. The world today is at an inflection point due to rapid
technological advancement leading to economic, social and political turmoil.
Unemployment, high cost of healthcare, large-scale immigration leading to cuts in social security have been the
key reasons for the reversal of the trend from globalisation to protectionism now being seen in developed
countries, most recently in Italy.
What happens along with technological advancement?
Increasing productivity and efficiencies leading to improved customer experience has encouraged industry to push
for technological innovation and find solutions through Robotics, Automation, Internet of Things etc.,
Due to this reason, the manufacturing and services sectors (traditional job creators) are seeing tremendous
transformation at the shop floor today with reduced human interface.
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Technological advancements, like Googles self-driving electric cars and Amazons Go, threaten to decimate
jobs and increase the rich and poor divide further.
The very technology that has been an enabler for mankind in the past has the potential to destroy the world with
economic inequality and climate change challenges.
Where India stands?
India too, reflects the universal scenario and is in middle of transformation. With 65% of our population
being young, India cannot afford to have jobless growth.
The fresh data released by the Labour Bureau shows a decline of jobs across eight labour intensive sectors
in the last quarter of 2015, which is a cause to worry.
What is Fourth Industrial Revolution?
The technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0, are leading to redundancy of many
low-skilled jobs being replaced by technology and automation.
A FICCI study, in BRICS countries highlights job polarisation with decline in the mid-level jobs and increase
in demand for creative, design oriented high tech skills.
As more jobs are automated, this trend is a cause of worry especially in the Indian context where the official
figures state that less than 5 % of our population is vocationally skilled.
In 2010, FICCI highlighted the impact of the Third Industrial Revolution resulting in emergence of a new category
of jobs requiring different skill sets. Such studies need to be integrated into policy.
The rapid pace of transition from Third Industrial Revolution to Fourth Industrial Revolution is somewhat
disconcerting and makes one wonder what the future holds.
What is The Atlas of Emerging Jobs?
To meet the future demand of skilled labour and understand the occupation landscape, the Russian
government commissioned a detailed study called Atlas of Emerging Jobs.
The Atlas offers an opportunity to prepare high school and college students for the employment or
entrepreneurship, to understand impact of new technology and specialists to hire and align with academia to
develop an integrated curriculum.
One of the outcomes was setting up of Global Education Futures which engages with various countries to
deliberate and identify innovation in education that will prepare children with life skills to deal with the Future.
FICCI represents India in this forum.
It is released by World Economic Forum and provides specific information on the relative magnitude of
future trends by industry and geography, and on the expected time horizon for their impact to be felt on job
functions, employment levels and skills.
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India with its socio-economic and geographic diversity needs to ensure authentic data, critical for appropriate
policy planning.
What is the way ahead?
We still await an India-centric study to be carried out by the government with the objective to analyse the key
drivers that will reshape the landscape of work and identify important work skills needed.
FICCI along with NASSCOM is working on a Future of Jobs series of papers.
The report will also cover new occupations and fields of specialisation which are likely to emerge in the select
sectors.
FICCI is also publishing a compilation of articles by leading industry captains to share their perspectives and
solutions for future of jobs. With collective efforts of the Industry and active support by government, we too must
ensure a brighter future.
2.8 Jet Stream in Earth's Core
Why in news?
Scientists have discovered a jet stream within the Earths molten iron core.
What is the finding?
Scientists have for long studied the Earths core by measuring the planets magnetic field, one of the few
options available.
This is because of the cores remote location way below around 3,000 km of rock.
The European Space Agencys Swarm satellites have been providing the sharpest x-ray image of the earth's
core so far.
The recent discovery suggests for the first time the presence of a jet stream within the Earths molten iron
core.
What causes the stream?
Changes in the magnetic field, detected in previous research, had indicated that iron in the outer core was
moving faster in the northern hemisphere, mostly under Alaska and Siberia.
However, new data has revealed that the changes in the magnetic field are actually caused by a jet stream
moving at more than 40 km per year.
The stream is an accelerating band of molten iron in the core, circling the North Pole, more like the jet
stream(fast flowing air current) in the outer atmosphere.
This is three times faster than typical outer core speeds and hundreds of thousands of times faster than the
speed at which the Earths tectonic plates move.
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The position of the jet stream aligns with a boundary between two different regions in the core.
The jet is likely to be caused by liquid in the core moving towards this boundary from both sides, which is
squeezed out sideways.
The detection of jet stream is one of the first deep-earth discoveries, leading to better understanding of the
inner earth.
2.9 Dead Zone in Bay of Bengal
Why in news?
Scientists have found a dead zone of an estimated 60,000 sq.

km in the Bay of Bengal (BoB).
What is a dead zone?
Dead Zone is an area that contains little or no oxygen.
It supports microbial processes that remove vast

amount of nitrogen from the ocean.
Until now, there have been only three major identified

dead zones.
These include one in the Arabian Sea and two in the

eastern tropical Pacific - i) off Peru/Chile ii) off Mexico.
What impact could this create?
Oxygen depletion in the oceans occurs both due to natural causes and human activities. Ex: Eutrophication.
Microorganisms living within these oxygen minimum zones (OMZ) are driven to get energy by degrading the
organic matter present.
In this degradation process, they remove vast

amounts of nitrogen which is a key nutrient for life
in the oceans.
Increased oxygen depletion and the resultant

nitrogen removal could upset the global nitrogen
balance.
Lack of oxygen makes the ecosystem shift to

anaerobic metabolism.
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Why is Bay of Bengal dead zone unique?
The Bay of Bengal has long remained a mystery because standard techniques suggest no oxygen in the waters.
But despite this, there has been no indication of nitrogen loss as in other dead zones of the global ocean.
This suggests that oxygen is not 'completely' removed from the dead zone of the BoB, but is still present in
very small amounts.
Thus, though the microbial population is all set, this trace amounts of oxygen prevent them from removing the
nitrogen fully and the system from operating fully in the anaerobic mode.
However, if the global trend of expanding and intensifying OMZs apply to the BoB, its OMZ will trip to
anaerobic mode, like in the Arabian Sea, in future.
If this happens, global biogeochemical fluxes and nitrogen cycle as well as marine productivity will be
substantially affected.
But, probably it will not have any implications for India because the Arabian Sea OMZ operates anaerobically
but has little effect on surface processes.
2.10 DISANET- Disaster Network
Why in news?
An IIT Madras team has developed a low-cost communication system as an alternative communication
network to carry on rescue work during times of disaster.
The Information Network for Natural Disaster Mitigation and Recovery Project is termed as DISANET
(Disaster Network).
How does it work?
The design has four subsystems WiFi, a satellite link, single-carrier GSM and LTE (Long Term
Evolution).
Rescue workers with GSM handsets, WiFi cameras and WiFi nodes can spread out over an area of 12-25
sq.km to form the primary deployment area.
These workers supply communication between the primary deployment area and the Master Operation
Centre (MOC).
The MOC has micro-sized LTE Base Transceiver Stations which are mounted at a height of 15 to 20 metres
facilitating data transport and communication through the GSM Server.
This is achieved by a tethered balloon that is inflated and hoisted at the MOC, covering an area of 10-20 km
in radius.
The system is being improved to use drones instead of balloons to provide a larger coverage area.
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What are the features?
Disrupt of communication network in times of disasters is a major obstacle in emergency and rescue works.
DISANET connects the rescue workers, Master Operation Centre and the NDMA (National Disaster
Management Agency).
It allows basic services such as voice, text and video communications to be exchanged within this network.
The system provides for automatic creation of a database with auto-registration of the basic information
sent by victims through messages.
The rescue team can also directly communicate with citizens about the arrangements using FM broadcast
which can be received in mobiles.
Rescue workers connected with this system can send real-time videos and images.
The flow of authenticated information from the authorities to the citizens under DISANET prevents rumour-
mongering.
The whole system is compatible with basic model mobile phones as well and not just smart phones.
The compact system can be easily transported to the site of the Master Operation Centre within a few hours
of the disaster.
The system is also relevant for communication when there is a large gathering. Ex: a variant of this was tested
at the Mahamaham festival at Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu.
Quick Facts
LTE
Long Term Evolution is a wireless broadband technology for communication of high speed data for mobile
phones.
BTS
A base transceiver station (BTS) is a piece of equipment that facilitates wireless communication between user
equipment (UE) and a network.
A BTS consists of an antenna and the radio equipment necessary to communicate by radio with a Mobile
Station (MS). Each BTS covers a defined area, known as a cell.
GSM
GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) is a type of cellular phone network; the other well known is
CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access).
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In GSM, the phone number binding is with the SIM card, whereas in CDMA, the binding is with the mobile
handset.
The wide availability of GSM thus makes it more accessible.
2.11 Ebola vaccine
Why in news?
Responding to the recent outbreak of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, an Ebola vaccine trial has come out
successful.
What is the trial outcome?
The trial was led by the WHO, together with Guinea's Ministry of Health and other international partners, in
Guinea.
The trial used an innovative design, called the "ring vaccination" approach which was developed during
the drive to eliminate smallpox.
On diagnosis of a new Ebola case, the research team traced all people who may have been in contact with that
case within the previous three weeks.
On identifying these extended vulnerable group, they were formed into clusters or "rings" and were
vaccinated on a trial basis.
The vaccine, called rVSV-ZEBOV, is to prevent infection from one of the most lethal known pathogens.
As confirmed by WHO, the vaccine provides a safe and potent weapon against any future ebola outbreak.
What is the significance?
Ever since Ebola was discovered in the former Zaire in 1976 for the first time there have been many failed
attempts to create a vaccine.
However, many small Ebola outbreaks between 1976 and 2014 were handled by medical teams arriving in,
isolating the sick, using protective gear to treat them and burying the dead.
But all these failed during the 2014 outbreak in West Africa where it spread like wildfire and dead bodies piled
up in the streets.
The new vaccine opens up new, faster and more efficient ways to encircle and strangle the virus.
But the vaccine is not without its own flaws which include:
1. It appears to work against only one of the two most common strains of the Ebola virus.
2. It may not give long-lasting protection.
3. There are complaints of side effects like joint pain and headaches on taking the vaccine.
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The experimental Ebola vaccine is certainly a defence against any new outbreak but there is a need for
continuing the work on Ebola vaccines.
2.12 Indias first private moon mission
Why in news?
TeamIndus has said it will send a spacecraft to the moon aboard an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
rocket.
What is the mission on?
The mission is planned to be the India's first private mission to the lunar surface.
Its aim is to -
i. land the spacecraft on the moon,
ii. have it travel at least 500 metres,
iii. beam high-definition video, images and data back to the earth.
ISROs Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) will launch the spacecraft in December end, 2017.
The spacecraft, after completing a rotation around the earth, will land in around 21 days at Mare Imbrium.
This is a region in the North-Western hemisphere of the Moon.
What is TeamIndus and Google Lunar XPRIZE?
TeamIndus is a Bengaluru-based private aerospace company.
It is one of the five finalist teams and the only one from India in the running for the Google Lunar XPRIZE.
Google Lunar XPRIZE is a $30 million (approx. Rs. 200 crore) competition, to encourage private companies
to launch space missions.
The other four finalist teams are Moon Express (US), SpaceIL (Israel), Hakuto (Japan), Synergy Moon
(International).
Other than technical requirements, the prize rules require that the companies be 90% privately funded.
In this line, India's TeamIndus has many high-profile private investors including those from the Tata Group,
Flipkart and the Infosys.
It is a 100-member team of engineers, space enthusiasts, former Air Force pilots and former ISRO employees.
Except for the launch vehicle, all of the technology that will power the lander and the rover will be developed
in-house by TeamIndus.
The mission is a step forward in India's space initiatives to the moon.
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2.13 BHIM App
Why in news?
Prime Minister recently launched the UPI based payments App named BHIM.
What are the features?
BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money) is a digital payment mobile application.
It is developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) based on the Unified Payments
Interface (UPI).
Signing up for UPI based payments on a bank account which is linked to a mobile number can initiate making
digital transactions through the BHIM app.
BHIM app allows users to send or receive money to or from UPI payment addresses by just knowing the VPA
or virtual payment address of the other account.
Besides, transactions can also be made with a non-UPI based account by:
i. scanning a QR code with the account number.
ii. using IFSC code or MMID (Mobile Money Identifier) Code.
BHIM is also designed to support Aadhaar-based payments, where transactions will be possible just with a
fingerprint impression; but this facility is yet to be rolled out.
It is important to note that BHIM app is not a mobile wallet.
In case of mobile wallets like Paytm or MobiKwik a limited amount of money is stored on the app and money
can be sent only to someone who is using the same mobile wallet.
However, BHIM is based on UPI and is linked directly to a bank account and thus payment can be made to
anyone who is not on the BHIM app but just have a bank account.
What are the limitations?
The app is currently available only on Android phones and thus iOS, Windows mobile users, etc are not
covered.
Further, the transacting amount is limited to a maximum of Rs 10,000 per transaction and a total of Rs
20,000 per day.
Also, if a mobile number is linked to two accounts, accessibility is available only for one account. A redo of
bank selection option is needed to switch between accounts.
Importantly, in India, smartphone users are limited and even this limited number face connectivity problems.
Thus for now, BHIM is another app to facilitate digital payments, as it has a long way to go to be a chief mode
of digital transactions.
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2.14 ISRO Private Partnership for Building Satellites
What is the issue?
ISRO is planning to launch a navigation satellite that it would build jointly with a private firm.
This would mark the beginning of outsourcing of satellite manufacturing.
How does the space market look?
India is domestically facing a rapid expansion of services like DTH broadcast, mapping applications and
communication services.
On an average, a satellite needs to be launched every month over the next five years to meet the growing local
demand itself.
India has emerged as an international destination for satellite launches due to its geography & expertise.
It also endeavours to pioneer satellite making.
It is estimated that the global market for small and mini satellites would more than double to $5.32 billion by
2021.
All of this needs a massive capital intensive capacity expansion in manufacturing of satellites.
What is ISROs plan?
As ISRO wants to focus on research & space missions, it wants to free its resources from the mechanical
aspects of manufacturing.
So, to boost investments and promote satellite manufacturing, ISRO envisions partnerships with private
players.
While, ISRO is expected to bring the technology component, the private player will have to deal with the costs
and manpower.
It has already received over 40 offers for the tender it floated for the supposed partnership Eg. Godrej
Aerospace, Tata Advanced Material Systems, Hindustan Aeronautics.
ISRO is also working to form an industry consortium to privately build and launch the PSLV by 2020.
3. JANUARY 2017
3.1 Indias fight against Leprosy
16 years ago, Leprosy was eliminated globally as a public health issue. But, Indias fight against leprosy is far from
over.
The WHO asked South-East Asian countries, including India which accounted for 60% of such cases worldwide in
2015, to focus on preventing disabilities in children.
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What are the facts?
According to WHO, leprosy affected 2,12,000 people globally in 2015. India alone reported 1,27,326 new
cases, accounting for 60% of new cases globally.
Of the new cases, 8.9% were children and 6.7% presented with visible deformities. The remaining 10,286 new
cases (5%) were reported by 92 countries. Thirty countries reported zero new cases.
Why it is an unacceptable number?
Though present numbers are a fraction of what was reported a decade ago, they are unacceptable, as an effective
treatment for leprosy multidrug therapy, or MDT has been available since the 1980s and can fully
cure leprosy.
Global statistics show that 94% of new cases were reported from 14 countries. Only 6% of new cases were
reported from the rest of the world.
India is among the 22 countries considered as having a high burden for leprosy along with high transmission by
WHO.
How it spreads?
While the mode of transmission of leprosy is not known, the most widely held belief is that the disease
was transmitted by contact between those with leprosy and healthy persons.
More recently, the possibility of transmission by the respiratory route is gaining ground. There are also other
possibilities such as transmission through insects which cannot be completely ruled out.
In most parts of the world males are affected more frequently than females, often in the ratio of 2:1,
according to WHOs Global Leprosy Report.
What needs to be done?
World Leprosy Day is observed on the last Sunday of January since 1954.To effectively combat stigma, a multi-
sectoral approach is needed.
Health authorities need to reach out to and include leprosy-affected persons and communities in their
programming.
Laws or regulations that sanction or abet discrimination against persons suffering from leprosy should be
repealed.
A concert of voices should be mobilised to counter harmful social attitudes. NGOs and civil society organisations
should be included in campaigns to challenge leprosy-related stigma, and to address discrimination against
affected persons and their family members.
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In 2016, WHO launched the Global Leprosy Strategy 20162020: Accelerating towards a leprosy-free
world, with the aim of reinvigorating efforts to control leprosy and avert disabilities, especially among children
still affected by the disease in endemic countries.
India, which is among the endemic countries, has been advised to include strategic interventions in national
plans to meet the new targets, such as screening all close contacts of persons affected by leprosy; promoting a
shorter and uniform treatment regimen, and incorporating specific interventions against stigmatisation and
discrimination.
3.2 Weaponization of Space
What is the issue?
China is making serious advances in weaponizing the outer space.
What is the Weaponization of Space?
The weaponization of space includes placing weapons in outer space as well as creating weapons that will
travel from Earth to attack or destroy targets in space.
For example, The placing of satellites with the intention of attacking enemy satellites, using ground-based
direct ascent missiles to attack space assets, jamming signals sent from enemy satellites, using lasers to
incapacitate enemy satellites and satellite attacks on Earth targets.
It is different from the militarization of space. The militarization of space assists armies on the
conventional battlefield, whereas via the weaponization of space, outer space itself emerges as the
battleground.
Due to these, space is now sometimes referred to as the fourth frontier of war.
Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Systems, which include long-range ICBMs, are used as an auxiliary system
capable of destroying space-based assets.
What are Chinas developments?
China has been making impressive developments in its ICBM program.
These ICBMs aimed at and can target U.S. Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) satellites.
In 2015 the U.S. Department of Defenses report claimed that along with its civilian space program, China
continues to develop a variety of capabilities including development of directed-energy weapons and satellite
jammers.
China justifies that the loss of critical sensor and communications capabilities could damage the U.S.
militarys ability to achieve victory or to achieve victory with minimal casualties.
What has been done?
The United Nations has adopted a number of resolutions calling for negotiations to prevent an arms race in
outer space.
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The U.N. Outer Space Treaty provides the basic framework on international space law, saying that space
should be reserved for peaceful uses.
India was one of the 18 members that formed an ad-hoc Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space at the
United Nations.
India firmly believes in peaceful uses of outer space and has thus denounced space weaponization. It is one of
the leading voices in creating the Outer Space Treaty.
The proper way to solve the arms race in outer space is to develop multi-laterally negotiated controls on
weapons in space through a new space treaty.
Such a treaty should,
1. Ban the testing, production, deployment or use of weapons in space
2. Ban the testing, production, deployment or use of earth-based weapons which operate into space
3. Require the notification of all planned space activities
4. Establish monitoring and verification procedures
Include procedures for resolving conflicts regarding military use of space and enforcement mechanisms for
violations of the treaty.The view of earth itself from outer space presents a perspective of our planet as a
unified, interconnected and unique centre of life should not be fought over or destroyed by the folly of war.
Thus, space in the 21st Century offers an opportunity to move towards a world of common security and
disarmament rather than one of conflict and more arms races.
3.3 Envisioning Scientific Social Responsibility
Why in news?
PM Modi recently advocated the establishment of a Scientific Social Responsibility-SSR for leading scientific
institutions.
This is to help in enhancing the reach of science education.
What is the vision behind SSR?
To promote scientific excellence among all stakeholders and create an environment for sharing of ideas and
resources.
For enhancing basic R&D infrastructure, man power and skills.
To ensure that our youth get the exposure to the best of technology to make them job-ready in a competitive
world.
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What is the model plan?
National Laboratories are to be involved to develop appropriate training programmes for schools and
colleges.
Research Institutions and Universities in each region are to be interlinked downwards to function like a hub
and spoke model.
The hubs are envisioned to share major infrastructure and drive our national science missions.
This is to be integrated with the current program of the Ministry of Science & Technology that mentors,
rewards and showcases 10lakh top innovative ideas from over 5lakh schools.
What are the challenges?
The rapid global rise of Cyber-Physical Systems (automation) has the potential challenges for job creation.
This needs to be addressed by nurturing a sufficiently skilled manpower capable of handling high-end jobs.
Research & training in fields like robotics, artificial intelligence, big data, quantum computing and Internet-
of-Things is needed.
Technologies need be effectively harnessed to enhance productivity across sectors.
3.4 Flue Gas Desulphurization
Why in news?
A Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) plant was proposed in the capital city, Amaravati, across the river Krishna.
What is a Flue Gas?
Flue gas is the by product of combustion, normally vented through long pipes known as flues, often from
fireplaces, ovens, furnaces, boilers or steam generators and power plants.
It usually consists of mostly nitrogen, carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapour, particulate matter (like soot),
carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides.
What is FSD?
It is a control device used to remove sulphur dioxide (SO2) from

exhaust flue gases using an alkaline reagent like limestone.
In this chemical reaction >90% of the sulphur dioxide (SO2) from the
flue gas can be removed by converting the limestone into calcium
sulphite (CaSO4).
The other methods of removing include
1. Spray-dry scrubbing using similar sorbent slurries;
2. Wet sulphuric acid process recovering sulphur in the form of
commercial quality sulphuric acid;
3. SNOX Flue gas desulphurisation removes sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulates from flue
gases;
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For a typical coal-fired power station, flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) may remove 90 percent or more of
the SO2 in the flue gases.
4. FEBRUARY 2017
4.1 Why earths inner core doesnt melt?
Why in news?
Scientists at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden have discovered a new explanation for why the crystallised
iron core of the Earth remains solid, despite being hotter than the surface of the Sun.
What is the structure of the earths

interior?
The Earth consists of four concentric layers.
1. The crust is the outer layer of the

earth of 0-60 km thick. There are two
different types of crust: continental
crust and oceanic crust. The crust
is made up of tectonic plates, which
are in constant motion.
2. The mantle is of approximately

2,900 km thick. The mantle is made
up of semi-molten rock called magma. In the upper parts of the mantle the rock is hard, but lower down the
rock is soft and beginning to melt.
3. The outer core is a liquid layer, also made up of iron and nickel. It is still extremely hot, with temperatures
similar to the inner core.
4. The inner core is in the centre and is the hottest part of the Earth. It is solid and made up of iron and nickel
with temperatures of up to 5,500C.
Why is the inner core solid?
The inner core is composed of about 96% pure iron along with nickel and possibly light elements.
The pressure here is 3.5 million times higher than surface pressure and temperatures around 6,000C.
Due to the enormous pressure the effect of the temperature is offset and the molten iron is solidified.
What is the new discovery?
The solid core is an unobservable feature of our planet.
So understanding this depends on knowing the crystal structures.
Atoms in a molten metal are close to each other with no regular arrangement.
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But when the molten metal solidifies the atoms arrange themselves in definite structures called crystal
structures.
Maintaining of these definite structures is essential for a metal to stay solid.
Like all metals, the crystal structures of iron change depending on the temperature and pressure.
At room temperatures and normal atmospheric pressure, iron exists as a body-centred cubic (BCC) phase
i.e crystal architecture with eight corner points and a centre point.
At extremely high pressure, the crystalline structures transform into 12-point hexagonal forms, or a close
packed (HCP) phase.
At Earths core, due extreme pressure and temperature, scientists have proposed that the atomic architecture
of iron must be hexagonal.
At low temperature, BCC is unstable and crystalline planes slide out of the ideal BCC structure, becoming a
liquid.
But at high temperatures, the stabilisation of these structures begins much like a card game with the
shuffling of a deck.
In the extreme heat of the core, atoms no longer belonged to planes because of the high amplitude of atomic
motion. Therefore on the edge of the inner core, pieces of crystals structure continuously melt and diffuse.
They are again continuously reinserted into the solid core and become solid due to high pressure, like
shuffling deck of cards.
This energy distribution cycle keeps the crystal stable and the core solid.
The sliding of these planes is a bit like shuffling a deck of cards. Even though the cards are put in different
positions, the deck is still a deck. Likewise, the BCC iron retains its cubic structure.
Such a shuffling leads to an enormous increase in the distribution of molecules and energy which leads to
increasing entropy, or the distribution of energy states.
This in turn, makes the BCC stable and if the BCC is stable the metal will remain solid.
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4.2 ISRO 104 Satellites
Why in news?
The PSLV-C37 launched 104 satellites from 7 countries.
Why this launch is significant?
Isros Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, or PSLV, has flown 38 times before.
In June 2016, ISROs PSLV-C34 launched 20 satellites.
ISRO now used the same rocket this time.
With extra boosters attached, it has been made capable of handling the almost 1,400 kg of weight that the 104
satellites presented.
The main payload was the Cartosat-2D, weighing over half the total weight.
The others were two Indian nanosatellites (INS-1A and INS-1B) and 101 nanosatellites belonging to research
facilities in USA, Kazakhstan, Israel, The Netherlands, Switzerland, and the UAE.
Most of the nanosatellites were from a California-based company, which called them doves.
Russias Dnepr rocket carried 37 payloads in 2014. Therefore the current mission carried almost 3 times the
record number of satellites launched in a single mission.
No great technological leap is involved in increasing the number of satellites.
The number of satellites that can be loaded on a rocket is restricted only by the space available and the
carrying capacity of the launch vehicle.
So smaller and lighter satellites have made it possible for rockets to carry more of them.
Calculating and managing the various trajectories for these satellites was a complex task and ISRO deserves to
be complimented for this.
What is a Cartosat?
Cartosat-2D is an Earth observation satellite in a sun-synchronous orbit.
It is the fifth of the Cartosat-2 series of satellites.
It is used to produce high-resolution images of the Indian landmass for applications like rural and urban
management, coastal land use and regulation, monitoring of road networks or water pipelines,
and for building various kinds of land information systems.
A Sun-synchronous orbit is a geocentric orbit that combines altitude and inclination in such a way that the
satellite passes over any given point of the planet's surface at the same local solar time.
Such an orbit places a satellite in constant sunlight and is useful for imaging, spy, and weather satellites.
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What are the achievements?
The mini- and nano-satellite market is a large and lucrative one, and ISRO is doing well to exploit it.
This is particularly credit-worthy since it is a government agency.
On an average, ISRO carries out 4/5 launches a year. Other non-commercial successes include the 2008
Chandrayaan moon mission and the Mars Orbiter Mission.
ISRO has also successfully launched rockets with cryogenic engines.
China launches almost 20 times a year and the commercial market now expects launches to carry at least
above 3,500 kg.
Doing so with a PSLV rocket is a difficult proposition; it does not have sufficient power.
Therefore ISRO needs to get its Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, or GSLV, into the market as fast as
possible.
GSLV was created using Russian engines originally.
In September last year, an indigenous cryogenic engine was used for the first time on an operational GSLV
flight.
So ISRO should concentrate on locally-made cryogenic engine is quite a different proposition ensuring
cutting-edge power in its rockets, and not be permanently distracted by the cost arbitrage provided by the
mini- and nano-satellite market.
What makes ISRO stand out?
ISRO stands for excellence when a majority of government institutions suffer from challenges in terms of capacity and
execution. It is because of,
Autonomy - ISRO reports directs to the PMs office rather than a line ministry.
Line ministries and its bureaucrats have a tendency to micromanage everything. But the PMO works differently
since its officials dont have the time to supervise the affairs of every institution under its ambit.
ISRO, therefore, has a real autonomy than other govt agencies.
Location - Most govt departments being located in Delhi are vulnerable to the authority of the parent ministry
and the concerned bureaucracy.
ISRO, headquartered in Bengaluru, is distant from Delhi and immune from the its drawbacks. It has the right
ecosystem to attract talent and build its knowledge capabilities.
Human Capital - Unlike other govt agencies which are staffed by generalists, ISRO is staffed by specialists.
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Private Sector - ISRO is also more liberal in cooperating with and working with the best in the private sector.
The building blocks of many of ISROs successes come from outside the govt system.
4.3 Exoplanets
Why in news?
Seven Earth-like planets orbiting a small star in our Galaxy called Trappist-1, are recently discovered.
What is an exoplanet?
Exoplanet refers to any planet that is outside our Solar System.
They are generally part of star systems.
There are some rogue exoplanets, which are not attached to any star system.
The first exoplanet was detected in 1995.
Today there are 3,449 known exoplanets.
Before the recent discovery, astronomers had spotted only 348 smaller terrestrial planets with Earth-like
mass.
Only a handful of those were in a "temperate" zone that would allow for the presence of liquid water which is a
key ingredient for life.
How are exoplanets detected?
There are several ways to find planets that cannot be directly observed.
Spectrum - This involves looking for changes in the colour spectrum emitted by a star due to the
gravitational pull of one or more invisible planets.
If these patterns are regular and cyclical, corresponding to a tiny wobble in the star, chances are they are
caused by a planet.
Pictures - Snapping a picture of an exoplanet in front of its star.
Gravitational Micro-Lensing - The light from a distant star is bent and focused by gravity as an orbiting
planet passes between the star an Earth. It is focussed in the same way that a magnifying glass focuses the
Sun's light onto a tiny, bright spot.
Transit method - When a planet passes directly between its star and an observer an astronomer peering
through a telescope, or a satellite in space it dims the star's light by a tiny but measurable amount.
This method has been the most successful so far.
79% of the exoplanets including the seven orbiting Trappist-1 are found this way.
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Scientists announced the discovery of three planets of TRAPPIST 1, a year before.
The team found four more through ground-based telescopes, including the U.S. National Aeronautics and
Space Administrations Spitzer Space Telescope.
Since the dwarf star is much cooler than the Sun, the dimming of light each time a planet passes or transits
before the star could be easily recorded from Earth.
How it is different from our solar system?
Unlike in the case of our solar system, the planets have apparently formed far away from the star and
gradually migrated towards it.
The seven planets are tightly packed around the star.
The closest planet takes just 1.5 days to complete an orbit and the farthest one takes 20 days.
Why is the TRAPPIST 1 significant?
All seven planets could possibly have liquid water a key to life as we know it on Earth.
Three planets among them have the greatest chance.
This is by far the largest collection of Earth-like planets in the habitable Goldilocks zone of a star i.e neither
too close nor too far from a star, which raises the possibility of liquid water being present on the surface.
Scientists are now keen to know if the planets are Earth-like, by ruling out the presence of hydrogen gas
enveloping them. The composition of the atmosphere can be identified by measuring the wavelength
characteristics of light.
Since the TRAPPIST-1 system is close by and the star is cool enough, it would be easier to decipher the various
critical features of the planets.
If there is life on these planets, we would know this in about 10 years making the search for extraterrestrial life
has just become more focussed.
5. MARCH 2017
5.1 Planetary Waves in Sun
Why in news?
Scientist recently discovered that large scale planetary waves that meander through the atmosphere high above Earth's
surface have been also found to exist on the Sun.
What are planetary waves?
Planetary waves, also known as Rossby waves, are a natural phenomenon in the atmosphere and oceans that
largely owe their properties to rotation of the earth.
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These waves are giant meanders in high-altitude winds that have a major influence on weather.
They are associated with the path of the jet stream and the formation of low- and high-pressure systems,
which in turn influence local weather events.
The waves form in rotating fluids - in the atmosphere and in the oceans.
How was it discovered?
Since the Sun is also rotating, and because it is made largely of plasma that acts like a vast magnetised ocean.
Yet this has been discovered only recently because unlike Earth, that can be scrutinised at numerous angles by
satellites in space, the Sun could be studied from only one viewpoint i.e earth.
But from 2011 to 2014, scientists had the unprecedented opportunity to see the Sun's entire atmosphere from
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), which is placed between the Sun and the Earth.
It was supplemented by measurements from NASA's Solar TErrestrialRElations Observatory (STEREO)

mission, which included two spacecraft orbiting the Sun.
These three observatories provided a 360-degree view of the Sun which helped to understand large-scale wave
patterns.
What is the significance of recent discovery?
Similarly to the Rossby waves, the waves discovered

on the Sun may be intimately tied to solar activity,
including the formation of sunspots, their lifetimes,
and the origin of the Sun's 11-year solar cycle
It could also link a range of solar phenomena that

are also related to the Sun's magnetic field,
including the formation of sunspots, active regions,
and the eruption of solar flares.
It enhances the prediction of space weather much

further in advance.
It can also help to understand the interior of the

sun and where the magnetic field of the Sun comes from.
5.2 Finding Chandrayaan-1
Why in news?
NASA scientists have found Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft, which was considered lost, by using a new ground-based radar
technique.
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What is Chandrayaan-1?
Chandrayaan-1 is the Indias first lunar probe.
It was it was launched in October, 2008.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) lost communication with Chandrayaan-1 in August 2009.
The spacecraft is very small cube about 1.5 meters on each side i.e about half the size of a smart car.
The interplanetary radar has been used to observe small asteroids several million miles from Earth.
But researchers were not certain that an object of this smaller size as far away as the Moon could be detected
even with the worlds most powerful radars.
What NASA did?
Scientists at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) have successfully located ISROs Chandrayaan-1.
It was found circling some 200 km above the lunar surface.
They used ground-based radar technology, i.e., sending microwave beams and listening to echoes, to track the
lost device orbiting the moon.
The team used NASAs 70-metre antenna at NASAs Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in
California to send out a powerful beam of microwaves directed towards the Moon.
Then the radar echoes that bounced back from lunar orbit were received by the 100-meter Green Bank
Telescope in West Virginia.
Not only could they find the spacecraft, they could also determine its speed and orbit.
Nasa has already been using this technology to communicate with Voyager-I spacecraft, which has reached
the edge of the solar system.
What is the way ahead?
With companies and countries sending more space missions and satellites into orbits, the technique can
help in providing interplanetary radar investigations to ensure that objects dont collide in space.
Though limited to moon so far, it can perhaps be used in the case of other planets too.
Using ground radars with the ability to track lunar orbits, space travel can become a lot safer.
5.3 Europa Clipper Mission
Why in news?
NASA has announced its upcoming mission called Europa Clipper.
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What is the mission about?
It is to explore the habitability of Jupiters icy moon Europa.

It is being planned for launch in the 2020s, arriving in the Jupiter system after a journey of several years.
The name clipper is derived from ships that sailed across the oceans of Earth in the 19th century.
These ships known for their grace and swiftness, rapidly shuttled tea and other goods back and forth across
the Atlantic Ocean and around globe.
Similarly, the spacecraft would sail past Europa at a rapid cadence, as frequently as every two weeks,
providing many opportunities to investigate the moon up close.
The prime mission plan includes 40 to 45 flybys, during which the spacecraft would image the moons icy
surface at high resolution.
What is its significance?
Europa has long been a high priority for exploration because it holds a salty liquid water ocean beneath its icy
crust.
The ultimate aim of mission is to determine if Europa is habitable, possessing all three of the ingredients
necessary for life - liquid water, chemical ingredients, and energy sources sufficient to enable biology.
5.4 Environmental Clearance for INO
What is the issue?
Recentlt, the NGT has suspended the environmental clearance given to the India-based Neutrino
Observatory (INO) which was to come up in the West Bodi Hills in Theni district in Tamil Nadu.
Ever since the INO got approval from the Ministry of Science and Technology, it has been drawing flak from
activists despite repeated assurances from scientists that it is unlikely to harm the environment or affect the
livelihoods of the people.
What could happen now?
The order of the NGT has forced the INO to seek fresh environmental clearance, and approval of the National
Board for Wildlife.
It is a process that could take upto 2 years, adding further to the delay that the project already faces.
In the worst case scenario, the INO might even be forced to look for an alternative site, something that it has
already had to do once earlier because of similar environmental concerns.
What is the reason behind opposition?
The latest problem has been triggered by the NGTs assessment that the INO site lies at a distance of 4.9 km
from a national park in Keralas Idduki district, at least 100 m inside the 5 km radius beyond which
projects do not need National Board for Wildlife approval.
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While environmental issues do exist, at the heart of these objections is also fear and mistrust of science and
scientists.
Doubts range from questions of safety to the questionable potential for application of neutrino physics.
Are neutrinos likely to harm people when they strike them? Will the tunnels made for the observatory be used to
store nuclear waste? Are some of the questions that people need answers.
What are the responses from scientific community?
These and other questions have been addressed and answered in the negative by scientists.
On neutrino: Neutrinos from the sun are falling on us by the trillions every second.
On nuclear waste: Storing radiating material will spoil all the chances of detecting neutrinos, which interact
rarely.
On usefulness: We cannot say at the point of invention how useful a discovery will be. Yet, we can certainly
imagine and speculate how useful the science may be.
Former President APJ Abdul Kalam said about how neutrinos could be used to recognize the signs of nuclear
proliferation from a remote location.
He also guessed how neutrinos could help in the search of dark matter and dark energy.
Additionally, just like we have optical and radio astronomy, we can literally widen our horizons with neutrino
astronomy.
What is the INO project?
The neutrino observatory is the most ambitious scientific research facility that India is trying to build.
To be located 1.5 km below the Earths surface, this observatory would be used to detect and study neutrinos,
one of the fundamental particles of the universe.
Several groups in different countries are carrying out parallel research on neutrinos, which are believed to hold
very important clues to some of the basic questions on the universe.
In recent years, neutrino research has led to the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2002 and 2015.
Detected for the first time in 1959, though their existence was predicted almost three decades earlier, in 1931,
neutrinos were later found to be omnipresent.
They are the second most abundant particles in the world, after photons.
These high-energy particles are produced in natural radioactive decays and all sorts of nuclear reactions
happening in nuclear power reactors, particle accelerators or nuclear bombs.
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But the most common source of neutrinos are celestial phenomena i.e., the birth and death of stars, collisions
and explosions happening in space.
The core of the Sun is an important source of neutrinos.
A large number of the neutrinos were produced at the time of the Big Bang, making them good candidates to
extract more information from about the origins of the universe.
But because they are electrically neutral and almost massless, these neutrinos have an extremely low
tendency to interact with other objects.
This is the reason why scientists have to go deep underground to set up special detectors in a bid to catch the faint
signals of neutrinos in an environment that is relatively free from noise and disturbance.
5.5 Addressing Superbug
What is the issue?
A US woman died due to such a superbug which heightened the global disquiet over the growing menace of
antibiotics resistance.
Following this, WHO recently came out with its maiden list of antibiotic-resistant priority pathogens.
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What are superbugs?
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the ability of a microbe to resist the effects of medication previously used to
treat them.
A superbug is a strain of bacteria that has developed extreme AMR i.e become resistant to all available
antibiotic drugs.
What is the condition in India?
The superbug was first detected in 2008 in a Swedish patient of Indian origin who had travelled to this
country for medical care.
This bug was subsequently named after the Indian capital as New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase-1
(NDM-1).
In India, the abuse of antibiotics is most rampant.
Therefore it is a fertile ground for the growth of drug-tolerant bacteria.
Even the intensive care units and operation theatres of reputed hospitals and government healthcare facilities
have been infested with it.
What are the causes?
Patients generally tend to self-medicate with antibiotics even for ailments that do not require these medicines.
Doctors are prone to prescribing relatively more potent antibiotics meant for use as the last resort, for minor
illnesses.
Chemists disregard all norms for dispensing antibiotics. They not only sell them without doctors prescriptions
but also assume the role of healthcare workers themselves to give these drugs to unwary customers.
The health authorities and drug regulators are also found inadequate in preventing microbial immunity from
growing to risky scale. They have been too careless to regulate the manufacture, trade and use of antibiotics.
What are the findings in the report?
The WHO has dubbed superbug as one of the biggest threats to global health.
It maintains that the misuse of antibiotics in humans and farm animals is accelerating the process of
resistance development.
India has most of the 12 families of bacteria that was catalogued in the WTO list.
Most other countries are also witnessing an alarming uptrend in microbial resistance to antibiotics.
What are the new challenges faced by the world?
The world is heading towards a post-antibiotics era when even common infections and minor injuries might
prove fatal.
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There is also no reliable alternative at hand to antibiotics.
All the researches to combat superbugs, but the work is still in a preliminary stage.
Besides, there is no guarantee that bacteria will not mutate to develop immunity against the new drug as well.
A fairly good policy to tackle antibiotics resistance was formulated in 2011.
However, its implementation has been delayed.
Therefore the ban on over-the-counter sale of antibiotics has remained only on paper.
Therefore it is imperative to enforce antibiotics-dispensing norms effectively.
It is also to promote steps for the prevention of common diseases through better hygiene and improve the
coverage of vaccination to obviate the need for using antibiotics.
5.6 NASAs Cold Atom Laboratory
Why is the issue?
NASA is planning to send a chest-sized box called Cold Atom Laboratory CAL to the International Space
Station.
The box will create temperatures close to absolute zero and facilitate better observation of the Bose-Einstein
condensate
What is the CAL project about?
CAL has lasers, a vacuum chamber and an electromagnetic knife inside it.
These are intended to cancel out the energy of gas molecules and to slow them until they become almost
motionless.
The plan is to freeze gas atoms to temperatures very close to absolute zero.
Studying these hyper-cold atoms could reshape our understanding of matter and the fundamental nature of
gravity.
The experiments of CAL are also expected to give us insight into dark energy one of the most pervasive
forces in the universe.
CAL is set to ride to space on flight SpaceX CRS-12 very soon.
What is Bose-Einstein condensate?
When atoms are cooled to extreme temperatures, they can form a distinct state of matter known as a Bose-
Einstein condensate.
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It is a super-fluid - a kind of fluid with zero viscosity, where atoms move without friction as if they were all
one.
In this state, familiar rules of physics recede and quantum physics begins to take over.
Matter slowly transforms from particle behaviour to waviness.
The wavy behaviour has only be theorised thus far.
However, on the International Space Station, ultra-cold atoms can hold their wave-like forms longer.
This can potentially provide scientists a sufficient window to understand particle physics better.
Better understanding of super-fluids, can help in the development of more energy efficient technologies.
5.7 Li-Fi A Revolutionary Technology
What is the issue?
A new technology called Light-FidelityLiFi is being developed.
It uses light to carry data and is proving to be a lot faster than the present Wi-Fi technology.
What is Li-Fi?
Light-Fidelity is a new technology that uses light waves, instead of radio frequency waves, as a medium to
carry data.
This means improvised LED bulbs could function as routers and enable web access.
It is said to be a disruptive technological advancement that could radically transform business models.
Some bet it to be a $113 billion industry by 2022.
How does Li-Fi work?
An ordinary off-the-shelf LED bulb is to be connected to a device, which in turn is connected to the Internet.
The Internet data flows from the device into the bulb, and is carried by light waves being emitted by the bulb.
At the other end, light waves carrying the Internet data falls on a receiver or a dongle which is connected to the
computer.
How does Li-Fi fare in comparison to Wi-Fi?
Considering the rate of growth of wireless data communication, the Radio Frequency spectrum used in Wi-Fi
might not be enough.
Wi-Fi, therefore will increasingly see issues like the shortage of spectrum and network disruption because of
interference.
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As visible light spectrum is much larger, the issues in traditional wireless communications are overcome by Li-
Fi.
Low interference helps Li-Fi achieve very high data speeds as much as 100 times faster than Wi-Fi.
Li-Fi can also potentially achieve 1,000 times the data density of Wi-Fi, since light can be contained in a
targeted area.
Also, Wi-Fi cant be used underwater, whereas Li-Fi works fine in such conditions.
While Radio Frequency can interfere with electronic circuitry, visible light cant, thereby making Li-Fi a lot
safer.
What are the other aspects of Li-Fi?
LED illumination is already energy efficient & data transmission needs very little additional power.
The system also allows users to shift from one light source to another without losing their network connection.
For internet connectivity without light, the stream of photons can apparently be reduced to a minimal level
that wont produce visible light but can emit enough light to carry data.
The inability of light rays to pass through walls is seen as a major drawback of this technology.
But the same becomes an advantage if network security is considered - as restriction by walls eliminates the
risk of the signal leakage for eavesdropping.
Visible light spectrum is available in plenty for free and Li-Fi technology can potentially harness this in future.
5.8 New Trade Mark Rules - 2017
What is the issue?
National Intellectual Property Rights Policy was approved by the Government of India in May, 2016.
This Policy covered all forms of Intellectual property IP and was regulated under the Department of
Industrial Policy & promotion.
Trade Marks Office subsequently replaced the erstwhile Trademark Rules of 2002 with the new Trade Marks
Rules - 2017.
What are the changes brought about?
Sound marks - The applicant can now submit the intellectual property in MP3 format unlike the
cumbersome process before.
Process Expedited Speeding the entire process has been made possible for the entire processing of the
application.
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Renewal: For filing a renewal application post expiration of IP, the time period has been enhanced from 6
months to 1 year.
Specifying the Purpose - Earlier, it was the Examiner's discretion to call for an affidavit claiming the use.
It has now been made mandatory for the Applicant to file an Affidavit along with supporting evidence to claim
use of the mark.
E-service: The TM Rules now provide for electronic service of documents including all applications, notices,
etc.
Registry will now send official communications through email.
Well known mark: Earlier, any trademark was held to be 'well-known or not by the judiciary if a dispute
regarding its use arises.
The TM Rules now permit a claim for a 'well-known' mark simply through an application.
Marks which apply for a well-known status will be advertised in the journals and third parties can raise
objections to the same.
The Registrar will look at factors such as the extent of recognition among the public, advisement expenditure
among other factors before granting the well known status.
What are the positives?
The number of forms has been reduced for the registration & the process has been streamlined for faster
processing.
To encourage online filing, The Government also incentivises online filing by offering a 10% concession for e-
applications.
The fees have also been reduced for individuals, start-ups and small enterprises to create and protect their
brand.
Judicial hearings may now take place through video conferencing thereby enhancing the speed of case
disposals.
The current rules have brought about a lot of clarity and are bound to be a boost the governments Ease of
doing business mission.
The pendency of applications is a major challenge and it needs to be addressed by further increasing power
and efficiency.
It would also be interesting to watch how the Registry deals with the simplified declaration of well-known
marks status.
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It may require a separate department to scrutinize the genuineness of such applications as the existing
departments already deal with high workloads.
5.9 E-waste An Eco-friendly Recycling Technique
Why in news?
Indian Institute of Science has found an eco-friendly way to recycle e-waste more efficiently.
According to the UN Environmental Programme, about 50 million tonnes of e-waste is generated annually
across the world.
How does the design work?
It employs low-temperature crushing to reduce e-waste into metals, oxides and polymer - without using
chemicals
The cryo-mill grinding chamber is cooled using liquid nitrogen.
A small hardened steel ball is used for grinding the material in a controlled inert atmosphere using argon gas.
E-waste is crushed into nano-sized particles at temperature ranging from -50 to -150 degree C.
The polymer becomes brittle when cooled to -120 degree C and ball milling easily breaks it into a fine power.
The crushed powder is then mixed with water to separate the components into individual classes of materials
using gravity.
This process is said to be scalable and is environment friendly but it uses higher energy for the cooling
process.
Why lowering temperature is required?
If the process is employed at room temperature, the local temperature of polymer increases during grinding.
So, the polymer melts and reacts with the rest of the components and forms a chunk.
So separating the individual components becomes difficult.
Also, the maximum size reduction by grinding that can be achieved at room temperature is about of 200
nanometre.
But in the case of low temperature ball milling the size can be reduced to 20-150 nanometres.
Low-temperature grinding also eliminates noxious emissions.
5.10 Self-Driving Cars
Why in news?
Recent crash involving an Uber driverless car in Arizona has ignited the debate on driverless car.
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What does self-driving car means?
Self-driving or driverless or robotic cars use artificial intelligence and computing power to navigate from point
A to point B, sensing their environment and making decisions in real time to avert mishaps.
They do this using a range of sensors and cameras on all sides, as well as predetermined digital maps and real
time inputs about traffic and obstacles.
The first experimental self-driving cars started in 1984, but commercial trials are just a few years old.
The US is the hotbed of this technology, with at least 27 companies including Tesla, Google and Volkswagen
seeking permissions for tests in California alone.
Why do we need driverless cars?
In theory, it is great economics.
The 120 crore cars in the world sit idle for almost 95% of the time, making them perhaps the most inefficient
human creation ever.
Uber thinks that if all cars were autonomous and shared to scale, they could eliminate 90% of these vehicles.
For residents of cities from Los Angeles to New Delhi, traumatised by traffic jams, this is an attractive idea.
Fewer cars also mean reduced need for parking spaces and a drastic reduction in pollution.
Plus, it is possible that self-driving cars would eliminate the human errors that kill thousands on the roads
every year.
From Google to Uber to Nissan, dozens of companies are working on the concept of self-driving cars with
varying degrees of autonomy.
All have different end goals from reducing the number of cars on the road to making cars more efficient and
safe.
Are there any laws to regulate these cars?
None exists in reality.
Recently, California became one of the first US states to draft a set of broad rules for the autonomous test
vehicles on its roads.
Among other requirements, the company running a test vehicle must put a driver behind the wheel as a
failsafe.
The draft also made it mandatory to make it known to everyone on the road that the vehicle is an autonomous
one.
What are the obstacles for this technology?
Googles self-driving car has been caught in multiple collisions.
And recent Uberself driving car crash despite the fault was on other car.
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The technology is clearly nascent, and subject to other factors such as errors made by humans in other cars.
INDIA, with its chaotic driving environment, presents a slew of challenges for this new revolutionary
technological concept
5.11 Battling Leptospirosis
Why in news?
The researchers at the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH) are involved in a major genome-sequencing effort for 20
Leptospira species.
What is Leptospirosis?
It is a zoonotic disease i.e spread from animals to humans, caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira.
It is commonly known a rat fever and it affects both humans as well as other animals.
The infection is generally transmitted to humans by water that has been contaminated by animal urine
which comes in contact with unhealed breaks in the skin, the eyes, or with the mucous membranes.
Leptospirainterrogans spreads under conditions of stagnant water, flood water, humidity, and proximity
between man and beast.
In most of the cases, leptospirosis only causes mild flu-like symptoms, such as headache, chills and muscle
pain.
However, in some cases the infection is more severe and can cause life-threatening problems, including organ
failure and internal bleeding.
Severe form of leptospirosis is known as Weil's disease.
What is a genome?
A genome is an organisms complete set of DNA, including all of its genes.
It includes the genes (the coding regions), the noncoding DNA and the genetic material of the mitochondria
and chloroplasts.
Each genome contains all of the information needed to build and maintain that organism.
What is the recent study about?
In 2016 leptospirosis cases were reported in India, even before the onset of the monsoon.
2017 is facing the prospect of erratic monsoons.
Also there is no major improvement nationwide in waste-water and flood-water management.
So the leptospirosis toll is expected to be greater.
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Therefore the study is aimed to improve the odds of controlling this disease by understanding the genetic
determinants of Leptospira pathogenesis.
What are the findings?
One accomplishment is the development of a pangenomic signalling database.
This has enabled researchers to explore the molecular mechanisms and regulatory pathways underlying
Leptospira virulence.
The research also focuses on a One Health approach.
This approach integrates efforts to predict and control a disease at the human-animal-ecosystem interface,
which is the key to defeat re-emerging zoonotic diseases such as leptospirosis.
It stresses upon identifying transmission sources, stratify disease risk and prioritise prevention in the
resource-poor settings of Indian slums
It also highlights the fact that across Primary Health Centres in India, rapid diagnostic tests are often used
instead of serological tests due to lack of adequate trained personnel.
These rapid tests may not reach the optimal sensitivity until at least a week after onset of fever.
The sensitivity of the tests is low during the acute stage.
Therefore these rapid diagnostic tests should be used with caution before ruling out leptospirosis.
6. APRIL 2017
6.1 Clinical Trails
Why in news?
A long-drawn legal battle over collusion by the Health Ministry with international NGOs to test experimental drugs on
Indians has landed before a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court.
What happened?
In 2009, a prominent international NGO had launched a $3.6 million human papillomavirus (HPV) trial in
India and tested two vaccines on 16,000 tribal girls in A.P. and Gujarat, apparently without informed consent
from the girls parents.
After allegations were made that the girls had suffered adverse effects, the 72nd Parliamentary Standing
Committee Report, implicated the DCGI for licensing the vaccines without adequate research on safety and
efficacy; the Health Ministry for not questioning violations in the licensing process; the ICMR for promoting a
drug even before it was approved and the NGO for setting up a trial without following basic protocol.
The committee found commercial interests were influencing government policy, and that authorities
acted as willing facilitators to the foreign institutions.
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The committee recommended that henceforth, trials ought to be conducted only in the 330 medical colleges that
have emergency facilities.
It also sought an investigation into the illegal approval of drugs and of doctors who submitted ghost letters
recommending drugs for approval.
The NGO and the drug companies involved have dismissed the allegations as baseless and oppose the courts
reliance on the report.
Because of a legal hurdle, the parliamentary report cannot even be looked at by the Supreme Court. Thus, the issue
was referred to a Constitution Bench this week.
How serious the incident is?
In 2005, an important change in the Drugs and the Cosmetics Act allowed phase II trials (where the efficacy
and safety of an experimental drug is tested) for the first time in India.
It allowed drugs discovered abroad by multinational pharmac companies to be tested on Indians.
But clinical trials in India have been accompanied by large-scale criminality as doctors, officials and pharma
companies understand well enough that India is a cesspool of corruption where clearances can be had for a
pittance.
While there have been many cases since, the underbelly of Indias clinical trial industry came to the spotlight in
2005 when 3,300 patients were subjected to 90 clinical trials that followed no protocols at a hospital in Madhya
Pradesh.
In American law, such violations automatically attract the criminal charge of battery. In India, the poor dont
count at all.
Clinical trials ought to be done under calibrated statutory regimes. But, despite several crimes of enormous
proportion where the poor are tested as guinea pigs, nothing has ever been done.
6.2 Electric vehicles and Auto industry
What is the issue?
The prospect of electric vehicles (EV) disrupting the automobile industry has led to both excitement and fear.
Why is the transition problematic to India?
Some experts feel it is all doom and gloom for the incumbent auto original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)
as EVs replace internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and create a change never seen before.
They will suffer the same fate as the horse carriage manufacturers which OEMs replaced more than a hundred
years ago.
The transition from conventional to electric vehicles is of huge significance as globally the passenger vehicle
industry has a turnover of $1.8 trillion and volumes of 90 million.
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The sheer size of the revenues and profits at risk, and the multitude of players in the value chain affected are
not trivial.
From power semiconductor designers to cobalt miners and cathode manufacturers, the beneficiaries are
numerous as are the losers.
The reality is that automobiles are one of the few manufacturing sectors where India has had success.
The country will export nearly 800,000 cars in 2017, a value of at least $4 billion, with nearly 90 per cent
localisation.
In small cars, we are now a global manufacturing hub and added with it is our success in auto components,
another $4-5 billion of exports and global competitiveness.
India is projected to be the third largest car market in the world by 2020, with domestic volumes over 4.5
million.
Currently, we have component localisation of above 85 per cent, with the majority of the value addition
in India.
If the industry is moving to EVs, it undercut whatever manufacturing edge we have in this space.
What is the inevitability?
The move towards EVs is inevitable as it a technology changing innovative product.
The only question is timing and it is also driven by global warming concerns.
Disruption has started at the high-end premium vehicles but will come down to the mass market eventually.
The biggest issue is cost, as the battery of an EV is about $17-18,000, compared to an ICE (engine,
transmission and exhaust systems) of about $5,000.
This gap will narrow as the costs of batteries fall by about 20 per cent annually and more stringent emission
and fuel efficiency norms raise the costs of conventional engines.
Since EVs are faster, more fuel-efficient, easier to manufacture and with zero emission, once costs are similar
the switchover should happen rapidly.
The industry will see 10 per cent penetration in 2025 and 30 per cent by 2035.
China will lead this transition followed by the European Union while Emerging Market (EM) countries will
lag, given the lack of adequate charging infrastructure.
As the OEMs lose control of the core technology, which are batteries, their ability to differentiate and earn
reasonable margins will reduce.
This will severely impact the component suppliers, specialists in engine and transmission components, or
companies focused on fuel injection and exhaust systems.
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However, the industry has at least a decade to adjust.
Even under the most bullish assumptions of EV adoption, global ICE vehicle volumes (including mild hybrids)
will decline by only 0.75 per cent per annum between 2016 to 2026.
This is due to rising ICE sales in the EM markets offset the rapid switch to EVs in the developed world.
In 2016, China led the world in sales of EVs, driven by subsidies and forced government fleet purchases.
It is going to create a national champion in batteries and is determined to close the gap with Korean and
Japanese battery makers by 2020.
India unfortunately has a very limited play in this technology disruption with no battery manufacturing plant.
No attempt by any Indian company or the government to try and catch up.
We missed the semiconductor, the smartphone, the polysilicon and the flat-panel technology waves.
We cannot afford to miss another transition, and remain just an importer of critical enabling technologies of
the future.
The government will have to help leap this transition safely with a better strategy.
6.3 First Global Internet Atlas
Why in news?
Scientists have recently developed the first global Internet Atlas.
What is Global Internet Atlas?
A thorough understanding of the internet's physical makeup has not been there.
It includes things like
i) Submarine cables, buried below the ocean floor, that run between continents to enable
communication.
ii) Data Centres packed with servers storing many types of data.
The Global Internet Atlas is conceived to facilitate this.
It is a new visualization and analysis portal for diverse Internet measurement data.
It has lines that represent crucial pieces of the physical infrastructure of the internet like data centers,
conduits/links that connect these nodes, and relevant meta data.
The static maps will also be complemented in future with the ability to actually examine the status of the
network in real time.
Mapping the physical internet helps stakeholders boost performance.

e.g It shows fibre running across almost all the states in India but scope for improvement of connectivity in the
north-western and north-eastern regions.
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It also helps to guard against a number of threats, from terrorism to extreme weather events like hurricanes.
It has helped direct attention to the problem of shared risk. Physical infrastructure is commonly shared by
multiple networking entities, so damage to any particular piece of infrastructure can impact more than one
entity.
6.4 Belle-II experiment
Why in news?
The High Energy Accelerator Research Organisation (KEK) recently completed the rolling-in of the Belle-II
experiment in Japan.
What is the experiment about?
It is designed to study violations of the Standard Model of particle physics.

It will study the properties of B mesons.
It will accumulate 50 times more data than the previous experiment, Belle, and pursue violations of the
symmetry between particles and anti-particles as well as new laws of physics.
It also has a significant Indian participation both on experimental and theoretical sides.
The fourth layer of the six-layer, highly sensitive particle detector, which is at the heart of Belle-II, has been
built by Indian scientists.
6.5 Viabilities of Nuclear Power
What is the issue?
The looming uncertainty about the nuclear power due to recent mishaps and changing global perception has caused
much debate among world nations.
What are the issues with nuclear power?
With increased change in global threat perception about nuclear power and other uncertainties have
decreased the phase of expansion of nuclear power.
Nuclear weapons have ceased to be viable as instruments of war because of the unpredictability of the
consequences of a nuclear war.
The theories of deterrence of nuclear stockpiles have also been discredited after 9/11 brought the most
formidable nuclear power to its knees.
Non-proliferation today, if any, is not on account of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), but on account of the
futility of building nuclear arsenals.
After Fukushima, nuclear power too is receding as a sensible component of the energy mix.
One clean-up operation after an accident can demolish many years of technological advancement and hopes of
having cheap power.
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Why nuclear power still a flourishing?
Former U.S. President Barack Obamas Prague speech had ignited cautious optimism that nuclear weapons
would cease to be the anchor of security.
But still the nuclear and disarmament industry still flourish.
Rajiv Gandhis United Nations Plan of Action for total elimination of nuclear weapons still remains a distant
dream.
The Global Zero movement gained momentum, even as nuclear weapon powers continued investment in
developing delivery systems and weapons.
Why needed non-proliferation?
NPT enthusiasts have been disappointed because out of the three pillars of the treaty only one got
emphasized.
That is among non-proliferation, disarmament and nuclear energy for peaceful purposes non-proliferation,
has got watered down and disarmament has become the priority.
They also worry that dangerous technologies like enrichment are within the reach of the non-weapon states.
In the context of Japan and South Korea debating acquisition of nuclear weapons, they feel that non-
proliferation should be brought back to be the first priority of the NPT.
The promotional function of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is also a concern for them.
The IAEA has already shifted its focus from nuclear power to nuclear security.
In 1995, the NPT was made a perpetual treaty with no possibility of amendment.
Now advocates of NPT emphasise non-proliferation to the exclusion of disarmament and nuclear energy
promotion.
The UN General Assembly held the first UN conference in more than 20 years on a global nuclear weapons
ban, though the nuclear weapon powers did not join.
More than 120 nations in October 2016 voted on a UN General Assembly resolution to convene the conference
to negotiate a legally binding treaty.
The treaty is to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading to their total elimination.
Britain, France, Russia and the U.S. voted no, while China, India and Pakistan abstained.
Though India had recommended the convening of such a conference, it abstained on the resolution.
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India said that it supported the commencement of negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament on a
comprehensive Nuclear Weapons Convention, which in addition to prohibition and elimination also includes
verification.
The conference has failed even before it commenced.
What is the issue with nuclear power production?
Due to Fukushima disaster many countries that had lined up before the IAEA for nuclear technology for
peaceful purposes quietly switched to other sources of energy.
Except for China, India and Russia, most nations have shied away from building nuclear reactors or importing
them.
Indias liability law deterred U.S. companies from exporting reactors to India.
The financial problems of Westinghouse, which had agreed to build six reactors in Andhra Pradesh,
postponed, if not cancelled, the venture.
But India has not fundamentally changed its three-stage nuclear power development, though the thorium
stage eludes it.
The need for reduction of greenhouse gases was an incentive to increase nuclear power production.
With India set to attain increased renewable energy to 40 percent of the total energy production by 2030,
nuclear power is a key to attain this large quantum.
President Trumps challenge to concept of climate change as a hoax and the consequent reduction of allocation
of funds to protect the environment will further reduce the accent on nuclear power.
As a result the Kudankulam project is set to move along with Russian collaboration, but its progress has been
slow.
The nuclear liability law, the Westinghouse bankruptcy and the protests by local people have combined to
delay the expansion of nuclear power in India.
6.6 Sustainable Progress through Application of Research and Knowledge
Why in news?
Earlier in 2017, top administrators in Indian science submitted a detailed project report to Prime Minister
Narendra Modi.
It has reviewed portions of the 48-page report, titled Vigyan 2030: Science and Technology as the Pivot
for Jobs, Opportunities and National Transformation.
What did the report say?
The report said that the stature of Indian science is a shadow of what it used to be because of decades of
misguided interventions.
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We have lost self-confidence and ambition and the ability to recognise excellence amongst our own and we often
chose the mediocre at every level.
One of its key recommendations is to have an independent science and technology authority that will have
two parallel arms.
SPARK (Sustainable Progress through Application of Research and Knowledge), as the body is tentatively named,
will be overarching yet have light touch governance.
A discovery arm: that can organise the expertise of various organisations across states and regions to solve a
basic research problem.
A delivery arm: that will closely work with industry and evolve public private partnerships.
Such an authority will directly report to the Prime Minister.
What are the concerns/challenges?
All very good, except that India already has bodies that were conceived as umbrella organisations that
can pool the intellectual and technological resources of organisations and direct them towards specific missions.
The Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India is one such office.
Though they have no dearth of eminent, experienced scientists, they havent substantially vaulted S&T in the
country either.
The CSIR faces its own challenges of effectively translating its know-how. Scientific departments in India, have
bureaucracies of their own.
They battle the dilemma of having to take bold, expensive risks that science by its very nature requires and on the
other hand, be accountable to the Finance Ministry.
Not only does a new overarching body run the risk of upsetting someone but it will also be a challenge to exert
solemn authority without being a cantankerous accountant.
It has to ensure that good ideas beyond the Indian Institutes of Technology and Science dont die out for lack of
funds or recommendations from influential scientists.
Any new idea, to rejuvenate the administration of science, must also ensure continuity.
A change of government and new leaders has frequently meant new priorities and the infant-death syndrome
for the bold experiment.
6.7 Influenza
What is Influenza?
Influenza is an acute viral infection of the respiratory tract which is considered to be one of the life-
threatening infectious diseases.
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The virus can be transmitted by direct contact with infected individuals, via contaminated objects (also called
fomites) and by inhalation of virus-laden aerosols.
An unexpected emergence of a new and highly virulent influenza virus strains can result in a world-wide
pandemics with high morbidity and mortality such as the avian flu in 1997 and swine flu in 2009.
Human influenza viruses are single-stranded RNA viruses. The main targets of the virus are the columnar
epithelial cells of the respiratory tract, i.e. trachea, bronchi and bronchioles.
Infectivity of influenza virus particles depends on the pH, temperature and salinity of the water, as well as the UV
irradiation.
What are the types of Influenza?
Influenza is caused by three types of RNA viruses called influenza types A, B and C (considered different genera),
which all belong to the family Orthomyxoviridae.
The disease, colloquially called "flu" in humans, is generally caused by the viruses A and B.
Subtypes of influenza A and B viruses can be further characterized into strains. There is a plethora of different
strains of influenza B viruses and of influenza A subtypes, and new strains of influenza viruses can appear and
replace older strains.
Influenza type A viruses are known to infect people, birds, pigs, horses, whales, seals and other animals, but wild
birds represent the natural hosts for these viruses.
Only a fraction influenza A subtypes (i.e. H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2) are currently in general circulation among
people.
Influenza B viruses are responsible the same spectrum of disease as influenza A. And, influenza B viruses do
not cause pandemics.
Influenza C viruses are different in comparison to influenza A and B. They cause a mild respiratory illness and are
not thought to cause epidemics.
Why have H1N1 cases shot up?
The spread of influenza virus declines when the temperature shoots up.
But this year, despite the summer temperature crossing 40 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country, the
number of H1N1 cases and occasional deaths have not stopped.
According to the WHO, since December 2016, H1N1, H3N2 and Influenza B have been circulating in
India.
During September 2016-February 2017, H3N2 has been predominant in most countries, with only low levels of
the H1N1 viruses circulating in the northern hemisphere, says the WHO.
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H1N1 had claimed 160 lives in the country between January 1 and March 26, 2017. The highest number of deaths
was reported from Maharashtra.
What are the steps to be taken?
With over 32,000 people infected and nearly 2,000 killed in 2015, H1N1 highlighted how ill-prepared the
country was in preventing the spread of an infectious disease and managing it.
What India needs is a national policy for influenza immunisation.
In the absence of information on who is most susceptible to H1N1 infection and very likely to die, framing a
national policy will be harder and take a long time.
But until a national policy for influenza immunisation is in place, individuals, particularly those who are highly
vulnerable, should get vaccinated and practise safe health measures such as correct cough etiquette (not
coughing into our fingers but at elbow), staying at home if infected, and not sharing towels with others.
Healthcare workers who handle high-risk patients should particularly get vaccinated.
Is the circulating strain different?
The Pune-based National Institute of Virology has sequenced the whole genome of H1N1 and has not
found any critical mutation responsible for the spread or increased mortality.
While the California strain had been circulating across the world since the 2009 pandemic.
During 2016 California strain and Michigan strain were circulating in India.
However, this year, the H1N1 surveillance revealed that the Michigan strain was circulating, with no sign of the
California strain.
Can vaccination prevent infection?
On March 2, the WHO flu vaccine advisory group recommended the composition of influenza virus vaccines for
use in the 2017-18 northern hemisphere influenza season.
It announced that the Michigan strain replaced the California strain in the northern hemisphere.
Based on its recommendation, the Pune-based Serum Institute of India has started making influenza
vaccine using the Michigan strain, but the vaccine is yet to reach the market.
7. MAY 2017
7.1 India and RNA Technologies
What is the issue?
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (Crispr) and its associated protein (Cas9) have been
generating quite a buzz of late, even resulting in speculation about a new technology race between the US and China.
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Political and strategic implications apart, scientists all over the world are now able to carry out gene editing at
costs much lower than ever before, and much more accurately.
The enhanced tinkering with DNA can be used to achieve end goals as diverse as enhancing crop quality and
disease resistance, treating genetic diseases, and even addressing the associated risk of antibiotic
resistance through a Crispr pill that substitutes antibiotics.
With the advances in nanotechnology and bioinformatics in place, India can be an attractive destination for a
number of multinational pharma companies to either outsource some part of their research or buy the siRNA
products or nano-carriers for RNA delivery from India.
This polymeric moleculeessential for regulation and expression of geneshas already been the subject of
research, in areas such as RNA interference (RNAi) and antisense technology.
What are RNAi& antisense technology?
RNAi: It is a gene silencing technology that inhibits protein synthesis in target cells using double-stranded RNA.
RNAi has huge significance within the Indian context, considering the deep-seated resistance over the years to Bt
cotton and other GM seeds.
Recently, GM mustard received regulatory approval from the genetic engineering appraisal committee, only to get
stalled later on account of a petition filed before the Supreme Court.
So,RNA-reliant solutions could be a viable alternative.
Also, RNAi technologies are now known to formulate drugs capable of reducing cholesterol levels by half.
This technology also finds immense importance in treating acute viral infections like AIDS.
Antisense Technology: It achieves the same result as RNAi, but only through single-stranded RNA.
Antisense technology has shown promising results in producing a variety of tomato with increased shelf-
life commonly known as FlavrSavr.
The future could potentially be witness to the use of antisense technology to target cancer.
What are the constraints?
India faces two major challenges hindering progress in RNAi and antisense technologies.
Lack of efficient and targeted delivery vehicles:While some Indian institutes have developed drug delivery
vehicles capable of delivering proteins, much less has been done to develop vehicles capable of carrying silencing
reagents such as small interfering RNA (siRNA).
Though this is one of the objectives of a stand-alone programme on nano-biotechnology,theresearch gaps

continue to exist.
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Minimal development of silencing reagents: They ensure significant, specific, consistent and lasting
knockdown of the target gene.
The drug controller general of India (DCGI) has granted its nod to the first-ever clinical trial of siRNA therapy in
India, in 2016.
The number of such trials is negligible when compared to the total number of clinical trials in our country.
What could be done?
India, in order to deal with the first constraint, needs to develop domestic facilities focusing on
nanotechnology-based targeted RNA-delivery product development.
Nanotechnology being a multidisciplinary field must evoke cooperation and partnership among government
ministries, research organizations, and private sector donors.
At all levels of government, there must be active collaboration with research institutions in the US, Japan,
and other early movers in this space, in terms of the training and development of human resources.
Academic institutions and governmental agencies must organize nationwide seminars and symposiums to
highlight the importance of nanotechnology in the fourth industrial revolution.
In order to address the second challenge, India must enhance its competence around bioinformatics.
Start-ups in the bioinformatics field must work on developing design algorithms for the development of safer, less
toxic and more stable silencing reagents.
Sustainable improvements in bioinformatics research would require an increased number of trained

scientists becoming experts in the discipline.
7.2 Mycobacterium indicus pranii
Why in news?
Mycobacterium indicus pranii (MIP) vaccine was launched as part of a pilot programme in several districts of Gujarat
and in Bihar.
What is the current status of leprosy?
Leprosy is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae.
It affects the skin, nervous system, respiratory tract and eyes but is most feared because of the unsightly skin
lesions and in very advanced stages, disfigurement and disability.
It spreads by people-to-people contact but is not nearly as contagious as it is made out to be in popular
perception.
India has a running National Leprosy Elimination Programme (NLEP).
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Yet, the number of leprosy cases went up from 1,25,785 to 1,27,326 between 2014 and 2015.
The Annual New Case Detection Rate stands at 9.71/1,00,000 population.
Technically India eliminated Leprosy, but as statistics show, cases are actually rising and some states have
regressed.
Elimination has to be achieved at the states and the districts, not just at the national level, to break the
diseases cycle.
What is MIP?
MIP is a non-pathogenic bacterium.
In its heat-killed form, it acts by sprucing up the bodys immunity.
It is primatily used as a vaccine for leprosy.
Apart from this, it is also being tried as a vaccine against bladder cancer, warts, lung cancer and TB.
The vaccine was indigenously developed entirely at the National Institute of Immunology (NII).
It could be a milestone in the fight against the group of diseases collectively known as Neglected Tropical
Diseases (NTD).
7.3 South Asia Satellite
Why in news?
India launched South Asia satellite on May 5 2017.This sends a positive signal to the neighbourhood.
What are the facts about the satellite?
The South Asia Satellite (GSAT-9) is a geosynchronous communications and meteorology satellite by the Indian
Space Research Organisation.
It is launched for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region.
This idea was mooted by India in 18th SAARC summit.
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka are the users of the multi-dimensional facilities
provided by the satellite.
By launching the GSAT-9 South Asia satellite, India has reaffirmed the Indian Space Research Organisations
scientific prowess, but the messaging is perhaps more geopolitical than geospatial.
What are the benefits of the launch?
The benefits the countries would receive in communication, telemedicine, meteorological forecasting and
broadcasting.
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China is planning to launch a cloud for the countries in the south east region, but India wisely took the lead by
lunching the SAARC satellite.
It is prove once again that India is the only country in South Asia that has independently launched satellites on
indigenously developed launch vehicles.
More than scientific endeavour, this geopolitically strengthens Indias Strong neighbours policy.
What is the hassle with Pakistan?
In recent years Pakistan and Sri Lanka have launched satellites with assistance from China.
Pakistan denied the trade permission between Afghanistan and India via the land route, this created distress mong
the SAARC countries.
Pakistan initially declared its intention of participating in the project, and offered India monetary and technical
help.
India rejected Pakistani offers, saying that it wanted the project to be a "gift" and multi-national collaboration
would be time consuming.
As a result, Pakistan declined to participate in the project.
This the right move at right time by India as our neighbouring countries trying to seek chinas help for space
programs
With the GSLV launch India is showing that where it is capable its commitment to the development of its
neighbours is strong.
Finally, by going ahead with the project despite Pakistans decision to pull out, present Government is signalling
that it will continue with its plans for the neighbourhood SAARC minus one if necessary.
It is clear from the launch that if our counterpart Pakistan fails to give Co-operation through land, we can connect
with neighbouring countries through space.
7.4 New Layer of Tectonic Plates
Why in news?
Scientists have found an extra layer of tectonic plates in the Earth's mantle.
What are tectonic plates?
Tectonic plates are pieces of Earths crust and uppermost mantle, together referred to as the lithosphere.
There are usually seven major plates including African, Antarctic, Eurasian, North American, South American,
Pacific, and Indo-Australian.
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There are dozens of minor plates, the seven largest of which are the Arabian, Caribbean, Juan de Fuca, Cocos,
Nazca, Philippine Sea, and Scotia.
What is the new development?
Continents drift over the surface of our planet, and the ocean floor tears due to this, with magma from the
mantle filling the gap.
At the other end of the process, where tectonic plates converge, oceanic plates plunge into the deeper mantle
in a process called subduction.
The newly discovered plates have slided horizontally inside a water-rich layer of the mantle known as the
transition zone, which lies 440-660 km below the surface.
These subducted plates appear to travel horizontally for thousands of kilometres at speeds almost as fast as
plates move at the surface.
Just as in conventional tectonic plates at Earths surface, the bends and breaks in these subducted plates can
generate earthquakes.
Such movements explain a mysterious series of very deep, large earthquakes known as the Vityaz earthquakes,
which originated in the mantle between Fiji and Australia.
7.5 New Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors
Why in news?
The Union Cabinet approved of a plan to build 10 new pressurised heavy water reactors of 700 MWe (mega watt
electric).
What is the scope of this proposal?
This proposal marks the biggest expansion of the countrys nuclear power capacity from the existing 6,780 MWe
generated by 22 plants, which accounts for just 3% of the electricity generated.
It could generate orders worth Rs 70,000 crore, create more than 30,000 jobs.
It boosts the Make in India programme by opening opportunities for indigenous engineering companies.
According to the International Energy Agencys World Energy Outlook 2015, the countrys power sector needs to
almost quadruple by 2040 to keep pace with electricity demand.
This proposal can deliver clean energy to meet Indias growing demands.
What are the issues?
Cost - Compared with solar power tariffs nuclear energy appears prohibitively expensive.
This raised the question that why greater emphasis is not laid on meeting the challenging target for solar or wind
power, which collectively account for 10 per cent of power generation
Imports - Indian nuclear power plants are heavily dependent on uranium imports.
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Since 2008 India has emerged as one of the largest uranium importers.
Owing to unstable uranium supply, nuclear power generation has fallen well short of target.
This raises the question why India does not hasten the transition to thorium, the globally recognised alternate fuel
to uranium.
India has the worlds largest thorium deposits and a quarter of global reserves.
It appears, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre is in the final stages of developing a thorium-based advanced
heavy water reactor.
It would be useful to accelerate this process, turning the Make in India agenda into a reality and reducing fuel
costs sharply.
7.6 Svalbard Global Seed Vault
Why in news?
Svalbard Global Seed Vault (SGSV) facility in Norway has recently faced a grave existential threat.
What is SGSV?
SGSV facility lies 360 feet inside of the 1,500-foot Platbergetmountain in Nordenskild Land on the island of
Spitsbergen in Svalbard, Norway.
It is a vault that contains humanitys ultimate food security.
Millions of seeds of various crop varieties are locked in airtight boxes at minus 18 degrees Celsius.
It is built to withstand manmade and natural disasters.
It is theoretically protected against conventional bombs, and sits out of reach of rising sea levels.
Norways government owns the vault.
Depositors retain ownership rights.
India has sent around 9.5 crore seeds to Svalbard.
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What is the threat?
Permafrost refers to the perennially frozen soil found in the Earths higher latitudes.
Technically, it is ground that remains at or below a temperature of 0C for at least 2 consecutive years.
The permafrost around the entrance of the vault melted, flooding the access tunnel with water.
The thaw in the permafrost around the entrance of the facility is likely the result of consistently rising global
temperatures.
The builders of the SGSV announced that repairs were under way at the facility, and that water had reached no
seeds
8. JUNE 2017
8.1 INO Project
What is the issue?
In March 2017, National Green Tribunal (NGT) suspended the environmental clearance (EC) granted to the
India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO), and ordered it to file a fresh application for clearance.
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This had made India to suffer a procedural delay to join the elite club of countries undertaking neutrino
research.
What is the INO project?
Neutrinos are tiny particles, almost massless, that travel at near light speeds.
They are born from violent astrophysical events like exploding stars, nuclear fusion in the sun and gamma ray
bursts.
They are abundant in the universe, and can move easily through matter.
They are very difficult to track down.
The proposed INO project primarily aims to study atmospheric neutrinos in a 1,300-m deep cavern in the
Bodi West Hills in Theni district, Tamil Nadu.
If completed, it would house the largest magnet in the world.
Neutrinos hold the blueprint of nature, which the INO project aims to use to understand some of the unsolved
mysteries of the universe.
What are the concerns?
The explosives used in construction are considered a threat to the highly sensitive ecology of the Western
Ghats.
But the excavation is planned to be carried out by a controlled blast, limiting the impact of vibrations with the
help of computer simulations.
There are questions about the relevant radiation safety studies for carrying out the long baseline neutrino
experiment.
But an underground lab accessed by a 2 km-long horizontal access tunnel, resembling a road tunnel is to be
constructed.
Such tunnels have been built extensively in India and the relevant studies show that the environmental
impacts have been managed.
In the second phase, a far detector for the Neutrino Factory has been initially planned.
It is a proposed particle accelerator.
This may not be necessary because of the discoveries already being made in the field.
Even if you build it, the radiation from the neutrino beam would be one in 100 millionth of the natural
radiation, which is negligible.
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Allegations such as neutrinos being radioactive particles and that the INO will double up the storage of nuclear
waste do not hold ground.
Such assumptions and procedural lapses have pushed this project into a limbo.
Any further delays could defeat the purpose of the project because similar projects elsewhere could undermine
Indias efforts.
We should generate sufficient public support for such high technology and science projects.
The communication between the scientific community and the public should be more basic and democratic.
8.2 Gravitational-Wave Detection
Why in news?
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) detectors in the U.S. have made the third confirmed
detection of gravitational waves coming from a binary black hole merger.
What are Gravitational Waves?
Gravitational waves are 'ripples' (like the movement of waves away from a stone thrown into a pond) in the
fabric of space-time caused by some of the most violent and energetic processes in the Universe.
Massive accelerating objects (such as neutron stars or black holes orbiting each other) would disrupt space-
time in such a way that 'waves' of distorted space would radiate from the source.
These ripples would travel at the speed of light.
They carry with them information about their cataclysmic origins, as well as clues to the nature of gravity
itself.
The strongest gravitational waves are produced by catastrophic events such as colliding black holes, the
collapse of stellar cores (supernovae) etc.
The remnants of gravitational radiation created by the birth of the Universe itself also still exist.
What is the significance of the new discovery?
LIGO detected G-waves emerging from the merger of two black holes.
The black holes are of masses nearly 31 times and 19 times the suns.
Until the first detection of gravitational waves in 2015 it was not known that such massive black holes could
exist.
The detection has revealed not merely a black hole merger, but also the alignment of the spins of the black
holes.
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This can shed light on the way the black holes might have formed.
It is also found that the two black holes making up the merger are probably not aligned along the same
direction.
This supports the theory which says that black holes form independently in a star cluster, then sink to the
centre of the cluster and eventually merge.
The observation also yields support to Einsteins General Theory of Relativity.
According to this theory, gravitational waves, unlike light waves, will not disperse as they travel through space.
This too has been confirmed by the analysis of the presently detected signal.
8.3 WHO guidelines on Antibiotics
Why in news?
World Health Organisation has revised the antibiotics classes in its list of essential medicines.
What is the current move?
WHOs guidance classifies antibiotics into different categories.
A first-line access group of antibiotics should be available at all times.
Drugs that are placed under a watch category are second choice.
Drugs that are classified as reserve should be deployed as a last resort.
Under this graded approach some medicines are reserved for the most resistant microbes.
This can stop their misuse as broad-spectrum treatments.
What is the need?
Antimicrobial resistance is the phenomenon of bacteria becoming resistant even to the most potent drugs.
The prescription of antibiotics is often guided by such factors as patient demand, competing alternative
treatment systems, and even financial incentives.
The Indian Council of Medical Research issued a warning two years ago, that resistance to antibiotics was
found in 50% of patients.
The current move is a welcome step in the global initiative to push back against antimicrobial resistance.
A large number of infants were dying due to infections that did not respond to treatment.
The revised WHO classification can mitigate the problem if the many issues associated with use of the drugs
can be monitored and regulated.
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Access to speedy and accurate diagnosis is equally important in order to deploy the correct antibiotic early.
While the medical community can be sensitised to its responsibility to prevent antimicrobial resistance, it will
take enlightened policies on housing, sanitation and hygiene education to prevent new infections and the
spread of disease-causing organisms.
8.4 GSAT-19 Indias biggest Hit
Why in news?
June 6th launch of GSAT-19, is perhaps ISROs most important mission in the last three decades.
This is bigger in technological significance than even the hugely popular Chandrayaan or Mangalyaan space
missions.
What is the background of the issue?
Behind the success of the launch is nearly three decades of hard work in taming cryogenic technology and an
interesting history of this technology was denied to ISRO by the United States in the early 1990s, forcing it
develop it on its own.
ISRO had planned the development of a cryogenic engine way back in the mid-1980s when just a handful of
countries the United States, the erstwhile USSR, France and Japan had this technology.
In 1991, ISRO and the Russian space agency, Glavkosmos, had signed an agreement for supply of two of these
engines along with transfer of technology.
However, the United States, which had lost out on the engine contract, objected to the Russian sale, citing
provisions of Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) that neither India nor Russia was a member of.
In an alternative arrangement, Russia was allowed to sell seven, instead of original two, cryogenic engines but
could not transfer the technology to India.
But ever since the cancellation of the original Russian deal, ISRO got down to develop the cryogenic
technology on its own at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre at Thiruvananthapuram.
It took more than a decade to build the engines and success did not come easily.
What is a Cryogenic engine?
Cryogenics is the science that addresses the production and effects of very low temperatures.
A cryogenic rocket engine is a rocket engine that uses a cryogenic fuel or oxidizer.
That is, its fuel or oxidizer (or both) are gases liquefied and stored at very low temperatures.
Notably, these engines were one of the main factors of NASA's success in reaching the Moon.
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Amongst all rocket fuels, hydrogen is known to provide the maximum thrust.
But hydrogen, in its natural gaseous form, is difficult to handle, and, therefore, not used in normal engines in
rockets like PSLV. However, hydrogen can be used in liquid form.
The problem is hydrogen liquefies at very low temperature, nearly 250 degrees Celsius below zero.
To burn this fuel, oxygen also needs to be in liquid form, and that happens at about 90 degrees Celsius below
zero.
Creating such a low-temperature atmosphere in the rocket is a difficult proposition, because it creates
problems for other material used in the rocket.
Thats why cryogenic upper stage engines are used.
What are the specifications of the project?
The launch is a giant leap for ISRO because of the rocket it is using.
The mission happens to be the first developmental flight of the next generation Geosynchronous Satellite
Launch Vehicle, called GSLV-MkIII with an entirely indigenous cryogenic upper stage.
This cryogenic stage, that involves handling fuel at very low temperatures, is crucial to providing the extra
thrust required by the rocket to carry heavier satellites deeper into space.
GSLV-MkIII is meant to carry payloads up to four to five tons and that was not possible with conventional
propellants used by ISROs main launch vehicle, called PSLV.
PSLV can take satellites only up to 2 tons to orbits and that too until orbits of 600-km altitude from the earths
surface.
It will not just help ISRO probe deeper into space but will also bring it extra revenue, enabling it to make
commercial launches of heavier satellites.
By it successive successful launches ISRO once again proved Indias Space Exploration capability to the world.
8.5 NAG missile
Why in news?
DRDO successfully tested Nag missile.
What is NAG?
It is the 3rd generation Fire and Forget Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM).
Fire-and-forget is a type of missile guidance which does not require further guidance after launch such as
illumination of the target or wire guidance.
The missile is developed to support both mechanised infantry and airborne forces of the Indian Army
It is designed to destroy modern main battle tanks and other heavily armoured targets
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The missile successfully hit both the targets at different ranges and conditions with very high accuracy as
desired by the Armed Forces.
The complete functionality of Nag ATGM along with launcher system NAMICA has been established.
It marks the successful completion of development trials of Nag Missile.
It further strengthens the countrys defence capabilities
The missile is equipped with highly advanced Imaging Infrared Radar (IRR) seeker and has integrated
avionics technology in its arsenal.
This integrated avionics technology is possessed by very few countries.
8.6 Bio-remediation
Why in news?
RaaginiiJaain, a national expert on the Swachh Bharat Mission, has developed a rapid bioremediation process for old
dumps successfully.
What is Bio-remediation?
Bioremediation is a waste management treatment that uses naturally occurring organisms to break down
hazardous substances into less toxic or non toxic substances.
Biomining is an environment friendly technique of extracting metals from ores, other solid materials like
waste using micro-organisms.
These methods are simple and low cost solution for reducing the garbage hills and also permanently reduce
the emission of harmful gases and leachate.
What are the harmful effects of garbage fills?
It causes many issues right from foul odour, emission of harmful gases which contributes global warming,
leachate (a black liquid oozing from the waste) that seeps into soil polluting the ground water.
As the cities are expanding, landfills become closer to the human establishments.
What are the steps taken by the government?
Based on the report of an expert commitee in 1998, the Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling)
Rules, 2000 were notified by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
It specified that landfill sites should be allocated on which sanitary landfills should be developed to receive the
final residual waste.
The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 now cover more than only municipal areas, provide for collection
charges and for penalties on waste generators for non-compliance.
Unlike the earlier Rules, it makes it the duty of every waste generator to segregate the wet waste from dry
waste.
How does the new process work?
In the new process developed by RaaginiiJaain, organic fraction of the original waste is degraded biologically
by the bioculture.
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Once the waste is stabilised, it goes for bio-mining.
There it is separated into different fractions which can then be used for different purposes, eg, for compost,
road sub-grade, making RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) pellets, recycling plastics, or inerts for landfills.
What are the advantages?
After 4 weeks of this process developed, there is about 40% volume reduction in the waste.
The previously held waste dumps are now fully recovered for alternate uses such as waste management and
reduced ill-effects of the waste in landfills.
8.7 The F-16 deal
Why in news?
The f-16 deal between India and USA is not going to be a game changer.
If realized, the F-16 deal will bring some jobs but nothing more no market, no cutting-edge technology, and
certainly no leverage against Pakistan.
What is the background of the issue?
The wording of the deal which was signed at the Paris Air Show is very clear it states only the intent to
partner together to meet Indias Make-in-India requirement through the establishment of an F-16 production
line in India.
The most obvious takeaway from this is that the deal is not a firm agreement to manufacture the F-16 in India,
but only a letter of intent to assemble the plane in India if and when the Indian Air Force (IAF) chooses that
platform.
This deal will result in the transfer of the entire F-16 production line to India, irrespective of the IAFs choice,
are plain wrong.
What are the features of F-16?
The F-16 is one of the most remarkable fighters of the last century.
When it started out, it was a triumph of globalization sourcing parts from across the width and breadth of the
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) and other major non-Nato US allies.
The brilliance of this was that even though it started off as a US national programme, it effectively became the
national fighter of a cluster of five northern European countries, of Turkey, Israel and South Korea with each
cluster heavily buying into the production and supply chains.
Each of the companies buying in benefitted from the massive economies of scale in a production run of over
4,600 units as well as from being able to innovate follow-on sub-systems that were incorporated into the
several upgrades that the F-16 has seen.
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The F-16 did was to spawn a global production and supply chain of sub-systems manufacturers, that was
highly innovative but still flexible enough to be highly adaptive and competitive.
What is the downside of the issue?
The downside of this, for India, is that by some estimates, less than 40% of the F-16 is actually Lockheed
technology.
The remaining 60% is proprietary technology owned by hundreds of sub-systems manufacturers spread across
the globe.
This means that about 60% of the F-16 technology remains unavailable to India unless its signs deals with
each of the hundreds and possibly thousands of sub-component manufacturers, some of whom are based in
countries like Turkey that are less than enthusiastic about India.
The F-16 engine, core crystal-blade technology is off limits to even the closest US allies.
The F-16 patents are owned by General Electricals an US based firm, the slow growth of new engines globally
it hardly suits GEs business interests to transfer such technology to India.
One of the most compromises with the F-16 is that purchasing the plane will mean India can effectively cripple
the Pakistani F-16 fleet by controlling the supply of spare parts.
The F-16 block 70 being sold to India is a vastly different beast from the F-16 block 50 sold to Pakistan.
This means that the supplier chain India will get will be different from the supplier chain that Pakistan has
access to.
Indeed, the globalized supplier and manufacturer chain means that Pakistans tap can never be turned off.
The F-16 is a brilliant plane, it is at the end of its life cycle but India, which isnt as technologically advanced as
the US, should be able to easily absorb whatever technology it gets from the deal.
However, prospects for further external sale and secondary maintenance contracts are non-existent given that
the F-16 best exemplifies an anti-monopoly product.
In the end, India gets a superb fighter and a few thousand jobs but nothing more not a monopoly, not a
market, not innovation, not cutting-edge war-winning technology and, certainly, not strategic autonomy.
9. JULY 2017
9.1 Role of Biomarkers in Dengue
Why in news?
Mumbai based study on dengue found that biomarkers can help to curb deaths caused by the disease.
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What are biomarkers and how it is used?
Biomarkers are indicators that help in determining the presence or severity of a disease.
The idea is to establish molecular signatures for complicated cases.
It is used to have a sound knowledge of the disease progression in different individuals suffering from the
disease.
What are the characteristics of Dengue?
It is spread through the bite of an infected female AedesAegyptus mosquito.
Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) can lead to lethal complications.
DHF in its severe form causes Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS.
DSS is associated with very high mortality rate as the blood pressure drops down drastically and organs start
to collapse.
What is the status of dengue in India?
The first evidence of occurrence of dengue in India was reported in 1956 from Vellore district in Tamil Nadu.
A disease that was known for its presence only in urban areas gradually spread across the country.
According to the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) In 2016, the number of cases
were 1,29,166 and 245 deaths.
What are the outcomes of the study?
The study collected about 100 to 150 samples of which half will be of dengue patients who required ICU
admission.
Not all dengue cases develop in DHF or DSS.
The study aims to identify a panel of protein biomarkers that can find the answers and help in prediction of
severity of the disease.
The aim is to eventually develop a diagnostic kit to avoid severe disease progression.
If a predictive test comes in place, it will be a game changer.
Knowing well in advance how a disease will progress will bring down unnecessary hospitalisations.
9.2 New study on Blood cancer
Why in news?
A Study at DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad has come up with new insights on Leukemia.
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What is Leukemia?
Leukemia is cancer of the blood or bone marrow which produces blood cells.
A person who has leukemia suffers from an abnormal production of blood cells.
Acute leukemia crowds out the good cells more quickly than chronic leukemia.
Treatment requires holistic approach of financial support, psychological support and a patient tracking
system.
What is the status of leukemia in India?
Acute leukemia cases are recorded across India.
There are nearly 25,000 children diagnosed with cancer in India every year and around 9000 of these have
leukemia.
There would be 90,000 children with leukemia in a decade in India.
The data of those children who are treated are missing.
What are the findings of the study?
Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL) protein is closely associated with leukemia (blood cancer) in children and
adults.
The protein plays a crucial role in cell division by regulating chromosome segregation.
The absence of MLL itself gives rise to genomic instability and makes the cell prone to cancer.
Efforts has been made to discover the essential cellular functions of MLL.
Kinesin motor protein Kif2AK is responsible for organizing MLL cells and associated with several kinds of
cancers.
The study helps in clear understanding the blood cancer.
The genome editing techniques can be carried out with a wide knowledge of MLL protein cells.
These breakthrough findings will help the Indian pharma sector to introduce new life saving drugs.
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DNA fingerprinting
DNA fingerprinting is a method used to identify an individual from a sample of

DNA by looking at unique patterns in their DNA.
DNA fingerprinting was to extract DNA from a sample of human material, usually
blood.
This technology is globally used in solving the crimes.
9.3 Role of Aerosols in Indian Monsoon
Why in news?
Researchers from Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, think that aerosols may be weakening the rainy
season.
What is an Aerosol?
Aerosols are minute particles suspended in the atmosphere.
When these particles are sufficiently large, we notice their presence as they scatter and absorb sunlight.
Their scattering of sunlight can reduce visibility (haze) and redden sunrises and sunsets.
Aerosols are short-lived, unlike greenhouse gases that persist and accumulate in the atmosphere for longer
period.
The bulk of aerosols about 90% by mass have natural origins. Ex: Volcanoes.
The remaining 10% of aerosols are considered anthropogenic, or human-made, and they come from a variety of
sources.
Automobiles, incinerators, smelters, aznd power plants are prolific producers of sulfates, nitrates, black
carbon, and other particles.
Deforestation, overgrazing, drought, and excessive irrigation can alter the land surface, increasing the rate at
which dust aerosols enter the atmosphere.
What are the direct effects of Aerosols?
Aerosols interact both directly and indirectly with the Earth's radiation budget and climate.
Different aerosols scatter or absorb sunlight to varying degrees, depending on their physical properties. Although
most aerosols reflect sunlight, some also absorb it.
Aerosols effect on light depends primarily on the composition and color of the particles.
Pure sulfates and nitrates reflect nearly all radiation they encounter, cooling the atmosphere.
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Black carbon absorbs radiation readily, warming the atmosphere but also shading the surface.
Brown carbon or organic matter has a warming influence on the atmosphere depending on the brightness of the
underlying ground.
Salt particles tend to reflect all the sunlight they encounter.
In addition to scattering or absorbing radiation, aerosols can alter the reflectivity, or albedo, of the planet.
What are the indirect effects of Aerosols?
As an indirect effect, aerosols in the lower atmosphere can modify the size of cloud particles, changing how
the clouds reflect and absorb sunlight, thereby affecting the Earth's energy budget.
Aerosols also can act as sites for chemical reactions to take place.
The most significant of these reactions are those that lead to the destruction of stratospheric ozone.
On a global scale, these aerosol indirect effects typically work in opposition to greenhouse gases and cause
cooling.
Broadly speaking, aerosols are thought to suppress precipitation because the particles decrease the size of water
droplets in clouds.
What did the IITM Pune study say?
A study by IIT Kanpur that came out in April, previously found that higher aerosol loading results in delayed but
more rainfall over Central and Northern India.
But, this recent research by IITM Pune focusses on effect of aerosols on Indian monsoon.
Monsoon is weakening over the last 50 years. The recent reseach report that a mix of GHGs, aerosols and changes
in forest and agricultural cover was affecting the strength of the monsoon.
Their computer simulations suggest that aerosols may be a far more important factor than GHGs and it is the
major cause of weakening of the monsoon.
A good monsoon is produced by the difference in temperature between land and sea.
But, the dust clouds shield the earth from the suns rays, depressing land and sea temperatures and reducing the
variation between the two.
Because of this, the Indian monsoon is getting weakened by aerosol accumulation.
10. AUGUST 2017

10.1 Concerns with gene editing
Why in news?
US scientists corrected disease-causing gene mutation in a human embryo.
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What is the experiment about?
CRISPR/Cas9 is a gene editing technology which has been used.
It is used by researchers to replace short DNA sequences with genetic material of their choice.
Scientists proved that there is also a chance to knock out disease-causing genetic mutations that parents pass
on to their children.
Mutations linked to diseases like breast and ovarian cancers or cystic fibrosis can also be eliminated.
Correcting the mutation in the gene would also prevent the mutation from being passed on to future
generations.
What are the issues with the experiment?
One of its controversial applications is modifying the genes of eggs, sperm, or early embryos to alter a human
life.
This could result in designer babies i.e the ability to create smarter or more athletic humans.
The implications of introducing modified genomes into the human gene pool are vastly unknown.
Creating children with preferred traits also raised bio-ethical concerns as it goes against natural process.
If this technology becomes a realistic, the wealthy would be able to afford the selection of desirable traits in
their offspring, while those of lower socioeconomic standing would not be able to access the same options.
As a result, economic divisions may grow into genetic divisions, with social distinctions delineating enhanced
individuals from unenhanced individuals.
Safety- Most drug regulatory regimes insist that drug makers submit clinical trial data to establish that their
drugs are safe and effective.
The issue in this case is about the longevity of these trials as genetic changes and alterations take years to
manifest.
An incremental case-by-case approach could be adopted.
IP - Governments must get it right while dealing with the corporate conglomerates, and their trade secret
and other intellectual property (IP) issues.
We need to therefore encourage more transparency and openness and open up this gene trial data to the
wider public, and to scientists and doctors.
Given all these concerns it is essential to establish firmly, certain baseline principles to go ahead with gene
editing in all its fairness.
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Experiments to change the human germ line are banned in much of Europe but are legal in the US and China.
Though they are in a premature stage, it is to be monitored that the scientific community suggest unavoidable
legislative challenges as more advances are made.
CRISPR
CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced

Short Palindromic Repeats.
CRISPR - Cas9 is the most prominent genome

editing technique .
It allows researchers to permanently modify genes

in living cells and organisms.
This can be used to correct mutations at precise

locations in the human genome to treat genetic
causes of diseases.
Correcting the mutation in an embryo ensures that

the child is born healthy and the defective gene is
not passed on to future generations.
It is also to be noted before placing a blanket ban that every advancement in reproductive health, starting from
in vitro fertilisation to the recent birth of a baby through the three parent technique for mitochondria-
related disease, has initially been stuck in controversy.
10.2 Tapping the Space potential
What is the issue?
India is being watched for its space feat especially with the recent launch of a record-breaking 104 nano-
satellites into orbit from a single rocket.
Experts however feel that India can do a lot more, given its potential.
What are India's strengths?
Scientists attribute much of ISROs success and prolific output to the way the organization is run.
Tight cost-control driven by the organizations ability to do everything in-house including building
rockets, satellites, propulsion systems, and sensors has helped.
Cheaper Indian labour scientists, engineers, technicians, support staff as compared to those in the U.S. or
Europe is another plus.
ISRO is now recognized as a reliable source by many countries to outsource their launches to.
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Apart from commercial space activities and for agricultural purposes, India is also augmenting its capacity to
pursue diplomatic and security objectives.
What are the opportunities at present?
The recent achievements have helped strengthen India's place in the burgeoning private space market.
With surging demand for telecommunication services Indias primacy in the field of space exploration
and space-based services will skyrocket further.
Demand for small, inexpensive satellites, like the ones ISRO fired off, is especially expected to boom.
ISRO now has its eyes set on interstellar missions (travelling between stars or planetary systems) which is
expected to set the template for future interstellar missions.
There are a range of other missions under way such as Aditya-1 (first Indian space mission to study the
sun), Chandrayaan-2 mission, an orbiter to Venus, etc.
Where to focus now?
Indian government has been augmenting ISROs budget year on year. Even so, the organizations current
annual budget of $1 billion is just 5 percent of NASAs.
ISROs average annual revenue over the last three years is approximately $200 billionwhich is very low in
comparison with the global launch services market.
ISRO has to fully leverage its capacities and talents to earn more profits, which can help expand its
operations.
Despite its successes, India needs to claim a larger share of the global space economy pie. It should fully tap
the potential and earn substantial profits for its commercial launch services.
Indian government should formulate policies to optimally use its scientific and technological expertise to
nurture home-grown enterprises.
This can help expand a range of products and services for the domestic market as well as increase the
participation in the global space industry.
11. SEPTEMBER 2017

11.1 IRNSS The Failure
Why in news?
The recent launch of IRNSS-1H satellite as part of the NavIC (Navigation in Indian Constellation) project was a failure.
What went wrong in the launch?
ISRO declared the IRNSS-1H launch a failure after a heat shield failed to separate.
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The heat shield is a protective cover provided around the satellite to help it withstand the adverse
temperatures felt when a rocket is launched into space.
Separation of the heat shield occurs mid-flight when the rocket leaves Earths atmosphere.
The performance of PSLV-C39 went as per plan up to the point where the satellite had to be inserted in orbit
but the heat shield prevented it from being deployed in space.
What is IRNSS & NavIC?
IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite Systems) is a group of satellites launched for providing satellite-
based navigation services in the Indian subcontinent under the NavIC project on the lines of GPS created by
USA.
It was designed mainly to provide an Restricted Encrypted Service for authorised users like the defence
forces.
But it also provides for accurate position information services to general users in India as well as the region,
up to 1,500 km from the boundary.
ISRO will also sell its capabilities to service providers like mobile phone manufacturers, vehicle manufacturers
etc.
The main reason for the development of IRNSS is the reliability that it offers when used for defence purposes.
ISRO started work on the IRNSS programme in 1999 after the Kargil War, where Indian defence forces could
not use American GPS in the conflict zone to locate its soldiers.
What was IRNSS-1H supposed to do?
NavIC project with an indented cost of Rs.1,420 crores essentially comprises only seven satellites.
IRNSS-1H, was the eighth satellite, launched to replace IRNSS-1A, which developed problems last year.
It was supposed to sit in a Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.
What made replacing of IRNSS-1A necessary?
IRNSS-1A was the first satellite of the NavIC, launched in 2013.
Recently, all the three RAFS-Atomic Clocks (Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard clocks) on IRNSS-1A had
failed, due to probable short circuiting.
This rendered it ineffective for navigation services, which called for a replacement.
While the clocks had failed, the rest of satellite components were found to be functioning perfectly.
IRNSS-1A is currently being used for messaging activity.
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Why are these clocks important?
Atomic clocks are a key component in a navigation system for accurate timekeeping.
This is crutial, as the determination of a persons position on earth is subject to the accurate calculation of
delays in signal transmission from the satellite to earth.
Recognizing this importance, ISRO satellites are equipped with three clocks each one being the primary
timekeeper and two acting as backup.
Due to the IRNSS-1A failure, modified versions of the original atomic clocks are being used by new satellites to
overcome the technical issues.
11.2 Switching Over To VoLTE
What is the issue?
With the VoLTE revolution kick started by the Reliance Jio, Indian telecom players are battling to retain their
competitive position in the market.
Knowing the features and challenges of this new technology thus becomes essential.
What is VoLTE?
Voice over Long-Term Evolution (VoLTE) is a standard for high-speed wireless communication for mobile
phones and data terminals.
Under the earlier LTE, the infrastructure of telecom players only allows transmission of data while voice calls
are routed to their older 2G or 3G networks.
Thus under LTE, one cannot access the 4G data services while on a call.
On the other hand, VoLTE, a technology update to the LTE protocol, allows voice calls to be packaged and
carried through LTE networks.
This would mean 4G data accessibility even during calls.
What are the benefits of VoLTE?
VoLTE allows voice service being delivered as data flows within the LTE data bearer.
VoLTE is an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) specification.
IMS enables a variety of services to operate seamlessly on the network rather than having to switch to different
applications for voice or video.
The various benefits of VoLTE thus include:
1. high definition voice quality, superior to the previous networks.
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2. faster, better and wider data connectivity.
3. network would pick up 2G or 3G signals when VoLTE is unavailable, ensuring connection with both voice and
data.
4. video calls directly from the mobile number; this could avoid the necessity for applications such as Skype or
Viber.
5. as VoLTE counts voice calls as data usage, billing will be in terms of data consumption rather than minutes of
usage.
6. better battery life as battery consumption due to switching and searching for a network from 4G to 3G to place
a call is not required under VoLTE.
7. VoLTE thus facilitates a range of services such as video calling, file transfer, real time language translation and
voice mail services.
The service might be limited to mobile phones that are equipped with software to allow VoLTE function.
Also, there is a possibility for call drops in the initial stages of implementation.
Due to costs and complexity involved in the infrastructure, mobile phones and telecom operators may find it
hard for adopting it immediately.
Also, the incumbent operators are still dependent on revenue from voice, making them hesitant to switch over
to VoLTE.
These factors could prove them uncompetitive in the market.
From the consumer end, the present free voice calls under VoLTE are not sure to continue with gradual
change in pricing plans in future.
*****

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A Shankar IAS Academy Initiative

What is Hyperloop technology?

Bullet train vsHyperloop

1.2 Indias membership in CERN

Established in 1954, the organization is based in Geneva.

What is Large Hadron Collider?

What is Indias position?

What is Indias benefit?

1.3 Indigenously Developed SONARS

All these Systems are to be productionised in India.

1.4 Indias Space Achievements and Constraints

What demonstrates Chinas aspirations?

Since 2011, 11 taikonauts have travelled into space.

What are Indias aspirations?

India is yet to send a manned mission to the moon.

What is the status of Indias space budget?

Budget is clearly a constraint.

What are the achievements of ISRO?

Despite budget constraints, ISRO has many achievements to its credit.

1.5 Augmented Reality Institute

What is augmented reality?

What are the highlights about the new institute?

It can dissect aeroplane engines and show how 3D designing works.

1.6 Mcr-1 isolated in India

What is mcr-1 and Colistin?

Mcr-1 has already been detected in China, USA and Brazil.

It is often used to treat human diseases when no other antibiotic works.

What are the issues with colistin?

What is the way forward?

Whenever an antibiotic is used/overused/ misused, resistance develops.

The thing is we must realise that clinical practice depends on colistin.

1.7 Aquaponics in India

First Aquaponic farm in North India has been set in Gurugram.

Aquaponics involves recycling water from the fish-growing pond

Vegetables can be harvested throughout the period of fish farming cycle

What area the advantages of Aquaponics?

It reduces the cost and time involved in cultivation and harvesting

It is purely organic, natural form of nutrients are provided to the plants.

Water conservation is possible and weeds are eliminated.

It is possible to grow crops year-round.

1.8 Significance of Yamanaka genes

What is the issue?

What are Yamanaka genes?

It is used to regenerate old cells or grow new organs.

What is the Significance of Yamanaka Genes?

What are the applications of Yamanaka Genes?

What are few challenges in its application?

The genes are not very efficient at reversing cell-ageing.

There is a risk of incomplete reprogramming of genes into iPS cells.

1.9 Tax on Tobacco

What is the issue?

What is tobacco farming?

It is cultivated for various purposes like Bidi,Cigar filler,Cherrot,Chewing,Hookah

What is the significance of tobacco farming in India?

What are the challenges for tobacco farmers?

1.10 Drones in Disaster Management

What is the initiative?

What are its applications?

Its various applications include:

1. Mapping of landslide affected area and assessment of the damaged caused.

2. Damage assessment of floods and earthquakes.

3. Crop Damage Assessment in diseased paddy fields.

4. Surveys of disaster-prone or physically inaccessible areas.

Earlier successful models include: