Recently, the 21st ASEAN-India Summit was held in Vientiane, Laos. 

21st ASEAN-India Summit 2024

The Indian Prime Minister (PM) also attended the 19th East Asia Summit (EAS) on 11 October 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

• India commemorated the 10th anniversary of its Act East Policy. 

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Key Highlights Of the 21st India-ASEAN Summit 2024

• 10-Point Plan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a 10-point plan to bolster the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Partnership at the 21st ASEAN-India Summit.
• Maritime Cooperation: ASEAN and India agreed to enhance collaboration between the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). 
• ASEAN-India Plan of Action: The leaders agreed to create a new ASEAN-India Plan of Action (2026-2030) to realise the full potential of the ASEAN-India partnership 
• Counter Terrorism Cooperation: India’s co-chairmanship of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Experts’ Working Group on Counter-Terrorism for 2024-2027 was highlighted in the Summit.
• Reviewing AITIGA: Both sides emphasised the need to expedite the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA).

10-Point Plan Announced At The Summit

• 2025 will be celebrated as ASEAN-India Year of Tourism: India will contribute USD 5 million for joint activities.
• Celebrating a Decade of Act East Policy: Activities include a Youth Summit, Start-up Festival, Hackathon, Music Festival, and Delhi Dialogue.
  • Delhi Dialogue is an annual track 1.5 event for discussing politico-security and economic issues between Association of Southeast Asian Nations and India.

• Organising ASEAN-India Women Scientists Conclave: under the ASEAN-India Science and Technology Development Fund (AISTDF).
• Increased Scholarships: Doubling scholarships at Nalanda University and offering new ones for ASEAN students in agricultural universities.
• Review of ASEAN-India Trade Agreement: Set for completion by 2025.
• Enhancing Disaster Resilience: India will contribute USD 5 million for disaster resilience initiatives.
• ASEAN-India Health Ministers’ Track: To build health resilience.
• ASEAN-India Cyber Policy Dialogue: Strengthening digital and cyber resilience.
• Green Hydrogen Workshop: To foster clean energy collaboration.
• ‘Plant a Tree for Mother’ Campaign: Invited ASEAN leaders to participate in the “Plant a Tree for Mother” campaign to enhance climate resilience.

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Evolution of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations

• Early 1990s: India introduced the Look East policy to strengthen ties with Southeast Asia.
• Initial Growth (1992-2002)
  • ASEAN-India Relations began as a sectoral dialogue partnership in 1992, elevated to a full dialogue partnership by 1995.
  • First ASEAN-India Summit held in 2002, marking rapid progress in their cooperation.
• Strategic Partnership (2012)
  • In 2012, ties were elevated to a Strategic Partnership as ASEAN and India celebrated 20 years of dialogue.
  • The ASEAN-India Eminent Persons Group was formed to review and strengthen relations.
•  Act East Policy: The Act East policy emphasises a more proactive approach, encompassing not only ASEAN countries but also expanding focus to include other Indo-Pacific nations such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea. 
• Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2022)
  • In 2022, both sides established the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and celebrated 30 years of mutually beneficial partnership.

Significance of India-ASEAN Partnership

• Economic Significance:
  • Trade:
    • India and ASEAN are major trading partners, with India’s trade with ASEAN accounting for 11% of its global trade. 
    • India-ASEAN trade had doubled to over USD 130 billion in the past decade.
    • The ASEAN-India Free Trade Area (FTA) has increased bilateral trade, and India is ASEAN’s sixth largest trading partner. 
  • Investments:
    • India is ASEAN’s eighth largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI). 
    • Singapore is India’s largest trade partner in ASEAN and its sixth largest trade partner worldwide. 
• Strategic Significance:
  • Countering China’s Influence: ASEAN is a key strategic partner for India, particularly amidst rising geopolitical tensions with China.
  •  Alignment of India’s ‘Act East Policy’ with ASEAN’s Indo-Pacific Outlook: India’s ‘Act East Policy’ and ASEAN’s ‘Outlook on the Indo-Pacific’ share similar visions for ensuring regional stability and security.
  • India’s Role in Regional Security: India engages with ASEAN through forums like the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum to position itself as a net security provider.
• Regional Connectivity: Key Infrastructure Projects such as India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project are vital for enhancing regional connectivity with Southeast Asia.
  • They also serve as alternatives to China’s Belt and Road Initiative in the region.
• Defence Collaboration: India and ASEAN have strengthened defence ties through joint military exercises like the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise and participation in the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+).
  • India views ASEAN as central to its Indo-Pacific strategy for regional security and growth, represented by the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative.
• Others: 
  • Funding and financial assistance: India has supported ASEAN countries through various funds like the ASEAN-India Cooperation Fund, the ASEAN-India S&T Development Fund, and the ASEAN-India Green Fund, aimed at enhancing cooperation in different sectors.
  • Education and Research: India has established the ASEAN-India Centre at the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) to facilitate studies on ASEAN-India relations.
  • First Responder in HADR: India has been among the first responders in providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to the region. 
    • Example: India launched Operation Sadbhav to deliver disaster relief to Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam in response to severe flooding caused by Typhoon Yagi, in line with its long-standing ‘Act East’ Policy.

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Challenges in India-ASEAN Relations

• Lack of Market Access: Some Indian products do not have market access in ASEAN countries due to factors such as high tariffs and non-tariff barriers.
  • The absence of mutual recognition agreements in professional services restricts the mobility of skilled professionals.
• ASEAN Strict Rules of Origin: The India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has strict rules of origin, making it challenging for Indian exporters to qualify for tariff reductions. 
• Misuse of ASEAN FTA: There are reports of goods being rerouted from China through ASEAN countries with minimal value addition, misusing the FTA benefits.

• Trade Imbalance: India’s trade deficit with ASEAN has more than doubled since the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was implemented in 2010, particularly in sectors like electronics and machinery due to issues related to implementation, customs procedures, and non-tariff barriers etc.
• India’s Withdrawal from RCEP: India’s decision to withdraw from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has led to significant economic disappointment among ASEAN members. 
• Infrastructure Connectivity Challenges: Physical infrastructure links remain underdeveloped. Example: The India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, has faced significant delays and remains incomplete.
• China Factor: India’s attempts to counterbalance China, such as through the Quad Alliance, receive mixed reactions from ASEAN countries.
  • Cooperation has also been affected by China’s claims over the South China Sea (many of which compete with claims of ASEAN members like the Philippines and Brunei) and the issue of military conflict in its member country, Myanmar.

Measures to Improve India-ASEAN Relations

• Recalibrating the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (AIFTA): There is a need to review AIFTA to address trade imbalances and negotiate balanced tariff reductions in key sectors like pharmaceuticals, textiles,and greater market access for services.
• Enhancing Infrastructure Connectivity: Accelerate key projects such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, extending it to Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
  • Develop a “Connectivity Master Plan” aligned with ASEAN’s Master Plan on Connectivity 2025, including digital initiatives like the India-ASEAN submarine cable project.
• Boosting Manufacturing Competitiveness: Extend the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to boost competitiveness in industries critical for ASEAN trade.
• Expanding QUAD to QUAD+: The concept of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) should be expanded to include ASEAN countries, creating a QUAD+ arrangement.
• Expanding Semiconductor Diplomacy in ASEAN: India should expand its semiconductor diplomacy with Malaysia and Singapore to include other ASEAN nations, enhancing collaborations in semiconductor manufacturing. 
• Strengthening Cultural Connections: via Tourism, Collaborative productions in cinema, music, and television, Offering language courses for ASEAN languages in India and vice versa , etc can deepen relations.

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Conclusion

The India-ASEAN relationship, marked by strong trade and cultural ties can ensure mutual prosperity and stability in Asia.

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Researchers documented a new kind of sedimentary rock made from coastal slag deposits in the U.K. published in the journal Sedimentological.

Carbon Trapping and Lithification in Warton Slag

• Study Focus: Researchers studied slag samples from Warton, England, to analyse lithification processes and carbon-trapping potential Techniques Used: Analytical methods like X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, isotope analysis, and electron microscopy were employed to understand slag composition and mineral content.

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• Calcite Cement Precipitation: On the slag surface and sea-facing sides, calcium reacts with CO2 to form calcite, trapping carbon from the atmosphere.
• Calcium-Silicate-Hydrate (CSH) Precipitation: In the intertidal zone, slag forms CSH minerals, influenced by seawater, limiting harmful metal release.

The Anthropocene Era and Human Impact

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• Anthropocene Epoch: It is a proposed geological epoch beginning around the 1950s which marks a period where human activities have significantly impacted the Earth’s systems. 
• Human Impact: Human activities, such as industrialization, agriculture, and urbanisation, have dramatically altered the planet’s landscapes, ecosystems, and climate.
• Industrial Waste: The rise of industries has led to the production of vast amounts of waste, including slag, which has been deposited on the Earth’s surface, contributing to the formation of new sedimentary materials.
• Artificial Deposits: Human-created deposits, like slag, now surpass natural sources of sedimentary materials, indicating the profound influence of human activities on the geological record.
• Global Changes: The Anthropocene is characterised by widespread environmental changes, including global warming, deforestation, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
• Geological Markers: Scientists are searching for distinct geological markers, such as elevated levels of radioactive isotopes, microplastics, or altered sediment layers, to define the start of the Anthropocene.

How does it capture Carbon?

• Carbon Sequestration: Slag can capture CO2 through mineral carbonation, helping reduce greenhouse gases.
• Toxic Metal Containment: Lithified slag can limit the release of harmful metals like vanadium and chromium.

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Future Applications

• Coastal Protection: Slag deposits could be used to protect shorelines from erosion, combining environmental protection with waste management.
• Carbon Capture: Understanding lithification processes can help repurpose slag for CO2 sequestration without the need for additional facilities.
• Resource Recovery: Analyzing slag deposits may also help in recovering valuable resources for recycling in steelmaking.

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Delhi’s Environment Minister highlighted the importance of collaborating with various agencies to expedite approvals for cloud seeding. 

What is Cloud Seeding?

• Cloud seeding is a technique aimed at artificially inducing rainfall by introducing particles such as silver iodide into clouds.
• These particles serve as nuclei around which moisture can condense, ultimately forming rain droplets.

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How Does It Work?

• Seeding Materials: Common materials include silver iodide, potassium iodide, dry ice, or liquid propane.
• Delivery Method: Seeds can be dispersed using aircraft or ground-based sprayers.
• Condensation Process: The introduced particles encourage the condensation of smaller water droplets into larger ones until they become heavy enough to fall as rain.

Applications and Examples

• India: In Solapur, Maharashtra, cloud seeding reportedly increased rainfall by about 18%.
• UAE: The technique has been employed to enhance rainfall in arid regions.
• China: During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, cloud seeding was used to improve air quality

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Role of Rainfall in cleaning air

• Absorption: As raindrops fall, they absorb pollutants like particulate matter (PM), sulphur oxides (SOx), and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
• Chemical Reactions: When raindrops encounter pollutants, they can undergo chemical reactions that transform these harmful substances into less harmful compounds. 
  • For example, sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides can react with water and other atmospheric components to form sulfuric and nitric acids.
• Washout: The raindrops, now laden with pollutants or their transformed products, wash these substances to the ground. This process is known as “washout.”
• Scrubbing: As raindrops fall through the atmosphere, they can also scrub the air of pollutants by physically colliding with and removing them. This process is called “scrubbing.”

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South Korean author Han Kang has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature for her “intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life”. 

Nobel Prize in Literature 2024

This comes after two consecutive years of awarding European authors (Jon Fosse in 2023, Annie Ernaux in 2022).

• The Nobel Committee emphasised that Han Kang’s writing crosses the boundaries between art forms, blending prose, poetry, music, and visual art.
  • It noted her unique style, which challenges the conventions of contemporary literature.

Also Read: Nobel Prize 2024 Winners List

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Notable Works of Han Kang

• The Vegetarian: This novel brought Han Kang international fame and won the Man Booker International Prize in 2016. 
• Human Acts: A powerful novel about the Gwangju Uprising and the traumatic experiences of individuals affected by the historical event.
• The White Book: A poetic reflection on grief and loss, where the narrator explores the memory of a sister who died in infancy.
• Greek Lessons: A story about the intimacy between a woman losing her ability to speak and a man losing his sight, focusing on themes of language, loss, and human connection.
• We Do Not Part: A historical fiction novel about two friends coping with the trauma of a massacre that impacted their families decades earlier.

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Union Home Ministry designated Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT) as a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Hizb-ut-Tahrir Becomes 45th Organisation Banned Under UAPA Act

• HuT is the 45th organisation to be banned under UAPA in India.
• This classification reflects ongoing efforts to curb unlawful activities and maintain national security.

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What led to the ban under UAPA?

• Involvement in radicalization: HuT has been accused of radicalizing youth and motivating them to join terrorist organisations like ISIS.
• Raising funds for terror: The group is involved in raising funds for terrorist activities, posing a threat to India’s national security and sovereignty.
• Goal to establish a global Caliphate: HuT aims to overthrow democratically elected governments and establish an Islamic state through jihad and terrorist activities.
• Use of social media and secure apps: The group spreads its ideology through social media, secure apps, and Dawah meetings.
• NIA action: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Faizul Rahman, the state ‘amir’ of HuT in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, on charges of conspiracy related to secessionism.

About UAPA Act

• Enactment and Purpose: The UAPA was passed in 1967, following recommendations from the Committee on National Integration and Regionalism appointed by the National Integration Council.
  • It was enacted to prevent unlawful activities that threaten the sovereignty and integrity of India.
• Constitutional Basis: The Constitution (Sixteenth Amendment) Act, 1963 amended Article 19(2), allowing Parliament to impose reasonable restrictions on:
  • Freedom of speech and expression
  • The right to assemble peacefully
  • The right to form associations or unions
• Unlawful Activity: Defined as any action intended to disrupt India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
• Scope: The UAPA applies to both Indian and foreign nationals and is enforceable throughout India.
• Forfeiture of Proceeds: Under Section 24A, proceeds derived from terrorism can be forfeited to the Central or State Government, regardless of whether the individual has been convicted.
• Exemptions: Individuals who were members of a now-banned organization before its designation as a terrorist group, and who did not engage in its activities afterward, are exempted from provisions of the UAPA.

Amendments to the UAPA 

2004 Amendment

• Introduced the term “terrorist act” and allowed the banning of organisations involved in terrorist activities.
• As a result, 34 organisations, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, were banned.

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2019 Amendment

• Empowered the Central Government to designate individuals as terrorists based on specific criteria.
• Granted the Director-General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) authority to approve the seizure or attachment of property related to ongoing investigations.
• Allowed NIA officers of Inspector rank or above to investigate terrorism-related cases.

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The Cabinet Committee on Security recently approved two high-profile deals for the purchase of 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) from General Atomics of the U.S. as well indigenous construction of two Nuclear Attack Submarines (SSN).

Procurement of 31 MQ-9B UAVs

• Type: MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
• Purpose: For all three Indian services:
  • 15 Sea Guardians for the Indian Navy.
  • 8 Sky Guardians each for the Indian Army and Air Force.
• Cost: Estimated at $3.99 billion.
• Significance: The MQ-9B UAVs will enhance surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting capabilities across all services.

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Indigenous Construction of Two Nuclear Attack Submarines (SSNs)

• Project: Building of two indigenous SSNs (Nuclear Attack Submarines).
• Significance:
  • Provides the Navy with unlimited endurance (limited only by crew endurance).
  • Follows the success of India’s SSBN program (Nuclear-powered Ballistic Missile Submarines), with INS Arihant (2016) and INS Arighaat (2023) already in service.
  • Critical for enhancing India’s naval capabilities.
• Past Context: India previously leased two SSNs from Russia.

Pending Deal with the US

• Jet Engines: Local manufacturing of General Electric (GE) F414 jet engines by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk1A.
• Discussions about the UAV and jet engine deal delays were held during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to the U.S. in August 2024.

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About MQ9B Predator Drones

• Model and Manufacturer:
  • The MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is a high-altitude, long-endurance drone
  • It is developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI)
• Capabilities:
  • Altitude: Can fly at over 40,000 feet, making it suitable for monitoring the Himalayan border areas.
  • Endurance: Capable of staying airborne for up to 40 hours, ideal for long surveillance missions.
  • Advanced Features: Includes automatic take-off and landing, object avoidance systems, secure GPS, and encrypted communications.
  • Cost Efficiency: Provides 80% of a manned aircraft’s capabilities at 20% of the cost per hour.

Nuclear Attack Submarines (SSNs)

• Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarines (SSNs) are advanced maritime vessels that are powered by nuclear reactors and are primarily used for offensive operations. 
• They are one of the two main types of nuclear submarines, the other being Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBNs). 
• Facts about SSNs: 
  • Stealth: SSNs can remain submerged for extended periods, unlike conventional submarines that need to surface to recharge their batteries. 
  • Weapons: SSNs are equipped with a variety of tactical weapons, including torpedoes, anti-ship cruise missiles, and land-attack cruise missiles. 
  • Endurance: SSNs can operate underwater almost indefinitely, limited only by the crew’s food supplies. 
  • First SSN: The first nuclear-powered submarine was the USS Nautilus (SSN-571), which was commissioned in 1954. 
• India has one nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, the INS Arihant, which was commissioned in 2016, and India plans to commission its second, INS Arighat, in 2024.
  • India has made progress in nuclear submarine technology through the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) program.
  • India’s Arihant-class submarines are ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) that are part of the country’s nuclear deterrent. 

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AI-generated synthetic medical images offer a scalable, ethical, and cost-effective solution to the high demand for annotated medical images, addressing both privacy concerns and resource limitations in healthcare.

About Synthetic Medical Images

• Synthetic medical images are created by AI algorithms without the use of traditional imaging devices (MRI, CT scans, X-rays).
• These images simulate real-world medical data but are generated entirely by mathematical models like GANs, variational autoencoders (VAEs), and diffusion models.

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How Synthetic Medical Images Are Created?

• Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs):
  • Consist of a generator and a discriminator that improve together: 
  • The generator creates fake images while the discriminator identifies whether an image is real or synthetic.
• Variational Autoencoders (VAEs):
  • Compress an image into a latent space and then recreate it, minimising the difference between the original and synthetic images over time.
• Diffusion Models:
  • Start with random noise and gradually transform it into realistic images in a step-by-step process.

Advantages of Synthetic Medical Images

• Bridges gap in data supply: 
  • Medical images are expensive and time-consuming to collect, and privacy concerns limit their sharing. 
  • Synthetic images provide an ethical, scalable, and cost-effective solution.
• Enhance AI development: 
  • Allows for more robust training of AI models by providing a larger dataset for analysis without violating patient privacy.
• Intra- and Inter-Modality Translation:
  • Intramodality translation: Enhances or reconstructs images within the same modality (e.g., improving MRI images).
  • Inter-modality translation: Converts images between modalities (e.g., generating CT scans from MRI data).
• Cost and Time Efficiency:
  • Synthetic images reduce the time and expense involved in collecting real-world medical images.
• Overcome Data Scarcity:
  • Can provide abundant, annotated datasets for AI model training, particularly for rare medical conditions.
• Ethical and Privacy Considerations:
  • Eliminates the need to use real patient data, safeguarding patient confidentiality while promoting research and collaboration.

Challenges of Synthetic Medical Images

• Deepfakes and Malicious Applications:
  • Synthetic data could be exploited for fraudulent purposes, such as submitting false insurance claims or introducing fabricated clinical findings.
• Loss of Real-World Nuances:
  • AI-generated images might not capture subtle complexities (e.g., tissue density variations), leading to inaccurate diagnoses.
• Truth Erosion:
  • If AI models rely too much on synthetic data, there is a risk that these models could distort real-world healthcare practices, potentially misaligning diagnoses with actual patient conditions.
• Overdependence on Synthetic Data:
  • Exclusive use of synthetic images for AI training could erode the distinction between real and generated data, compromising diagnostic accuracy.
• Regulatory and Ethical Concerns
  • Human oversight: Reliance on AI for medical diagnostics should not be left unchecked, Human oversight is needed.
  • Regulation: Needed to ensure that synthetic medical images are used responsibly, avoiding potential misuse or the erosion of clinical trust.

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Way Forward

• Strengthen Ethical Regulations: Develop clear guidelines to prevent misuse, such as deep fakes, and ensure transparency in synthetic data use.
• Maintain Human Oversight: Ensure close collaboration between clinicians and AI engineers to balance AI innovation with real-world medical complexities.
• Balance Synthetic and Real Data: Use a mix of synthetic and real medical images in AI models to capture nuances and maintain diagnostic accuracy.
• Enhance AI Model Accuracy: Focus on robust AI models that differentiate between real and synthetic data, ensuring clinical utility.
• Educate Healthcare Professionals: Train medical staff to understand and effectively use synthetic data, emphasising awareness of risks and benefits.

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Green Patches in Antarctica, Worrying Scientists

Context: Plant cover across the Antarctic Peninsula that points north towards South America, has increased more than 10 times over the past few decades due to rising temperatures, as per a new study.

About the Study

• Study published in Nature Geoscience, conducted by University of Exeter, Hertfordshire, and British Antarctic Survey.
• The Study was primarily focused on the Antarctic Peninsula, a region warming faster than the rest of Antarctica.

Key Highlights

• Warming in Antarctica:
  • Antarctica is warming twice as fast as the global average (0.22-0.32°C per decade).
  • The Antarctic Peninsula is warming five times faster than the global average, now 3°C warmer than in 1950.
  • Record-breaking heat waves observed:
    • July 2024: Temperatures 10°C higher than normal.
    • March 2022: Heatwave saw temperatures 39°C above normal in East Antarctica.
• Vegetation Expansion:
  • Plant cover in the Antarctic Peninsula has increased 14 times in 35 years due to rising temperatures
  • Vegetation (mostly mosses and lichen) covered less than 1 sq km in 1986, now covers almost 12 sq km in 2021.
  • Rate of greening increased by over 30% between 2016-2021.
  • Warmer seas may contribute to wetter conditions, encouraging plant growth.
• Global Climate Change Impact:
  • Antarctic greening is linked to anthropogenic climate change, demonstrating that climate change’s influence has no geographical limit.
  • Sea ice extent: 2024 recorded the second smallest sea ice extent, contributing to warmer seas.
• Consequences of Increased Vegetation:
  • Invasive species risk: Mosses create soil, which could attract invasive species, threatening native flora and fauna.
  • Albedo effect: Increased plant cover darkens the surface, reducing sunlight reflection, which could raise temperatures further.
  • Loss of ice mass: Antarctica is already losing 280% more ice mass in recent decades, contributing to rising global sea levels.
• Future Implications: As greenhouse gas emissions rise, the warming trend will likely continue, leading to more vegetation and further environmental changes in Antarctica.

Facts about Antarctica

• Fifth-largest continent, being about 40% larger than Europe
• Earth’s coldest, highest, driest, and windiest expanse. 
• The average elevation is 7,200 feet (2,200 meters) above sea level. 
• Often referred to as the “Frozen Continent” or the “White Continent”. 
• Home to the world’s only known “lava lakes”. 
• Home to penguins, notably the Adelie penguins. 
• It has the highest average wind speed on the planet. 
• The Antarctic Ice Sheet is the world’s largest single mass of ice. 
• The sun does not rise in Antarctica from the vernal equinox to the autumnal equinox and does not set in Antarctica throughout the summer months. 
• Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) is the world’s largest wind-driven current and the only current that links the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans.

India’s Antarctic Programme

• Dakshin Gangotri: India’s first Antarctic research base, built in 1983; abandoned in 1989.
• Maitri: India’s second Antarctic research base, built in 1989.
  • Maitri II: A new station is being built to replace Maitri due to its outdated infrastructure. Expected to be completed in January 2029. 
• Bharti: India’s third Antarctic research station, built in 2012.
• A scientific research and exploration program under the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCPOR), started in 1981 with India’s first expedition to Antarctica. .
• NCPOR was established in 1998.

World Post Day 2024: Theme, History, Significance

Context: World Post Day is celebrated every year on October 9 to recognize the role of the postal system in communication, trade, and development.

Key highlights

• 150th Anniversary of (UPU): This year marks 150 years since the founding of the UPU in 1874 in Celebrating World Post Day
  • The UPU was established in 1874  to create a unified international postal system, making global mail exchange more efficient.
• History:
  • World Post Day: Declared in 1969 at the UPU Congress in Tokyo to emphasise the importance of postal services.
• Theme for 2024: “150 years of enabling communication and empowering peoples across nations.“

Significance of Postal Services

• Communication: Essential for connecting people worldwide.
• Trade: Facilitates the exchange of goods and services.
• Development: Supports economic growth and social progress.
• E-commerce: Plays a vital role in online shopping and delivery.
• Financial inclusion: Provides access to financial services in remote areas.

RBI Enhances Transaction Limits on UPI 123, UPI Lite

Context: To encourage wider adoption of the unified payments interface (UPI), the RBI recently announced an increase in transaction limits on UPI123 and UPI Lite.

About UPI Lite

• UPI Lite is an “On-device wallet.
  • Users must first contribute money to the app’s wallet from their bank accounts. 
• Users can make real-time payments without the Internet 
• Allows users to make low-value transactions without entering a UPI PIN.
• Phase One:  UPI Lite will process transactions in near offline mode, Debit (payments) can be made without Internet connection and credits into the account will be done online
• Initial limit: ₹500 per transaction, with a wallet limit of ₹2,000.
• New limits:
  • Per transaction: ₹1,000.
  • Wallet limit: ₹5,000.

About UPI123Pay

• UPI 123Pay is a Suite of solutions developed for Non Smart phone / feature phone users to use the UPI without internet connectivity
• Started in March 2022 to enable feature-phone users to use UPI.
• It is available in 12 languages.
• Technology alternatives include IVR number, app functionality, missed-call and proximity sound-based payments.
• Transaction Limits:
  • Initial transaction limit: ₹5,000 per transaction.
  • New transaction limit: Increased to ₹10,000 to encourage wider use.

RBI’s New Initiatives

• Beneficiary Account Name Look-up for RTGS and NEFT:
  • Similar to UPI and IMPS, this facility will allow remitters to verify the name of the beneficiary by inputting account number and branch IFSC code before transferring funds.
  • Aims to increase customer confidence, reduce wrong credits, and prevent frauds.

Significance

• Encourages digital payments adoption, especially for feature-phone users and small-value transactions.
• Enhances trust and accuracy in fund transfers by allowing account name verification.
• Boosts India’s digital payment infrastructure and promotes financial inclusion.

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