Recently, the Supreme Court of India opined that Secularism is an indelible and core part of the Basic Structure of the Constitution.

The court made the oral observation while hearing a batch of petitions filed by former Rajya Sabha member Subramanian Swamy and others challenging the inclusion of the words “socialist” and “secular” in the Preamble to the Constitution.

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Recent Supreme Court Observation on Secularism

• Core Constitutional Principle: Secularism is an indelible part of the Constitution’s Basic Structure.

• Judicial Precedents: Secularism is intrinsic to the Constitution, supported by the right to equality and fraternity.
  • Notable Cases: 
    • Kesavananda Bharati Vs State of Kerala (1973):  Supreme Court held that secularism was a part of the basic structure of the Constitution. 
    • Bommai Vs Union of India (1994): Supreme Court elaborated on the meaning of secularism. The Court said that secularism means equal treatment of all religions.
• Interpretation of Socialism: Socialism should promote equality of opportunity and equitable wealth distribution, rather than limit on individual liberty.
• Preamble’s Integrity: The Preamble is integral to the Constitution and can be amended without altering its basic structure.
• Secularism is the Basic Structure: Court has in a number of judgments held that secularism was always part of the Basic Structure of the Constitution. 
  • If one looks right to equality and the word ‘fraternity’ used in the Constitution, there is a clear indication that secularism has been held as the core feature of the Constitution
• Critique of the 42nd Amendment: The 42nd Amendment is labelled as “infamous” for attempting to diminish judicial power while retaining the declarations of secularism and socialism.

About Secularism

• Secularism as a concept entails the separation of religion from the political, economic, social, and cultural spheres of life, treating religion as a purely personal matter. 
• It has broadly two meanings:
  • Separation of religion from the state.
  • Equal respect to all religions by state.
• However, there is a difference between the Western and Indian Secularism. 

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Constitutional Provisions Pertaining to Secularism in India

• Article 14: Guarantees the right to equality before the law and prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion.
• Article 15: Prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
• Article 16: Ensures equal opportunity in matters of public employment, regardless of religion.
• Article 25: Guarantees the freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion.
• Article 26: Provides the right to manage religious affairs and establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes.
• Article 27: Prohibits the use of tax revenue for the promotion or maintenance of any religion.
• Article 28: Prohibits religious instruction in educational institutions wholly maintained by the state.
• Articles 29: Protects the interests of minority groups by providing them the right to conserve their culture, language and script.
• Article 30: Guarantees minorities the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
• Article 51A: Outlines Fundamental Duties which obligates all citizens to promote harmony and a spirit of brotherhood, as well as to value and preserve the rich heritage of India’s composite culture.

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Criticisms of the Indian Model of Secularism

• Ambiguous Definition: Lacks a clear definition, making it difficult to understand the boundaries between religion and state.

• Positive Discrimination: Policies favouring specific religious groups may undermine the principle of equality.
  • Categorising citizens by religion can promote divisions rather than unity.
• Vote Bank Politics: Critics suggest that secularism encourages vote bank politics. While politicians seeking votes is a democratic norm, the focus should be on whether these actions genuinely benefit the targeted groups. 
• State Intervention: The Government’s involvement in religious affairs, such as managing temples or personal laws for different communities, raises questions about the secular nature of the state. 
  • Critics argue that this intervention can infringe upon the autonomy of religious institutions.
• Minority vs. Majority Rights: Protecting minority rights may sometimes marginalise the majority community. This can lead to feelings of alienation among the majority.
• Lack of Uniform Civil Code: The absence of a Uniform Civil Code is often cited as a failure of Indian secularism. Critics argue that different personal laws for various communities can perpetuate discrimination and inequality, undermining the secular ethos.

Factors Threatening The Secular Character Of The State

• Mingling of Religion and Politics: Mobilisation of votes based on religious, caste, or ethnic identities undermines the neutrality of the state and threatens secularism.
• Economic Inequality: Failure to address economic disparities can lead to social unrest, which may be exploited by religious groups to gain support.
  • The Sachar Committee reported that although Muslims make up 14% of India’s population, they account for only 2.5% of the Indian bureaucracy.
• Communal Politics: The communalisation of social spaces through myths, stereotypes, and divisive ideological propaganda targets minority groups and erodes rational values.
• Inter-Religious Conflicts: When one religious group is politicised, it often triggers similar actions by other groups, increasing inter-religious tensions.
• Communal Violence: Communal riots remain a significant threat to India’s secular fabric, with recent incidents of communalism sparking violence. Example: Delhi riots 2020.
• Rise of Hindu Nationalism: Hindu nationalism has led to mob lynching incidents, the forced closure of slaughterhouses, and campaigns against practices like ‘love jihad’ and ghar wapsi, intensifying communal tendencies.
• Discriminatory Legislations: Laws like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) are perceived as discriminatory, specifically targeting certain religious groups, which exacerbates feelings of insecurity among religious minorities.
• Islamic Fundamentalism: Movements pushing for an Islamic State based on sharia law conflicts with India’s secular and democratic ideals, creating tension.
• Radicalisation: Instances of Muslim youth being radicalised by groups like ISIS, though rare, pose a serious challenge to both India’s secularism and global peace.

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Judiciary’s Intervention in Religious Matters Judiciary’s To Strengthen Secularism in India

• Doctrine of Essentiality: The doctrine of essentiality was established by a seven-judge Bench of the Supreme Court in the Shirur Mutt case of 1954 (The Shirur Mutt case arose from a dispute regarding the management of the Shirur Mutt, a religious institution of the Lingayat community in Karnataka) 
  • This ruling placed the responsibility on the judiciary to distinguish between essential and non-essential religious practices, aiming to protect only those deemed essential to a religion.
  • The Essential Religious Practice Test aims to protect only those religious practices deemed essential and integral to a religion, thereby limiting the scope of protection for non-essential practices.
  • This doctrine plays a significant role in striving to balance community beliefs with constitutional principles. 
  • Example: The Sabarimala Case (2018), where the Supreme Court upheld the right of women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple, reinforcing gender equality over traditional religious customs.
• Ensuring Non-Discrimination: Courts have intervened to protect individuals from discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, or gender, ensuring secularism by upholding the principle of equality before the law.
  • Example: The Shah Bano Case (1985), where the Supreme Court granted alimony to a divorced Muslim woman under secular law, overriding personal religious law to ensure justice.
• Curbing Practices that Violate Fundamental Rights: In the Triple Talaq Case (2017), the Supreme Court declared instant triple talaq unconstitutional, protecting Muslim women from arbitrary divorce.
• Balancing Religious Freedom and Social Reform: The Shani Shingnapur Case (2016), where the Bombay High Court upheld women’s right to enter temple sanctums, ensuring gender equality in religious spaces.
• Intervention in Temple Management: The Padmanabhaswamy Temple Case (2020), where the Supreme Court intervened to resolve disputes over temple administration and protect the temple’s wealth for public welfare.

Measures to Strengthen Secularism in India

• Uniform Civil Code (UCC): Implementing a UCC will ensure that all citizens, regardless of their religious backgrounds, are governed by a common set of secular laws, promoting equality and eliminating religious-based legal differences. Secular Education: Promote secular education that emphasises tolerance, diversity, and the importance of separating religion from state affairs, fostering a mindset that respects all beliefs.

• Judicial Consistency: Ensure judicial consistency in the interpretation of secularism, with courts protecting individual rights and equality to uphold the secular spirit of the Constitution.
• Interfaith Dialogue: Facilitate interfaith dialogue and community engagement to promote mutual understanding among various religious groups, reducing communal tensions and fostering harmony.
• Anti-discrimination Laws: Strengthen anti-discrimination laws to combat hate speech, communal violence, and any form of religious discrimination, thereby safeguarding secularism.
• Autonomy of Religious Institutions: Maintain the autonomy of religious institutions while ensuring they adhere to secular principles, without undue state interference or favouritism.
• Media Responsibility: Promote media responsibility by encouraging fair, unbiased coverage of religious issues, and discouraging sensationalism that can stoke communal disharmony.

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Conclusion

Politicising religion can escalate conflicts between groups, undermining social harmony. Strengthening secularism is essential to maintaining unity in a diverse society like India.

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Google announced its first agreement to buy nuclear energy from Small Modular Reactors (SMR) developed by Kairos Power.

• The project aims to generate 500 MW of carbon-free power by 2030.

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About Nuclear Power

• Nuclear power uses nuclear reactions to produce electricity. 
  • This energy can be generated through nuclear fission, nuclear decay, and nuclear fusion.
• Current Methods: Most nuclear power today comes from fission of uranium and plutonium in nuclear power plants. 
  • Nuclear decay is used in specific cases, like powering space probes.
• Future Potential: Controlled fusion power could solve some resource limitations of fission power but is not expected to be available commercially in the near future.
• Nuclear Energy
  • Nuclear energy is released from the nucleus of atoms, composed of protons and neutrons.
  • Types of Nuclear Reactions:
    • Fission: Energy is produced when the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts.
    • Fusion: Energy is generated when atomic nuclei combine or fuse together.
    • Current Use of Nuclear Energy
      • Fission: Today, nuclear energy used for electricity generation comes from the process of fission.
      • Fusion: Electricity generation from nuclear fusion is still under research and development.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy

Why Big Tech Companies Want Nuclear Power?

Big Tech companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon and OpenAI are interested in using nuclear power for a few reasons:

• High Energy Needs
  • Running Artificial Intelligence (AI) requires a lot of energy.  
  • Data centres, which store information for these companies, and other online operations  use a lot of power.  
  • Google’s greenhouse gas emissions rose by 13% in 2023.
• Clean Energy Source
  • Big Tech companies want to use clean energy sources to avoid pollution.  
  • Google views nuclear energy as clean, reliable, and carbon-free, unlike solar power.
• Reliable Power Source
  • Nuclear power plants can generate electricity 24/7, unlike solar or wind power which depend on the weather.
  • SMRs are smaller and easier to deploy, making them suitable for faster use.

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Is Nuclear Energy Clean?

There is debate about whether nuclear energy is truly clean.

• Accidents: There have been some serious nuclear accidents in the past, such as Chernobyl and Fukushima.  
  • While these incidents caused environmental damage and public fear, nuclear energy is still viewed as a potential clean energy source due to its high potential.
• Waste: Nuclear power plants produce radioactive waste that needs to be stored safely for thousands of years.  
  • Groups like ‘Friends of the Earth’ oppose nuclear energy, calling it dangerous and costly. 
    • They highlight the risks of accidents, leaks, and building nuclear plants in earthquake-prone areas.
• Safety Concerns: Some people worry about the safety of nuclear power plants, especially in areas prone to natural disasters

U.S. Government’s Stand on Nuclear Energy

• Supporting Nuclear Power: The U.S. sees nuclear energy as essential for reducing carbon emissions and staying competitive with China and Russia.
• Nuclear Leadership: The U.S. Department of Energy believes nuclear energy helps prevent 500 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, equivalent to removing 100 million cars from the roads.

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A recent Wetlands International report, presented at COP16 in Cali, Columbia  highlights the crucial role of wetlands in National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP).

Review of NBSAPs Post-COP15 Alignment with KMGBF

• This review was conducted after the COP15, where countries were encouraged to revise their NBSAPs in line with Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). 
• National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs): These are national strategies and action plans for countries to implement the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at the national level. 

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Key Highlights of the report titled ‘Assessing the inclusion of wetlands in NBSAPs’

• The assessment includes 24 NBSAPs from around the world, representing 12 percent of the 196 countries that are parties to the Convention on Biodiversity. 
• A majority of submissions came from Europe (10), followed by Asia (7), Africa (2), North America (2), Latin America and the Caribbean (2) and Oceania (1). 83 per cent of the submitted NBSAPs explicitly mention wetlands, inland waters or freshwater in their targets. 
  • Africa and Oceania: 100% inclusion rate.

• • Europe: Over 90% inclusion rate.
• Key Areas Largely Absent: Major wetland areas like the Amazon River Basin and Hudson Bay Lowland were seldom included in national strategies, despite their environmental significance.
• Call for Action: 
  • Need for Clear Targets: The report stresses the importance of establishing clear, measurable goals for wetland protection and restoration in NBSAPs.
  • Broader Impact: Enhancing wetland integration in national strategies will benefit both global biodiversity and the communities relying on these ecosystems.

About Wetlands

• Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil or is present near the surface for part or all of the year. 

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• • For Example: marshes, swamps, bogs, and floodplains. 
• They are transitional zones between land and water and are typically found in areas like riverbanks, coasts, and low-lying regions.

Importance of Wetlands

• Ecosystem Services: They play a key role in water quality, wildlife habitats, floodwater storage, and maintaining water flow during dry periods.
• Biodiversity Contribution: They support 40% of the world’s biodiversity but are the fastest-disappearing ecosystem.
• Carbon Sequestration: Wetlands, especially peatlands, are vital carbon sinks, storing large amounts of carbon in their vegetation and soils, which helps mitigate climate change.
• Groundwater Recharge: They contribute to the recharge of groundwater supplies by allowing water to percolate into the ground. 
• Livelihoods and Economic Resources: Wetlands support livelihoods for millions of people through fishing, agriculture, and tourism. They provide essential resources such as food, fibre, and raw materials for various industries.

Key Challenges Faced By Wetlands

• Habitat Destruction and Land Use Change: Urbanisation, agriculture, and industrial development often lead to the draining, filling, or conversion of wetlands for infrastructure or cultivation.
  • Overfishing, hunting, and unsustainable resource use deplete biodiversity and disrupt the ecological balance of wetlands.
• Pollution:  Runoff from agriculture and industry causes nutrient overload, chemical contamination, and eutrophication.
• Water Extraction: Overuse for agriculture and industry lowers water levels, disrupting wetland ecosystems.
• Invasive Species: Non-native plants and animals outcompete native species and alter habitats. 
  • Example: Water hyacinth has led to heavy siltation in Deepor Beel in Assam.
• Climate Change:  Rising temperatures, altered precipitation, and sea level rise threaten wetland stability. 
  • Example: Sundarbans face nearly double the sea level rise compared to other coastal regions.

Initiatives at the Global Level for Wetland Preservation

• Ramsar Convention: 
  • It is an intergovernmental treaty, adopted on 2nd February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar, on the southern shore of the Caspian Sea. 
  • In India, it came into force on 1st February 1982, under which wetlands of international importance are declared as Ramsar sites.
• World Wetlands Day: It is celebrated every year on February 2nd.
  • This day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) on 2 February 1971, in Ramsar, Iran.
• Montreux Record
  • It is a register of wetland sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance, where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are anticipated due to technological developments, pollution, or other human activities. 
  • This record is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.
  • Ramsar Sites in India under Montreux Record: Keoladeo National Park and Loktak Lake.
• Global Wetland Outlook: It is a comprehensive report released by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands that provides an assessment of the status and trends of wetlands worldwide.
• Wetland City Accreditation (WCA):
  • The WCA is a voluntary accreditation system established by the Ramsar Convention during the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP) 12, 2015 to recognize cities that have taken exceptional steps to safeguard their urban wetlands.
  • The WCA is valid for 6 years.

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Initiatives in India for Wetland Preservation

• Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme:
  • It is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
  • This program was launched in June 2023 with an aim to transform tourism practices at ecologically sensitive wetlands, with a particular focus on Ramsar sites.
• National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA): It is a centrally sponsored scheme for the protection of  both wetlands and lakes, being implemented by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change.
• Wetlands of India Portal: It is a dynamic knowledge repository for wetlands to provide a single point access system that synthesises information dissemination regarding wetland sites of the country, projects, initiatives and training.
• • The portal provides a platform for the people of the country to learn more about wetlands and get involved in their conservation and management. 

Conclusion

The report acts as a wakeup call for countries to take bolder actions in conserving wetlands to meet biodiversity targets by 2030 under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

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Hon’ble President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, conferred the 5th National Water Awards, 2023 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.

5th National Water Awards 2023

• The Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, announced the 38 winners.
• Total Award Categories: 09 categories: ‘Best State,’ ‘Best District,’ ‘Best Village Panchayat,’ ‘Best Urban Local Body,’ ‘Best School/College,’ ‘Best Institution (other than school/college),’ ‘Best Industry,’ ‘Best Civil Society,’ ‘Best Water User Association,’ and ‘Best Individual for excellence.’

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About National Water Award

• Introduced in 2018: First distribution ceremony was held in 2019.
• Introduced by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti. 
• Award Focuses: On the good work and efforts made by individuals and the organisations across the country in attaining the government’s vision of a ‘Jal Samridh Bharat’.
• Significance: Creating awareness among the people about the importance of water and motivating them to adopt best water usage practices

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India and Pakistan have renewed the Kartarpur Corridor agreement for another five years, ensuring uninterrupted access for pilgrims to the Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan.

Kartarpur Corridor Agreement

• Agreement, signed on 24 October 2019, was established to facilitate pilgrimages from India to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Narowal, Pakistan, via the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor.
• The corridor will remain operational until 2029, allowing pilgrims to continue their religious visits.
• Indian External Affairs Minister, emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring Sikh pilgrims’ access to holy sites.

About Kartarpur Corridor

• It connects Darbar Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India’s Punjab.
  • Kartarpur gurudwara is the revered shrine about 4 km across the border where Guru Nanak Dev spent the last 18 years of his life.
  • The Maharaja of Patiala donated money to construct the Gurudwara in the between 1920’s. 
• Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines : Pilgrimages between India and Pakistan are governed by the 1974 Protocol on visits to Religious Shrines, which includes a list of shrines in Pakistan and India open for visitors from the other country for which visas are required.
• Kartarpur Corridor provides visa-free access from India to the shrine inside Pakistan.
  • Indian pilgrims need only a permit to cross into Pakistan.
• Located on the Ravi River which is one of the rivers of the Indus System.
• Commemoration: It was built to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev on November 12, 2019.

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) maintained its June growth rate projection for India at 7% for FY25 in its latest released World Economic Outlook (WEO).

Key Highlights of the World Economic Outlook

• Global Growth Projections: Global growth is projected to be 3.2% for both 2024 and 2025.
  • The global economy has shown resilience despite inflation and external challenges.
• Inflation Trends: The battle against inflation is nearly won. Inflation peaked at 9.4% in Q3 of 2022.
  • It is expected to fall to 3.5% by the end of 2025, nearing central bank targets in most countries.
• Geopolitical and Economic Risks:
  • Geopolitical conflicts (e.g., in the Middle East), which could disrupt commodity markets.
  • Rising trade tensions and shifts toward protectionist policies.
  • A potential reduction in migration to advanced economies, which could unwind some of the supply gains helping to ease inflation.
  • These factors could reduce global output by 1.6% by 2026.
• Fiscal Challenges and Debt Management: Urgent need to stabilize debt dynamics and rebuild fiscal buffers, especially in the United States and China.
  • Current fiscal plans are not sufficient to stabilize debt in several countries.
  • Delayed action on debt reduction could lead to disorderly adjustments.
  • Excessively abrupt fiscal tightening could harm economic activity.
• Warning on Market Pressures: High debt levels combined with high interest rates pose a risk.
  • If fiscal policies are not credible, market pressures may force abrupt and uncontrolled adjustments.
  • Countries must act proactively to avoid being at the mercy of market forces.
• Triple Policy Pivot: The IMF suggests a three-part policy approach to respond to the global economic challenges:
  • Neutral monetary policy stance: A shift towards balanced monetary policies, which many countries are currently adopting.
  • Fiscal consolidation: Building fiscal buffers after years of loose fiscal policy.
  • Structural reforms: To boost growth and productivity, address the ageing population, and tackle the climate transition

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Key Highlights On Indian Economy

• This outlook highlights India’s position as one of the fastest-growing major economies, though there are challenges to sustaining high growth rates amid global uncertainties.
• India’s growth rate at 7%  remains higher than global growth projections, with the world economy projected to grow at 3.2% for 2024 and 2025.
• For the following year, FY 2025-26, the growth rate is expected to be 6.5%.
• The decline from 8.2% in 2023 is attributed to the exhaustion of pent-up demand from the pandemic period, as the economy reconnects with its potential.
• In contrast, the U.S. economy is expected to grow at 2.8% this year and 2.2% next year.

About IMF

• Established in the aftermath of the Great Depression of the 1930s at Bretton Woods Conference in 1944.
• It is one of the United Nations (UN) specialised agencies.
• Main objectives:  Include supporting global monetary cooperation, securing financial stability, facilitating international trade, promoting high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reducing poverty.
• Economic surveillance : IMF keeps track of the economic health of its member countries, alerting them to risks on the horizon and providing policy advice.
• Lender of last resort:  Lends to countries with balance-of-payments difficulties.
• It also provides technical assistance and training to help countries improve economic management. 
• Headquarter : Washington, DC.
• Reports by IMF: Following reports are  usually prepared twice a year April and October.
  • Global Financial Stability Report.
  • World Economic Outlook.

IMF Quota Subscription 

• Quota Subscription: Each IMF member contributes a financial amount based on its economic size and wealth.
• Quota Review: Quotas are reviewed every five years and are linked to each country’s wealth and economic performance.
• Quota Formula:
  • GDP (50%)
  • Openness (30%)
  • Economic Variability (15%)
  • International Reserves (5%)
• Richer Countries: Countries with larger economies, like the U.S., contribute more to the IMF. The U.S. has the largest quota, reflecting its economic dominance.
• Special Drawing Rights (SDR): Quotas are denominated in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), an international reserve asset created by the IMF.
• SDR Value: Determined from a weighted basket of major global currencies, including:
  • U.S. Dollar
  • Euro
  • Japanese Yen
  • Chinese Yuan
  • British Pound
• Quota’s Role:
  • Loanable Funds Pool: Quotas contribute to a pool of funds that IMF members can borrow from.
  • Borrowing and Voting Power: The size of a country’s quota influences how much it can borrow and its voting power in IMF decisions.
• Reserve Tranche Position: Reserve Tranche (also called “Gold Tranche”) is a portion of a member’s quota that can be accessed without stringent conditions or service fees.
• Calculation: The Reserve Tranche Position is the difference between the IMF’s holdings of a country’s currency and the country’s IMF quota.
• Voting Powers and IMF Governance:
• Quota-Determined Voting: A country’s quota dictates its voting power. Votes are comprised of:
• One vote per 100,000 SDRs of quota
• Basic votes: Each member receives a fixed number of basic votes.

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Governance Setup of IMF

• Board of Governors: Each IMF member country appoints one governor and one alternate governor.
• Key Responsibilities of Board of Governors:
• • Electing or appointing executive directors to the Executive Board. 
  • Approving quota increase and SDR allocations.
  • Admitting new members or enforcing the compulsory withdrawal of members.
• Executive Board: It is composed of 24 members, elected by the Board of Governors.
• Oversees the daily operations of the IMF.
• IMF Membership: Membership is open to any state, including non-UN members, under the conditions set by the IMF’s Articles of Agreement and the Board of Governors.

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India is strengthening research in cloud physics, which is crucial for weather modification. Under Project Mausam, a cloud chamber is being established at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune.

What Is a Cloud Chamber?

• The cloud chamber was invented by Charles Thomson Rees Wilson in 1911.
• Structure: A cloud chamber resembles a closed cylindrical or tubular drum . Water vapour and aerosols are injected into the chamber.
• Function: Under controlled humidity and temperature conditions, clouds can develop inside the chamber.
• Significance: The facility will allow scientists to study how seed particles form cloud droplets or ice particles.
  • This is vital for understanding cloud formation, precipitation, and weather patterns.

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Significance Of Cloud Chamber  for India

• Enhancing Weather Prediction: The cloud chamber will enhance the study of cloud physics, crucial for better weather prediction models, especially in monsoon-dependent India.
• Cloud Seeding Research: The chamber and ongoing studies will help develop cloud seeding techniques, which can potentially address droughts and water shortages by artificially inducing rainfall.
• Mission Mausam : It focuses on studying cloud properties with an emphasis on the Indian monsoon.
  • India is building the cloud chamber with convection properties essential for studying monsoon clouds.

Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment (CAIPEEX)

• CAIPEEX is a two-year study conducted during the 2018 and 2019 summer monsoons in Solapur, Maharashtra.
  • The region faces low rainfall due to its position on the leeward side of mountains, away from moisture-laden winds.
• Objective: To develop a cloud seeding protocol, potentially increasing rainfall in rain-deficient regions.

About Mission Mausam

• Mission Mausam is a ₹2,000 crore initiative by the Union Cabinet to upgrade India’s weather forecasting system.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
• Aim: To enhance India’s ability to predict and respond to extreme weather events and the impacts of climate change.

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Recently, a team of arachnologists has discovered a new genus of jumping spiders, ‘Tenkana’, found across southern India, encompassing two previously known species. 

• It also introduced a new species, Tenkana jayamangali, from Karnataka.

About Tenkana jayamangali

• It is a newly described species  named after the Jayamangali river in Karnataka, where it was first identified.
• It has been added in  a new genus of Tenkana jumping spiders (Salticidae, Plexippina) from South Asia

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About Tenkana Genus

• New Genus Name: The genus Tenkana is derived from the Kannada word for “south” (Tenkana), reflecting the spiders’ distribution across southern India and northern Sri Lanka.
• The new genus encompasses two previously known species: Tenkana manu and Tenkana arkavathi. These species were earlier classified under the genus Colopsus.
• • Colossus is a genus of Asian jumping spiders
• Geographical Distribution: Tenkana spiders have been found in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, and they thrive in drier habitats and ground areas, unlike their forest-dwelling relatives.
• Scientific Contributions: The team involved scientists from both India and Canada, University of British Columbia, Canada and Saveetha Institute, Chennai.
• Genetic analysis was conducted with Krushnamegh Kunte from the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru.
• Taxonomic Significance:Tenkana belongs to the Plexippina subtribe of jumping spiders. It is distinct from other related groups, such as Hyllus and Telamonia.

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The newly appointed Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, Vijaya Rahatkar, took charge recently. 

About National Commission for Women

• The National Commission for Women (NCW) is an autonomous and statutory body established in 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990. 
• Its primary purpose is to protect and promote the rights of women in India.

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Recently, a mosaic was released by the Euclid space telescope. 

ESA’s Euclid Mission

• The ESA’s Euclid Mission is a space telescope designed to explore the composition and evolution of the dark universe. 
• The Euclid mission launched on July 1, 2023 from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
• The Euclid mission’s goals include:
  • Creating a 3D map of the universe’s large-scale structure
  • Observing billions of galaxies up to 10 billion light-years away
  • Exploring how the universe has expanded
  • Revealing more about the role of dark matter, dark energy, and gravity
• Destination: The Euclid mission will travel to the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 2 (L2), 1.5 million km from Earth.

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About Lagrange Points

• Lagrange points are positions in space where the gravitational forces of two large orbiting bodies, like the Earth and Sun, create regions of equilibrium, allowing a smaller object to maintain its position with minimal fuel usage. 
• There are five Lagrange points (L1, L2, L3, L4, L5).
• • L1: Offers an uninterrupted view of the Sun, making it ideal for solar observations. It’s home to the SOHO space telescope (joint NASA and ESA mission to study the Sun) and India’s Aditya L1 mission.
  • L2: Ideal for astronomy, as spacecraft located here can communicate with Earth, harness solar power, and have a clear view of deep space. This point is home to both the James Webb Space Telescope and the Euclid Telescope.
  • L3: Located behind the Sun and is less useful due to communication challenges.
  • L4 and L5: These points are stable. Objects orbiting these points are called Trojans, after three large asteroids (Agamemnon, Achilles, and Hector) found there.

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Economic Freedom of the World Report

Context: Recently, The Fraser Institute published the Economic Freedom of the World 2024 Annual Report 

About the Report

• The report  measures the degree to which people in 165 jurisdictions around the globe are allowed to make their own economic choices.
• Cornerstones of Economic Freedom: Personal choice, Voluntary exchange, Freedom to enter markets and compete, and Security of the person and Privately-owned property. 
• Ranking: The most-economically free jurisdictions were:
  • Hong Kong (1st), 
  • Singapore (2nd), Switzerland (3rd), New Zealand (4th), the United States (5th), Denmark and Ireland (tied for 6th), Canada (8th), and Australia and Luxembourg (tied for 9th).
  • India is ranked 84th.
  • India is closely followed by Nepal in 86th place and Bhutan at 98th.
  • China ranks 104th, while Sri Lanka is positioned at 123rd. 
  • Bangladesh occupies 127th, and Pakistan is ranked 134th

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About Fraser Institute

It is a non-partisan, independent think tank and research organisation based in Canada that studies and promotes economic freedom, prosperity and human well-being worldwide.

SPADEX

Context: Ananth Technologies, a private aerospace company, successfully completed the satellite integration project for ISRO.

This is the first time a private company has handled the complete assembly, integration and testing of satellites for ISRO.

What is SPADEX?

• SPADEX (Space Docking Experiment) is a mission by ISRO to develop autonomous docking technology.
• Importance of Docking
  • Docking is crucial for managing space stations and undertaking complex space projects.
  • Astronauts travelling to a space station depend on docking to connect their spacecraft safely.
    • It also enables the construction of larger space structures.
• SPADEX is key to India’s long-term space exploration goals, including manned spaceflight and satellite maintenance.
• History of Docking
  • The Soviet Union achieved the first successful docking in space in 1967.
  • The United States followed with the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975.
  • Docking technology has evolved significantly since then, becoming more automated and reliable.

How Does SPADEX Work?

• The mission involves two vehicles—‘Chaser’ and the ‘Target’—coming together and connecting in space.
• It will test how well the combined spacecraft maintains stability and control after docking.
• The two spacecraft will later separate to perform additional tasks.
• SPADEX Mission Details
  • ISRO has acquired two satellites, each weighing 400 kg, for the SPADEX mission.
  • A single rocket will launch both satellites into space, placing them in slightly different orbits.
  • The satellites will carefully align with each other to perform a ‘space handshake’ and connect.
• Significance of SPADEX
  • SPADEX is unique because it focuses on developing indigenous, scalable, and cost-effective docking technology.
  • It is crucial for India’s future space missions, including Gaganyaan, India’s first manned mission.

Brown Dwarf Stars

Context: Recently, researchers took a closer look at the first brown dwarf discovered and found that it’s actually two brown dwarfs orbiting astonishingly close to each other while also circling a small star. The research papers were published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.

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About Brown Dwarf

• Brown Dwarfs are often referred to as “failed stars” because they are lighter than stars but heavier than gas giant planets. 
• They share some characteristics with stars, but due to their insufficient mass, they cannot sustain nuclear fusion in their core like regular stars.

Key Characteristics of Brown Dwarfs

• Formation and Fusion:
  • Brown dwarfs form like stars but do not reach the critical mass required to ignite nuclear fusion of hydrogen at their core.
  • They can, however, fuse deuterium (a heavy isotope of hydrogen) during their early stages, unlike gas giant planets.
  • Over time, this fusion ceases as the deuterium is depleted, and the brown dwarf cools and fades.
• Definition:
  • Brown dwarfs are defined as objects that can burn deuterium but not the most common form of hydrogen.
  • They have a mass range between the heaviest gas giant planets (like Jupiter) and the lightest stars, typically between 13 and 80 times the mass of Jupiter.
• Atmosphere:
  • Brown dwarfs have atmospheres with clouds, but unlike Earth’s water clouds, their clouds are composed of much hotter materials, like silicate particles or molten metals. These clouds can form at extreme temperatures.
• Energy Production:
  • In the first few million years, both stars and brown dwarfs produce energy by fusing deuterium. 
  • As brown dwarfs lack sufficient mass for sustained fusion, they eventually cool and dim over time, distinguishing them from stars.

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