Dec 28 2024

Recently, the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey was conducted for the second consecutive year (2023-24) after a 11-year gap since 2011-12, following the cancellation of 2017-18 survey data due to “quality” concerns.

  • Two consecutive surveys were conducted for the periods August 2022–July 2023 and August 2023–July 2024, following the normalization of the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
  • The survey data is used to update the basket and weights for calculating the Consumer Price Index (CPI), measure poverty, inequality, and social exclusion, and analyze economic conditions.
  • The Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) serves as the primary indicator for analytical purposes.

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Imputed Values

  • Imputed for goods received via welfare programs (e.g., rice, wheat, school uniforms, footwear).
  • Health and education services excluded due to valuation complexity.

Key Findings

  • Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure Estimates:
    • Rural: ₹4,122 (without imputation), ₹4,247 (with imputation).
    • Urban: ₹6,996 (without imputation), ₹7,078 (with imputation).
    • MPCE increased by 9% in rural areas and 8% in urban areas compared to 2022-23.
  • Urban-Rural Gap:
    • The gap narrowed to 70% in 2023-24 from 71% in 2022-23 and 84% in 2011-12, indicating rural consumption growth.
  • Consumption Inequality:
    • Gini Coefficient declined:
      • Rural: 0.237 (2023-24) from 0.266 (2022-23).
      • Urban: 0.284 (2023-24) from 0.314 (2022-23).
    • Maximum MPCE growth (22% rural, 19% urban) observed among the bottom 5%–10% population.
  • Spending Composition:
    • Non-food items dominate: 53% in rural and 60% in urban MPCE.
    • Food and beverage spending was reduced due to lower spending on edible oils, despite high food inflation. 
      • Vegetable spending increased.
    • Major non-food contributors: conveyance, clothing, durable goods, rent.

State and Union Territory-wise MPCE

  • Highest MPCE:
    • States: Sikkim (Rural: ₹9,377, Urban: ₹13,927).
    • UTs: Chandigarh (Rural: ₹8,857, Urban: ₹13,425).
  • Lowest MPCE:
    • States: Chhattisgarh (Rural: ₹2,739, Urban: ₹4,927).
    • UTs: Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu (Rural: ₹4,311) and Jammu & Kashmir (Urban: ₹6,327).
  • Regional Disparities:
    • Highest rural-urban MPCE gap in Meghalaya (104%), followed by Jharkhand (83%) and Chhattisgarh (80%).
    • Nine out of eighteen major states have MPCE above the national average.

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Comparison with 2011-12

Year Rural MPCE (₹) Urban MPCE (₹) Adjusted for 2011-12 Prices (Rural ₹) Adjusted for 2011-12 Prices (Urban ₹)
2011-12 1,430 2,630 1,430 2,630
2023-24 4,122 6,996 2,079 3,632

Household Consumption Expenditure Survey

About Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES)

  • Conducting Authority: The survey is conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO) every 3–5 years.
    • Initially, HCES was conducted annually starting in 1950-51. However, since its 26th round, it has been conducted approximately every five years.
  • Purpose of the Survey: The survey is designed to collect information on the consumption of goods and services by households.
  • Coverage: The survey covers the entire Indian Union, excluding a few inaccessible villages in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
  • Significance of the Collected Data
    • It helps in assessing trends in economic well-being.
    • It is used to estimate poverty levels.
    • It updates weightages in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to measure retail inflation.

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About National Statistical Office (NSO)

  • Formation: NSO was formed in 2019 by merging the Central Statistical Office (CSO) and the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO).
  • Recommendation: The establishment of NSO as the nodal body for core statistical activities was first suggested by the C. Rangarajan Committee.
  • Affiliation: NSO operates under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
  • Function: It collects, compiles, and disseminates reliable, objective, and relevant statistical data.

Researchers at IIT Bombay develop a shockwave-based needle-free syringe that ensures painless and safe drug delivery with lesser damage to skin and lower risk of infection.  

Shock Wave

Shock Syringe

  • A shock wave is a sharp change in gas properties that occurs when an object moves faster than the speed of sound
  • A shock wave is formed when sound waves interfere with each other.
  • It’s shaped like a Mach cone, and can be heard as a loud “crack” or “snap”. 

Sonic boom

  • A sonic boom is the loud noise that occurs when a shock wave moves along the ground. It’s similar to thunder and can rattle or break windows. 

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About Needle-free ‘shock syringe’

Mechanism

  • Shock Wave Technology: Uses shock waves (high-energy pressure waves) instead of needles to deliver drugs.
  • Speed and Compression: Shock waves travel faster than sound, compressing the surrounding medium to penetrate the skin.
  • Micro Shock Tube Design: Comprises a micro shock tube with three sections: driver, driven, and drug holder.
  • Nitrogen Gas Activation: Nitrogen gas creates a microjet of the drug that travels at speeds twice as fast as a commercial airplane at takeoff.
  • Optimized Nozzle Design: Nozzle opening of 125 μm (width of a human hair) ensures minimal pain and efficient delivery.
  • Sonic Boom Analogy: Similar to a sonic boom created when an aircraft exceeds the speed of sound, the shock waves push and disturb the surrounding medium to deliver the drug effectively.

Shock Syringe

Features and Benefits

  • Monitored Pressure: Continuous pressure monitoring ensures consistent and precise drug delivery.
  • Safety Testing: Rigorous testing on synthetic skin ensures safety and comfort for patients.
  • Infection Prevention: Prevents blood-borne diseases caused by improper handling or disposal of needles.
  • High-Speed Delivery: Delivers drugs at speeds nearly twice as fast as a commercial airplane during takeoff.
  • Vaccination Efficiency: Suitable for making vaccination drives quicker and more effective.
  • Multi-use Capability: Designed for multiple drug deliveries using one syringe, with over 1000 uses tested.
  • Affordable Operation: Offers cost-effectiveness with minimal maintenance, requiring only nozzle replacement.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted Resolution 2767 and has authorized a new peacekeeping mission called AUSSOM (African Union Stabilisation and Support Mission) that will replace the existing, larger AU anti-terrorism mission in Somalia starting January 1, 2025.

About AUSSOM

  • The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) will serve as the African Union’s new peacekeeping and stabilization operation in Somalia. 
  • It is Succeeding the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), 
  • It include troops from the East African Nations of Egypt, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Uganda, Kenya, and Burundi.

About UN Peacekeeping 

  • United Nations Peacekeeping is a mechanism/tool established by the United Nations (UN) to assist countries transitioning from conflict to peace.
  • Blue Helmets/Blue Berets: The UN Peacekeepers are also called the Blue Helmets because the General Assembly resolution 167 (II) passed in 1947 approved light blue as the color for the United Nations flag.
  • Principles: UN Peacekeeping is guided by three basic principles:
    • Consent of the parties;
    • Impartiality;
    • Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate.
  • Scope of Peacekeeping: Modern peacekeeping operations go beyond maintaining peace and security, but also focusing on:
    • facilitating political processes, protecting civilians, supporting disarmament and reintegration, organizing elections, and restoring human rights and the rule of law.
  • Current Peacekeeping Operations: There are currently 11 UN peacekeeping operations deployed on three continents. Nobel Peace Prize: The UN Peacekeeping forces were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988 for their efforts in maintaining peace and preventing conflict in various regions. 

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About Somalia

UNSC

  • Location
    • Somalia is located in the Horn of Africa.
    • It is bordered by:
      • The Gulf of Aden to the north.
      • The Indian Ocean to the east.
      • Kenya and Ethiopia to the west.
      • Djibouti to the northwest.
  • Capital: The capital city of Somalia is Mogadishu.
  • Terrain: Somalia has diverse landscapes:
    • The northern region is dominated by the Golis Mountains.
    • The southern region consists of savannas and grasslands.
  • Islands
    • Bajuni Islands: These are located off the Somali coast.
    • Socotra Archipelago:
      • Includes islands such as Socotra, Abd al Kuri, and Samha.
      • Despite being geographically close to Somalia, the archipelago is administered by Yemen.
Also Read: UNSC Reform

The Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund) received Rs 912 crore in contributions during the financial year 2022-23 as donations continued to pour in even after the Covid pandemic.

  • The Fund also received Rs 170.38 crore as interest income and Rs 225 crore in form of refunds from various sources, including refund (Rs 202 crore) from procurement of 50,000Made in India’ ventilators to government hospitals run by the Centre/States/UTs.

PM CARES Fund

About PM CARES Fund

  • Established: In March 2020, as a Public Charitable Trust under the Registration Act, 1908.
  • Purpose: Dedicated fund to handle emergencies or distress situations like public health emergencies, natural or man-made calamities, and provide relief to affected populations.
  • Objectives
    • To provide relief and assistance during public health emergencies or other calamities, both natural and man-made.
    • To create or upgrade healthcare, pharmaceutical, or necessary infrastructure.
    • To fund relevant research or other support for affected populations.
    • To render financial assistance or grants as deemed necessary by the Board of Trustees.
  • Constitution of the Trust
    • Chairperson: Prime Minister (ex-officio Chairman).
    • PM CARES FundEx-Officio Trustees:
      • Defence Minister.
      • Home Minister.
      • Finance Minister.
    • The Prime Minister has the power to nominate three Trustees to the Board of Trustees.
    • All Trustees act in a pro bono capacity.
  • Funding Sources:
    • Voluntary contributions from individuals and organizations.
    • Foreign contributions under the FCRA (separate foreign donations account maintained).
    • No budgetary support from the government.
  • Income Tax Benefits:
    • Donations qualify for 80G benefits (100% exemption under the Income Tax Act, 1961).
    • Contributions qualify as CSR expenditure under the Companies Act, 2013.

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Significance

  • Emergency Response: Provides a streamlined mechanism to mobilize resources during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Transparency: Regularly audited accounts available in the public domain.
  • Global Contributions: Enabled through the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 exemption and separate foreign donations account.
  • Tax and CSR Benefits: Encourages public and corporate participation.

Recently, NATO said it will boost its presence in the Baltic Sea after the suspected sabotage this week of an undersea power cable and four internet lines, while alliance member Estonia launched a naval operation to guard a parallel electricity link.

About Baltic Sea

  • The Baltic Sea is a semi-enclosed inland sea located in Northern Europe.
  • Baltic Sea It is an arm of the North Atlantic Ocean, extending from Southern Denmark to the Arctic Circle.
  • It separates the Scandinavian Peninsula (comprising Sweden, Norway, and the northwestern area of Finland) from the rest of continental Europe.
  • Connections: It connects to the Atlantic Ocean through the Danish Straits.
    • It is linked to the White Sea via the White Sea Canal and to the North Sea’s German Bight via the Kiel Canal.
  • Geographical Features
    • Gulfs:
      • The Baltic Sea contains three major gulfs:
        • Gulf of Bothnia.
        • Gulf of Finland.
        • Gulf of Riga.
    • Brackish Water:
      • The Baltic Sea is often cited as the world’s largest brackish inland water body.
      • It has lower salinity due to:
        • Inflow of freshwater from surrounding land.
        • Its shallowness.
      • Over 250 rivers and streams empty into the sea, with the Neva River being the largest.
  • Islands: The Baltic Sea includes over 20 islands and archipelagos.
    • The largest island is Gotland, located off the coast of Sweden.
  • Surrounding Countries: The Baltic Sea is bordered by the following countries:
    • Denmark, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Finland, and Sweden.
  • Baltic States: Group of independent countries bordering the Baltic Sea:
    • Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia.

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About NATO 

Baltic Sea

  • The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an intergovernmental military alliance.
  • Established: NATO was established on April 4, 1949, with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, D.C. by 12 founding member countries from Europe and North America.
  • Goal: To provide collective defence against potential aggression, particularly from the Soviet Union during the Cold War era.
  • Members: The alliance currently consists of 32 member countries.
    • Most recent additions were North Macedonia in 2020 and Finland in 2023 and Sweden in 2024.
  • Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.
  • Objectives:  
    • Cooperation: To provide a unique link between these transatlantic countries, enabling them to consult and cooperate on political and military issues.
    • Limiting threat: To counter the threat of erstwhile Soviet Union’s possible expansion attempts in Europe.
  • Underlying Principle: Principle of Collective Defence: NATO is committed to the principle that an attack against one or several of its members is considered as an attack against all. 
  • Structure:
    • Political Leadership: The North Atlantic Council (NAC) serves as NATO’s principal political decision-making body, composed of ambassadors from all member countries.
    • Military Command Structure: NATO’s military command structure includes Strategic Commands (e.g., Allied Command Operations) responsible for operational planning and execution, as well as Regional Commands and Force Headquarters.
    • Integrated Military Forces: NATO maintains integrated military forces, allowing member countries to contribute personnel and assets to collective defence efforts under NATO command.
Also Read: NATO

At a recent panel discussion in New Delhi, French economist Thomas Piketty suggested that a wealth and inheritance tax be imposed on the super-rich in India, which, in turn, could fund health and education.

About wealth tax 

  • Definition: A wealth tax is a tax on an individual’s or entity’s net wealth, typically targeting the superrich.
  • History of Wealth Taxation
    • Switzerland: Wealth taxation is not a new concept. It dates back to the 19th century, with Switzerland’s Basel City introducing such a tax in 1840.
    • Other Countries: Other countries followed suit, including the Netherlands in 1892 and Sweden in 1911.
    • India: India joined the list in 1957 when Finance Minister T T Krishnamachari implemented the wealth tax.
    • Abolishment: However, over time, the number of countries imposing this tax has dwindled. For instance, the number of OECD countries levying the tax fell from 12 in 1990 to four in 2017.

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Wealth Tax in India

Wealth Tax

  • The Wealth Tax Act was enacted in 1957, following the recommendations of the Kaldor Committee (1955), as part of efforts to rationalize the tax system. 
  • It imposed a 1% tax on net wealth exceeding ₹30 lakh annually, applicable to individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), and companies.
  • Abolition: The wealth tax was abolished in 2015 due to several challenges, including:
    • Extensive litigation.
    • High compliance burdens for taxpayers.
    • Significant administrative costs.
  • Replacement Measures: To offset the revenue loss, the government introduced alternative measures by increasing the surcharge on the super-rich.
    • Surcharge for Individuals: Increased from 2% to 12% for those with an annual income exceeding ₹1 crore.
    • Surcharge for Companies: Increased from 2% to 12% for companies earning over ₹10 crore annually.

Arguments For Wealth Tax

  • Addressing Inequality: High levels of wealth concentration reduce opportunities and capabilities for many.
    • Taxing the top 0.04% of the population could help fund health and education to create a healthier and more educated workforce.
    • Aligns with development goals without borrowing or running deficits.
  • Global Examples: Countries like the UK and Norway impose wealth taxes with minimal capital flight due to strong public infrastructure and services.
    • Encourages international collaboration for transparency in wealth tracking.
  • Technological and Institutional Feasibility: India has advanced systems to track economic activity (e.g., tax databases, digital infrastructure).
    • With proper frameworks, wealth tax could be effectively implemented.
  • Developmental Impact: Revenues could finance health, education, and other social sectors.
    • Helps create a fairer distribution of resources.

Arguments Against Wealth Tax

  • Challenges in Wealth Measurement: Difficult to define and measure wealth comprehensively.
    • Taxing liquid assets could incentivize holding unproductive assets like real estate and gold.
  • Capital Flight: Higher taxes could drive wealthy individuals and businesses out of the country, reducing long-term economic prospects.
    • Lack of robust public infrastructure in India compared to countries like Norway makes capital retention challenging.
  • Inefficiency of Redistributive Taxes: Redistribution through taxation has not proven effective in improving well-being in countries.
    • Economic growth, rather than redistribution, addresses well-being indicators like infant mortality and female empowerment.
  • Implementation Challenges: Tax evasion is common through wealth shifting or proxies.
    • Surveys and data collection methods often fail to capture wealth accurately, especially at the top end.
  • Public Finance Principles: Revenues and expenditures should be decoupled.
    • Public goods should be funded through effective taxes like personal income tax, GST, and property tax.

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Alternatives to Wealth Tax

  • Focus on Existing Taxes: Expand and simplify personal income tax, GST, and property tax with low rates and minimal distortions.
  • Improve Social Sector Efficiency: Before increasing allocations, address management crises in sectors like education and health.
    • Use results-based funding to ensure effective use of resources.
  • Structural Reforms: Encourage investments in productive sectors rather than redistributive measures.
    • Build robust infrastructure and public services to retain wealth and capital.

Archaeologists discovered traces of a water storage area between mounds one and two in Rakhigarhi village, Hisar district, Haryana.

  • The structure, with a depth of 3.5 to 4 feet, highlights advanced water management practices by the Harappan civilisation.

Key highlights of Discovery

  • Elite Habitation Zone:
    • Mounds one, two, and three have been identified as an elite zone, containing massive structures indicating habitation by the upper class of the Harappan society.
  • River Dependency:
    • Evidence points to the now-extinct Chautang (Drishavati) river, located 300 meters from the site, as a vital water source for the ancient city.
    • Code drilling and findings from the Zoological Survey of India confirm the presence of the Chautang riverbed near mound seven.
    • The Drishavati river’s drying up, along with the Sarasvati river, likely triggered water crises that could contribute to the decline of the Harappan civilisation.

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Water Management Techniques of Harrapan Civilization

1. Urban Water Supply and Drainage Systems

  • Well-Planned Drainage Networks:
    • Cities like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa had sophisticated underground drainage systems.
    • Drains were covered with bricks and connected to bathing platforms in homes.
    • Wastewater was directed into soak pits, preventing contamination of living areas.
  • Examples:
    • Mohenjo-Daro: Brick-lined drains ran along streets, with inspection holes for maintenance.
    • Dholavira: Large interconnected drains channeled water from residential and public areas.

Rakhigarhi

2. Water Storage Reservoirs

  • Reservoirs and Tanks:
    • Large water tanks were constructed for communal use, religious purposes, or water conservation.
    • Example:
      • Dholavira (Gujarat): The city featured stepwells and massive reservoirs built to store rainwater and channel runoff, especially during the monsoon season.
      • Lothal (Gujarat): A dockyard with provisions for water storage, likely for trade-related purposes.

3. Wells

  • Private and Public Wells:
    • Wells were a common feature in Harappan cities, ensuring a steady supply of water for drinking and domestic use.
  • Examples:
    • Mohenjo-Daro: Over 700 wells identified, often located close to houses.

4. Canals and Irrigation

  • Canal Systems for Agriculture:
    • Harappans constructed canals to divert river water for irrigation.
    • Channels were designed to ensure controlled water flow, vital for crop cultivation.
  • Example:
    • The Ghaggar-Hakra system: Likely utilized for irrigation, though evidence is indirect.

5. Rainwater Harvesting

  • Collection of Rainwater:
    • Structures were designed to maximize rainwater collection and storage.
    • Example:
      • Dholavira: Sophisticated rainwater harvesting systems incorporated channels and reservoirs to capture and store water efficiently.

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6. Adaptation to River Systems

  • Dependency on Rivers:
    • The Harappans relied on rivers like the Indus, Sarasvati, and Drishavati for water resources.
    • Evidence suggests they stored water during peak flow seasons for later use.
  • Examples:
    • Rakhigarhi: Evidence of water storage linked to the Drishavati river.
    • Kalibangan: Remnants of a riverbank settlement with signs of water collection.

7. Sanitation and Wastewater Management

  • Integrated Sanitation Systems:
    • Harappans prioritized hygiene with separate drains for waste disposal and bathing.
    • Households were equipped with soak jars or cesspits to prevent clogs in public drains.
  • Example:
    • Mohenjo-Daro: Houses often had bathrooms connected to street drains.

About Rakhigarhi

  • Rakhigarhi is located in the Hisar district of Haryana, approximately 27 km from the Ghaggar river in the Ghaggar-Hakra river plain.
  • One of the oldest and largest cities of the Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Civilization), dating back to 6500 BCE.

Key Findings

Rakhigarhi

  1. Archaeological Mounds:
    • Seven mounds have been identified at Rakhigarhi, covering an area of around 350 hectares.
    • The site shows evidence of habitation during the Early Harappan (Pre-Urban) and Mature Harappan (Urban) phases.
  2. Urban Planning:
    • Bronze Age Urbanism:\
      • Provides insights into early urban planning, social organization.
      • Mud-brick and burnt-brick houses.
      • A sophisticated drainage system indicating advanced urban infrastructure.
  3. Artifacts:
    • Ceramic Industry:
      • Pottery including red ware, dish-on-stand, vase, jar, bowl, goblet, and perforated jars.
    • Sacrificial Pits:
      • Mud-brick-lined pits with triangular and circular fire altars, pointing to ritualistic practices.
    • Seals:
      • A cylindrical seal featuring five Harappan characters and an alligator symbol is notable.
    • Other Antiquities:
      • Terracotta and shell bangles, beads of semi-precious stones, copper objects, and animal figurines.
      • Toy cart frames and terracotta wheels.
      • Blades, bone points, and inscribed steatite seals.

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Cultural and Historical Insights

  1. Early and Mature Harappan Phases:
    • Early Harappan: Evidence of settlement and early urban planning.
    • Mature Harappan: Well-planned cityscape, trade, and specialized craftsmanship.
    • Late Harappan: The site was abandoned, reflecting broader trends of decline in the Indus Valley Civilization.
  2. Ritualistic Practices:
    • Animal sacrificial pits and fire altars suggest a complex ritual and religious system.
  3. Craft and Trade:
    • Artifacts like terracotta bangles, beads, seals, and pottery point to skilled craftsmanship and an active trade network.

On December 24, 2024, NASA’s  Parker Solar Probe made its closest approach (perihelion) at just 6.1 million kilometers (3.8 million miles) from the solar surface.

  • The spacecraft achieved a record-breaking speed of 700,000 km/h (430,000 mph), making it the fastest human-made object in history.

Significance of the Flyby

Parker Solar Probe

  • Study Solar Heating:
    • Investigate how solar material in the corona heats up to millions of degrees.
  • Understand Solar Wind:
    • Trace the origin of the solar wind, the continuous flow of charged particles emitted by the Sun.
  • Explore Energetic Particles:
    • Examine how particles accelerate to near-light speeds in the Sun’s atmosphere.
  • Valuable Insights:
    • Data from the mission will help scientists understand the origins and behavior of solar phenomena, contributing to space weather prediction and solar physics.
    • Provide insights into solar energy processes, impacting our understanding of the Sun-Earth relationship.

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About Parker Solar Probe (2018)

  • Launch: It  was launched in 2018 by NASA to study the Sun and its atmosphere.
  • Mission objectives: To study the structure and dynamics of the Sun’s corona, the Sun’s magnetic field, and the solar wind.
  • Features:
    • Scientific Instruments: Fields Experiment (FIELDS), Integrated Science Investigation of the Sun (ISIS), Solar Wind Electrons Alphas and Protons (SWEAP) and Wide Field Imager for Solar Probe (WISPR).
  • Trajectory:
    • The spacecraft has conducted 21 close approaches to the Sun so far, with three more planned for even closer proximity.
  • Gravity-Assist Maneuvers:
    • It used Venus’ gravity seven times to adjust its orbit and refine its trajectory for closer approaches.
    • The final gravity-assist maneuver occurred on November 6, 2024, bringing the probe within 387 kilometers of Venus’ surface.
  • Parker Solar Probe and its instruments are protected from the Sun by a 4.5-inch-thick (11.43 cm) carbon-composite shield, which can withstand temperatures reaching nearly 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit (1,377 Celsius).
Also Read: Aditya- L1 Mission

United Nations Disengagement Observer Force

Context: The UN Secretary-General has paid tributes to Brigadier General Amitabh Jha of India, who was serving with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) at Golan Heights, 

  • He had recently served as acting Force Commander of UNDOF in complex circumstances, following the fall of the Assad Government in Syria.

United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF)

  • Establishment: Established by UN Security Council Resolution 350 in 1974.
  • Purpose: To supervise the ceasefire and disengagement agreement between Israeli and Syrian forces following the intensification of conflict in the Israel-Syria sector in early 1974.
  • Mandate
    • Initial Role:
      • Maintain the ceasefire between Israel and Syria.
      • Supervise the disengagement agreement and separation of forces in the Golan Heights.
    • Extension:
      • The mandate is renewed every six months.
      • Currently extended until June 2025 (as per Security Council Resolution 2555 in December 2020).
  • Headquarters: Camp Faouar, Syria.
  • Funding: UNDOF is financed through a separate account approved annually by the UN General Assembly.
  • Troop Contributions: Includes several countries, with India ranked among the top three troop and police contributors.

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About Golan Heights

  • Geographical Features:
    • A hilly region overlooking the upper Jordan River valley to the west.
    • Borders:
      • West: Jordan River and Sea of Galilee.
      • North: Mount Hermon.
      • East: Seasonal Wadi Al-Ruqqād River.
      • South: Yarmūk River.
  • Historical Context: A Syrian territory occupied by Israel since 1967 during the Six-Day War.

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
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Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
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