INTEGRATED MAINS AND PRELIMS MENTORSHIP (IMPM) 2025 Daily KEY
| Exclusive for Subscribers Daily: Climate FInance and Judicial System of India for the UPSC Exam? Why are topics like Heatwave and Asteroid important for both preliminary and main exams? Discover more insights in the UPSC Exam Notes for October 22, 2024 |
🚨 UPSC EXAM NOTES presents the July edition of our comprehensive monthly guide. Access it to enhance your preparation. We value your input - share your thoughts and recommendations in the comments section or via email at Support@upscexamnotes.com 🚨
Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on October 22, 2024
Daily Insights and Initiatives for UPSC Exam Notes: Comprehensive explanations and high-quality material provided regularly for students
On climate finance to developing nations
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
For Mains Examination: GS III - Environment & Ecology
Context:
The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) of the UNFCC to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22 is expected to be a “finance COP” as key climate finance issues feature at the top of its agenda.
Read about:
What is Climate Financing?
Are Developing Countries at Risk?
Key takeaways:
- The upcoming 29th UNFCCC Conference (COP29), scheduled for November 11-22 in Baku, Azerbaijan, will primarily focus on financial aspects of climate action, making it a key summit for discussing monetary support for climate initiatives.
- The impact of climate change disproportionately affects developing nations, primarily due to their geographic locations and their economic dependence on climate-sensitive sectors like farming.
- These nations face a paradoxical situation - while they've historically contributed minimal greenhouse gas emissions (developed nations account for 57% of emissions since 1850 despite smaller populations), they face the greatest climate challenges.
- This reality led to the Copenhagen Accord's commitment in 2009, where developed nations promised annual climate funding of $100 billion to developing countries through 2025. At COP29, participants will discuss new funding targets for subsequent years.
- Climate finance encompasses any funding - whether local, international, public, or private - directed toward reducing emissions or adapting to climate impacts.
- While the OECD monitors and reports on climate funding flows between developed and developing nations, their methodology faces criticism. Critics argue that the reports should focus on actual money transferred rather than promises, ensure funding is truly additional rather than relabeled existing aid, and emphasize grants over commercial loans. Currently, loans make up about 69.4% of climate finance, with grants comprising 28%.
- The necessity for external climate funding in developing nations is clear. Consider that 675 million people in developing regions lacked electricity access in 2021.
- These nations also struggle with limited domestic financial resources and higher capital costs - for instance, financing solar projects typically costs twice as much in developing versus developed economies.
- Looking at India specifically, the country has established ambitious climate goals for 2030, including 500 GW of non-fossil fuel power generation, 5 million metric tonnes of annual green hydrogen production, and widespread electric vehicle adoption.
- Meeting these objectives requires substantial investment - approximately ₹16.8 lakh crore for renewable energy targets alone. The green hydrogen initiative needs ₹8 lakh crore, while electric vehicle transitions may require consumer spending of around ₹16 lakh crore. Long-term projections suggest India needs ₹850 lakh crore in investments to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
- Regarding the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), experts emphasize it should track actual disbursements rather than pledges, ensure funding is additional to existing aid, prioritize direct public grants, and include private investments motivated by public funding initiatives. According to expert analysis, developing nations (excluding China) will require approximately $1 trillion in external funding annually by 2030
Follow Up Question
B. 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
|
Answer (B)
Statement 1: "The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN and it will go into effect in 2017."
Statement 2: "The Agreement aims to limit greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 2°C or even 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels."
Statement 3: "Developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility for global warming and committed to donate $1000 billion a year from 2020"
Therefore, only Statement 2 is correct. The correct answer is B (2 only). |
Chief Justice of India unveiled a new 'Lady Justice' statue at the Supreme Court, replacing the previous one. This new figure is depicted in a saree, without a blindfold, holding scales in one hand and the Indian Constitution in the other.
Historical Background
- The concept of the modern 'Lady Justice' is believed to originate from Justitia, the Roman goddess of Justice. Traditionally, she is portrayed with a blindfold, scales, and a sword. The blindfold, added during the Renaissance (14th century), was possibly intended to criticize the legal system's corruption, as judicial institutions appeared to "turn a blind eye."
- However, during the Enlightenment period (17th-18th century), the blindfold came to symbolize impartiality, representing that justice should be administered fairly, without regard to wealth, status, or power.
- The scales emphasize the need for courts to weigh both sides of an argument before delivering a judgment, and the sword represents the authority of the law to both protect and punish.
Reason for the Change
- Under British rule, India adopted the British legal system, and the image of 'Lady Justice' became a prominent symbol placed outside courtrooms. The new statue represents an effort to move away from colonial symbols.
- The saree-clad figure reflects Indian tradition, and the removal of the blindfold suggests that justice is not blind in India but rather sees everyone equally. In a socially diverse country like India, where marginalized communities face discrimination, justice requires a more nuanced, context-sensitive approach.
- The sword’s replacement with the Constitution underscores the Constitution's supremacy in Indian jurisprudence. Meanwhile, the scales remain, symbolizing the courts' continued commitment to weigh evidence impartially and hear both sides before reaching a verdict.
Urgent Reforms Needed
- Recently, the Supreme Court rejected a Public Interest Litigation that sought a three-year timeframe for resolving over five crore pending cases in Indian courts. While acknowledging the urgency, the court noted that achieving this was practically impossible due to the overwhelming number of cases. Nonetheless, the principle of 'justice delayed is justice denied' highlights the need for immediate reforms.
- First, the revised Memorandum of Procedure for judicial appointments, which has been pending for eight years, must be finalized by both the government and judiciary to ensure transparency and accountability.
- Second, the underrepresentation of backward classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, religious minorities, and women in the higher judiciary needs to be addressed. Currently, these groups make up less than 25% of the higher judiciary, and women less than 15%.
- The judiciary should better reflect the nation's social diversity. Third, High Courts are operating at only 60-70% capacity, contributing to a backlog of over 60 lakh cases.
- The government must expedite appointments recommended by the collegium, and state governments must fill vacancies in lower courts, where 4.4 crore cases are pending.
- Finally, cases concerning the constitutional validity of amendments and laws, as well as matters involving individual liberty, should be prioritized. These actions would ensure that the new statue symbolizes real progress in delivering timely and equitable justice
|
Answer (C)
|
Chandrayaan-3 is India's third lunar exploration mission developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Building on the success and lessons learned from Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3 aims to further India's presence in lunar exploration by attempting a soft landing on the Moon's surface.
Key Objectives:
-
Soft Landing: The primary objective of Chandrayaan-3 is to achieve a successful soft landing on the Moon's surface. This is a critical goal following the partial success of Chandrayaan-2, where the orbiter functioned well, but the Vikram lander failed to achieve a soft landing.
-
Lunar Exploration: Chandrayaan-3 aims to conduct scientific experiments on the lunar surface, focusing on the composition, topography, and seismic activity of the Moon, especially near the south pole, a region of high interest due to its potential for containing water ice.
-
Technological Demonstration: The mission is also a demonstration of India's growing space technology capabilities, particularly in the areas of landing and surface mobility.
Components of Chandrayaan-3:
-
Lander Module: The Chandrayaan-3 lander is designed to safely reach the Moon's surface. Unlike Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3 does not include an orbiter; it relies on the orbiter from Chandrayaan-2 for communications.
-
Rover: The lander carries a rover designed to move on the lunar surface and conduct scientific experiments. The rover will analyze the lunar soil and rocks, providing valuable data about the Moon's composition.
-
Propulsion Module: This module carries the lander and rover to lunar orbit and is equipped with scientific instruments to study the Earth-Moon system.
Launch and Timeline:
- Launch Date: Chandrayaan-3 was launched on July 14, 2023, using the GSLV Mk III-M1 (LVM-3) rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India.
- Landing Date: The mission successfully soft-landed on the Moon on August 23, 2023, making India the fourth country to achieve this feat, after the USA, Russia, and China, and the first to land near the lunar south pole.
Scientific and Strategic Importance:
- Lunar South Pole Exploration: Chandrayaan-3's focus on the south pole is significant due to the possibility of water ice, which could be crucial for future lunar habitation and as a resource for deep space missions.
- Global Positioning: Success in this mission strengthens India's position as a major player in global space exploration and opens up opportunities for international collaboration
|
Answer (C)
"Bhuvan" is a geoportal developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) that provides satellite imagery and allows users to explore 3D visualizations of Indian terrain. It serves as an Indian alternative to platforms like Google Earth, offering a variety of tools for mapping, visualization, and analysis of geospatial data
|
- From April 1 to June 20 of this year, Himachal Pradesh experienced 28 heatwave days, the highest number ever recorded for this three-month period. According to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Shimla reached its peak temperature of 30.6°C in mid-June, while Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, and Neri all saw temperatures exceed 40°C during May and June.
- The heatwave's effects on the already vulnerable mountain state have been severe, impacting tourism and leading to widespread forest fires. Over these three months, more than 2,700 forest fires were reported, the highest since 2007, according to the state's Forest Protection and Fire Control division.
- These fires destroyed approximately 23,000 hectares. This situation comes as the state continues to recover from a warm and dry winter that caused water shortages and poor horticultural yields.
- While 2024 may have set new temperature records, heatwaves in Himachal Pradesh have been increasingly frequent over the past four decades.
- The IMD defines a heatwave as a period where maximum temperatures exceed 4.5-6.4°C above normal or exceed 45°C. A severe heatwave is when temperatures are more than 6.4°C above normal or exceed 47°C.
- From 1984 to 2023, Himachal Pradesh experienced 669 heatwaves. February had the highest number with 110 heatwaves, followed by January with 106 and March with 105.
- In contrast, September had the fewest heatwaves (5), with November (10) and August (11) also having relatively low numbers.
- Except for June-August, all other months showed an increasing trend in heatwave occurrences, suggesting that winter temperatures are rising faster than summer temperatures.
- Additionally, minimum temperatures are rising at a faster rate than maximum temperatures. Severe heatwaves followed a similar pattern, with February experiencing 46 severe heatwaves, March 36, and January 26. Severe heatwaves were also recorded in April, May, June, and December, but not in August-November.
Causes:
- Atmospheric Conditions: High-pressure systems can trap warm air over a region, leading to prolonged high temperatures.
- Urban Heat Island Effect: Cities can experience higher temperatures due to the concentration of buildings, concrete, and other materials that absorb and retain heat.
- Climate Change: Rising global temperatures due to climate change are increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves
Impacts:
- Health: Heatwaves can cause heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke, and exacerbate pre-existing health conditions. Vulnerable groups include the elderly, children, and those with chronic health issues.
- Agriculture: Extreme heat can damage crops, reduce yields, and affect livestock health.
- Infrastructure: Prolonged high temperatures can strain energy systems, leading to power outages, and can damage infrastructure such as roads and railways.
- Environment: Heatwaves can increase the risk of wildfires, affect water supply and quality, and disrupt ecosystems.
Management and Mitigation:
- Early Warning Systems: Providing timely information and forecasts can help communities prepare and take preventive measures.
- Health Precautions: Measures include staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous activities during peak heat, and seeking medical care if experiencing heat-related symptoms.
- Urban Planning: Incorporating green spaces and improving building materials to reduce heat absorption can help mitigate urban heat effects.
- Emergency Responses: Establishing cooling centers and public health advisories during extreme heat events can protect vulnerable populations.
|
1. Appropriate alternate technologies are not sufficiently available.
2. India cannot invest huge funds in research and development.
3. Many developed countries have already set up their polluting industries in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
|
Answer (a)
|
How an asteroid from beyond Jupiter ended the age of dinosaurs
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
For Mains Examination: GS III - Science & technology
Context:
For nearly 180 million years, dinosaurs ruled planet Earth until their sudden demise some 66 million years ago during what scientists call the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event.
Read about:
What is an Asteroid?
What are differences between satellites and asteroids?
Key takeaways:
- For approximately 180 million years, dinosaurs dominated Earth until their abrupt extinction around 66 million years ago, during the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event. This catastrophic event led to the extinction of all non-avian dinosaurs and resulted in the loss of about 75% of the planet's plant and animal species.
- In 1980, scientists Luis and Walter Alvarez proposed that a massive asteroid, roughly 10-15 km in diameter, was responsible for this extinction. This theory gained support with the discovery of the Chicxulub crater, measuring 180 km in diameter, in the Gulf of Mexico and the Yucatán Peninsula in the early 1990s.
- A recent study published on August 15 in the journal Science examined geochemical evidence from the impact site, revealing that the asteroid originated beyond Jupiter's orbit. This finding implies that the mass extinction might have resulted from a series of events that began with the early formation of the Solar System.
- The study, led by geochemist Mario Fischer-Gödde from the University of Cologne, analyzed samples from three locations at the Chicxulub crater and compared them with rocks from eight other asteroid impact sites dating back 3.5 billion years.
- The Solar System began forming around 4.6 billion years ago from a dense cloud of gas and dust, which eventually collapsed to form the celestial bodies we know today. During this formation, the high temperatures in the inner regions of the molecular cloud prevented volatile chemicals from condensing, leading to the formation of asteroids rich in silicate minerals, which make up 90% of Earth’s crust.
- Conversely, asteroids formed further out contained more carbon and volatile chemicals.
More Information
| Aspect | Asteroid | Satelite |
| Definition | Asteroids are small, rocky objects that orbit the Sun. They are remnants from the early solar system that did not form into planets | Satellites are natural or artificial objects that orbit around planets, dwarf planets, or other celestial bodies. Natural satellites are commonly known as moons |
| Orbit | Asteroids primarily orbit the Sun, mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Some, known as Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs), have orbits that bring them close to Earth | Satellites orbit planets or other celestial bodies rather than the Sun. Their orbits are influenced by the gravitational pull of the body they orbit |
| Composition | Asteroids are composed of rock, metal, and sometimes organic compounds. Their composition can vary widely, leading to different types such as C-type (carbonaceous), S-type (silicaceous), and M-type (metallic) | Natural satellites vary in composition depending on their parent planet. They can be rocky (like Earth’s Moon), icy (like Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons), or a mix of rock and ice (like Titan, Saturn’s moon) |
| Size and Shape | Asteroids range in size from small boulders to objects hundreds of kilometers in diameter. They often have irregular shapes due to their small size and insufficient gravity to form spherical shapes | Natural satellites range in size from small moonlets to large bodies like Ganymede, which is larger than the planet Mercury. Many larger moons are spherical due to their sufficient gravitational force, while smaller moons often have irregular shapes |
| Examples | Notable asteroids include Ceres (the largest and classified as a dwarf planet), Vesta, Bennu, and Ryugu. | Notable natural satellites include Earth’s Moon, Jupiter’s moons (e.g., Ganymede, Io, Europa, Callisto), Saturn’s moons (e.g., Titan, Enceladus), and Mars’ moons (Phobos and Deimos) |
Follow Up Question
|
Answer (C)
The THEMIS (Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms) mission, managed by NASA, is designed to investigate the phenomena related to the auroras, or the colorful displays of high-latitude skies. Specifically, it aims to understand the dynamics and mechanisms of the Earth's magnetosphere and how it interacts with solar wind to create auroras. This mission focuses on studying the auroral displays and their relationship to geomagnetic storms and substorms
|
| Subject | Topic | Description |
| History | Modern Indian History | Company rule and Crown rule 1773 - 1947 |
| History | Modern Indian History | Fall of Mughals |
| History | Modern Indian History | Establishment of British rule in India |
| History | Modern Indian History | Economic Policies of the British |
|
UPSC EXAM NOTES will be conducting both Prelims and Mains exams every Sunday as part of the Integrated Mains and Prelims (IMPM) Program. This program provides a comprehensive approach to UPSC exam preparation, ensuring that candidates are well-prepared for both stages of the exam. Program Highlights:
Duration: The IMPM plan is a one-year program, ensuring continuous and structured preparation over 12 months. With regular testing and consistent study guidance, this program is designed to maximize your chances of success in the UPSC exams |