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Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on November 25, 2024
Daily Insights and Initiatives for UPSC Exam Notes: Comprehensive explanations and high-quality material provided regularly for students
What can CAQM do to improve Delhi air?
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
For Mains Examination: GS III - Environment & Ecology
Context:
Air pollution in Delhi has been in the ‘severe’ and ‘severe plus’ category for the most part of the last 10 days. This week, the Supreme Court pulled up the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the government’s monitoring agency, on its inadequate pollution control response.
Read about:
What is Air Quality Index (AQI)?
Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)
Key takeaways:
Air Pollution in Delhi
Delhi's air quality has been in the "severe" or "severe plus" category for most of the last ten days. This led to the Supreme Court criticizing the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for its ineffective response to the ongoing pollution crisis.
What is CAQM?
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was established through an ordinance in 2020, later formalized by an Act of Parliament in 2021. It was designed to address air pollution issues in the National Capital Region (NCR) and neighboring areas through coordination, research, and resolution. Initially comprising 15 members, including government officials and NGO representatives, it has now expanded to 27 members under the leadership of Rajesh Verma.
The CAQM replaced the Environmental Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA), which had been formed in 1998 by the Supreme Court. Unlike EPCA, the CAQM operates under statutory backing, allowing it to enforce actions more robustly. Measures such as the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), initially introduced by EPCA, continue to be implemented by the CAQM to combat pollution.
Powers of CAQM
Under the Commission for Air Quality Management Act, 2021, the CAQM is empowered to:
- Formulate and enforce measures to protect and enhance air quality.
- Issue directions and entertain complaints.
- Take stringent action against officials failing to comply with its orders (as per Section 14).
Supreme Court's Criticism of CAQM
The Supreme Court, in its recent observations, expressed dissatisfaction with CAQM's lack of effective enforcement. It highlighted that many stakeholders were not adhering to its directions and noted delays in implementing critical measures under GRAP despite air quality falling to the "severe plus" level. The court urged CAQM to take proactive, impactful steps rather than relying on delayed responses.
Is CAQM Responsible for Delhi’s Pollution?
While CAQM devises policies and coordinates with agencies, the actual implementation of these measures lies with state governments and local authorities. According to a CAQM official, the commission has improved coordination and planning, citing efforts like engaging state officials months ahead of the stubble-burning season to prepare action plans.
Despite these efforts, the official acknowledged challenges, stating that while stubble burning had been a primary focus, future plans would prioritize tackling multiple pollution sources, including dust and vehicular emissions.
Conclusion
While the CAQM has brought a structured approach to combating air pollution, gaps in enforcement and ground-level implementation continue to hamper its effectiveness. Comprehensive and collaborative efforts across all levels of governance are crucial to achieving tangible improvements in air quality
Follow Up Question
- Carbon dioxide
- Carbon monoxide
- Nitrogen dioxide
- Sulfur dioxide
- Methane
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 2, 3 and 4 only
C. 1, 4 and 5 only
D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
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Answer (B)
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in India is calculated based on the concentration of the following pollutants:
Among the gases listed in the question:
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Global Diabetes Trends and Challenges
On World Diabetes Day (November 14), a paper published in The Lancet highlighted that over 800 million adults globally are living with diabetes, with more than half lacking adequate treatment. The report also indicated a sharp increase in diabetes prevalence, quadrupling since 1990. Alarmingly, India accounts for 212 million cases, the highest globally, followed by 148 million in China. This figure significantly exceeds the Indian Council of Medical Research's (ICMR-INDIAB) previous estimate of just over 100 million cases in India
Reasons for Variations in Estimates
The discrepancy stems from different methods of measuring blood sugar levels:
- The Lancet study, conducted by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), relied on existing data across 200 countries using either fasting glucose, HbA1C (a three-month glycated hemoglobin average), or both.
- In contrast, the ICMR study employed fasting glucose levels and a two-hour postprandial test using the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), considered the "gold standard" in India.
- Experts noted that reliance on HbA1C alone might overestimate diabetes prevalence due to factors like age, anemia, and variations in glycation rates.
Addressing India’s Diabetes Burden
Regardless of whether India’s diabetes burden is 100 million or 212 million, the consequences remain dire:
- Diabetes is a precursor to complications affecting the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nervous system, making early diagnosis and management critical.
- The Lancet report highlights inequities in treatment access, especially in low- and middle-income countries where patients often face lifelong health risks.
- Experts like Majid Ezzati of Imperial College emphasized that lack of treatment exacerbates complications, including heart disease and premature death.
1.Consider the following statements regarding diabetes prevalence and its global challenges:
- India has the highest number of adults with diabetes globally, accounting for more than 25% of the world's diabetes cases.
- The Lancet study highlighted that differing diagnostic methods, such as fasting glucose and HbA1C, do not affect diabetes prevalence estimates significantly.
- Lifestyle factors such as obesity and poor diets are identified as key contributors to the rising prevalence of Type 2 diabetes worldwide.
- The Lancet study emphasized that access to treatment is equitable across low-, middle-, and high-income countries.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Answer (C)
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The 29th Conference of Parties (COP29), one of the most critical UN climate summits, was slated to conclude on November 22 after 11 days of negotiations aimed at tackling escalating carbon emissions. However, the discussions are expected to extend beyond the deadline due to unresolved contentious issues.
Significance of COP29
Before the conference, developing nations advocated for at least a trillion dollars annually between 2025-2035 to address emission targets, presenting this as the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. This funding is meant to assist developing countries in transitioning away from fossil fuels and addressing greenhouse gas emissions. While developed nations mobilized $115 billion in 2021-22, there is a lack of consensus on the quantum and structure of the NCQG, with negotiations still ongoing.
Stance of Developing Nations
Countries such as India, China, and coalitions like the Group of 77, SIDS, and LMDC have emphasized that developed nations should bear the majority of climate finance obligations. They demand funding not only for meeting Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) but also to mitigate ongoing climate threats and compensate for historical damage. These nations advocate for contributions proportionate to the historical emissions and economic capacity of developed countries.
Position of Developed Nations
Developed nations, led by the European Union, propose a collective climate finance goal of $1.3 trillion annually by 2035, emphasizing contributions from both public and private sources. Their commitment, however, falls short of the demands from developing countries, with only $250-$300 billion annually proposed as public finance by 2035.
Notable Agreements
During COP29, countries reached an agreement on establishing a UN-supervised carbon market to facilitate carbon credit trading. This market, under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, allows bilateral and global trade of carbon credits, aiming to support climate finance efforts. However, environmentalists raised concerns about the adequacy of discussions on the credibility and transparency of carbon credits.
China, along with BASIC countries, petitioned to address trade restrictions linked to climate policies, specifically targeting the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), set to fully take effect in 2026. This mechanism imposes tariffs on imports not aligned with EU carbon-emission standards, sparking debate on the intersection of trade and climate policy.
India's Role
India is actively exploring bilateral carbon trade agreements and developing its domestic carbon market, with COP29 agreements potentially acting as a catalyst for these initiatives.
This paraphrased version avoids direct duplication while maintaining the essential details and insights from the original text
B. 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
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Answer (B)
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- In 2020, a highly pathogenic strain of the avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, belonging to clade 2.3.4.4b, emerged and rapidly spread across Africa, Asia, and Europe. During 2021-2022, this strain reached North and South America, causing mass mortality among seabirds.
- Historically, H5N1 infections in marine mammals were rare, limited to sporadic cases in pinnipeds and cetaceans.
- However, between 2022 and 2023, the virus severely impacted marine mammals along the coasts of Peru and Chile, resulting in the deaths of approximately 30,000 sea lions and infecting species such as dolphins and otters. In Argentina, over 17,000 elephant seals succumbed to the virus, with a nearly 97% fatality rate among pups.
- The virus's spread took a significant turn in March 2024 when it was detected in cattle in Texas, marking the first such case.
- Shortly after, the U.S. reported its first human case—a farm worker exposed to potentially infected cattle. By November 2024, there were 58 confirmed human cases in the U.S., with the virus spreading to 616 dairy herds across 15 states, predominantly in California.
- The 2.3.4.4b clade of H5N1 primarily infects the mammary glands of cows, with milk containing high viral RNA levels. This has raised concerns about virus transmission via milk to offspring and possibly humans.
- Due to the complexity of studying mammary gland infections in cattle, researchers used ferrets as models. Studies revealed that lactating ferrets infected with H5N1 could transmit the virus through milk to their pups, resulting in 100% fatality in both the mothers and their offspring.
- The research, yet to undergo peer review, underscores the potential severity of mammary gland infections, showing active viral replication within the gland.
- Additional studies published in Nature demonstrated that ferrets infected with the 2.3.4.4b clade experienced severe disease with 100% mortality.
- While direct contact facilitated efficient virus transmission, airborne spread between ferrets was limited. Viral transmission studies showed significant viral RNA levels in the oral cavities of suckling ferrets, indicating milk as a transmission medium.
- The findings highlight the severe impact of intramammary H5N1 infections, with broader implications for understanding and controlling its spread in mammalian populations
1.H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to which one of the following diseases? (UPSC 2015)
A. AIDS
B. Bird flu
C. Dengue
D. Swine flu
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Answer (D)
The H1N1 virus is associated with swine flu, a respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses that infect the respiratory tract of pigs and can also spread to humans. The virus gained global attention during the 2009 pandemic, which was declared by the World Health Organization
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2nd International Conference on Green Hydrogen
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
For Mains Examination: GS III - Environment & ecology
Context:
Scientists and innovators, Industry leaders, and my dear friends, I send my warm greetings to all of you. It is a pleasure to welcome you to the 2nd International Conference on Green Hydrogen
Read about:
What is Green Hydrogen?
Different types of Hydrogen
Key takeaways:
Green hydrogen is hydrogen that is produced using renewable energy sources, making it a clean and sustainable form of energy. The key process used to produce green hydrogen is electrolysis, where electricity is used to split water (Hâ‚‚O) into hydrogen (Hâ‚‚) and oxygen (Oâ‚‚). When the electricity used in electrolysis comes from renewable sources like wind, solar, or hydroelectric power, the resulting hydrogen is called "green."
Here are some key aspects of green hydrogen:
-
Zero Carbon Emissions: The production process emits no carbon dioxide, making it environmentally friendly, unlike traditional hydrogen production methods like natural gas reforming, which release COâ‚‚.
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Renewable Energy-Based: It relies on renewable energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
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Uses:
- Energy Storage: Green hydrogen can store excess renewable energy.
- Transport: It can be used as a fuel for hydrogen-powered vehicles.
- Industry: Green hydrogen is used in industrial processes, such as steel production, ammonia manufacturing, and chemical industries, reducing carbon footprints.
India is making significant strides toward hydrogen-powered transportation as part of its broader strategy to reduce carbon emissions and achieve energy security. The government has set ambitious goals for hydrogen adoption, especially green hydrogen, which aligns with the global push for cleaner energy sources.
Key Aspects of India's Push for Hydrogen-Powered Transportation:
National Hydrogen Mission
- Launched in 2021, the National Hydrogen Mission aims to make India a global hub for green hydrogen production. It focuses on promoting the use of hydrogen as a clean fuel, especially for transportation, to reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
- The mission targets producing 5 million metric tons of green hydrogen annually by 2030.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (HFCVs)
- HFCVs are powered by hydrogen fuel cells that generate electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, emitting only water vapor.
- India is exploring hydrogen as a fuel for buses, trucks, and cars, with prototypes already developed.
- Companies like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) are working on hydrogen-fueled vehicles and hydrogen infrastructure.
Follow Up Question
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Answer (C)
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The government recently introduced the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) policy, which at first glance seems focused on boosting growth in the biotech industry. However, its true aim is to overhaul traditional industrial and manufacturing processes to make them more sustainable, environmentally friendly, and resource-efficient. The policy promotes the use of biotechnology to develop manufacturing techniques that imitate natural biological processes. Officials see this as a crucial step toward the "industrialization of biology," a shift that could significantly impact the economy.
Potential Benefits of Biotechnology
- Biotechnology, which involves manipulating organisms and biological systems to create desired products or solutions, spans fields like genomics, genetic engineering, and synthetic biology.
- This science has already provided breakthroughs in healthcare, agriculture, and genetic treatments. Innovations such as gene editing, protein synthesis, and enzyme production—enhanced by artificial intelligence and data processing—are pushing the boundaries of what biotechnology can achieve.
- Environmentally friendly alternatives to products like synthetic clothing, plastics, and even food are now possible thanks to advances in biotechnology. Precision fermentation, for instance, can create animal-free milk that is nutritionally identical to natural milk but with a smaller carbon footprint.
- Biodegradable plastics made from renewable resources like corn or sugarcane offer a greener alternative to traditional plastics, which are petroleum-based and harmful to the environment.
- Biotechnology also offers new ways to capture and utilize carbon dioxide, such as using microorganisms to convert CO2 into biofuels, avoiding the need for long-term storage. In the emerging field of synthetic biology, scientists are creating new organisms from scratch to perform specific functions, such as growing organs in laboratories through organogenesis, potentially revolutionizing organ transplants.
- While some biotech innovations are already on the market, like animal-free milk, many are still in the development phase, facing challenges related to scalability, cost, and regulation.
How Can BioE3 Policy Benefit India?
- The BioE3 policy aims to prepare India for an economy shaped by biomanufacturing—the industrial production of goods using biological processes. Government estimates predict that biomanufacturing alone could generate an economic impact of $2-4 trillion over the next decade.
- Although the policy is not expected to yield immediate economic gains, it focuses on building research capabilities, fostering innovation, and training talent to ensure India is ready to capitalize on these technologies when they mature.
- Similar to other government initiatives like the Artificial Intelligence Mission, the Quantum Mission, and the Green Hydrogen Mission, BioE3 is designed to position India at the forefront of futuristic technologies that address critical issues such as climate change and energy security.
- The policy includes plans to establish biomanufacturing hubs across India where industries and start-ups can collaborate to produce bio-based chemicals, smart proteins, enzymes, and more.
- These hubs will focus on six key areas: bio-based chemicals, functional foods, precision biotherapeutics, climate-resilient agriculture, carbon capture, and advanced marine and space research.
- One goal of the marine and space research is to develop systems that recycle waste and generate oxygen and food for space missions, potentially using algae or special plants. Meanwhile, marine organisms could inspire new pharmaceuticals or cosmetic compounds.
- The BioE3 policy represents a forward-thinking approach to using biotechnology to meet future economic and environmental challenges
1.According to India's National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels? (UPSC 2020)
1. Cassava
2. Damaged wheat grains
3. Groundnut seeds
4. Horse gram
5. Rotten potatoes
6. Sugar beet
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. 1, 2, 5 and 6 only
B. 1, 3, 4 and 6 only
C. 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
D. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
|
Answer (A)
According to India's National Policy on Biofuels, raw materials that can be used for the production of biofuels include:
Groundnut seeds (3) and Horse gram (4) are not typically used for biofuel production under the policy. Groundnut seeds are primarily used for oil extraction and food products, while horse gram is a legume used for food |
The Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) scheme is an initiative by the Government of India aimed at developing and upgrading schools across the country to serve as model institutions of excellence. Under this scheme, selected schools are transformed into "PM-SHRI Schools", which are envisioned to be centers of quality education that embrace modern teaching practices, a student-centered environment, and comprehensive infrastructure.
Key features of the PM-SHRI scheme include:
-
Holistic Learning Environment: The scheme emphasizes a holistic approach to education, integrating the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on both academic and co-curricular excellence.
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Modern Infrastructure: PM-SHRI schools will be equipped with modern facilities, smart classrooms, libraries, and laboratories to promote experiential and inquiry-based learning.
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Sustainable Practices: The schools will adopt sustainable practices such as energy-efficient infrastructure, rainwater harvesting, and waste management systems.
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Technology Integration: The scheme encourages the use of technology in teaching and learning, enabling digital literacy and a focus on skill development.
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Inclusive and Equitable Education: PM-SHRI schools will aim to provide equitable access to quality education for all, including marginalized and disadvantaged communities
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is a comprehensive framework introduced by the Government of India to guide the development of the education system, from primary to higher education, and vocational training. It aims to make India a global knowledge superpower by transforming the educational landscape, promoting innovation, and improving the quality of education across all levels.
Here are the key highlights of NEP 2020:
New Structure: The traditional 10+2 structure has been replaced with a 5+3+3+4 structure corresponding to the stages of child development:
- Foundational Stage (5 years): 3 years of pre-primary + grades 1 and 2
- Preparatory Stage (3 years): Grades 3 to 5
- Middle Stage (3 years): Grades 6 to 8
- Secondary Stage (4 years): Grades 9 to 12
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Answer (b)
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| 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 |
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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 |