Current Affairs 17 July 2024

CONTENTS

1. Scientific Deep Drilling by Ministry of Earth Science
2. Supreme Court Overturns Foreigners’ Tribunal Decision in Assam
3. Rising Militant Attacks in Jammu and Kashmir
4. One Scientist-One Product Programme
5. Centenary of the First Human EEG
6. U-WIN Portal
7. Kashmir willow

Scientific Deep Drilling by Ministry of Earth Science

Context:

The Ministry of Earth Science has initiated a scientific deep drilling project of the Earth’s crust to a depth of 6 km, assisted by the Borehole Geophysics Research Laboratory (BGRL) in Karad, Maharashtra. The project has already achieved drilling to a depth of 3 km.

Relevance:

GS I: Geography

Dimensions of the Article:

1. What is Scientific Deep Drilling?
2. Other Ways to Study the Interior of the Earth
3. Key Findings from the Deep Drilling Mission in Koyna
4. Significance of Deep Drilling Mission
5. Challenges with Deep Drilling Missions

What is Scientific Deep Drilling?

• Definition and Purpose:
  • Scientific deep drilling involves penetrating deep into the Earth’s crust to investigate its composition, structure, and processes.
  • This research aims to uncover insights into geological formations, natural resources, and Earth’s historical development.
  • Deep drilling projects seek to advance understanding of tectonics, earthquake mechanisms, and geothermal energy potential.

Techniques and Methods:

• Rotary Drilling:
  • Utilizes a rotating drill bit attached to a drill string, rotated by a rig to cut through rock formations.
  • Drilling mud circulates to cool the bit and carry rock cuttings to the surface.
• Percussion Drilling (Air Hammering):
  • Employs high-pressure air to power a hammer that rapidly impacts a drill bit.
  • Effective for breaking rock and flushing out cuttings, suitable for mineral exploration, water wells, and geothermal energy.
  • Fast and cost-effective but noisy and best suited for shallow depths.
• Koyna Drilling Technique:
  • Integrates mud rotary drilling with percussion drilling (air hammering) methods.
• Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking):
  • Used to create fractures in rock formations to enhance fluid flow for sampling or resource extraction.
• Geophysical Surveys:
  • Employ seismic, magnetic, and gravitational methods to map subsurface structures and identify drilling targets.

Other Ways to Study the Interior of the Earth

• Direct and Indirect Methods:
  • The Earth’s interior is studied through direct methods such as deep drilling and sampling rock from boreholes.
  • Indirect methods include seismic wave analysis, gravity measurements, and studying Earth’s magnetic field.
• Seismic Wave Analysis:
  • Generated by earthquakes, seismic waves travel through the Earth’s interior.
  • Analysis of wave behavior (refraction, reflection) helps infer composition and properties of different layers.
• Gravity and Magnetic Field Studies:
  • Variations in gravity and magnetic fields indicate changes in density and composition.
  • These measurements help delineate boundaries between the Earth’s core, mantle, and crust.
• Heat Flow Studies:
  • Heat emanating from the Earth’s interior provides insights into temperature and thermal properties of layers.
  • Crucial for understanding internal processes and dynamics of the Earth.

Key Findings from the Deep Drilling Mission in Koyna

• Seismic Susceptibility:
  • The Koyna region’s high stress levels make it susceptible to small stress perturbations that can trigger frequent, small-magnitude earthquakes.
• Water Composition:
  • Water found at depths of up to 3 km is meteoric or rain-fed, indicating deep percolation and circulation processes.
• Geological Layers:
  • Discovered 1.2 km of 65 million-year-old Deccan trap lava flows overlying 2,500-2,700 million-year-old granitic basement rocks.
• Core Sample Insights:
  • Samples from 3 km depth provided new data on rock physical and mechanical properties, chemical composition of fluids and gases, temperature, stress regimes, and fracture orientations.
• Imaging Techniques:
  • High-resolution images of borehole walls using acoustic and micro-resistivity techniques enabled validation of data from other core samples globally.
• Hydraulic Fracturing Experiments:
  • Conducted experiments to measure in-situ stress regimes of rocks, detecting and studying buried fault zones by integrating various datasets and advanced analysis.

Significance of Deep Drilling Mission

• Enhanced Earthquake Understanding:
  • Installing sensors in deep boreholes to monitor fault lines improves predictive models and enhances geohazard management.
• Resource Exploration:
  • Precise data from deep drilling aids in managing geohazards and exploring mineral and hydrocarbon resources in the Earth’s crust.
• Advancing Geological Knowledge:
  • Direct observation and sampling confirm or refute geological models, enhancing understanding of tectonic processes and crustal dynamics.
• Technological Advancements:
  • Investments in drilling drive advancements in seismology, sensor development, and data analysis, promoting technological self-reliance.
• Global Contribution:
  • Findings contribute to global geoscience knowledge, fostering international collaboration and improving understanding of Earth’s systems.

Challenges with Deep Drilling Missions

• Rig Capacity Limitations:
  • Increasing depth requires more powerful rigs; capacity limitations pose challenges for drilling beyond 3 km.
• Complex Rock Formations:
  • Fractured and seismically active rock formations complicate drilling operations and increase risks of equipment issues.
• Core Extraction Challenges:
  • Extracting long, heavy rock cores from depths exceeding 3 km presents technical challenges.
• Encountering Fault Zones:
  • Deeper boreholes are prone to encountering fault lines and fracture zones, compromising borehole stability and requiring specialized equipment.
• Operational Demands:
  • Extended drilling durations (6-8 months for 3 km, 12-14 months for 6 km) require skilled personnel working 24/7 in harsh conditions, posing logistical and operational challenges.

-Source: The Hindu

Supreme Court Overturns Foreigners’ Tribunal Decision in Assam

Context:

The Supreme Court has declared Md Rahim Ali, a resident of Assam, a citizen of India, overturning a decision made by the state’s Foreigners’ Tribunal (FT). The FT had earlier declared Ali a foreigner due to minor discrepancies in spellings and dates within his documents, accusing him of entering India illegally on or after the cut-off date of March 25, 1971.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Foreigners’ Tribunals (FTs)
2. Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) 2019
3. What is the National Register of Citizens (NRC)?

Foreigners’ Tribunals (FTs)

Overview:

• Quasi-judicial bodies established under the Foreigners’ Act 1946 and the Foreigners’ Tribunal Order 1964.
• Tasked with determining the citizenship status of individuals accused of being foreigners.

Legal Framework:

• The Foreigners’ Act 1946 predates the Indian Constitution and sets the basis for FTs.
• Established in 1964 through an executive order of the Home Ministry.

Criticism of Foreigners’ Tribunals in Assam

Issues Highlighted:

• Doubtful Voters: About 3 lakh people were declared Doubtful Voters in Assam in 1997 without proper inquiry or notice, leading to their exclusion from the Assam National Register of Citizens (NRC).
• Lack of Grounds in Notices: Notices issued by FTs often fail to specify the main grounds for declaring individuals as foreigners, contrary to the mandates of the Foreigners’ Tribunal Order 1964.
• Burden of Proof: The burden of proof is placed on the accused under the Foreigners Act 1946, forcing individuals to defend themselves without prior knowledge of the charges.
• Recent SC Judgement: A recent Supreme Court judgement is expected to positively impact pending FT cases by ensuring fair proceedings.

How the SC’s Verdict Humanised Citizenship Law in India

Key Rulings:

• Burden of Proof: The Supreme Court ruled that the burden of proof rests with the state to provide material on which allegations of being a foreigner are based, aligning with principles of natural justice.
• Minor Discrepancies: Minor discrepancies in documents cannot result in the loss of citizenship, providing relief to individuals concerned about errors in documentation amidst the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) 2019 and proposals for a nationwide NRC.

Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) 2019

Overview:

• Objective: Amends the Citizenship Act 1955 to grant Indian citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Parsi, Buddhist, Jain, and Christian immigrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, excluding Muslims, who arrived in India before December 31, 2014.
• Fast Track Citizenship: Eligible immigrants can obtain citizenship in 5 years instead of the previous 11 years.
• OCI Cancellation: Provides for cancellation of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) registration if the holder violates any provisions of the Citizenship Act or other laws.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Persecution Basis: Applies to individuals forced to seek shelter in India due to religious persecution.
• Cut-off Date: Applicants must have entered India on or before December 31, 2014.
• Exclusions: Not applicable to areas under the Constitution’s sixth schedule (Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram) or states with an inner-line permit regime (Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram).

What is the National Register of Citizens (NRC)?

• The National Register of Citizens (NRC) is a register created after the Census of 1951 was conducted in respect of each village, showing the houses or holdings in serial order and indicating against each house or holding the number and names of people staying therein.
• These registers covered every individual enumerated during the Census of 1951 and were maintained in the offices of Deputy Commissioners and Sub Divisional Officers in accordance with directives issued by the Government of India in 1951.
  • Later these registers were transferred to the Police in the early 1960s.
• This NRC was prepared under a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• At the moment, only Assam has such a register, but additional states may eventually be included.
  •  The Register of Indigenous Inhabitants, a similar database, is already being created in Nagaland.

Update:

The NRC will be updated as per the provisions of The Citizenship Act, 1955 and The Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003. 

NRC in Assam 

• In Assam, the NRC essentially serves as a registry of Indian residents residing in the region. The goal of the citizens’ registry is to catalogue all foreign nationals living in the Bangladesh-bordering state.
  • To identify Indian nationals in Assam amid “unabated” migration from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), the action was taken.

Eligibility for inclusion in updated NRC

• Persons whose names appear in NRC, 1951.
• Persons whose names appear in the Electoral Rolls up to 24th March (midnight), 1971.
• Descendants of the above persons.
• Persons who came to Assam from Bangladesh between 1st January 1966 and 25th March 1971 and registered themselves with the Foreigner Regional Registration Office   (FRRO) and were declared by the Foreigner Tribunal as Indian citizens.
• All Indian Citizens including their children and descendants who have moved to Assam post 24th March 1971 would be eligible for inclusion in the updated NRC on adducing satisfactory proof of residence in any part of the country (outside Assam) as of 24th March 1971.
• Persons who can provide any of the admissible documents issued up to 24th March midnight, 1971.

-Source: The Hindu

Rising Militant Attacks in Jammu and Kashmir

Context:

The Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has experienced a significant increase in militant attacks since mid-2021. This escalation has culminated in recent incidents, including an ambush on Army vehicles in the Kathua district and targeted strikes in other areas. This resurgence indicates a shift from historical patterns, raising concerns about security vulnerabilities and regional stability.

Relevance:

GS III: Security Challenges

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Reasons for Rise in Militancy in Jammu
2. Challenges in Dealing with Rise in Militancy
3. Way Forward

Reasons for Rise in Militancy in Jammu

Factors Contributing to Militancy:

• Zero Terror Policy in Kashmir: Militants exploit the relative calm in Kashmir due to stringent security measures, prompting them to relocate and operate in Jammu.
• Troop Movements to Ladakh: Shifts in military deployments post-Galwan incident in 2020 may have inadvertently reduced security focus in Jammu, allowing militants to exploit perceived vulnerabilities.
• Strategic Gateway: Jammu’s position as a crucial gateway to India makes it an attractive target for militants aiming to disrupt normalcy and create fear.
• Proximity to LoC: Easy access from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir facilitates infiltration and logistical support for militants operating in hilly and forested areas.
• Establishing Footholds: Recent incidents indicate deliberate efforts by militants to establish strongholds across districts like Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi.
• Economic Marginalization: Lack of economic opportunities in remote and border areas of Jammu makes local youth vulnerable to recruitment by militant groups.
• Political Alienation: Perceived political alienation among certain communities, compounded by historical grievances, can foster sympathy or support for militant ideologies.
• Generational Shift in Intelligence Gathering: Security forces face challenges in cultivating relationships with younger generations, impacting human intelligence efforts.

Challenges in Dealing with Rise in Militancy

Operational and Strategic Challenges:

• Border Vulnerabilities: The 192-km international border and 740-km LoC in Jammu serve as potential infiltration points, requiring robust surveillance and security measures.
• Terrain Exploitation: Militants exploit tough terrains and forested areas along borders for infiltration, complicating security responses.
• Community Trust: Building and maintaining trust between security forces and local communities remains crucial for effective intelligence gathering.
• Revival of Village Defence Guards: Efforts to revive Village Defence Guards are challenged by past allegations of misconduct, affecting community cooperation.
• Communication Technologies: Militants utilize sophisticated communication tools and local sympathizers, complicating intelligence gathering efforts.
• External Support: Allegations of cross-border support from Pakistan, including drone-based weapons supply, influence local militancy dynamics.
• Communal Dynamics: Jammu’s demographic diversity exposes it to communal tensions, exploited by militants to create divisions and fear.

Way Forward

Strategic Measures and Initiatives:

• Enhanced Border Security: Strengthen surveillance and fortification along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) to curb cross-border infiltration.
• Advanced Surveillance Technologies: Deploy drones, night-vision equipment, and data analytics to enhance operational effectiveness and real-time monitoring.
• Legal Framework Strengthening: Enhance laws against terrorism financing, fast-track terror cases, and ensure robust prosecution through dedicated courts.
• Socio-Economic Development: Invest in socio-economic initiatives, youth empowerment, and community dialogue to counter extremist ideologies.
• Diplomatic and International Cooperation: Engage in diplomatic efforts and international cooperation to disrupt external support networks for militants.
• Continuous Review of Security Policies: Adapt security policies to evolving militant tactics while prioritizing civilian safety and minimizing collateral damage.

-Source: The Hindu

One Scientist-One Product Programme

Context:

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) will launch its ‘One Scientist-One Product’ programme on July 16 to improve research in the field of agriculture and animal husbandry.

Relevance:

GS II: Government policies and Interventions

Dimensions of the Article:

1. News Summary
2. About Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

News Summary

• ICAR’s “One Scientist-One Product” Program Launch
  • The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) will launch its “One Scientist-One Product” program on July 16 to boost agricultural and animal husbandry research.
  • This initiative coincides with ICAR’s 96th foundation day and will feature the release of 323 varieties across 56 crops, including climate-resilient and bio-fortified types, during an event in Delhi.
  • Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will inaugurate the program.
• Overview of “One Scientist-One Product” Program
  • ICAR’s Director-General, Himanshu Pathak, outlines that each of ICAR’s 5,521 scientists will develop a unique product, technology, model, concept, or publication.
  • Projects will be selected annually, monitored quarterly at the institute level, and biannually at the headquarters.
  • The program will span five years, initially focusing on high-yielding oilseeds and pulses.
• ICAR’s Initiative on High-Yielding Seeds
  • ICAR plans to develop 100 new seed varieties and 100 farm technologies within 100 days under the Centre’s action plan.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to launch these initiatives by mid-September.
  • Breeder seeds have facilitated the cultivation of approximately 16 million hectares with bio-fortified crops like wheat, rice, pearl millet, lentil, and mustard in 2023-24.
  • Since 2014-15, ICAR has released 2,593 high-yielding varieties, significantly enhancing production resilience during challenging agricultural conditions.

About Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

• Establishment and Structure
  • Established: 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
  • Autonomous Organization: Operates under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
  • Headquarters: New Delhi.

Role and Functions

• Coordination and Management: Serves as the apex body for coordinating, guiding, and managing research and education in agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, and animal sciences across India.
• Research and Development:
  • Conducts and promotes research in various agricultural fields, including crop science, animal science, horticulture, fisheries, natural resource management, and agricultural engineering.
  • Develops new technologies, practices, and innovations to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability.
• Education and Capacity Building:
  • Oversees agricultural education through a network of agricultural universities and colleges to ensure high standards.
  • Provides training and capacity-building programs for farmers, extension workers, and scientists to disseminate knowledge and skills.
• Policy Advisory Role:
  • Advises the government on agriculture-related policy matters, food security, and rural development.
  • Supports the formulation of national agricultural policies and strategies.
• Extension Services:
  • Implements extension programs to transfer technology from research labs to the fields.
  • Collaborates with state agricultural universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and other extension agencies to provide farmers with timely information and assistance.
• Natural Resource Management:
  • Focuses on conservation and sustainable management of natural resources such as soil, water, and biodiversity.
  • Develops and promotes practices that enhance resource-use efficiency and environmental sustainability.

-Source: Indian Express

Centenary of the First Human EEG

Context:

Electroencephalography has recently garnered attention due to the centenary year of the first human EEG, pioneered by German physiologist Hans Berger. While Vladimir Pravdich-Neminsky achieved the first mammalian EEG in 1912 using a dog’s brain, Hans Berger followed in 1924 with the first human EEG, marking a significant milestone in neurological research.

Relevance:

GS III: Science and Technology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Electroencephalography (EEG)

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Definition and Working:

• Definition: EEG stands for electroencephalography, where ‘electro-‘ relates to electricity, ‘encephalo-‘ to the brain, and ‘-graphy’ signifies showing or representing.
• Tool Description: EEG is a non-invasive tool used in physics and neurobiology to monitor electrical activity in the brain, offering insights into brain function without invasive procedures.
• Setup: Simple, cost-effective, non-invasive, portable, space-efficient, and emits no high-energy radiation or sounds, unlike MRI.
• Working Principle: Neurons in the brain generate electrical impulses that create waves of electrical activity. Electrodes placed on the scalp detect these signals, which are recorded as an electroencephalogram (EEG).

Applications:

• Diagnosis: Primary tool for diagnosing epilepsy by detecting abnormal brain activity associated with seizures.
• Medical Monitoring: Assessing effects of anesthesia, monitoring sleeping patterns, and evaluating neurological activity during coma or brain death.
• Research: Used in neuroscience, cognitive psychology, neurolinguistics, and neuromarketing to study brain function and develop brain-computer interfaces.

Challenges:

• Spatial Resolution: Primarily captures activity from the brain’s surface and dendrites, making precise localization of brain activity challenging.
• Integration with Other Methods: Often combined with MRI and advanced techniques to improve spatial resolution and accuracy in pinpointing brain activity origins.

-Source: The Hindu

U-WIN Portal

Context:

The U-WIN portal, a replication of the Covid-19 vaccine management system Co-WIN, is set for a pan-India launch likely by the end of August.

Relevance:

GS II: Government policies and Interventions

U-WIN Portal

The U-WIN (Universal Immunization Programme – Web Interface for Data Entry and Maintenance) portal is a significant initiative aimed at enhancing the management and accessibility of immunization data across India. Here are the key features and aspects of the U-WIN portal:

• Objective: U-WIN aims to maintain an electronic registry of routine immunizations, focusing on pregnant women and children under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).
• Pilot Phase: Currently, U-WIN is in pilot mode across all states and Union Territories, except West Bengal.
• Coverage: It captures every vaccination event under UIP, ensuring timely administration of vaccine doses by digitally recording each event.
• Key Features:
  • QR-based E-Vaccination Certificate: Generates a digitally verifiable certificate similar to the Covid vaccination certificate, accessible to citizens with a single click.
  • Comprehensive Health Records: Acts as a single source of information for immunization services, recording pregnancy details, newborn registration, immunization at birth, vaccination status updates, and delivery outcomes in real time.
  • Citizen-Centric Features: Allows citizens to self-register for vaccinations via web portal or Android app, choose vaccination centers, and schedule appointments.
  • Automated Alerts: Sends SMS alerts for registration confirmations, administered doses, and upcoming dose reminders, ensuring timely and age-appropriate vaccinations.
  • Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA): Facilitates creation of ABHA IDs for maintaining comprehensive health records.

• Support for Frontline Workers: Enables frontline health workers to digitally record all vaccination events accurately, ensuring easy maintenance and access to complete immunization records.
• Significance: U-WIN enhances transparency, efficiency, and accessibility in vaccine administration, contributing to improved public health outcomes by ensuring that all eligible individuals receive timely vaccinations as per the UIP guidelines.

-Source: The Hindu

Kashmir Willow

Context:

Over the last few years, bats made of Kashmiri willow have been attracting global attention after making appearances in international games.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Kashmir Willow

Origin and Growth:

• Kashmir willow (Salix alba var. caerulea) is primarily cultivated in the Kashmir region of India.
• It is a deciduous tree that grows up to 30 meters (98 feet) tall with slender trunks and a narrow, conical canopy.
• The trees typically take 20 to 25 years to mature.

Habitat and Adaptability:

• Kashmir willows thrive in the region’s moist and temperate climate, often found along riverbanks and in areas with sufficient soil moisture.

Characteristics:

• Productivity: Kashmir willows are known for their superior growth and productivity, attributed to their high capacity to convert solar radiation into chemical energy.
• Evapotranspiration: They exhibit high rates of evapotranspiration during the growing season.
• Flooding Tolerance: These trees are tolerant to flooding and can flourish in saturated soils with limited oxygen in the root zone.
• Metal Accumulation: Willows are efficient in accumulating high levels of toxic metals, especially Cadmium (Cd).

Uses:

• Cricket Bat Industry: Kashmir willow is highly prized for making cricket bats due to its specific wood characteristics that make it suitable for this purpose.
• Packing Case Industry: The wood is also used in the packing case industry.
• Basketry and Furniture: It finds applications in basketry and furniture industries, leveraging its flexibility and strength.

-Source: The Hindu