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GS Paper 3: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
1. Square Kilometer Array project
GS Paper 2: Indian Constitution– historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
2. Article 30 of the Indian Constitution
Prelims Booster:-
3. VIPER Rover
4. Baleen whales
5. Zero Effect, Zero Defect scheme
6. Thylakoid membranes
GS Paper 3: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Context:
India had decided to formally join the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) project, an international scientific collaboration working to build the world’s largest radio telescope.
India's Role in SKA:-
The decision to join SKA as a full member ensures India’s participation in yet another international mega-science project in the most advanced areas of scientific research.
India had already been contributing to the project for the past several years.
The full member status, which offers greater scientific opportunities to use the upcoming facility, requires countries to sign and ratify an international treaty, and also make a financial commitment.
India has approved Rs 1,250 crore for the project, which includes its funding contribution for the construction phase.
About Square Kilometer Array:-
The Square Kilometer Array is not a single telescope but a collection of thousands of dish antennas.
It functions as one unit, meant to achieve one square kilometre of effective area for collecting radio waves.
Currently, the USD 2.4-billion project will have a lesser collection area than one square kilometre, but the original name remains.
About 200 antennas in South Africa and over 130,000 in Australia are being installed in remote areas to reduce signal interference from Earth-based sources.
Construction began in December 2022, and the first phase of the project is expected to be completed by next year.
The SKA would be much more powerful than the most advanced radio telescopes in similar frequency ranges once operational.
Its Development:
The SKA's development will utilize various surveys conducted by the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP).
It is a powerful telescope operated by Australia's science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
ASKAP has been fully operational since February 2019, and it made history by mapping over three million galaxies in a mere 300 hours during its first-ever all-sky survey conducted late last year.
ASKAP surveys are designed to observe galaxies and the hydrogen gas they contain and map the structure and evolution of the Universe.
Significance for India:
India's participation in the international Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, even though none of the facilities will be located in India, will provide significant science and technology gains for the country.
The SKA, offering the most promising tool for research in astronomy, would be the next logical step forward for Indian scientists working in this area and provide India preferential access to the facilities.
The project would work on the highest-end technologies, generating huge learning opportunities for scientists, academics and private industry.
The intellectual properties generated by the project would be accessible to all member countries.
Participating in the project is expected to expand the science and technology base, along with capacity building and training opportunities.
India’s involvement:-
India has been involved in the SKA project since its inception in the 1990s, contributing to the telescope's design and development and negotiating the SKA Observatory Convention.
India's main contribution is in the development and operation of the Telescope Manager, the software that will run the entire facility.
Plans to establish an SKA regional centre in India are underway.
Indian scientists plan to use the SKA telescopes to study the early universe, galaxy formation and evolution, neutron star physics, and solar sciences.
Over 150 scientists, researchers, and students from various Indian institutions, including private companies, are involved in ongoing science activities related to the SKA.
Related Search:
Gravitational waves
Hubble Space Telescope
Microwave telescopes
Astrosat/ SARAS Telescope/ Liquid-Mirror Telescope
Prelims Specific:
What are Radio telescopes?
About the Square Kilometer Array
Its Development
India's Role in SKA/ India’s Involvement
Significance for India
GS Paper 2: Indian Constitution– historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
Context:
Supreme Court recently attempted to strike a balance by remarking that the intent of Article 30 of the Constitution was not to ghettoise minorities by insisting they had the upper hand in the administration of the institution.
About Article 30:
It constitutes one of the numerous provisions aimed at safeguarding the rights of minority communities.
According to Article 30 of the Indian Constitution, minorities possess the right to establish and administer educational institutions, irrespective of whether they are defined by religion or language.
Key Features:
Preservation of Minority Rights:
This provision encompasses various safeguards for the rights of minority communities, aligning with the overarching principle of equality.
All minorities, whether defined by religion or language, are granted the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
Article 30(1A) addresses the fixation of the amount for the acquisition of property belonging to educational institutions established by minority groups.
It emphasizes that the government should not discriminate against any educational institution managed by a minority, based on religion or language, while providing assistance.
Concept of Minorities:
While the term 'minority' is employed in the Constitution, it lacks a specific definition.
Article 29 ensures that any section of citizens, irrespective of religion, race, caste, language, or other factors, has the right to protect their distinct language, script, or culture.
Article 30 specifically addresses religious and linguistic minorities.
Religious Minority:
Numerical strength is the primary criterion for designating a community as a religious minority.
The National Commission of Minorities Act recognizes six communities as minority communities: Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, and Zoroastrians (Parsis).
Linguistic Minorities:
Definition:
Linguistic minorities are groups whose mother language or tongue differs from that of the majority.
Article 350-A:
Article 350-A obliges states to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother language at the primary level for children belonging to linguistic minority communities.
In essence, these constitutional provisions and definitions collectively form a framework ensuring the protection and empowerment of both religious and linguistic minority communities in India.
Related Search:
7th Constitutional (Amendment) Act 1956
NCM (National Commission for Minorities) Act, 1992
Prelims Specific:
About Article 30
Key Features
Religious Minority/ Linguistic Minorities
Minorities notified by the Government of India
Constitutional Provisions for Minority
Context:
NASA has invited people to send their names to the surface of the Moon aboard the agency’s first robotic lunar rover VIPER – short for Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover.
Introduction to VIPER:-
VIPER stands for Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover.
It is a mobile robotic mission conducted by NASA.
The primary objective is to investigate the location and concentration of ice and other resources at the Moon's South Pole.
First Lunar Robotic Mission:-
VIPER represents NASA's inaugural mobile robotic mission to the Moon.
Unlike stationary landers, VIPER is designed to traverse the lunar surface, providing a more comprehensive understanding of its composition.
Surface and Subsurface Analysis:-
VIPER is equipped to directly analyze ice on both the surface and subsurface of the Moon.
It operates at varying depths and temperature conditions, exploring four main soil environments.
Data Transmission and Resource Mapping:-
The data collected by VIPER will be transmitted back to Earth.
This information will be used to create resource maps, aiding scientists in determining the location, concentration, and forms of ice on the Moon, including details about ice crystals and molecules chemically bound to other materials.
Terrain Navigation:-
VIPER is designed to navigate the rugged terrain of the lunar South Pole.
Its ability to traverse challenging landscapes allows it to gather valuable data in diverse environments.
Historical Insight and Artemis Mission Support:-
VIPER's findings will contribute to a better understanding of the Moon's history.
The data collected will be crucial for planning Artemis missions, providing insights into the lunar environment where astronauts are intended to land.
Mission Duration and Lunar Cycles:-
VIPER's mission is planned for a duration of 100 Earth days.
This timeframe covers three cycles of lunar day and night, allowing for comprehensive exploration and data collection.
Landing Schedule:-
VIPER is scheduled to land at the South Pole of the Moon in late 2024.
The chosen location is strategically important for its potential resources and scientific significance.
In summary, VIPER's exploration mission is a significant step in lunar research, offering insights into the Moon's composition and providing valuable information for future human missions to the lunar surface.
Context:
Roughly 19 million years old fossil jaw bone of a baleen whale estimated to be around nine metres in length found, makes it the new record holder from its time.
Context:
The Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED) scheme by the MSME Ministry has achieved the 1 lakh certification milestone.
About the Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED):
The ZED scheme, initiated in October 2016, underwent a significant overhaul in April 2022.
The scheme focuses on providing certification for environmentally conscious manufacturing, with three levels: gold, silver, and bronze, determined by 20 performance-based parameters.
Certification Parameters:
Certification levels are classified based on parameters such as quality management, timely delivery, process control, waste management, among others.
These parameters serve as benchmarks for assessing and certifying manufacturing enterprises.
Objectives of the ZED Scheme:
Foster awareness among Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) regarding ZED manufacturing.
Motivate enterprises to undergo assessments for achieving a ZED rating.
Drive manufacturing practices that embrace Zero-Defect production processes.
Emphasize the importance of achieving production excellence without compromising the environment (Zero Effect).
Inspire MSMEs to continually enhance their quality standards in both products and processes.
Promote a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
Align with the national agenda of "Make in India" by fostering and recognizing environmentally conscious manufacturing practices among MSMEs.
Applicability:
Presently, the ZED scheme is specifically designed for manufacturing MSMEs.
It tailors its certification process to the unique characteristics and challenges faced by small and medium-scale manufacturers.
ZED Certification Levels:
The MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification offers three distinct levels, each signifying different degrees of adherence to environmentally conscious manufacturing:
Certification Level 1: BRONZE
Certification Level 2: SILVER
Certification Level 3: GOLD
Certification Process:
MSMEs interested in achieving ZED Certification need to register and commit to the ZED Pledge.
The certification levels (bronze, silver, gold) represent progressively higher standards of environmental sustainability and manufacturing excellence.
Context:
Researchers at the University of Liège, Belgium have identified thylakoid microstructures in fossil cells that are 1.75 billion years old.
About Thylakoid membranes:
Thylakoids are small pouches situated within the chloroplasts of plants.
They serve as essential structures for various processes, particularly photosynthesis.
Thylakoids function as storage units for chlorophyll, the plant substance responsible for reacting to sunlight and initiating the process of photosynthesis.
These membranes are dense and primarily composed of galactolipids, forming protein-containing bilayers.
Photosynthesis, a vital process in photosynthetic organisms, occurs within these bilayers.
Thylakoids have evolutionary roots and can be traced back to ancient, light-sensitive bacteria known as cyanobacteria.
Cyanobacteria played a crucial role in the oceans billions of years ago and are believed to be responsible for the substantial oxygen stores in the atmosphere, making them precursors to life.
The multiplication of cyanobacteria in the oceans is linked to the generation of oxygen on a massive scale.
These bacteria are considered key contributors to the oxygen levels found in the atmosphere, shaping the conditions necessary for life.
Thylakoid membranes in cyanobacteria are believed to be pivotal in enabling these organisms to utilize sunlight for energy production and release oxygen.
This suggests a crucial role for thylakoids in the evolution.
What are Cyanobacteria?
These are commonly known as cyanobacteria, minuscule life forms naturally occurring in various water sources.
Thriving in fresh, brackish, and marine environments, these single-celled organisms harness sunlight to produce their sustenance.
In environments characterized by warmth and a surplus of nutrients, particularly high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen, cyanobacteria can rapidly proliferate.
This leads to the formation of blooms that extend across the water's surface. Cyanobacteria blooms tend to emerge in warm, sluggish waters abundant in nutrients, originating from sources such as fertilizer runoff or septic tank overflows.
Nutrients serve as essential elements for their survival.
Although these blooms can manifest at any time, they are most commonly observed in late summer or early fall.