05 Jun 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

CNA 05 June 2023:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
C. GS 3 Related
SECURITY
1. Refugee influx into Mizoram
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
ECONOMY
1. Understanding the Kavach system
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Why does North Korea want spy satellites?
F. Prelims Facts
1. Hydroelectric power deals in Arunachal Pradesh
2. Evapotranspiration
G. Tidbits
1. Shanan Power Project
2. Coupling Failure in Railways
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
FIP Magazine

2. Evapotranspiration

Syllabus: GS01-Geography

Prelims: Water Cycle; Evaporation and transpiration

Context: This article discusses the process of Evapotranspiration.

Key Details: 

  • Evapotranspiration is the combined process of evaporation and transpiration that leads to the loss of water from the Earth’s surface to the atmosphere. 
  • Term ‘Evapotranspiration’ was coined and  later defined by climatologist Charles Warren Thornthwaite in 1944.
  • Evaporation refers to the conversion of liquid water to water vapour, mainly from open water bodies, whereas transpiration is the release of water vapour by plants through their leaves.
  • Several factors influence the rate of evapotranspiration, including temperature, humidity, wind speed, solar radiation, and the availability of water in the soil. 
    • Higher temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds increase evapotranspiration, while cloudy conditions and limited soil moisture reduce the process.
  • Various methods are used to measure evapotranspiration. These include the use of evaporation pans, lysimeters, and meteorological instruments such as atmometers and eddy covariance systems. 
    • These techniques help researchers and policymakers estimate water loss from different landscapes, including agricultural fields, forests, and urban areas.
  • Evapotranspiration plays a crucial role in agricultural water management. By understanding the water requirements of crops and estimating evapotranspiration rates, farmers can optimise irrigation scheduling to ensure efficient water use. 
    • This knowledge helps prevent over-irrigation, which can lead to water wastage and environmental issues, and under-irrigation, which can reduce crop productivity.
  • Evapotranspiration is an essential component of the Earth’s water cycle and has significant environmental implications. 
    • It affects regional and global climate patterns by regulating the exchange of moisture between the land surface and the atmosphere. 
    • Changes in evapotranspiration rates due to land-use changes, deforestation, or climate change can impact local and regional water availability, precipitation patterns, and overall ecosystem health. 
  • Understanding evapotranspiration is vital for effective water resource management and sustainable development.

G. Tidbits

1. Shanan Power Project

  • Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are on the verge of a conflict over the Shanan hydropower project, as the 99-year lease granted to Punjab by the British-era ruler is set to expire in March 2024.
  • Himachal Pradesh is determined not to renew or extend the lease, demanding that the project be handed over to the state after the lease period ends.
  • Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister has written a letter to the Punjab Chief Minister, notifying the end date of lease and expressing the state’s intention to take over the project.
  • Punjab is planning for legal action if necessary, as the project is currently under the continuous ownership and possession of the Punjab government.

Shanan Power House: 

  • Shanan Power House is situated in Himachal Pradesh.
  • In 1932, the powerhouse was commissioned under a 99-year lease agreement between Raja Jogendra Sen, the king of Mandi at the time, and Col BC Batty, the Chief Engineer of the Punjab Government. 
    • The lease agreement was signed in 1925.
  • Prior to India’s independence, this powerhouse served as a crucial energy source for the entire undivided Punjab, including Lahore and Delhi.
  • Following the reorganisation of states in 1966, the Shanan powerhouse was transferred to Punjab by the union government, as the original lease agreement from 1925 was still in effect. 
  • Initially designed with a capacity of 48 MW, the Punjab government later expanded it to 60 MW in 1982, and further increased it to 110 MW by adding 50 MW more.

2. Coupling Failure in Railways

  • A recent high-level meeting, chaired by the Chairman of the Railway Board and Chief Executive Officer, highlighted the problem of the detachment of locomotives from rakes due to coupling failure.
  • Despite instructions to address the issue, the Railways has neglected this major safety concern for over three years, according to sources. 
  • The detachment of the coupler connecting the coaches to the locomotive poses a dangerous situation, as the rake becomes disconnected and continues moving on the track. 
    • Coupling failure in Indian Railways refers to the malfunction or failure of the coupling system that connects the railway cars or coaches. 
    • The coupling system is crucial for maintaining the integrity and stability of the train, as it enables the transfer of traction forces and ensures that the cars remain securely attached to one another during the journey.
  • Coupling failures can occur due to various reasons, including wear and tear, lack of maintenance, mechanical defects, or human error. 
  • The Railway authorities have approached the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), the research arm of the Railways, to rectify this defect. 
  • However, the modification suggested by the RDSO for the Dellner coupler, which should have been completed in 2020, has not progressed sufficiently, leading to incidents of train parting.
  • In response to this concern, the General Managers of all Zonal Railways have been instructed to identify unmodified Dellner couplers and prioritise their rectification. 
    • The modification involves adding an additional pin to the coupler of each coach to prevent uncoupling during sudden braking and jerks.
  • Furthermore, zonal authorities have been directed to erect fences in areas where derailments occur due to cattle run-over issues.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following Pairs: (Level-Difficult)

   National Waterway no.      River System

  1. NW 16                                 BARAK RIVER
  2. NW 64                                 MAHANANDA RIVER
  3. NW 98                                 SUTLEJ RIVER
  4. NW 110                                YAMUNA RIVER

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. Only three
  4. All four
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation: 

  • Pair 01 is correctly matched, Barak River is the second largest river in the North Eastern Region. It originates from south of Kohima in Nagaland near Nagaland – Manipur Border. After traversing through Nagaland, Manipur and Assam, it splits at Bhanga into two streams called Surma and Kushiyara. 
    • These two streams rejoin at Markuli in Bangladesh and thereafter the river is called Meghna. 
    • The navigable portion of Barak River in India is the 121 km stretch between Lakhipur and Bhanga which has been declared as NW-16 in the year 2016.
  • Pair 02 is incorrectly matched, The 425 km stretch of Mahanadi from Paradip sea mouth to Sambalpur has been declared as National Waterway-64 by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).
  • Pair 03 is correctly matched, Sutlej river stretch passing through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab is declared as National Waterway 98.
  • Pair 04 is correctly matched, Yamuna river stretch passing through Delhi,Haryana and Uttar Pradesh is declared as National Waterway 98.
Q2. Consider the following statements: (Level-Medium)
  1. Lavenders flourish best in dry, well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils in full sun
  2. Commercially, the plant is grown mainly for the production of lavender essential oil.
  3. Aroma Mission was launched by the Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare through the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), which has led to the well-known “Purple Revolution” in India.

How many of the above statements are correct? 

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation: 

  • The Purple or Lavender Revolution was launched in 2016 by the Union Ministry of Science & Technology through the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) Aroma Mission.
Q3. With respect to Commission of Enquiry Act, 1952, which of the following statements
is/are correct? (Level-Difficult)
  1. This Act is made for the appointment of commissions to inquire into matters which are related or concerned or affects the public at large.
  2. Both central and state governments can set up such Commissions of Inquiry and they can appoint such commissions to investigate any subject matter mentioned in the 7th schedule.
  3. If the State government set up the commission first, then Central Govt cannot set up a parallel commission on the same subject matter

Options:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation: 

  • Statement 01 is correct, Parliament enacted the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, which authorises the union and state governments to appoint inquiry commissions to make inquiries in the definite matters of public importance. This is a central legislation enacted under the constitution, Schedule VII, List I and III.
  • Statement 02 is correct,Both central and state governments can set up such Commissions of Inquiry, states are restricted by subject matters that they are empowered to legislate upon.
  • Statement 03 is correct, If the central government set up the commission first, then states cannot set up a parallel commission on the same subject matter without the approval of the Centre.
    • But if a state has appointed a Commission, then the Centre can appoint another on the same subject if it is of the opinion that the scope of the inquiry should be extended to two or more states.
Q4. Which of the following statements is correct about Superbugs? (Level-Medium)
  1. Microbes that have become resistant to antibiotic drugs.
  2. A computer virus designed to damage hardware that’s being controlled by computers.
  3. Microbes used in the bioremediation process.
  4. Microbes used in Oral Poliovirus vaccine (OPV).
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation: Superbugs are strains of bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi that are resistant to most of the antibiotics and other medications commonly used to treat the infections they cause. 

  • A few examples of superbugs include resistant bacteria that can cause pneumonia, urinary tract infections and skin infections.
Q5. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener sold in the market. It consists of amino 
acids and provides calories like other amino acids. Yet, it is used as a low-calorie
sweetening agent in food items. What is the basis of this use?(Level-Difficult)
(PYQ-CSE-2011)
  1. Aspartame is as sweet as table sugar, but unlike table sugar, it is not readily oxidised in human body due to lack of requisite enzymes
  2. When aspartame is used in food processing, the sweet taste remains, but it becomes resistant to oxidation
  3. Aspartame is as sweet as sugar, but after ingestion into the body, it is converted into metabolites that yield no calories
  4. Aspartame is several times sweeter than table sugar, hence food items made with small quantities of aspartame yield fewer calories on oxidation
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation: Aspartame is several times sweeter than table sugar, hence food items made with small quantities of aspartame yield fewer calories on oxidation.

  • Aspartame is metabolised by the body into two constituent amino acids and methanol. These hydrolysis products are handled by the body in the same way as aspartic acid, L-Phenylalanine and methanol from other consumed foods. It contains calories, but consumers will likely use less than they would of table sugar because it is about 200 times sweeter. 
  • Aspartame is not heat stable and loses its sweetness when heated, so it typically isn’t used in baked goods.

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

  1. What is the Kavach system? Discuss the salient features of this system? (250 words, 15 marks) (GS-3; Science and Technology)
  2. “North Korea’s space programme has the potentiality to destabilise East Asia”. Discuss. (150 words, 10 marks) (GS-3; Science and Technology)

Read the previous CNA here.

CNA 05 June 2023:- Download PDF Here

Comments

Leave a Comment

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published.

*

*