CNA 07 March 2023:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. Multilateral reforms as a priority in the G-20 C. GS 3 Related D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials INDIAN CONSTITUTION AND POLITY 1. The anti-defection law is facing convulsions INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. A ‘Zeitenwende’ in the India-Germany relationship ECONOMY 1. How to become a green hydrogen superpower F. Prelims Facts 1. Salt flats 2. Rushikulya sands teem with Olive Ridleys G. Tidbits 1. 2022 winter air in NCR ‘cleanest’ in five years but still ‘toxic’ 2. Railways ties up with ISRO for train tracking 3. IAF choppers to help contain smoke from Kochi dumpyard H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
B. GS 2 Related
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Multilateral reforms as a priority in the G-20
Syllabus: Global groupings involving India
Prelims: About G-20
Mains: Multilateralism – its significance, challenges, need for reforms and the way forward
Context: India’s G-20 presidency and new global order.
Background
- India announced its agenda would be inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented, and decisive as India assumed the G-20 presidency in December 2022.
- India further has stated its main objectives would be to develop global consensus over critical development and security issues thereby delivering global goods.
- These announcements have resulted in placing multilateral reform as one of the key presidential priorities for India. Additionally, the G-20 idea bank and Think 20 have also proposed multilateral reforms as top priorities.
- Also, the T20 Task Force on “Towards Reformed Multilateralism (TF7)” aims to formulate a roadmap for “Multilateralism 2.0”.
Multilateralism and its significance
- Multilateralism refers to the collaboration between various nations in pursuit of a common goal which could also involve the participation of civil society groups and the private sector.
- Though there is a long history, multilateralism is mainly associated with the time after World War II.
- Various multilateral organisations such as the United Nations (UN), World Health Organization (WHO), Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), etc. play a key role in ensuring multilateral global order.
- Multilateral organisations are organisations made up of three or more partner countries with the objective of working together to solve problems and create favourable circumstances for all members.
Image Source: Iberdrola
Know more about – Multilateralism
Challenges to Multilateralism
Multilateral cooperation in the current era is facing multiple crises which include:
- Loss of trust in multilateral cooperation due to persistent deadlocks.
- Multilateralism is witnessing a utility crisis as powerful and most developed countries have started to believe that multilateral cooperation is no longer beneficial for their interests.
- Furthermore, increasing great-power tensions, populist nationalism, de-globalisation, climate change emergencies, and the COVID pandemic have aggravated the crisis.
- This crisis has forced nations to resort to other arenas such as bilateral, plurilateral and minilateral groupings which are polarising global politics.
Need for reforms and associated issues
- Most of the challenges to the multilateral global order are global in nature and require collaborative solutions.
- However, reforming multilateralism would be a challenging task.
- At present, multilateralism is deeply entangled in global power politics and thus any effort or action to reform multilateral institutions will ultimately affect and bring about changes in the current distribution of power.
- However, bringing about changes in the distribution of power in the global order is not an easy task and can have far-reaching implications.
- Furthermore, the status quo powers look at multilateral reforms as a zero-sum game.
- i.e. if dominant global powers believe that reforms would impact their influence and dominance it becomes difficult to reach a consensus on such reforms.
- Multilateralism often appears to be at loggerheads with the realities of the changing global order which has led to the formation of new groupings and coalitions of like-minded. This has made it difficult to reform older and traditional institutions and frameworks.
Way forward for India and G-20
- In order to fix the current multilateral crises, the G-20 must step in and devise solutions.
- It is important for the G-20 to focus on building a proper narrative on multilateral reforms and G-20 can establish a separate engagement group for this purpose.
- The limitations of multilateral cooperation must be acknowledged and hence it is important for the G-20 to continue to encourage minilateral groupings as a new form of multilateralism.
- Establishing such networks of issue-based minilateral groupings would play a key role in preventing competitive coalitions.
- Multilateral reforms demand concessions and compromises which would require mobilising the political will. This is where India as the current chair can step in.
- In order to address the issue of trust and utility, India and the G-20 must undertake efforts and resolve pressing global issues which would showcase the efficiency of the model of multilateralism.
- India must urge Brazil and South Africa, the upcoming chairs of the grouping, to also focus on multilateral reforms.
Also read – RSTV – Big Picture: Multilateral Institutions – Need for Reforms
Nut graf: Pressing global issues such as climate change, migration, macroeconomic instability and cybersecurity require collective efforts and can only be resolved through multilateral channels. However, the multilateral global order is currently experiencing various crises which makes multilateral cooperation and reform the need of the hour.
C. GS 3 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
Category: INDIAN CONSTITUTION AND POLITY
1. The anti-defection law is facing convulsions
Syllabus: GS-2, Parliament and State Legislatures.
Mains: Anti-defection law and associated concerns.
Prelims: Tenth Schedule of Indian Constitution.
Details:
- In order to stop a large number of political defections seen in the 1960s, Parliament after long years of legislative meanderings introduced the anti-defection law (Tenth Schedule of Constitution) in 1985.
- The Supreme Court in its judgment in the Kihoto Hollohan case characterized defection as a “political evil” and upheld the right of Parliament to curb it through a legislative mechanism.
- However, it is argued that the anti-defection law is facing convulsions in Indian legislatures.
For details on anti-defection law, read here: Anti Defection Law, Provisions under Tenth Schedule
Objectives of the Anti-Defection Law:
- The enactment of anti-defection law has a two-point objective:
- To curb defection by disqualifying the defecting member.
- To protect political stability.
- It should be noted that Indian democracy is based on a party system where stable parties are a sine qua non of a stable democracy.
- Running a government demands unity of purpose, ideological clarity, and cohesiveness. These are objectives that can come only through organized and ideologically-driven political parties, which were clearly addressed through two main provisions:
- SPLIT: Though ceased to exist now, there was an exemption from disqualification in case of splits in the erstwhile act. It is suggested that the protection of one-third of legislators (who demanded a split from the original party) was a necessary step.
- MERGER: The act protects defecting members from disqualification if there is a merger of the original political party with another party and two-thirds of the legislators agree to it.
Maharashtra Case Study:
- It is argued by the author that many constitutional questions have risen in Maharashtra.
- The first question is about the whip. In Maharashtra, the breakaway group of the Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) chose its own whip (that also issued whips to the MLAs of the original party).
- But according to explanation (a) to paragraph 2(1)(a), an elected member of a House shall be deemed to belong to the political party by which he was set up as a candidate for election.
- This implies that the original party should have legally issued the whip.
- It is also argued that SC allowed the Election Commission of India to go ahead and decide the petition under paragraph 15 (symbols order).
- It should be noted that subordinate legislation (paragraph 15) was given primacy over a constitutional law (Tenth Schedule).
- Moreover, the author suggests that ECI gave a flawed order and made the operation of the Tenth schedule more complicated and irrelevant.
Conclusion:
- It should be noted that anti-defection law was enacted to punish defectors and not to facilitate defection.
- Under the Tenth Schedule, only the original party (and not the legislators) have the power to split or bring about a merger of their party with another. Legislators only have the choice to agree or not agree with the decision.
- A whip can be legally issued only by the original political party which set them up as candidates in the election.
Also read: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis. June 26th, 2022
Nut Graf: The anti-defection law was enacted to prevent reckless and uncontrolled defections. However, there are several concerns associated with the way it is practised. The Supreme Court should effectively address these concerns and maintain the essence of the act, which is political stability.
Category: INDIAN CONSTITUTION AND POLITY
1. A ‘Zeitenwende’ in the India-Germany relationship
Syllabus: GS-2, Bilateral relations of India.
Mains: Bilateral relations between India and Germany.
Prelims: India-Germany relations.
Context: Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s two-day visit to India on 25th February 2023.
Details:
- India’s relationship with Germany has lagged behind its bilateral relations with other European countries like France.
- This is because of benign mutual neglect and Germany’s focus on China.
- However, the relations are seeing rapid changes. In Mr. Scholz’s own words, the Russian invasion has been a Zeitenwende or turning point.
Germany’s changed stance:
- The Russian invasion has been a watershed moment in the security policy of Germany. It resulted in the abandonment of decades of post-war pacifism towards strategic matters.
- Germany also increased its defence spending to 2% of GDP and has pledged to provide special funding to bolster its military.
- Russia’s war and China’s assertive stance have questioned Germany’s strategy of “change through trade” (Wandel durch Handel). It has prompted a deep rethink of its energy and trade dependencies in diversifying economic relations.
- European countries are increasing the prioritization of value-based partnerships with countries like India. In this context, even Germany is advancing its relationship with India. For instance, Germany’s coalition agreement in 2021 refers to relations with India among its top foreign policy priorities.
- In a departure from its stance on Asia (that focused on China), Mr. Scholz after assuming office in 2021, first visited Japan and then invited the Indian Prime Minister for the 6th Inter-Governmental Consultations to Berlin.
- Germany is also devising a new official China strategy amidst a wider national security strategy.
India-Germany Relations:
- German Chancellor Scholz’s visit is built on the German Foreign Minister’s visit to India on December 2022 and the 6th India-Germany Inter-governmental Consultations.
- India-Germany Inter-governmental Consultations are a biannual format of engagement that began in 2011, to strengthen cooperation in the field of defence, trade, clean energy, migration, digital transformation, and the Indo-Pacific.
- German Chancellor’s visit is important as India is holding the G20 presidency.
- Moreover, Germany aims to enhance its strategic involvement in the region through greater military deployment. For instance, Germany sent its frigate Bayern, to the Indo-Pacific in 2021, which stopped in Mumbai.
- Germany is India’s largest economic partner in the European Union (EU).
- There is also the India-Germany triangular cooperation that involves development projects in third countries.
- Germany could become an important defence partner for India, as New Delhi aims to diversify its military dependence from Russia and Germany reassess its arms export policy.
- A negotiation (worth $5.2 billion) where Germany can jointly build six conventional submarines in India is also underway.
- The France-India-Germany military exercise drill will also take place for the first time in 2024. It will enhance security and defence collaboration.
- Germany invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the G-7 summit of 2022.
- India and Germany also cooperate in many multilateral forums like G-4 (that push for reforms in UNSC).
- Both countries also collaborate in clean energy and green technologies, which have emerged as the central pillar in the relations. The Green and Sustainable Development Partnership was launched in 2022. There is also cooperation in the field of green hydrogen.
- Skilled Indians can also fill the gaps in manpower in Germany.
Also read: India-Germany Relations
Conclusion:
- Despite the lack of trust in China, the German industry is intertwined with Chinese markets.
- It is observed that the divergent positions on the war have not undermined India’s regular political engagements with Europe.
- Against volatile geopolitical shifts, emerging multipolarity, and Europe’s enhanced trust in India could be vital in shaping a new global order.
Also read: Sansad TV Perspective: India – German relations
Nut Graf: India-Germany relations are strengthening in the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s assertive stance. There is also an increased convergence in the Indo-Pacific region.
1. How to become a green hydrogen superpower
Syllabus: GS-3, Renewable energy.
Mains: Green Hydrogen Energy.
Prelims: National Green Hydrogen Energy Mission.
Details:
- The Union Budget 2023-24 has allocated approximately ₹19700 crores for the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
- Greenhouse gas emissions in India are majorly sourced from steel, cement, fertilizers, and the petrochemical industry.
- Green hydrogen can fuel industrial growth and reduce industrial emissions. It can serve as an energy source (heavy industry, long-distance mobility, aviation, and power storage) and an energy carrier (as green ammonia or blended with natural gas).
- India aims at least five million tonnes of production by 2030. It is larger than that of any single economy. It would further create a demand for 100-125 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy, 60-100 GW of electrolyzers, an investment opportunity of ₹8 lakh crore, and reduce 50 MMT of annual emissions.
- India can become one of the lowest-cost producers of green hydrogen due to solar and wind energy.
Five Priorities to become Green Hydrogen Superpower:
- Domestic demand is critical to becoming a major player in the international market.
- The Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) fund has been introduced for five years, with ₹13000 crores as direct support to consume green hydrogen.
- This would help in increasing the demand of industries and reduce prices.
- Blending targets can also increase demand further.
- One way to leverage domestic demand is government procurement.
- India can also utilize it to become a green steel producer, as India is the second-largest steel producer in the world and the cost of green steel is also very high.
- India can attract both domestic and foreign investment.
- The green hydrogen projects in India are very less compared to other advanced economies.
- The mission thus envisions green hydrogen hubs to consolidate production, end-use, and exports. It will also streamline project clearance and reduce financial risks.
- Manufacturing the critical and high-value components of electrolysers.
- Under the Performance Linked Incentive Scheme, the SIGHT fund allocated nearly ₹4500 crores to support electrolyser manufacturing.
- It is important to become more competitive with targeted public funding as China has the potential for 38% of electrolyser capacity by 2030.
- The technology should be improved such that electrolysers become more efficient, substitute critical minerals, and use non-freshwater sources.
- Establishing bilateral partnerships to develop resilient supply chains.
- Sales to Japan or the EU (in yen- or euro-denominated loans) can reduce the cost of capital and increase export competitiveness.
- India should also cooperate with like-minded countries on trade, value chains, research and development, and standards.
- It should be noted that the mission has allotted around ₹400 crores for R&D.
- Private companies should also consider joint projects in renewable energy and cheap finance.
- Coordination with major economies to make rules for a global green hydrogen economy.
- Indian ambitions are at risk due to conflicting regulations and protectionist approaches of major economies.
- Thus rules and standards should be made through structured intergovernmental processes.
- India’s G20 presidency should be used as an opportunity to make rules and address operational threats, industrial competitiveness, and strategic risks.
Also read: National Hydrogen Energy Mission (NHEM)
Nut Graf: Green Hydrogen is a critical industrial fuel and India has taken several measures to become a green hydrogen power. India should also take leadership to promote a global network of green hydrogen in the collective interest of the planet.
F. Prelims Facts
1. Salt flats
Syllabus: GS-1; Geography; Salient features of world’s physical geography.
Prelims: About Salt flats
Context: A recent study has finally provided an explanation as to why salt flats around the world have similar patterns of pentagons and hexagons on their ridges.
Image Source: The Hindu
Salt flats
- Salt flats refer to those natural landscapes which include a large area of flat land covered by salt.
- Salt flats are formed from natural water bodies whose recharge rate is lower than the evaporation rate.
- Due to the lower recharge rate, the water evaporates leaving behind dissolved minerals such as salts.
- Salt flats reflect sunlight strongly and hence appear bright.
- The underlying soil in these regions is highly saline and the groundwater is too salty for human consumption.
- Some of the world’s most well-known salt flats are Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia (the largest in the world), Rann of Kutch in India, Salar de Atacama in Chile, Salt desert of Sirjan in Iran, Tunisian salt lakes such as Chott El-Jarid, and Bonneville Salt Flats in the USA.
- A recent study has used a combination of ground sampling and computer models to explain the way salt flows up and down in the soil below the salt flats.
- As per the study, the salt on the surface is influenced by the salt flowing through the soil below.
- The groundwater in the soils of such landscapes is known to be saline but the distribution of salt is not uniform as the salinity is highest near the top of the soil and decreases towards the bottom.
- Salt flats have a significant impact on humans and the climate.
- Winds that blow over such salt flats can carry the salt with them as particulate matter and deposit them over oceans as the air mass reaches the ocean.
- Such sea salt can enter the atmosphere and go on to swirl at the centre of cyclones.
- Additionally, salt flats are large sources of particulate matter.
- Salt suspensions are also an important group of aerosols that reflect sunlight.
2. Rushikulya sands teem with Olive Ridleys
Syllabus: GS-3; Ecology and Environment; Biodiversity Conservation
Prelims: Olive Ridleys Turtles and Rushikulya Beach
Context:
Setting a new record, close to 6.37 lakh Olive Ridley Turtles have arrived for mass nesting on the Rushikulya coast in 2023.
Rushikulya beach
Image Source: Down To Earth
- Rushikulya beach is located in the Ganjam district of Odisha.
- Rushikulya beach is renowned for being home to the Olive Ridley Turtle.
- The Rushikulya River is one of the major rivers in the state of Odisha.
- February 23 to March 2 is treated as a mass nesting period and lakhs of Olive Ridleys Turtles arrive at the beach for laying eggs.
- Such mass nesting events are called arribadas.
- Along with Rushikulya beach, Turtles also arrive at Gahirmatha beach in Kendrapara district, which is known as the world’s largest known rookery.
Learn more about – Olive Ridley Turtles
G. Tidbits
1. 2022 winter air in NCR ‘cleanest’ in five years but still ‘toxic’
- According to a report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), which is a Delhi-based think tank, the winter of 2022 was Delhi’s “cleanest” in the last five years, though its air still remains “toxic”.
- The CSE’s report is based on the number sourced from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
- According to the report, favourable meteorological conditions along with the reduction in pollution from farm fires were the key factors for the improved air quality.
- Heavy and extended rainfall during the season helped in preventing the building up of smog.
- Despite the decline, Delhi continues to remain the most polluted among the cities and towns of NCR and in order to sustain this trend of decline in air pollution, efforts and stringent actions on vehicles, industry, waste burning, construction, solid fuel and biomass burning must be implemented.
2. Railways ties up with ISRO for train tracking
- The Indian Railways has initiated a project which will enable real-time tracking of train movements with the assistance of satellite imagery under the Real Time Train Information System (RTIS) project.
- Through this project, the Indian Railways is looking to harness data analytics technologies for integrated transportation.
- The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) has collaborated with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for live tracking to help Railways run trains efficiently.
- The plan is to integrate locomotives with a device and a SIM, which communicates the train’s real position to the satellite and feedback is received.
- In order to facilitate this, ISRO’s Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) and Bhuvan, which is a web-based utility that allows users to explore a set of map-based content being deployed for tracking will be used.
- Real-time tracking of trains becomes extremely useful during accidents, floods and landslides.
- Indian Railways is also looking to adopt advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum tech and data analytics to improve its services and passenger experience.
- A pilot project is underway between Sanchar Bhavan and Rail Bhavan to use quantum key encryption in order to improve the security of information exchange.
- CRIS has developed a hand-held device that can help reduce queues by providing tickets on platforms.
3. IAF choppers to help contain smoke from Kochi dumpyard
- Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters will be used for aerial spraying of water to control the fire as plastic garbage caught fire at the Brahmapuram solid waste treatment.
- The District Collector has said that the deployment of IAF helicopters was part of the concerted efforts to control smoke as smoke continues to rise from the bottom of garbage heaps.
- The district administration also raised concerns regarding the air quality in the region due to the release of particulate matter value because of the incident.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the International Big Cat Alliance: (Level – Difficult)
- South Africa has proposed to launch a mega global alliance under its leadership to protect big cats and assured support over five years with guaranteed funding of $100 million.
- Membership to the alliance will be open to 97 “range” countries, which contain the natural habitat of these big cats, as well as other interested nations, international organisations, etc.
- After the first five years, the IBCA is expected to sustain itself through membership fees, and contributions from bilateral and multilateral institutions and the private sector.
Choose the correct code:
- Only one statement is wrong
- Two statements are wrong
- All statements are wrong
- None of the statements is wrong
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is not correct, Recently, India has proposed to launch a mega global alliance under its leadership to protect big cats and assured support over five years with guaranteed funding of $100 million (over Rs 800 crores).
- Statement 2 is correct, The proposed International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) will work towards the protection and conservation of the seven major big cats namely Lion, Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar and Cheetah.
- The membership to the IBCA will be open to 97 “range” countries, which contain the natural habitat of these big cats and also to other interested nations and organisations.
- Statement 3 is correct, After the first five years, which will be supported by India’s “total grant assistance” of $100 million, the IBCA is expected to sustain itself through membership fees, and contributions from bilateral and multilateral institutions and the private sector.
Q2. Consider the following statements with regard to the Great Indian Bustard: (Level – Moderate)
- The Great Indian Bustard is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world and has disappeared from 90% of its habitat except in parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
- The IUCN has categorised the species as ‘critically endangered’.
- The Supreme Court in April 2021 ordered that all overhead power transmission lines in core and potential GIB habitats in Rajasthan and Gujarat should be made underground.
Choose the correct code:
- Only one statement is wrong
- Two statements are wrong
- All statements are wrong
- None of the statements is wrong
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct, The Great Indian Bustard is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world and has disappeared from 90% of its habitat except in parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
- According to reports, less than 150 Great Indian Bustards survive currently in India.
- Statement 2 is correct, Great Indian Bustard is listed under the “critically endangered” category of the IUCN Red list.
- Statement 3 is correct, The Supreme Court in 2021 directed that all “low-voltage” power lines, in areas demarcated as “priority and potential habitats of the Great Indian Bustard” in the Thar and Kutch deserts, be pushed underground.
Q3. Which of the following statements is not true about the SWAMIH fund? (Level – Easy)
- The Fund is sponsored by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
- It is managed by LIC (Life Insurance Corporation).
- The Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH) is a social impact fund specifically formed for completing stressed and stalled residential projects.
- This is a government-backed fund that was set up as a Category-II AIF (Alternate Investment Fund) debt fund registered with SEBI, and launched in 2019.
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- The Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH) Investment Fund is sponsored by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India,
- The SWAMIH is managed by SBICAP Ventures Ltd., which is a company of the State Bank Group.
- SWAMIH is a Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) registered Category-II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) which was announced by the Finance Minister in September 2019 and approved by the Cabinet in November 2019.
- The SWAMIH Investment Fund is a social impact fund specifically formed for completing stressed and stalled residential projects.
- As per the Finance Ministry, SWAMIH Fund has one of the largest domestic real estate private equity teams focused on funding and monitoring the completion of stressed housing projects.
Q4. Consider the following statements with regard to the Armed Forces tribunal: (Level – Moderate)
- It was established in 2008 under the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007.
- Each Bench comprises a Judicial Member and an Administrative Member.
- Paramilitary forces including the Assam Rifles and Coast Guard are outside the tribunal’s purview.
Choose the correct code:
- 1 & 2 only
- 3 only
- 2 only
- 2 & 3 only
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is not correct, The Armed Forces Tribunal is a military tribunal of India and a statutory body established in August 2009 under the Armed Forces Tribunal Act 2007.
- Statement 2 is correct, Each Bench comprises a Judicial Member and an Administrative Member.
- The Judicial Members are retired High Court Judges.
- The Administrative Members are retired members of the Armed Forces who have held the rank of Major General/equivalent or above for a period of three years or more.
- Further, Judge Advocate General (JAG), who has held the appointment for at least one year is also entitled to be appointed as the Administrative Member.
- Statement 3 is correct, Paramilitary forces including the Assam Rifles and Coast Guard are outside the tribunal’s purview.
Q5. What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news? (Level – Easy) (PYQ 2018)
- An Israeli radar system
- India’s indigenous anti-missile programme
- An American anti-missile system
- A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is an anti-ballistic missile system of the US army.
- THAAD is a transportable system that intercepts ballistic missiles during their final, or terminal, phase of flight.
- THAAD incorporates an X-band radar, the AN/TPY-2, and a single-stage, hit-to-kill interceptor to defeat ballistic missiles inside or outside of the atmosphere.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- Discuss the role played by the anti-defection law in providing stability in the parliamentary form of government. Discuss the position taken by the Supreme Court in the Kihoto case on the matter. (15 marks, 250 words) [GS-2, Polity]
- What is green hydrogen? Discuss the possibilities that it holds for India in the coming years. (15 marks, 250 words) [GS-3, Environment]
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CNA 07 March 2023:- Download PDF Here
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