UPSC: Tartessos Civilization, Digital Arrest, Ambaji White Marble & More

Table of Contents

UPSC GS Paper 1

Tartessos Civilization

News: Archaeologists are searching for Spain’s lost Tartessian civilization.
Overview: Tartessos was a fascinating civilization that thrived in the southwestern Iberian Peninsula, roughly in modern-day Spain, from around the 9th to 6th centuries BCE.
- - It flourished around the Guadalquivir River basin and the neighboring lands.
Wealth and Skills:
- - Renowned for their wealth, particularly in metals like copper, silver, and tin.
  - Known for their skilled metalworkers and shipbuilders.
Trade: Facilitated extensive trade throughout the Mediterranean, reaching as far as Egypt, Greece, and Israel.

UPSC GS Paper 2

Private Property Acquisition

News: The Supreme Court recently gave a significant ruling regarding private property acquisition.
More on News: The court ruled that compulsory acquisition, without adhering to mandatory procedures and merely providing compensation to owners afterward, would not render the acquisition constitutional.

Constitutional Protection of Property: The Supreme Court emphasized that the right to private property is protected under the Constitution and is also considered a human right.
Mandatory Procedures for Acquisition: The court declared that for a valid acquisition of property, it is not sufficient to just have the power of eminent domain and provide compensation.
- - Proper legal procedures must be established and followed.
Article 300A: Despite the omission of the right to property as a fundamental right by the 44th Constitutional Amendment, Article 300A was added.
- - Article 300A stated that no person shall be deprived of their property except by the authority of law, involving adhering to due process.
Procedural Rights: The Supreme Court outlined seven procedural rights that need to be respected during property acquisition:
Right to Notice: The duty of the State to inform the person about the intended acquisition.
Right to Be Heard: The state must listen to objections from the property owner.
Right to a Reasoned Decision: The state must explain its decision regarding the acquisition.
Demonstration of Public Purpose: The acquisition must exclusively serve a public purpose.
Right to Fair Compensation: The property owner is entitled to reasonable compensation.
Efficient Process: The acquisition process should be conducted efficiently and within set timelines.
Conclusion of Proceedings: Acquisition isn’t complete without the actual physical possession of the property being taken.

UPSC GS Paper 3

Co-lending

News: The Finance Ministry has asked the State Bank of India (SBI) to set up a committee to address issues related to the co-lending business model.
Definition: It is an arrangement where multiple lenders partner to provide loans to borrowers.
Benefits:
- - Increases lending capacity.
  - Reduces risk for individual lenders.
RBI Guidelines:
- - Banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) can co-lend loans to priority sectors.
  - NBFCs must assume a minimum of 20% credit risk, with the remaining risk on banks.
Restrictions:
- - Banks are not allowed to enter into co-lending arrangements with an NBFC belonging to the promoter group.

High Energy Photon Source Synchrotron

News: China has inaugurated a next-generation synchrotron called the High Energy Photon Source Synchrotron.
Synchrotron: A synchrotron is a type of circular particle accelerator.
- - Working: It works by accelerating charged particles (electrons) through sequences of magnets until they reach almost the speed of light.
  - These fast-moving electrons produce very bright light, called synchrotron light.
  - Properties: This very intense light, predominantly in the X-ray region, is millions of times brighter than light produced from conventional sources and 10 billion times brighter than the sun.
    - Scientists can use this light to study minute matter such as atoms and molecules.
High Energy Photon Source Synchrotron (HEPS):
- - Definition: The HEPS is a next-generation synchrotron that generates a specific type of synchrotron light source.
    - It operates by accelerating electrons to nearly the speed of light and making them travel in a circular path.
    - As these high-speed electrons change direction under the influence of magnetic fields, they emit Synchrotron Radiation, which includes X-rays.
    - These X-rays are then harnessed for various scientific applications.
  - Salient Features of HEPS:
    - Electron Acceleration: Can accelerate electrons up to energies of 6 gigaelectron volts within its storage ring, which has a circumference of 1.36 kilometers.
    - Brightness: Generates X-rays that are 10 times brighter than those produced by existing synchrotron facilities, allowing for unprecedented clarity in imaging and analysis.
    - Imaging Capabilities: Offers extremely precise imaging capabilities, enabling scientists to observe and manipulate materials at the atomic and molecular levels.
    - Efficiency: Reduces the time taken by experiments from milliseconds to hundreds of nanoseconds.
  - Applications of HEPS:
    - Material Science: Enables the detailed study of materials’ structure and properties, which is crucial for developing new materials with enhanced performance.
    - Biology: Allows for the examination of biological molecules and complex protein structures, aiding in understanding diseases and developing new treatments.
    - Nanotechnology: Supports the development of nanotechnology by providing insights into the behavior of nanomaterials and their applications
Global Presence of Synchrotrons: There are approximately 70 synchrotrons around the world in various stages of development.
India’s Synchrotron Facility: India has a facility called the Indus Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ISRF) located at the Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT) in Indore

Irradiation Technology for Onions

News: The Central Government is planning to irradiate onions with gamma rays to curb post-harvest losses.
Definition: Irradiation is the process of exposing any object to ionising radiation.
- - The food radiation exposes food and food packaging to radiation from gamma rays, x-rays or electron beams.
  - In case of onions, they are exposed to gamma ray irradiation which helps in effective preservation by preventing them from sprouting, thus extending the shelf life and reducing spoilage.
Establishment and Capacity: Irradiation facilities are being established in Maharashtra, with the capacity to treat around 25,000 tonnes of onions.
Operational Framework: The project will operate under public-private partnerships, financially supported by the agriculture and food processing ministries.
Irradiation Method: Irradiation involves using ionizing radiation, such as gamma rays, to treat food items.
- - This process is applied to onions to prevent sprouting and microbial growth.
Objective:
- - The primary goal is to extend the shelf life of onions and reduce post-harvest losses.
Advantages of Using Irradiation
- - Loss Reduction: Typically, about 25% of onion crops are lost post-harvest; irradiation aims to reduce this to 10-12%.
  - Increased Storage Duration: Onions can be stored for up to seven and a half months with irradiation, compared to only about four months with conventional cold storage methods.
  - Quality Improvement: The use of irradiation results in a recovery rate of nearly 84% for Grade A onions, significantly higher than the 56% recovery rate with traditional storage.
Impact of Irradiation Facilities
- - Regional Focus: Maharashtra, which accounts for 43% of India’s onion production, will be a primary beneficiary, along with other significant producers like Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Gujarat.
  - Supply Chain Improvement: The technology is set to stabilize the onion supply chain, reduce losses, and aid in government procurement efforts.

Digital Arrest

News: To combat rising “digital arrests” by cybercriminals posing as law enforcement officers, the central government has partnered with Microsoft to block Skype IDs used for online intimidation.
Definition: ‘Digital arrest’ is a new and innovative tactic employed by cybercriminals to defraud gullible victims and extort money.
Modus Operandi: Online fraudsters and criminals call potential victims, claiming they have sent or received parcels containing illegal goods, drugs, fake passports, or other contraband items.
- - In some instances, criminals contact relatives or friends of the target, alleging the target’s involvement in a crime or accident and stating they are in custody.
Tactics:
- - Criminals often use images or identities of police personnel to appear authentic.
  - They demand money from targets for a ‘compromise’ and closure of the case.
  - Victims are sometimes “digitally arrested” and forced to stay visible over Skype or other video conferencing platforms until demands are met.
  - Cybercriminals use studios resembling police stations or government offices and wear uniforms similar to those of law enforcement agencies.

Read also: Kalapani Land Dispute between India and Nepal: Origin, Challenges and Resolution | UPSC

Ambaji White Marble

News: Ambaji marble has got the GI tag.
Ambaji Marble: It is named after the town of Ambaji in the state of Gujarat.
- - Ambaji marble is renowned for its stunning white appearance and unique natural patterns.
Characteristics:
- - The patterns in Ambaji marble range from fine and delicate to bold and pronounced, giving each slab a distinct and individualistic appearance.
  - These variations occur naturally due to the presence of minerals and impurities during the marble formation process.

Use: It has a very long-lasting shine and durability, making it widely used for luxury architectural projects, sculptures, and monuments.
Key Facts about Marble
Formation: Marble is a metamorphic rock that forms when limestone is subjected to heat and pressure, typically occurring at convergent plate boundaries.
- - Some marble also forms by contact metamorphism when a hot magma body heats adjacent limestone or dolostone.
  - This process also occurs at convergent plate boundaries.
Composition:
- - Marble is composed primarily of the mineral calcite (CaCO3).
  - It usually contains other minerals such as clay minerals, micas, quartz, pyrite, iron oxides, and graphite.
Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:
- - A geographical indication or GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
  - Geographical Indications are part of the intellectual property rights that comes under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
  - In India, Geographical Indications registration is administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
  - Geographical indications are typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts, and industrial products.

Apple Cultivation

News: Apple cultivation is now viable in the lower regions of Spiti, up to an elevation of 3,400 metres above sea level.
Overview: Apples (Malus pumila) are a temperate fruit that thrives in cool climates.
- - In India, apples are grown in the hilly regions that experience cold winters and mild summers.
Major Producing States:
- - Jammu & Kashmir
  - Himachal Pradesh
  - Uttarakhand
  - Arunachal Pradesh
  - Nagaland
  - Sikkim
  - These states benefit from the cool climate due to the Himalayas.
Ideal Growing Conditions:
- - Altitude: 1500-2700 meters above sea level
  - Temperature: Average summer temperature of 21-24°C, and winter chilling of 1000-1500 hours below 7°C
  - Rainfall: Well-distributed rainfall of 1000-1250 mm throughout the year
  - Soil: Well-drained, loamy soil
Varieties of Apples
- - Ambri
  - McIntosh
  - Granny Smith
  - Honeycrisp
  - Chaubattia Anupam
  - Golden Delicious
  - Sunehari
  - Fuji
  - Tydeman’s Early

Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission

News: The India-Japan partnership for their joint moon mission, Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX), is likely to be delayed.
Collaboration: Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission is an ISRO-JAXA collaborative mission.
- - ISRO is responsible for developing the lander.
  - JAXA is responsible for procuring the rover and launch vehicle.
Aim: To acquire water resource data to reveal the potential use of lunar water as a resource.

PREFIRE Polar Mission

News: NASA will soon launch two satellites under the PREFIRE polar mission.
Definition: PREFIRE stands for Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment.
Aim of the Mission:
- - Addressing Knowledge Gaps: Aimed at filling the knowledge gap about two of the most remote regions on Earth — the Arctic and Antarctic.
  - Measuring Far-Infrared Radiation: It will measure the amount of far-infrared radiation (heat) emitted from two of the coldest, most remote regions on the planet, into space.
  - Understanding Atmospheric Influence: It will find out how atmospheric water vapor and clouds influence the amount of radiation that escapes to space.
  - Composition of Mission: PREFIRE is composed of two small CubeSats outfitted with specialized miniature heat sensors.
Launch Vehicle: They will be launched with the help of the Electron launch vehicle, which is equipped with technology proven on Mars.
Significance of the PREFIRE Polar Mission
- - Energy Transfer: At the tropics, Earth absorbs a lot of energy from the Sun. This energy is transferred to polar regions through wind movement and water currents, and then to space.
  - Measurement Gap: About 60% of the heat energy, going outward into space from Earth in the form of far-infrared wavelengths, has never been measured.
  - Model Improvement: The knowledge from the mission will improve computer models that are used to predict how Earth’s ice, seas, and weather will change in a warming world.

Loss of Trees in India

News: As per analysis of University of Copenhagen researchers, India may have lost around 5.8 million fully grown trees in agricultural lands between 2019-2022.
Findings of the Study
Disappearance of Large Trees:
- - During 2018–2022, it was observed that 11% of the large trees identified in 2010–2011 were no longer visible. This data may indicate their disappearance.
  - However, it’s important to note that this doesn’t indicate a general reduction in trees outside of forests because the research was specifically concentrated on large individual trees.
Regional Losses:
- - Major losses (up to 50%) were noticed in certain areas of Telangana, Maharashtra, and eastern Madhya Pradesh.
  - In certain hotspot regions, as many as 22 big trees disappeared per square kilometre.
Timeframe of Losses:
- - The majority of losses have probably happened between 2018 and 2020.
Methodology by Copenhagen Researchers
- - Tracking Large Trees: The analysis tracked individual large trees (not overall tree cover) in farmlands using high-resolution satellite imagery and machine learning.
  - Satellite Imagery: The researchers combined satellite imagery from RapidEye and PlanetScope repositories.
    - These satellites have resolutions of three to five meters, allowing them to detect individual trees.
Reasons for the Loss of Large Trees in Indian Farmlands
- - Conversion to Paddy Cultivation: Conversion of farmland with trees to paddy cultivation.
  - Replacement of Agroforestry Systems. Established agroforestry systems are being replaced by paddy expansion that is supported by new water sources.
  - Removal of Large Trees: Large trees are removed, and trees are now cultivated in separate plantations that have lower ecological value.
  - Agroforestry Management Cycles: Some loss is also a natural part of agroforestry management cycles.

Killer Whales or Orcas

News: Two people were rescued recently after a group of orcas sank their 15-metre-long sailing yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar.

Killer Whales (Orcas): Killer whales, also known as Orcas, are found across the world.
- - They are the largest member of the Delphinidae family, or dolphins.
  - They are also called as wolves of the sea.
Type: Mammals
Population Distribution: Killer whales are found in all oceans.
- - They are mostly found in cold places like Antarctica, Norway, and Alaska, but they also inhabit warmer tropical and subtropical waters.
Family: Members of this family include all dolphin species.
- - It also includes other larger species such as long-finned pilot whales and short-finned pilot whales, whose common names also contain “whale” instead of “dolphin”.
Social Structure: Killer whales are highly social and most live in social groups called pods.
- - Pods are groups of maternally related individuals seen together more than half the time.
Curiosity: Given their highly social and curious behavior, orcas often approach fishing vessels to assess if there is any fish in the net or just to observe people on the vessel.
Communication: They rely on underwater sound to feed, communicate, and navigate.
Body Size: They can measure up to 8 meters in length and weigh up to 6 tonnes as adults.
Conservation Status: They are considered Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List of Threatened species.

Facts for Prelims

Bharat Parva Celebration

News: Bharat Parv has been celebrated at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.
Event Organized by: This event was organized by NFDC in association with FICCI under the aegis of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
Performance Highlights: The evening featured singer Sunanda Sharma performing lively Punjabi songs, joined by emerging singers Pragati, Arjun, and Shaan’s son, Maahi.
- - The highlight was when all the singers came together to perform “Maa Tujhe Salaam,” receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Significance
- - Celebration of Indian Culture: The event celebrated India’s diverse culture, cuisine, handicrafts, and cinema on the French Riviera.
  - Promotion of Soft Power: It marked the celebration of cinema, culture, and artistic unity, showcasing India’s soft power on the international platform.
  - Representation of Indian Cinema: The participation of renowned Indian actors underscored the diverse and vibrant essence of Indian cinema and its increasing influence on the international platform.
Cannes Film Festival: The Cannes Film Festival was born in 1938 from an idea by Philippe Erlanger, aborted by the war, and later taken up by Jean Zay and Albert Sarrault.