UPSC Current Affairs: Buddha Purnima, Carlsberg Ridge, and More

Table of Contents

UPSC GS Paper 1

Buddha Purnima

News: People across the country celebrated Buddha Purnima on 23rd May, the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha.
Birth of Gautama Buddha: Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak, commemorates the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as Gautama Buddha and founded Buddhism.
Timing and Observance
Full Moon Day: It falls on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Vaisakha, typically occurring in April or May.
Triple-Blessed Day
Birth, Enlightenment, and Liberation: It is considered a ‘triple-blessed day’ as it marks Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and Maha Parnirvana (final liberation from suffering achieved by the Buddha).
Recognition by the United Nations
UN Day of Vesak: Since 1999, Buddha Purnima has been recognized by the United Nations as the ‘UN Day of Vesak’.

Carlsberg Ridge

News: 5.2-magnitude quake hits Carlsberg Ridge.
Location and Geological Context
Geographical Position: The Carlsberg Ridge is situated away from India’s western shores, lying between Africa and India in the Indian Ocean.
Tectonic Setting: It constitutes the northern part of the Central Indian Ridge, functioning as a tectonic plate boundary between the African and Indian plates.
Geological Characteristics:
Divergent Boundary: Similar to other mid-ocean ridges, the Carlsberg Ridge serves as a divergent tectonic plate boundary where new oceanic crust is formed through the upwelling of magma from the Earth’s mantle.
Formation and Activity: It originated approximately 30 million years ago and remains seismically active, experiencing significant earthquakes.
Mineral Wealth:
- Presence of Polymetallic Nodules: The Carlsberg Ridge is rich in polymetallic nodules, containing trace elements such as copper, lead, and zinc.
- Formation and Composition: These nodules form in lumps on the seabed of tectonically active regions. When emitted from hydrothermal vents, they contain sulphides rich in gold, silver, manganese, zinc, and cobalt.
Regulation of Exploration and Mining
International Oversight:
- Exploration and mining activities in international maritime waters, located beyond 200 nautical miles from coastal boundaries, require permission from the ‘International Seabed Authority’.
- This authority is an independent organization established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Thangjing Hills

News: The hills have been declared a protected site by the Government of Manipur.
Location: The present-day Thangjing hill range falls within the Churachandpur-Khoupum protected forests.
Contested Ownership: The hills are contested by the Kukis and Meiteis due to their religious and cultural significance.
- - The Thangjing hill is an important pilgrimage site for the followers of Sanamahism in the Meitei community.
Naming Dispute: The Kuki-Zo people refer to it as Thangting Hills, while the Meitei people call it Thangjing Ching or Thangjing Hills.
Escalation of Conflict
Ethnic Conflict Background: The conflict over the right to pray and worship on the hill range has escalated since the ethnic conflict between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities began in 2023.

UPSC GS Paper 2

Form 17C

News: In response to a plea for uploading voter turnout data, the Election Commission informed the Supreme Court that it cannot upload Form 17C.
Purpose of Form 17C:
- Serves as a comprehensive record of votes cast across polling booths nationwide.
- According to the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) handbook, the Form 17C needs to be given only to the polling agent and not to any other entity.
Data Included in Form 17C:
- Elector Allocation: Allocation of electors to each polling station.
- Registered Voters: Overall count of registered voters within a specific area.
- Abstaining Electors: Number of electors abstaining from voting.
- Denied Voting Rights: Those denied voting rights.
- Votes Tallied via EVMs: Total tally of votes tabulated via Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
- Ballot Papers and Paper Seals: Particulars concerning ballot papers and paper seals.
Candidate Information and Vote Tally:
- The latter section of Form 17C delineates the names of candidates along with the total votes garnered by each.
- It furnishes insight into whether the votes recorded at a given booth tally with the overall votes polled.
Compilation and Distribution:
- Under Rules 49S and 56C of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, the presiding officer compiles an account of recorded votes in Part-I of Form 17C.
- This account is shared with every polling agent.
Completion and Scrutiny:
- Part II of Form 17C is completed by the supervisor of the counting station and necessitates the signature of each candidate or their representative.
- This section undergoes scrutiny by the Returning Officer.

Foreigner Tribunals (FTs)

News: The Supreme Court (SC) recently paused the deportation of a woman who had been deemed a foreigner by a Foreigners’ Tribunal in Assam.
Overview of Foreigner Tribunals (FTs)
- - Definition: Foreigner Tribunals (FTs) are quasi-judicial bodies set up in India to determine whether a person is a foreigner according to the Foreigners Act, 1946.
Establishment and Jurisdiction
- - Legislation: The Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964, enacted by the Union government (Ministry of Home Affairs), established FTs.
  - Operational Scope: Though the order applies nationwide, FTs are currently operational only in Assam. In other states, suspected undocumented immigrants are brought before regular courts under the Foreigners Act.
Role of the Election Commission of India (ECI):
- - Referral of D Voters: The Election Commission of India (ECI) can refer cases of D or Doubtful voters to the local Superintendent of Police (SP), who then refers them to a tribunal to verify their citizenship.
Legal Authority and Decisions
- Supreme Court Ruling:
  - The Supreme Court held that the decision of the FTs regarding the nationality of a person will be binding.
  - The decision of the tribunal will be given more importance than that of the government or credentials and the NRC verification authority.
2019 Amendment to the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964
- Establishment of FTs: Earlier, only the Centre was empowered to establish FTs in states, but now this power has been granted to states as well.
- Initiation of Cases: Earlier, only the State administration could move the Tribunal against a suspect. The amendment now empowers individuals to approach the Tribunals.

West Asia: A Comprehensive Analysis of Geopolitical, Economic and Socio-Humanitarian Issues

Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI)

News: Honasa, the parent company of Mamaearth, was the largest violator of advertising in FY24 according to the Advertising Standards Council of India’s (ASCI) annual report for FY24.
Overview of ASCI:
Definition: It is a voluntary self-regulatory organisation of the advertising industry in India.
Establishment: Established in 1985, ASCI is registered as a non-profit company under Section 25 of the Company Act.
- - A purpose-driven entity dedicated to societal, recreational, pleasure, and other intangible benefits, rather than profit.
Members: It comprises members from marketing, creative, media, and allied companies in India.
Commitment and Objectives:
- Self-Regulation in Advertising: It is committed to the cause of self-regulation in advertising, ensuring the protection of the interests of consumers.
- ASCI Code: It seeks to ensure that advertisements conform to its Code for Self-Regulation (ASCI code), which requires advertisements to be legal, decent, honest, truthful, and not hazardous or harmful while observing fairness in competition.
- Media Coverage: It looks into complaints across all media, such as print, TV, radio, hoardings, SMS, emailers, internet/website, product packaging, brochures, promotional material, and point-of-sale material.
International Involvement: It is a part of the Executive Committee of the International Council on Ad Self-Regulation (ICAS).

Project Udbhav

News: Army is exploring India’s military heritage under project Udbhav.
Collaboration: Project Udbhav, meaning evolution, represents a significant collaboration between the Indian Army and the United Service Institution of India (USI).
- USI, India’s oldest think-tank established in 1870, spearheads this initiative.
Aim of Project: The ‘Udbhav’ project aims to integrate India’s ancient strategic wisdom into the modern military domain, with a focus on preparing the Army for the future.
Objectives of the project:
- Understanding ancient military systems and India’s indigenous military culture.
- Studying the evolution of the Indian military system and strategic ideas.
- Educating junior and senior military leaders about concepts in classical texts.
- Creating a knowledge resource for scholars and defense personnel.
- Considering the inclusion of historical military concepts in modern practices.
- Aims to develop an “indigenous strategic vocabulary” based on India’s philosophical and cultural heritage.
Features: The project involves organizing events and workshops focusing on various aspects of India’s strategic culture.
Key Focus: The project focuses on a broad spectrum including Indigenous Military Systems, Historical Texts, Regional Texts and Kingdoms, Thematic Studies, and intricate Kautilya Studies.

Geopolitical Recession

News: The world is currently experiencing a Geopolitical recession, characterized by shifting power dynamics and tensions, as noted by the World Economic Forum.
Understanding Geopolitical Recession:
Definition: Geopolitical recession refers to a period characterized by a decline in global cooperation and stability.
Indicators of Geopolitical Recession:
Weakening Institutions: It occurs when established global institutions and power frameworks begin to weaken.
Challenges in Crisis Response: Responding to crises becomes notably more challenging due to decreased resilience in political institutions.
Reasons for Current Geopolitical Recession:
- Rise of China: The long-term ascent of China and the decline of traditional powers such as the US and EU contribute to the current geopolitical recession.
- Nationalism & Populism: The rise of nationalism and populism impedes global cooperation, further exacerbating the situation.
- Tensions for National Interests: Increased tensions arise as nations prioritize preserving their national interests.
Impact of Geopolitical Recession:
- Economic Instability: Geopolitical recession leads to economic instability.
- Risk of Conflict: There’s an increased risk of conflict during such periods.
- Slower Progress on Global Challenges: Progress on global challenges like climate change and terrorism slows down due to decreased cooperation and coordination.

International Solar Alliance (ISA)

News: Spain becomes the 99th member of ISA.
Definition: It is a treaty-based international intergovernmental organization that was launched in 2015, by the Prime Minister of India and the President of France, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Paris.
Aim:
- It is a collaborative platform for increased deployment of solar energy technologies as a means for bringing energy access, ensuring energy security, and driving energy transition in its member countries.
- The ISA is guided by its ‘Towards 1000’ strategy which aims to:
  - - mobilise USD 1,000 billion of investments in solar energy solutions by 2030,
    - deliver energy access to 1,000 million people using clean energy solutions,
    - installation of 1,000 GW of solar energy capacity.
    - mitigate global solar emissions to the tune of 1,000 million tonnes of CO2 every year.
Vision: Let us together make the sun brighter.
Mission: Every home no matter how far away, will have a light at home.
Members: 99 Countries
- With the amendment of its Framework Agreement in 2020, all member states of the United Nations are now eligible to join the ISA.
Governance:
- The Assembly of the ISA is the apex decision-making body which comprises of representatives from each Member Country.
- The Assembly deliberates matters of substance such as the selection of the Director General, achievement of ISA objectives, its functioning, approval of operating budget etc.
Headquarter: National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) in Gurugram, India.

UPSC GS 3

World Thyroid Day

News: World Thyroid Day is observed annually on May 25th.
Thyroid Gland:
Location: The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in your neck, just below your Adam’s apple.
Function: It produces thyroid hormones (like thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)) that regulate many important bodily functions, including metabolism, heart rate, growth and development, body temperature, and mood.
Thyroid Disease:
- Hypothyroidism: This is the most common thyroid disorder, occurring when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones.
- Symptoms: Tiredness, feeling cold, weight gain, poor concentration, and depression.
- Hyperthyroidism:This condition occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone.
- Symptoms: Weight loss, heat intolerance, anxiety, and, sometimes, sore and gritty eyes.
- Treatment: Most thyroid disorders are treated with daily medication.

GSAP SKILLS Platform

News: The GSAP SKILLS Platform was recently launched at the Fourth Meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Overview of the Global Species Action Plan (GSAP):
Objective: Address escalating biodiversity loss globally and support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
Managed By: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Encompasses: GSAP includes the Species Conservation Knowledge, Information, Learning, Leverage, and Sharing (SKILLS) platform.
Role of SKILLS Platform
- Online Repository: SKILLS serves as an online repository for GSAP content.
- Real-Time Updates: Enables real-time updates of technical tools and resources.
- Facilitating Collaboration: Fosters global collaboration among decision-makers, species conservation practitioners, and experts.
- Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF): It is designed to support implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
Components of the GSAP
- Targets Accompanied: Each target outlined in the Global Biodiversity Framework is accompanied by a brief summary and rationale for species conservation interventions, actions, actors, and technical tools.
- Scaling-Up Efforts: Facilitates the scaling-up of implementation efforts.
Primary Support: The development of the GSAP SKILLS platform has been principally supported by Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea, with additional resources from the Tech4Nature Initiative launched by IUCN and Huawei in 2020.

Sweet Sorghum

News: Sweet sorghum emerges as a resilient and nutritious biofuel crop, providing vital solutions in drought-affected regions of southern Africa.
Importance of Sweet Sorghum
Prominence in Agriculture: It is the most important millet crop, occupying the largest area among cereals after rice.
Cultivation for Stalks: Sweet sorghum is cultivated primarily for its stalks, which have a high sugar content.

Characteristics and Adaptability
- - Drought Resistance: Sweet sorghum varieties exhibit notable drought resistance, thriving in drier, warmer, and saline conditions compared to many other crops.
  - C4 Plant: It is a C4 plant characterised by high photosynthetic efficiency.
    - C4 plants include maize, sugarcane, and sorghum.
    - They avoid photorespiration.
Uses of Sweet Sorghum:
- - Forage and Silage: The stalks and leaves of sweet sorghum serve as valuable livestock feed, either fresh-cut or preserved as silage.
  - Syrup Production: The juice extracted from the stalks is boiled down to produce a syrup akin to molasses, often referred to as sorghum molasses, commonly used in beer production.
  - Biofuel Potential: Sweet sorghum is a promising biofuel feedstock.
    - Its stalks’ sugar content can be fermented to produce ethanol. It’s deemed more sustainable than sugarcane for biofuel due to its lower water requirements.
Required Growing Conditions:
- - Suitable Rainfall: Moderate rainfall is ideal. High soil moisture or continuous heavy rain post-flowering may hinder sugar increase.
  - Soil Suitability: All soils with medium depth and good drainage are suitable for sweet sorghum cultivation.
Varieties: Rio, Dale, Brandes, Theis, Roma, Vani, Ramada and Keller.
Sweet Sorghum in India:
- - In India, it can be sown during June, coinciding with the southwest monsoon.
  - Sweet sorghum varieties were first introduced in India from the US in the 1970s.

Ferroptosis

News: Study reveals ferroptosis as a major driver of severe COVID-19 lung damage.
Major Finding: Researchers discovered that ferroptosis is the primary cell death mechanism underlying COVID-19 lung disease.
Distinct from Apoptosis: Ferroptosis is a newly identified form of programmed cell death, differing from the more well-known apoptosis.
Mechanism of Ferroptosis:
Lipid Peroxide Overproduction: Ferroptosis is driven by the excessive production of lipid peroxides, toxic molecules that damage cell membranes, ultimately causing cell death.
Role of Iron: Iron, indicated by the prefix “ferro,” plays a crucial role in ferroptosis, creating an environment within the cell conducive to lipid peroxidation.
Importance and Potential Applications:
- - Implications in Diseases: Ferroptosis may have implications in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, contributing to brain cell death.
  - Therapeutic Strategy: Inducing ferroptosis in cancer cells holds promise as a potential therapeutic strategy.
Understanding Apoptosis:
- - Natural Cell Elimination: Apoptosis is a natural process in multicellular organisms, where cells are eliminated in a controlled manner.
  - Controlled Pathway: Cells initiate and execute their own demise through a defined pathway.
Role of Apoptosis
- - Macrophage Attraction: Apoptotic cells display signals attracting macrophages, immune system scavengers that remove dying cells without causing inflammation.
  - Developmental Role: During embryonic development, apoptosis shapes organs and tissues by eliminating unnecessary cells.
  - Tissue Balance: Apoptosis regulates cell numbers within tissues, maintaining a balance between growth and death for healthy organ function.
  - Immune System Function: It plays a crucial role in the immune system by eliminating old, damaged, or infected cells, including those infected with viruses.
Necrosis: Cell death characterized by rapid and uncontrolled cell lysis, often accompanied by inflammation and tissue damage.
Autophagy: Involves the degradation and recycling of cellular components through lysosomal machinery.

Tokyo Atacama Observatory (TAO)

News: Tokyo Atacama Observatory is the world’s highest observatory.
Location: TAO is an astronomical observatory situated on the summit of Cerro Chajnantor, at an altitude of 5,640 meters (18,500 ft) within a lava dome in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile.
Astronomical Advantage of Atacama Desert
Ideal Conditions: The Atacama Desert offers one of the best locations on Earth for astronomical observations due to its high altitude, low humidity, and clear skies, providing optimal conditions for studying the cosmos.
Operator: The observatory is operated by the University of Tokyo.
Highest Astronomical Observatory:
Elevation Record: TAO holds the title of the highest astronomical observatory globally, surpassing even the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA), which is situated at a lower elevation of 5,050 meters.
Telescope and Instruments
Primary Telescope: TAO features a 6.5-meter telescope equipped with instruments specifically designed for infrared observations.
Research Focus: These instruments aid in the study of the evolution of galaxies and the origin of materials.
Importance of High Altitude
Essential Altitude: The high altitude of the observatory is crucial for its mission because infrared light is absorbed by water vapor in the atmosphere. Therefore, TAO must be located at a high altitude where the atmosphere is thin to observe effectively.

Wind Shear

News: A plane of Singapore Airlines recently encountered severe mid-air turbulence, resulting in irregular motion of the air.
Types and Causes of Turbulence
- Primary Type: Clear-air turbulence is one of the primary kinds of turbulence experienced during flights.
- Cause: Wind Shear: Turbulence is caused by wind shear, a phenomenon where the wind’s speed and/or direction changes significantly over a short distance.
Factors Contributing to Wind Shear:
- Temperature Inversions: Wind shear can be caused by temperature inversions, where warm air rests over cooler air, leading to changes in wind speed or direction.
- Fronts: Boundaries between different air masses can also cause wind shear.
Intensification Near Thunderstorms:
- Thunderstorm Influence: Wind shear can become particularly strong near thunderstorms due to downdrafts of cool air associated with these weather phenomena.
Impact Beyond Aviation
- Other Effects: Wind shear can impact various other phenomena, including the spread of wildfires and the flight paths of birds.