UPSC GS 1
Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC)
- News: The Chennai-Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Route was recently launched, reducing shipping time and costs while enhancing trade between India and Russia in sectors like oil, food, and machinery.
- About Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC):
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- Description: The Chennai-Vladivostok Sea Route, or EMC, serves as a direct maritime link between South India and Russia’s Far East.
- Efficiency: This corridor reduces cargo transit time by up to 16 days and shortens the travel distance by 40%, making it a cost-effective and efficient trade route.
- Comparison to Traditional Routes:
- The Mumbai-to-St. Petersburg route spans 8,675 nautical miles (16,066 km) and requires over 40 days for cargo delivery.
- In contrast, the Chennai-Vladivostok route measures 5,647 nautical miles (10,458 km), taking only 24 days and saving 5,608 km in distance.
- Route Details:
- Pathway: The EMC traverses significant waterways, including the Sea of Japan, East China Sea, South China Sea, Malacca Straits, Andaman Sea, and Bay of Bengal.
- Ports Along the Route: Major stops include Dalian, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Dhaka, Colombo, and Chennai.
- Other Maritime Corridors for India:
- International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC):
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- Definition: A 7,200 km multimodal transport network linking the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea via Iran, and extending to Europe through Russia.
- Member Nations: Comprises 13 member countries.
- Routes: Operates through three key routes—Central, Western, and Eastern.
- Recent Development: In 2024, Russia dispatched two coal-laden trains to India via the INSTC for the first time.
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- India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC):
- Announcement: Introduced during the G20 Summit in 2023.
- Objective: Establishes connectivity between India, the Middle East, and Europe using rail, road, and maritime links.
- Structure:
- East Corridor: Links India to the Arabian Gulf.
- Northern Corridor: Connects the Gulf to Europe.
- Features: Incorporates electricity cables, hydrogen pipelines, and high-speed data infrastructure to enhance regional integration.
- Northern Sea Route (NSR):
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- Overview: A 5,600 km Arctic shipping route connecting the Barents and Kara Seas to the Bering Strait.
- Benefits: Reduces transit times by up to 50% compared to traditional shipping routes like the Suez Canal.
- Significance for India: Gains prominence due to India’s growing imports of Russian crude oil and coal.
Read also: Delimitation Exercise in India – Key Facts for UPSC Preparation
UPSC GS 2
One Nation One Election (ONOE)
- News: Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Manish Tewari, BJP leader Anurag Thakur have been included as members of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for One Nation One Election’ (ONOE).
- About Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC):
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- The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is a temporary or ad-hoc committee constituted by both Houses of Parliament to conduct a detailed examination of a specific subject or legislative bill.
- Its formation requires one House of Parliament to pass a motion, followed by the concurrence of the other House.
- The composition of the JPC is flexible and is determined by Parliament as per the requirements of the specific issue under consideration.
- The committee comprises members from both Houses of Parliament, including representatives from both the ruling party and the opposition.
- Recommendations made by the JPC are advisory and hold no binding authority over the government.
- Functions of the Joint Parliamentary Committee:
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- Detailed Examination: Reviews bills, policies, or particular subjects thoroughly to ensure comprehensive analysis.
- Evidence Collection: Obtains evidence from experts, public organizations, associations, individuals, or other relevant stakeholders.
- Document Scrutiny: Inspects relevant documents to facilitate an in-depth understanding of the issue.
- Summoning Authority: Holds the power to summon individuals for questioning as part of its investigative responsibilities.
Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum
- News: India and France have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of the new National Museum called Yuga Yugeen Bharat.
- About Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum:
- The Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum was first announced by the Prime Minister during the International Museum Expo in May 2023.
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- It aims to transform the cultural experience by celebrating India’s rich diversity, promoting inclusivity, and connecting the past, present, and future.
- The project will enhance cultural collaboration between India and France, focusing on feasibility studies, museum case studies, interpretive planning, and building programming.
- France’s expertise in museum management and design is being utilized to revitalize the historic North and South Blocks as part of the initiative.
- The museum will be developed using Adaptive Reuse, reflecting India’s dedication to sustainability in preserving cultural heritage.
UPSC GS 3
Calyptocephallela Gayi
- News: The giant frog species Calyptocephallela gayi is facing habitat loss in its native Chile due to the effects of climate change and human activities.
- About Calyptocephallela gayi:
- Common Name: It is commonly referred to as the Helmeted Water Toad and is recognized as a “living fossil,” having coexisted with dinosaurs.
- Size: One of the largest frog species globally, it can grow to over 30 cm (1 foot) in length and weigh up to 1 kg (2.2 lbs).
- Physical Characteristics:
- The species is robust, with a broad head and large mouth.
- Males can grow up to 15.5 cm (6 inches) in snout-to-vent length, while females can reach up to 32 cm (13 inches).
- Habitat and Distribution:
- Preferred Environment: Aquatic ecosystems, including lakes, rivers, and ponds.
- Geographical Range: Found in the lowland regions of Chile, up to an elevation of 500 meters.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Classification: Vulnerable.
Varmam Therapy
- News: India’s National Institute of Siddha sets a Guinness World Record by administering Varmam therapy to 567 individuals simultaneously.
- About Varmam Therapy:
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- Definition: Varmam Therapy is a distinctive and ancient healing practice within the Siddha system of medicine, renowned for its effectiveness in addressing a variety of health conditions.
- Nature of Therapy: It is a drug-free, non-invasive treatment widely utilized for managing pain.
- Varmam Points: The therapy is based on the concept of vital life energy points in the human body, identified by Siddhars as 108 specific locations.
- Applications:
- Offers swift relief from musculoskeletal pain, injuries, and neurological disorders.
- Effectively treats acute and chronic conditions such as stroke, arthritis, and trauma-related injuries.
- Scientific Basis: Varmam therapy has a well-established scientific foundation, making it a reliable therapeutic practice.
- Global Recognition: The growing acknowledgment of Varmam therapy highlights the increasing global acceptance of Siddha medicine and its therapeutic capabilities.
- Key Points About Siddha Medicine:
- Introduction: Siddha medicine is one of India’s oldest traditional systems of healing, originating in South India.
- Historical Context: According to literary evidence from the Sangam Era, its roots can be traced back to around 10,000 BC.
- Founders: Developed by Siddhars, who were predominantly from Tamil Nadu, the system derives its name from these ancient practitioners.
Dark Comets
- News: NASA is investigating “dark comets,” mysterious celestial bodies lacking the bright tails typical of comets.
- About Dark Comets:
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- Definition: Dark comets are celestial bodies that lack the characteristic glowing tails of typical comets, making them visually similar to asteroids.
- Discovery: The first hint of their existence was observed in 2016 when asteroid 2003 RM displayed unusual orbital anomalies. Subsequent studies have confirmed their existence, with recent research identifying 14 such objects.
- Classification: Dark comets are categorized into two primary types:
- Outer Dark Comets: These have eccentric orbits and are larger in size.
- Inner Dark Comets: Smaller in size, they are closer to the Sun and exhibit nearly circular orbits.
- Physical Characteristics:
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- Typically small, ranging from a few meters to several hundred meters in diameter.
- Due to their limited surface area, they emit less material, which prevents the formation of the distinctive tails seen in other comets.
- Rapid rotation disperses gas and dust uniformly, further reducing their visibility.
- Orbital Path: Dark comets travel along elongated, elliptical orbits, approaching the Sun before retreating to the outermost regions of the Solar System.
Iris2
- News: The European Union has launched a €10 billion (approximately ₹89,242 crore) space program called Iris2 to rival SpaceX founder and Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s Starlink.
- Definition: IRIS 2 is the European Union’s third flagship addressing and is designed to offer connectivity services to governmental users as well as private companies and individuals.
- Satellite Constellation: The programme consists of a constellation of 290 satellites operating across medium Earth orbit (MEO) and low Earth orbit (LEO).
- Objectives: Designed to deliver secure, high-speed, and reliable connectivity, especially in areas with limited or no network access.
- Applications:
- IRIS² will use both Medium Earth Orbit and Low Earth Orbit satellites to provide secure connectivity and high-speed broadband in zones where network connectivity is low or unavailable.
- IRIS² will “support a large variety of governmental applications”, with a focus on border and maritime surveillance, crisis management, connection and security of key infrastructure and security and defence of important.
- The system can also be used for maritime, railway, aviation, automotive, smart energy grid management, banking, overseas industrial activities, remote healthcare and enhancing rural connectivity.
- IRIS² will also offer mobile and fixed broadband satellite access, cloud-based services and can also be used in the transportation sector to navigate areas with no or low connectivity.
- Key Satellite Programmes of the EU:
- Galileo Navigation System: A civilian satellite navigation system developed by the EU.
- Copernicus Programme: Recognized as the world’s largest Earth Observation initiative, focused on environmental and climate monitoring.
- Role of the European Space Agency (ESA): The European Space Agency has been instrumental in the development and implementation of the EU’s satellite programme.
