03 Dec | UPSC Current Affairs: Varkala Cliff, Solar Storm, UIDF, CINBAX, Madhav National Park, and More

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UPSC GS 1

Varkala Cliff

  • News: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and other stakeholders to respond to concerns over the deteriorating condition of the Varkala cliff, a designated national geo-heritage site.
  • Location: The Varkala cliff is a stunning natural formation situated in Varkala, a coastal town in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram district.

Varkala Cliff

  • Geological Significance:
    • This formation showcases sedimentary rock from the Mio-Pliocene age, dating back approximately 13 lakh to 2.5 crore years.
    • Varkala is the only site along India’s west coast where such sediments are exposed.
  • Structure and Dimensions:
    • The cliff system comprises northern and southern sections, spanning a total of 3 km.
    • Known as the North Cliff, it runs parallel to the coast for about 1 km and reaches heights of up to 80 meters above sea level in certain areas.
  • Associated Features:
    • The Papanasam Beach at the cliff’s base is renowned for its natural springs, believed to possess therapeutic properties.
    • It serves as a vital aquifer and a natural water-harvesting structure for coastal communities.
    • Its microhabitat supports unique biodiversity, while its underwater reefs are essential to local fishing practices.
  • National Significance:
    • It holds the status of the 27th national geological monument in India and is the second in Kerala, alongside Angadipuram Laterite.
  • Key Facts About the Geological Survey of India (GSI):
  • Establishment:
    Founded in 1851, the GSI initially aimed to locate coal deposits for railway operations.
  • Functions and Roles:
    • Acts as a repository of geoscientific information for diverse fields.
    • Provides objective, impartial, and current geological expertise.
    • Supports policymaking, commercial ventures, and socio-economic initiatives with reliable geoscientific data.
  • Structure and Headquarters:
    • Headquartered in Kolkata, it operates through six regional offices located in Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong, and Kolkata, with state units across India.
    • Functions as an attached office under the Ministry of Mines.

Read also: India-Bangladesh Relations: Key Insights for UPSC Preparation

UPSC GS 2

UGC Approves Flexible Degree Completion Norms

  • News:  The University Grants Commission has approved guidelines for Accelerated as well as Extended Degree programs under which students can pursue degrees in durations shorter than the standard three years as well as extended periods of up to five years.
  • Overview: As per the latest guidelines, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) now have the flexibility to offer two options: 
    • Accelerated Degree Programmes (ADPs) and Extended Degree Programmes (EDPs). 
    • Undergraduate students can opt for these programs by the end of their first or second semester, but not later. 
    • This flexibility has been approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
  • About Accelerated Degree Programmes (ADPs):
    • ADPs are designed for students demonstrating exceptional academic performance, enabling them to graduate earlier by earning additional credits each semester.
    • A three-year undergraduate program can be completed in five semesters, while a four-year program can be concluded in six or seven semesters.
  • About Extended Degree Programmes (EDPs):
    • EDPs cater to students facing personal, financial, or academic challenges, allowing them to extend their degree completion timeline by up to two semesters.
    • Students enrolled in EDPs can take fewer credits per semester, ensuring a more manageable workload.
  • Role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs):
    • HEIs will establish dedicated committees to evaluate students’ eligibility for ADPs and EDPs based on their academic performance and credit completion during the first or second semester.
    • These committees will recommend modifications to the number of courses and credits that students can undertake per semester.
    • Up to 10% of the sanctioned intake may be reserved for ADP students, while there is no limit on the number of students eligible for EDPs.
  • Benefits of the Initiative:
    • Degrees earned through ADPs and EDPs will be treated as equivalent to those earned through standard-duration programs for employment, academic, and recruitment purposes.
    • These degrees will be recognized by government departments, private organizations, and recruitment agencies, including the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and State Service Commissions.

UPSC GS 3

Solar Storm

  • News: A huge solar storm hit Earth 2687 years ago, evidence of which has been found hiding in tree rings. 
  • Overview: Scientists have discovered evidence of a massive solar storm that impacted Earth around 664–663 BCE.
  • About Solar Storms: A solar storm is a powerful eruption of particles, energy, magnetic fields, and solar material expelled from the Sun into the solar system.

Solar Storm

  • Causes of Solar Storms: 
    • The Sun’s magnetic fields become tangled due to its rotation, with the equator spinning faster than the poles.
    • When these twisted magnetic fields stretch and eventually snap, a process called magnetic reconnection occurs, releasing an immense amount of energy. This release can result in:
    • A bright burst of light, known as a solar flare.
    • A radiation storm, comprising high-speed solar particles ejected into space.
    • A coronal mass ejection (CME), an enormous cloud of solar material moving away from the Sun.
  • Effects on Earth: A solar storm aimed at Earth can disrupt its magnetic field, leading to a geomagnetic storm, which may cause:
    • Radio communication blackouts.
    • Widespread power outages.
    • Stunning auroras in the sky.
  • Despite their intensity, solar storms do not directly harm humans on Earth, as the planet’s magnetic field and atmosphere provide effective protection against the strongest impacts.

Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF) 

  • News:  The Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs recently said that the Government has set up the Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF) through the use of priority sector lending shortfall for creating urban infrastructure in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.  
  • About the Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF):
    • The UIDF is established by utilizing the shortfall in priority sector lending.
    • It is designed to support public agencies in developing urban infrastructure in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF)

  • Purpose of the UIDF:
    • The fund aims to augment the efforts of State Governments and Union Territories in urban infrastructure development.
    • It focuses on projects undertaken by public or state agencies, municipal corporations, and urban local bodies.
    • It provides a stable and predictable financing source for essential services such as:
    • Sewerage and solid waste management.
    • Water supply and sanitation.
    • Construction and enhancement of drainage and stormwater systems.
  • Management and Corpus:
    • The UIDF is managed by the National Housing Bank (NHB).
    • It has an initial corpus of ₹10,000 crore.
    • The fund is modeled on the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF).
  • Collaboration with Other Resources: States are encouraged to leverage resources from:
    • Grants allocated by the 15th Finance Commission.
    • Existing schemes.
    • They are also encouraged to implement suitable user charges while utilizing UIDF resources.
  • Coverage: The fund supports urban infrastructure in:
    • 459 tier-2 cities.
    • 580 tier-3 cities.
  • UIDF Loan Details:
    • The interest rate for UIDF loans is set at the Bank Rate minus 1.5%.
    • The principal amount is repayable in five equal annual installments within a period of seven years. This includes a two-year moratorium period.
    • Interest on the loan is payable quarterly.

Exercise CINBAX

  • News:  The 1st edition of Joint Table Top Exercise, CINBAX, between the Indian Army and the Cambodian Army commenced at Foreign Training Node recently.
  • About Exercise CINBAX:
    • CINBAX is a collaborative exercise conducted between the Indian Army and the Cambodian Army.
    • The Cambodian Army is represented by its contingent of personnel, while the Indian Army contingent includes members from an Infantry Brigade.
    • The exercise focuses on planning joint Counter-Terrorism (CT) operations in alignment with Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
  • Key Objectives:
    • The primary aim is to plan and conduct wargame scenarios involving joint CT operations.
    • Discussions will center around establishing a Joint Training Task Force for activities like Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance. The exercise emphasizes areas such as:
    • Information operations.
    • Cyber and hybrid warfare.
    • Logistics and casualty management.
    • Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
  • Structure of the Exercise:
    • Phase I: Focuses on preparing and orienting participants for CT operations within the framework of UN peacekeeping missions.
    • Phase II: Involves the conduct of the Table Top exercises to simulate scenarios.
    • Phase III: Concludes with finalizing plans and summarizing key learnings, including situation-based discussions and tactical exercises to ensure practical understanding.
  • Additional Highlights:
    • The exercise will showcase Indian-made weapons and equipment, highlighting the nation’s indigenous defence production and the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
    • The event is designed to foster trust, camaraderie, and a higher degree of interoperability between the troops of India and Cambodia.

Madhav National Park

  • News: The National Tiger Conservation Authority has granted in-principle approval to designate Madhav National Park as a tiger reserve. This will be the eighth tiger reserve of Madhya Pradesh. 
  • About Madhav National Park:
  • Location:
    • The park is situated in Madhya Pradesh (Shivpuri).
    • It lies on the northern fringe of India’s Central Highlands and forms part of the Upper Vindhyan Hills, featuring a mix of plateaus and valleys.
  • Lakes:
    • The park is home to two lakes, Sakhya Sagar and Madhav Sagar, located in its southern region.
    • These lakes support aquatic biodiversity and serve as vital water sources for terrestrial wildlife.
  • Rivers and Drainage:
    • The northern region of the park has a drainage system flowing towards the north and northeast, forming the Amarnadi catchment.
    • The Sind River, which flows along the park’s eastern boundary, serves as another important water resource.
    • The park’s eastern region features sedimentary rocks from the Vindhyan system, including sandstone, shale, and limestone.
  • Vegetation:
    • The park’s forests fall under the Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous Mixed Forests category, as well as Dry Thorn Forests typical of North-Western Madhya Pradesh.
  • Flora:
    • Prominent trees include Kardhai, Salai, Dhaora, and Khair.
    • The understory mainly consists of Ber, Makor, and Karonda.
    • Species such as Jamun and Mahua are commonly found along streambeds and nullahs.
  • Fauna:
    • Herbivores include Nilgai, Chinkara, and Chowsinga, along with deer species like Chital, Sambar, and Barking Deer.
    • Carnivores and other predators include Leopards, Wolves, Jackals, Foxes, and Wild Dogs.

Vadhvan Port Project

  • News:  The Vadhavan greenfield port, which is under construction near Dahanu in Maharashtra, will double India’s container trade from the current levels upon completion. 
  • Definition: 
    • Vadhavan Port is an ambitious project under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways’ Sagarmala Program.
    • This project is also aligned with the objectives of the PM Gati Shakti program.
  • Location: 
    • This port will be developed as an all-weather Greenfield deep draft major port in Vadhavan, Palghar District, Maharashtra.
  • Budget:
    • The total cost of the project, including the land acquisition component, is Rs 76,220 crore.
    • This will include development of Core infrastructure, Terminals and other commercial infrastructure in public-private partnerships (PPP) mode. 
  • Partners: 
    • The port will be constructed by Vadhavan Port Project Ltd, an SPV formed by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and Maharashtra Maritime Board with a shareholding of 74 % and 26%, respectively.
  • Key Features:
    • This port will be India’s 13th Major Port.
    • This port will aid EXIM trade flow through IMEEC (India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor) and INSTC (International North South Transportation Corridor).
    • The Vadhavan Port which will be one of the top ten ports of the world, upon completion.
    • The Port is expected to handle 23.2 million twenty-foot-equivalent units (TEUs) a year ( TEU—a standard unit of measurement to determine container capacity—refers to a shipping container that is 20 feet long, 8 feet wide and 8 feet tall). 
    • The Port will comprise nine container terminals, four multipurpose berths, including the coastal berth, four liquid cargo berths, a Ro-Ro berth, and a Coast Guard berth. 
  • Note: The Jawaharlal Nehru Port is so far the largest container handling port in India. 
  • Importance:
    • The port aims at providing direct connectivity to international shipping routes, reducing transit times and costs. 
    • The project port will further the economic activity and also have direct and indirect employment opportunities for around 12 lakh individuals, contributing to the local economy.
    • The port incorporates sustainable development practices with a focus on minimizing environmental impact and adhering to stringent ecological standards.
    • The Port will enhance India’s maritime connectivity and further strengthen its position as a global trade hub. 

See more: Naxalite Movement in India: Causes and Solutions | UPSC

RS-28 Sarmat

  • News: Russia is preparing to deploy the RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, also known as ‘Satan 2’, as a replacement for its older missile systems.
  • About RS-28 Sarmat:
    • The RS-28 Sarmat is a liquid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) developed by Russia.
    • It is named after the ancient Sarmatian people of the 4th and 5th centuries BC and is referred to as “Satan II” in Western terminology.

RS-28 Sarmat

  • Key Features:
    • Fuel Type and Configuration: The missile is a three-stage, liquid-fueled system.
    • Range: It has an operational range of up to 18,000 kilometers.
    • Specifications:
    • Launch weight: 208.1 metric tons.
    • Length: 35.3 meters.
    • Diameter: 3 meters.
  • Payload Capacity:
    • It is classified as a “heavy” ICBM with the capability to carry a payload of up to 10 tons.
    • It can accommodate a variety of warhead configurations, including:
      • Up to 10 heavy nuclear warheads.
      • 16 smaller warheads.
      • A combination of warheads and countermeasures.
      • Hypersonic boost-glide vehicles.
  • Technological Advancements:
    • The RS-28 Sarmat is designed to evade anti-missile defense systems effectively.
    • It features a short initial boost phase, reducing the time available for enemy surveillance systems to detect and intercept it.
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