★★★★★ 4/5
Prelims: Economy (Agriculture, crops), Pigeonpea, ICRISAT, Glycaemic Index
Mains: General Studies-III Major Crops – Cropping Patterns in various parts of the country, – Different Types of Irrigation and Irrigation Systems; Storage, Transport and Marketing of Agricultural Produce and Issues and Related Constraints; E-technology in the aid of farmers.
Why in the News ?
According to the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) a new fast-breeding protocol is likely to make it easier for scientists to develop better quality varieties of the pigeonpea crop at a faster rate.
Source: DTE
📌 FYI on Prelims
Glycemic Index (GI)
- GI is a number from 0 to 100 assigned to food, with pure glucose arbitrarily given the value of 100, which represents the relative rise in the blood glucose level two hours after consuming that food.
- The GI of a specific food depends primarily on the quantity and type of carbohydrate it contains.
- But it is also affected by the amount of entrapment of the carbohydrate molecules within the food, the fat and protein content of the food, the number of organic acids (or their salts) in the food, and whether it is cooked and, if so, how it is cooked.
- A food is considered to have a low GI if it is 55 or less; high GI if 70 or more, and mid-range GI if 56 to 69.
About:
Pigeonpea
- It is also called as arhar and tur in India.
- It is an important legume crop and protein-rich food which is primarily consumed as dal in India.
- It is predominantly a crop of tropical areas mainly cultivated in semi arid regions of India
- Climatic conditions:
- Rain: It requires 600-650mm of annual rainfall along with moist conditions for the initial eight weeks and dry conditions during its flowering and pod development phase.
- Temperature: It can be grown with a temperature ranging from 260C to 300C in the rainy season and 170C to 220C in the post rainy (November to March) season.
- Soil: It can be grown on all types of soil, however, sandy loam or loam soil is most suitable for its cultivation.
- It is very sensitive to low radiation at pod development, therefore flowering during the monsoon and cloudy weather, leads to poor pod formation.
- It is commonly intercropped with a wide range of crops. In India, it was estimated that 80 – 90 % of the pigeonpea were intercropped.
- The important diseases of Pigeon pea are Wilt, Sterility mosaic disease, Phytophthora blight, Alternaria blight and Powdery mildew etc.
- Concern: The Pigeonpea’s long growth cycle and sensitivity to day length have hindered breeding efforts, with only about 250 varieties released globally over six decades.
- Health benefits: It has low glycaemic index and is rich in thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, folate, vitamin A, calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium and phosphorus.
- Major Pigeon pea producing states: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand.
New protocols of ICRISAT
- The new convention promises to substantially cut the time required to develop new Pigeonpea lines with desirable traits, effectively bringing food to dryland communities faster.
- The new protocol shortens the breeding and control over factors like photoperiod, temperature, humidity, and breeding cycle to 2 to 4 years while the traditional Pigeonpea breeding takes up to 13 years.
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
- It is a non-profit, non-political organization that conducts agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with a wide array of partners throughout the world.
- HQ: Hyderabad, Telangana, India, with two regional hubs and six country offices in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Functions:
- It helps farmers by providing improved crop varieties and hybrids and also helps smallholder farmers in the drylands fight climate change.
- ICRISAT and its partners help empower these poor people to overcome poverty, hunger and a degraded environment through better agriculture.
- It conducts research protecting the environment.
- It has been awarded the 2021 Africa Food Prize, for work that has improved food security across 13 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
UPSC CSE EXAMS Corner
Prelims: PYQ/FAQ
Q.With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) developed in India, consider the following statements:
- GM mustard has the genes of a soil bacterium that give the plant the property of pest-resistance to a wide variety of pests.
- GM mustard has the genes that allow the plant cross-pollination and hybridization.
- GM mustard has been developed jointly by the IARI and Punjab Agricultural University.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 3 only
B) 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: b. 2 only
Explaination:
- GM mustard has been developed with the genes that make it resistant to pests like aphids and whiteflies, not from a soil bacterium..
- GM mustard has been developed to cross-pollinate and hybridize, which allows for better yield and quality.
- GM mustard has been developed by the Delhi University’s Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP) in collaboration with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
★★★★★ 4.5/5
Prelims: Science & Tech., Smishing, Phishing, Government Initiatives for Cyber Security
Mains: General Studies-III Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights.
Why in the News ?
In today’s digital age, smartphones are practically an extension of ourselves, smishing poses a real and growing threat. Government has warned about its increasing threat.
Source: TOI
📌 FYI on Prelims:
Phishing
- Phishing is a cybercrime in which a target or targets are contacted by email, telephone, or text message.
- This is done by someone posing as a legitimate institution to lure individuals into providing sensitive data such as personally identifiable information, banking and credit card details, and passwords.
- Goal: Trick the email recipient into believing that the message is something they want or need — a request from their bank, for instance, or a note from someone in their company — and to click a link or download an attachment.
- What really distinguishes phishing .is the form the message takes: the attackers masquerade as a trusted entity of some kind, often a real or plausibly real person, or a company the victim might do business with.
- It’s one of the oldest types of cyberattacks, dating back to the 1990s
About:
Smishing
- It is a form of phishing that targets individuals through text messages or SMS.
- Aim: Trick you into divulging personal information or downloading malware onto your device.
- It is done in through following ways
- Fake alerts and warnings: Scammers send texts pretending to be from legitimate institutions like banks, government agencies, or delivery services. They’ll claim there’s a problem with your account or a package delivery, prompting you to click on a link for more information.
- Urgent requests: Smishers play on your emotions by creating a sense of urgency. They might promise prizes, warn of impending legal action, or claim your account is compromised, pressuring you to act quickly without thinking.
- Exploiting current events: During tax season, scammers might pose as the IRS, offering tax refunds or threatening penalties if you don’t respond immediately. Similarly, they might capitalise on natural disasters or health crises to solicit donations or spread misinformation.
How to identify and stay safe from smishing ?
- Poor grammar and spelling: Many smishing messages contain grammatical errors or spelling mistakes, indicating that they may not be from a legitimate source.
- Unsolicited requests for personal information: Be wary of messages that request sensitive information like passwords, Social Security numbers, or banking details. Legitimate organisations typically won’t ask for this information via text message.
- Suspicious links: Hover over any links in the message (without clicking them) to see the URL. If it looks suspicious or doesn’t match the purported sender, it’s likely a smishing attempt.
- Verify the sender: Before clicking on any links or providing sensitive information, verify the sender’s identity. Contact the institution directly using official contact information to confirm the legitimacy of the message.
- Keep software updated: Ensure your smartphone’s operating system and security software are up to date to protect against malware and other threats. Consider installing reputable antivirus apps for an added layer of protection.
Government Initiatives for Cyber Security
- National Cyber Security Strategy 2020
- Focus: Comprehensive roadmap for cyber security preparedness and response.
- Elements: Includes awareness, prevention, detection, response, and recovery.
- Cyber Suraksha Kendra
- Role: Provides cyber security awareness and training.
- Aim: Promote cyber hygiene and best practices among individuals and organizations.
- National Critical Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIPC)
- Function: Monitors and protects critical infrastructure from cyber threats.
- Collaboration: Works with sector specific agencies for coordinated defense.
- Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (C4C)
- Purpose: Facilitates interagency coordination in investigating cybercrimes.
- Goal: Ensure efficient response and prosecution of cybercrimes.
- Establishment of CERT-In: The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERTIn) is the primary national agency for responding to cyber security incidents. It plays a crucial role in strengthening India’s cyber defense by issuing guidelines, advisories, and handling cybersecurity incidents.
- National Cyber Security Strategy 2020
UPSC CSE EXAMS Corner
Prelims: PYQ/FAQ
Q. Consider the following statements:
1.Smishing refers to a type of cyber-attack or scam where fraudsters send deceptive text messages to trick individuals into revealing personal information, such as login credentials, credit card numbers, or other sensitive data.
2.Smishing messages often contain links that lead to fake websites or phone numbers that direct victims to call and provide information.
Select the correct answer form the codes given below;
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) Both 1 and 2
D)Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: c. Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
- Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Smishing refers to a type of cyber-attack or scam where fraudsters send deceptive text messages to trick individuals into revealing personal information, such as login credentials, credit card numbers, or other sensitive data.
- Smishing messages often contain links that lead to fake websites or phone numbers that direct victims to call and provide information.
★★★★★ 4.5/5
Prelims: Indian Economy (Schemes), National livestock Mission, Breeds of Indigenous Livestock Species
Mains: General Studies-III, Issues related to Direct and Indirect Farm Subsidies and Minimum Support Prices; Public Distribution System – Objectives, Functioning, Limitations, Revamping; Issues of Buffer Stocks and Food Security; Technology Missions; Economics of Animal-Rearing.
Why in the News ?
The union cabinet recently approved the incorporation of additional activities into the National Livestock Mission.
Source: PIB
Key Facts 🗝️
National Livestock Mission:
- Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal husbandry and Dairying.
- Launch: Year 2014-15. It has been updated and realigned from fiscal year 2021-22.
- Dairy is the single-largest agri commodity in India. It contributes 5% to the national economy and employs 80 million dairy farmers directly.
📌 FYI on Prelims:
Breeds of Indigenous Livestock Species
- Kathani cattle (Maharashtra), Sanchori cattle (Rajasthan) and Masilum cattle (Meghalaya);
- Purnathadi buffalo (Maharashtra)
- Sojat goat (Rajasthan), Karauli goat (Rajasthan) and Gujari goat (Rajasthan)
- Banda pig (Jharkhand), Manipuri Black pig (Manipur) and Wak Chambil pig (Meghalaya).
About:
National Livestock Mission
- It is designed to enhance both the quantity and quality of livestock production systems. Also, it seeks to improve the capabilities of all stakeholders involved.
- The scheme was implemented as a sub scheme of White Revolution – Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojana since April 2019.
- Objective: This mission is formulated with the objective of sustainable development in the livestock sector. It focuses on improving the availability of quality feed and fodder. Sub-Missions included:
- Sub-Mission on Breed improvement of Livestock and Poultry
- Sub-Mission of Feed & Fodder
- Sub-Mission on Innovation and Extension.
- Activities: The realigned NLM comprises 10 activities aimed at fostering entrepreneurship development, improving feed and fodder, promoting research and innovation, and enhancing livestock insurance.
Additional activities included in the National Livestock Mission
- Entrepreneurship in conservation of horse, donkey, mule, camel:
- Individuals, FPOs, SHGs, Joint Liability group (JLGs), Farmers Cooperative societies (FCOs), and Section 8 companies can receive a 50% capital subsidy, up to 50 lakhs, for establishing entrepreneurship in horse, donkey, mule, and camel sectors.
- The state government will receive assistance for conserving horse, donkey, and camel breeds.
- Fodder seed processing Infrastructure: Entrepreneurs can establish Fodder seed processing Infrastructure with a 50% capital subsidy up to Rs. 50 lakhs. It covers private companies, start-ups, SHGs, FPOs, FCOs, JLGs, FCO, and Section 8 companies.
- Fodder cultivation- To expand fodder cultivation, the state government will receive assistance for cultivating fodder in non-forest lands, wastelands, range lands, non-arable areas, and degraded forest lands.
- Livestock Insurance programme-
- The Livestock Insurance program has now been simplified, with reduction in farmers’ premium to 15% from current rates of 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%.
- The premium will be shared by the Centre and the State at 60:40 for all states, 90:10 for certain regions.
- The number of animals to be insured has also been increased to 10 cattle units instead of 5 units for cattle, sheep, and goats.
- Entrepreneurship in conservation of horse, donkey, mule, camel:
UPSC CSE EXAMS Corner
Mains: PYQ/FAQ
Q. Livestock rearing has a big potential for providing non-farm employment and income in rural areas. Discuss suggesting suitable measures to promote this sector in India. (2015)
★★★★★ 4/5
Prelims: Science & Tech (Space Missions), Gaganyaan Mission, ISRO, CE20 Cryogenic Engine, Human Ratings
Mains: General Studies-III Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights.
Why in the News ?
Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully completed the human rating of its CE20 cryogenic engine. It marks a significant milestone in India’s Gaganyaan mission to send humans into space.
Source: TH
Key Facts 🗝️
CE20 Cryogenic Engine:
- It is the first Indian cryogenic engine to feature a gas-generator cycle.
📌 FYI on Prelims:
Gaganyaan Mission
- Gaganyaan is a mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- Under the Gaganyaan schedule:
- Three flights will be sent into orbit.
- There will be two unmanned flights and one human spaceflight.
- The Gaganyaan system module, called the Orbital Module will have three Indian astronauts, including a woman.
- It will circle Earth at a low-earth-orbit at an altitude of 300-400 km from earth for 5-7 days.
- Payloads: The payload will consist of:
- Crew module – spacecraft carrying human beings.
- Service module – powered by two liquid propellant engines.
- Launch:
- GSLV Mk III also called the LVM-3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3,) the three-stage heavy lift launch vehicle, will be used to launch Gaganyaan as it has the necessary payload capability.
- Significance:
- It will help in enhancement of science and technology levels in the country and help inspire youth.
- It will help in improvement of industrial growth.
- Recently, the Government has announced a new organisation, IN-SPACe, part of reforms to increase private participation in the space sector
- It will help in development of technology for social benefits.
- It will help in improving international collaboration.
- One International Space Station (ISS) put up by multiple countries may not be enough. Regional ecosystems will be needed and Gaganyaan will focus on regional needs: food, water and energy security.
About:
- CE20 Cryogenic engine
- It has been designed and developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), a subsidiary of ISRO.
- It will power the Cryogenic Upper Stage of the LVM3 launch vehicle for the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
- It is one of the most powerful upper-stage cryogenic engines in the world.
- This engine develops a nominal thrust of 186.36 kN in vacuum.
- Cryogenic stage
- The cryogenic stage is technically a very complex system due to its use of propellants at extremely low temperatures and the associated thermal and structural problems.
- It uses liquid fuels that are cooled to very low temperatures.
- A Cryogenic rocket stage is more efficient and provides more thrust for every kilogram of propellant it burns compared to solid and earth-storable liquid propellant rocket stages.
- Human rating
- Process of certifying a spacecraft or its parts to meet safety standards for human space travel.
- For the CE20 cryogenic engine, being human-rated means that it has been extensively tested and has been confirmed safe and reliable for crewed space missions like India’s Gaganyaan.
- ISRO has also completed acceptance tests for the flight engine selected for the first unmanned Gaganyaan mission.
UPSC CSE EXAMS Corner
Prelims: PYQ/FAQ
Q. With reference to India’s satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements: (2018)
- PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites.
- Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth.
- GSLV Mk III is a four-staged launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors; and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 2 and 3
C) 1 and 2
D) 3 only
Ans: a. 1 only
Explaination:
- PSLV is the third generation launch vehicle of India. It is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages. It is used mainly for delivering various satellites in Low Earth Orbits, particularly the Indian Remote Sensing series of satellites. It can take up to 1,750 kg of payload to Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbits of 600 km altitude.
- GSLV is designed mainly to deliver Indian National Satellite System, or INSAT, which is a series of multipurpose geo-stationary satellites launched by ISRO to fulfil the needs of telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology, and search and rescue operations. It places satellites to the highly elliptical Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
- The satellites in the geosynchronous orbits appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky.
★★★★★ 5/5
Prelims: Economy (International Organizations), UNESCAP, SDG, Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report
Mains: General Studies-III Inclusive Growth and issues arising from it.
Why in the News ?
According to a new report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), at the current pace of growth, the region will not attain the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) until 2062, and it will be 32 years behind the scheduled year of achievement.
Source: DTE
Key Facts 🗝️
UNESCAP:
- It was established in 1947.
- HQ: Bangkok, Thailand
📌 FYI on Prelims:
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- To bring sustainable development in the mainstream United Nations (UN) launched the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and SDGs.
- This universal, integrated and transformative agenda aims to spur actions that will end poverty and build a more sustainable world over the next 15 years.
- There are 17 goals and 169 targets specific targets to be achieved by 2030. Reaching the goals requires action on all fronts – governments, businesses, civil society and people everywhere all have a role to play.
- SDGs are not legally binding
About:
- United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
- It is the most inclusive intergovernmental platform in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Mandate: To promote economic and social development in the Asian and Pacific region by fostering cooperation between its members and associate members.
- The Commission promotes cooperation among its 53 member States and 9 associate members in pursuit of solutions to sustainable development challenges.
- It is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations.
- It carries out work in the areas like Macroeconomic Policy, Poverty Reduction and Financing for Development, Trade, Investment and Innovation, Transport, Environment and Development, Information and Communications Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction and Social Development etc.
- Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report
- The Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report is one of the annual flagship publications of the United Nations ESCAP.
- It provides an overview of SDG Progress in the region which serves as a foundation for many other activities conducted by ESCAP and its partners.
- It draws out the priorities for enhancing data availability on SDG indicators, especially for the most vulnerable population groups, which could help shape more equitable and inclusive development strategies.
- Key Recommendations of the Report:
- There is urgency in addressing inequalities that impact marginalised groups, including women, girls, rural populations and the urban poor, who continue to find themselves locked out of education and employment opportunities.
- There is a need for a significant increase in investment in sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy sources to address the challenges posed by Climate Change and achieve various SDGs.
- The Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report is one of the annual flagship publications of the United Nations ESCAP.
- India’s Progress on SDG as per the Report:
- India’s overall SDG score improved by 6 points, rising from 60 in 2019 to 66 in 2020–21.
- Notable achievements include Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).
UPSC CSE EXAMS Corner
Prelims: PYQ/FAQ
Q. Consider the following statements: (2016)
- The Sustainable Development Goals were first proposed in 1972 by a global think tank called the ‘Club of Rome’.
- The Sustainable Development Goals have to be achieved by 2030.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) Both 1 and 2
D) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: b. 2 only
Explaination:
- The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, are a universal call for action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
- They are built upon the success of the Millennium Development Goals, including new areas such as climate change, economic inequality, innovation, sustainable consumption, peace and justice, among other priorities.
- The goals are interconnected – often the key to success on one will involve tackling issues more commonly associated with another.
- Adopted in 2015, SDGs came into effect in January 2016. They are meant to be achieved by 2030. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
- The SDGs were born at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro in 2012. The Club of Rome advocated resource conservation for the first time in a more systematic way in 1968. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
