09.04.25

Soyuz

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  • Recent Launch: A Soyuz spacecraft, commemorating the 80th anniversary of WWII’s end, launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

  • Crew: The spacecraft is carrying an American astronaut (Jonny Kim) and two Russian cosmonauts (Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky) to the International Space Station (ISS).

  • Mission: The crew will conduct 50 scientific studies in space before returning on December 9.

  • Historical Significance: The Soyuz program is the longest operational human spacecraft program, dating back to the 1960s. Soyuz means “union” in Russian.

  • Function: Soyuz spacecraft primarily serve

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    as crew ferries to and from Earth-orbiting space stations, including the ISS.

  • Design: The Soyuz spacecraft is composed of three modules: orbital, service, and reentry.

  • Non-Reusable: Both the Soyuz rockets and spacecraft are non-reusable.

  • US-Russia Collaboration: Space collaboration through the ISS remains one of the few active partnerships between Russia and the United States.

  • Challenges for Roscosmos: Russia’s space program faces challenges including funding issues, corruption, and setbacks, although still serves as crucial transport to the ISS.

RGI: India’s Data Authority

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  • RGI Cautions Hospitals: The Registrar General of India (RGI) has warned government and private hospitals for failing to report births and deaths promptly, violating the Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969.

  • Reporting Delay: Many hospitals delay reporting births and deaths, waiting for relatives to request it or directing relatives to report themselves.

  • Legal Requirement: Hospitals are legally obligated to report birth and death events within 21 days as per the

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    RBD Act. Negligence in registration attracts a fine under Section 23(2).

  • Universal Registration Goal: While 90% of birth/death events are registered, the RGI aims for 100% universal registration.

  • Civil Registration System (CRS): Government hospitals act as registrars under the CRS, using the central online portal.

  • Digital Birth Certificate: Since October 1, 2023, a digital birth certificate serves as the single document for proving date of birth for various services.

  • Certificate Issuance Time: The RGI has instructed registrars to issue birth and death certificates within seven days.

  • Data Integration: The centralized database will update the National Population Register (NPR), ration cards, property registration, and electoral rolls.

  • Vital Statistics Delay: The RGI has not released vital statistics reports since 2020, impacting population estimation.

India-Sri Lanka Ties

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  • High-Level Visit: PM Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka underscores India’s commitment to its ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ and ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision, reinforcing the island nation’s important role. It was his fourth trip since 2015.
  • Highest Civilian Honor: PM Modi awarded ‘Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana,’ Sri Lanka’s highest civilian honor, symbolizing prosperity and shared heritage.
  • Defence Pact: India and Sri Lanka signed a 5-year Defence MoU for joint exercises, maritime surveillance, and defense industry collaboration, with Sri Lanka vowing to not allow its territory to be used against Indian interests.
  • Energy Cooperation: Agreement on India-Sri Lanka grid interconnection for electricity trade. Tripartite MoU (India, Sri Lanka, UAE) to develop Trincomalee as an energy hub.
  • Financial Aid: India converted over USD 100 million in loans to grants and reduced interest rates on other loans for Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring. India has provided nearly USD 4
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billion in aid during Sri Lanka’s 2022 crisis.
  • Development Projects: Launch of refurbished Maho-Omanthai railway line and Sampur Solar Power Project, supported by Indian assistance. Also a solar rooftop project for religious sites.
  • Cultural Exchange: Relics of Lord Buddha found in Gujarat to be sent to Sri Lanka for exposition. Discussed possibility of exhibiting these sacred relics in Sri Lanka
  • Connectivity Boost: Upgraded northern railway line between Maho and Omanthai jointly inaugurated. India supported Sri Lanka during the Covid-19 pandemic with vaccines and medical supplies.
  • Trade Relations: India is a top trade partner. The 1998 FTA boosted trade. India a key FDI contributor, with cumulative investments of USD 2.25 billion till 2023.
  • Fishermen Issue: Sri Lanka released 11 Indian fishermen after PM Modi’s ‘humane approach’ pitch
  • Challenges: Chinese presence in Sri Lanka and the Katchatheevu Island dispute continue to pose challenges.
  • Future Roadmap: Focus on technology investment, renewable energy projects, and ETCA implementation to enhance relations.
  • Buddhist Administrative control:Chief monk presented a memorandum requesting Buddhist administrative control over Bodh Gaya temple. “PM Modi assured that he would take necessary steps”, the release stated.

    • Governor’s Assent

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    • SC reprimands TN Governor: The Supreme Court criticized Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi for delaying action on and reserving 10 state bills for the President.

    • Unconstitutional Action: The Court deemed the Governor’s reservation of bills for the President’s consideration unconstitutional.

    • Article 200 Focus: The case highlights the interpretation of Article 200, which outlines the Governor’s powers regarding state bills (assent, withhold, reserve for President).

    • Governor’s Limited Discretion: The SC clarified that the Governor must act on the advice of the Council of Ministers and cannot indefinitely delay bills or exercise an “absolute veto.”

    • Timelines Introduced: The Supreme Court, for the first time, established specific timelines for Governors to act on bills:

      • 1 month to withhold assent or reserve for President (with
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        CoM advice)
      • 3 months to return bill if withholding assent without CoM advice
      • 1 month to give assent after the bill is re-passed

    • Judicial Review: Governor inaction within these timelines will be subject to judicial review. The SC can use Article 142 to

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      declare bills as deemed to have received assent.

    • Democratic Principles Reaffirmed: The Court emphasized that Governors should not obstruct the legislative process. They should facilitate governance, not paralyze it.

    • Re-passed Bills: A Governor cannot reserve a re-passed bill for the President unless its content has materially changed.

    • Delayed Assent Concerns: Delays in granting assent undermine legislative autonomy and can spark judicial scrutiny.

    • Presidential Action: If a bill is reserved for the President, the President may assent, withhold assent (Article 201), or direct the Governor to return it to the assembly.

    Biomass Mission

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    • ESA’s Biomass Mission Launch Imminent: The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing to launch the Biomass satellite. The launch is expected in 2025.

    • Purpose: Carbon Cycle Understanding: The mission aims to improve our understanding of the carbon cycle by providing more accurate forest biomass measurements.

    • Detailed 3D Forest Mapping: Biomass will create detailed 3D maps of dense and remote tropical forests.

    • Vega C Rocket Launch: The satellite will be launched aboard the Vega C rocket from French Guiana.

    • Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO): It will be placed in a sun-synchronous orbit at approximately 666 km altitude.

    • P-Band Radar Technology: The mission utilizes a

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      long-wavelength P-band radar.

    • Penetrates Forest Canopy: The P-band radar can penetrate deep into the forest canopy.

    • Collects Information on Forest Components: It gathers data on tree trunks, branches, and stems, where the majority of carbon is stored.

    • Provides Forest Height and Biomass Data: Biomass will supply experts with new data on forest height and above-ground forest biomass from space.

    • Carbon Cycle & Forest Study: Scientists will use this information to study forest health,

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      changes, and the role of forests in the carbon cycle.

    • Mission Duration: The Biomass mission is planned to last for five years.

    India’s Tech Borders

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    • Comprehensive Electronic Surveillance: India aims to bring the entire India-Pakistan border under electronic surveillance within four years, with testing of systems already underway.
    • Motivation: Recent terror attacks (e.g., March 2025 near Kathua) highlight the urgent need for advanced security measures. Over 30 terror-related incidents reported in Jammu since 2021.
    • Key Tech Components: Anti-drone systems, tunnel detection tech, high-mast lighting, and watchtowers will be deployed.
    • Combating Cross-Border Threats: Addresses terrorism from Pakistan-based groups, smuggling of arms, narcotics, and counterfeit currency. Death crescent (Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan) poses challenges.
    • Border Infrastructure Development: Initiatives like Vibrant Villages Programme are being implemented to strengthen defense and local development.
    • Existing Initiatives: CIBMS, ICPs, Border Area Development Programme, BIM Scheme, and Smart Fencing are already in place.
    • Challenges: Terrain complexity, inter-agency coordination gaps, tech
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      reliability/maintenance, financial constraints, and civil liberties/environmental concerns.
    • Solutions: Prioritize deployment in vulnerable zones (Jammu, Punjab), leverage PPPs and indigenous innovation (iDEX, ideaForge drones), use AI/data analytics, create a unified border command, and integrate satellite surveillance.
    • Government Commitment: Government has assured “no budget shortage” to ensure minimal casualties, reduce hardships through facilities, and support vigilance with technology.Over 26 initiatives related to technology are currently being tested, including anti-drone technology, tunnel identification technology, and electronic surveillance.

    Quantum Leap

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    • Quantum Supremacy Achieved: Researchers at the University of Oxford and Universidad de Sevilla demonstrated quantum supremacy using a simple “odd-cycle graph colouring problem” game.
    • Simpler Approach: Unlike previous demonstrations (Google’s Sycamore, China’s Jiuzhang) requiring complex problems and resources, this method used only two entangled qubits.
    • Odd-Cycle Game: The game challenges players to color an odd-numbered circle with two colors such that no adjacent points share a color, mathematically impossible classically.
    • Quantum Advantage: The quantum version, using entangled atoms, achieved a win rate significantly higher than the classical expectation, proving quantum advantage.
    • Win Rate: Across 101,000 games on 3 to 27 points circles the implementation achieved a win rate of 97.8%.
    • Implications: Simplifies demonstrating quantum supremacy and has potential applications in scenarios where agents can’t communicate, like the rendezvous task.
    • Quantum vs. Classical: Highlights the power of qubits, entanglement, and superposition, allowing
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    quantum computers to outperform classical computers for specific tasks.
  • Strategic Importance (India): Critical for cryptography, drug discovery, and AI, driving India’s National Quantum Mission with significant R&D investment.
  • Challenge The 2.2% gap was attributed to noise while creating the entanglement between the atoms.

    • Dire Wolves

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    • “Dire Wolf” Pups Created: Colossal Biosciences claims to have genetically engineered wolf pups with traits resembling extinct dire wolves.

    • Genetic Engineering Process: Scientists used ancient dire wolf DNA to identify traits like white coats and thick fur. They edited gray wolf cells using CRISPR based on 99.5% DNA similarity and inserted them into domestic dog egg cells.

    • Not Exact Replicas: The pups are not exact genetic replicas of dire wolves due to millions of base pair differences. Classification as “dire wolves” is based on physical resemblance.

    • Dire Wolf Characteristics: Extinct dire wolves were larger than gray wolves, native to North America, and hunted large prey. They went extinct around 13,000 years ago due to prey depletion and human interference.

    • Skepticism from Scientists: Independent scientists emphasize this is not

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      a true revival of dire wolves. Vincent Lynch notes it’s only making something look superficially similar.

    • Lost Ecological Function: Even with physical resemblance, the pups cannot perform the ecological functions of extinct dire wolves in today’s landscapes.

    • Cloning Red Wolves: Colossal also cloned four red wolves to increase genetic diversity within the endangered population.

    • Conservation Potential: The cloning technology may have applications for conserving other species by being less invasive.

    • Government Interest: The U.S. Interior Department is enthusiastic about the project’s potential,

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      with Secretary Doug Burgum praising it as a “thrilling new era of scientific wonder.”

    • Learning Behavior: Pups will not be able to act like dire wolves because they would not learn to kill giant elks or big deer.

    Regional Shift

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    • Shift from Globalism to Regionalism/Minilateralism: The global order is moving away from universal globalism towards regional and interest-driven coalitions. Nations are favoring smaller, more focused partnerships over large multilateral institutions.

    • Reasons for the Shift:

      • Global Conflicts and Institutional Paralysis: Conflicts like Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Gaza expose the limitations of global governance. UN Security Council deadlocks hinder conflict resolution.
      • Reassertion of National Sovereignty: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted supply chain vulnerabilities and unequal vaccine access, prompting countries to prioritize self-reliance.
      • Historical Disillusionment: Developing countries criticize unequal power dynamics in global institutions (WTO, IMF, World Bank),
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        leading them to seek alternative platforms like BRICS.

    • Rise of Regionalism/Minilateralism:

      • Regionalism: Geographically and culturally aligned partnerships (e.g., EU, ASEAN).
      • Minilateralism: Smaller, interest-based groups (e.g., QUAD, I2U2) for focused cooperation.
      • Flexible coalitions like QUAD, BRICS, and IMEC promote strategic autonomy and faster decision-making.

    • India’s Role:

      • Actively engaging in regional initiatives like BIMSTEC and IORA.
      • Promoting regional connectivity through projects like BBIN.
      • Serving as a security provider and humanitarian responder.
      • Acting as a trade and investment hub in South Asia.
      • Promoting shared cultural and democratic values.

    • Challenges to India’s Regional Integration Efforts:

      • Perception of Hegemony: Smaller nations perceive India’s dominance as overbearing.
      • Bilateral Political Tensions: Disputes with Pakistan and China strain relations.
      • Asymmetry in Economic Capabilities: Vast economic disparities hinder policy alignment.
      • China’s Strategic Entrenchment: China’s growing influence through BRI complicates India’s agenda.

    • Way Forward for India:

      • Revive and reform regional institutions like BIMSTEC and IORA.
      • Strengthen sub-regional partnerships like BBIN.
      • Boost regional trade and connectivity through simplified customs and integrated infrastructure.
      • Foster inclusive engagement through transparent aid and cultural diplomacy.

    • Historical Context & India’s Initial Approach: Post WWII optimism faded, with big powers creating blocs like the Warsaw Pact and NATO. India, under Nehru, initially showed realism but later embraced Non-Alignment, which wasn’t as effective.

    • Regionalism as the Future: The post-globalist era is driven by regional interests. The EU and ASEAN serve

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      as examples. South Asia is the least integrated region.

    • Modi’s Efforts: Modi is trying to inject vigor into regional geopolitics by emphasizing the Indian Ocean Region and promoting inclusivity in the Quad’s Indo-Pacific discourse. While SAARC remains dysfunctional, BIMSTEC has potential. Greater integration of the IOR through minilaterals is a priority.

    Electronics Mfg Scheme

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    • Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) Notified: MeitY launched the ECMS to boost India’s position as a global electronics manufacturing hub (April 8, 2025).

    • Focus on Passive Components: Scheme targets manufacturing of passive electronic components like resistors, capacitors, connectors, speakers, sensors, etc. Active components are covered under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).

    • Incentive Structures: Offers three incentive models: turnover-linked, capex-linked, and hybrid (combination of both) to suit varying investment needs.

    • Support for Capital Equipment: The scheme supports the design and manufacturing of capital equipment used in electronics production.

    • Horizontal Initiative: Benefits span multiple sectors like consumer electronics, automobiles, medical devices, creating a multiplier effect.

    • Employment Generation: Mandatory requirement for all applicants, promoting job creation.

    • Growth in Electronics Sector: Electronics production has grown five-fold,

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    and exports six-fold in the last decade, with smartphone exports exceeding ₹2 lakh crore in the last financial year.

  • Ecosystem Development: Over 400 production units now exist, and the sector is evolving from finished goods to deep component manufacturing, increasing value addition.

  • Industry Trends: India’s electronics manufacturing has progressed from finished goods to sub-assemblies, now focusing on deep component manufacturing.

  • Investment and Gestation: Acknowledges higher investment needs and longer gestation periods for component manufacturing.