Antarctica’s Vanishing Ice – 2015

Overall, Antarctica lost approximately 12,800 sq km of grounded ice between 1996 and 2025 and researchers have identified that destabilisation of Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica as a factor for sudden decline since 2015. 

»     Destabilisation happened due to a combination of deep ocean heat, powerful winds and a self-reinforcing feedback loop. 

       o   Deep Ocean Heat: Southern Ocean was strongly layered – with cold fresh water sitting on top of warmer, saltier water below – stopping the heat from reaching surface. That barrier weakened by 2015. 

       o   Powerful Winds: Stronger Westerly winds (strengthened due to ozone hole and GHG emissions) acted like a pump, gradually drawing warm, salty deep water closer to the surface.

       o   Reinforcing Feedback loop: The then rising deep water brings heat and salt to the surface. 

                Ø  The heat melts sea ice, while the extra salt makes the surface waters denser and easier to mix with warmer waters below. That allows even more heat to rise upwards, making it harder for new sea ice to form, and so on.

Role and Significance of Antarctic

»     Climate Regulator: Antarctica reflects solar radiation and helps regulate Earth’s climate and temperature.

»     Freshwater Reserve: It stores nearly 70% of the world’s freshwater in its ice sheets.

»     Ocean Circulation: Antarctic Circumpolar Current, world’s strongest ocean current forms part of the global ocean conveyor belt connecting the Pacific Atlantic and Indian oceans and supplies water, heat and nutrients around the globe.

»     Biodiversity Support: Supports unique ecosystems and species like krill, penguins, seals, and whales.

»     Carbon and Heat Sink: Southern Ocean absorbs excess heat and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Chola Copper Plates Back to India

The artefacts have been in possession of Leiden University and are popularly known as Leiden copper plates.

»     During the visit, two countries also elevated their relations to Strategic Partnership. 

Leiden Copper Plates  

»     Consists of 21 large and 3 small copper plates fastened with a bronze ring bearing the seal of Chola king Rajendra Chola I and another set carrying the seal of Kulottunga Chola I.

»     Language: Tamil and Sanskrit.

»     These plates were brought to Netherlands in 1712 from Nagapattinam by Florentius Camper, a Dutch missionary, associated with Dutch East Indies Company. 

»     Significance: Provide insights into Chola Empire’s administration, taxation, land reforms, irrigation systems, and trade practices.

»     Records grant of Anaimangalam village to Buddhist vihara built by Srivijaya rulers of Southeast Asia, signifying religious harmony and links with Southeast Asia.

Copper Plate Inscriptions

»     Official records engraved on copper sheets and usually tied together with a ring bearing the royal seal.

»     They usually recorded grants of land, lists of royal lineages carrying royal seal, religious grants, donations etc.

»     Earliest known copperplate inscription is Sogaura Copperplate of Mauryan Era mentioning hunger relief efforts (praktrit language and Brahmi script).

»     Majority of the copper plate inscriptions are concentrated in the southern states.

Imperial Cholas (850 – 1279 AD):

»     Referred to as Muvendhar in Sangam Literature, it was a major Tamil dynasty alongside Cheras and Pandyas.

»     Major Rulers: Vijayalaya (Founder), Parantaka Chola (Maduraikonda), Rajaraja Chola I (Conquered northern Sri Lanka and Maldives), Rajendra Chola I (Conquered Srivijaya Kingdom, founded Gangaikondacholapuram).

»     Cultural Patronage: Flourishing of Tamil literature and composition of works such as epic poem “Kalingattupparani” and devotional hymns “Thevarams” by Nayanars.

»     Architecture: Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thajavur, Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram and the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temples.

»     Metal Sculpture: Solid metal sculptures made through lost was method using alloy of five metals (copper, silver, gold, tin and lead).

Demographic Dividend in India

Andhra Pradesh has recently announced financial incentives for 3rd child and 4th child to transition Demographics.

»   India’s replacement fertility rate is 2.1 while South Indian states have 1.5 (Below replacement level).

     o   Replacement Rate refers to the average number of children a woman needs to have to replace exactly herself and a partner in a given population.  

Demographic Transition Theory (DTT)

»   DTT describes the transition from a stage of high fertility and mortality to a stage of low fertility and mortality.

»   It explains how a country’s population structure transforms as it develops economically.

»   DTT was first coined by Warren S. Thompson (1929) and later on by Frank W. Notestein (1945).

Implications of Demographic transition on India: 

»   Inter-State divergences: States with a high share of young population (e.g., Bihar, Uttar Pradesh) have a wider window of opportunity.

»   Changing Dependency Ratio: By 2050, one in five Indians will be aged 60 or above—347 million people, up from ~149 million.

»   Fiscal: Ageing states may experience shrinking tax bases, rising pension and healthcare expenditure, and greater fiscal stress due to higher debt and interest burdens.

»   Political: Delimitation and political representation with higher population states gaining greater parliamentary representation.

Ebola the viruses

World Health Organization declares Ebola outbreaks in Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Ebola Virus

»     Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a rare but severe illness in humans.

»     Zoonotic Transmission: Meaning it is transmitted to people from wild animals (such as fruit bats, porcupines and non-human primates) and then spreads in the human population.

»     Transmission Medium:  Contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected person.

Golden Sweetener in News – Jaggery

India accounts for over 70 percent of global jaggery production. This makes it the world’s largest jaggery producer.

Sharkara:

»     Recognized as a superfood, a natural, nutrient-rich alternative to refined sugar.

       o   Jaggery is produced from concentrated sugarcane juice without chemical refining. It therefore retains essential minerals and micronutrients.

»     Minerals: Like calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, zinc, copper, and manganese.

»     Benefits: Sustains Energy, Aids in Treating Anaemia, Strengthens Immunity, Treats Throat and Lung Infections, Supports Digestion etc.

»     Production: Uttar Pradesh contributed 48.5 percent of total production, followed by Maharashtra (24.1 percent) and Karnataka (10.5 percent).

Green Jewel of Jharkhand-saranda

Supreme Court has directed Jharkhand to notify the ecologically significant Saranda Forest as a wildlife sanctuary amid concerns over mining, elephant habitats, and conservation of sal forest landscape.

Saranda Forest

»     It is the largest Sal forest in Asia located in Jharkhand.

»     Sal Tree is a moist deciduous tree.

»     Saranda means ‘the land of seven hundred hills’.

»     Fauna: It is home to endangered species of flying lizards and elephants.

»     Flora: Sal, Kusum, mushroom, Mahua etc.

»     Nearly 80% of the human population in the region belongs to Ho, Munda, Oraon and some primitive tribes.

Harnessing Knowledge Capital: India’s New Growth Driver

Released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, it seeks to measure the contribution through knowledge in capital, labour, innovation, and digital sectors.

Knowledge-based Economy

»     Definition: It is a system of consumption and production that emphasizes the use of human capital like information, skills, technical expertise, and intellectual property over physical inputs and natural resources.

»     Types of Knowledge:

»     Codified Knowledge: Information that can be easily documented and transmitted digitally (e.g., know-what and know-why).

»     Tacit Knowledge: Experience-based skills and capabilities that are harder to codify and transfer (e.g., know-how and know-who).

»     Significance of a Knowledge-Based Economy

       o   Driven by Increasing Returns: Generate increasing returns through innovation spillovers, repeated use, and sustained long-term economic growth.

       o   Transformation of Value Creation: Commercializes science and innovation through IPRs like patents and copyrights, with knowledge-based activities contributing over 50% of GDP in major OECD economies.

       o   High-Skill Employment: Creates high-wage jobs and increases demand for skilled “knowledge workers”.

       o   National Innovation Systems: Relies on dynamic networks linking academia, government, and industry for interactive learning and innovation diffusion.

»     Examples: Digital India by Meit0059, Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, Ayush, GI Tags, etc.

India Rejects Indus Verdict

India has never recognised the establishment of CoA and India has kept the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance.

»     CoA is a five-member arbitral panel constituted in 2023 at the Pakistan’s request after it challenged the design of India’s Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects.

»     India, however, has refused to participate, arguing that the dispute fall within the remit of Neutral Expert appointed by the World Bank. 

IWT:

»     Origin: Signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan with World Bank (signatory) as facilitator to determine distribution of the waters of the Indus and its tributaries.

»     Extent of Treaty: The Treaty extends to main rivers of Indus basin i.e. Sutlej, Beas, Ravi (Eastern rivers) and Jhelum, Chenab and Indus (Western rivers). 

»     All the waters of the Eastern Rivers were allocated to India for her unrestricted use while India is under obligation to let flow all the waters of the Western Rivers, except for the domestic, non-consumptive and other uses permitted in the Treaty.

»     Dispute Resolution under IWT:

       o   Step 1: Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) with a commissioner from each country. (Meets annually alternatively in both countries)

       o   Step 2: Neutral Expert appointed by World Bank and involves rendering a binding decision.

       o   Step 3: Court of Arbitration upon agreement between parties or at the request of either party. India and EFTA (includes Norway and Iceland) signed the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) aimed for investment of USD 100 billion leading to creation of 1 million direct jobs in India.

Indonesia’s Global Moment

Indonesia (Capital: Jakarta)

»     Dukono volcano erupted in Indonesia’s North Maluku province.

Political Features

»     Location: Between Indian and Pacific Oceans, off mainland Southeast Asia.

»     Major Islands: Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Papua.

»     Boundaries: Shares land borders with East Timor, Papua New Guinea, and Malaysia.

»     Global Role: Founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) along with India.

Geographical Features:

»     Tectonic Setting: Located at the convergence of tectonic plates, part of the Ring of Fire, making it highly disaster-prone (earthquakes and volcanic eruptions).

»     Volcanism: Presence of 100+ active volcanoes (e.g., Mount Merapi, Mount Krakatoa).

»     Climate: Tropical climate due to its location along the equator.

Migratory Marvels

Union Environment Minister highlighted the return migration of satellite-tagged Amur Falcon, showcasing successful community-led conservation efforts in Manipur. 

Characteristics

»   It is locally known as ''Kahuaipuina'' in Manipur. 

»   Migratory raptor: Make voyage from breeding grounds in Russia and China (Far-East Asia) to southern Africa via India.

     o  22,000 km journey (longest sea crossing of any raptor)

     o  Passes through Manipur and Nagaland.

»   Feeds on dragonflies that follow a similar migration path over Arabian Sea.

»   Conservation status: 

     o  IUCN: Least concern 

White Gold Spotlight

Government shifts silver imports to the “restricted” category and imposes a 15% import duty to curb rising imports.

Silver:

»     It is a relatively soft, shiny metal. 

»     Applications: Highest electrical and thermal conductivity makes it indispensable for electronics, circuit boards, connectors, batteries, and automotive systems.

       o  Silver''s antibacterial properties are used in wound dressings, medical-device coatings, catheters, surgical instruments, water purification systems, and pharmaceutical compounds.

»     Natural Abundance: Silver occurs in ores such as argentite and chlorargyrite (horn silver).

»     Leading producer: Mexico.