- S8 TENSION: COSMOLOGISTS CANNOT AGREE ON HOW CLUMPY UNIVERSE IS
SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY
- Cosmologists are divided over measurements of“S8”, a parameter that quantifies how clumpy or lumpy the universe is today.
- The discrepancy between data from galaxy surveys and cosmic microwave background (CMB)predictions has become a central issue in modern cosmology, termed the”S8 tension”.
- What is S8? ○
- A measure of how matter has clustered at large scales (~260 million light years).
- S8 combines the matter density of the universe and amplitude of fluctuations in the distribution of matter.
- Two Competing Observations:
- CMB-based predictions(from Planck mission): Suggest a higher S8 value (~0.83).
- Galaxy surveys using cosmic shear(gravitational lensing effects): Indicate a lower S8 value (~0.74), including recent findings from Japan’s Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam
2. IS NATURAL HYDROGEN THE FUEL OF THE FUTURE
SUBJECT: ENVIRONEMENT
- Natural hydrogen is being considered a potential llow-cost, clean energy source, occurring geologically as a free gas in rock formations, deep earth cracks, and sedimentary basins.
- Known as“white” or “gold” hydrogen, it’s untapped due to past perceptions of rarity and extraction difficulty.
- How it forms: Naturally produced via serpentinization of iron-rich rocks, radiolysis of water, and organic decay —without needing energy-intensive industrial processes.
- A major discovery in Mali in 1987reignited interest when a hydrogen fire was found in a borewell and burned continuously for weeks.
- India’s prospects: While India lacks mapped reserves, Deccan volcanic regions and Himalayan zones may hold potential. However, no official exploration is underway yet.
3. INDIA’S SHAME THE TRAP OF BONDED LABOUR
SUBJECT: SOCIAL ISSUES
- Despite being abolished in 1975,bonded labour persists in India, with recent cases in Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh revealing forced labour, trafficking, and abuse.
- It reflect deep structural injustice, where debt, poverty, and caste-based discrimination force entire families into servitude.
- Root causes: include poverty, caste discrimination, lack of access to credit or education, absence of legal protections, and dominance of social elites in rural labour markets.
- Unorganised sector: Around 90% of India’s workforce is informal, making them highly vulnerable to exploitation, wage theft, and unsafe conditions.
- Policy implementation gaps: Though 1.84 crore bonded labourers were targeted for rehabilitation till 2030, only about 12,000 were rescued annually between 2016–21.
- Investigations show that modern slavery continues through informal contracts, low wages, lack of legal rights, and absence of unionisation.
4. THE STATE MUST NOT STIFLE DEMOCRATIC DISSENT IN THE NAME OF NATIONAL SECURITY
SUBJECT: DEFENCE
- The editorial critiques unchecked state surveillance, warning against using national security as a justification for stifling dissent and civil liberties.
- Refers to ongoing Supreme Court hearings into alleged Pegasus spyware use on politicians, journalists, judges, and civil society actors.
- Raises concerns over the lack of transparency, oversight, and legal safeguards in electronic surveillance.
- Surveillance must follow due process with judicial and institutional checks to prevent abuse and protect democratic values.
- The court’s framing of the debate not about whether the state can use spyware, but who qualifies as a legitimate target is a vital democratic inquiry.
- Criticizes arbitrary labeling of critics and opposition as anti-national, and misuse of executive power in the absence of legal standards.
5. FAIR, REMUNERATIVE PRICE FOR SUGAR CANE INCREASED
SUBJECT: AGRICULTURE
- Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved an increase in Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP)for sugar cane on April 30, 2025.
- FRP for 2025-26 season (October-September): ₹355/quintal (up from ₹340/quintal in 2024-25).
- Based on sugar recovery rate of 10.25%; FRP ensures profitability
- Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP):
- Introduced in 2009, replacing the Statutory Minimum Price (SMP); set by the Central Government under the Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966.
- Determined by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) based on production costs, recovery rate, and market conditions.
- Applicable to sugar cane; ensures minimum payment to farmers by sugar mills.
- Minimum Support Price (MSP):
- Covers 22 crops (e.g., paddy, wheat); also recommended by CACP but differs from FRP in applicability and calculation.
- MSP ensures price stability; FRP focuses on sugar cane with recovery-based adjustments.
